A Visit to Cellar de Oboza in Davao City

Without a doubt, Davao is a huge metropolitan city.

It is now very much developed that virtually anything you fancy, you can get it locally, and won't have to travel all the way to Manila.

The city is filled with modern clubs, mall and restaurants so imagine my surprise to find out that there is actually a restaurant in Davao City that dwells in an ancestral house structure, located along Rizal Street.

The Oboza ancestral house has been standing since 1929 and it is now the home of a French restaurant Claude's located on the second floor. The first floor is occupied by Cellar de Oboza.

During my last trip to Davao, I had the opportunity to dine at Cella de Oboza owned by couple Vince Arcenas and Tricie-Pengson Arcenas.

The place is just magical at night. The ancestral house setting gives instantly creates a magical ambiance and the intimate setting inside the restaurant makes it all the more romantic.

Once we were able to get a tour of the ancestral house and saw its grandeur, we couldn't help but have big expectations of the quality of food and service in Cellar de Oboza.

I for one, was familiar with another restaurant with the ancestral house setting. I am talking about Cocina de Tita Moning in San Rafael street, inside Malacanang compound.

It's still one of the best kep secrets in Manila and only the rich and famous dine there. I remember dining there, and seeing two senators, two ambassadors and the press secretary.

We were a group of Manila-based visitors attending the opening of Park Inn Davao so the restaurant arranged for a buffet setup. This worked way better because this way, we were treated to the best dishes the restaurant has to offes.

My colleagues and I specially liked the cheesesticks served as appetizers

I also loved the fish sticks with the guava marind sauce. But for the main dish, I really enjoyed the beef belly sisig. This is a new twist to the perennia; Filipino favorite dish.

All the while, we were served with exquisite wines which were imported from Argentina, if my memory serves me right.

The great food, the excellent wine and the ambiance created a very good mood and we really our visit to Cellar de Oboza.

We were under a very tight schedule but what was originally be a quick dinner, turned out to be a leisurely food trip and we just couldn't help but engage in long happy conversations.

After threehours, we finally left the place. But before we left, my colleagues and I were sure that once we come back to Davao, Cellar de Oboza will be high up in our to-go list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beach and the Search for a Parallel Universe

Saying that my teenage years were troubled may perhaps be the understatement of the decade.

I was missing classes, running with different cliques not necessarily good for me, giving in to vices just to fit in. I tried to join the drama club, because my life was full of well, drama. I dated people way older than me, so I can get that feeling of being loved and security.

And throughout those moments, I was in a constant search for a place where I belong and for people who would  accept me for who I am. I wanted to get out and go to a parallel universe, so to speak.

It was bad enough that I needed some kind of intervention from well-meaning friends, who saw the potential in me.

And then, during my darkest hour, I found a new path that would inspire me to improve the way I was living, and go through life in a happy, positive way.

A Travel Inspiration

It was year 2000 and "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio was showing in cinemas. I had to skip a class just to see it.

Everyone I knew, thrashed the movie, criticizing the bad acting, the environmental hazard it posed to Maya beach, in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand, when the movie production set bulldozed the beach's sand and planted several coconuts to make it more paradise looking.

Of course, I was also against tampering the natural beauty of the island but I saw past that and appreciated the message the movie was trying to convey. Lots of people dismiss it as a cheap escapist movie, but hey, it's true.

We are all searching for ourselves and for a better life, and we have the means to make it come true.

The end credit showed a jump shot of the islanders with a caption "Parallel Universe". And yes, they almost had it.

The movie, based on a book by Alex Garland, hit me like a tsunami. It became my most favorite movie of all time, not because it is the best, but because I can relate to it perfectly.

Years would pass, but it would remain to be one of the few movies that actually influenced me to hit the road and travel. It became my lifelong goal to go to places I've never been and meet the people that make those places unique and interesting.

I was able to travel to various countries, but my dream of stepping onto the shores of "the beach' never waivered. It was like, every new place that I visit and conquer, was justa preparation to the feelings that would have overwhelmed me, once I finally get there.

Reaching "The Beach"

It took me 13 years, but I when I finally reached "The Beach", I was just speechless. The feelings and memories I felt when I first saw the movie on a lonely night more than a decade ago, and during all those long years hit me like an avalanche, I had no choice but to cry.

If you ask me how I felt exactly at that moment, I won't be able to give you an accurate description. It was surreal.

I just sat there on the shore, admiring the magnificent limestone formation that envelopes the beach, oblivious to the noise of the common tourists that like me, are fascinated by Maya beach and by the movie.

It's different now from the one I saw in the movie. There are no palm trees now, and there's a convenience store at a hidden cove, 100 meters away from the shore. There are tsunami warnings, reminding that this beach, also suffered devastation during the 2004 Asian tsunami.

But in many ways, it still is "the beach" that I dreamt of. I travelled hundreds of miles just to reach the island of Koh Phi Phi.and from there, I hired a longboat to get to the actual Maya beach

The search for a Parallel Universe

I looked around me and wondered, are all these people also searching for a place to call their own? Perhaps not, but with the multitude of backpackers I can see, I am sure that yes, some are also doing some soul-searching and wondering how to proceed with their respective lives from here.

I was almost the same age as Richard, the main character in the movie, when I first dream of reaching the shores of Maya beach. And back then, both of us are troubled by the expectations of our family, colleagues, and lovers.

13 years ago, I was tempted once again to check out, jump ship and just hit the road, leaving all problems behind me.

But at 30, life has taught me valuable lessons.

You don't run away from your problems, no matter how big they maybe. You must face it with courage and determination, and be prepared to accept the consequences of the things you do or do not do.

A better life or a parallel universe is always tempting but you don't always have to go far for you to reach it.

That life, that place you've always wanted to belong to, may be right there all along. You just have to open your eyes to see it.

 

 

 

 

A Review of Park Inn Radisson Davao and the Importance of Colors

main lobby of Park Inn Radisson (photo by interaksyon.com)

Let's be honest. No matter how grand the amenities are, now matter how posh and comfortable your hotel is. There is always this nagging feeling that you're somewhere unfamiliar.

You can't put a finger on it, but it's just the feeling of being somewhere you don't necessarily belong.

In Filipino colloquial terms, we call it 'namamahay" derived from the root word 'bahay' or house/home.new.

I always get this feeling when I stay somewhere away from my own condo unit. Although I usually get this feeling after a day or two. I still don't like to feel it in the first place.

After some observation, I realized that part of this feeling emanates from the fact that most hotels where we stay have the same dull, generic colors, mostly pale yellow, white, or cream.

These colors give the hotel a feeling of unfamiliarity and it's a glaring reminder that this is not your home, and you are just passing through.

Absent are the colors we use to make our personal space more personal and intimate. Case in point, my room wall is covered by pictures showing a barrange of colors. It gives me that warm feeling and it evokes happy emotions.


This awareness on the importance of color and the emotions it gives you must have been a top consideration in building the all new Park Inn Radisson in Lanang, Davao City.

Park Inn Radisson Davao is the latest project of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., next to Radisson Blu in Cebu, Pico Sands Hotel in Hamilo Coast Batangas, and Taal Vista in Tagaytay among others. It is in partnership with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the largest hotel chains in the world.

This 204-bedroom structure is basically a businessman's hotel but it threw convention and stereotype to the wind by providing a burst of colors everywhere, resulting in a hotel that mimics  just your own personal space: that space where you can just relax and enjoy. A space where you can be you.

This is quite apparent as soon as you arrive. Park Inn Radisson Davao's main lobby is the most colorful lobby I have ever seen and that's saying something given the number of hotels/hostels I've seen here and abroad.

It screams you are welcome and you will instantly feel it

Once you get over the hues, you will notice the bits and pieces of furniture that makes the lobby quite warm and relaxing.

Because this is a mid-scale business hotel geared towards visiting business and leisure guests, who are always out touring the gorgeous sights and spots of Davao City, the rooms are not as big, but each one is equipped with the basic services you will ever need.

There's also a gym and a pool, which is actually not present in most business hotels.

Security is tight and you can only use the elevators through your electronic card key.

For dining, the rbg grill is located the left side of the main lobby. This also serves as the breakfast area of the hotel.

Park Inn Radisson Davao is located in Lanang, just in front of the newly constructed SM Lanang and SMX Davao so the location is quite convenient for those attending MICE events.

There's even a walkway from the second floor of the hotel to the mall.

It is also close to various attractions such as the Crocodile farm and the outdoor events center.

I was really happy with my stay at Park Inn Radisscon because it provided the basic luxury and amenities I needed during my three-day visit. And quite honestly, I never really had to get over that feeling of discomfort at another hotel because of the warm, friendly and familiar ambience the hotel gives.

Add to that the very accommodating staff and my stay was simply memorable.

When I visit Davao City, again, Park Inn Radisson will definitely be my hotel of choice.

 

Weekend Food Trip at Yakimix, Robinson's Ermita

You know me. I won't back out of a good meal, regardless of the price.

I have braved the priciest hotel restaurant buffets in the metro, so I guess I can convince you that I am not a cheapskate, hahaha.

But I am also after value for money.

When my family asked me to try Yakimix at Robinson's Ermita, I was really hesitant. In my opinion, it has lots of similarities to Tong Yang, which I love, and which is much cheaper, so I was really having a second thought.

Why should I pay more if I can get something similar at a cheaper cost?

My family bugged me for two weeks, noting that Yakimix is always full of people whenever they pass by. A tell tale sign that it's worth my money.

I finally relented and decided to bring my family to Yakimix, and boy, I was really glad I did.

Contrary to my earlier assumptions, Yakimix is totally different than Tong Yang. While both restaurants offer smokeless grills, Yakimix's food offerings is mostly Japanese (duh), with lots of seafood choices.

The main strength of Tong Yang is it's shabu shabu and the wide selection of meat products, but this is easily trumped by Yakimix but offering the same amount of meat products with the addition of better-tasting Japanese selections.

I wrote in my previous blog that the Japanese section is the main weakness of Tong Yang. But at yakimix, you won't have to worry about that.

The tempura is awesome and the supplies of sushi (salmon, tuna among others) is endless. The serving plates are always re-filled so you won't have to wait.

Japanese ramen is also available and you can mix your own toppings.

Their grill section is also impressive. They have tuna, tanguige, bangus, and other fish selections for grilling. They also have sausages, bacon, and chicken satay.

Surprisingly, Yakimix also served lechon macau which I totally love. They also serve pork sisig.

The dessert section offers halo-halo, ice cream and several cakes such as chocolate cakes, tiramisu and Japanese buchi.

Looking around, you can see that the customers are really enjoying their meals. In fact, I saw several Japanese tourists dining in groups and they seem to be having a great time. If actual Japanese folks are enjoying Yakimix, then definitely, I don't have any excuse not to do so hahaha.

What I don't like about Yakimix is their package does not include beverages and you have to order it separately.

We dined on a weekend, so the price of the eat all you can is P660 and another P75 for bottomless drinks. But if you dine from Monday to Friday, the rate for eat and drink all you can is P520 and the dinner rate is P620.

All in all, I had a really great experience and I was finally able to realize what the fuss is all about.

And much as I hate to admit it, I enjoyed Yakimix a lot better than Tong Yang. That's saying something since I've been an avid customer of the former for several years now.


Edit: Since we first tried Yakimix, we came back two more times.

The Joys of Hostel Living

inside my dorm type hostel in Saigon

Whenever I am going out of the country, people always ask the same questions, how long will you stay there and where will you stay?

I often times give a vague answer, because most people are not yet familiar with the concepts of couchsurfing and hostels. I don't want them to end up confused.

Couchsurfing has been going in the Philippines but most people, including a lot of its new members have misguided notion of what it is.

On the other hand, the concept of hostels and dormitory type accommodations is gaining popularity in the country. Granted, most of the clienteles of these dorm type hostels are mostly foreigners and experienced travelers, but the increasing number of such facilities give me satisfaction.

At least, more and more people will be able to experience the joys of hostel living.

The Rock hostel in Koh Phi Phi

But what is it exactly that makes hostel ling quite an awesome experience?

Low, low, low

For obvious reasons, hostel living allows you to stretch you budget to remarkable lengths.

A 100 USD to will pay to a three to four star hotel, can be stretched to as much as two weeks if you know where to stay.

During my trip to Ho Chi Minh, I stayed at the Vietnam Inn Saigon, which charged me a whopping 5 USD per night in an airconditioned room with 10 beds.

My hostel in Koh Phi Phi meantime charged me 300 Baht a night.

Contrary to public perception, dorm type hostels are spacious enough. sometimes, each bed has its own curtain, electricity socket and reading lights. You each get a locker where you can leave behind personal stuff. It's not adviseable though to leave valuables.

In the process, you save up a lot of money, which allows you to travel farther and longer.

A Glimpse to the Whole World

Staying at a hostel also gives you a wider perspective. How wide you may ask. Well, let's put it this way. At a hostel, you will meet travelers from all over the world literally and you will discuss a host of topics ranging from the kibbutz system in Israel, to underground bars in Berlin, lesbianism, pity sex to dream trips in Antractica.

During my most recent Asian swing, I've met people from Maryland (not a farmland, hahaha, Acapulco, Liverpool, Frankfurt, Szechuan, Rio de Janeiro, Macedonia, Calgary, and Amsterdam.

Not varied enough? How about Trinidad and Tobago and Bratislava?

The world is so wide, and there's a lot of places to see, and people to meet. Those people I've met, I never would have met them had I stayed at a luxury hotel.

a shared shower room

Every night, the discussions swing from topic to topic close to our home nations, indicating our desire to share more of ourselves. It's really a breath of fresh air to hear the worries and issues that are plaguing other countries.

By listening to them, slowly but surely, you get a vision of a the world, which is far different from the myopic self-centered visions that you used to have.

Hello, Friend

It's true that great friendships are built over time. But if you are in a vaccum, away from your real environment, you let go of some of your inhibitions and worries, and you open up yourself a lot easier.

In a hostel setting, it's impossible to gain new friends. The fact that you share alot of similar travels and stories, creates an instant connection to one another. 

You start with a simple hello, and then before you know it, the conversation has been going on for about an hour or so. You then go to clubs, and landmarks together, sharing traveler jokes. All of a sudden, you become friends.


friends I met from my Thailand hostel

Friendships built during travels are very common, you will be surprised. I met this two backpacker guys in Laos and was very surprised to find out that they have become friends just two weeks prior. They were very close and nobody can suspect that they are in fact, new friends.

Relationships among travelers are also very common.

More than the sudden freedom, I guess a traveler becomes more open to friendship and love as they realize the world is so big and they're just too much to accomplish. Do away with hate, doubt and indecision and go ahead live your life to the fullest.



Hostel living, is not always a bliss. Bedbugs, snoring bunkmates, and filthy room, sometimes make your travel less enjoyable. But at the end of the day, the lessons, experiences and memories you share with your fellow travelers are definitely worth it.

Bangkok International (Suvarnabhumi) Airport to Hualamphong train station

ticket machine at the Airport Link

Bangkok is the gateway to Southeast Asia.

And while the city itself is a major traveler destination, Bangkok, formost part serves as temporary stop to both local and foreign tourists who want to explore the northern and southern regions of Thailand, or simply cross borders into other Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Majority of those transfering from Bangkok to other destinations, choose to go directly to Huamlamphong station as soon as they land at the Suvarnabhumi airport. Hualamphong station houses trains movingto Nong Khai (boundary of Thailand and Laos), Chiang Mai, Ayuttaya and Udon Thani in the north and trains to Surat Thani in the south.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous taxi drivers take advantage of them and charge a steep fee. As it is, taxi fares are expensive already.

A trip from the airport to the train station costs about 250 to 300 Thai Baht.

If your are one of them, worry no more, since transfering from the Bangkok International Airport to the Huamlamphong station is easy enough, if you have the patience and physical stamina for it.

After exiting the immigration office at the airport, go down to the basement level three towards the Airport Link.

There buy a ticket for the Makkasan Express costing 90 Thai Baht. This is non stop train to Makkasan and will by pass stops in Lat Krabang, Ban Tap Chang, Hua Mak, and Ramkhamhaeng. The train ride takes about 20 minutes.

The train is airconditioned and the seats are very comfortable.

At the Makkasan express, you will exit the terminal and walk about 100 meters to the MRT Phetchaburi subway station.

Hualamphong train station

The MRT system extends 20 kilometer to Bang Sue in the north and Huamlamphong in the south, near Chinatown and the Central Railway System.

The MRT ride takes another 10 minutes and costs about 30 baht.

If you are in a hurry to catch your train ride, then the fastest and most efficient way to get there is to take the airport link and MRT.

Taking a cab might be less strenuous but with the heavy Bangkok traffic jam, you'll always have that worry at the back of your head.

So to save time and money, this is the fastest route you can take.