Toby's Estate

I read once that coffee is the most traded item in the world, more than oil even! So it is no surprise that coffee shops continue to evolve and increase. The newest coffee craze is often called the Third Wave coffee shop; the first was coffee as a straightforward beverage, then the ubiquitous coffee chain and now, the specialized chain. With its own actual estate in Panama, Toby's Estate had special beans blended and brewed and you can truly taste it. And with a decor that's industrial and urban, completely stocked with insider magazines such as Love and CRFashion Notebook, it is the place to be.

Hmm What to order?

Decided to have a thirst-quenching Iced Flat White!

And of course, my favorite Pistachio Cheesecake! Yummy!

Brownies of different size and textures!

Love the see-through kitchen.

A mix of industrial and urban feel.

Marian Rivera for Hana: Naturally Beautiful

New face of HANA: Marian Rivera

I had a very beautiful afternoon last Monday, May 26, at the New World Hotel in Makati. It was the official launch of Marian Rivera as the new and first ever celebrity endorser of Shokubutsu Hana Shampoo in the country.

Marian really is the perfect choice for Hana, a brand that believes real beauty is the kind that is achieved naturally. And if anyone could be a role model for natural beauty, that would be no other than Marian.

She was so simple in her press conference, dressed in a floral dress, with her long hair hanging down her back. But she looked so pristine! When she came out on stage, it was as if a goddess appeared out of nowhere.

Peerless Products Manufacturing Corp. President and CEO Simeon Tiu, HANA Ambassador Marian Rivera, and Peerless VP for Sales and Marketing Jasper Tiu

Peerless Lion Corporation Marketing Director Pen Roque, Peerless Products Manufacturing Corp.President and CEO Simeon Tiu, HANA Ambassador Marian Rivera, Peerless Lion Business Development Manager Hiroki Matsunaga, and Peerless Products Manufacturing Corp. VP for Sales and Marketing Jasper Tiu

Marian also gamely and boldly answered all the questions thrown her way.

She said she is able to do this by being confident about herself, adding that as long as she’s being real and true to herself, she can answer any question with her head high.

Host Randy See

Thanks to Hana, I’m really glad there is finally a brand, and a woman with a voice that can be heard, that promotes natural beauty. Marian will definitely inspire more women to be proud of who they are, naturally.

Magpakatotoo Ka!

I don’t think there is anyone above the age of at least 20 who doesn’t know how the beautiful and talented Toni Gonazaga first made her mark in the showbiz industry – yes, I am talking about that commercial. Sprite’s Magpakatotoo Ka! TV ad 13 years ago, where Toni shamelessly screamed, “I love you, Piolo!” sparked the fire that has been lighting her journey in the entertainment industry for over a decade.

And now, the frank yet adorable girl from that legendary commercial is back! This time, as the celebrity everyone was going crazy about – just like Papa P last time!

It’s really witty how they were able to remake the Magpakatotoo Ka! commercial to show how Toni blossomed from that fan girl to the super famous celebrity that she is now. My praises go to Sprite for this wonderful new TV ad. And to Toni, this commercial made me realize just how far you’ve really come. Congratulations!

The main point of Sprite’s new commercial is to remind us and every store owner in the country that a bottle of its thoroughly refreshing drink is worth P7.00 only! Awesome, right? Just the perfect news for summer!

Blessed in Bulacan

Because of Ellen de Generes's Twittter breaking celeb selfie, #blessed has come to be associated with gathering as many stars as you can into one photo. Of course, blessings come in many forms. For me, it recently came in a day full of quiet joys and unexpected treasures. Call it coincidence; call it lightheaded thinking from meatless Fridays, or perhaps just some Divine Intervention. Some friends and I wanted to do a pilgrimage, and a road trip as well and I was tasked with doing the research. My best friend Angelette said, "Let's go to Bulacan, it's near enough to be back in a day." I thought of Barsoain Church, and as I searched online, discovered that a few meters away was equally historic and architecturally significant Malolos Cathedral or formally named the Basilica Minore de la Immaculada Concepcion.

Barasoain Church was built in the 1630, and then witness to three major event in our history, the convening of the First Philippine Congress, the drafting of the Philippine Constitution and the declaration of the First Philippine Republic. It has a serene majesty, and though burned in the Revolution, has been wonderfully restored. Malolos Cathedral is slightly older as it was constructed in 1591, of light materials, and finally completed in1740. In 1813, it was destroyed by a fire, and then rebuilt; but then it was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1863. Emilio Aguinaldo used it as the first seat of his government. Its super fresh paint job is a bit discordant with its NeoClassic architecture, but its soaring dome asserts its presence and heritage. The Stations of the Cross were kept in the original Spanish. It gives hope to our Boholano kababayans that their landmark churches can emerge from last year's devastation, as these Bulacan monuments have also survived these tectonic shifts.

It is mind boggling to think how old these churches are because there are signs of life everywhere: baptismal and mass schedules; wedding banns; and constant cleaning, perhaps in preparation for Holy Week. And it filled my heart and soul to know that though many of our beautiful buildings have been torn down indiscriminately, these churches have been so painstakingly and lovingly restored.

Angelette had read about a local resto Kabisera, and we headed there after offering our prayers in both churches. My sister, the architect called it Pinoy Shabby Chic. Maybe it was more shabby than chic, but we left satisfied. With some authentic dirty ice cream, care of the local manong whom we followed on the subdivision's streets, I felt uplifted in body, mind and spirit.

Malolos Cathedral, Basilica Minore de la Imacolada Concepcion.

The Malolos Cathedral's immaculate ceiling

The dome of Malolos Cathedral.

Malolos Cathedral altar with the statue of the Immaculate Conception

La Imaculada Concepcion statue at Malolos Cathedral

Heads bowed in prayer.

Malolos Cathedral interiors

Malolos Cathedral - the Stations of the Cross are in Spanish.

"In the beginning was the Word." Gospel of St John. Ceiling of Malolos Cathedral.

Malolos Cathedral finely carved doors

These plants must be watered with holy water, as they are lush and blooming even in the summer heat. Landscaping at Malolos Cathedral.

Pilgrimage

Barasoain Church altar

Main altar, Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan.

Barasoain ceiling

Barasoain Church's intricately carved main door & Romanesque facade

Floor detail in the pathways outside Barasoin Church.

Excursionistas ang peg!

Kabisera Restaurant. Pinoy shabby chic in Bulacan

Local flavor. Foyer of Kabisera, a restaurant specializing in home cooking.

Feelin' the blues.

It's more fun on the floor!

Reflections

Come to my window.

Provincial providence.