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.

When Autumn Fades Fast: The Short Stay of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte in Manila

🧡 Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is a Warm Hug in a Cup

If you’re a coffee enthusiast like me, you know there’s one drink that signals the cozy season has arrived — the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Every year, I wait for that magical moment when “Pumpkin is in” finally appears on Starbucks Philippines’ Facebook page. This year, that long-awaited announcement dropped on September 30, and I swear I could almost smell the cinnamon and nutmeg through my screen.

I rushed to my nearest Starbucks the very next day. My heart fluttering, wallet ready, and taste buds already tingling with nostalgia. Autumn might not exist in Manila, but the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) makes it feel like fall, even under the tropical sun. For a very few blissful days, I had my fill: the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte for humid afternoons, the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage when I needed something playful, and my all-time favorite — the Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte with an extra dash of cinnamon.

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.