Pop-up shops were aplenty during the Dinagyang Festival held over the weekend. Wherever you go, you will surely find little street shops, craft and food bazaars to capture the imagination of old and young alike. I spent my weekend at SEDA Hotel with my Manila-based sister and we got the chance to explore some of the cute pop-up shops at the nearby Atria Ayala Mall.
I know I'm too old for toys and trinkets but I couldn't resist the kawaii wares for sale like little plush toys, stickers and novelty items. Of course, I love the fact that most of the little handmade things like stationery items were made by real artists themselves with some of them coming from nearby Bacolod City.
If you're a booklover/crafter who always has her head in the clouds, you will love the dreamy art of Jenina Benitez of Jenina's Art + Stories. I had to get a few of her super cute magnetic bookmarks so I'll start reading the still unopened books I bought at the Big Bad Wolf Sale last October. Then there's Morluck with his kitschy cute and very cheeky collectibles like stickers, postcards and pins. Love the Ilonggo humor that adds appeal to his products.
I didn't have time to check the other stalls but I always visit the kiosk that sells authentic San-X and Sanrio stuff. Everyone knows I'm a big Rilakkuma and Natsume Yujin-Cho Nyanko fan so I definitely didn't go home empty handed.
I hope these guys join more of the bazaars here in Iloilo City. I'd love to get my hands on more of their cute products. Like the saying goes, buy it if it makes you happy.
Fast becoming an art hub in the country, Iloilo City added another art space to its growing roster of museums and galleries. Thrive Art Gallery recently opened at The Shops at Atria and is described as an experimental art space dedicated to organizing exhibitions, workshops and community engagements. As an art space for Ilonggo artists and creatives, expect exciting exhibitions and activities that will further nurture the thriving art scene in the city.
Also check out their gallery shop for collective items like postcards, books, zines and stickers. Glad to know that merch from my fave local illustration brand SCIBS is also available!
For more information about artists and exhibitions visit www.thriveart.org.
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“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
-Charles Dickens
After Macky passed away at the vet clinic, I had him cremated immediately. The next day I collected his ashes and in memory of his cute, sweet face I had his ashes kept in a white cat shaped urn. I will always be reminded of how lucky I am to have Macky in my life even for such a short time.
Losing a pet is a devastating experience and it is quite difficult to move on from such loss. If you are grieving for a beloved pet, this article provides words of comfort.
This strange phenomenon happening this January! Time seems to move soooo slowly. A lot of things have happened--my beloved cat died, so many events and activities at work, so many unexpected bills to pay and yet here we are, it still is January. Please get out of my face already, dear January. We can't wait to move on to February, to Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day to be exact.
I promised myself that I will be freewheeling and easygoing this year. Lessen the stress and just enjoy the things I love to do. Have long tea or coffee breaks (not at work though), gaze at the stars and the clouds more often, read more books, enjoy local places, save money and impose a moratorium on overseas travels. I look forward to getting that noise cancelling headphone and bed mattress I've been eyeing for a long time so I'm offloading Klook and KKDay from my devices in the meantime.
So here's how my weekend went. Definitely saving some money by not going out and just enjoying life at home.
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| Charging my crystals on a hot, cloudless day! That's Black Tourmaline, Rose Quartz and Aura Quartz |
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| I live for blue, cloudless skies |
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| Taho always makes my day! Just the right level of sweetness. |
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| Late night perusing of books I bought six months ago. I definitely collect books and don't read them. |
Trying to go vegan/vegetarian or just want to eat meat less often? There are now more dining places in Iloilo City offering vegan/vegetarian cuisine. Aside from Monkey Grounds Coffee, Nutrivege, Healthy Kitchen Cafe and Buhay Ermitanyo there's Green Pantry to add to the list. Conveniently located in Jalandoni St., Jaro (accessible from SM Ciy Iloilo via Leganes-Tagbak jeep route) beside Galleria Building, you can enjoy quick meals without venturing too far out in the city. They also deliver meals via delivery riders by request.
I tried this dining spot during lunch hour as it is just near my workplace. Turns out the meals are super filling not to mention yummy. Will definitely go back next time on a weekend so I can better enjoy my meal without eating on the fly.
They also have subscription meals if you want to eat healthier and live better.
Jalandoni St., Jaro Iloilo City
Email: greenpantry5000@gmail.com
I love cat cafes! My first cat cafe experience was at Company of Cats located at Mosque Street in Singapore. There I met my cat soulmate named Mags. For some reason, I felt a very strong connection to her. She was at the door welcoming me and she was just her pure, sweet, friendly self. The cafe eventually closed and one time I read in their FB page that sweet Mags had passed away. I felt so sad as I have never met a cat so sweet as Mags even if I only got to spend an hour at the cafe. They had a little gift shop and I got myself some cute figurines as souvenir. Ahh, Mags. You will will always be remembered.
In Myeongdong, South Korea while exploring the shopping alleys, I bumped into a man wearing a cat suit holding some flyers. The winter wind suddenly blew and the flyers came flying down (that's probably the reason why it's called a flyer). To my delight, he was promoting a cat cafe just a few steps away. Without hesitation, I visited the Cat Cafe and had an absolutely lovely time. It was a very pretty cafe decorated in pink pastel colors and cute, cozy furnishings. The cats were absolutely dreamy. I got to play with them as I enjoyed my fruit juice drink. I also got some very nice photos with the cats that I treasure up to this day.
I really enjoyed my cat cafe experiences abroad that I wished Iloilo City could also have a cat cafe even if it’s just a simple one. Fast forward to 2023. Before the year ended, Iloilo City's first cat cafe opened hence the name Uno Cat Cafe. I had an early evening coffee date with my bestie so we could check out the cats and the menu selections.
Compared to the cat cafes I have visited, Uno Cat Cafe is in the fine dining scale and the interiors are lush and very Pinteresting. As we arrived quite late, much of the crowd favorite snack items have sold out so we settled for a proper dinner instead. The food was fabulous and we really enjoyed the customer service. The staff were very attentive to the needs of the diners. Quite a departure from the so-so customer service which Ilonggo diners are quite accustomed to.
After our dinner, I tried to get into the cat play area but there was a waiting list. I just opted to take photos of the cats through the clear glass windows as we were in a hurry. We will surely be back as we want to see the cats up close and try their snack menu. Good one Uno Cat Cafe! Thank you for making my cat cafe wishes come true!
There's something to love about an outdoor market teeming with aesthetically laid out goods like home baked bread and pastry, bottled fresh fruit juices as well as an assortment of fabulous impulse buys like handmade crafts, artisan treasures and limited edition apparel that appeal to both Generation Z and Titas of Iloilo.
I was lucky to catch the last night of Fresh Finds, a holiday outdoor market organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo last December 23, 2024. After some last minute grocery shopping, I dropped by the market to check out some of the coffee stalls for drinks and snacks. A lot of familiar vendors were present-Theo's, Coffee Brewtherhood, Courtyard by Marriott, and Richmonde among others. There were also new and upcoming vendors with exciting products and offerings.
Being a crafter and a lover of all things handmade, I gravitated towards the booth of Scibs Art Shop. They have the adorable Ichigo Strawberries, a product line inspired by cats and strawberries, Mako Makolit and Kumomaka Village illustrated postcards. I got myself some sticker packs, keychain, mini notepad, wearable buttons, postcards and the must-have 2024 Dragon Cat wall calendar.
Of course, there's my favorite homegrown coffee shop Coffee Brewtherhood where I got some whole coffee beans, a live coffee plant and a cup of hot matcha latte. I also tried the homemade donuts of Courtyard by Marriott. Their mango and chocolate donuts infused with batuan were the bomb!I look forward to another installment of Fresh Finds! Maybe at the Dinagyang Festival, soon?
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