THE BRIGHT SPOT

Food. Travel. Bargain finds. Random thoughts. A bright spot for sharing ideas and starting conversations!

10 Things I Miss about Palawan

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As promised, here's a sneak preview of our wonderful vacation in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.  It's been 5 days of enjoying the sun, discovering new food and new places, meeting new acquaintances and enjoying rural life.   Everything there is so laid-back AJ and I are now thinking of spending our retirement life there, hehe! Anyway, I could not have done this without the help ... READ MORE

The Art of Juan Flores, Master Sculptor

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Woodcarving (sculpture in wood) is one of the oldest surviving arts in the Philippines, and while most artisans in woodcarving are found in Paete, Laguna, one of our celebrated wood sculptors actually hailed from Betis, Pampanga. Juan Flores, considered as the Father of of Pampanga Sculpture and Woodcarving,  was highly recognized here and abroad during his time because of ... READ MORE

Club Balai Isabel

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This is another overdue post.   Was meaning to write about this really nice place we went to for our teambuilding activities in December last year. We are about 70 in our group, and we found the perfect place in Club Balai Isabel.    This idyllic lakeside resort in Talisay, Batangas  is very accessible, just an hour-and-a-half drive from Manila.  It has the perfect indoor ... READ MORE

Snapshots of our Ilocos Tour 2012

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Now that we're done with most of the Christmas reunions and cleaning our apartment, I can relax a bit and organize the rest of the pictures from our Ilocos tour.   You've seen most of the highlights of our tour: the picturesque Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Kabigan Falls, and the impressively designed Malacanang of the North. Below are the other highlights of our Ilocos ... READ MORE

Malacanang of the North (“Malacanang Ti Amianan”)

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Before I totally get busy again (in preparation for the New Year), I wanna show you one of the landmarks we visited in Laoag, Ilocos Norte during our 2-day stay there. The Malacanang of the North (“Malacanang Ti Amianan”) served as the official residence/mansion of the late President Ferdinand Marcos whenever he's in Ilocos.  It's located in Suba, Paoay and sits on a land ... READ MORE

The Secret Wonders of Ilocos Norte: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Kabigan Falls

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While numerologists and ordinary folks alike were preparing for or discussing about the end of the world last December 21, 2012, AJ and I were vacationing at Laoag and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, unmindful of all the hype about end of the world date (if there is such one). We were actually in Ilocos in December last year, but there were 2 special places that we weren't able to ... READ MORE

Green Windows Dormitel

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I almost forgot to tell you about this amazing dormitel that we stayed in Davao last month.  I was there with my boss to attend a conference, and the organization which invited us sponsored our accommodation too. It's called a dormitel because it's a hotel-type dormitory and therefore way cheaper than hotel rates.    Our place is called the Green Windows Dormitel and is ... READ MORE

Waling Waling Flowers from Davao

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During a recent trip to Davao (for work), my boss and I had a chance to visit this orchids farm that houses the "Waling Waling" - one of the most sought after orchid plant in the Philippines. Vanda Sanderiana - the scientific name for Waling Waling. Waling-waling, an orchid endemic to the Philippines and only found originally in Davao-Cotabato, foothills of Mt. ... READ MORE

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