The Plumpy Mermaid

“Perhaps I had a wicked childhood.. perhaps I had a miserable youth. But somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good..”

The Sound of Music at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.

These were songs I grew up with, and I remember watching THE SOUND OF MUSIC over and over again on Betamax and VHS, and eventually on VCD and DVD. It is one of the most monumental films I have ever come across, encompassing all human emotions and sentiments and one which I will never outgrow. Watching the whole story unfold in a live performance was very thrilling and as the curtains came up I had the giddy feeling of a 5-year old girl. My eyes brimmed with tears when Act 1 started wherein the nuns were arguing over Fraulein Maria: ” How do you solve a problem like Maria.. how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?” I enjoyed all the other songs equally and I must commend our local artists who portrayed their roles very well, especially CRIS VILLONCO who I must say, sang Maria’s part perfectly! The Sound of Music runs only until May 27 at the NEWPORT PERFORMING ARTS THEATER in Resorts World Manila. If you haven’t seen it, I suggest you hurry and get your tickets before it’s too late!

PM Rating: 4 Stars!!!

Clockwise from Left: Meet me in Paris: Lemon Blossom cupcake with a single rose in Eiffel vase, Three's a Crowd: Red Velvet, Lemon Blossom, and Choco-chip Peanut, Cupcake Display Window.

The unfortunate decline in quality of Sonja’s cupcakes has led me to search for better alternatives. Lo and behold, a cupcake store recently opened at Greenhills Town Center in Gilmore Street. Whimsically named PASTRY PRINCESS, it is like entering a magical world of sweet creations and happy things. I love the girly ambiance and their pink inscription coined from a British motto: Keep calm, and eat cupcakes! I’m a sucker for lemon pastries and the LEMON BLOSSOM was first on my list to try. It was acceptable but it lacked that particular zing and the frosting was too rich and sugary. The cake base had some bits of lemon rinds but it also lacked that lemony taste I’m looking for, and was much too moist and soft for a cupcake. The Lemon Blossom didn’t make it to the plumpy mermaid list but their version of RED VELVET just might. I will have to go back and have another try!

Keep Calm, and Eat CUPCAKES!

PM Rating: 3 Stars.

Top: Flying to Cebu--PAL is still the best option for air travel to any domestic destination, Bottom: Arrival at the Cebu-Mactan Domestic Airport

I can still remember my first visit to Cebu last December 2010. It was mostly city-based and the highlights of which were seeing the famous Magellan’s cross, trying out the Extreme Skywalk  at the Crowne Regency, and seeing heaps of dried fish of all kinds imaginable at the local market. On this second visit, I purposely stayed away from the city and enjoyed  the “sunny side” of Cebu with its pristine beaches and islands, the sweetest fresh mangoes, and a highly cardiac-friendly diet of Cebu Lechon everyday!

Movenpick Resort and Spa

MOVENPICK RESORT AND SPA (formerly Hilton Hotel) is a dream come true with its charming beachfront and an inviting swimming pool. The staff are friendly and attentive to your needs and they never fall short of service even during buffet meals. The food is five-star in quality and quantity, including their salad bar which I couldn’t help but patronize every time. There was one night when we had a Brazilian dinner with all kinds of European sausages and the kielbasa was one of the best I’ve had. I had it with a side dish of sauerkraut and I couldn’t help but go back for seconds along with some barbecue ribs. While we were at it, fire dancers entertained us to further fuel up our appetite. On other nights, you can opt for a quiet evening watching a movie by the beach where they set up an LCD projector and a viewing area complete with mats and beanbags for the guests to lounge on.

Top: Firedancers at Movenpick, Bottom: Movie by the Beachfront

Although the Movenpick beachfront is a beauty, it is lacking in size and space and you can hardly enjoy a long and peaceful walk. A border sets it apart from the other resort and the nearby Shangri-La Mactan, and a white wall on the left leads to the local port. On the bright side though, only a 1-hour boat ride from the port will bring you to NALUSUAN ISLAND where you can enjoy more of the sea and appreciate Cebu’s rich and colorful marine life. There is this never-ending stretch of shallow white sand beach that reaches only up to your knees, and there are deeper swimming areas where you can enjoy snorkelling or simply taking a dip in the cool, clean water. After a full morning at Nalusuan, we headed back to Movenpick where a luncheon feast awaited us, featuring the famous Cebu Lechon and a mix of grilled seafood. To top it all off was a halo-halo station for dessert, and afterwards a nice relaxing massage at the resort’s signature spa. What more could I ask for?

Nalusuan Island

All too soon, my Cebu getaway had to end. After another wonderful breakfast at the Vanilla Beach Cafe, I reluctantly bid Movenpick good-bye and headed for the airport. As I waited for my flight at the passengers’ lounge, I couldn’t help but pass by the ZUBUCHON stall for a few kilos to take back home. This famous Cebu Lechon has won the heart of  foodies and gourmands, including Anthony Bourdain. I hear it is best eaten freshly cooked and chopped at its main store but I have yet to try that experience. Yes, I will come back to Cebu if only to re-aqcuaint myself with this marvellous pig!

Left: Zubuchon stall at Mactan-Cebu Domestic Airport, Right: Empty Zubuchon stall--sold out just after 20 minutes!

PM Rating: 4 Stars!!!

Top: Seaview at dusk, Bottom Left: Garden passage to the Casitas, Bottom Right: My Casita

Being a half-Batanguena, I am particularly fond of road trips especially headed down South, because it reminds me of my late grandfather when we used to spend weekends in his hometown. I never realized how beautiful Batangas really is, until I spent a weekend in PUNTA FUEGO, Nasugbu. A hidden community exclusive only to members, it is walled-off from the rest of the ordinary world. Beautiful villas line the seascape, and a breath-taking INFINITY POOL graces the main clubhouse.

Top: Punta Fuego's Infinity Pool, Bottom: Seaview from the Casitas

I was torn between staying inside and enjoying my comfortable and spacious CASITA (Spanish for small house), or going out to explore. I believe I got the best of both because I woke up early the next day to enjoy a solitary dip in the infinity pool. Food is not impressive though, and a revamp with their chef line-up is modestly recommended. The breakfast buffet was all right but who could really go wrong with any-style eggs and ready made food like bacon, sausages, bread, and cheese? As a whole though, this lack of gastronomic prowess can be overlooked and given room for improvement.

Will the plumpy mermaid return to Punta Fuego? The answer is a definite YES!

PM Rating: 4 Stars!!!

Earlier this year, I had the chance to experience Hong Kong over a 3-day weekend which resulted into a mix of pleasant and not-so-pleasant memories. Sad to say, but I felt some degree of discrimination which I didn’t even feel in Canada! Some locals are rude and can hardly communicate in English: you order duck and you end up getting soy chicken instead. Streets are too narrow and even more crowded than in Manila, and you’ll always be scared of getting run over. There are some well-mannered locals though, especially in the signature shops where people are required to be graceful.

Clockwise from Left: facade of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, dinner is served at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, The Beatles at Madame Tussauds wax museum, Hong Kong by night

The only thing I enjoyed best was having dinner at the JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT which was part of the Victoria Peak night tour. The ambiance was spectacular with opulent golden dragons and I enjoyed the ferryboat ride from the main island going to the “floating restaurant”. Some people couldn’t help shoving at us though to compete with seats in the boat, and the cooking was good but not quite to the level of my remaining gold standard: Gloria Maris in Greenhills. A visit to MADAME TUSSAUDS got me some neat photos with wax figures of The Beatles and other celebrities, but now I realize that it’s nothing like meeting them in person. It was all just a tourist scam, and with more impolite people shoving and pushing at you in the lines.

Hong Kong Disneyland!

The following day though, was a saving grace: HONG KONG DISNEYLAND! It was time to be a kid again as I frolicked around the theme park with my nieces and nephew. We breezed through Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Toy Story Land, and Space Land where the highlight of my day was meeting Buzz Lightyear! I also enjoyed their 3D and musical shows where Disney’s signature songs were performed. When in Disneyland, I recommend having your meals at the Banquet Hall where prices may be a bit high but the food is not lacking in quality and quantity. Do not miss the corndogs and caramel popcorn as well, and the Mickey Mouse waffles are to die for! Lastly, never leave without watching the fireworks display at night, even if it means elbowing your way to the exit to find your bus ride going back to the hotel. Or a better idea would be to stay at the Disneyland Hotel and stay away from the hostility.

I’d say once is enough for the experience, but given the choice I will not be returning to Hong Kong when there are many other attractive alternatives. The rest of the world awaits..

PM Rating: 3 stars.