Mina Deocareza

You have a thing for stars
and constellations, you announce
as we hang out in front
of our favorite sari-sari store,
each of us smoking a stick
of Winston Lights in between sips
of RC Cola from a plastic pouch,
and munching on Happy Peanuts.
I like looking at the stars, too,
and just like you,
I have also made countless wishes
while watching them twinkle.
For hours, almost every night,
I stare at the sky,
wondering when my prayers
would finally be granted.
You have a thing for stars
and const...

The client’s rejection letter hurt me the way sudden breakups crush teenage lovers’ brittle hearts. I was speechless for several minutes, clueless on how to handle the situation. After staring at the monitor for a couple of minutes more, I saw my editor approaching. The way he looked at me suggested that he knew what was happening. His eyes showed sympathy.

Alcohol preference is just one of the many things I don’t know about my father. In fact, if he hadn’t died, I would not have met his friends from whom I could learn a little more about him—how he was as a teenager, how serious he was at work, what his hobbies were, and other simple things one could easily find out in a person’s “slum book” entry.

For some, Bizu’s vision for Taste by Design might seem a little too ambitious. Yet, anyone who’s familiar with this brand knows that it always goes beyond expectations–just like what it’s been doing with its bold catering menus and tablescapes that mirror the personalities and aesthetic preferences of the designers it’s been working with.

The sun was already preparing to set and we were running out of time. The gig would start at 6pm, we were told. It was almost six and we were still lost in the walled city, eager to find the exact venue where things were about to happen. Unfortunately, the cab driver did not know where Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel was.

Shakespeare’s works are considered masterpieces for a reason. No matter how archaic their use of language seems, they never fail to unveil some universal truths that remain applicable to this day. In fact, these veracities are not lost, even when the texts are translated into different languages.

I first heard about the Basílica Menor de San Sebastián, more commonly known as San Sebastian Church, when I was in grade school. My mother and I were on a jeepney bound for Quiapo one Sunday afternoon. Since she knew how unfamiliar I was with the city, she tried to give me a mini Manila tour.

Commuting to and from Manila at night has always been ceremonial for me. I look out of the vehicle’s window as it moves and I marvel at how lovely it is despite its imperfections. Most of the time, I also catch myself thinking how better the city is than its state at daylight. The sight of nearly empty streets and uncluttered building façades seem prettier than their busy, crowded view when the sun is out. It’s like a scene captured in a postcard; no photo bombers in sight.

We have already heard a lot of wedding planning myths. In fact, some of these myths have been ingrained in our culture that many soon-to-weds simply take them as they are, regardless of how untrue they may be. But, does it mean that we simply have to follow what others have been doing for years? We beg to differ.

“Sa hinaba-haba ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.” This famous Filipino saying proves to be true in the case of Dr. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho who had a grand church wedding last Saturday in Paris. The wedding was lovely in many aspects. Besides being held in a breathtaking venues, such as the American Church in Paris (ceremony) and Opera Garnier (reception), it was also packed with breathtaking wedding details which we thought we’d only see in dreams.

Rob and Mae met at work. First they were just mere colleagues who would see each other in meetings. Then, later on, they became good friends. After some time, they began sensing that what they had was probably more than just friendship. It was scary at first, though.

Gone are the days when you need to go to faraway places to find a unique and refreshing venue for your own prenup shoot or wedding. These days, you just have to be resourceful in order to learn about the hottest venues that are close to wherever you are. Metro Manila itself is surrounded with a lot of lovely places, particularly those that are situated in neighboring provinces like Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Taste isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to food. Since eating is a very sensory experience, one should also pay attention to other attributes like smell, texture, and even its physical appearance. This way, there will be a deeper understanding and appreciation of every dish served, especially during a banquet where food is abundant.
After all, food preparation is an art form.

For many, love for nature isn’t just a mere interest but a huge part of lifestyle. No wonder, these individuals also find ways to incorporate this passion with almost everything in their lives, ranging from really simple aspects like home decors to major ones like wedding theme.

Many events, gatherings, and get-togethers take place during the holiday season. With all the parties you need to attend or prepare for, trips you have to make, and gifts that need wrapping and delivery, you will find the following apps helpful.