Philippines 2011: Day 1 and 2…

I’ve finally returned to the motherland after almost a year and a half. I’m telling you, the Philippines is growing so fast, sometimes I can’t even believe it’s still the same country I visited years and years ago when I was a kid!

My aunt, as usual, picked me up right when I got off the plane with her lovely staff members to help me. Then we hopped in the car with Ric (her driver for almost as long as I can remember, he’s literally watched me grow up!) and headed over to the condo we’d all be housed up in for the next 3 weeks in Makati.

Oh lookie who it is! Sarah and Teresa!

After settling in, we passed by my aunt’s office at the DOT (Department of Tourism) to grab a quick bite to eat – of course I requested bangus lmaoooo! There I finally met DOT’s social media/marketing guru Brian who helped me figure out how to connect to the internet and put minutes on my phone – WHICH by the way loves to turn on and off every 10 minutes…. it’s AWESOME. . . . . . lol.

I was exhausted from the long flight and decided to call it a night early so I could rest up for the next few days of Philippine Fashion Week! After my aunt left for work the next day, I hit up Banj and Sarah and they let me know they were getting some work done and CoLab, which was really close to our condo. I looked at Google Maps and sure enough, it was, so I opted to go for a walk. A few turns later, I was definitely not where I needed to be LMAO. Luckily, Rosario called me and asked where I was and where I was trying to go and told me to stay where I was so she could come to my rescue. I waited in front of the Mc D’s and heard her call out my name and I hopped in the car. We did a quick stop and then headed over to CoLab which was nearby. Got to the office, looked out the window, and low-and-behold, my condo was DIRECTLY across a parking lot in front of us. FML.

CoLab Manila is a collaborative workspace and studio for creative folks to work, be inspired, and to make shit happen! It is a beautiful space and reminds me of a loft we would find in NY!

Taking a photo of R and Banj while Sarah comes out of her hiding place lmaooooo!

R had to run and prep for Fashion Week activities and I hung out to have some lunch at the office – we had um…Kenny Rogers?! I think that’s what it was called?! Oh wait, is that a singer… Anyway it was gooooood – rotisserie chicken, cornbread, fruits – deeeelish. Unfortunately, I was so hungry I forgot to take a photo.

I also was introduced to a lovely lady named Margaux (not pictured in this post) who offered this amazing chocolate dessert! NOM NOM NOM! I ❤ Margaux and all of the new people I’ve been meeting!!!!! More to come!!!

I’m at the condo feeling under the weather so you can expect a few more blog updates today/tonight! Woot Woot! Enjoy!!!!

Oh wait – check this out… CORNED BEEF FILLED PAN DE SAL?!?!?!?!