I'm going to Manila this November to attend some functions, have a few meetings, and for a little bit of vacation. I want this trip to be a bit different. Instead of coffee shops, malls, and the usual places I go to, I want to go to unique places. Binondo The first time I went to Binondo was sometime 2005 or 2006 with my cousin. We had joined a walking tour. I was fascinated by the temples, old houses, and old buildings. I also enjoyed the food and the other sights that I saw. Kuya Andrew, several friends and I went to Binondo for another walking tour in 2008. Aside from the yummy food we ate, I found walking through Binondo to be an interesting experience. I'm not really Chinese but I found the culture, the sights, and sounds to be very homey. And I do want to go back for another walking tour. Philippine National Museum People suggested that I visit museums. Silly me. I have never been to the Philippine National Museum. Not even when our History professor asked us to go there. But I do want to go. It's embarrassing to be almost 30 and never having…
Mr and Ms Gen San 2011 Crowned
Two beautiful generals Marc Jerick Chan and Caroline Lim were crowned as the Mr and Ms Gen Santos City 2011 during a star-studded pageant during the Tuna Festival. The pageant was hosted by Kapuso star Victor Aliwalas and Binibining Pilipinas World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit. Kapuso actress Claudine Barretto was a pageant judge along with local politicians, lifestyle writers, and young movers and shakers. Bloggers Fitz Villafuerte, Donna Congson, and yours truly were also judges. The pageant opened with the candidates parade in awe-inspiring silver and white Festival Attires. The candidates and their dedicated handlers crafted show-stopping sea-inspired attires which set the mood for an exciting beauty and talent competition. Lakan ng Kalilangan 2012 Gevic Romero and Frances Gonzalez were awarded with the Best in Festival Attire titles. The candidates sizzled in the swimsuit competition with their animal-inspired suits. Hunky Gian Cortes and sexy Ayana Grico bested the candidates as they were voted as Best in Swimsuit. Dressed up in elegant creations by Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines President Johnny Abad, the candidates wowed the judges and the audience members even more. Looking every inch a debonair, Marc Jerick Chan was awarded with the Best in Evening Formal Wear…
Alaxan FR Aray Mo, Galing Natin Promo
Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquaio is preparing for his upcoming fight with Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez. Needless to say, Alaxan FR and the entire Philippine nation is behind him and is rooting for him. With every punch, Pacquiao gives pride and honor to the Philippines. Wear your Philippine pride and support Manny Pacquiao by wearing the limited edition Aray Mo, Galing Natin Pilipinas shirts by Alaxan FR. If you're a blogger or a social media user, you can get one of these shirts by joining my simple promo. To win one of these shirts, follow these simple rules: Like the Alaxan FR Official Fan Page at this LINK. Show your support for Manny, by recording a video greeting for Manny Pacquiao for his upcoming fight against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 13. It does not have to be long or complicated but it has to memorable. Upload the video message on any online video sharing site and post the greeting on the Alaxan FR Page Wall. LINK TO THE WALL HERE. For tracking purposes, mention my blog's name "Life with Ria" on your video, either by stating it on the video or by inserting it as a caption or in…
Foot Spa at The Horizon Spa
I don't enjoy body massages and it would take a lot of convincing before I step inside a spa. My good friends Avel and Orman were able to successfully convince me to try out The Horizon Spa in General Santos City. And I had a very relaxing bonding experience with my Mareng Orman. We both decided to settle in for the foot spa. We each wore a comfy robe and picked a fluffly reclining chair next to each other. We were served some tea and our foot spa therapists began to work their magic. After some catching up, Orman easily snoozed while I watched some shows on the television set. It was a very relaxing bonding moment. Our other companions took quite a long time with their full body massages because they also fell asleep. Everybody loved their massages and were very much relaxed after the spa session. The Horizon Spa has a clean space and a relaxing ambiance, complemented by nice and competent therapists. Definitely a great place for spa addicts, and even people like me who are not so keen on getting massages. The Horizon Spa is located at the at the 2nd Floor of Tan Building, beside…
Five Things to Do in Zamboanga
I was in Zamboanga for a short time and I was only able to visit for a few places, but I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to visiting Zamboanga again soon. Here are the top five things I suggest you do in Zamboanga: Eat Curacha with Alavar Sauce First off, I apologize that I don't have a photo of this delicious sinfully great dish but me and my friends were excited to eat when it was served. So eat we did. Curacha is a crab species common in Zamboanga. It has more meat in the body than most other crab species. What makes the Curacha in Alavar Sauce even better than other curacha dishes is the Alavar Sauce. Alavar sauce is a combination of crab fat and coconut milk. It's a rich rich rich sauce that devilishly good. It complements the curacha well, and it's even great enough to be eaten with just about any meat... even with just rice. Mmm... Visit Fort Pilar Fort Pilar is a remnant from Zamboanga's colonial past. It is now a Catholic Marian shrine and a branch of the National Museum. A visit to Fort Pilar is a great way to know…
Muchas Gracias
Dear Love, I was apprehensive taking the trip we were supposed to take together. But it was better than I expected. It's great being single again. I finally understand why we can't be together and I thank you for giving me that. When I went on the trip, I thought maybe I'd be thinking about you all the time and how the trip would be better if you were there with me. Truth is, it was almost perfect without you there. The combination of work, old and new friends, booze, partying, and stress gave me a new perspective. It would have probably been a fun trip with you but I would have probably been too guarded, too worried about you that I wouldn't be able to work and party as hard as I did. I finally see what some of my friends told me, that I wasn't me when I was with you. It's both good and bad. Good because I became a better person when I was with you. And bad because somehow I made us the center of my life. You might not believe it, but I was trying very hard to make us work and I suffered…