The Amorsolo Blues

A celebratory #feast from our table to yours! #food #cooking #holidaycuisine #comfortfood #theregoesmydiet

Now #baking: last #kitchenexperiment for 2017. A baked spinach and artichoke dip subtly seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Fingers crossed this turns out spiffy. #food #cooking #picapicalikeyoumeanit #starters #appetisers #yearender

Keeping the last #breakfast of 2017 simple. Homemade fig, cherry, and almond #granola soaked overnight in hazelnut milk and #vanilla Greek yogurt; topped with homemade honey glazed #nuts. And #coffee. #food #cooking #betterthanstorebought #keepitsimplesweetie

Get 2018 off to an inspired start with @philtatler's feature 'An Ode to Life:' a collection of thought-provoking essays by eight personalities sharing their insights on faith, grace, identity, and respect for others. Currently in the December issue; in newsstands now. #inspirations #reflections #longreads #philtatler #philtatlerfeatures #nowinprint

As the year draws to a close, I'd like to share a few #lifelessons I picked up throughout 2017: 1) What is for you will never pass you by; 2) It ALWAYS pays to be kind. And cheerful. And grateful - regardless of what some spoilt millenials say; 3) A sincere smile trumps resting b*tch face EVERY SINGLE TIME - even if said b*tch face is perfectly made up; 4) Give up those things - or people - who make your life toxic; 5) Knowing a different language (or several) is a great ice breaker when on assignment here and abroad; 6) Always keep an open mind...and an open heart as you never know who you're going to meet; 7) Just accept every assignment you are given and learn from it; 8) Make some goodbyes permanent; 9) Stay curious AND stay focused; and 10) Never forget to pray. #yearender #goodbye2017 (at Vgp Center Ayala Ave. Makati City)

handful / of sweetness / consumed / as the / year / draws to / a close / and one's / thoughts / are a / mixture / of merriment / and melancholy. // look back / at the / months / the many / scenes / that played / out / the places / one has / seen / those who / departed / and those / left behind. // and the / weariness / of a / dying year / can be / felt / even as / the energy / the vitality / of the / new one / rises / and toasts / are drunk / and songs / are sung / as a / cycle / begins anew. #poetry #poetsofinstagram #yearender #lookingback #movingforward #cherries

Second attempt at making #glazednuts yielded crisper, crunchier #nuts lightly coated with a brown sugar and #honey glaze that crackles when bitten into. #food #cooking #baking #sweet #snacks #DIY #betterthanstorebought (at Vgp Center Ayala Ave. Makati City)

this / was the / year / when i / stepped / out of / the cage / that held / me / for so / long. // dropped / all those / who let / me down / let go / of the / things / that got / all toxic / and dark / and grim; / slammed / the door / in the / face / of the / past / and locked / it in / for good. // tested / my wings / and took / flight - / and it / feels / so good. #poetry #poetsofinstagram #monochrome #yearender #redemption #selfdiscovery #movingon #endings

My mum is my life peg: I can only hope to be as strong, resilient, and beautiful. #family #lifepegs #nofilter #meandmymum #strongwomenarebeautiful (at Kenji Tei, Alabang)

Today's #lunch featured spicy #maki, #ramen, katsu #curry, and my brother Jeff with a full belly. Happy birthday, bro! 🍣🍜🍛 #food #diningout #family #feast (at Kenji Tei, Alabang)

Butter, brown sugar, and #honey... Oh, what could I possibly be #cooking? 🍯🌰 #food #sweet #DIY #snacks

With the year winding down, @philtatler's December issue counts down to 2018 with robust roasts and glorious grilled items from some of the country's best hotels and resorts. From great steaks and tandoori-cooked lamb to grand turkeys and rib roasts, readers and diners are spoilt for choice for getting the new year off to a sumptuous start. #food #foodwriting #lifestylejournalism #lifeextraordinary #philtatler #philtatlerdining #feast #innewsstandsnow

This rack of baby back #ribs is unusual in the sense that it looks all-American, but the flavours are distinctly Filipino: touches of soy, muscovado, and anise adding savour to the #pork. #food #diningout #lunch #philtatlerdining (at Makati)

The incredible feeling of sitting down to read a book and find it so enthralling that you manage to finish it in an hour...and look forward to #reading it again...and again. 📚 #books #novel #thejoyofreading #spanishliterature #literature #carlosruizzafón #monochrome

What goes beautifully with a hearty #stew for #dinner? Why, freshly baked #bread, of course! A slab of #cheese and pepper #pizza bianca all sliced up for dipping into callos. A doux or demi-sec red #wine is a must for an excellent evening meal. 🍞🍲🍷 #food #cooking #baking #winepairing #seasonseatings

When you remember how Christ was born in a manger because there was no room for Him in the inn, you have to ask yourself: why could I not be as humble? Why could I not show kindness and compassion to those in need? I write this as I remember someone who thinks Christmas is all tosh, a person who is all about the accumulation of material possessions yet has no kindness in her heart, nor a smile on her face because she thinks putting on a poker face loaded with makeup is more beautiful than a bare one adorned with a warm smile. I feel sorry for people like her rather than angry or annoyed now. For all their possessions, connections, gym memberships, and parties, they have lost sight of the fact that humility, sincerity, kindness, and a warm smile are all you really need to make a difference in the world around you. May this Christmas remind us all of that, because He who saved us all lived simply, kindly, and always had a smile or a kind word for everyone He touched. #adventathon #advent2017 #nativity #humility #compassion #goodwill #putchristbackintochristmas #smilelikeyoumeanit #happychristmas

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, warmest wishes and blessings from yours truly. A Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night. 🎄 #happyholidays