Lost Flores

The reason we went to Robinsons Magnolia yesterday was to have lunch at Las Flores. We've been craving for good Paella and croquetas, and this place is one of our go-to spots.

But when we got there, it was already closed!

That makes 2 Las Flores branches that closed already. The first was in Podium, and now Robinsons Magnolia.

Hope this isn't a trend and their other branches don't shutter, too.

One skirt, two ways: Sleeve me alone

Today's after mass lunch was at Robinsons Magnolia, and it's always fun to walk around this mall. The vibe is chill and laid-back, even if it's a Sunday.

Of course, Plains & Prints is on the agenda. Lo and behold, they were on sale. Apparently, it's a Robinsons Mall sale, so only selected branches are part of this.

Some of the items on sale are from the Michael Leyva x Plains & Prints collab from 2024. One item that was on sale that Ate Bullet doesn't have yet is a black skirt with the signature scarf print and a front tie. It's a dressy skirt with an attitude, and it can be worn two ways.

First, pair it with a textured knit top from SM GTW. This has a classic t-shirt style, but rendered in a knit fabric. The ensemble is giving fashion editor.

Second, pair it with a classic, boat neck sleeveless top from Uniqlo. The colour and cut of this top is so French, and it gives the ensemble a Parisian mood.

Amazing how small details - like a sleeve - can give an ensemble a different vibe altogehter.

LFLTAT: Thrift to Tabaco part deux

To prove that the first outfit wasn't a fluke, here's another outfit from my Tabaco ukay-ukay expendition.

This one is giving cool, western vibes. The denim jumper dress is made of soft denim and has an adjustable back. The top is a loose, checkered blouse with extended and puffed sleeves. And when worn together, it gives this fashionable bohemian vibe.

And yes, the price tag is the same - P170 for the ensemble!

Have to go and visit Tabaco again soon.

FMM: Sweet like Candi

While browsing through FB reels yesterday, there was a piece of content about a New Yorker throwing a baby shower.

The visuals didn't really interest me, but it was the soundtrack that caught my ear.

The soundtrack? This catchy ditty from 1976.

"Young hearts frun free," is one of Candi Statons hits. Just like many hits from the 70s, this has the trifecta of a catchy beat, great lyrics and an awesome singer. It's one of hose ditties that give that very chill vibe that you can listen to the whole day.

This is one candi that you're allowed to enjoy everyday.

LFLTAT: Thrift to Tabaco

As a fairly often Tabaco visitor, one of my learnings is that you shouldn't sleep on Tabaco ukay-ukay

The few times that I've been to ukay shops there, I've found a number of fashionable pieces at provincial prices.

And my last trip yielded a number of great outfits, such as this:

The top is a wool vest with a side pleat detail, and the a-line skirt is made of a ponte-wool blend. The color of the 2 pieces are so similar that you'd think that they came as a set, but they didn't.

How much did these 2 pieces cost? P170!

Yes, one hundred and seventy pesos only.

This ensemble alone made the trip worth it.

Hello, Halo

Of course, a visit to Bicol isn't complete without DJC Halo-halo.

This is an icon in Tiwi and- when we were younger - we would just go to Tiwi for this halo-halo. 

They've tried expanding to different parts of Albay. Some succeeded, like this one in Tabaco. It's just walking distance from where we usually stay, so looking for and enjoying it is a lot easier.

Hello again, DJC!

Buy Laws(on)

Finally, Lawson is getting into the onigiri game!

Tried it and must say, their onigiri is pretty good.

Right amount of rice, generous amount of filling, the nori is crunchy and doesn't break apart when you pull the plastic wrapper.

Hope they make this a regular product in all their stores.

Group C(h)at

Looks like their group is expanding.

Now, there's not just one carefree cat in our building.

Yup, he has a companion! And he's just as nonchalant and laid-back as the other.

I'm sure a lot of people would love to be part of this group.

Kuro Kids

Spent Saturday night supporting Kurt & Cza's latest Meraki pop-up.

Of course, Kuro was there.

The event had such a young and laid-back vibe. And staying there for a few hours gave me this realisation.

I'm definitely old.

It's a pake!

Snopake was the correction fluid brand du jour back in my high school days.

Back then, correction fluid had to be part of your pencil case arsenal. Some kids had Liquid Paper, some had Magic Touch, but the fold standard was Snopake.

Nowardays, no one uses correction fluid anymore. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see this during my visit to National Bookstore.

Yes, Snopake is still very much around.

Didn't get to see what they were actually selling, though. Will save that for another visit.

FMM: Beneath me

Being a jazz fan, a large chunk of my 90s life was spent listening to Incognito.

This British acid jazz band was a staple in radio stations during the 90s, and we'd also have their CDs at the office and play it during OT nights.

One of my most listened to songs from this band is this 1996 hit, "Beneath the Surface."

Whenever this song plays, it brings me back to my San Miguel days. That was a very memorable 1 year of my working life, and it gave me a lot of long time friendships that are cherished until now.

So yes, my love for this song is more than surface deep.

Light and Faith

No visit to Tabaco is complete without dropping by the Tabaco Church and offering a few candles for the family and loved ones.

For some reason, doing this in Bicol hits different.

Across the Hall

One thing that always amazes me during my Bicol trips is the fact that it still follows the old Spanish set-up of having a plaza across the City Hall.

Having studied this back in HS and College, the centre of old Filipino towns would have the trifecta of government, religion and commerce. Thus, there would be a city hall, a church and a market situated around the town plaza.

The plaza across the city hall in Tabaco is always bustling with activity and people. Whether it's joggers in the morning, students hanging out in the afternoon, or couples in the evening - there's always some sort of activity happening there. 

And when you're in Bicol, do as the Bicolanos do. That's why I'd hang out in front of the city hall wheneer there's free time.

Ah, the joys of provincial life.

That's great!

Especially if it's St. Gregory the Great!

Yup, my visits to Bicol won't be complete without dropping by St. Gregory the Great Cathedral in Legazpi. 

Yes, I was just here last January, but I'm going to keep coming back to this place whenever possible.

Ancestral Home is where the heart is

Even as a kid, this Ancestral Home in Tabaco always had a special place in my heart.

It's not just because I'm a fan of old Filipino homes and architecture. It's deeper than that.

It's because this ancestral home was once owned by my great-great-grandfather, Mariano Villanueva.

Now, it's a National Heritage site, though it's in a state of disarray. But looking at it, both from afar and up close, you can feel the stories and traditions behind these walls.

Gosh, if I had the means, I'd buy this home and restore it.

Rise and Rejoice

Today, we celebrate the most profound and happiest day of the Holy Week celebration.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Happy Easter!

Sea of Faith

Those words came to my mind while watching the Good Friday procession last night.

There were more than 50 "pasos" and - in my estimate - more than 5,000 people who attended the procession in Tabaco. It was so heartwarming to see a sea of people, carrying candles, ushering the Saints around the Centro.

Truly, Holy week in Bicol hits different.

FMM: Words of Tradition

If there's one thing that was on my agenda on this trip to Bicol, it was to go to Malinao and hear the Siete Palabras.

We did this when we where kids. As early as 1pm, we'd go to Sts. Joaquim and Anne Parish, and we'd listen to the  last words and wait for the image of Christ to breathe his last. Yes, the image of Jesus Christ actually "dies" at 3pm. And, back then, it was a novel sight for a kid from Manila to see.

I'm glad to have witnessed this again, albeit the scriptures and sharing went a bit overtime and the culmination happened around 3:30pm rather than 3:00pm.

One of the songs that they sang during the 7 last words is an old church song that's been a favourite of mine since childhood. And on today's Good Friday Magic Madness, it's only apt to play this song:

"Pananagutan" is a church hymn that was written sometime between the 60s and the 70s. It was written by a Jesuit preist named Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, and has been part of church hymns ever since. 

It's such a classic song that while listening to it this 2026, it still hits the same way as it did when I'd listen to it as a kid in the 80s.

I'm so glad to have heard this, and witness this tradition, after decades.

Big(gs) Time!

One thing that's always on my list during my Bicol trips is eating at Biggs.

That became easier now that they've opened a branch in Tabaco!

Now, that's one item ticked off my list.

View-tiful

I've been to Bicol hundreds of times, but this view still takes my breath away.

Hello again, Mayon! Glad to see you.