bamboo dreams

We grew up where giant bamboo groves lined lazy meandering rivers. We listened to the gentle swishing and creaking in the breeze as we picnicked and snoozed in their shade.

In much dwindled numbers, our country still uses bamboo for indigenous houses in many of our provinces. The bahay kubo is still a much loved symbol of bucolic bliss.

Bali calls

Uma Ubud Private Villa # 50

South Pacific, the popular musical based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Tales of the South Pacific, extols Bali Ha’i as an exotic paradise.

Bali Ha'i may call you,
Any night, any day,
In your heart, you'll hear it call you:
"Come away... Come away."

mesmerizing

captivating

sublime

banquets in Bacolod

Coming back to the homestead means spending time with family and friends whom we dearly missed, relaxing and recalibrating for our more hectic lives abroad.

It also means food. All our favourite, native food, that we crave and dream about when we're in our adopted countries and away from Filipino kitchens.

queen of the south: Cebu City

Before the grand old city of Manila ruled the galleon routes, Spanish explorers first colonised the twin islands called Cebu and Mactan, making Cebu City the oldest and most historic city in the Philippines.

Cebu is a smallish, eclectic city that rambles through several hills and valleys. Its citizens, called Cebuanos or Sugbuanons in their own language, famously love food, music, street parties and celebration in general.

home for the holidays

This year wonder | wander | women were back in the Philippines for the holidays.

We come from a country notorious for celebrating the longest Christmas season and we glory in it!

Christmas is the biggest and most widely celebrated holiday in our predominantly Catholic homeland where we all tend to go gaga over the holidays.