Nikki Dy-Liacco, Sana Sta. Ana, and Nina Yuson, all travel writers, were shot several times in Makati last week. The culprit, a photographer named Luis Cruz. The three travel writers, along with their books, found themselves in the sights of Cruz’s camera and ended up with more photos than they bargained for. See some of the images after the jump. [more…]

I took this an office of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers sometime last October. The office, like the wheelchair, is delapidated.

Our country, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be much better.

I don’t know what I would give right now to be lying on the sand. I don’t particularly care if I’m in Boracay or in Batangas - the point is that I’m on the beach.

I’m envious of that Coppertone bottle in the image on the right - it’s only a picture, but at least it’s surrounded by surf, sand, sun, and sky. Me, I’ve only got the latter two.

I want to bask in the sun and go swimming. Yes, I could do that in a pool, but I want something more than that. I want to feel the sea breeze kissing my face. I want to feel the waves lapping at my toes. I want to feel the sand swallowing my feet.

Like I said, I don’t care if I’m in Batangas or Guimaras, Caticlan or Bantayan - I just want to be at the beach.

Tags: beach, Batangas, Boracay, Guimaras, Caticlan, Bantayan, Coppertone, surf, sand, sun, sky, sea breeze, waves, wishes

The 2007 Philippine Blog Awards will be kicking off this afternoon. I, on the other hand, will be heading off this morning. I’m going on a road trip, but unlike many of you, I’m not heading to the RCBC Plaza Auditorium. Nope, I’m heading to Batangas.

I know where I’m going - and I don’t need a map to get there. I don’t need directions. Some of you, on the other hand, might still be lost. Fear not - the organizers of the Philippine Blog Awards have posted a comprehensive guide to getting to the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards.

Whether you’re driving or commuting, these directions will guide you there. Whether you’re coming from North, South, East, West, or whatever direction, this guide will get you there. You have to make sure, of course, that you have your event ticket. Otherwise, no matter where you come from, you’re not getting in.

I’d love to say I’ll see you there, but like I mentioned, I’ll be out of town. I hope you enjoy the awards though, and make sure you post some pictures.

Tags: Philippine Blog Awards, directions, RCBC Plaza

Who pays the bill on a date? How do you respond if you’re straight and a gay person asks you out? What do you do if you see someone crying at work? Is it ever acceptable to talk to a stranger on an elevator? Can you reject a Friendster, Facebook, or MySpace friend request from someone you know?

These are just some of the burning questions answered in the New York Magazine’s Urban Etiquette Guide. Yes, the article is written by a New Yorker and geared towards other New Yorkers, but many of the tips apply no matter what city you live in.

The guide covers a range of topics, including Cell Phones & iPods, Dining, Love & Sex, and even the Office. If you’ve ever been in an awkward situation, you have to read this.

Still not sold? Browse through some of my favorite items from the guide - you just might change your mind.

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My Taiwan trip probably isn’t pushing through.

My forearms are significantly darker than the rest of my body. When I first noticed this, I knew I had to hit the beach soon. This was months ago, and my feet have yet to touch sand. Tomorrow they will. This weekend, I bid goodbye to the city - and embrace the sun, sand, and surf. Come Monday though, it’s back to the smog, steel, and smell of the city.

The jackets in my closet are gathering dust - figuratively speaking, at least. Even in the air-conditioned confines of this building, the temperature rarely drops low enough to make me want to wear an extra layer of clothing. Step outside and the idea of wearing anything warmer than a regular t-shirt becomes ridiculous. Summer is here, and I want to be anywhere but in the city. The beach is the only place for me now. Of course, if the temperature drops by some 10 degrees (or more), I wouldn’t mind the concrete and steel environment so much. It’s a good thing then that I’m heading to Taiwan.

I’ll be flying North in mid-May, staying there for around 10 days. If my memory serves me well, the temperature in Taipei in May will be in the low to mid 20s (in the 70s, for those who use Farenheit). Nice and cool.

Anyway, I feel the need for some hot food in my stomach. I’m off!