the sound of packing :)

Is it just my weirdness but whenever I walk around I play a song in my head and I'll imagine that I'm in a music video...Yup, that's how twisted I am! haha

But enough about my weirdness, coz I know you'll agree that soundtracks get us through the day and even some of the most boring tasks.

Like right now, I'm about to pack again... so I'll try to share some effective packing songs. Read the idea in Patty Laurel's blog and it hit me... oo nga no (by golly your right!)...it makes packing bearable. I love to travel but I hate packing, I'd rather not bring anything and ride a bus than pack. One time we ended up buying clothes at a thrift store in Tagaytay just because we didn't plan on spending the night. haha!

But since I cannot do that for my upcoming trip...I have to get my packing skills and songs on :)

Pardon my schizo taste:

1. Empire State of Mind (Glee version) - maybe you're not going to New York, but it feel good to feel like you are :)

2. World Hold On (Bob Sinclair) - it's like saying "watch out world, here I come!" :)

3. Viva La Vida (Coldplay) - one of the sweetest things in life is traveling so feel it through this music :)

4. My Arms Keep Missing You (Danzel vs. Dj F.R.A.N.K.) - perfect for the 80's babies :)

5. On the Dancefloor (David Guetta feat. Will.i.am & Apl.de.ap) - doesn't hurt to dance while rolling those pants :)

6. Shooting Star Remix (David Rush feat. LMFAO and Kevin Rudolf) - another shake your booty song to finish that packing :)

7. Beat It (Fallout Boy feat. John Mayer) - that groovy 80's MJ hit only with more drums! perfect for pushing those shoes in that little footwear pocket haha!

8. Halo/Walking on Sunshine (Glee version) - makes you want to choose your sundresses over those oh so tired pants :)

9. 2012 (Jay Sean feat. Nicki Minaj) - makes you remember that packing is just the beginning, traveling and having the time of your life is the main event :)

10. Green Light (John Legend feat. Andre 3000) - cap off your packing with this song! :)

So remember, when you feel like packing's a drag, just turn on your music player and blast some music to get you through it...it really does wonders :)

Toodles! :)

DRINKATHON 0001: GONG CHA

Since I'm not a coffee person, I drink tea to keep me awake. I love drinking milk tea in the morning and when I want to feel good :) 


I happened to pass by this new tea place in SM Sky Garden one night. Gong Cha which means "tea fit for royalty" was first launched in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2006. There are over 100 outlets worldwide spreading from Taiwan to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, and China, and now it's starting to make a mark here in the Philippines with branches in SM MOA, SM North, and soon in Makati. 


Thankfully, the Philippines is currently going through a milk tea craze (for some unknown reason) so a lot of tea places are popping up :) 

The Gong Cha Milk Black tea has a "dramatic mode" of cream and tea merging when served :) 

Gong Cha's Milk Wintermelon Tea is by far the most interesting tea I've tasted :)  



PRICE RANGE: P60 - 110 ++ if you want pearls :) Pretty affordable for a tea for royal bloods eh? 

Plus points coz they have friendly staff :)


I'll try their Ice Cream Tea next time :)


visit their website: http://gongcha.ph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gongcha.ph
FourSquare: https://foursquare.com/venue/24577777

GASTRONOMICLES 0001: HAPADOG

I was walking with my best friend one night at SM Sky Garden, and I noticed a new signage near Cello's :)

Turns out it's a new signature Japanese hotdog joint called HAPADOG. 

HAPADOG - adj. 1. Slang. of mixed racial heritage with partial roots in asian and/ or pacific islander ancestry.

n. 2. Slang. a person of such ancestry. {der./hawaiian: hapa haole. (half white) }

craving for something new we ordered a hapadog for our late night dinner :)

I ordered a Kokkore Dog - a hotdog wrapped in mashed potato topped with teriyaki sauce, japanese mayo, and nori flakes. If you want an extraordinary hotdog, this is it. It's a refreshing new twist to this old comfort food. Their hotdogs are also big enough for 2 (although my friend ate hers and half of mine), and served in an interesting wood tray :)

This is their version of a Chili Dog, which is also topped with nori flakes.

I also liked their french fries called, "furaidopoteto" which has like a sour cream taste.

If not for my poor health, I would eat more of their food and if not for my work the next day, I'll try their cocktails (they have a HAPA Hour! :) )

Take note that they don't have ketchup in case you are that "ketchup with anything" person. :)

PRICE RANGE: For 2, We only paid more or less P400, not bad :)
Visit their website: http://www.hapa-dog.com/

Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/venue/19228069

VW Love

Caution: I wrote this in sleepy mode :) 


If you ask me what my dream car is, I'd quickly say a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. 

 Maybe its the old soul in me but I'm simply not blown away by Vios, Altis, and other new, usual looking cars out in the market. For me nothing beats a beetle. (well actually Mini Cooper would, but that's another story) I'm sure you'll agree with me that whenever you see a vintage beetle pass by, it will put a smile on your face.

My dad used to own a brown beetle and a green Kombi. I didn't get to see his beetle but he shared some amazing stories when he had it, like fitting 20 people in that little bug. The Kombi, on the other hand, became a part of my childhood years. I remember trips on that big bus, no aircon, wide floor area, and some awesome road stories.

However, due to available circumstances, he sold the Kombi to my uncle whose family had their own share of Kombi stories too :)

So imagine how we'll always imagine joining the Volkswagen parade and car shows whenever we go in one. And then last year, the incredible happened. Dad got the Kombi again. 

The first step is to repair it... I happily volunteered to paint the ceiling and floors and chair legs -- Bikoy arrives in Banana Road. 


Here's the Kombi now :) 

I then learned that the Kombi which is now called "Bikoy" was also a part of history since it was formerly owned by the Cojuangcos, and yes, Ninoy might have driven it. 

Its sad though that the machine needs more repairing and the steering wheel's not good for long driving anymore so it can only be used for short distance driving, say Trinoma or SM North. 

This, however, did not stop us in joining our first ever VW parade last June 26 :)


There is a strange feeling when you're part of a car parade...a certain high and pride and whathaveyous :)


anyhoo the meeting place is at BK Timog which is the famous hangout place of VW owners.

then the VW line went out to Q.Ave to Manila. 

VW Bus also known as the "VW BULLY" 

Bikoy's fuzzy dice :)

The cars parked inside Fort Santiago to the delight of the tourist spot's visitors. 

Love seeing people who are fond of old VWs :) they make the drive worthwhile :)

Bikoy and Moymoy (my dad, by the way)

Reprazeennt :)

 you can usually see makeshift spare parts market when VW owners get together since parts are rare here :) 

The yellow bug! I wish we have taxis like this.

After a mass in Manila Cathedral, a priest went out and blessed the cars :)

Hopefully, we'll have more parades to join, our original plan is to find more parts for Bikoy so we can bring back it's "game"...so I'll cross my fingers for a Europe trip! haha

VIDEO :)