It was the animated video called “Maritess vs The Superfriends” that introduced me to the renowned Fil-Am comedian Rex Navarrete. Fast forward to about a decade later when I had the chance to actually watch him perform live recently at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. The wait was well worth it, especially since the venue made it more comfortable to watch the show, “Top Picks,” which also featured the magic [...]

When in Manila, it’s normal to feel hot and humid, but sweating it out in Bikram Yoga is a whole different thing. What makes this particular yoga more challenging is that practitioners get to do their usual poses in a heated room that is about 35 degrees Celsius. Yes, this is one hot yoga!     There are actually health reasons behind the use of heat. The primary reason is that it lessens the chance [...]

Elias Restaurant at the Fort      When in Manila, the most authentic thing you can do is taste the local cuisine. Filipino food can give you a lot of insights to the local culture, and there are plenty of places where you can dine and discover, one of which is Elias Restaurant. This new restaurant at the Fort is the brainchild of Chef Florabel Co-Yatco, the award-winning chef is also behind other establishments such [...]

    When in Manila, it’s imperative that you always look your best because you’ll never know who you might just run into. Although beauty comes with a price, it’s actually not so steep if you prettify yourself with Studio Zen.   Other salons offer regular haircuts and other treatments, but this particular salon, in the heart of Quezon City, is more inviting with its offer of unlimited salon services. Where else can you avail [...]

      When in Manila, go far from the madding crowd and look for hole-in-the-wall places or those that have become popular through word of mouth. One such place is a restaurant called Kuya’s at the Fort / Jed & Julian’s.         This unassuming restaurant is located in the less commercial area of Fort Bonifacio, but its good food makes it worth the visit. I went there with my sisters and [...]

  When in Manila, treat yourself to some “me time” and spend a day in the spa or a similar establishment where you can clear your mind and just lay back and relax. Such places are abundant in the metro but nothing beats going somewhere that has it all.             Aesthetic Science, for instance, is a one-stop shop that has been in the industry for six years already. Aside from [...]

    When in Manila, take a break from the chaotic city life and spoil yourself silly. Whenever I feel stressed or simply want to indulge, I get a massage or some sort of body treatment to make me feel all good.   There’s a one-stop shop in the metro where you could try various services such as massages, facials, and all kinds of cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery treatments. Aesthetic Science, which was established [...]

    YUMMY Eats: An Event for Foodies By Nikka Sarthou   When in Manila, don’t miss out on the local food! Filipinos love to eat and it shows in the way we eat practically five times a day. Food is an important part of our culture—it is the centerpiece in various celebrations and it is vital in how we welcome guests, especially foreign travelers who have never been to the Philippines.     As [...]