Best of Bonifacio

Philippines Tourism

2011-01-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

Amongst the hip, and around the hop, there is a saying that thirty is the new twenty. Furthermore, grey is supposedly the new black. Although these vague statements aimed at making somebody who likes wearing gray feel like they are wearing a sleek black, or one who is now thirty feel like they are still in the days of their youth, the new Philippines tourism is actually an Philippine tourism, nothing has changed, and it never should.

Philippines tourism has always been unforgettable. Travellers from around the globe would jump onto airplanes for long and turbulent journeys, often in excess of fifteen hours to see the white sand beaches, the towering palm trees, and the merciful tropical breeze of the south pacific.

What was once a deserted paradise is still a deserted paradise. The northern beaches of this tropical archipelago still gaze out into the Chinese sea as the sun sets on Vietnam, and the bright florescent light dances like fire across the glassy sea and explodes into the lush green jungles.

The ice cold beer still acts as salvation, and the warm Asian sun still produces the type of high that a bottle of cognac would be envious of.

Let these other suckers continue to run to a diminishing Las Vegas. Continue to go shopping in the crowded streets of Hong Kong.

Thirty, I have news for you, you are still thirty. Gray, you are still gray.

Most importantly, Philippines Tourism is still Philippines Tourism, and I thank God for it.

Philippines Tourism

2010-12-21T00:33:00.000-08:00

Philippines tourism has a whole new look. The look transcends the lush green jungles and mystic foggy mountains that were once synonomous with this island nation.

What was once known as the "poor man of asia" is now the rich man.

Foriegn tourists visit from around the globe to see the ultra modern mecca of clubbing, bar hopping and nightlife.
Welcome to Global City.
Welcome to Philippines Tourism.

Fort Bonifacio Global City

2010-11-28T17:05:00.000-08:00

Fort Bonifacio, otherwise known as Global City is on the very cusp of becoming a household name in terms of international locations for the traveling elite. It was not very long ago that McKinley hill was home to a Military base, the soldiers, and their families. From those very modest and humble beginnings, no doubt fuels by massive investments by the major building and development firm in the Philippines, Global City is starting to look more, well, Global. Small road side trees have been replaced with towering skyscrapers, old piles of sandbags have been removed and multi storied world class dance clubs have been erected, dirt roads have been replaced with mutli level outdoor shopping centers complete with water fountains and artsy figures scattered about.

Suddenly here we are.

This is a fantastic place for a summer vacation, or to even get a head start on placing a business establishment right on the tracks before the train of prosperity arrives, as it is almost certainly to do. Get ready Globe, your city has arrived.

Fort Bonifacio Global City

Fort Bonifacio Global City

2010-11-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

Fort Bonifacio Global City. The city has two names, said together or in pieces. "The Fort," "Global City," "Bonifacio," "Fort B".....and the list goes on. The city also has two identities, one as a military base, one as a city that develops and shows incredible economic growth and stability while the world around it falls apart in the midst of one of the most devastating financial calamities ever seen.

A third identity is emerging. A whisper amongst global travellers is begining to grow into invitations of social grouping in the crossroads of Asia.

Macau on Friday, Dubai Next Summer, Vegas Next Winter, Bonifacio Global City Tonight. The word is out, night life has been perfected, the art of the intoxicated bliss has been mastered, and its going down in Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Global City Dance Clubs

2010-11-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

Global City Nights is a great place for you to find night clubs and bars in Bonifacio Global City! The site indexes all of the great bars and discos and even has games, a chat room, and a full city directory, but it is for Global City Residents only! I prefer it to one of the larger sites that indexes entire countries and makes me search hard for what I want. With GlobalCityNights.com I only have to click on Bars, or Discos and they are all in my neighborhood. You should check it out!

Dance Clubs In Fort Bonifacio

EYP.PH - The Heritage Cafe & Restaurant in Manila Metro Manila

2010-08-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

EYP.PH - The Heritage Cafe & Restaurant in Manila Metro Manila

The Heritage Cafe & Restaraunt

2010-06-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Shameless plug for a friend! The Heritage Cafe & Restaurant are opening up in Intramuros in two weeks. The dining is immaculate, the hospitality amazing, and aesthetics are on par with some of the best places i have ever been to. Check it out!

http://www.theheritagecafeandrestaurant.com/

Fighting Pride

2009-11-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

The Fighting Pride of The Philippines

2009-11-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Islands represent less then 2% of the total landmass of the United States, but in a deep contrast are also the 12th largest population in the entire world. Due to the space limitations, poverty was almost inevitable for most. It does not take a Math Professor from Ateneo to realize that a pie designed to feed a few hundred thousand will not stretch to the mouths of about one hundred million. Attempting to do so will not just end in failure, but sometimes create an overall mood of aggression, as each attempts to get his piece.

Millions upon millions of Filipinos realized this, both skilled and unskilled, and scattered themselves amongst the earth trying to settle near bigger pies, sending paychecks home to their loved ones while hoping desperately to return home one day. In doing so, Filipinos have planted communities all over the world, from Macau in China to Stockton, California. It is a unique situation where people have to leave home in order to save it, they have to abandon all that they hold dear in order to insure its longevity. This is a difficult conundrum and the severity at which it daunts the Philippines is unique unto itself and the people that carry this burden.

From the Doctor at the University in Seattle whose care I was recently under, to the owner of a popular sports bar in Brisbane,California where I plan to attend the Pacquiao-Cotto fight on Saturday. I can't leave out the Janitor that mopped the floors, the waitress that pours my beer, the business man that I sat next to. All of these have something in common and you see it anytime you can lock eyes with them. Sitting at the bar are two lawyers, brief cases tucked underneath their stools, engaged in what seems to be a heavy duty conversation. My phone rings and I answer in Tagalog, both men stop talking and turn around to look. They can't help themselves, for a second, they heard something that sounded a little bit like home.

All of the people I mentioned share the burden of a community which they had to leave, to impose a self exile on themselves for the betterment of their families. Most of them live lives as Chinese, American, Canadian, or British due to assimilation. They adapt to their societies and work hard, but in that moment when the news mentions anything about the Philippines, or the radio plays Bebot by the Black Eyed Peas, or ESPN says anything about Pacquiao, they are home again with everything they love, with everything that they have sacrificed so much to save.

Don't mistake the allegiance and loyalty with pure nationalism, as many of them will stay in their new homes far after the goal of financial stability is achieved, but there will always be those moments when they yearn for the breeze of Manila Bay, Cicig after a boxing match, or the overall ability to look out and see the beauty which is their homeland.

I sat in a park in San Francisco recently and watched an event by a Filipino-American association and realized that by spreading out, by building, by working together, the Philippines in spite of its actual landmass, is one of the biggest societies in the world. 10,000 miles away and Filipinos packed in by the thousands to drop off canned goods, clothing, money, and manual work to help support their countrymen who were recently devastated by typhoons, a world away in distance, but right next door in heart. Striving communities can be found in nearly every country and the success in which they carry to foreign lands is a testament to the pride they have in their bloodline.

From Neurosurgeons in Vancouver BC, to a maid in Saudi Arabia the pride is as deep as it could ever be.

On the 14th Filipinos will take to their favorite past time, much like Americans during a super bowl. From the various domestic helpers, professional business men, medical professionals, soldiers, and even rebel fighters, we stop for a moment and watch the epitome of our circumstance. Its not just boxing, its bigger than Pacquiao, its about being the smaller dog in the fight, yet fully expecting to lay it all down for the cause. We'll watch the nations premier boxer challenge for another world title, regardless of the outcome, win, lose, or draw, it speaks volumes. This country continues to engage in spite of its shortcomings and never shies from a challenge, that is something to be proud of.

The fight Pacquiao engages in is the same as the auto mechanic I know in Oakland, working everyday to make his family proud, to bringing pride to his country through his work ethic, and to maintain his heritage under all circumstances. It's bigger than any one man, it is the pride of the Philippines.

Time To Take A Chill Pill Philippines!

2009-11-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

In wake of the typhoons, we all tried our best to find the positive things in our existence. Many of us helped each other by sharing food and resources during the calamity. Many of us literally jumped head first into the waters to help a neighbor in time of need. I think it really speaks volumes of the Filipino community and its ability to work together in a time of despair. I remember walking through waters to my neck with bags of rice, in an attempt to get food to those stranded behind walls of water. I remember going to a church that is not my religion, and smiling when I saw how all religions were pulling together to shelter the homeless, to feed the hungry, to fight for the defenseless. Sometimes this sort of tragedy can be a heavy weight on our shoulders, on our souls, but looking around in the aftermath, we should all be proud of how we handled ourselves.

We dug deep, we stuck together, and its going to get better. My friends hosted a dinner event in Taytay to raise funds for flood victims, and it went very well. The signs are everywhere that this is a country that knows how to survive, and to help a neighbor in need.

I know its not over, but perhaps it is time to have a beer and laugh a bit. To enjoy the rewards of survival. I was laughing with a friend of mine the other day, recalling a fight I had with a snake in the flood waters, it really wasn't a pleasant experience, but now, I can't help but laugh hysterically.

I know I have been away for a bit, so the articles have completely stopped, as have a great deal of my viewers! Just to update everybody, I ended up leaving the Philippines with a nasty illness, a very dangerous and deadly sickness. However, I am alive and well after a visit to the hospital and plenty of antibiotics. I appreciate all the letters and emails wishing me a speedy recovery, as I have been recovering in my bed while watching Manny Pacquiao highlights on Youtube.

I know that I will be in Stockton, the Philippine Capital of America in little Manila with my fellow Fil-Ams on the 14th, drinking a San Mig Lite and taking a much needed deep breath from all the bullshit our community has had to deal with over the course of the last few months. I plan to watch the Pacquiao fight and enjoy my community, one of strongest communities in the world.

We saw the typhoons, we saw the floods, we saw the mud slides, and all the chaos that accompanied.
Now lets see each other for a few moments and enjoy the fact that while you can't keep a good man down, you definately can never count a strong people out.

On a side note, I also wanted to promote a small event for those in the Fort Bonifacio/Global City/ Makati area. I know this may seem out of place, but I really feel like its probably time to grab that beer. To get a plate of food. To enjoy being Filipino, to enjoy being alive. What better way then watching Manny Pacquiao go for a 7th world title. Its going to be a rehab for the soul....

You can RSVP on facebook. Pacquiao Buffet Event In Global City (for more information on the global city FIREPOWER buffet, see the bottom of the page or just click on the link below)

Anyways, regardless of where you watch the fight, or if you watch it, whether you are abroad, or in downtown manila, the 14th is a good day to just kick back, and enjoy being alive.

Mabuhay Pilipinas!

P500 BUFFET with PACQUIAO vs COTTO FIGHT

Host:	Paul Calvin's Deli
Type:	Sports - Sporting Event
Network:	Global

Date:	Sunday, November 15, 2009
Time:	8:00am - 12:00pm
Location:	FORT BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

Description

Watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight LIVE on an LED screen plus Brunch Buffet for only P500 per person. Enjoy a sumptuous eat-all-you-can brunch buffet while waiting for the title fight in the comfort of an air-conditioned tent, courtesy of Paul Calvin's Deli. Tables and seats inside the tent are reserved for those who avail of the brunch buffet so buy your tickets ahead of time and get a head start so you can still pick the best seats. Only 500 meal tickets will be available for pre-purchase by Friday, November 6, at Nike Park, Bonifacio High Street until supplies last.

Super Typhoon Parma On The Way

2009-10-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Day six of attempting to recover from what PAGASA announced as the worst flooding in history, we now recieve the news to brace for a super typhoon, potentially the worst typhoon in history.

Geeeeeez, can we get a break?

I woke up yesterday morning to sounds of panic, again, and I quickly accepted that for the 5th day in a row, that it was not my alarm clock that was screaming at me to evacuate. I began packing immediately as this new "Super Typhoon" was described to me. We filled the back of our truck with possessions and raced into the flooded streets. The water in the area is still past the chest on Magnolia street, and to imagine that these people will have anymore to deal with, is frustrating as hell.

Less than a week after Typhoon Ondoy/ Ketsana left more than 70% of Manila submerged in murky waters, clearly irritated officials announced that Typhoon Parma, which is expected to introduce itself on Saturday, might be the worst typhoon to collide with the Philippines since 2006. Parma is currently a Category 4 typhoon and may be upgraded to Category 5 before Saturday. What makes that so scary is that at its very worst, on ground zero, Ondoy/Ketsana was a Category 2 typhoon!

Let me reiterate the concern: A category 2 just killed hundreds of people, forcing 680,000 into evacuation centers, 80% of the hospitals are ruined, people are still stuck on roofs, the 200,000 tons of rice which runs this economy was destroyed ensuring long felt suffering, and we are still trying to figure out what to do. I guess we have not had enough, because all those schools crammed with evacuees, all those roofs filled with scared children, the 20% of houses and hospitals which managed to weather the initial onslaught, now have to come to grips with a potential round two that is currently twice as strong as round one and expected to become more fierce as it nears.

Although we need so much here, I'm not going to ask for donations in this article. Although I pride myself in writing eloquent yet humorous article, I'm not going to try today. The time to ask will come later if this hits, trust me. Until that time, I'm going to ask for something a little crazy, we have a small chance that this thing could shift north and miss us, but time is running out. This thing needs to dissipate and go away.

When I ask for money and donations, you responded to the appropriate agencies, well now I am asking for prayer. If this things hits these people, we are in big trouble. Less then 20% of the city still stands tall, and what did remain unscathed is currently a refuge for the victims of the 80% that fell last week. They are vulnerable and if this thing hits us again, there is simply nowhere to turn but into the night.

Regardless of your religion, just stop for a minute, and say a prayer for the Philippines. Say a prayer for the 680,000 hiding in damaged schools, for the thousands that haven't eaten in days, for the hundreds still trapped behind walls of putrid waters, whatever it is, just say a prayer.

Salamat Po-

Manila Under Water

2009-09-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Ondoy has done more damage to this region than I can remember having witnessed in other tragic events around the globe. Today I walked in flood currents to my chest to deliver bread to a family trapped behind a wall of water in their flooded house, huddled on the roof.

Last night we waded through water even higher in the dark trying to take dinner supplies to a stranded family, while on the lookout for snakes and other harmful animals rumored to be swimming around these parts. I rushed home for a business meeting online and my friends rushed to Pasig with vital donations of eggs and rice for the starving masses without a place to lay their heads. I spent the morning sitting on church steps playing with young flood victims, while rehearsing my speech for the upcoming business meeting. With about 20 minutes to spare I rushed through waist high waters and to my house, where I put on a dress shirt and a tie, there was no need to change out of flood shorts as the meeting was online and the camera only gave them the pleasant view.

I could hear the calamity still outside while I waited to secure the connection, and instantaneously, I was a world away. The view showcased me sitting comfortably in a black leather chair within a nice office, seemingly wearing a suit, with a large smile on my face. For those twenty minutes, I was back home in Seattle, laughing with business colleagues, sneaking in an inappropriate joke before the presentation, and closing with promises to do coffee together in December. After I closed my laptop, I took off my shirt and tie, put my tank top back on and returned to the real world outside, where I really am.

The moral of my story is that while I did not really go to Seattle this morning, a ticket out of here would be as easy as a phone call and I would be back in my perfect world. While some of us can escape, there are half million people outside who cannot. The death toll eclipsed 240 over a day ago, many more are missing, and I am scrambling to get in touch with every cousin in the area to make sure they are alive. Many of my friends here have lost everything, and they can't escape with a phone call, they wouldn't want to, this is their home and they love it, but it is broken. Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana is what broke them, and it is being called by PAGASA as the worse flood in history.

I have news for you, while a phone call from them cannot possibly lead to an escape, a phone call from you can. A simple donation can make a huge difference. As of today 12,359 people have been rescued from the devastating flood and are waiting to rebuild their lives, there are thousands more just hoping that somebody comes for them. Over 380,000 victims have fled to schools, churches, and other evacuation centers from the flood, but from first hand knowledge, supplies are running slim. I am now editing this post, as less then an hour ago I was in murky, near toxic flood waters to my chin, carrying bags of rice to stranded families, and we just handed out the last kilo of food that we have to give as our resources are now exhausted, and there were so many children that we could not give to. There are countless reputable agencies ready to help, I have listed phone numbers and links where you can do what needs to be done.

Matthew 25:37-46

Aquino, his wife, three young children and two nephews spent that night on their roof without food and water, mixing infant formula for his 2-year-old twins with the falling rain.
"We thought it was the end for us," Aquino said.

Sun.Star Network Online is now accepting donations for the victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy (International codeame: Ketsana), which hit northern Philippines Friday, leaving at least 106 people dead and countless others missing. Give now by clicking here, the "Donate Now" button is on the right hand side of mid-first page.

As always, the Red Cross is a good way to go.
Give to the Red Cross By Clicking Here

OR IF YOU ARE IN THE PHILIPPINES YOU CAN TEXT BELOW:
Donate to the Philippine National Red Cross:
From your SMART phone, text RED (space) AMOUNT to 4483
From GLOBE phone, text RED (space) AMOUNT to 2899

Credit Card/PayPal Donations
• GMA Kapuso Foundation
• ABS-CBN Foundation
• Philippine Aid

SMS Donations
Procedure Smart Money Globe GCash
PNRC Type RED Ex. RED 100 4493 2899
TXT POWER 5577-5144-1866-7103 0917-9751092.

Ondoy Crashes The Party & Ruins Everybodies Buzz.

2009-09-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

I remember hurricane Katrina and the fierce winds that brought the torrents of rain, and the calamity that followed. I was a team leader on a relief team that entered Louisiana and Mississippi to help the victims and sort through the mess and devastation. The houses were reduced to splinters and the people were reduced to tears, it was demoralizing in the most terrible of fashions. I worked tirelessly with fellow volunteers for days on end in an attempt to salvage anything, but mostly, we just found remains. Remains of people, remains of property, remains of things we couldn't explain, but ultimately we found very little left whole.

I am very far away from New Orleans and Biloxi, now I live in Cainta. Ground Zero of flood Ondoy, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services, Administration (PAGASA), the worst flood in history.

I had to take a minute to take that in, the fact that I am at ground zero of the most devastating flood in recorded history. It is not that hard to believe, with dozens of cars smashing into buildings as they were swept away like driftwood. Water lines were far above people's heads in many parts of the city, children were screaming as they were pulled by the overwhelming current, men dove from roof tops attempting to rescue the adolescents as rain continued to rip through the streets, it was pandemonium.

The chaos continued through the night and into the next day as the water levels rose and the people huddled on rooftops if there was one nearby to seek refuge. The people who lived near the rivers had nowhere to go, huddled in small groups trying to keep each other warm through the night. The electricity had been off for almost a full day, and as the quietness of night set in, you could hear the cries of the people who were attempting to escape swamp-like conditions and into the cold night. An eerie feeling set across the quiet of the darkness that we all just needed to get through the night, the initial attack of flood Onday would be over by daylight we prayed, and we would begin to pick up in the aftermath.

Some who had extra gave willingly, those who did not have, happily accepted. We became tired of waiting for daylight to provide us with a solution, we got tired of waiting for the government, or the UN, or any other hope of salvation. It came natural, people began to act as they are supposed to and we put our money together and pulled our resources, and did what could be done to help. I swam into a dark house and helped a man pull his belongings from a collapsed structure, I swam to the bottom and helped withdraw the submerged remainders of his life. We went door to door offering to help, it was cold, and dirty, and ultimately, very necessary. A friend of mine owns a bakeshop and we began handing out bread, bowls of rice and chicken adobo. We walked down to the river and called the masses who were grouped together in muddy waters to the house where the radio ironically played "Lean on Me" and tried our best to give these people one less thing to have to worry about.

One by one they came and miraculously the food actually lasted. As the deepness of night set in, we did one last run to take a box of bread down to the local catholic church which had opened its doors to those whose houses were swept away. I shook hands with a local church leader and we promised to help each other fix this mess. The kids kept smiling, one approached me and said "Thanks Kuya." I told him it was alright, and asked him if he was going to be OK, he grinned and said "sige kuya, pinoy ako" the rough translation would be "of course, big brother, I'm a Filipino."

Thankfully, the wind did not play as much of a factor here as it did in New Orleans, but I must say, from having been at ground zero for both, the flooding here was far, far worse.

We'll have to wait until the waters decline and we'll count the cost together.

Reason #8 Why Fort Bonifacio Is Better Than Malate

2009-09-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

In Search of the Big McNasty

Eating a cheeseburger in most of the Philippines is a religious experience. Not a religious experience in the blessed connotation where the very incident leaves you knowing that there is a God, but you can rest assure after eating the average burger, that there is undoubtedly a devil. A mean Devil, a perverted and awful being that wants nothing more then to cause destruction. In America his tool his greed, in Africa its disease, in the middle east it is dissent and war, in the Philippines it is the burgers. For so long the burgers have tricked visitors into thinking they had found a small trip back to their homelands, only to be ambushed by pork paddies, soaked in Velveeta cheese and sweet pandesal bread. Now, all of these ingredients in their own rights can make a damn good meal, but together, it is irrefutably the spawn of Satan. In the words of Cleveland "That's Nasty."

Enter Fort Bonifacio. (Although the Fort offers the best, I will say that Makati and Pasig offer some good burgers if you want to hunt around the city looking.)

There are four really good burger joints in between High Street and Market Market on the main strip. Whether you want an Aussie Burger, a Sirloin Slider, or something more traditional, just grab a beer and cruise the strip. There are a bunch of good places, but since I have had too many drinks to remember tonight, I'll keep them to myself, but it offers a nasty burger. Not the type of nasty that one would howl after indigestion gives birth at 4am, or the type that could describe what you found lodged behind the bus seat. No, this nasty is the kind that you wanted so badly on prom night. Yea, that's right, that kind of nasty. The nasty that is so good, that calling it good is an injustice, because its so good, its nasty.

Keep walking down the strip away from High street and into the double deck shopping center and you will find the McNasty waiting for you. Down near the wine bars. Hiding. Waiting for you. You dirty girl, go get you some meat.

Reason #9 Why Fort Bonifacio Is Better Than Malate

2009-09-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

Runners are sexy, even fat people agree.

Although I am certainly more attractive than this guy, I can appreciate his outlook on life. Give me my Baby Back Ribs.....OR.....I'll eat your face.

Okay, so let me speak frankly. I have a beer belly that would make homer Simpson blush, I love Good Burger, and I carry the undying notion that I should only run if I am being chased. I don't care if you agree, let me wallow in my own high cholesterol and double chin! With that said, I do sincerely love the health freak scene of the Fort. Runners zip by as I walk to the Brother's Burger on High Street, they stretch and rehydrate while I smoke at New Orleans Bar enjoying a Whiskey Sour. I enjoy the fact that a huge portion of the community serves as a living aesthetic element for the lazy, such as myself. There are other elements that make the Fort a good place to relax on a Sunday after noon, but the fact that I possess the only double chin I have to stare at on a regular basis makes me a happy man.

The entire area off of High Street makes me want to stop drinking so much, cut back on burgers, and quit cigarettes. I ponder how awesome this would be as I finish a beer with my Angus Burger and light up a cigarette.

Two cute runners jog by.

I smile.

Reason #10 Why Fort Bonifacio Is Better Than Malate

2009-09-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

The girls are girls and the boys dress like boys.

Now let me clarify this article by stating that I am not homophobic, nor do I hold any animosity for a person with a different sexual orientation. With that said, I think it is important for visitors to know that while there are much bigger Lady Boy Hotspots in Asia, the Philippines can also be a little alarming for a straight guy with bad eyeglasses.

Try Malate Roulette: Guess which one is a Man!

The answer will be at the bottom of the article.

Friday night in Bonifacio and I can't help but smile as I quickly realize that all the attractive girls are actually attractive girls! The hair is indeed real, the makeup is not hiding anything except for an occasional blemish, and they indeed do have genuine 100% estrogen in their bodies!

When the girl with the mocha skin stares at me, I don't hesitate to stare back. When she winks, I wink.

A Much needed relief from the absolutely confusing night scene of downtown Malate. Winking at a girl in Malate can be like buying a lottery ticket, you wink, and hope it is a winner. With that said, horror stories of deep voiced chicks donning mini skirts can be heard in nearly every bar on Ross BLVD. God forbid your friends leave without you and the seven glasses of beer distort your vision from seeing the bulging Adam's Apple. We all know that weekend flirtation is a war, but I suppose it would lessen the stress if we could avoid all the Man Mines.

It's your life, do what you want to do. However, if you are a single guy and are looking for the place to be, check out the Babes of Bonifacio, because I assure you, they are actually Babes.

ANSWER KEY: Little Secret: They are all Men, Welcome to Malate

Baptized in Whiskey

2009-09-05T03:41:00.000-07:00

I found myself in a Cajun Style Bar the other night, the live music pulsed through the dimly lit and very quaint cafe on High Street in Fort Bonifacio. The lights were nearly off, except for the lone bulb which poured florescence down onto the singer that seemingly twisted, jerked, and hopped, all while standing still as she released her lyrical expression and painted a musical masterpiece on the canvas within my mind. As I let my body flow with the music I was baptized in an ocean of cigarette smoke and the vibrations of music probed the audience. All I could think of was how badly I wanted another whiskey sour to to put me into a complete state of nirvana.

I haven't tasted the food, and I have yet to order a drink not titled Whiskey Sour, but the next time I am looking to be intoxicated by an amalgamation of whiskey, music, and atmosphere, I'll surely head on back to New Orleans Bar on High Street. It did not possess the ambiance of Gua Rappa in Arlington-Virginia, the Aesthetics of Bombay Lounge in Washington D.C., nor the elegance of the Space Needle in Seattle-Washington, but I'll tell you that it certainly captured the quaint yet erotic atmosphere that New Orleans dons so well.

Live music and generous shots accompanied with decent prices and pretty girls. What else classifies New Orleans? Where else would you want to be? Let other bars put up the priceless paintings, let other bistros bring out platters of delectable dishes, and let me order another whiskey sour at New Orleans.

A Fil-Am's take on Bonifacio

2009-09-04T23:24:00.000-07:00

My first visit to the Philippines was a very pleasant memory, to say the least. After landing in Manila International Airport and a one night rest in Malate, I boarded a flight to to General Santos. Being raised in Seattle, Washington, the 3 hour drive to Tumiao near the border of the ARMM was a culture shock to say the least. Barely 24 earlier I had been in my office in downtown Washington D.C. , convinced of the misconception that I knew everything about the world, only to be proven wrong a day later. I fell in love with Mindanao on that visit. I walked through rice paddies, drank Gold Eagle with the old men, played with the small children, was harassed at military checkpoints, and was altogether mesmerized and seduced by this small border village.

From that day on, my destination in the Philippines has always been Mindanao. In fact, I began to think that the only place in the Philippines was a small town in northern Sultan Kadarat, about 10 minutes from the ARMM.

I guess that is why when I came up to Fort Bonifacio to help a college friend with a project, I felt totally lost. I have spent the majority of my life in Seattle, Tulsa, San Francisco, & Washington D.C. Living in the Fort has been a pleasant but almost unworldly experience. While in Washington D.C. & Seattle, Washington, I have eaten at the most renowned restaurants, occupied the most luxurious hotels, and have taken shots of Petron & Makers Mark at the classiest bars in the world. Yet, in spite of my limelight experiences on the other side of the pond, I have been pleasantly surprised by "The Fort". Over the course of my stay here, I will do my best to outline the "Best of Bonifacio", if only to amuse myself at the side of the world I never knew. From Bars & Karaokes to Restaurants & Shopping Centers, I hope to show the best of the best of what might be the nicest city yet to be featured in an action film. Stay tuned.