Japanstagram

It was my pleasure to have spent Christmas break in this country. I haven't been to Japan since my first visit in Tokyo when I was 12. This time around, my family and I explored Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and Kobe. Organized and systematic cities, beautiful history and culture, accommodating people, and great fucking food–what's not to love?
In just eight days I've managed to reaffirm the fact that I'm truly a kuishimbo, a grubber, someone who enjoys eating good food (a fat-ass, essentially).

From my expedition, I give you Japanstagram–captivating sights and tasty dishes I enjoyed in the land of sushi.
Although, there is no actual photo of sushi.
Nor were the photos taken on Instagram.

Kawayan Cove

Kawayan Cove is one of those places I always dream of coming back to every chance I get. The architecture of the site is stunning and its bamboo beach is arguably the best swimming site in the area of Nasugbu, Batangas. I remember coming here with my family a couple of years back, when practically nothing else was built, the only attraction being the beach itself. Not that it was boring back then but it was definitely too quiet for my idea of a day at the beach. They finished the Bamboo Beach Club just a few years ago and I admit that the pool is my favorite addition. It overlooks the beautiful coastline and the design of the whole beach club structure meshes seamlessly with the landscape of the area. The speakers disguised as rocks are pretty damn cool too.

It's spacious and grand, without being loud. The touch of simplicity in the aesthetics of it all is what makes this private community the masterpiece that it is. In a few years, our beach house will hopefully be done and daytrips will then be long weekends in this gorgeous place. In the meantime, it's Christmas break... I can sense freedom and it's looking a lot like fresh barbecue, grilled fish, and cold beer on a sunny day at Kawayan Cove.

Sorsogon, Bicol

The frequency of palm trees appearing in these photos is every bit intentional. There are only a few trees to my knowledge that make an effortlessly breathtaking silhouette against the equatorial afternoon sun, so I take this opportunity to bask in this magnificent scenery. For your viewing pleasure, appearing in this set of photos in mad rotation, is a small vacation house my dad has been working on in the past year or so. It incorporates a design that is very open–just as my dad always envisions. It's a peaceful place, and I'm excited to see the boutique-type hotel beside it finished. I'm down for having friends here, the next time around! Whaleshark diving, Mayon volcano ATV, Bulusan lake kayaking, and Rizal beach surfing and frisbee are just a few things on that future itinerary. Also in these photos you'll spot my cousin Patrick, a couple of friends, and the surf-worthy waves of Rizal beach.