BBQ Night

Larsian Cebu

It has always been said that when you're in Cebu, one of the things you can't miss is enjoying a barbecue feast at the Philippine's BBQ Capital and that is Larsian Fuente Cebu. This establishment has grown to be one of the most sought after Cebu experiences. This is indeed an accomplishment coming from its humble beginnings before when in the 1980s this array of barbecue food was just found on one single street.

It is purely amazing how you see the growth of this culture and establishment. Gone are the days where you sit on a stool in a humid environment while enjoying your favorite dish. Now it is a full blown hub of different stalls created to allow the convenience for a pure enjoyable dining experience.

Even until this very moment, the taste and the secret sauces that these food vendors created stayed the same. Coming from someone who has grown up here, I can really say that the taste never changed. It just elevated to new varieties of meat to barbecue, and offer more food like that that awesome Filipino beef soup called "pochero".

Have a pick of your favorite pork, chicken or any seafoods that Cebu is known for, then cooked in that perfect grilled mechanism only these vendors know how. Then with all that, you put the secret sauce and the best hanging rice in town and you get a foodgasm like no other. The best part is?

It won't break the bank.

So if you happen to drop by at the Queen City of the South, don't forget to enjoy a meal at Larsians Cebu.

Oriental Bliss

Mandarin Plaza Hotel

In the heart of the city center, a budget escape that offers great service, clean rooms, an awesome pool and a spa package that will not hurt your wallets. 

                           

This is an oriental bliss that is a gem hidden in plain site. Near the Ayala Center Mall, it boast of luxurious rooms that you can create a haven for a quick retreat from the busy hustle and bustle of work.

- Standard Room -

This hotel just opened recently so everything about it is pristine, clean and modern. It is a perfect getaway for your loved ones or just for yourself if you need a moment to do a stay-cation. For those needing a soothing pamper but don't want to hurt the bank, this hotel offers massage and spa packages suited for you. 

                                                

It also offers a pool that allows you to relax in the heat of the summer sun while enjoying life and relieving you of all the anxieties and worries of tomorrow. 

- Pool Area -

The package that you would also get comes with a breakfast buffet that is somewhat ordinary compared to the rest of the hotel I have been with. But if ever you do get the chance to try their bread pudding, I suggest you put it on your plate. I must say that was the highlight of the entire breakfast menu so don't miss it. 

- Breakfast Buffet -

Everyone deserves a break once in a while from the rigid routine and pressures of our work life. To achieve balance and to let go of a the stress and have a moment of serenity that will not hurt your hard earned cash is what this place offers. I must say, sometimes we work too hard to save for our dreams yet we forget to find peace in the present. The future will always be there, but to have a pause and create a reset button will not hurt you. A small price to pay for the sanity of your peaceful heart. 

An Escape Within the City

In the everyday stresses of life, may it be from the stress of work or from the stress of daily living, an escape to a deserted island where we see dolphins and whale sharks would be the cup of tea for others. Yet we have to admit that due to planning these escapes, even a one day vacation is a stress in itself. I know, I have been there and I even avoid going out of the city or planning in groups since it provides a level of anxiety to which I am running from. 

But that is not something to be ashamed of, sometimes we need a break from all the plans and have a quick non stress get away. Hence, the one secret to the success of a stress free one day vacation.... Finding good deals on hotels within the city. I always recommend booking your deals through booking.com. A quick click and a confirmation email, and viola! Your vacation at the tip of your hands. 

During this long weekend, I managed to book my one day vacation at Parklane International Hotel. At first, it's kind of intimidating stepping into the lobby with only your back pack and seeing all these corporate people with their huge luggage and corporate attires vs my oh so little backpack and slippers. But the staff were so accommodating that they even let me do an early check in since I arrived there at 12 noon. 

It was such a relaxing time to sleep in a comfortable bed and have just a moment to break free from the routine. Sometimes, though we might not say it, it's hard to live a life boxed in a routine. Everyone deserves a time to be spontaneous.

to not think, to not plan, to just be free..

This hotel offers spa activities to relax and rejuvenate which has a price range of P800-P1600 depending on what services you would like to have. 

They also have a pool and a gym to help one release our own happy hormones. Their gym and pool closes 'til 10 pm so it's up to you if you would have your work out during the day or the night

And if you're a fan of breakfast buffets like I am, they do have for me the best Filipino Cuisine buffets that has Filipino comfort food stamp all over it.

So... 

If you are feeling spontaneous and need a little break

A quick get away within the city walls 

should you dare not forsake.

Insomniac Hours : Dance Music 2015

What started an underground movement, Electronic dance music ( also known as EDM, club music or dance music ) evolve to the most popular music that's being aired in radios right now. 

So the criticism it has also remains... with the mega success it has today, will it die down soon or has the music industry shifted to the mega sensation that is EDM?

What maybe considered as noise before with a musical pattern that is monotonous and repetitive, it has now evolved to mix beats of different musical instruments that truly creates movements and life. From its unique drums, to the involvement of orchestrated strings, and to the warp out melodix that can be generated in Ableton; EDM is surely one category distinctly its own. Now EDM is more popular than ever and the artists behind are injecting a new sense of movement never seen before. With DJs/Producers like Tiesto, Avicii, Deadmau5, Afrojack and many more, it made a simple undeground music into festivals of lights and sounds.

Yet what so great about EDM and what makes it stand out from others is its ability to have the beat come to life. Together with the creation of lights that moves with every drop, it elevated music to be what it can be. It paved the way for an individual to see that you just need not use your ears to feel the rhythm, but you can you can actually witness it. When you go to the clubs, you cannot help but let your body be infused with the music that is EDM. 

So is it a fad? 

Who knows..

What is certain though is that what started as a rave music associated with "American ectronica revolution" in the 1990s has now branched to multiple melodies of dance music, and you have got to admit, the music companies are cashing in the hype. So whether or not it is here to stay or be washed away as the sands of time flies by, what we do know is .....

music is a reflection of a generation.

This is from a voice that got newly swept away by the beats of EDM ♪♫♪