All Posts By

Jay E. Tria

Tourism

Things to Do on a Fall-Winter Trip to Korea: What to Wear

Posted on December 8, 2014

I live in a tropical country that knows only two seasons – heat and rain. So understandably, I was in a little bit of a panic when I found out that late November in Korea – where they enjoy four seasons – was already the transition from fall to winter. The sudden drop in average temperature from 12 degrees C to 7 and below in the week of our stay was testament to that, and Korean winter is notoriously bitter, with harsh winds coming straight from Siberia. In the two weeks leading to our trip I researched blogs, rounded up thick jackets, hoarded thermals and overdosed on winter survival tips. I like my trips cool, but the cold does bother me.

Now I can enumerate below my personal tips for surviving fall-winter in Korea. I survived without catching a cold, mind. I’m very proud of that. Continue Reading

Movie Review

Review: Miracle in Cell No. 7

Posted on December 8, 2014

Let me warn you by saying that a movie hasn’t made me cry tears of blood in a long time until Miracle in Cell No.7 (flashback to The Fault in Our Stars and A Moment to Remember). I’ve been seeing this movie mentioned in many Facebook statuses, often followed with the words/emojis “feeling sad”. Curious and fueled by the discovery that it stars the angelic Park ShinHye, I sat in front of my laptop and pressed play. I should have brought a fresh box of tissues.

Movie Review

Review: Lupin III

Posted on December 8, 2014

Maybe it is because I watched Lupin III in the midst of the sheer glory of the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy. Maybe it is because I haven’t met a multi-language movie that I liked. Or maybe because this is the first time I’m watching an Oguri Shun film in an actual theater and not just a subbed torrent or DVD, and I had such high expectations. (At least that’s one thing off my lesser-dreams bucket list). Try hard as I did, biased as I am, I found it hard to sincerely like this movie.

Movie Review

Review: Rurouni Kenshin The Legend Ends

Posted on October 15, 2014

All good things come to an end, they say. The prompt answer to this is “BUT WHY??”, but somehow, director Keishi Otomo, the legend Takeru Satoh and crew were able to give good, reassuring reasons as Battousai says goodbye.

From the very title of the film, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends had distinct words of finality, no matter how much fans wanted to deny it. As the movies from the franchise kept coming out better and stronger than the last, it was hard to accept an end to such deliciously addictive samurai live action/full on manga geek franchise. But separation anxiety aside, Otomo and Satoh’s dream team delivered a worthy denoument. Let’s break it down.

Tourism

Things to Do on a Budget Trip to Baler

Posted on October 6, 2014

Baler on a budget is a lot less tricky than say Palawan, Cebu or even Baguio on a budget. The beautiful coastline province of Aurora welcomes everyone – including your tight purses – with open suntanned arms. All you really need to bring are your trusty walking shoes, your water gear, an appetite for seafood and adventure, and a whole lot of sunblock.

Healthy Living Tourism

Review: Lasema Jjimjilbang Spa

Posted on September 1, 2014

I saw the deal in Living Social right after watching Man from the Stars. So I’m sure you can understand why it was an easy purchase. Years of watching Korean dramas, movies, and reality shows have exposed me to curious case of Korean type spas, or jjimjilbang 찜질방. Finally founding one in Philippine shores only means one thing: time to put on that pink shirt and shorts set. (Cue GongChan and YooRin memories)

Awww My Girl was a super great drama. Must find time to rewatch it. Anyway, jjimjilbang is a gender-segregated public bath house, furnished with hot tubs, dry saunas and massage rooms. Lasema Spa, located inside the Makati Golf Club in Malugay, Makati, boasts of the complete set of these amenities. So how does it work?