Friday the 13th

This year, there are three Friday the 13th's (January, April, July) and despite the many bad fortune associated to it, I decided to theme my January outfits to anything with black. 

Forgive my pictures though because I am really a camera shy which is also why I became a photographer instead :). I guess everybody would agree that not all of us are blessed with a model-type body and that not all outfit will suit us well. However, the good thing about fashion is that there is always something that will fit you perfectly.

top, pants and accessories: everything from bazaars

shoes: SOUL Lifestyle

Without sacrificing comfort, wearing clothes that will make you feel better takes all the bad omen away! :)

Banana Berry

Adjacent to Metro Lifestyle is a haven for a breezy all nighter cafe people like James. Yesterday, he brought me, Shane and Ange to lounge and eat after walking the kids in Roxas Ave.

I really can't resist taking many photos because the place is cozy, beach-themed, and serves delicious simple meals aside from the affordable price. And if I had a requirement for a cafe to be in my hot list, Banana Berry passed all of it. Wifi, comfy chair, not too cold temperature, friendly customer service, clean surrounding and great tasting food.

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Carrot Cake (favorite! never had tasted carrot cake made delicious like that)

Banana Berry may sound like a coffee shop to you but its not. It is a cafe were you can buy coolers and shakes, some of the best desserts and get to order rice meals in Krua Thai and Sinangag and get it delivered in BB! Some of my favorites are the Carrot Cake and the Chicken Pandan Rice.

Rice with Spring Rolls

Rice with Chicken in Pandan (boneless chicken wrapped in pandan leaves before frying)

Servings are always warm and just enough to fill in your tummy. Did I mention that you can buy them in less than a hundred peso? Most of the food you can buy in the adjacent shops (who partnered with BB also) are also sold at affordable deals.

PVC Lamps decorating the interiors

Shane with the color splash pillows of the cafe

Wines and menu (yes, they also serve alcohol except during liquor ban)

Jellato (BB's specialty drinks)

Banana Berry is open 24/7 and sitting literally in the corner of F. Torres and Jacinto Extension Streets in Davao City.

Zabadani

One thing that I think I got from my mother who is a Kapampangan is the love for food. No matter what it is, the more foreign, the better.

I went to a Halal store in downtown Davao. My friend is a regular customer and told me that if I can enjoy Arabic/ Persian/ Syrian/ Southeast Asian, then Zabadani is the best place in town.

Photo credits to Zabadani

True enough, I went with my friends to try on their menu. I must apologize for the few pictures I have taken though. I was a little distracted when a ball of dust walked in the cafe--Ramadi the cat!

 Lights, food and milk tea. With the right amount of spice and the best company--a good way to end a week.

Overall, the food is great! It reminded me of my Dubai trip back a few years ago. Although there was a little delay with the service (1 waiter cum maitre d' and 1 chef only I think), I must give an extra credit for the cafe who kept my phone when I left it. Another extra point for the prima dona cat, Ramadi, of course!

Pissed off. Ramadi and his distracted face when we 'forced' him to pose for a photo

You may visit their shop at Ponciano Reyes St., Davao City beside Tesoro Printing Press or drop by their website http://www.wix.com/zabadanicafe/zabadani#!__homepage .

Abreeza Runway Fashion Preview 2012

This is quite late but nonetheless, I'm posting it still because I had a wonderful experience and its a fresh air having this kind of activity here in Davao.

The story.

Abreeza collaborated with Davao Elite Fashion Group's designers and other fashion boutiques in city (Soul Lifestyle, Chimes, Mags and the Maze) to create a fashion show showcasing the creations of the designers Popoy Barba, Aztec Barba, Dodjie Batu, Edgar Buyan, and Emi Englis  and apparels from the different boutiques.

The DEFG designers and participating stores and M Magazine EIC 

M Magazine also partnered with the activity as Ian Garcia welcome everybody at the start of the program. Otoi Mercado, who was also one of the make up artist of the night together with Salon de Rose and Hair Zone, was also spotted together with some of the most famous photographers and bloggers such as Tatay Rene Lumawag, Bob Mata, Rhonson Ng and The Walking Recessionista, Ms. Cheyser Pedregosa who came in with Soul Lifestyle's Mimi & Jun Tupas.

I think you all came across with the many pictures of the clothes and the designers, so are my takes.

Can I make kilig here? see that big smile I cant hide? With Ate Mimi and Cheyser (TWR)

My outfit : ) & Ate Mimi's because we love blazers!
Photo credits to Sir Jun Tupas of Soul Lifestyle 

Laugh till you drop

There are just times that you feel down, not in your game and almost in the brink of giving up.

And in those times, it pays to have your friends surrounding you--they'd blanket you with your comfort zone, lie and tell that you look good even though you're such a mess and make you laugh at the most stupid thing on earth.

After watching the Up Darma Down mall show at the Abreeza Mall, which turned out to be really fun and awesome :), we decided to have a little dinner and my place. The place which we tagged as our HQ was home to many of our photoshoots in 2010. 

Photo credits to Darryl Lara

Instantly, my fellow photobombers decided to shoot and crazily made ourselves the subjects. 

Taken by no other than Mr. James Bautista, the brainchild of the 9gag-inspired photoshoot
(im kinda missing his photos lately though)

Photos and it did happen! :D

Sushi Dito Davao

Food, maybe, is one of the great feature in Davao and basically the reason why I love this city--from fine dining, to fastfoods chains and street foods.

Last week, I went to visit a local sushi store--Sushi Dito. I learned about them when a fellow photographer posted their website and discovered that they deliver sushi for free! I tried their sushi first before I finally visited their place located at Quirino Street near Palma Gil Elementary School.

Their place isnt really a Japanese restaurant but its small and cozy. My entire high school barkada might not even fit inside all at once. But I enjoy their sushi and their price is really affordable.

The photographer gets photographed. James isnt really photo-ready always :) 

Chicken Teriyaki 

 Milky Maki

and my favorite, Miami Roll! :D

I have posted our SushiDito free-delivery-experience in my photoblog as seen here.
You can also visit their website SushiDito.com

Start right

New to world. New to write.

Its been ages since I wrote something about anything and since i wanted to make this year right, allow me to take you a glimpse of what happened the last few weeks, in between the firecrackers and party, and the long lists of new year's resolutions.

'Pahabol' Christmas parties, get-together's, reunions and enjoying the Fujifilm Instax of James with these photos.

More parties and pictures!

Our fellow photbomber Bren celebrated his nuptial with Em last January 3. I think, a really good way to start a year and save up for future annivesary celebrations! lol