OUR AWESOME PLANET

ARIA Mania in Manila?

ARIA was the talk of the town when it first opened in D'Mall Boracay in 2003. Foodies raved about its homemade pasta and wood-fire oven pizzas (see: Top5 Bora Restos!, and What's New in Boracay in 2010?). After 9 years, it finally opened its doors in Manila. :)

We're curious to know if it would create the same buzz among foodies amidst really good Italian restaurants in the metro. Cyma Boracay's expansion to Manila was very successful, setting up shop in various malls.

As for Aria, it decided to expand to a super high-end mall with relatively higher prices--will it click? Will we see Aria Mania in Manila?

Related Posts on BHS Central Restaurants:

• Jamba Juice Opens in Manila!
• SutrA Christmas Dinner: Our First Taste of BHS Central

The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu

Another must-see and recently discovered place in Oslob is the raw beauty of Tumalog Falls.

The falls have mini-umbrellas that cascade fine strands of cold, fresh water in a rain-like fashion.

Unlike in Kawasan Falls near Moal Boal, where it was overdeveloped with ugly cement structures and huts that destroyed its natural beauty, Tumalog Falls can be developed correctly as an eco-tourist destination without building structures near the falls itself and using only natural materials.

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island

George Tapan Workshops and Festival Tours Summer 2012!

OUR AWESOME PLANET

presents

GEORGE TAPAN, the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest Winner, Photography Workshops

and

Ultimate Philippines Festival, Heritage and Culinary Tours for Summer 2012! 

 Join me as we experience the Philippines together in a one-of-a-kind tour of
the Most Awesome Islands and Festivals in the Philippines this Summer! 

♬ Mamma Mia, ♪ Here I Go Again ♩My My, How Can I Resist You? ♫...

For people like us, who grew up in the "Dancing Queen" generation, watching Mamma Mia was pure pleasure. How we wished we could interact with the show!

Once the musical started, I kept reminding myself not to hum, lip sync, nod my head, tap my feet, or play invisible drums with my hands because theater etiquette dictates that one should respect and not disrupt the viewing experience of other people.

But it was quite hard to resist.

Ever since I watched Mamma Mia in Las Vegas, I've longed for the musical to be shown here in Manila (see Petition Post here: Mamma Mia in Manila! 2009?).

Finally, Mamma Mia opened last night to an enthusiastic and dancing crowd in Manila. :)  

Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?

Read this First: Daily Mail UK | Jaws my friend! The touching relationship between a fisherman and a very sociable whale SHARK  | Shortlink of Article: http://oap.ph/OslobButandings

I can't believe we actually had a super close encounter with whale sharks (locally known as butanding) in Oslob in the South Eastern Coast of Cebu (3 hours away from the city)!

Our experience here's better than in Donsol. In Oslob, the whale sharks congregate in one area near the beach where the fishermen feed them krill (small saltwater shrimps) every morning.

Also, they seem to act like pets of the fishermen and are now getting used to the presence of humans watching them everyday.

Unlike Donsol, there's a higher chance you'll see the giant creatures up close without the need to chase them.

Is Whale Watching in Oslob really more fun for the fishermen, the tourists, the whale sharks and Mother Earth?

Read on about our Whale Shark Encounter, and what we think of the issues surrounding the Butandings in Oslob... 

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island

To P.F. Chang's or Not to P.F. Chang's in Manila?

Read First: P.F. Chang's in Manila? Shortlink: oap.ph/PFChangsManila

P.F. Chang's, the popular American Chinese Restaurant of Philip Fleming and Philip Chiang, finally opened its first branch in Asia. With 200 restaurants across the US, and branches in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Kuwait and UAE, it also now calls Alabang home.

When you eat Chinese food in the US, your friends would probably take you to either P.F. Chang's or Panda Express. (Check out my P.F. Chang's experience in California.)

Its appearance in Manila caused quite a stir. A lot of people question whether or not an American Chinese restaurant concept will work here. 

We decided to celebrate Aidan's 7th birthday there when P.F. Chang's in Alabang opened its doors to the public recently. Here is a rundown of our P.F. Chang's experience... 

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Watching this play brings back memories of Vagina Monologues with a focus on clothes (instead of Vaginas) as witness to memorable events in a woman's life. Each of the women shares her story and memories about Bras, Boots, Purses, Birkenstocks, the Madonna era, etc.

Yes, it is a show for women, but the guys could learn a few things to understand women a little better. This is one of those shows where it starts the discussion and you finish it by sharing your own reflections after the show.

It is a straight 90-minute play with one setting (see photo) where the top 5 actresses in Philippine Theater read through their monologues and occasionally interact with the other women.

It is always fun to watch Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo's performance because she really embodies the role and empathizes with all the characters she portrays.

My favorite is Bituin Escalante's sharp and witty portrayal of Mary in Fat/Thin segment, and her solo on the "I Hate my Purse" story of Nora.

Lastly, I personally love the segments on "The Bra", "Madonna" and "I Just Want to Say".

This is highly recommended for  a romantic theater date! (Catch its limited run only this weekend!)

The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort

During our Sinulog Experience in Cebu, we stayed at the Bluewater Resort in Maribago. 

We enjoyed the food, the Benji-designed rooms, and the island beach resort feel away from the city.

Here are our favorites...

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island