Kay Kalui

        Kalui can boast that it is a dining institution in Puerto Princesa. You have not been to Puerto Princesa unless you have eaten in Kalui they say.

  Once in a while, my family and I get the itch to eat in Kalui.
     During our last trip was such a time and we tried to book for three nights until we finally got a table. At first we were all going OA! (over-acting) It kills us that they are our next door neighbor and we can't reserve. =-P
     We did get to eat there during our last trip but we had to be there before 6 in the evening. OA pa rin! Anyhoo, I am happy for the business people in the city. Tourists are now coming all-year round and everyone is happy.
     So we had our dinner. Kalui basically offers a set meal although they do have ala carte dishes as well. We are okay with the set meal and a seafood sisig on the side which the kids like.

I love this simple dessert of fresh fruits on a coconut shell with muscovadao.

     Kalui is not the best restaurant in Puerto but it is definitely one of them. Dining in Kalui is an experience not only of taste but of a concept, a lifestyle. The owner's attention to detail when it comes to the interiors in interesting and constantly evolving. It is so intimately placed out there for all to enjoy from the floor seating in some areas to a mini library in the mezzanine floor, the fabrics, the freshness all around. A friend of mine once exclaimed, "Ang saya!' ("Happiness!")

 

     So if you are ever in Puerto Princesa, especially if it is your first time, don't miss Kalui.



Want to know more about our city. Click here.

Or email me for my city guide.


    

Love At First Collage

    

     Are you a magazine junkie like me?

     Well, last weekend I discovered why God made me one. I was going to fall in love (at first sight) with collage making and my first ever collage making class involved the use of old magazines.

     To me it was not a 'making something out of nothing' thing but since I love my magazines. I turned something I love, detached myself from them (The first exercise was to look through the magazines and tear off what catches your eye.)  and make them into something else. For me it was some experience.

     It helps a lot that my teacher is my old friend, Toots Magsino

Toots is the one standing with the big smile.

     I've loved Toots since high school. She just got back from New York which where she trained and has made a name for herself as an artist. She is truly gifted. =-) ....And now she is my teacher and a very giving one at that.

Even to late comers...

     The class was very engaging and I was surprised how personal it felt.

Look at Vicky making 'kopya". hehehe!

    At the end of the class everyone had big smiles on their faces. The special thing about it was everyone was happy for everyone and our work. It was a lovely Saturday morning!
    
     This is what I brought home with me....

The class is on-going and still accepting those who wish to enroll. Please email me asmaslog@yahoo.com for more info or click here.

    

Not Too Shabby, Not Too Chic

     When we began the task of decorating my husband's remodeled family home in Puerto Princesa, a city in Palawan,  one the Philippines' island provinces. We were just so blessed with so much to work with.  Though the house lacks in what I always call 'good bones', the project managed to maintain a balance of pleasant surprises. There were more than wonderful vintage pieces to start with, tableware and a family history eager to be told

     But one thing it did not have though were good bedding. Fortunately my mom 'donated' a lot of hers and I also threw in some of my old ones from our Manila home. What missy matchy??? Uh, yuh!

      As I was looking at the pile of old bedsheets, flat sheets, comforters, there were no pillow cases, the decorating process went from shabby to shabby chic. The pretty prints became pivotal to the interiors of the rest pf the house.  All I needed were even more mismatched pillow cases. Easy as pie during the next home sale at a local department store. =-)

    
     This is how it worked out...

 

        So when in doubt, stop worrying about being missy-matchy, ( I just made up that term) go for a color scheme, mix, match and love it!

 We do!=-)