Rest, Good Food and Fun at Azalea Residences in Baguio City

I think this is only my 5th time in Baguio City and I feel it's not the same when I don't stay in Azalea Residences. I've already figured out that this is my home when I'm here. The place is clean, secluded but still right in the middle of where the action is. This summer, I didn't really get to go out that much because of family matters, so when the opportunity to go here with blogger friends arrived, I pounced on it like a hungry tiger who's been on a diet for 8 years. 

I'm keen on actually relaxing this week so I could get that little rest and recreation that I've been longing for all summer. It's almost La Niña season as PAGASA predicts so I might as well do this without the torrential rains in the midst. It's still hot in Quezon City so I braved out sitting 6 hours so I could get fresh air and perhaps some good lovin in Baguio City. First off, I'd like to give kudos to the people maintaining the hotel as they've kept the place spick and span. The rooms must have been renovated, and the front desk offices must have been reconfigured because I could see a lot of new things when I went to check in. They've got Azalea Vacation Club too of which I've been told that you'll get a lifetime 50% off on room rates here and in Boracay. They also have free nights every year if you avail of it too. You may ask the people manning those tables if you're around the area. I think that needs a little research soon!

Then off we go to TRADISYON for lunch. I've been here before so I'm raring to have my fix of Filipino comfort food, and I think that's what we got!

The in house restaurant isn't that expensive too as most of the ala carte dishes are to share. We had Pork Binagoongan, a mix of Chorizo and Tripe, the lovely Pinakbet (which I loved!) plus freshly grilled stuffed squid. They clearly weren't joking about the Filipino comfort food part on their namesake. They also have buffet promos happening on weekdays and weekends so try to check their Facebook page for details on that. Then get your money's worth!

We gave ourselves a few hours of rest, then woke up to go to Cafe Yagam. The cafe is quite close to Azalea and is easily found on Google Maps. The establishment is known for their high altitude arabica coffee that's heavily demanded outside the country. If you're there for food, try the home grown Cordillera food they have on the menu. Then have the rice cakes and the famous coffee. I'm telling you, it's all worth the journey there.

I highly suggest you also ask about the rice cake with coconut cream as it is heavenly. They also have Pesto Sandwiches if you're up for something filling. You can also watch the whole community do this process of doing manual, quality assurance as they discard coffee beans that don't pass their standards. It was endearing to see them do this seriously as there are a lot of people, their families, that earn a living off of it. A visit to the place would also help the locals maintain something that would show part of their lives that could be greatly appreciated by tourists, local or otherwise. Then we prepared to shop since there's a UK night market near Burnham Park and Session Road, something I enjoyed most!

Here's a video I made of our day in Baguio. It was quite a remarkable trip to the north and I'm so glad I did it with blogger friends! I think we connected on different levels, it was lovely!

Here's our second day adventures at Bencab Museum

Day 3 includes a cafe, plus our Treetop Adventures in Camp John Hay!



Thank you so much to Azalea Residences for being my home in Baguio City. I couldn't tell you how much I enjoyed everything, I'll be uploading the interview I also did with the cafe owner very soon so stay tuned for that!

Update, we've got the owner of the cafe interviewed on this video. I learned a lot in those few minutes just talking to her!

Til the next Azalea Residences visit! :)

For more information about their hotel:

Azalea Residences Baguio City

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.azaleabaguio.com/

Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 7

One epic night deserve some gorgeous photos. I've covered them last year and this year's Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 7 was surely awesome! The crowd was rocking, the multitude of bands who performed were well appreciated. Thousands of people flocked the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds taking advantage of the tickets they got from drinking one of the best rhums in the world... TANDUAY!

How can you not love seeing Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Rico Blanco, Sponge Cola, Wolfgang, Gloc 9, Color it Red, Ebe Dancel, True Faith, The Youth, Chicosci, Sandwich, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almabis, Alamid, Abra, Session Road, General Luna, Frank Magalona, Hilera, The Dawn, Franco, Up Dharma Down, Siakol and 6cyclemind all in one place? You must be out of your mind!

Barbie Almalbis stayed away from the acoustic set she did on other stints and got back to her stuff with a cloud of electric guitar goodness and played the classic hits we loved.

He's back and he's even got a Rhum Coke on his hand. He's no other than the great lover boy Chito Miranda who gave the crowd superior performance with Parokya ni Edgar. He didn't hold back on performance level and it was awesome to hear him sing with other artists during the Tanduay Rockfest Year 7. Him + GLOC9 = EPIC!

Jet Pangan and The Dawn singing SALAMAT above all things brings back memories. He's the best in his class and brings REAL music hands down. No matter what genre, people still appreciate their music because its genuine... salamat for everything. Thank you for getting in touch with the crowd too!

People don't go crazy as JAY of Kamikazee. Put him on stage plus a couple of gorgeous girls and he'll surely ask for a GROUP HUG. No malice or pun intended. He's the real deal ladies man and he rocked MOA Grounds that night.

6CycleMind's former frontman Ney Dimaculangan shows us he's still got it. This guy's vocal adrenaline is tops. He's voice is really good and mighty perfect for rockstars. He's the real deal and this was doubly great when he also got on stage with other artists.

What's even better is that even if you missed this concert, they'll be showing it on TV as Tanduay Rhum Rockfest VII premiers via Sunday Night Box Office on GMA-7 November 10, 2013. It shows around 10PM-12AM so make sure you don't touch that remote if you wish to have this rockfest in your homes!

Plus there'll be MORE provincial tours like the Tanduay First Five in LUCENA City which happens on November 15 at the Alcala Sports Complex. To get tickets, just purchase Tanduay 5 years or Tanduay Light 750 ML and go to Leoning Store - Tagarao Street, Brgy. Iyam Lucena City, RS Wine House - Gomez Street, Corner Enriquez Street, Lucena City, and Vencili Veneli Wine House - Enriquez Street, Lucena City. Or you can do the Tanduay First Five in BATANGAS City which happens on November 16. You can get your tickets from Rafael Nabor - Tierra Verde, Pallocan, Batangas City, Reden Dela Rocca - Tingga Labac, Batangas City, Lucio Magadia - Alangilan, Batangas City, Fast Bite Convenience Store - Pallocan West, Batangas City and Dreaming Forest Convenience Store - Alangilan, Batangas City. Just do the same thing and purchase the Tanduay bottles mentioned above and you're good to go!

CREDITS TO PHOTOS: Thank you so much to correspondent and premier Concert Photographer Mikz Marcelo for these awesome shots! You are awesome! #TeamEmpire

For more details of this event and the next concerts

Like them on Facebook!

Tanduay Rhum official

Or visit their official website

http://www.tanduay.com.ph/