Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Visit Philippines 2015


 A great way to start the year in style is to plan things ahead.  The modern lifestyle is all about living in the now and making the most of what you have. Travel has become an essential luxury to most whether work or play and high or low.  More importantly, it's the enriching experience that makes everyone cherish and remember these lifetime moments.

Proud to be Filipino, the beauty of our homeland is one of the best in the world.  The Philippines is a treasure trove of captivating endless wonder. This year, this author invites everyone to immerse into this amazing diversity of culture rich in heritage and blessed with the bounty of nature at its finest.  Check out what the country has in store for you in 2015!  Mabuhay!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Lagen: One with Nature

Coming back to El Nido brings back a lot of good memories.  Postcard perfect settings welcomes you to the islands of your dreams. The different shades of aquamarine to blue waters touch the heavenly skies in the endless horizon.  Nothing can be breathtaking than the poetry of nature unfold in front of your eyes.  No this isn't a dream sequence but an amazing reality of wonders.

The allure team headed by Joanne Rae Ramirez was hosted by the El Nido Resorts group to one of their luxurious resorts- Lagen.  Accompanied by Associate editor Bum Tenorio and the author, the triumvirate was set to have a grand time in what was considered a much awaited vacay.  From El Nido town, we took a 40 minute boat ride going to the resort and was privileged to see the amazing view of the islands. Upon landing in the property, one is completely overwhelmed by the colossal limestone formations which are estimated to be more than 250,000 years old.  A witness to the passage of time, this grandeur display of nature is simply captivating and an embodiment of beauty. With a view of Bacuit Bay, this modern island resort has well-designed accommodations with tropical inspired interiors showcasing Philippine made products at is finest. Echoing the look of understated luxe, Lagen boasts 50 rooms and cottages and is at the heart of a four hectare forest where the sound of a diversity of birds create music to ones ears. One can never be bored with luxurious facilities and services in a captivating plush landscape essentially one with nature.

The essence of El Nido is realized through the countless visit to its stellar attractions and visit to the islands.  We were lucky enough to visit three out of the four El Nido Resorts in Palawan namely Miniloc, Lagen and Pangalusian. Each had its own distinct charm and one will be mesmerized by the variety of luxe settings. Cuisine is good as it offers fresh bounty from the sea, seasonal fruits, vegetables and meat which all comes from local farms.major sites to be visited are the big and small lagoon, Entalula island and Dubuluan beach which ha a clubhouse and spectacular sand bar. 

The El Nido resort group is hotel luxury with a purpose as it is an advocate of environmental conservation, ecosystem development, and strong supporter of in sustaining communities(note that they are very particular in with the non usage of plastic).  Working with nature, the property has maintained its astounding beauty. From seascape to forest to beachfront, the island's successful and continuous preservation efforts is a remarkable example others should follow. Service in the resort was impeccable with five star service.  Lagen has a menu of facilities and activities that will truly make ones stay worthwhile. Overall it was a memorable experience thanks to Brian Ong and Joey Bernardino. Great time, place and company, this trip is definitely for the books.  An amazing experience where you become one with everything.


The arrival.


Accommodations are definitely close to nature.
The guardian at the gates.


Natural dwellers welcome the guests.


Pool review. 


The rocks of Lagen are known to be more than 250,000 years old.
Before sunset at Lagen.


Silhouette of the big lagoon.


The author by (from left) Allure's Bum Tenorio, El Nidp Resorts head of sales and marketing Joey Bernardino , Allure EIC Joanne Rae Ramirez and Brian Ong of El Nido resorts.
When day becomes night and night becomes day in Lagen.



All smiles at the end of the trip.




The road home.


We will be back El Nido, promise!

For inquiries check out:
www.elnidoresorts.com 
Visit:  Facebook.com/elnidoresorts
Email: holiday@elnidoresorts.com







Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Places to go, People to see

 

"Travel is a constant source of inspiration for me. kate spade new york: places to go, people to see is an illustrated compilation of the treasures that have formed the backbone of our collections over the years."

— Deborah Lloyd, President and Chief Creative Officer, kate spade new york.



Chic fashion and lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York presents a new hardcover book entitled "Kate Spade New York:  places to go, people to see."

A wanderlust insight of the chic traveler through the lens as it takes you to amazing destinations. Paris, New York City, the Amalfi Coast, Marrakech, Tokyo, and St. Moritz are picture-perfectly seen through the eyes of style with interesting quotes of wisdom. Curated places and images are breathtaking as it aspires to inspire the readers in living a global and contemporary lifestyle.  Available in Manila this coming December.





 

In the Philippines, Kate Spade New York is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc.(SSI) - a member of The SSI Group - and is located at The Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3, Rustan’s Makati, Newport Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Bonifacio High Street Central Square.


Saturday, October 25, 2014

Sweet Incantations

Cebu city recently opened the answer to Manila's successful names in cupcake confections-Sweet Incantations. Located  at Escario street near the Ayala Center, the quaint and well designed habituĂ© for the sweet tooth boasts of their mouth-watering cupcakes.  Modern flavours and toppings all rolled into one define these irresistible temptations. Each piece is made to perfection by pastry tastemakers with nothing but the best ingredients. Excellent coffee, teas and sinful gelatos complete the must-go indulgence. The ambiance is solitary with a light and contemplative mood for the creatives. Where ideas are borne and conversations are heard, the intimate space is void of clutter and reflective of polished refinement. Loving the sleek contemporary look showcasing an industrial feel as seen on highlight furnishings. The simplicity of interiors with clean lines and plethora of surfaces is amazingly distinct. And if a picture paints a thousand words, the gallery of frames showcase the owner's jetset lifestyle and the stories to be told.   A delightful taste to your palette, check out and visit Sweet Incantations while in Cebu-definitely something you wouldn't want to miss!



















Tuesday, September 23, 2014

BTS BKK

Fashion and travel is the perfect combination.  With fashion editorials, destination locations create the mood, landscape, vibe and at times a statement as it becomes the backdrop of a shoot.  Asian Dragon and Asian Dragon bride( glossies in te Philippines) recently flew to Bangkok to fill postcard perfect pages in breathtaking style narratives.  Photographed by Jo Ann Bitagcol, this author and the team including editor Liza Ilarde were transported to various breathtaking locations close to the heart of the city.  In fashion, work and play produce outstanding results when the energy becomes one and everyone becomes family.  Despite the unbearable heat of the equatorial weather, the team breezed through shooting in historical and public landmarks to produce a memorable body of work.  After shooting for two days, bringing three huge boxes of clothes filled with gowns, dresses, accessories from the best designers in the Philippines was definitely worthwhile.  Life behind the fashion scene isn't all that gloss for to produce a great photo entails hard work.  No one really know what it takes to achieve an amazing shot when it comes out in the magazine, but the reality of it all is a lot of hands at work.  Passion, discipline, dedication, artistry and the pursuit of perfection all rolled into one bring out the best.  Beyond the "glossy" job, the company you keep with great laughs, quality time and of course fantastic gastronomic adventure truly make this trip one for the books.  Til the next one!


The A Team.  The author with model Jasmin Maierhofer, Asia Dragon's Francesca de la Cruz, Asia Dragon Bride and Style Weekend Editor Liza Ilarde and photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol.


River View.
Arresting Beauty.


The look of Fall.  Jo Ann Bitagcol and Jasmine Maierhofer in action.


Modern Geometry.


Linear perspective.


Tres Amigos.  The author with Liza Ilarde and Jo Ann Bitagcol.


Behind the "scene".


Edit, edit, edit.


How low can you go.


What lies beneath.


Photographer model.


Self We.


Its a wrap with dumbo. The author with Liza Ilarde, Francesca de la Cruz, Jasmine Maierhofer and Jo Ann Bitagcol.


Light me a river.


All aboard.  The author with model Jasmine Maierhofer.

View from the river cruise.
Time to say goodbye.  The author with photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol.