DAY 1: Good Morning Manila!

After a wonderful farewell from our family, these two happy campers got on a jetplane and headed out for a new adventure!

My name is Eliza Farol and that's my brother Jason Farol.  You may recognize that handsome mug from a TV show in the states called Duets where he paired with Kelly Clarkson to make it to the finale. If you live in Manila and the surrounding areas you may know his face from, oh I dunno, all the blown up banners and billboards popping up around town...i'm getting ahead of myself.
Let's start with the first day...

ARRIVAL

We landed in Manila at 4am local time and were welcomed by our new Viva Recording Family.  Jason got his first taste of TMZ style paparazzi at the airport terminal that morning and we were also greeted by some family members who woke up extra extra early just to say good morning to us!

After 13.5 hours of plane food and playing the don't-drool-on-your-neighbors-shoulder game we were ready for a power nap.  My new best friend Warren, our road manager, dropped us off at our hotel in Makati and we were delighted to see that we would be right next the Glorietta and the Greenbelt.

Thank you Viva Family for surprising us upon our arrival with Jason's Debut Album!!

EXPLORATION

Sleep?  What's that?  We were ready to explore our new digs and what Makati does best...the mall!  After a delish breakfast at our hotel (dude they serve Arroz Caldo for breakfast.  Need I say more?) and a quick currency lesson for Jason we were off to the Glorietta.

Jason: 30 cents for water?!?!  I love it here!

Now, what do you do on your first night in a different country?  You call Angelo Mendez and Noelle Bonus to take you on a random night of city fun.

Our first dinner in Manila was at Cafe Cureux, a French restaurant in the Philippines (who da thunk).  Apparently the Ex Pat community is growing in Manila which brings a wonderful diversity to the city.

Banana Rum shots distilled on site

After an amazing meal and some banana rum shots we were told that we were in the Red Light District.

Cafe Cureux

I don't know about you friends, but when I think Red Light District I think...

That's right!  Midget Boxing!!!!!

From Left:  Eliza, Jason, Noelle, Angelo

I know what your thinking.  But if this is wrong I don't want to be right.  Plus it was another excellent lesson for Jason in the art of deciphering between the women of the night and woMEN of the night.

Noelle:  That one's a dude.
Jason:  That one's a dude??
Ate:  That one's a dude too.
Jason:  That one's a dude too??
Angelo:  That one's totally a dude.
Jason:  Crap!

Best game ever!  And the boxing wasn't too terrible either.

Ringside Seats

The Smoky Bastard

To top off the night Angelo took us to a hidden gem of the city:  The Blind Pig.  This is truly my favorite type of bar.  A secret knock and a Braille sign?  I'm in!  I love a good speakeasy especially when the mixologists really know what they're doing.  The Smoky Bastard was my first drink, a smoked whiskey with maple syrup...dude...I know...amazing.

The Blind Pig entrance

What a way to celebrate our first night!  Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!










Lessons of the Day:
- wipe the top of your San Mig before you drink
- If you have to think about it, it's probably a dude
- random nights are the best nights

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” 

-Lao Tzu