In Davao City , coffee shops are mushrooming everywhere; you see them almost at every block. You be awed by the amazing architectural designs, cozy ambience, warm service, good food, great coffee and everything nice. It’s in these coffee shops you see people from all walks of life, eat and have fun. Well, not to mention some loose lips who say coffee shops can be a nice place to intimately talk with someone special, meet up with a blind date or just meet someone interesting.

If you think about great coffee, nothing beats Basti’s Brew, not because I am biased to say so, as my company president is one of the owners, but because Basti’s is synonymous to good coffee and I mean good.

Their fruit shakes leave you in seventh heaven, for just 95 pesos your thirst will definitely be quenched. My favorite biggie meal Carroza and Chunky Chicken is my comfort food; I am floored by the taste besides the serving is big enough for two. Add up on the “bottomless” iced tea at 50 and your day will never be better.

If you’re on the budget, you can check out their raisin oatmeal bar, brownies, a 15 peso cookie. If you dig something Italian, you can try Tuna pesto (highly recommended) and spaghetti Meatball overload all of this is satisfying and quite filling. Assorted flavors of longganisa, sisig and sardines square pizza can ease up a growling stomach.

If you want good coffee, choose from Basti’s wide array of coffee menu. I am not a coffee drinker actually; I have this bad habit that if I drink coffee in late afternoons I am not going to get a good night sleep. But Basti’s coffee is totally irresistible, for mild coffee drinkers like me, I can honestly say it’s addictive I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ll make it to the list of legitimate coffee drinker anytime soon.

I don’t want to exaggerate things because you might think I’m getting all too excited that you check out the place but yes please do…hehehehe, do I sound like I’m begging…hehehehe. You can do business at Basti’s it’s free wi-fi by the way which is a freebie you get not to mention friendly and fast service.

Basti’s is located, at JP. Laurel Street, at the Victoria Plaza compound and at Legaspi Street where our station is located, you can even see the DJ frolicking at the booth, request your song when you do a mid-pause and feel the moment when you sip that coffee and let the steam get into your nose, and the rush on your throat makes you say, Basti’s is good.

I know it’s a bit late to talk about Christmas because its weeks away from that day filled with Christmas carols, gift-giving, festive foods, non-stop reunion and partying, but still I have to, not because I’m pressured to write my second article which is supposed to be due 2007 but because I get to experience the fever itself and it’s but fair that I’ll tell you about it.

Mana, the name itself makes you visualize a place where you can find old treasures, and yes indeed it is. It’s located along J.P. Laurel Street; it’s a home for people who long to own antique items from Philippine oriental, European furniture, old wood products, antique beds, brass chairs to almost anything that is grand and beautiful, and those pieces of art you see only in the movies. And they give great discounts too. It’s worth every penny.

But what makes this store special is that it drove people in hordes especially last Christmas , the store owners made it special by putting so many flickering lights outside the store, and Christmas decorations that is totally outstanding, you feel awe at every sight. They say Mana traditionally does that every year but it’s only this Christmas I get to notice people bringing the entire family for endless video and picture taking, you thought for a second your at the park picnicking with the whole clan.

It’s amazing how Christmas and Mana can make something different in each person’s lives. For one, the remarkable lights and decorations gets you to gather each and everyone in your family and have that once in a lifetime group picture. Second, jeepney passengers and passersby can’t help but be intrigued by the place people frequent to every night. Third, it makes families drew closer together and it makes you feel your in a different zone, you just feel good seeing the lights and the decorations, for a minute you thought your someplace else, someplace out of the Philippines.

Of course, I didn’t exclude myself and my family from that experience, we too had fun. Looking at the picture now made me realize the beauty of my family bonded together just for the time being. The smiles of children, parents laughing and couples all in each other’s arms made me sigh. There was even a chance for me to bump with someone I knew from my teenage years and told me that he feel good just looking at the sight, he said for some unknown reasons the moment made him feel better, he was having emotional problems, but of course that’s another story that I’d rather keep for myself. After endless hellos and catching up on things he bid goodbye, thanking me and my family. He didn’t need advice, he just need someone to listen. My family and I gave him that, his thanks froze me, but when he told me he felt better unloading the baggage we just know this day at Mana is special I will never trade for anything else.

Giving in to that Mana experience is amazing, I’ve realized there’s more to this place that I ever thought, I’ve also come to realize that I too have baggage’s I need to unload and leave behind and yes I left it at Mana . I was having a great time that I said like that friend I’ll never let the past hold me from having a great time. I felt better after that, and had a good night sleep. Thank God!

Finally I got to post my first article and it’s never easy actually. When there are so many things jammed inside my head, thinking what should I write about? Should it be something funny, something serious, something crazy or perhaps I should consider something about you would be interested in.

But after a dinner of a stick of barbeque and a cup of rice from the neighborhood “carenderia”, I slump in my chair and said why won’t I rather share with you my weekend at the beach. Maybe just maybe it will make you feel better if we talk about it, who knows we both might love the same thing.

I love the sea. It’s my most fervent wish that when I’m old and wrinkled; I would retire near the ocean. I would wake up to the sound of the growling sea and sleep to its lulling waves. I would go walking by the beach, picking sea shells, enjoying the rise and fall of the tides.

Indeed, the best sleep and great weekend I ever had been at this seaside resort in Samal Island. It was called Chemas Resort, and I slept on a cottage built atop a rock overlooking the ocean. It was almost heaven.

I don’t now why I love the water so much, funny I don’t even know how to swim. Maybe it’s because while my brother and I were growing up, our parents would take us to these week long beach vacations where we spent all day in the water, under the sun. We’ll wake up really early, early enough to see the fisherman coming in with their catch while on the other side we kids tumbling with the waves. And at night, we’ll get a bonfire going telling scary stories. They were very happy days.

Sadly, the ocean, which I love so much, is now under threat from pollution and over fishing. And there may come a time when the ocean that we enjoy so much may not be enjoyed by our generation-our grand-children’s children.

Back to my great weekend, Chemas offers a laidback time; you will be pampered with a 25 minute ride from Waterfront Hotel, from the exclusive boat you will be welcomed by the staff and while I enjoy the ride, with my hair completely blown away, the cool waters of the sea and the smiling sun made you jump with joy. I’m never too old to do that anyway. They offer a wide array of delicious food at reasonable prices and the luscious greenery, not to mention the indoor swimming pool.

I found myself basking in the sun, and spending my days thinking nothing but relaxing. With the hut-like structures in the lush of mini-garden, this little nook gives you all the privacy and lounging space you need. It’s a great hideaway from a spry city-life and a great reminder to stop and smell the flowers as you see the butterflies fluttering around. This is an ideal place for mellow conversations or some book reading. This is where I found my haven, I feel safe in here, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a weekend all by myself. No boyfriend, no irritating boss, no friends just me, myself and I.

My stay was the best I did so far on my own, the things I do, the trips I have when I’m alone is my best life experience. Now, I can rationalize that while I may have no mansion or prime property or a fleet of fancy cars to my name, I have an “intangible” wealth of life experience.

Life costs money, trips cost money, and I dare say that all in all, it’s been a vacation well-spent. You should try it too, nothing compares to a vacation all by yourself, believe me it’s liberating.

Welcome to our new website! Watch out for my column and you will be surprised with what we can offer you. Thank you for dropping in and we’ll see you very soon as soon as we are set. Just hang in there and it won’t be long before we blast off. Chill Out!