A&D Weekend Guide: Tara Na sa Nayong Pilipino Park Ngayong Mayo 28-29!

This is the second weekend event I am excited about and I highly recommend you make time to visit too! One of my goals as a mom is to expose my kids to the Filipino culture, even though we are Chinese by race, all of us are born in this country and are Filipino citizens after all. I don't know if my kids will remember every place we have took them but I really hope they do or at least have some kind of impact on them.

Since we're saving up for a trip to Japan, I told BOS maybe while we're saving for the trip, we can do small trips locally whether it's an out of town trip, a day trip or even just a trip to a museum. Growing up, I only saw Intramuros (and toured around) and Taal Volcano on post cards, alam mo yon pag may project sa school? But I never saw the actual place until I was in college. I want my kids to be exposed and appreciate our culture and the beauty of our country. Have you heard of Nayong Pilipino Park in Luneta? Nayong Pilipino used to be near the airport, I remember my achi had a field trip there but my batch never went there and it has since been transferred to a smaller location in Luneta. I never knew it was relocated until Roma (of Common Room) invited us (the Common Roomies) to be part of it! I had to say no because I have Closet Cleanout Sale but I promised to visit on Sunday!

I've been following the progress and updates Common Room, Parkfest, Nayong Pilipino on Instagram, if you haven't, you have to follow na! Local crafters and artists have collaborated and will be putting up permanent installations around the park. I can't for my family to see Nayong Pilipino for the very first time!!!

Makers working overtime on their installations!

Super excited for this butterfly installation by Iori Espiritu

Lettering on a Kalesa by Abbey Sy

I wonder what this is. Let's all find out this weekend!

There will crafters, artists and makers who will sell their works and creations. Bili kayo ha! Let's support the local makers!

There will be talented bands and musicians to serenade Parkfest visitors! Walang dull moment dito! Ang saya diba?! Sarap tumambay dito!

Parkfest wouldn't be a fest if there's no activities throughout the day! Take advantage of all the activities!

If you are planning to stay in Parkfest the whole day, take the advantage of National Museum's FREE ADMISSION! It's free for the whole month of May. I haven't been to National Museum so we're taking advantage this Sunday! If you haven't been to Rizal Park, take advantage na din! Did you know nag-date kami ni BOS sa Japanese or Chinese Garden when we're still dating?

Picture tayo sa may Rizal Monument!

There's a minimal fee of Php30 for 1 Day and Php50 for 2 Days at Parkfest!

Excited ka na ba? I know I am! If I can't take my kids yet to the different places in the Philippines, I can still take them to Nayong Pilipino and show them the places we'll visit! Let's show our kids our love for our own country and explore places we've never been to and revisit them because they are worth revisiting!

See you guys!!!

 For Waze, use "Orchidarium Manila". Parking for Parkfest is between Nayong Pilipino office gate and Museum of the Filipino People.

For commuters, here's the guide from Parkfest:

From the CaMaNaVa* (north of Manila) area:
*CaMaNaVa stands for Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela
Option 1. From Monumento, take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at United Nations station. This will be the start of Luneta/Rizal Park.

Option 2. From Monumento, ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and asked to be dropped at T.M. Kalaw.

From around Manila:
Option 1. Ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and asked to be dropped at T.M. Kalaw.
Option 2. Take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at United Nations station, walk towards T.M. Kalaw.
Option 3. From Lawton/City Hall area, ride a jeepney going to Baclaran and get down at the Shell Station at the corner of M.H.Del Pilar and T.M.Kalaw.
Option 4. Along Roxas Boulevard, there are FX that are Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and asked to be dropped at Luneta.

From Quezon City and Marikina:
Option 1. Take the LRT2 Purple Line and go down at Recto Station. From here, transfer to Doroteo Jose Station of LRT 1 Yellow Line and ride an LRT bound for Baclaran. Go down at United Nations Avenue.
Option 2. From Cubao, you can ride a jeepney/FX that is bound for Quiapo and asked to be dropped at Rizal Avenue. Ride an LRT 1 bound for Baclaran via Doroteo Jose Station. Get down at United Nations Station.

Areas by the east side of Metro Manila (i.e. Pasig, Mandaluyong, Pateros etc):
Option 1. You can ride an MRT southbound to EDSA-Taft Station and transfer to the LRT1 via an elevated walkway to EDSA Station and ride an LRT bound for Monumento. Get down at United Nations Station and walk towards T.M. Kalaw.

Option 2. You can ride an MRT southbound to EDSA-Taft Station and from there ride a Quiapo/Divisoria bound jeepney via Taft Avenue. There are also buses from the south that are bound for Lawton, you can take that, get down at United Nations Station and walk towards T.M. Kalaw.

Option 3. You can also ride an MRT northbound to Cubao and transfer to LRT 2 Purple Line bound for Recto and ride an LRT 1 bound for Baclaran. Get down at United Nations Avenue. (This route is crazy and impractical, but it works).

From the south (Pasay, Makati, Paranaque and more southern area):

Option 1. Ride an FX or bus bound for Manila City Hall or Lawton and get down at Luneta.
Option 2. From SM Mall of Asia or along Taft Avenue, take a jeepney bound for Divisoria either via Taft or Mabini route. Get down at Luneta.
Option 3. Ride the LRT 1 Yellow Line bound for United Nations Station and get down at United Nations Station and walk towards T.M. Kalaw.
Option 4. Around Makati and Pasay, ride Libertad-LRT or Buendia-LRT bound jeepneys or Ayala-Leveriza bound buses and get down at the LRT station. Ride either an LRT or jeepney along Taft Avenue and get down at United Nations Station or Luneta/Rizal Park.
Option 5. Along Roxas Boulevard, there are FX that are Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and asked to be dropped at Luneta.

For private vehicles, Rizal Park is accessible via Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue. It is actually advisable to come from Roxas Boulevard as there's ample parking and usually less car at this area. Taft Avenue usually have congested traffic.

All photos are grabbed from Common Room Facebook Page, ParkfestPh Facebook Page and Nayong Pilipino Facebook Page! Like them all ha!

Walking Around Town in Butterfly Twists

Last month, Butterfly Twists invited a bunch of lifestyle bloggers to a photo walk around Bonifacio High Street. Who would have thought that Bonifacio High Street isn't only just a shopping or restaurant hot spot but also a place of where you can appreciate art? You probably wouldn't have noticed or even knew some of them existed, because I've been passing by some of these nooks and corners and I surely didn't notice them! We really need to slow down sometimes to appreciate what's around us and I'm glad I was able to join the photo walk!

We all met up in CBTL in Bonifacio High Street and each of us were given our own pair of Butterfly Twists flats to wear for the photo walk. Mine is that Cara Black Striped Flats (Php2,399). Photo from Kelly Misa

The photo walk was led by street artist Dee Jae Pa'este, a Filipino-American street artist, who's also a businessman, fashion designer, consultant and an all around creative guru. He has done a lot of commission works including the murals at Shangri-la at the Fort and Cafe Naya at the Palace. He took us around Bonifacio High Street to check out the murals and graffiti.

 Say Hello to Dee Jae! I was checking my old photos on my phone and found a photo I took of Dee Jae from Intramuros Pasyal two years ago! Kaya pala he looks a bit familiar. :)

The sun was out that day, we were given umbrellas to use but it wasn't as hot as I was expecting. Buti na lang! It made our photo walk more enjoyable. 

Bloggers in different styles of Butterfly Twists!

We made our way around Bonifacio High Street, our first stop was the street beside Fully Booked. And here you can found one of Nate Frizzell's many street art BHS. His series of paintings were all called "We Are What We Pretend to Be" (found this on his IG @natepaints).

"Pilandok” (Philippine Mouse-Deer) by Egg Fiasco

This next one is my favorite! It's found near Del Monte's building office. It's called Pangako by artist Anjo Bolarda.

With no other than Kelly Misa modelling her Butterfly Twists in this photo!

Another art work by Nate Frizzell. This one can be found near Timezone, I've passed by this area tons of times but never noticed this one. Ahh my mind is always at some place else, on my kids probably! The paintings seem so lifelike no?

On the same wall, you can also find this little bird painting.

I had a picture with the boy and the bear. This is by the R.O.X. building. Painting is also by Nate Frizzell and part of his "We are What We Pretend to Be" series.

Then we made our way to Bonifacio High Street Central as our photo walk was about end. The fourth to the last murals we saw was the “Araw + Ulap + Laro = Saya” by The Mighty Bhutens. 

Next stop was our photo walk guide, Dee Jae Pa'este's very own street art, Mother Nature: 4 Seasons. This is outside by a parking lot near the Belo Clinic.

This art work is the most familiar to me, I've passed by this art work and parked on this parking lot lots of times and I'm very honored to meet the person who made it! I have a very high respect for artist, not only for their talent but also for their vision! I am truly amazed on how their creativity flows!

Each wall represents a season and its spirit animal. Love how very detailed the art works are!

Commissioned pop art by AKA Corleone

And last but certainly not the least is the huge Bonifacio panting, the “Andres, Katipunan Supremo” by Doppel.

This is at the end of Bonifacio High Street Central by The Earth Kitchen where we commenced our photo walk! Thank you Dee Jae Pa'este for that very enlightening afternoon.

The verdict on my new pair of Butterfly Twists? It's the perfect mix of style and class. It's rightly cushioned to give you the comfort that you need. I'm really not a heels person but when an occasion calls for it like a party or a wedding, I need to have a pair of flats with me! And because Butterfly Twists flats are foldable, it's very convenient to bring it with you! It's perfect for traveling because it doesn't take very much space in your luggage! And for tsupermommas like me who drive and take their kids everyday to school, a comfy and reliable flats is a must! I've seen a few mommas in school who wear Butterfly Twists flats and even a mom who wore Butterfly Twists wellies during the rainy season last year!

Loving my Cara flats!

We ended our photo walk at The Earth Kitchen for snacks and cocktails. A beautiful display of Butterfly Twists SS2016 Collection was sprawled upon our entry to the restaurant.

In British heaven of Butterfly Twists!

Love the skater-style Jade (Php2,799) shoes at the front! There's Izzie (Php3,099) ballerina-sneaker flats at the back. And that's Cara (Php2,099) flats and Portia (Php2,399) peeptoe ballerina on the right.

Butterfly Twists also has sandals (not foldable) which is perfect for the summer and your beach trips! That's (L-R) Lola (Php2,099) which I have and also super comfy, Charli (Php2,099) and Zoey (Php2,099).

I have this pair and I super love it! Makes the perfect pair for my summer dresses! Thank you Butterfly Twists for treating us to an awesome photo walk and to a yummy merienda!

Check out the rest of Butterfly's Twists SS2016 collection at http://www.butterfly-twists.ph/collections/spring-summer!

For more information, you may visit http://www.butterfly-twists.ph/ and check out Butterfly Twists' social media accounts:

Facebook: Butterfly Twists Philippines

Twitter: @BTwistsPH 

Instagram: @BTwistsPH

 

Butterfly Twists Stores and Kiosks:

G/F, Building A, SM Megamall

G/F, Glorietta 2, Makati

G/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Manila

G/F Alabang Town Center

G/F SM City North Edsa Annex, Q.C.

2nd Floor, SM Seaside Cebu

2nd Floor, SM Iloilo

3rd floor, Trinoma

4th floor, Podium

Young Adults Division, Rustans Gateway

Young Adults Division, Rustans Shangrila

Young Adults Division, Rustans ATC

Young Adults Division, Rustans Makati

Young Adults Division, Rustans Cebu

A&D's Rizal Adventure: Tipulo Restaurant, Pinto Art Museum, and Crescent Moon Cafe

Three weekends ago, my little family went on a much-awaited trip to Antipolo! BOS, the resident art enthusiast in the family, has been wanting to visit Pinto Art Museum for the longest time! 2 years in the making na ata! And finally one Sunday!

We left the house around 10AM with no plans where to have lunch. BOS and I argued pa on our way because he wanted to do this trip and he had no itinerary, no idea where to have lunch and I had to look for a place on the way. Lahat ng gusto namin kainan, nalamapasan na namin. Nakakainis diba? Heehee! And so after about 2 hours on the road, we ended up at Tipulo, a restaurant that serves modern Filipino cuisine.

Tipulo Restaurant is located inside the compound of First Pacific Leadership Academy. Lush greens, mini forest, and quiet surroundings made our lunch very much enjoyable.

We arrived just before the crowd poured in. Nice ambience. No aircon. Fresh air with Filipino food is great combination, don't you think?

Nilgang Tadyang ng Baka (Php525) - fork tender beef short ribs in rich beef stock with cabbage, corn, green beans, and sweet potatoes. This was good, my kids loved it! It's not greasy with just the right amount of vegetables and beef.

Binagoongan (Php235) - crispy pork belly tossed in homemade bagoong with tomatoes, friend eggplant, ampalaya and long yard beans. This was ok. It was like pinakbet with a side of lechon kawali.

Aligue Rice (Php275) - I didn't taste any aligue, lacks flavor. But we finished it anyways. Haha!

Mango Shake (Php95) for Achi

For more information on Tipulo, check out their Facebook page, Tipulo - Modern Filipino Cuisine.

You can also check their menu here.

To reserve, call (632) 696-3051 loc. 618

After a filling albeit mediocre lunch, we headed our way to Pinto Art Museum. Pinto Art Museum houses modern and contemporary art. It has over 300 modern paintings, sculptures, and art installations by various local artists. 

Entrance Fees:

PHP150 for regular ticket

PHP120 for senior citizens and PWD with valid IDs

PHP 75 for children and students with proper school IDs

It was an art appreciation day with the kids! After paying for entrance fees, you get a map to the museum and the menu to Cafe Tan-aw.

There are different galleries inside the museum. BOS is the art enthusiast, he was like in a candy land! As for me and the kids, we're there to appreciate. I don't really remember the names of the artists. I just took photos, lots of photos for memory keeping. :)

Left: "Mama, can I ride this horse?"

Right: Going up or down?

Pool looks inviting. It was so hot I wanted to jump into the pool!

Museum of Indigenous Art

This is one of my favorite galleries.

After checking out the galleries, I got tired walking and chasing around R. Plus it was so hot, I needed a moment to rest and we ended up here.

Pinto Cafe. I wanted to stay and try what the cafe offers but the kids were becoming restless and we wanted to finish all the galleries.

Love this chair!

Silly kids being silly! Imitating the painting at the back. Heehee!

Thank you Pinto for that wonderful afternoon!

We made our last stop at Crescent Moon Cafe to buy some suman. Too bad the cafe was already closed but we were able to take home frozen suman! Yay!

I love their suman! We've had it for merienda, breakfast, for my birthday and for dessert! 

I had a great time with my family. It was a different kind of family day than the usual malls we go to on Sundays. If you are into art, why not spend one weekend in Rizal, visit Pinto and make sure to plan where you eat. I want to go back to Rizal to eat at the places where we planned to eat but didn't get to. I'm looking at you, BOS! Heehee!

Oh and before I forget, there's an "entrance fee" to the Grand Heights where Pinto Art Museum is.

For more information on Pinto Art Museum and Crescent Moon Cafe:

Facebook: Pinto Art Museum

Twitter: @pintoartmuseum

Facebook: Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery