Author: Claire Algarme
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Meeting Cannes Film Best Director Brillante Mendoza
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Every October, a tradition unfolds that I always look forward to. Together with a few friends, I head to Greenbelt 3 in Makati to immerse myself in Pelikula: The Spanish Film Festival, where we spend entire days hopping from one screening to another. Rather than simply watching a movie or two,…
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Organic produce at the Negros First-Army Wellness Farm
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What began as a simple trip to Camp Nelson Gerona in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, unexpectedly turned into a memorable encounter with organic farming in Negros Occidental. Our group had traveled there to help organize a medical mission, and naturally, we expected to spend the day serving the community before heading…
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The City of Smiles and the #JoyInABox
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Its name has resounded in many countries all over the world and has been around since 1937. And whenever you utter its name, you’ll always end up with a smile. Krispy Kreme. The name leaves a sweet taste on my mouth, simply because I have a great deal of experience…
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Nails, Face & Art at Beauty and Butter
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Have you experienced this before in one of your travels? On the last day of your trip, your flight back home is scheduled at night or late in the afternoon. You have the whole day to do more exploring and sightseeing. Usually, this is devoted to shopping and buying of…
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Have you been to an Organic Farmers Festival?
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I must admit, having been away from my hometown for two decades made me miss on so many events and happenings. I was curious about a post I read in one of my Facebook groups. It was about the Organic Farmers Festival that will be taking place on November 19…
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SMX Convention Center arrives in Bacolod
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When I was working with Hands On Manila, I had the opportunity to hold our annual Servathon culmination with thousands of volunteers at the SMX Convention Center, a modern, state-of-the-art events venue in Pasay City. Since then, I had been receiving regular updates from them via email. While in Manila,…
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The taste of Quan Delicacies: A Bacolod icon
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To the unacquainted, the signage “Quan” may seem like a Chinese name at first glance or even sound as a Spanish word. Asked for the meaning, Chole Cuenca-Chua, the one-half of the mother-daughter tandem that formed this famous native food delicacy brand, said that it simply stood as how it’s…
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The colors of Masskara Festival 2014
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“I’ll take you back to the old days and I’ll sing the songs once you’ll all remember so come and sing along (come on everybody)” This was the Latin beat of medley songs of Trini Lopez that has always embedded in my memory of the Masskara Festival I knew. I…
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Street Dance Watching with Skechers GOwalk
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The sky was dark and a downpour was threatening to halt the revelry. We hastened our walk through the crowd-filled streets of Bacolod that were closed for the Masskara Festival celebrations. We walked from one corner to the other, trying to find out if the street dance was already on…
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My Magnificent Stay at the Sofitel Manila
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The red and yellow mood lights and the glittering crystal chandeliers created a perfect ambiance that enhanced the artful interiors of the newly unveiled iconic design of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila‘s Grand Plaza Ballroom. The last time I was in this hotel was earlier this year when I attended a…
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First-time in Novotel Suvarnabhumi: Convenience and Comfort
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Arriving in Bangkok late at night after a long journey from Chiang Mai can leave any traveler feeling exhausted. The excitement of exploring Thailand’s capital slowly fades as tired eyes search for a comfortable place to rest. Fortunately, our next flight was scheduled early the following morning, and we found…
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Do you check a hotel review before booking?
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A few weeks back, a friend shared with me some information on a survey about travelers and how they access hotel reviews before deciding for an accommodation to book. It revealed that when it comes to choosing a hotel to stay Filipino business travelers are the most likely to rely…
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Eat’s More Fun in Bacolod: A List of Local Food Destinations
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Home sweet home. It truly is. That’s because home is Bacolod, the capital of the sugar bowl of the Philippines. It is known for its delectable food, especially desserts. I’ve already written some fine eating places in the City of Smiles in my previous blog post Eat is Bacolod. Ever…
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Wats in Chiang Mai: Exploring these Mystical Marvels
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Chiang Mai is home to one of the old Thai cultures, as seen in the many heritage sites in the city. In fact, the old square alone has several ancient temples that reflect the Lanna culture. Visiting Chiang Mai is like stepping into a realm where spirituality intertwines with architectural…
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First-time at the Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai
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Roaming this northern part of Thailand, I have seen its façade four years ago for I have been to the building just across the street. This year, I finally had the chance to enter the Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai where it documents the way of living of ancient…