handpaintedsky

Hello!

I made a quick visit to this site because I am deciding to whether or not put it out again in public or start another blog site. I noticed that it’s been almost a year since I deactivated this blog and I have no pending drafts either.

So many things happened in the past year and I don’t know where or how to start: start anew with a new blog site or start fresh with a new blog post?

I’m…

First UNIQLO Store in Bicol Opens April 20

Japanese global casual apparel retailer, UNIQLO, announces the opening of its first store in Bicol on April 20, which will add over 800 sqm. of new shopping space, and bring the UNIQLO LifeWear shopping experience to more Filipinos. With the successful growth of UNIQLO in the Philippines, the opening of the new store demonstrates a strong commitment from the brand to deliver its high quality…

What to do in Sagada

I went to Sagada during the Chinese New Year long weekend of 2018. Travel time from Manila to Sagada took a full twelve (12) hours. I was asleep during almost the entire journey primarily because travel was at night time. I was awakened only during the stop at Banawe. I was fully awake once we reached the Mount Polis stop. Once we reached the Sagada Poblacion, I still couldn’t believe I was out…

My Sagada RT Tickets

This post is part of my Surviving Sagada Solo series.  Booking my RT Tickets online If you’re going to Sagada, book your trip in advance. A round trip, preferably. I chose to book direct bus trips to and from Sagada because as a solo traveller, I wanted to ease myself the burden of whether or not I will make it on time to the time allotment of cutting trips. I booked my RT ticket online via Coda…

To have a good view of the Hanging Coffins has been siting in my bucket list for a long time. I have mentally took note of what else I wanted to do in Sagada for as long as I can remember. For this particular trip, I drafted the itinerary as early as December 2017 with my soul sister as companion. We already agreed on the dates. As fate would have it, she wasn’t permitted to take a leave because…

Coast Camp at  Burias Group of Islands, Masbate – Day 1

Bicolandia 5/6 I’ve been to the four provinces of the Bicol Region. In my dream to at least set foot on all six, joining Coast Camp‘s Burias tour ticked the island province Masbate off as fifth in my list. Weeks before our tour date, I inquired if our selected weekend was still available. Luckily, it was. We paid the reservation fee and were given an itinerary. We prayed for good weather, too.…

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Casa Soriano Family Heirloom Cuisine - Su casa, mi casa.

Welcome to Casa Soriano! Dining at Casa Soriano means being welcomed into the Soriano clan itself. (more…)

Kidzooona: a zone for kids and kids at heart

One’s childhood is perhaps the happiest stage in one’s life. It’s no wonder why adults often wish they were children again — young, wild and free. While days of luksong tinik, sipa, tumbang preso, and patintero may be over, children nowadays enjoy alternatives to play. Lucky for them, establishments provide both educational and play tools as they take on the journey of childhood. In the City of…

Bidi Bidi Cafe: heArt of Baao

When art, culture plus food meet, what do you get? Bidi Bidi Cafe is the most accurate answer. As a multi-hyphenate farmer and arts and culture enthusiast, the multi-awarded Bernadette ‘Bidi Bidi’ de los Santos opened her doors to the public via her Bidi Bidi Cafe. We were lucky to have been invited one fine Sunday to tour her Cafe de Artes and be immersed in her colorful and jovial life via Bidi…

Winners of the 4the Peñafrancia Short Film Festival

Here are the winners of the 4th Peñafrancia Short Film Festival given during the Red Carpet Awards Night held on October 8, 2017 at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel Auditorium: Best Picture – HILO (Ateneo de Naga University) 2nd Best Picture – OMELET (Ligao National High School) 3rd Best Picture – BANAAG (Baao National High School) Other Finalists: KUNG SAKALING DI MABATID – Naga City Science High…

Tugawe Cove Cafe in Naga City

Camarines Sur is blessed with turquoise waters and white sand beaches. A visit to Tugawe Cove is a must if you wish to experience beach bumming to the fullest.  For those who have not yet been to the resort, the owners opened a cafe in Naga City in order to have a glimpse of what is in store for guests while in the island — gastronomically speaking, that is. We were invited one afternoon to…

USUPSO is now in the Philippines

… and is in Naga City! USUPSO, a Japanese brand selling items of all sorts,  will formally open in Naga City today, September 1, 2017! For prices starting from PhP 99.00, you can hoard home necessities, health and beauty, office stationary, digital electronics, fashion jewelry, gifts, bags, and seasonal products which are of high quality. My friends and I went there during their soft opening week…

Dermcare opens 2nd home in Naga

DERMCARE, a beauty brand trusted for more then 20 years, recently opened its second home in the City — at the Wellness Area of Robinsons Place Naga. Dermcare’s signature facade spells luxury. The event was attended by Camarines Sur and Naga’s who’s who. Ribbon-cutting with local media, province and city officials, and Dermcare big bosses. Religious blessing.  Ribbon-cutting with Naga City Mayor…

K-foodie at EJ Cafe and Restaurant Korean Food

In the Philippines, anything and everything Korean is so IN these days — from what’s showing on tv, make up products, food, and travel plans. I know of friends who are so into K-drama that even their dreams consist of encounters with chinky-eyed Oppas. Celebrities are raving about the 10-step beauty regimen which promises youthful and luminescent skin. Some moneyed friends even traveled to wintry…

Madya sa Museo ni Jesse Robredo

Although we reside at the next town now, I was born and bred in Naga City. Those growing up years where spent while Jesse M. Robredo was City Mayor. Whenever he was on tv, my Papa and call him “La ka Bebe” because of his young-looking face. And whenever it was Traslacion procession time, he was always in that shirt actually tsinelas-less while slumped by the road and surrounded by his…