CRISTY IN THE CITY: city life

city life

Friday, February 6, 2026

I discovered Milanote through one of my favorite YouTube creators, Darling Desi. She creates dreamy, cinematic videos with a beautifully curated color palette and aesthetic, and Milanote is the tool she uses for storyboarding and mood boarding her creative ideas. Watching how she organized her vision visually made me curious to try it myself—and I quickly understood why so many creatives love it.

Even if you’re not a content creator or designer, Milanote is a powerful tool for organizing ideas. You can collect colors, photos, notes, and to-do lists all in one place. It’s especially helpful for students, writers, and travel enthusiasts who enjoy planning visually (like I do!).

The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. You simply drag and drop elements onto your board. You can upload your own images or use free stock photos from Pexels to build visual peg boards. You can also add notes, create checklists, draw and scribble, and customize your workspace to suit your workflow and personal style.

Milanote also offers a mobile app, which makes it easy to capture ideas and inspiration whenever they come to you.

Happy mood boarding!

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: Comfort Comes First

I’ve been in the market for a solid, professional pair of noise-cancelling headphones that can keep up with daily life—commuting, working or studying, traveling, relaxing, and even guitar practice. After weeks of research and going back and forth between Sony’s wireless noise-cancelling headphones and the Bose QuietComfort, I finally made my choice.

I went with the Bose QuietComfort in Sandstone, mainly because comfort was my top priority. I wanted something I could wear for long periods without ear fatigue or discomfort. After using these headphones for over three months, I think it’s time for an honest review.

Comfort

Hands down, these are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. The ear cushions are soft and plush, with a barely-there feel that makes long listening sessions effortless. Whether I’m sitting upright, reclining, or even lying down, the fit remains comfortable—no sweaty ears, no pressure points, and none of that tight, clamped-in feeling.

If comfort is high on your list, the Bose QuietComfort truly lives up to its name.

Active Noise Cancellation

The noise-cancelling performance is solid and versatile, making it suitable for different activities. You can choose from various modes such as Work, Commute, Music, Quiet, or Aware, depending on your environment.

The full ANC doesn’t create that overly sealed, “plugged-in” sensation you sometimes get with noise-cancelling earbuds. Instead, it feels more natural while still effectively reducing background noise. Switching between ANC modes is easy using the shortcut button on the left earcup, which I find very convenient.

Bluetooth and Wired Connection

One of the standout features of the Bose QuietComfort is its low-latency, multi-device Bluetooth connection. Switching between devices is seamless, which is perfect if you’re juggling a phone, tablet, and laptop throughout the day.

It also supports a wired connection, which is a huge plus if you prefer zero latency. I especially appreciate this feature for guitar practice—paired with a headphone amplifier, the wired mode works beautifully.

Traveling with Bose QuietComfort

Traveling feels easier with these headphones. The Bose QuietComfort folds neatly and comes with a sturdy, easy-to-carry travel case that fits the headphones and wired accessories perfectly. It keeps everything organized, protected, and hassle-free—ideal for carry-on bags and daily commutes alike.

Final Thoughts

If you value comfort above all else and want a reliable, well-rounded noise-cancelling headphone for everyday use, the Bose QuietComfort is an excellent choice. It’s not just a pair of headphones—it’s something you can genuinely live in for hours at a time.

Friday, December 26, 2025

Virtual Working Space: I Miss My Cafe

What is it about working or studying in cafés that makes it so addictive? Beyond the coffee and cozy ambiance, there’s something about settling into a corner table with your laptop that sparks focus, creativity, and motivation. The gentle hum of conversations, the clink of cups, and the sense of shared productivity somehow make it easier to get things done.

Even at home, you can recreate that café magic with I Miss My Café—an all-in-one virtual cafe web app that combines a Pomodoro timer, curated Spotify playlists, and a customizable café sound mixer. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to stay productive, inspired, and focused while saving both time and money—no coffee shop hopping required. Try it today!

Sunday, June 8, 2025

What's your Adobe Creative Type?

I'M A RENEGENERATOR!

Zone of genius: Adaptive problem-solving

Deepest aspiration: Overcoming challenges

Growth opportunity: Staying positive and motivated

Creative partner: The Luminary

What's your Adobe Creative Type? Find out in this online quiz. You can also create your AI Creative Type image on Adobe Firefly. Enjoy!

Sunday, January 26, 2025

HP Printables for productivity and inspiration

Start the new year and the lunar new year on a sweet note with these freebies from HP Printables. There are calendars and planners to help you hit your goals for a healthier body and tidier home. There is also a great selection of wall art to keep your office cubicle looking inspired and spiffy.

Ready, print, go!

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Eisenhower Matrix

If you're like me who has trouble prioritizing things, this free Eisenhower Matrix printable and download from Frankie Magazine will get your life sorted out in no time. Here's to a more productive 2025!

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Make a home cafe

It's amazing how Iloilo City has become a coffee town almost overnight. After the pandemic, cafes and pop-up coffee shops started sprouting everywhere. The burgeoning cafe culture was largely driven by the millennial and Gen Z market who are after a curated, IG worthy coffee experience. For Gen-Xers like myself, I would rather relax in my jammies and enjoy my favorite brew in the privacy of my own coffee corner.

First things first. If you love coffee because of the caffeine and motivational fix, you are better off making a coffee corner at home. It will give you due satisfaction and save you a lot of money in the long run. Indulging in your favorite Starbucks coffee on a regular basis can dent your budget but making your own gourmet coffee is a good return of investment. Find a corner in your dining room or kitchen where you can set up a mini coffee bar and acquire the essentials bit by bit.

The essentials

Coffeemaker or espresso machine

Moka pot

Coffee dripper (Kalita brand is a good one)

Unbleached coffee filters

Coffee cups and coasters

Electric water kettle or an old-fashioned kettle

Coffee beans or ground coffee (grind may vary for espresso, drip or coffeemakers)

For Japan made coffee accoutrements, visit Domo Domo Japan Surplus. They have a curated section of quality coffee accessories.

Coffee 101

Check out excellent coffee making manuals such as Jeff Hoffman's How to Make the Best Coffee at Home and The Home Cafe: Creative Recipes for Espresso, Matcha, Tea and Coffee Drinks.

Decorate your coffee bar

There are cute and collectible coffee inspired decor and coffee ware that you can add to your coffee bar. Look out for some seriously coffee accessories on Instagram and even on Temu.

Choose your beans

Coffee connoisseur or not, you can explore the world of coffee right in your own home. If you're feeling timid about what beans to choose, you can try local gourmet brands available in grocery stores. Check out local gourmet brands for refined choices or scour Shopee or Lazada for local and international brands. A 250 grams bag of ground coffee usually makes 20 cups. If you're feeling fancy, consider Illy or Lavazza ground coffee. Compute the amount you pay for a standard cup of coffee times the number of cups you can make from a bag of ground beans. Do the math! It's practical caffeine fix in the long run!

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

A bite of kawaii: Hello Kitty x Krispy Kreme

It seems like it was only yesterday that I visited Sanrio Puroland to visit Hello Kitty for her 40th birthday and this year she's already celebrating her 50th anniversary. How fast time flies! I may be getting older but Hello Kitty will always remain the cute anthropomorphic cat that she is. We won't be able to fly to Tokyo this year but we can celebrate Hello Kitty and her Sanrio pals with a box of Hello Kitty x Krispy Kreme! Very cute and yummy donuts that are a delight in every bite.

Get these cute Sanrio themed donuts at your nearest Krispy Kreme store. These are limited edition donuts so get them while you can!

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Quick breakfast recipe card

Morning commutes and making it to work on time drastically cuts the time we can spend preparing a healthy, balanced breakfast. If you're on the fly you just grab coffee or a cereal drink on your way out of the door but that would not be enough to power you until lunch. Since I have no time to fuss over Pinoy breakfast preparations I always depend on this quick breakfast recipe to sustain me until lunchtime. Best of all, this meal is also full of antioxidants, nutrients and fiber necessary for good health.

Check out the health benefits you can get from the ingredients:

Sunday, February 18, 2024

My comfort food in the city of good eats

It's difficult to not think of food all the time when you live in a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy like Iloilo City. Aside from the homegrown Ilonggo dishes and delicacies that have titillated the palates of both local and foreign visitors, there's also a myriad of food choices available for people who crave a certain cuisine or are nostalgic about flavors that they associate with youthful, happy times. Notably, Pinoys love to eat but Ilonggos have an even deeper relationship with food. A certain dish may remind them of their grandmother's cooking in the dapog (dirty kitchen), all the while conjuring a string of happy memories. Likewise, a dish may remind a person of favorite cities and countries travelled locally and abroad. Truly, there's nothing like food to open up a magical baul (treasure chest) of memories.

We all have our comfort food to turn to when we want our bodies and spirits to feel bolstered. My favorite comfort foods are not necessarily homegrown but I do crave them regularly as I have a preference for certain flavor profiles:

1. Authentic Chicken Mandi Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala from Mong’s Kitchen

2. Full English Breakfast from Cafe Augusto

3. Ramen ftom Hakata Ramen Bar

4.Dimsum and Salted Egg Calamares from Spring Palace

What about you? What’s your favorite comfort food?

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Dinagyang whirlwind weekend

What a fun Dinagyang weekend! As a local, I realized weekends in the City of Love can be doubly fun if you pretend you are a tourist or a tourist guide. I spent the weekend with my sister from Manila who was in town to attend an important family affair. It was great timing as the Dinagyang festival was in full frenzy and there were lots of sights and sounds to enjoy. Amid the throbbing of sound systems blaring everywhere and the beat of warrior drums, exploring your own city through the eyes of a tourist can make you appreciate your own fishbowl.

From happy holidays to Dinagyang daze! The Iloilo Provincial Capitol threw a big visual bash with its Dinagyang themed light display. What a wonderful way to soak up the Dinagyang spirit with a stroll along the capitol grounds amidst the cool, Amihan weather. Please leave the lights on until Valentines, pretty please? We'd love a Valentine's themed light display.

Dinagyang colors in full bloom showcasing the inherent creativity of Ilonggos.

The Food Festival at Megaworld Iloilo was the kind of al fresco set-up we wanted. The food choices were great! We discovered Mong's Kitchen and their delectable, tongue curling dishes like Tikka Masala. The British/Indian dish of super tender grilled chicken in spicy, aromatic tikka masala gravy served on basmati rice was absolute perfection.

For hearty breakfast fare, we headed to Cafe Augusto for their big boy servings of Full English Breakfast and Classic Pinoy Breakfast plates. The rosemary scented homemade sausages were amazing. As Ilonggos would say, halamdumon nga sabor.

K-Town in Festive Walk Parade is a must-see. So many snacks, food and drinks to try. It's a mini Korean town with amazing restaurants and coffee stands.

We are not big fans of sinugba or inihaw dishes so we headed to Balay Remedios to try other dishes we haven't tried before like the Chicken Binakol, Lumpiang Hubad and Ceviche with a tasty twist.

When in Iloilo, you gotta have a bowl of heartwarming Pancit Molo from Kap Ising's. Truly Iloilo's best, Kap Ising's pancit molo (and other dishes like Dinuguan with puto) feels like a warm welcome hug if you've missed Iloilo City long enough.

What better way to burn off the calories after 2 days of non-stop eating and feasting than a brisk walk at Iloilo River Esplanade. The cool January breeze complemented the serene river scenery.

Dinagyang is the perfect time for a relaxing staycation in an accommodation that's right smack where the festive attractions are. SEDA just beside Atria Ayala Mall is a great choice!

Lastly, there's the super fun Uno Cat Cafe that's perfect for cat themed coffee and cuisine. We had to try the hamburgers that were whimsically presented. I can absolutely say the juicy burgers were complete with all the works-pickles, caramelized onions , tomatoes in a soft bun. Hamburger cravings satisfied! I hope they have a plan-based version though.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

McCafe Mornings

Finally, McCafe has landed in Iloilo Business Park to brighten our mornings! It's quite overdue but as the cliche goes better late than never. This time we can enjoy other coffee preparations aside from the brewed coffee that goes with the regular McDonald's breakfast meals. For one, I'm very happy my favorite espresso based drink Flat White is on the menu. That's one reason to go back to McCafe this weekend.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Cat cafe stories

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!

CRISTY IN THE CITY

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Friday, February 6, 2026