Executive Lounge- BGC

Hi, friends! It's been a while since I've posted here, but I wanted to share with you a project I did in BGC (Philippines). 

This space was really meant to be an executive lounge - a space for meetings, and more like a gathering place for our family. We each have our own office and thought this was a good, central location to work together and meet clients once or twice a week.

The reception served as a holding place for deliveries so I kept it small. The entire (silver) shelving system is a privacy screen and was really meant to be full of potted plants. I opted to do that instead of a solid wall so the space doesn't seem too closed off. Right now it just has some decor so it’s low maintenance while nobody is using the space.

You are greeted with an open plan, with workstations for 11 people and 4 guests. We also have a daybed for lounging, which in my case served as my son's corner when I used to work out of this space. 

The entire floor area is in marble, so to help with the acoustics we used lots of wooden furniture, upholstered seats, and an area rug. Roller shades are also being installed this week. 

These glass tables and partitions help to make the space feel lighter. Office spaces tend to feel so cluttered because of all the stations and partitions, so I knew from the start that I didn’t want any solid walls. For storage, we have a credenza behind the 2 executive tables, the overhead cabinets and the shelving system in front. 

I can't believe I'm back

My last post was over a year ago and I'm coming out of Blogger retirement with no makeup, no shoes, and a baby on one hand. Wow. 

I have an hour to write and have my fingers crossed that this becomes a meaningful post, so if you're reading this, I hope you get to the end without getting bored. 

Pangulasian Island by El Nido Resorts (Part 2)

[Read part 1 HERE]

Pangulasian Island by El Nido Resorts (Part 1)

We needed time to de-stress after our wedding reception in Cebu so we planned a mini honeymoon (minimoon or #FakeHoneymoon) immediately after that. We wanted to book a place with good food, beautiful interiors and great service. A lot of people suggested Pangalusian Islands by El Nido Resorts (their newest one) so we took everyone's advice and set aside a 5-day trip after unloading our things in Manila.

PANICKY

I barely have a week left in Manila and I'm going crazy over work + last minute to-dos! Got a couple of blog prizes/giveaways being sent out this week so I do apologise to readers who haven't received their packages- please know that I haven't forgotten! 

I leave on Sunday and I just wanted to capture the energetic view from my window each night. I will miss the never-ending work hours and having the remaining last push energy to drag myself to all the parties and events. BGC is indeed a great and safe place to live in- I could walk at 4 to 5 AM feeling safe with guards greeting me good morning. Feels like the 2.5 years living here just breezed right through. Seven years living in Manila's been both fun and tormenting and I'm definitely ready for the next challenge and city. 

Tons of photos coming up on this blog. Hope everyone's safe in this storm! 

❤

Mt. Arayat- first major day climb [traverse]

Mt. Maculot day climb (traverse)

YOLANDA/HAIYAN

As soon as everyone from my hometown and the other parts of the country prepared for this super typhoon, I was already getting nervous about its effects and I knew I had to prepare myself for the photos and videos that would be posted online... I don't have cable (I choose not to watch TV) at home so I rely on social media for updates about everything around the world. This video just really made me so emotional and angry at the same time -angry because people in these cities were obviously not expecting something like this. They kept repeating that it was going to be a "storm surge" but nobody knew exactly what that meant! 

As of this moment I'm just glad that we were able to get word from our relatives in Abuyog [after 2 days of not being able to reach them] that they're fine and there are no casualties in their town which is just an hour away from Tacloban, the city in Leyte with the most number of reported deaths. Although their house doesn't have a roof anymore, I'm super glad that my grandparents are still okay! Can't say the same for the other cities though and I've stopped myself from watching any more videos of the aftermaths. The bridge to their area is completely wrecked so I have no idea how my uncle is going to get there since he's braving the terrible conditions to bring my grandparents' medication and some food for the rest of the family. 

I know we all have our own ways of helping our countrymen and I'm glad that people are showing that no good deed is too small- it's okay to share that you're doing your part. I don't want to rant about the government officials in my blog anymore... I'm encouraging everyone to make even a small donation or help out in packing relief goods. The Bangon Philippines site isn't so updated but you can find other links to different organisations whom you can donate to on the same page. Unicef also has a simple and secure form you can fill up- just donate any amount you can! 

Christmas is just a few weeks away and I hope you guys have the heart to help out instead of buying excessive gifts. Our country is obviously unprepared for these kinds of disasters. Don't you think we can all sacrifice this year to just helping others out? Imagine all the families with no home to come home to and nothing left in their possession. A day or two of meals, water, medicine and toiletries would surely lift their spirits up for the holidays as we celebrate the season of true self-forgetfulness. 

❤

Touristy

The day after we arrived from Camiguin, we drove to Bukidnon to Dahilayan Adventure Park.

quick weekend trip to Cebu!

Roka Salata

Melitzanokeftedes

(crisp eggplant croquettes with fresh tzatziki dip)

I can still taste my breafkast :))

Seafood Macaronada

Vegetable Souvlaki

Amparito's choice

STOCK MARKET dinner when I arrived from Cebu (Sunday)

:)

vegetable panini

flatbread pizza with mozzarella, arugula, walnuts and mushrooms!

Okay, this was Rami's :))

Flew to Cebu to attend a couple of get-togethers and birthday celebrations. Mum just randomly scheduled a flight for Riz and I, but we flew back to Manila on different days... Met new people from different parts of the globe, saw tons of faces I haven't seen since high school, went on a quick trip to the dentist (lol) and sacrificed some good hours of rest just to squeeze in all of those during the weekend...

------------------------

iPhone/Blackberry pics!!!

(no other choice but to shoot using the 3GS on some occasions)

Thomas was supposed to take a candid photo but we refused and posed for him instead =)) (we were having Twitter sessions)

Got to see my cousin Joy. This was the time we also managed to wolf down a lot of Greek food at Cyma!

Trying on the suspenders for his Don Corleone/mafia costume!

Samurai sword for his costume

Pau had two cute puppehzz and I named them Dolce & Gabbana! :)) I doubt that they'll stick to those names though. LOL!

PJC getting approached by fangirls inside the Bench store (best endorser award! LOL)

As always, CEBU WAS TEH SHIZZZ

:D

Bench Uncut 2010: denim + underwear fashion show- PART 1