Miss Adventurista

Why Family Trips Are For Keeps

2013-05-20T01:17:00.002+08:00

Lots of people I know (including myself on some occasions) like exploring alone.

They like to see new places, countries, and try new things without having to bear 1) waiting for a sibling taking too long in the bathroom, 2) a dad refusing to ask for directions from locals (when you're obviously already lost and seem like the perfect characters in an Alfred Hitchcock movie), or 3) a mom forgetting where she kept her passport. (Note: Not in any way from my own experience, to be clear.)

I agree that traveling alone is thrilling in many ways. Solo travel rocks! Most do it to discover the enormity and diversity of countries and cultures, while discovering more about themselves in the process. It's something every wanderlust should do at some point in his or her life. Same goes with traveling with friends. Do it as much as you can.

I do, however, also subscribe to the fact that traveling with family can make you discover a lot about yourself and your loved ones all the same. If not the best, it's one of the greatest avenues wherein you are away from your collective comfort zones. To me, it's like taking a huge part of home with you. Case-in-point are several expat friends who have parents working in different parts of the world, spend more time away from their country of birth, and can't really tell where home is anymore. They eventually realize, though, that home is wherever their families are. And rightly so.

Frankly, our parents aren't getting any younger. Neither are we. Our priorities and perspectives change, but relationships can only go from good to bad. And I speak as a twenty-something, who belongs to a generation which, I've observed, would nod to a lot of contradicting articles that's one moment about that YOLO thing (which can be misunderstood as 'Do whatever and do it now, for tomorrow you might die', and I say you really might if you keep at such foolishness), then another about already settling and knowing your purpose. Sure, this decade in everyone's lives is as confusing as reading a map in a language we barely understand.

But there's merit in seeing that, at this point in our parents' lives, they are also at a time wherein they can't just grab and sit us on their laps, create combat scenes with pumpkin or carrot glob-filled spoons during mealtimes, approach us with new storybooks to read with us during bedtime. (Unless you're currently in 4th Grade, trying to avoid friends and bullies seeing good ol' mom kiss you goodbye at the campus gate. Don't you worry, child. This too shall pass!)

This is when they wonder if we still need them, if we want them beside us, or if we even remember them when we're busy making reports and forecasts and planning our own futures. And as much as they wish we are already independent and ready enough to take on the world as we know it, we can't discount those 'I-trust-you-but-not-the-dangerous-world-around-you' moments from their system.

That's why traveling as much as we can with them creates an avenue for mutual learning. There's value in seeing our parents' faces light up at the sight of cathedrals and temples they took too long to see, or finally getting to watch the musical that was never really shown in our home country. We learn what still makes them as young as we are – how fun it is for them to finally not worry about strollers and carriers, and just enjoy the fact that we can enjoy the experience as much as they do.

How exciting is it to show them our street smarts – navigating around cities or planning an itinerary? (Which brings us back to 'Look ma, no hands!', or 'She's not our baby anymore!' vignettes from our childhood.) Surely they, too, wait for that time away from daily responsibilities just to be properly kooky with the family.

At this very moment, someone's getting ready for another day at work or getting ready for bed. A mother's driving her son to soccer practice, another wide-eyed undergrad receives his degree. One’s first word, and one’s last breath. The world never stops revolving and we can't just wait for that moment when we've finally amassed a fortune and made bank until we realize that we need to live life and love it. We can't just wait for that moment, only to realize our parents can't walk as fast as they used to, dive into the blue, bungee jump off an iconic bridge, or climb a 300-step staircase to view a rustic European town with us.

Now is when we're at our wealthiest. When we still have the energy to grab opportunities, make mistakes (and learn well from them), have the best yet to unfold, and spend as much time as we can with people we love. Now is when we should save lots of memories (and money, lest we forget). Now is the best time (as it always is) to share with the families we were born into before we make one of our own. Now is when we can hop on a plane, a bus, a car, a train, a rickshaw, a bamboo raft, an elephant that hugs, or a horse that stops to fart (insert Tagalog punch line: Nakiki-sakay ka lang, okay?).

You see, when traveling with family, the only extra baggage we carry are those we wait for at Baggage Claim (unless you have a sibling who rides 'cargo' for kicks).

The rest? We'll totally hand-carry for free.

(Photos courtesy of my father. Thanks, dad!)

MINT Museum of Toys, SG: A Tower Like No Other

2013-03-28T15:42:00.003+08:00

Houston, we don't have a problem.

Welcome to the MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum, a five-floor wonderland! Standing across one of Singapore's oldest landmarks,Raffles Hotel (near the National Library), this museum of toys boasts of a comprehensive collection of playthings and collectibles dating as far back as the mid-19th century. It's the world's first museum built only for the 50,000-strong vintage toy collection from over 40 countries across Europe, Asia, and America.

Let me take you on a quick tour of the toy tower:

Ground floor: Mint Shop

When boys simply picked sticks (and not girls) up...

Bring home tangible memories of childhood games

It will be a struggle to make it to the ticket counter with all the little toys for sale! But before snagging all the childhood toys (like tops, skipping ropes, jack stones, sling shots, and cereal box trinkets) and stuffing them inside your bag, know the ticket rates: SGD15 for adults and SGD7.50 for children and senior citizens. Family promo rates are also available: SGD36 for two adults and two children and SGD42 for three adults and one child. If visiting with a MINT Museum of Toys member, you get 30 percent off on admission!

Second floor: Collectibles

Fancy a fantastic array of collectibles from The Beatles memorabilia to a fine display of Moko Lesney Matchbox vehicles (yes even the boxes were kept intact)! This reminded me of days when I'd rummage through my dad's chest of matchbox toys and would play with them for hours on end. My favorite was a a Volkswagen, which weirdly was one of my dream cars.

Third floor: Childhood favorites

Before Barbie dolls, there were marionettes and hand puppets. Betty Boop was the Marilyn Monroe of dolls, and teddy bears came in all shapes and sizes. All of these vintage toys are displayed on this floor. Here, you can also find a special collection of dolls from the Door of Hope mission back in the 1920s, made by Chinese girls who were saved from slavery.

Fourth floor: Characters

Before there were tight red Speedos...

Inside glass cases, you can spot the likes of Tintin, Dennis the Menace, Batman, Astroboy, Noddy, and Ultraman… You’ll even find Bruce Lee in there somewhere! I found the Tintin collection rather amusing, as I've never seen a more extensive collection of Tintin toys since the opening of The Tintin Shop in Singapore's Chinatown.

Fifth floor: Outerspace

Turbo-speed into the world of Star Wars, Flash Gordon, Doctor Who, robots, spaceships, and astronauts. Stare too long at the life-sized Darth Vader and he’ll twitch. (Just kidding.)

Full from the visual plethora of toys but hungry for something yummy? Grab some grub at Mr. Punch before heading out. It even has a rooftop wine bar if you fancy one for the road!

MINT Museum is located at 26 Seah Street, beside Raffles Hotel. If you love walking (like me), it's just a 10-minute walk from City Hall MRT.

KL, Malaysia: A View from the Top

2013-03-23T22:20:00.002+08:00

On our second day in Kuala Lumpur, we went to the tallest communications tower in Southeast Asia, the Kuala Lumpur Tower or Menara KL. For a 360-degree view of the city, this is worth a visit.

My view from the bottom

A 10 to 15-minute drive from Jalan Pudu via Bukit Bintang, the way to the main gate of the tower is a swirling road, with plant boxes and palm trees. At the foot of the tower there are a couple of mini attractions as well. The Animal Zone, XD Theater, a small strip of Malay house replicas, an aquarium, a pony ride area, a gallery, a souvenir shop, a money changer, and a small auditorium are okay as side trips when you're at the tower.

Menara KL was opened to the public on July 23, 1996 and stands proudly at 421 meters. It is open everyday, from 9:30am - 9:30pm. The observation deck is 276 meters high, but for those afraid of heights, don't worry -- there won't be any hanging or too much looking down into the 'death of perception'. :)

You may choose packaged tickets (Observation Deck + a mini attraction), or go with the single ticket. My folks went for the Animal Zone visit, and I went for the XD Theater (more on that later) for RM 55 = PhP 770.

Well they ARE at home

Walking through the strip of little Malay house replicas reminded me a lot of Philippine history. It's obviously because our histories are pretty much intertwined from the get-go. The houses are made from wood and the roofs are of sturdy and resilient nipa leaves. There were also little details such as toys from neighborhood (and professional) games like Sepak Takrao (which, for Filipino kids during my childhood, has mutated into Sipa). You'll also be entertained by live traditional Malay music as you view the exhibit showcasing the Malay way of life.

Upon arrival at the deck, you'll be handed an audio player with guides available in different languages. This will aide you around the entire observation circle, with properly numbered stations that take you back to the history of each important landmark. There are also a couple of souvenir shops in the middle (which you can check out if you're waiting for your travel buddies to finish the round). From there, you can spot the Palace, Petronas Towers, and Batu Caves.

My parents enjoyed their Animal Zone moment, though. My argument there is it's because they saw a turtle which had a scientific name that sounded like how they'd call our dog!

Someone's sleeping on the job...

On my part, the XD Theater wasn't spectacular. I think what added to the novelty of it all was just that I was alone inside and was screaming like a looney from all the air blowing from the screen and onto my face! And, of course, there were TV screens where people queueing outside could see me, and I didn't want to be a lame subject. Hehe.

Tacky tourist pose time!

Honestly, I would just go for the Single Ticket and pay only for the Observation Deck. It's worth the RM 47 you'll be forking out anyway.

HAPPY 2013!

2013-01-12T15:06:00.000+08:00

As certain as the sun rising in the morning, I promise you this.

Taken on the last day of 2012 on a bike ride to the beach.

May this year bring an abundance of love and laughter to you all!

Mt. Pinatubo, PH: Trekking a Volcano

2012-07-03T19:07:00.000+08:00

You know when they say that sometimes, the journey is better than the destination? This was true, until we finally reached the crater. I trekked Mount Pinatubo with colleagues, my best friend, and some friends last May. It didn't matter if we were fit or unfit - we were going to walk up a volcano and that was it.

We arranged a tour via Philippine Adventures. The base rate per person (for a group of 9) was P2,200 (which was inclusive of pick-up and drop-off, expenses for toll/gas, driver, entrance and tour guide fees). We paid an additional P350 each for a Korean lunch. You could opt for a Filipino lunch at P250.

We were fetched from the office at 3:30 a.m. by a well-maintained, Ford van. Our point of entry was Capas, Tarlac and we arrived at approximately 7:00 a.m. The driver assisted us in filling up a few forms, and brought us to our assigned 4x4 jeeps. The hour and a half drive had begun. I’ve always wanted to stand up inside a 4x4, you know, like they do in those safari movies. In the first 30 minutes, we drove through flat terrain.

All we could see were hundreds of meters of lahar (volcanic ash) and grass. There were cows and carabaos grazing, trying to feed on greens struggling their way through what was left of tilled soil. Locals walked in families of four or five. I was certain they've been walking for hours just to reach town.

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Tuesday Torture: ADVERTISING

2012-05-22T10:54:00.002+08:00

Looks like today's crop is a slew of torture tests. Hence, today's ad theme: TUESDAY TORTURE!

1. Vapona Bug Spray

"If you hate mosquitoes." Well, I DO. With a passion. Insect repellent is my friend and maybe, yours too. I would love to see them suffer like this, no matter how sadistic that makes me seem.

Which gives me license to laugh like this:

2. Super Nanny TV Show "Control Toys"

This is a fun way to show the serious implications of hiring a nanny from hell. We very well know how a lot of nannies need to be taught a lesson. But, what if it's your kids who need to be taught a lesson?

CUPCAKE GIVEAWAY BY THE BEKIRY! (WINNERS ANNOUNCED)

2012-05-21T20:17:00.000+08:00

One evening, my sister called me from across the room. "Ate Kiten! Listen to this, 'Mga kwento ng mga becky na cupcake na gusto nang magladlad." We burst out laughing. "Witty, ha. Kanino 'yan?" I muttered.

Turns out, it was a poster from THE BEKIRY - a small cupcake enterprise - run by my sister's high school classmate, Michelle, together with two college friends. The cupcakes, aside from the deliciously funny copy on their marketing materials, looked very enticing.

Fast forward to a few weeks later. I was on Facebook, and on my news feed were my office mates sharing The Bekiry's cupcake menu and raving about how yummy the cupcakes looked and how simply hilarious the names and materials were!

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Happy Mother's Day!

2012-05-16T10:44:00.000+08:00

Our mothers can be the most accepting, most appreciative, and most supportive people in our lives.
I'd laugh at the sight of children bragging about how their moms think they're the handsomest or prettiest person on the face of the earth! Silly kids (well, I used to be one of them)!

"Although I did not come from her tummy, for sure I came from her heart."

Happy Mother's Day to all moms!

Trippy Tuesday: Light-hearted Kites

2012-05-08T11:00:00.001+08:00

A little sunshine and the perfect breeze make for a good kite-flying day. Ain't this just trippy!

El Nido, Palawan, PH: Falling in Love

2012-05-07T00:11:00.000+08:00

People warned me about putting too little sunblock before slathering my favorite tanning oil on. Peeling was, apparently, the price to pay for the tan I've always wanted.

They also told me to bring lots of insect repellant. It was the third bottle I threw inside my duffel before I flew.

Of all the things that I had to be warned of, they missed one very important thing.

They didn't tell me how much charisma this place had. So much, that it caught me off-guard.

Falling in love was bound to happen. After all, love was what brought us all here.

I need to get my heart back.

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My Summer Beauty Giveaway! (WINNERS ANNOUNCED)

2012-05-02T18:33:00.001+08:00

WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED AT THE END OF THIS POST!

Hello, Manila babes! I'm back from one of the most breathtaking parts of The Philippines - EL NIDO, PALAWAN!

I'm telling you... it is bee-yoo-tee-fool! Please try and visit it at least once in your lives! :)

We attended an uncle's wedding - hence a riot of pure silliness and laughter! While I am still writing the story and choosing some of my favorite photos from the trip, I am giving away a simple treat for you beach beauties!

The sun left me 3 shades darker than when I set foot on the lovely island. THREE SHADES! And I'm on the medium tone to begin with. What can I do? I love the sun and the sea, and that makes me love my new color all the more!

There's only one problem: my current foundation shade is now too light.

Since I don't like wearing makeup everyday (save for client presentations and special events) and I won't really be able to use this darling thing (due to my shade change) I bought on my last trip to Singapore, I am giving away a brand new, sealed tube of Sephora Light Veil Foundation (in Medium/Beige 25) to ONE lucky reader!

Aaaaand, because I know how the city heat furiously melts your makeup away, I am also giving away a brand new (in box) Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Spray to ONE other lucky reader!

So... One reader will win the Sephora Light Veil Foundation, and another reader will win the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Spray!

***

Tadaaaa! Thanks to all those who joined the giveaway! Told you the steps to follow were just easy peasy. Really appreciate these lovely ladies who beat the deadline - despite the lazy weekend! :)

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A Bulgarian Word for a Nickname!

2012-04-21T14:55:00.003+08:00

The simple story behind my nickname is that when we were kids, an older cousin couldn't pronounce my full name properly and my parents thought it sounded unique. I still get mistaken as Kirsten (ugh), Kristine, or Kristel a lot by adults, so it's not surprising that a 4-year-old boy would get tongue-tied!

Apparently, 'Kiten' is also a seaside resort town on the Black Sea Coast of Burgas Province, Bulgaria (there's also a Kiten River!). Bulgarian word for 'lovely and 'pretty'. Boom! Okaaaay, F na F ko but when I Google-d images of the place, I shook my head and said "No, those adjectives definitely don't refer to me." Haha.

The way you pronounce Kiten (as in the place) is the way my name is pronounced! Woot! Oh, and if I finally use that 'check-in' feature online, it's gonna say "Kiten just checked-in at Kiten." or "Kiten is in Kiten."

Nyeknyeknyek!

LEGO 'Festival of Play'

2012-04-19T11:42:00.000+08:00

LEGO + TRAVEL + AUSTRALIA

Three things I love, all in one video.

LEGO houses with flower gardens are the best. With a child's imagination, flowers growing on rooftops are very much real. If you had LEGO blocks as a child, you'd agree that stepping on a stray block around the house isn't the best feeling in the world! Haha.

What's Your Wild Rabbit? Pacquiao + Badu + Scorsese for Hennessy

2012-04-17T11:45:00.000+08:00

Hennessy's new campaign, 'What's Your Wild Rabbit?', asks about man's inner desire to do greater things - some of which might be almost impossible, but aren't allowed to become much of a hurdle.

Manny Pacquiao is one of their endorsers, alongside Erykah Badu and well... Martin Scorsese! Martin Scorsese is just as exceptional in piercing through poignant realities of life in his movies. Erykah Badu, as a little girl, simply wanted to be funky. Just look at how funky she has become now.

Some might have noticed a slight a disjoint between Hennessy being an alcohol brand and Pacquiao an athlete. Other than that, my takeaway from his bit of the campaign really isn't about drinking and boxing - it's about him being a champion by winning at life.

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OUTBREAK MANILA: We Survived the Zombie Horde!

2012-04-16T05:30:00.000+08:00

My office mates and I were all psyched up for OUTBREAK MANILA - the first 5km zombie run in the Philippines. It was something we didn't regret waking up at 3:00 a.m. for, on a Saturday at that! Some of us were runners already, but we knew we were in for an extra cardio boost. I felt so giddy but somewhat nervous the night before, like a kid waiting for the clock to strike twelve on her birthday.

Those who have seen an episode of The Walking Dead might have already pictured themselves in one of the scenes. It was held in Nuvali at Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 14. There were more than 20 waves, and we were lucky to have secured slots in Wave 9, which was at 7:30 am.

Maan did makeup for some of the zombies including Petra Mahalimuyak (who was hosting that day).

Just 50 meters into the run (wala pang 5 minutes!), we were all out of breath. It was of course because of the intense 37-degree heat that morning, but more so because we screamed ourselves out at the starting point! We were all screaming in excitement (but you could clearly hear the oh-my-god-please-help-us tone in our voices, haha) as we saw crawlers and walkers inching their way to the crowd. The first obstacle was crawling through a large wire enclosure that gained us a white flag each.

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Meet the World's Most Downloaded Man

2012-04-15T12:08:00.000+08:00

What happened when a photographer flew out to meet Jesper Bruun

(a Danish model a.k.a The World's Most Downloaded Man)?

Funny how awkward their conversations were!

Dear Mr. Bruun,

Your looks aren't conducive to working anymore.

Please come back later.

Love,

Kiten (insert a huge ear-to-ear smiley face with blushing cheeks here!!!)

Colsubsidio Book Exchange

2012-04-14T10:31:00.000+08:00

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Caine's Cardboard Arcade

2012-04-12T10:00:00.000+08:00

My friend, Bia, shared this gem of a story to us yesterday.

This video about Caine Monroy, a 9-year-old boy from East LA, further strengthened my belief that no dream or no passion is too little, no matter how little you have to begin.

Because of his love for arcades, he decided to make his own - out of cardboard boxes and tape - in his dad's auto part store. He even found a way to "encode" a serial number in his Fun Pass! Despite his schoolmates' disbelief in what he created, he never gave up.

Seems like he's gonna go places, this boy.

Help Caine's Scholarship Fund:
http://cainesarcade.com

Caine's Arcade Online:
http://facebook.com/cainesarcade
http://twitter.com/cainesarcade

Credits:
Directed by Nirvan
http://twitter.com/nirvan

Nasugbu, PH: Heading Home to Hamilo Coast

2012-04-11T11:57:00.000+08:00

Baste. Back on the sand, face to the sun. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip over.

Baste. Back to the sun, face on the sand. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip over.

Now, if only I could do that for an entire day without looking like a fat piece of salmon on a grill.

It has just been three days back in the city, and I'm beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic. The buildings seem to stand too close to one another, people unconsciously invade other people's personal spaces, and cars don't seem to mind being an inch's width apart from each other (not that they can mind). I just keep telling myself that I'll get around this feeling soon, as usual. I know I will. I grew up a city girl, after all. And it's just a matter of weeks until I reunite with the pureness of nature's beauty again.

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Paris, FR: A Lass in the City of Lights (Part 2)

2012-04-09T14:00:00.001+08:00

Unearthed another set of munchkin photos from 1992! It's always fun to look back at our childhood when our problems were 1) that we looked like walking nipa huts, 2) what we were going to have for lunch (while still eating breakfast), 3) that we were mistaken for boys because of our super uso (trendy!?!) haircuts.

One morning at the corner bakery (at that size and age, I could eat a whole baguette!)

On our way to Pompidou. Mum and me (a.k.a Edna Mode of The Incredibles)!

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Asia Society Philippines' Blog Giveaway Winner!

2012-04-09T12:58:00.001+08:00

Why do you like to travel?

I love to travel for so many reasons. The top 2 of those are: for growth and for fulfillment. At an early age, I realized my natural propensity for travel and adventure and while growing up I just knew I had to realize or actualize that. Moreover, traveling offers vast opportunities for growth whether by broadening the mind and soothing then strengthening the spirit. It's a beautiful irony how going outside, expanding your view of the world, and getting acclimatized to new cultures enables you to deepen your understanding of your own self and your roots. I know it sounds very Ghandi-like, since he said "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself..." But it's true.

What is your dream Asian destination and why?

As for my ultimate dream destination in Asia, I've been lucky enough to already have been - Bali in Indonesia. Trailing it behind, but still a place that often causes me to daydream and my thoughts to wander, is Thailand. Top reasons why: the thought of a floating market is mesmerizing to me. I'd love to explore the ancient ruins in Ayuthaya, take part in celebrating the paper lantern festival and sail in a raft along the historical River Kwai.

Congratulations - Fides Camino - you just won a Powerbooks gift certificate from Asia Society Philippines! We'll get in touch with you in a bit!

SAVING MONEY FOR TRAVEL

2012-04-01T21:00:00.000+08:00

I've been receiving e-mails from my readers, asking about the usual expenses I incur when traveling. Honestly, I'm very kuripot or stingy with expenses when I'm abroad. I'm not saying you should be as stingy, but even if you're not a backpacker or hardcore budget traveler, is always wise to travel with an expense limit or a fixed budget which you have to work with during your entire trip.

So, how do you make sure that you're within budget while having as much fun as you'd like? Here are a few tips (based on experience) to help you save money for and on the trip!

1. Plan Ahead

There are cases when we only have a month or two to plan local or international trips. That's pretty normal, considering the crazy low fares a lot of budget airlines offer nowadays. Usually, you can get tickets and hotel accommodation for peanuts.

For major trips outside the region, it pays to plan early. Like, a year early. There are some airlines that sell their tickets at 40% cheaper than the usual - if you book at least 10 months in advance. I can attest to this as I was able to book a round-trip ticket (inclusive of taxes and surcharges) last year with Singapore Airlines, for much less than what I would have paid for if I booked this year! It also helped that the exchange rate was really good at PHP 41.60 = US$ 1. Also, my trip to Singapore with the best friend last March 2011 via Philippine Airlines cost only PHP 9,000 all-inclusive, and we booked 3 months in advance.

Airline companies regularly send emails about seat sales, but they're sometimes for one-way-travel-soon bookings that will still cost you more than what you're supposed to pay for if you had just booked early.

2. Going with a group or going indie?

A major factor in saving up is knowing if you're traveling alone. Traveling alone means you'll be spending for yourself, and will often have to pay for a whole meal or a full rate at a museum or tour package. The key here is of course, to exploit all free attractions and sights that you can find. There are a lot of open parks, beaches, and museums around the world that you can visit without having to spend a penny.

Traveling in a group helps you split daily expenses, especially when it comes to accommodation and meals.

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Popping the Mochi Ice Cream Cherry

2012-03-29T23:38:00.000+08:00

Mochi is a famous Japanese ingredient that they use on desserts and snacks. It's a glutinous rice mixture that is delicious when paired with adzuki beans, and different fruit preserves. I've tried mochi many times before, and it's a staple topping when I have my usual green tea frozen yogurt at Red Mango.

But, "Mochi Ice Cream. What in the world does that mean?!" was exactly what was in my head when I saw Mochiko's giant freezer in Mercato last year. I've only been to Mercato four times, but the idea of mochi+ice cream never really piqued my interest.

Fast forward to a year later, and I have a box of Mochiko take-out in my own freezer. The mochi gods must be laughing at me by now!

Okay, so what made me like Mochiko (let alone, try it)?

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Oishinbo: Big Appetite, Little Tokyo

2012-03-25T17:47:00.003+08:00

This is Little Tokyo after a zombie invasion. No people, no food. Just walkers who are hungry for umami. (I'm kidding.)

If you've been here for dinner, you must have seen this place packed with people getting their Japanese fix. But, this is what you'll see at noon, devoid of the usual crowd dining al fresco.

Some of the restaurants here are open during lunch, two of which are Hana (a favorite but their meals are too pricey for individual lunches) and Oishinbo. We had dinner at Hana before, and although I love their food, I can't stand the fact that a piece of Ebi Tempura costs PHP 100! So, moving on...

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Best Taco in Town

2012-03-24T16:02:00.000+08:00

If you’re a taco fan, you’d know that Pancake House’s Best Taco in Town is, really, one of the best. It also comes cheap, at around PHP 80.00. There’s a special way to enjoy the taco, try it if you haven't! If you’re like me who loves her best taco spicy, a hefty amount of pepper sauce does the trick.

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