Thursday, July 16, 2009

Litratong Pinoy: tuyo [dry]

Mga natuyong driftwood sa baybayin ng Cagbalete Island. Galing sa isang ordinaryong puno na nililok ng klima at panahon, at naging katangi-tangi.

Naiisip ko ang iba't-ibang lugar na maaring panggagalingan ng bawat piraso ng kahoy. Nakakaaliw pag-isipan ang pinagmulan at paglalakbay ng bawat sanga o puno, kung paano ito nakarating dito, at kung anong pwersa ng kalikasan ang nagdala nito sa aking kinatatayuan. Naihahambing ko tuloy ito sa buhay, kamatayan at pagkabulok. Mga tuyong labi ng kahoy, makinis, maligasgas, pabilog o di kaya'y namamaluktot---nagpapaalala sa akin ng mga buhay na nilikha at minsan, mga kalansay. Tunay na makahulugan at kaakit-akit.

I found these dry pieces of driftwood along the shores of Cagbalete Island. Natural elements have sculpted unique patterns and shapes on these ordinary pieces turning each driftwood into something extraordinary.

Driftwood reminds me of other places---every piece of wood has come from somewhere else! It is a pleasure to wonder about the origins and journeys of the each piece, how it came to be here, what forces of nature have brought it to these shores. It makes me think of life, death and decay. The bleached remains of trees, smoothly rounded or wrought into contorted shapes remind me of living creatures and or skeletons. It is both symbolic and fascinating.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

UCC Cafe - Ruby Tuesday

Another delightful find during my stroll at the new Terraces in Ayala-Cebu was the UCC Cafe. It's one of my favorite coffee shops---I love their espresso and desserts! When my friends and I need some peace and quiet while having our dessert, we go to UCC Cafe at Forbes Town Center in Global City. The branch at The Terraces is a good location, too...far from where shoppers and mall rats usually go. It's near The Spa and Belo Medical Clinic, and exit to Marriott Hotel. Oh, and the red umbrella is for Ruby Tuesday.

Here's a cup of my espresso cappuccino...

...and the rich and sinful choco fudge.

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Terraces at Ayala-Cebu (Weekend Snapshot)


I hardly recognized Ayala Mall-Cebu last weekend but I loved it! Terraces now surround the side of the mall facing the lush garden and fountains, and across the park where Cafe Laguna is, are rows of new restaurants and cafes. I spotted Cyma, a Greek restaurant that I sometimes go to at Greenbelt 2; The Gustavian, a deli that I love (been to their Mactan branch last week), good ol' Cafe Laguna and Starbucks are in the same locations, new coffee shops, more restaurants and a Fully-Booked branch.

A Cebuano friend told me the new mall opened on October 2008 (I was in Cebu in February or March this year but stayed in Mactan the whole time). It is a 600-million pesos redevelopment that transformed what used to be a simple lagoon area to a row of high-end restaurants and a cool park complete with fountains. This mall is a favorite destination when I'm in Cebu for work--- I usually stay at the nearby hotel, meet friends at Bo's Coffee, dine at Bigby's, indulge a cheese craving at Roma Mia, have a beer at Tequilla Joe's or enjoy live music at Ratsky [when it was newly opened].


The garden definitely tops the attraction at The Terraces. Parents bring their kids here, young people hang out, friends chat by the fountain, boys skate around. And I'm sure The Terraces is livelier at night---Cebuano folks, tourists and expats in Cebu love the night-life! And of course, this is a cool place to walk around for somebody like me who was killing time, waiting for an evening flight.

Posted for Weekend Snapshot

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Lasang Pinoy : I saw the FOOD sign!


I saw this sign from afar as S and I were debating what to eat for dinner. The colors are attractive enough to catch the eye. But instead of walking towards Tia Maria, I tried to walk to the opposite direction. S, on the other hand, moved towards the restaurant with purposeful steps. Here we go again, I thought. After swearing she wouldn't eat pork ever again about 2 weeks ago, I predicted she wouldn't last a month. And true enough, S ordered her favorite grilled Pork Spare Ribs served on a bed of Mexican rice. Well, I helped with her effort to cut down on pork by eating half of the spare ribs.:P

More eye-catching signs at Lasang Pinoy

Friday, July 10, 2009

Sky-Watch Friday: changing colors



Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

~ Edgar Allan Poe

The sky outside my office window as it changes colors.

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday