Gratitude: More Than Just a Restaurant

Today's featured restaurant is Gratitude located at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and is partly owned by two of my friends from the Lightworkers, Analei Atienza and Kahlil Bagatsing. Lightworkers, for your information (source: Facebook) is a non-denominational group aims to support each other by being both a teacher and a student. We meet once a month just to gather, to share, to teach and to learn. This group has no structure, as we all believe that we are all equal; that we are all here on Earth to love, to share, to learn and to teach.

Well, going back to the restaurant review.. The moment you come inside, you'll find yourself amazed because someone will welcome you and ask you to pick from a bowl of rolled papers with inspirational messages. The menu is not like any other restaurants because each dish is named with unique virtues that you claim as you order it (I Am Amazing, I Am Blessed, etc.). I Am Empowered is one of my favorites. It is their version of Cioppino with shrimps, clams, mussels and fish fillet cooked in tomatoes and wine sauce.

One more thing that makes this restaurant special is that for every dish, you'll see on the menu how much calories, protein carbohydrates and fats it has, therefore, lets you keep an eye on your diet. So if you haven't been at Gratitude yet, I recommend you give it a try and explore the many delicous dishes they serve.

Restaurant: Gratitude, More Than Just a Restaurant
Address: Unit G, Ground Floor, Sapphire Residences Condominium 2nd Ave. corner 31st St. Bonifacio Global City

Contact#: 5191725 / 09178055525 / 09175318179

More photos here.

Instituto Cervantes Cheers for Spain

The World Cup finals suddenly became a craze here in the Philippines (well, in my school at least) because Spain vied for the title, a first time in their history. It was a sizzling match between Spain and The Netherlands. Instituto Cervantes, gathered each and every supporter of Spain in the metro and organized a free live viewing of the Finals via satellite cable. Most who came were all in red to show solid support for Spain. Unfortunately, I didn't find any red shirt in my closet then. Good thing someone offered me to put red and yellow paint on my face.

The whole Instituto Cervantes was filled with deafening cheers from fans, all shouting for Spain while they raise their beer bottles for the win. Well, Paul the octopus was right after all, because Spain bagged the FIFA World Cup champion title. Something that Spain should take pride of since it's their first gold cup trophy in FIFA World Cup history.

Ito keeping his fingers crossed during the game

Ito Rivera, Bobby, me and Carlos Zaragoza

More pictures here.

Philippines: Defying Poverty

There comes a point in our lives where we feel as if the world is crushing down on us and the only choice that we have is either to give up or to get up and continue walking. If only we have superhuman powers like superman or batman, then we can make this world become a little less complicated, right? What if we were given the chance to possess supernatural powers and abilities? Do you think we could become happier and more contented? I have no idea.



We know for a fact that our country, the Philippines is a land full of poor souls and hopeless spirits. And if you think you have the biggest problem in the world, shame on you, look to the streets where you frequently walk. Observe the sides of the malls you endlessly shop at, and ask yourself if you are being fair enough when you get depressed not having to buy the latest cellphones, expensive signature clothes, that dream car or luxury vacation you've always longed for. Would you even consider these as problems, knowing that there are starving kids in every corner of your city? Well, I'm not trying to sound saintly here because I myself am guilty with this. Actually, I squeezed inspiration within me that's why I was able to write this post.



The tentacles of poverty and ignorance in our country, sad to say, is quite challenging and almost impossible to extinguish unless a human messiah who has the answers to all our needs will lead our country.

What we can do to at least help our country in recovering with its misfortunes and hardships is by grabbing every opportunity that's within our reach which can lead us in being better and better each day. Ignorance is not an excuse. It will not get you anywhere or save you from anything. Remember that you hold the steering wheel of your own life: take the right lane and make u-turns if necessary.

Here's a slide presentation of the photoshoot project that I did a week ago at Divisoria in Manila titled: Different Faces of Divisoria. The full album can be viewed on my Facebook account.