Ana Viajera, Author at Pinay.com
What You Should Know About Dating a Filipina
Ana Viajera 5Once, when my husband had revealed to his Vietnamese barber that he’s married to a Filipina, the excited barber exclaimed, “You married Asian, now you sit back and relax.” My husband almost fell off his chair. It was the furthest from the truth. When he married me he had these (more…)Read More
How to Sparkle Like a Sexy Momma
Ana ViajeraYour son is your world. I get it. So is mine. But there are other things in my world too, namely the rest of the family, friends, my career, my passions, and most of all, myself. Although I would do anything for my son, he is not necessarily the center (more…)Read More
Oh! The Pain to Be a Raving Filipina Beauty
Ana Viajera 1It’s not like we want to be perfect. Maybe just a little. A little taller, a little fairer, a little more filled out in the right places but a little thinner. A taller nose and straighter hair would be nice too. Unfortunately, not all of us are built that way. (more…)Read More
7 Sparkling Tips to Start Your New Year
Ana Viajera 2Hey, 2015 just called. He’s excited to meet the fabulous new you. He said it’s going to be an exciting and fruitful year filled with love and abundance. But, how do you prepare for your date with 2015? Here are seven get-fabulous tips for the New Year. Tip 1: Be (more…)Read More
7 Sparkling Lessons From An Unconventional Mom
Ana ViajeraMy mother is a beautiful, complex creature like no other. She wasn’t like most moms, not prone to exhibiting sappy affections or wearing aprons. When we were newborns, she rarely carried us in her arms, afraid that we would accidentally slip off her fingers. The carrying was left to the (more…)Read More
7 Sparkling Tips to Travel With a Toddler
Ana ViajeraIt’s bad enough that you have to endure a long-haul flight with a crick in your neck, seated next to an overweight smelly passenger. Factor in a screaming toddler in the other seat next to you and you have yourself a 14-hour long nightmare. Oh, and the toddler belongs to (more…)Read More
Maid in Manila or Maid in America?
Ana ViajeraImagine a typical Pinay housewife’s day. She wakes up early to prepare breakfast and gets the kids ready for school before her usual chores: supervise the cleaning, go to the market, and plan the meal for the night. Another day accomplished with a lot of help: a kasambahay, a driver, (more…)Read More
When Passion Takes Flight Later in Life
Ana ViajeraBack in high school, I thought I was going to be a fashion designer. Every day I drew models and different outfits that I fancied in my head, putting together a collection that never made it to the runway. Many years later, my imagination kept running, this time sketching stories. (more…)Read More
Travel: Love Story in a Caribbean Island
Ana ViajeraI once met a Spanish dreamer who said that “travel is a love story.” My husband and I had just arrived at her little rustic inn hidden by trees from the rest of Little Corn Island, and she had asked me what I did for a living. I told her I (more…)Read More
The Time of Adobo and Halo-Halo is now
27 January 2015 | 9:42 pm Published by Planet Philippines![]() |
Qui Austin's kinilaw right in the middle |
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Pig and Khao's sisig |
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Maharlika's longganisa |
Summer Dream (2014)
20 January 2015 | 9:42 pm![]() |
During a short trip to Chicago to see an old friend. |
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First day of school Thanks, Dr. Seuss! |
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Hanging out with new friends. |
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Summers are for playing barefoot on the grass. |
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Shoot and play |
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Moon over Granada |
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Nanay and New York (she went home also on September 11) |
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My beautiful mother. |
7 Sparkling Lessons from an Unconventional Mother
29 December 2014 | 11:06 pm Published by Pinay.comRead the complete story here.
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I learned a lot about motherhood in the most unconventional way. |
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Dedicated to my beautiful Nanay. Dec 25, 1935 - Sept 11, 2014 |
Tips and Tricks on Traveling with a Toddler
19 November 2014 | 9:35 pm![]() |
Published by Pinay.com |
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Read the complete article here. |
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Read the complete article here. |
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Read the rest of the tips here. |
We are currently under repair. Please bear with us.
27 August 2014 | 4:05 pmLate Bloomer (Spring 2014)
25 August 2014 | 8:56 pm![]() |
Escape the Spring Break crowd in Tulum, Mexico. |
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Shopping is part of the joys of travel, hoo-hoo! Oh, I love owls too. |
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My Animo family: Reunited in the Philippines, 2014. |
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Snuck in a little bit of beach time (Carbin Reef, Negros Occidental) |
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My son's teachers at Creative Beginners. |
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My Mother's Day backyard breakfast prepared by my boys. |
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Come travel with me aboard a different vehicle! |
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My photo was featured on Blue Green Resorts and a few other sites. |
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Easter is like Christmas for this family. |
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Spring saw me another year older and wiser. I got my wish too! |
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Some of the spring blooms in our backyard - Zinnias! |
My love story
29 April 2014 | 2:51 pm Published by Pinay.comWhat’s Missing in the Read+Write Equation of Success
14 April 2014 | 1:10 am![]() |
Writing while on assignment at Huahin, Thailand. |
Still on a different Time Zone? Here's how to Beat Jet Lag
21 March 2014 | 3:44 pm![]() |
Ahh...the pains you have to go through to get to paradise (Corn Island, Caribbean). |
You’re back in Manila, but your mind and body clock is still in New York. That’s not a good thing when there is a night and day difference between cities. Everyone around you is getting up and at ‘em, while you walk around in a daze, ready to crash any moment. You got the travel bug, and it’s not the good kind. It’s called jet lag, the kind that punishes your body for the 14 hour long haul flight and the 12 hour time difference. There’s is no way you can turn back time, but there is a way to squash the bug. Here are a few quick turnaround tips:
Quick fixer-uppers
Rest – make sure you’re well rested before your trip. If you’re tired before you travel, jet lag will even be worse. Get a full night’s sleep before you take off.
Exercise – a no brainer, don’t you think? Staying in good shape in general can do lots of wonders. Stick to your exercise schedule. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your fitness routine should be on leave too.
Stretch - Athletes stretch and warm up before the game. You can benefit from that as well. Stretch out your limbs before the flight. Doing so helps your muscles and joints endure the hours of inactivity. You can also do it during the flight.
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Fly fully equipped – bring a neck pillow, a blindfold, slippers, and earplugs. Wear loose fitting clothes so your body can breathe. Your feet may swell up while in transit; avoid high heels or snug footwear.
Freshen up – while in flight, wash your face, brush your teeth, or even change undies. Freshening up can be rejuvenating.
Go decaf - After the equivalent of 1 P.M. in your destination, refrain from drinking coffee. Caffeine can greatly affect your snooze time and will make it more difficult for you to adjust to the new time zone.
Eat up – on the first few days of your trip, eat light snacks every few hours. Doing so will help keep your metabolism cranked throughout the day. It will also help prevent possible food coma from overeating.
Adapt - upon arrival, follow the schedule of the time zone you are in. Even if you don’t feel like it yet, eat when the locals eat. Same goes for your sleeping schedule.
Shower – take a nice cold shower if you arrive in the morning. A shower after you’ve landed will make you feel refreshed and will help stimulate circulation. If you arrive at night, a hot shower or bath will help you relax before bedtime.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, it will take you about a day to adjust for each time zone travelled. Adjust your snooze button before your departure. Several days before your flight:
You can also pre adjust by regulating your light exposure before your departure. If you’re heading:
4 days before – start the Argonne Diet by consuming large meals. Opt for a high-protein breakfast and lunch. For dinner, stock up on the carbohydrates. Coffee intake should be limited between three and five in the afternoon.
3 days before – eat small. Total calorie consumption should not be more than 800 calories. You won’t be running a marathon so easy on the carbohydrates as well. Again, limit caffeine intake between three to five P.M.
2 days before – Gobble it all up. Eat large meals. Again, prepare high-protein meals for breakfast and lunch, and a high-carbohydrate dinner. Limit caffeine intake between three to five P.M.
1 day before – eat small and light. Total calorie consumption should not be more than 800 calories. Similarly, limit carbohydrate consumption. If you’re westbound, caffeine should only be taken in the morning. If you’re heading the opposite direction, coffee should be limited in the evenings.
Departure day – If it’s a long haul flight, sleep until breakfast time at your destination. Consume large meals with a big, high-protein breakfast.
Taking sleep aids may help you get a good sleep, but incorrect sleep medication, can only make jet lag worse. Here are some things to consider before popping the pill:
Get moving in-flight
If you’re not getting any sleep, might as well get moving. Combat discomfort, poor circulation, swelling, cramps, and lethargy by exercising in flight.
Our Greatest Journey - Winter 2014
20 February 2014 | 5:45 pm![]() |
Wake me up when winter ends. |
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Our first Christmas in our new home. |
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One of our new Christmas books is The Night before Christmas a Little Golden Book specially printed by my husband’s company for the kids. |
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Christmas (and the entire winter) was all about crafts. |
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Una is surviving winter. |
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My bridal bouquet of burnt orange tulips, heralds of spring. |
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With my Valentine and Ever-After. |
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A little greeting from my cupid. |
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This metallic MK tote brightens up my winter wardrobe. |
Better Blocks in OKC
18 February 2014 | 10:45 pm From my TravelOKCity Column![]() |
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Coming home (Fall 2013)
10 January 2014 | 5:28 pm![]() |
The first banner taken in my new office. |
When we first came home to our new property, we found a card sitting on a little housewarming present from the previous owner. “I hope this home makes you as happy as it has us. We have made some of our best friends in this home and neighborhood,” it read.
And then the last line made my eyes well up –“Love abides in this place!” This is exactly how I feel about our old home, and it gave me great comfort to know that we are moving in to a place filled with love.
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Love abides in this place. |
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Our living room now. |
There is more than enough space than we know what to do with. In fact, now that I have a good sized walk-in closet, the closet and the dresser in our bedroom are practically empty (the TV room is also my husband’s dressing room, in case you’re wondering). There are two big closets in my office. One is almost empty while the other is where I temporarily store my books. Floor to ceiling bookshelves are underway.
I no longer have the three large windows that faced the backyard in my previous office, but I got a great trade off: three tall windows facing different sides of the house- the street, the backyard, and the side of the house overgrown with ivy and foliage, making it look like an enchanted forest according to my husband. He had planted a bird feeder by the window and most days, little chirping visitors (over a dozen of them when the feeder is full) would come to say hello. I couldn’t ask for more.
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I enjoy decorating the house with pumpkins! |
And so the past few months had been spent unpacking, cleaning, painting, staining, hammering, looking for specific things in the dozens of boxes, bickering (I want it red, he wants it to remain gray), exploring, discovering (I found an old fashioned pencil sharpener in the attic and he found a vintage fireplace poker in the basement!), sitting back and enjoying what we’ve done so far, and envisioning the many joyful days in this house.
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We started exploring the Canyons this fall. |
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The fall festivities also kept as pretty busy. |
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I've taken an interest in chalkboard art lately. |
Mexico has never been in our radar. I hate to sound like a snob but to us, going to Mexico is synonymous to say, a trip to Las Vegas or L.A., overly commercialized tourist traps. I would more than likely have fun in these places, but they would never find a spot in our itinerary. Then we discovered Tulum, not quite as trampled and trodden as Cancun, but offers us the Mayan Ruins, the Riviera Maya white sand beaches, the ecological parks, the colorful markets in the pueblo, and all the tamales we can eat. The tickets have been bought and the beach side hotel has been booked. We’re counting the days.
Finally, the book for fall is Middlesex, a Pulitzer Prize winner by Jeffrey Eugenides. Urged by the old adage “don’t judge the book by its cover”, I endeavored to plow through it although it looked like heavy reading (remembering my bumpy trip On the Road) based on the somewhat somber looking book cover. It was far from gloomy though even with the story starting at fire- and war-ravaged Smyrna.
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Just a few months in the house and we were already receiving guests. |
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And this is home. |
Postcards from Nirwana (Bintan, Indonesia)
13 November 2013 | 5:41 pmPublished by Asian Traveler, 2008
I am getting hungry.
Hello Editor! Dust is starting to settle. I’m seated by the pond at the entrance of the Nirwana Resort hotel. Large koi fishes are cavorting in the water. The underwater lights are bouncing off their colourful bodies, making them look like mystical creatures, moving around in graceful circles as if participating in a strange ritual.
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Nirwana is a sprawling 240 resort. |
A gong sounded nearby, perhaps announcing the arrival of more tourists. I’m weary to the bone, but my heart overflows with gratitude and anticipation. Before heading back to our place, the Nirwana Resort hotel, we passed by the resort zoo which features several exotic wildlife. The first one to greet us were several albino alligators tanning their white skin. There were also a couple of pythons lazing in the afternoon heat, and a huge vulture watching us warily.
8:00 am, Day 2
It’s day two in paradise. if you’re wondering why I’m writing this on the hotel stationery instead of a postcard, it’s because I got a feeling that this is going to be long one. Through my window, I can see the garden fountain gurgle endlessly. Early this morning, I explored Nirwana by foot, a place “where variety comes to life.” At least that’s what the resort’s tagline says.
Nirwana Gardens is a sprawling 340 hectare property characterized by five resorts and hotels to cater to every type of guest. “Variety after all is the spice of life,” Nirwana’s general manager proudly explains. Last night, I had a nice chat with the resort’s general manager, Abdul Wahab, and he told me more about this place over a tall glass of fresh watermelon shake. He had friendly eyes that brought light to his dark face. Smiling, he claimed he was Filipino. However, his thick Singaporean accent easily gave him away.
“Nirwana is a beach holiday resort for families. We are a family resort,” says Abdul. The Nirwana Resort Hotel, where I am staying for a few days, is a 245 room hotel that caters to every budget. Most of the rooms overlook the beach and the infinity pool where the chlorinated water overflows out to the sea (at least that was how it looked from my room). When guests tire of lazing by pool where frog statues spitting water watch over the sun worshippers, they can simply walk to the beach and wash off the chlorine in their hair with the salt water.
I walked farther, on my bare feet to feel the powdery sand under my feet, and cut through the jungle. After about five minutes, I found myself at the Mayang Sari Beach Resort. The name alludes to the fragrance and essence of natural beauty. Beauty must smell like the sun and the sea and the promises of a ripe summer.
This part of paradise features fifty single-storey air-conditioned chalets with thatched roofs and private verandas. Each chalet has its own unique design, complimented by aromatic scents from lighted incense to match the mood and theme of the place. Farther ahead is the Indira Maya, the paradise of romance. The exclusive villas boasts of extravagance fit for gods. Overlooking the north-western coast of Bintan, the villas include a private swimming pool, an individual courtyard, an outdoor sunken bath, luxurious furnishings of teak and antique and countless other amenities.
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Getting coz with a new friend. |
I was informed that if I got tired of sunbathing (as if that is ever possible), I can go jungle trekking, coastal rock trekking, cycling, rifle shooting or try archery. I thought of how heavy the bow must feel on my sun kissed shoulders and politely declined. They were eager to keep me occupied and persisted with the Sri Bintan Kampong Tour, the Traditional Fishing Tour, the Gunung Bintan Adventure Trek, the South Bintan Heritage Tour, and the Tanjung Uban Explorer. I thought of the mosquito bites versus the feel of the sun biting my shoulder and smiled coyly, shaking my head. “How about Go-Karting, Elephant park, mangrove tour.....” Wait a minute, elephants you say? The thought of Dumbo and his flapping pink ears did it for me. It’s set. Our elephant park tour is scheduled for tomorrow. Those sweet sneaky Indonesians....
Hello Editor,
I gained some new friends today, Emma and Rollie. Rollie likes to dance and play soccer. He’s an attacking midfielder with a powerful kick. He also stinks a little bit, but everybody seems to love him. Emma on the other hand is regal and graceful. She sat quietly, raising her trunk as I sat on her strong leg. Stretching out lazily, she sat on one of her hind legs like a giant walrus lounging on the beach and raised her head high, allowing me to hold on to her one short tusk. Her master said female elephants have short tusks while males have long ones.
We’ll be doing the mangrove tour after lunch. I’ll write to you again.
Lunch was fantastic. We had crispy baby squid, sprinkled with sesame seeds, laden with barbeque sauce, and nestled on fried spaghetti noodles shaped like a basket. We also had Gong-gong, sea snails considered to be an aphrodisiac. I didn’t really need to awaken my desires, but I thought I’d try out Bintan’s delicacy. It was tough fishing it out of its shell with a toothpick, but my hard work was rewarded by a soft chewy treat spiked with a dip of chilli and garlic sauce with a splash of lime juice and tomato sauce.
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Fish on! fish on! |
I am happy to report that I literally fished for lunch. I used this heavy fishnet to catch a feisty black garupa while balancing on a swaying plank by the side of Kelong, the floating restaurant. It was worth risking a cold dip in the water as the steamed dish melted like cream in my mouth. It was cooked in Cantonese sauce, not too salty or spicy as the shy chef, Ken Ow explained.
530pm, Day 3
We set out to the Sungei Sebung Mangrove at exactly 2pm. Apparently everyone is always on time here. Even the shuttle buses and the buggies that drive us around.
The Bintan Mangrove is not only a popular tourist destination, it’s also a unique ecosystem that serves as coastal protection and provider of countless raw materials. On our tour, our small but efficient boat sliced through the mercury like brackish water. After two days of sun, sand and sea, the line of endless mangroves on both sides was an interesting break. The sound of the jetty’s motor drowned out the noise of the wild. We sat back relaxed by the droning sound and the still waters. Occasionally, we would be treated to little surprises like a tree snake coiled around a branch, its yellow striped body standing out in a sea of green leaves.
1030pm, Day 4
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Like an oasis in the middle of a tropical jungle. |
It was drizzling when we headed off to Kedaton Tropical Spa. The light patter of rain blessed our warm skin as we made our way into the spa on a checkered patterned path, where grassy green squares alternated with concrete.
I was treated to the south seas massage. I drifted into a half sleep, taking in the intoxicating and oddly relaxing scents of oils and flowers, as firm but gentle hands worked through my body, stimulating the circulation of my blood and lymphatic system.
I am so relaxed. I’ll cut this report short before I doze off. I loathe the packing that I have to do tomorrow.
Nothing ever good lasts. My brief Sojourn this part of paradise has come to a close. Alas, I have to bid the quiet swaying palm trees farewell. The white plumeria blooms nodded goodbye, but their intoxicating perfume will always haunt me. The hot Bintan breeze will always keep my soul warm. Its heat will constantly remind me, on my cold and dreary days, that there really is such a thing as nirvana, not a fantasy heavenly world, but a paradise of powdery sands, sparkling waters, and welcoming people.
I’ll be seeing you in the next few days. In the meantime, I hope you will start to consider sending me to somewhere colder next time for a change, somewhere where I can wear my trench coat, perhaps?
Ana Viajera
The Remains of Summer (A Farewell to our First Home)
2 August 2013 | 3:41 pm![]() |
A farewell to our first home. |
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I really thought this is where we would grow old in. |
We are moving to Texas. My husband got an incredible job offer from a multinational company, a top tier management position with a compensation package that we couldn’t refuse, a post that will soon see my son riding the most advanced helicopters (if he’s lucky, he’ll get to test ride the President’s chopper!). So the last few weeks have seen us preparing for the move – house hunting and getting our first home ready to be sold.
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Thank you for the love, beautiful home. |
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Travel white: shawl from Hanoi, Fugitive Poems by John Keats, Salvatore Ferragamo white bucks, and Calvin Klein leather tote. |
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My place of worship overlooks the backyard. |
If you’ve been traveling with me for a while now, you would know that I have little love for all things frou-frou, including baby bags. For my baby shower, my sister-in-law had gifted me the JJ Cole Swag Bag, a little too expensive for my taste, at least for a baby bag that I know I won’t be using for long, but I like it because it is not too obvious and still stylish, I think. And while we’re on the topic of stylish baby stuff, I gotta rave about our stroller – the Quinny Maxi Cosi. I love it not only because it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver (unlike the common clunky ones) but also because it’s like a modern version of the traditional baby carriage (btw if you’re looking for a stroller the JJ Cole Broadway 360 is similar to the Quinny one. Really cute!). People have stopped me several times, complimenting the stroller and the baby of course (I love how people here are generous with their compliments. Even strangers come up to you and say, “I love your dress”, or “cute shoes, where did you get it?”, or “gorgeous baby!”)!
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Love this stroller. Love this house. Love this life! |
Now that all that baby stuff is out of the way – after all, my baby is now a big boy – let’s move on to the other items on the desk. The handmade bracelet is one of the gifts my husband had brought home from a business trip in the Bahamas. And I got the camera pendant from a little boutique during my last trip to Bacolod. It’s one of those cheap kitschy products from Korea, but I think it’s cute.
The book for this summer is the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I’ve always known her as the tragic poet, and I’ve never found the taste for poetry except for a few moving lines from Rumi. But recently, a friend had mentioned that Plath did write a novel, and I thought fiction from a Pulitzer Prize winner would be worth the time, tragic or not. Besides, it is an American classic.
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Another little milestone for Ana Viajera. |
A number of people had asked me how I choose my reading list. Aside from the classics and the literary canon, I usually go with the suggestions of writer friends. The New York Times can also be a good guide but then they’ve also been known to give a thumbs-up to the likes of Paris Hilton. I have been guilty of wasting my time reading a few NY Times bestselling potboilers and shallow reads like Daniel Steel, Sidney Sheldon and the like back in the summers of my high school years, but I guess as a writer, it is something that I had to go through. One of my mentors had said once that you have to know what is out there – the good and the bad - to know what to avoid or emulate.
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One of my summer shoots. |
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Love shooting at Bricktown because of all the interesting elements. |
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The JJ Cole diaper bag I used, before I discovered the practicality of the big tote (photo from TJskids.com). |
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Just because we were crazy busy didn't mean we weren't able to squeeze in some sun worship! |
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I wasn't able to take pics of a lot of fireworks, but I think this small one outshines the big guns. Surely you can tell why. |
Winners of 9 FREE Magazine Subscriptions from Ana Viajera and Zinio
26 July 2013 | 10:30 pm![]() |
Thanks to Zinio for the free magazine subscriptions! |
Ana Viajera is Giving away FREE subscriptions to Esquire, Elle, National Geographic, Conde Nast and many more!
15 July 2013 | 8:58 pmConnecticut: In Search of a Fairy Tale
14 July 2013 | 9:47 pm Published by Leisure and Adventure Travel Magazine![]() |
A gloomy but still beautiful day in Connecticut. |
Before you read on, I just wanna let you know that I'm giving away 9 FREE subscriptions (no strings attached!) to popular magazine titles like Esquire, Nat Geo, Elle, Macworld, Maxims and hundreds more to choose from. Read about the contest here.
And here's an insider tip:
Thanks to all those who have joined so far!
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He loves CT! |
Z-Pass: Your Passport to See the World and Beyond
10 July 2013 | 9:13 pm![]() |
Win a free subscription! Details found below. |
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Click here for your free trial! |
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Over thousands of publications to choose from! |
Of the Cuddled and the Caring
9 July 2013 | 1:54 am![]() |
Ana Viajera is giving away 9 free subscriptions of popular magazine titles! |
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The Melbourne edition |
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The Lolo is always part of bringing up a Filipino child. |
We also have a little night stalker. He was never used to being carried or rocked to sleep. A bedtime story and a “baba” will send him happily off to slumber, but in the middle of the night we would hear the patter of feet heading towards our bed. We had long since surrendered the battle and had gone accustomed to him clambering into bed with us.
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Bridging the gap between Filipino parenting and American child rearing. |
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Americans are usually weaned off the bottle at age one. In the Phils, kids are still on the bottle at age 5 or even older. |
Filipinos on the other hand will always have someone to get something for them even when they can do it themselves. If there is no yaya, there is always ate, lolo, and of course papa.
Anybody who needs assistance can rely on a Filipino’s healing hand. This is one reason why Filipinos are known to be excellent caregivers. The best example of this is Gertrude Baines. She is not Filipino but is recognized by the Guinness World Record as the oldest living person until her death in 2009. She was cared for by a group of Filipino caregivers, nurses and doctors.
‘Tis the Season to Resurrect the Bikini
27 April 2013 | 9:11 pm![]() |
I did get to wear my yellow polka dot number, postpartum. |
In our little private island, Obella. Read more about it here. |
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Getting our goof on at Coco Loco, Palawan. |
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Don't take me seriously. |
Stylish for a Steal
14 April 2013 | 8:43 pmPublished by Leisure + Adventure Travel
(an excerpt)
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Got these killer shoes from Guess for a steal. |
I’m a thief. I am not ashamed to admit it. In fact, I am proud to say that I rob retailers, because I acquire my loot for a steal. No, I don’t shoplift. I simply get my goods close to nothing, that it’s almost unfair to the vendor. This is why the fashion police are always on my designer heels, not because I broke the cardinal rule of thou shall not go matchy-matchy, but because they want to know where I got my Swiss Army bomber jacket for $5.
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I got my shopping genes from my nanay (Woodbury Outlet Mall, NY) |
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With some of my favorite shopping buddies. These girls CAN shop! |
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In good company with Marc, Michael, and Mischka. |
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Why, hello there Louis! |
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I can smell a sale from a mile away, but this one stinks! |
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Subscribe to your favorite store and they'll regularly send you coupons |
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Sometimes Nine West takes off an additional 30-50% off to items already on sale. |
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This sequined number is from Juicy Couture at 75% off |
Spring banner 2013
22 March 2013 | 3:48 pm![]() |
The flowers of spring bloomed in the summer (in the Philippines!) |
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Our little one was so good for most part of the trip. |
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Travel, toddler, and the tablet: the iPad is a lifesaver when you’re traveling with a little one and you’re at your wit’s end. |
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On top of the world in Patag, Silay. |
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Before sunset (Punta Ballo, Sipalay, Negros) |
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Our purple paradise (in front of Artistic Diving Resort, Punta Ballo) |
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My marine has seen much of the world and yearns to see more. |
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playing around with the nifty fifty (Maxim's Hotel Resort World) |
And in case you haven’t noticed, my camera lens has gotten a little smaller. I’ve recently purchased a 50mm prime lens for my camera as I’ve gotten into a new career – portrait photography.
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Leveling up my skills at the Winston Baltasar Workshop Model: Joyce Irene Quizon HMUA: Colleen Foerster De Guzman Mentor: Winston Baltasar Studio: Winsam Studio |
I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll say this again – I’m not into gadgets or electronics. I admit I have a couple of Apple products, but I would rather line up to check in at the airport than queue up to buy the most recent iPhone (and really, don’t you get it by now? Soon as you’ve finally figured out how to use your iPhone 5, they’ll release the 6th version). So buying a new lens is painful for me. I’m a firm believer that “it’s the Indian and not the pana” as my photographer mentor would say it. But since I’m going pro (ehem), I conceded and invested in a few accessories including the nifty fifty. Some may argue that the 50mm is not a portrait lens, but I am very happy with the results so far. The sharpness and bokeh quality delivered so far is remarkable.
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Playing with light and water at the Winston Baltasar workshop. |
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my first portraiture gig for 2013 |
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I can wear this bag around my torso and just forget about it! |
Finally, the book for the season: Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You Dr. Kevorkian, a collection of ficto-journalism that is supposed to examine the afterlife in his fictional interviews with the likes of Shakespeare and Hitler during induced near-death episodes. I think it’s more of an examination of life from the perspective of the afterlife, an evaluation of one’s existence. It’s a funny read that I believe shouldn’t be taken too seriously but will bring you to ponder, after a few quiet chortles, about your own existence.
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Another version of the spring 2013 banner. |
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and off we go to another adventure |
It’s almost a week into spring and the temperature is still dancing around the 40s. The flowers haven’t bloomed yet and I am still wearing my husband’s Irish Wrestling sweat shirt over 3 other layers. But spring has sprung in my heart. It’s good to be home.
Visiting the Forgotten (Ghost Towns of Oklahoma)
23 January 2013 | 11:45 pm From my TravelOKCity column, 2011![]() |
Forsaken and forgotten but still standing tall. |
Every little boy has that intrepid adventurer in him. I am all for cultivating that sense of adventure and imagination in every young mind. The problem is that little boy still resides in my husband’s head. Sometimes he still fancies himself an Oklahombre robbing the Santa Fe train for some silver.
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If you stand perfectly still, you will hear ghosts lamenting their past. |
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Waiting for a vacancy at the very posh Ingalls hotel. |
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sweet little church |
The baby in the manger sheds some light. |
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glimpses of the forgotten |
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I am so pleased with how my Pentax poin-and-shoot performed during this trip. |
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This image called out to me, begging me to tell its story. |
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Traversing abandoned bridges. |
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A steam engine, my shadow, and my trusty point-and-shoot. |
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Stories stay alive in these dead towns. |
Photography Lessons from a Cam Whore and a Rebel (EOS)
10 January 2013 | 11:15 pm![]() |
Granada, Nicaragua |
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Taken with my Pentax point-and-shoot in Bintan, Indonesia years back. |
Midday myth
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My fall find for 2012. |
An overcast setting for high noon is great, but if you're working on a sunny day, go under the shade. Look for shaded settings that allow a little bit of the sun to provide some accent. Shoot scenes slightly underexposed so you can recover the highlights during processing. And always mind your ISO- the lower the better.
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Taken by a friend during a trip to Batanes, again with my compact camera. |
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Taken with my Canon EOS |
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The Pentax and I have had some good times, this time in Palawan. |
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I know you're not supposed to cut off your subject’s feet on a full shot, but I took this with a timer and my Pentax propped on a post. So maybe I can be excused this time? |
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Nica, Granada. Canon EOS. Fave travel buddy. |
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Taken by a friend at Sticky Fingers in Makati with the Pentax still. |
More on my photography here.
Winter/holiday banner 2012
26 December 2012 | 11:47 pmA New Year's gift to all Viajeras: Book a cheap flight to Atlanta by using the promo code FL15 on CheapOair!
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A page from Griffin and Sabine's extraordinary correspondence. |