Saturday, August 23, 2025

Turning Travel Memories into Magazine Masterpieces

Whenever I travel, I make it a point to take as many photographs as I can. I lean toward a POV (point of view) style when it comes to travel snaps—just a few selfies for posterity, and the rest are scenic landscapes, macro details, and architectural highlights. I shoot with purpose, knowing that these photos will later live on in photobooks, scrapbooks, handmade postcards, desktop wallpapers, or even a travel magazine of my own.

I’ve learned that you don’t need to be in every shot to prove you were there. A handful of selfies is enough to validate your presence. That way, the rest of your shots—uncluttered and wide—become versatile material for creative projects like a DIY travel book.

For detailed instructions on how to make a soft or hardbound travel book, visit the how-to article on my arts and crafts blog.

Beyond the Hardcover: Try a Custom Travel Magazine

Unknown to many, Photobook offers a custom magazine or booklet option—an exciting alternative to the traditional hardcover or softcover formats. This format is not only significantly more affordable, but also ships faster from Malaysia where it is printed. You can upgrade to thicker paper and enhanced color printing for a more premium feel.

Their A4 or A5 size travel magazines feature saddle-stitch binding, so they require a gentler touch when flipping through pages—but the payoff is a sleek, modern aesthetic. You can either build your magazine from scratch or use one of their pre-designed templates, like the Travel Explorer theme.

Creative Inspiration: Think SMILE Magazine

One of my biggest inspirations is SMILE, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific. While the current issues are more ad-heavy and less photo-centric, the early editions had a strong visual identity—especially in their cover layouts.

Here’s how to channel that look:

Foreground: the traveler
You (or your subject) should be in the frame—but not dominate it.
Background: the story
The scenery should always tell a larger story. The bridge or mountain behind you should be more prominent than your face.
Photography tip:
Use wide-angle shots to create a sense of place. These work especially well across two-page centerfold spreads.
Image quality matters:
The higher the resolution, the sharper and more print-ready your layout will be.

Bonus Content: Make It Magazine-Worthy

To take your DIY magazine from pretty to professional, weave in the following:

Anecdotes from your travels
Local recipes you picked up or tried
Brief historical or cultural notes about the place
Travel tips or packing lists tailored to each destination

The result? A stunning personal keepsake that feels just like a real travel mag—only better, because it’s entirely yours.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Cafe Maya: Tweet, tweet! A new cafe in Jaro

I recently stumbled upon Cafe Maya on 33 Cuartero Street in Jaro, Iloilo City—thanks to a foodie reel on TikTok—and what a delightful discovery it was! With its thatched roof, upcycled wooden interiors, and rustic yet relaxed vibe, the place instantly reminded me of the cozy cafés of Siargao.

Just a 10–15 minute walk (or a 5-minute tricycle ride) from the entrance of Cuartero Street along El 98 Road, Cafe Maya feels like a little sanctuary tucked away from the bustle of the neighborhood. It’s the kind of spot perfect for alone time, casual coffee dates, or study sessions.

The name Maya carries layers of meaning. In the Philippines, the maya is a beloved passerine bird, often celebrated in folk tales, poems, and stories. Beyond that, “maya” also refers to the concept of illusion in philosophy, as well as the name of an ancient Mexican civilization. Curious about its origin, I asked the barista why the cafe was named after the bird. He shared that the inspiration came from Matthew 6:26:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

That insight, combined with the warm, nature-inspired interiors, made me feel that the cafe was lovingly designed by people who are either bird enthusiasts, nature lovers—or perhaps both. And on a rainy afternoon, sipping a steaming vanilla bean latte while watching the world go by felt like a small slice of heaven.

The first thing that greets you upon entering is a striking mural: a Maya bird perched gracefully on a berry-laden branch of a Coffea tree. It’s a stunning focal point, and honestly, worth the visit on its own.

Beyond the art, Cafe Maya offers a cozy spot for brunch or all-day breakfast. I tried their Hungarian sausage and eggs set, hearty and satisfying. Since it was late afternoon, I skipped the usual coffee and ordered their Maya Signature Matcha, topped with frothy dalgona cream. I had completely forgotten how much caffeine matcha carries—so yes, I was wide awake that night—but its bright, grassy flavor paired perfectly with the satiny caramel-glazed Biscoff cheesecake I also indulged in. Sweet, decadent, and just what I was craving.

The cafe’s menu also caters to both classic coffee lovers and adventurous sippers: Spanish latte, salted caramel, mocha, butterscotch, and cold brew creations are all on offer, along with non-coffee drinks, teas, and chilled juices. For savory cravings, they serve comfort food staples like pasta, pizza, and finger snacks.

Next time, I’m eyeing their Moby Latte (a caramel popcorn-flavored brew!) and maybe a slice of pizza. Until then, I’ll be waiting for the call of the Maya bird.

CAFE MAYA

33 Cuartero St., Jaro, Iloilo City

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

My head in a thundercloud

Is everyone else feeling how emotionally draining this year has been? 2025 has been filled with aviation disasters, road mishaps, genocide, trade wars, impending global recessions as well as chaotic government upheavals the world over. You can't open Instagram without being flooded with images of starving children in Palestine, global economic turbulence and democratic countries flirting with fascism. Added to that, stark raving megalomaniac leaders are precipitating a WW3 scenario. Things aren't that rosy on the homefront either. The political situation in this country is as screwed as ever. Sometimes you wish you can just hide under a rock to escape the insanity. As long as you are connected to social media, it is virtually impossible to not unsee things, terrible as they may be. We try to self-soothe by buying as many Pop Mart toys as we can or raise 10 cats to suck the negative forcefields that threaten our sanity.

Can't wait for 2025 to be over.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Cultivating a culture for heritage maintenance

The City of Love is definitely getting a serious makeover. Gone are the gaudy and garish public plazas and public buildings. We now see a blossoming of heritage consciousness and urbanity. Lately, I have seen millennials and Gen Z kids at the newly renovated Jaro Plaza huddling together in grassy spots sharing laughter and light moments as if they are in some park in London. Decades ago, said plaza was in a decrepit stage reeking of stale urine and detritus. Having fallen into neglect and disrepair, it had turned into an ukay-ukay market and a makeshift beer garden during town fiestas. Forlorn, overgrown trees cast long shadows, making the plaza an ideal spot to get robbed by shady elements.For many years, I wished for the plaza to be given the makeover and dignity it deserved. Happily, after more than three decades, my wishful thinking materialized—thanks to national and local conservation efforts. Nowadays, it is a pleasure to walk through Jaro Plaza. The wrought iron benches provide comfort and solace for lonely thoughts and weary souls. Sometimes I would feed a lonesome Jaro Plaza cat some kibbles.

From any vantage point in the plaza, the newly restored Jaro Belfry stands like a beacon under the watchful eye of Our Lady of Candles. I believe it is a beacon and a light for shared social responsibility.

As public spaces grow in number, so do the number of visitors and locals who visit. Littering becomes an issue and concern. If the locals do not adapt the mindset of being responsible for one's trash, the beautiful spaces we now enjoy might fall again into premature dilapidation. After all, conservation, restoration and maintenance go hand in hand.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

ArtWorkout: Learning to draw the fun way

I've always wanted to learn drawing but don't have time to commit to an art class. I also find online art classes too complicated for my skill level. Then I found out about ArtWorkout mobile application, a fun online trainer that mixes learning and gaming. I tried a 3-month subscription and surprisingly, this is the first time I found an online subscription to be worth every penny.

I started with wobbly drawings but with daily drawing prompts, my hand got steadier! I find real joy in cute drawings and I think simple but whimsical illustration techniques are something I can easily learn and master. I look forward to making illustrated entries on my journal soon!

Thank you ArtWorkout! You've added fun and creativity to my life.

Friday, June 13, 2025

Theo & Sofia at North Grove

If you happen to swing around Molo District, do your tastebuds a favor by visiting Theo (Baking Studio by Theo) and Sofia (Bread and Pastries) at North Grove commercial complex. My sister was recently in town and we visited North Grove for late lunch. We tried the well reviewed Theo bakery and restaurant instead of the adjacent Japanese hotpot resto because we figured our tummies can no longer tolerate unli-dining.

Theo’s menu is extensive and after a lengthy deliberation we settled on having Theo’s signature garden salad, red bean mochi croffles and spaghetti with giant meatballs. My sister said Theo is comparable with Wildflour in Manila or even better. I so agree as I have also dined at Wildflour Makati and Alabang branches. Theo’s dishes arrived superbly plated and tasted as delicious as they looked! We gasped at the fresh food quality and attention to detail. If Theo sets up a branch In Manila it will give Wildflour a run for its money. Theo’s posh pricing is just commensurate with its exceptional food quality. You really get what you pay for!

After lunch, we dropped by the newly opened Sofia Bread and Pastries, a Bacolod based bakery famous for its Krunchy Dough Donuts (thank you Iloilo resellers). Sofia’s pastries are more budget friendly compared to Theo’s but taste amazing as well. My favorites aside from the Krunchy Dough donuts would have to be the cinnamon buns and soft garlic bread sticks. They also have a wide variety of afternoon merienda favorites like Spanish bread and pan de coco as well as take away cakes and sweet treats.

Hope to come back soon to North Grove for the first ever Trend Titas: Curated Pop-Up Finds Bazaar on June 27-29, 2025.

NORTH GROVE

Avancena St., Molo, Iloilo City

Mobile Phone:0998 583 2335

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!

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

The Heehee playlist

I love listening to YouTube while I'm at work. I can easily switch playlists on my subscribed list to adjust to the various times of the day and corresponding energy levels and mood.

Here's one of my favorite mild tempo playlist. Chill enough to relax me while working and upbeat enough to keep me alert and awake. Check out Heehee playlist. Have a productive day!

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Flow the movie: A story of a triumph and hope

I've been wanting to watch Flow, the award winning animated film by Gints Zilbalodis the moment it came out in cinemas. Unfortunately, it didn't hit local theaters in Iloilo City and was not available on online streaming platforms in our region. During the last week of April, I was beyond excited to learn that Film Development Council of the Philippines included Flow in their I Animate festival line-up of notable and award winning animated films scheduled for screening in selected SM Cinema and Cinematheque Centres nationwide. I watched a 6PM screening at Cinematheque Iloilo and enjoyed the virtually empty 74-seater theater all to myself. Ten minutes into the movie, I realized it was dialogue-free, wordless movie that relied heavily on rich ambient soundscape and a stirring musical score. Needless to say, the movie was highly entertaining, powerful and emotionally engaging that I decided to watch it again on the next screening date. During the second screening, I took notice of the nuances, details and minutiae that I missed during the first screening.

Flow's main character is a courageous black cat. I adore black cats and the movie reminded me of my black half-Persian half-Puspin cat Marsha. I have three black cats and I am in awe of their feline mystique which borders on the spiritual. Why Gints Zilbalodis chose to feature a black cat instead of a tuxedo or tortoiseshell cat is fitting. Black cats are enigmatic, sinuous and incredibly street smart. Even in a post-apocalyptic setting, the black cat is poised to survive the harshest, hardest places.

I usually have low expectations for animated movies but Flow is pure cinematic splendor. I was blown away by the mystical imagery and luminosity of this endearing film. The sparkling, scintillating evanescence of nature is highlighted by this film. The movie starts with a scene of the black cat looking into a reflecting pool, the waters glistening with the tremors of an impending doom. Coming full circle, the movie concludes with a scene of the black cat staring back at his reflection with a beached, dying whale beside him. This time he is not alone. He is in the company of three other animals whom he journeyed with to safe harbor.

The movie invites you to reflect on your fears and overcoming them the way our feline protagonist did. Cats are known to hate water but the post-apocalyptic flooding that is the central theme in the movie is the dangerous and perilous backdrop that black cat and his animal companions had to navigate. The black cat unexpectedly finds company and friendship with an odd menagerie of domestic and wild creatures such as a playful Labrador retriever, a sleepy capybara, a mysterious Secretary bird, a comical ring-tailed lemur, and a mythical whale. The animals are thrown by fate into a sailboat for an epic adventure that transports them to a breathtaking and dangerous waterlogged world. The animals go with the flow and trust their survival instincts.

Flow's greatest charm lies in its ability to connect with viewers without the need to anthropomorphize animals or rely on glossy Disney like animation quality. The movie has the aesthetics of a video game combined with a dreamy Ghibli feel. It is visually hypnotic in combination with dramatic musical scoring that pulls in the viewers to ride a crescendo of strong and complex emotions.

Through Flow, we see a cataclysmic world through the eyes of a cat. Flow is a big ASMR immersive experience and we are grateful to be partake in its visual extravagance.

Friday, May 9, 2025

48 Hours in Iloilo City: A Slow Travel Guide to the City of Love

Looking for a relaxed weekend getaway in the Philippines? Iloilo City—fondly known as the City of Love—offers one of the most refreshing urban escapes in the country. Here, heritage churches stand quietly beside modern museums, riverside paths invite unhurried walks, and meals are never rushed—only savored.

This is a city that doesn’t overwhelm. Instead, it gently welcomes.

Written from a local’s perspective, this 48-hour Iloilo City travel guide is designed for flexible, slow travel. Mix and match stops depending on your mood, your energy, and, most importantly, your appetite.

Why Visit Iloilo City?

Iloilo City offers a rare balance of old and new. You’ll find centuries-old churches beside contemporary art spaces, leafy promenades minutes away from cozy cafés, and some of the most soulful food in the Visayas—all without the chaos of bigger cities.

Recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo doesn’t just feed you well—it feeds you with heart.

Day 1: Heritage, Art, and Local Flavor

Morning: Riverside Walks and Ilonggo Breakfast

Start your day at the Iloilo River Esplanade, one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Lined with mangroves and shaded pathways, it’s especially peaceful in the early hours, when the air is still cool and the city is just beginning to stir.

Nearby, ease into the morning with a slow breakfast.

Drip Cafe Coffee and Community offers a relaxed space for good coffee and conversation.
Cafe Augusto (Molo) serves hearty Ilonggo pamahaw alongside full English breakfasts.

Just beside it, Panaderia de Molo, a heritage bakery, is perfect for picking up biscuits and pastries—ideal for pasalubong or a mid-morning snack.

Midday: Churches, Plazas, and Quiet Heritage

Step into Iloilo’s rich past with visits to its most iconic landmarks.
The Jaro Cathedral (National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles) stands as a spiritual and cultural centerpiece, while Molo Church (St. Anne Parish)—often called a “feminist church”—is known for its all-female lineup of saints.

Pause at Graciano Lopez Jaena Plaza for a moment of stillness, then head to Agatona 1927 Museum Café, a beautifully restored heritage home where history and comfort food meet.

Across Molo Church, spend time at Molo Plaza and explore the nearby Molo Mansion, a favorite stop for locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Afternoon: Art, Cafés, and Creative Corners

Iloilo’s creative energy reveals itself in its growing art scene. Spend your afternoon exploring:

Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA)
Brandy Museum at Festive Walk Parade

Wander through K-Town for lantern-lit streets and casual outdoor dining, then browse lifestyle shops at Festive Mall.

If time allows, visit Thrive Art Gallery at The Shops at Atria, where rotating exhibits highlight Ilonggo artists.

For a mid-afternoon pause:

Born in Bread for buttery croissants
Neighbor Coffee for floral-forward drinks like lavender matcha or apple lavender americano

Evening: Calle Real and Comfort Food

As the sun begins to set, make your way to Calle Real, Iloilo City’s historic commercial street, where heritage buildings echo the city’s storied past.

Nearby cultural stops include:

National Museum of Natural History – Iloilo
Museum of Philippine Economic History

End your walk at Plaza Libertad, then catch the golden hour near San Jose Placer Church or Fort San Pedro, where views stretch toward Guimaras Island.

For dinner, locals often head to Beige Eatery, beloved for its comforting Ilonggo dishes.

Namit guid.

Day 2: Countryside Charm and Island Escape

Morning: Southern Iloilo and Coastal Flavors

Take an early drive south to Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable Baroque churches in the Philippines. The journey itself is part of the experience, with scenic coastal views unfolding along the way.

Make time for memorable food stops:

Mrs. Wharton’s London Bakes and British Teas (Oton) for a charming, homey brunch
Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods (Arevalo) for classic grilled favorites
Breakthrough Restaurant for iconic Ilonggo seafood

This is where Iloilo’s reputation as a culinary destination truly shines.

Afternoon: Guimaras Island Escape

From Iloilo City, take a short ferry ride to Guimaras Island, known for its laid-back beaches and rural charm.

Spend your afternoon exploring at your own pace:

Visit the San Lorenzo Wind Farm for sweeping coastal views
Stop by the Trappist Monastery for local products and quiet reflection
Unwind at beachside spots like Casitas de Palma

Travel Tips for Visiting Iloilo City

Best time to visit: November to February for cooler, more comfortable weather
Getting around: Taxis, ride-hailing apps, and tricycles are widely available
Where to stay: Mandurriao and City Proper offer convenient access to major attractions

Final Thoughts: The Quiet Charm of Iloilo

Iloilo City doesn’t try to impress—it simply welcomes you.

With its walkable streets, layered history, evolving food culture, and warm Ilonggo hospitality, it’s the kind of place that lingers long after your trip ends.

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a little longer, this 48-hour itinerary invites you to experience the City of Love the way locals do—slowly, thoughtfully, and with heart.

Kit-anay kita sa Iloilo.