Tim Ho Wan in Baguio City: Warm Bowls, Cold Air, and a Family Meal After a Long Day

There is a particular kind of tiredness that only Baguio City can give.

Not the heavy exhaustion of routine, but the pleasant fatigue that settles into your legs after a full day of walking uphill roads, weaving through crowds, stopping for photos, and insisting you still have enough energy for one more attraction because everyone else seems game for it.

And it's not as if I am complaining. Having a chance to go back to Baguio again to visit relatives is such a blessing, I could only be thankful.

By late afternoon, the cold had sharpened. It slipped quietly through sleeves and settled into the hands first, then the shoulders, until everyone began rubbing their palms together or pulling jackets closer. Even my nephews, who had spent the day racing ahead with the boundless stamina only children seem to possess, had started to slow down. They were no longer asking what we would see next.

They were asking where we would eat.

H Proper Coffee Roasters at The Podium: Coffee, Cake, and an Afternoon That Slowed Time

By the time Saturday arrived, all of us looked as though we had spent the week staring into the same screen updating the same websites. In many ways, we had.

We work remotely, scattered across different homes and different cities, meeting each other more often through video calls. Most days, our conversations revolve around deadlines, web technicalities, campaigns, translations, and the tiny details that only fellow Web Content Developers would understand. When work becomes particularly demanding, our worlds shrink until they are measured by browser tabs, coffee mugs, and the glow of a laptop long after sunset.

That Saturday was different.

We finally traded our laptops for paintbrushes, laughed our way through an afternoon activity that reminded us none of us had promising futures as painters, attempted a little dancing with far more enthusiasm than grace, and lingered over lunch at a Thai restaurant before the afternoon began to dissolve into separate plans. Some of our teammates headed their separate ways, while a few of us wandered into The Podium in search of coffee and a little more conversation.

Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna, Baguio City: Returning to the City of Pines, Finding Greece on Plates, and Remembering Those I Miss The Most

A decade is a long time to stay away from a city that breathes in pine and exhales nostalgia.

The last time I spent any meaningful time in Baguio, life looked different. My mother was still alive, so was my younger sister. The future seemed larger then, unfolding ahead with the confidence that only youth can afford. Ten years passed almost without permission, consumed by work, responsibilities, grief, and the thousand ordinary things that quietly pull us away from places we keep promising to revisit.

So when I finally found myself traveling to Baguio City once again, watching the landscape transform from lowland heat into mist-covered mountains, I wasn't merely returning to a destination. I was returning to a version of myself that had been left waiting somewhere among the pine trees.

Baguio greeted me the way old friends often do. Not with fanfare but with familiarity. The cool air carried the scent of pine needles and damp earth. Fog drifted lazily over hillsides. Familiar landmarks appeared around bends in the road like memories stepping out from hiding.

Yet as comforting as the city felt, I quickly realized that nostalgia alone could not sustain a journey. I wanted something new. Something that would justify the return.

That something turned out to be Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna.

Dear Joe : Coffee, Food, and the Instagrammable Ambience

One of the many things I love about the Philippines recently is the fact that there are several coffee shops sprouting everywhere. Be it international franchise commercialized coffee shops, homegrown cafes, or even third wave specialty cafes - now more than ever, coffee is more accessible to coffee enthusiasts. 

I myself is an enthusiast. In our area, I have several favorite coffee shops. One of them is Dear Joe - the first letter-writing cafe in the Philippines. Deemed as one of the most Instagrammable Cafes in the Philippines, Dear Joe is owned by the famous Filipino businessman and former politician, Manny Villar who also owns the equally Instragam-worthy Cafe named The Coffee Project. 

I will not dwell too much on the "letter writing" concept of Dear Joe because many have already done so. What I am focusing on is the food and drinks that I like which you might also like too. 

Zullo Coffee and Loaf

Never go grocery shopping when hungry—one of the best pieces of advice I still adhere to these days. I often do my grocery shopping really early, so I need food to tide me over until lunchtime, when I finish my shopping. One morning, I found myself checking out food offerings at Zullo Coffee & Loaf.

For someone who enjoys coffee, I know it'll be a good option and a welcome respite from my affinity to food kiosks one would often find right within the premises of grocery stores. 

Manam Comfort Filipino Food Restaurant in Antipolo City

I am not really big on Filipino food especially when eating out. I feel like it is a dish I can whip up at home with no fuss. So when out, I would normally venture into other cuisines. But that was not the case when Manam Comfort Filipino Restaurant opened its branch at Robinsons Place Antipolo. 

Unlike me, my family, regardless of where they are, will always pick Filipino food over any other cuisine in a heart beat. I have dine in at Manam Greenbelt branch and I'm pretty sure my family will love Manam's take on Filipino food. 

Manam opened their branch at Robinsons Place Antipolo late last year and up to this day, people are still flocking and lining up especially on weekends. It is best to go there early to secure a table and avoid long line. 

Tong Yang Unlimited Grill and Shabu Shabu

Tong Yang Unlimited Grill & Shabu Shabu Buffet opened in Robinsons Antipolo last year and as with most buffet restaurants, there's always long lines. That one particular Saturday though, we're at the mall so early we decided to walk in and see if they can accommodate us. Luck's on our side, we were seated in no time. 

We were probably the second customer to be seated and after several minutes, the place was already jam packed with diners. Unlimited food, buffet, and eat-all-you can offering despite high price and inflation still has its charm. 

As per usual, I was with my father and my nephew. This is my nephew's first time at Tong Yang. He's not very fond of grilled food but surprisingly, he enjoyed this one. My father on the other hand enjoyed the hot pot, creating his own bowl of hearty soup with lots of veggies and very few meat. I, well, I enjoyed the seafood, specifically the tuna tail. 

Quick Visit at Madison Lounge and Bar of Hilton Manila

Life has been a little busy lately. I have to be honest that this blog - my little space in the world wide web, will slowly turn into my repository of images and little blurbs about some of the experiences I enjoyed and made a mark in my heart.  I wish I still have ample time and energy to wax poetic and tell stories, but that is not the case. 

For now, I just want to keep this blog running for those who are still visiting this blog and for my self. One of the many things I learned after my mother and sister passed away, is to document beautiful memories as much as you can. I intend to do that.

So, photo dump and short notes ahead.

A quick visit to Madison Lounge and Bar at Hilton Manila happened a little while back.  I cannot remember the exact names of the little feast I had. We were just about to buy the breads from Madison that my nephew loves. But the stunning ambiance at Madison made us have a little coffee and dessert session instead. 

Seven Corners Restaurant of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria (An IHG Hotel)

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Manila is one of those hotels we usually stayed at whenever we need to do errands for several days in Ortigas area.  Because of that, Crowne Plaza's Seven Corners Restaurant is always the first choice when dining - not only because it is convenient but because I honestly think they serve good food and their service is always stellar. 

While Seven Corners Restaurant is known for their buffet service, their options for ala carte offerings are nothing short of amazing too. 

Located at the 3rd floor of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria (an IHG Hotel), Seven Corners Restaurant is the in-house restaurant of Crowne Plaza Manila and Holiday Inn Galleria while their Fab Restaurant is still close. 

Theo & Miguel Restaurant

My nephew is very fond of Filipino food. When dining out, he's the one to suggest to try Filipino restaurants we have not yet. This time, we tried Theo & Miguel Restaurant in Robinsons Place Antipolo. I have not heard of this restaurant before so, I have no idea what to expect. 

The food options on their menu is very limited, which makes me a bit apprehensive. In my mind I'm already thinking of the next restaurant to hit once I didn't like whatever we're having at Theo & Miguel. 

My apprehension grew when I realized that there's not a lot of seafood and vegetable dishes at Theo & Miguel. My father who is a senior only enjoy vegetable and seafood, I myself is trying to dodge meat, but I can still enjoy a bite or two. My nephew is a meat eater but mostly it's jut steak that he enjoys. Still we decided to give this restaurant a try. 

Nono's Comfort Kitchen & Bakery at Robinsons Atipolo

This year, I had my first birthday without my mother. It hasn't been a year since she passed away. Hence, celebrating my birthday was the farthest thing in my mind. Normally, there would be cakes, ice cream, and spaghetti or pancit for long life. None of them appeared on the table at  home this year.  

Instead, my father decided to at least we eat out, share a simple meal and a prayer of gratitude for another year in his daughter's life.

I don't want for this blog post to sound somber, because did a great job of choosing Nono's Comfort Kitchen at Robinsons Antipolo. A restaurant that serves comfort food, I must say that we were given a service that's heartwarming and food that's satisfying. 

What's Your Favorite at Marugame Udon?

Lately, whenever asked where would I like to eat, I have this autopilot response; Marugame Udon. When thinking about fast, customizable, and affordable Japanese food that comforts a hungry tummy, it's always Marugame Udon.  When I don't want to complicate my life and overwhelm myself with lots of restaurant choices, It's always Marugame Udon for me these days. 

I know it is just a phase and it will pass. I know I will go back to my old self who, in a blink of an eye, can whip up a comparative analysis between two restaurant whenever faced with an important decision about where should we eat next. But for now, I am enjoying and will continue to enjoy Marugame Udon. 

My father who is a fan of affordable restaurants and my nephew who recently developed an appreciation for Japanese food, undoubtedly enjoy this phase in my life. Ever since my mother and my sister - my nephew Cai's mother, passed away, I would often have these two men in tow whenever I'm eating out. It's part of our ways to cope with grief.