Sunday, January 21, 2024
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. |
Saturday, January 20, 2024
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
Saturday, January 13, 2024
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!
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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?
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Another requisite cafe to add to your list of secret but stylish hangout places. Manifesto Cafe at Citadines Amigo has a eclectic, casual feel and great food to boot. Away from the maddening crowd yet located in the heart of the city, one feels wonderfully insulated as one enjoys hearty all day breakfast plates and specials.
The Citadines Amigo branch in Iloilo City is Manifesto's first store outside of Metro Manila with branches in Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Manifesto is definitely a taste of Manila in laidback Iloilo City. They also serve the best French Toast in Iloilo City and Flat White coffee! Said like a true Ilonggo, once I like the food and atmosphere I will surely be back again! I look forward to trying their breakfast buffet soon.
Citadines Amigo, Iloilo City
Sunday, November 19, 2023
I visit our ancestral house in San Miguel, Iloilo every weekend and every chance I get, I try to explore the new enterprises and shops around the quiet, sleepy town. I'm glad small towns like San Miguel now have cozy cafes and milk tea shops to cater to the younger set.
If you happen to swing by San Miguel town before heading to Alimodian or Bucari, drop by Sunrise Cafe, the sweet and cozy cafe in front of the now defunct town market. They have pasta, sandwiches and sides on the menu. They have coffee and non-coffee items as well. Since it was already too late in the evening to have coffee, I opted for the hot white chocolate drink which was absolutely heartwarming.
See you again soon Sunrise Cafe!
SUNRISE CAFE
Roxas St., 5025 San Miguel, Iloilo
Email: sunrisecafe1121@gmail.com
Cafes have been sprouting in the City of Love especially along the Diversion Road area. There's Cafe Augusto at Esplanade 2, Daily Buns Cafe & Bakery and cafes at the Atria Park District. If you're coming from the Espalanade area for your morning or evening walk, consider dropping by in one of these cafes for iced refreshments or a warming cup of coffee.
Nestled beside Greenfield Complex, Diversion Road (just outside Stella's) is Drip Cafe, a cute little hiding spot to enjoy coffee and other Earl Grey tea brews. I love the Japanese aesthetic of this cafe. It’s like I'm back in Tokyo!
Aside from the standard coffee menu, they have tea brews like London Fog and Autumn that go well with their pastries especially their Earl Grey Honey Cake. If you love hot tea brews, Drip Cafe is the place to be.
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DRIP CAFE Coffee and Community
GF, Greenfield Complex, Diversion Road
Mandurriao, Iloilo City
IG: @drip.ilo
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