Seoul. Let me guess, you've recreated the scenes in your favorite K-drama and walked the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in traditional Korean garment? Feasted on street food along Myeongdong? Snapped your shots of coffee and cakes at the cafes? 

Large canvases at Leeum's Museum 2

Installation art at Leeum's Museum 2

Scuplture at Leeum's Museum 2

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Wall of Blades, 2023. Jung Yeondoo. MMCA Seoul

Yin and Yang 2023.. MMCA Seoul

The museum’s collection is said to reach around 10,000 artworks, including pieces by famed contemporary Korean artists Go Hui-dong, the first Korean painter to adopt Western styles; Park Su-geon, a self-taught artist known for his unique painting style and colors; abstract artist Kim Whan-Ki; and a list of celebrated international artists like prominent pop art movement figure Andy Warhol; Fluxus art movement founder Joseph Beuys; sculptor Jonathan Borofsky, and many more. 

Jung Yeondoo-One Hundred Years of Travel, MMCA Seoul

Yin and Yang 91-L 13. Kim Kulin. MMCA Seoul

Yin and Yang-Car, 2023. MMCA Seoul

Why is MMCA hard to miss? Its address is right beside the most visited tourist attraction, the Gyeongbokgung, and for green tea foodies, the Osulloc Tea House is in the museum complex.


The K Museum of Contemporary Art (KMCA). Opened in 2017, the six-level museum in the heart of Gangnam-gu is the largest private museum in its district. Its aim is to engage, excite and encourage the audience to gain appreciation and joy in contemporary art. KMCA has hosted a number of innovative art projects including exhibitions, performances and educational programs, and will continue doing so.

K Museum of Contemporary Art in Gangnam-gu

Rectangle Face. Lee Song-Joon. KMCA

Oil on canvas 2022. Heo Jineui

Oil painting by Jung Sunok

Also published in the Manila Bulletin newspaper & website: Art & Seoul: Tripping on modernism in K-pop city

Film, fashion, music, cuisine, the Korean wave has engulfed the globe. South Korea is dominating the scenes, and just about every fan wants a bite of the big K. The country is on the travel radar now more than ever. 

In the capital city, Myeongdong is a Pied Piper playing tunes that lures in the crowd, especially the first-time travelers. Its bright lights and energy are seductive. It’s an exciting district day and night, a go-to neighborhood for recreation, shopping and dining. From luxury labels to homegrown brands, major department stores to small shops, and an array of cuisines from casual dining restaurants, themed cafes to the night market’s street food feasting, you’ll find it in the district. To resist the unique allure of Myeongdong is a challenge. 

If Myeongdong's unique charm is your cocktail of preference, why stray far? Live where the action is! In Seoul’s popular districts like Myeongdong, there are several hotels to choose from. Depending on your preferences—brand, looks, location, cost, amenities— the list will be narrowed down to one or two that will catch your fancy. And if you love living every exciting second of the dynamic district to the max, one hotel will make this possible. 

At the heart of the vibrant zone, steps away from the most happening streets, is a hotel that mirrors the energy and spirit of Myeongdong— Moxy. The Marriott brand puts the capital F in fun with its playful yet stylish vibe that resonates in its soul. The excitement and energy is seamless between the lively streets of Myeongdong and the halls of Moxy.

Moxy will appeal to the young at heart and free-spirited traveler, those who live in the moment and welcome new experiences openly. With its attractive price point, you can splurge on the experiences that matter most to you during your travels. 

Welcome to Moxy Seoul Myeongdong. Barely a year old, the young hotel promises a unique experience, and it starts at the doorstep. You get enveloped in a visual treat with its contemporary interior dotted with art installations worthy of museum space. This modern vibe moves with you as you make your way through the other chambers, including the all-important central social space. It’s a space that encapsulates the hotel’s thrust in accentuating the “more” in its “less is more” concept—Bar Moxy. 

Designed with an industrial chic aesthetic— bold and inviting, surprising and oozing with energy with its polished concrete floors, exposed beams and open ceiling, Bar Moxy is where everything transpires, the hub of the hotel’s activities. This bar does not only serve you ‘Got Moxy’ cocktail upon arrival (it’s on the house, of course), it will also serve your room key. Yes, this is THE hotel’s check-in counter. Moreover, Bar Moxy is also the dining room, the library and play zone, the living area and cocktail lounge, accessible 24/7 with a self-service grab-and-go concept allowing you access to what you want, whenever you want it. Day to night, coffee to wine, check-in to check out, it’s the one space where travelers and locals alike can hang-out with friends and meet new ones. Functional and fun, Moxy Bar gives a new meaning to the phrase “full service bar.” 

Manning the bar is the Moxy Crew. Trained in the “art of improv,” the skilled and energetic crew can think outside the box and roll with anything guests require. Ask about what to expect from Moxy and they will surprise you with Moxy’s fresh new twist on the amenities with Moxy ‘Hookups’. It’s creative, which will make you say that Moxy is indeed unlike other hotels.

The bedrooms stage a pop of ingenuity. Less is more, small yet smart. The spaces highlight an impressive intermix of edgy with functionality. Each of the 205 tech savvy rooms presents an open storage concept that features a peg wall that hangs clever, modular design featuring custom furniture that is dual purpose and foldaway. Personalize your space. Choose and unfold the units you need for work, dining or entertaining, the room will adapt to your needs. In turn, the peg wall serves as clothes storage eliminating the need for cabinetry which maximizes the floor space for uninterrupted movement. 

Now, the bathroom. Perhaps the vital area for world travelers and Moxy will not disappoint. Its industrial look is bold in black and white, functional with a one-compartment layout for shower, and vanity that features Moxy's signature MUK toiletries. If you’re in love with Japan’s heated seat lavatory, your Moxy room has it. 

Any globetrotter will encounter surprises, and Moxy’s unconventional approach to unique and fun hospitality will surely be one. The hotel boldly breaks the rules of a conventional hotel stay. When heading to Seoul, experience the vibrant energy of Myeongdong on the streets and inside Moxy. 

“The opening of Moxy Seoul Myeongdong will unlock the destination for guests to our city through creative, cultured guest experiences while at the same time, celebrating nonconformity, open mindedness and originality,” said James Lee, Cluster General Manager, Le Méridien and Moxy Seoul Myeongdong. “We look forward to welcoming guests to explore and discover all that Seoul has to offer.” 

Visit the Moxy Hotel website.

Also plublished in the SunStar website & SunStar Davao newspaper.

For more travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com

For lifestyle stories, visit www.dduriandaily.com

Good morning! And it will always be a good morning waking up to a captivating sight of the horizon casting colors of yellow, orange, red as the sun rises over the Sibuyan Sea. What makes it priceless? It’s a “daily catch” in this part of the island paradise of Boracay.

Northeast of Boracay Island is the beachfront enclave of Boracay Newcoast. It’s Megaworld’s 150-hectare integrated tourism development, a private community for those who seek solace in one of the world’s most popular beach destinations. Facing East, it’s an address that greets the first light of day. 

However, there’s more to Boracay Newcoast than glorious sunrises. Since it broke ground, it is constantly evolving. Across the rolling terrain two homegrown hotel brands have risen, Savoy and Belmont, with a third opening soon. It has become a favorite spot for lovers of the island and sunrise chasers who fly in for some R&R. But if it’s business that brought people in, the island relaxes the work vibe. The sea breeze, blue sky and verdant path make the walk from the hotel to the convention center as calming as a stroll by the beach. 

Where’s the beach, you ask. It’s an easy-breezy stroll not too far from the hotels’ doorsteps through the Promenade, Grand Plaza and Boardwalk. Boracay Newcoast is blessed with a generous stretch of coastline it can call its own. If privacy is what you cherish when stretched on the powdery white sand to get a tan or dip in the crystal clear water of the Ilig-Iligan beach, as the island locals refer it to, then you're on the right spot. From the exclusive beach and accessible on foot, is a view of the famed Boracay Keyhole, its natural formation makes for an alluring addition to the picturesque beachscape’s charm. 

One at a time, shops are unveiled. It’s a glimpse of a bustling Ibiza-inspired commercial and retail strip happening soon. Food? Aside from the hotels’ restaurants, dining spaces at the Newcoast beach lay a feast at sundown. Tired? How about a relaxing therapy at the spa? 

It’s not a surprise if Boracay Island’s charm lures you to stay longer. Or perhaps even entice you to nestle in its bosom in permanence. Boracay Newcoast was conceived for the likes of you. 

Many have chosen to own a unit in one of the several upscale residential condominiums. Today, the Oceanway Residences condominiums are home addresses to a few and a vacation house for others. A few more towers are set to finish soon. Or perhaps you opt to build a dream house in the exclusive residential village and villas? Go ahead. 

Soon at the Boracay Newcoast, the daily rising sun will wash its morning rays over the estates growth: luxury and boutique hotels; the shophouse, commercial and retail districts; wellness and leisure centers, including a golf course; and even a church. 

Remember while the White Beach is where you can catch amazing sunsets, at Boracay Newcoast you will have the sunrise to wake you with a gentle kiss. Everyday.

Also published in the SunStar website & SunStar Davao newspaper.

For lifestyle stories, visits www.dduriandaily.com

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Mactan Cebu International Airport. Long layovers and delayed flights? It is what it is. But what you do with your time is in your hands. Don’t mope. Have a feast! 

Cebu has a myriad of culinary offerings that will take your mind off the not-so-pleasant-incidents the airlines are causing. Some of it is inside the airport terminal— various local lechon brands and delicacies, coffee shops, and restaurants that offer decent meals. Everything is pricier, that’s a given. 

Here’s my all-time, winning solution. I make my way to the hotel just right across the street- to the Waterfront Airport Hotel. What’s inside? Cafe Uno. It's a more comfortable and quiet space where freshly brewed coffee is good, connection to the internet is free, and a menu that lists fab food choices. And if I come at the right time, there’s a buffet spread for breakfast and merienda, occasionally, lunch and dinner, too, if the hotel’s occupancy is high. Wiser? Indeed. Plus, it’s value for your money. 

If you love Pinoy food like I do, then you’re in luck. The current chef is pushing regional cuisine to the forefront, in fact, this is his advocacy. When it comes to Binisaya cuisine, Chef June Fernandez goes back to his roots and revisits his grandparents’ love for this kind of cooking. Now, as the new executive chef of Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan, he aims to elevate the dining experience by highlighting the heartwarming Filipino dishes and adding a modern twist to these classics.

It’s always a brilliant idea to befriend chefs because they can always whip up something special. I will speak from experience having ‘crossed the street’ several times and chose to while my time in between flights from Davao to Boracay, Tokyo and Seoul. 

The chef said the Waterfront Airport Hotel’s menu is in the process of changing. From Chef June’s kitchen came “Baka Mamen,” his version of mami/ramen with chunks of tender beef cooked for hours and poured with rich-tasting soup. This dish instantly gained following upon its release in a pop-up market.

Yet to be introduced on the menu (and I pray it does) are Pinoy favorites that will make anyone drool. The “Keviche” is one. It’s the chef’s take on ceviche and kinilaw, a refreshing dish of fresh fish cubes in thick coconut milk, which gives it a rich, nutty, sweet flavor. Green pepper gives the dish a light kick of spice and the crispy dilis offers a nice contrast of flavor and texture to the dish. 

Chef June makes his own Chorizo Cebu using the family’s heritage recipe. It uses lesser cuts of fat but still retains the flavor expected of the dish. You’ll catch this at the breakfast buffet spread.

If your layover is longer, like a night or two, don’t stray far and request for a room by the poolside. This part of the airport hotel exudes an resort vibe in the island. 

Or how about heading to Waterfront Cebu City, where the hotel houses three of Cebu’s specialty restaurants, Tin Gow (Chinese), La Gondola (Italian) and Mizu (Japanese)? 

At La Gondola, Chef Randy Lagas showcases seasonal dishes that excite the resto’s regulars and perhaps you, too! The brick oven-baked pizza (Carnivora, an all meat pizza) and house-made Pappardelle pasta (Pappardelle Filanti) are in order if it’s your first time. The pizzas and pasta are the bestsellers in this Italian joint. It's delicioso and can be very addicting.

Don’t miss the Carpaccio di polpo con aglio olio e crema di limone (Octopus carpaccio with roasted garlic, extra virgin olive oil & lemon cream). When sliced paper thin, it makes the smokey dish awesome! 

The chef’s Italian Lamb Stew I give top score for its rich flavor and tenderness. Cooked for four hours with aromatics and spices, the chef leaves no trace of gaminess. It’s yum!

The chef’s Italian Lamb Stew I give top score for its rich flavor and tenderness. Cooked for four hours with aromatics and spices, the chef leaves no trace of gaminess. Yum!

Desserts in this place are divine. It’s dusted with sweetness, never overwhelming. Whether it’s the coffee-cocoa concoction of Tiramisu, the light gelatinous fare of panna cotta or the Pistachio Gelato, it’s a truly delightful way to close an Italian meal. Order the three, that’s buono x 3.

Mizu offers a new kind of dining experience and transport you to Japan — the omakase. The chef takes the reins and prepares a special meal with the season’s fresh ingredients.

Sit down and let Chef Ken Imamura surprise you. Here’s a sample. A curated 5-course meal starts with the Tofu Cheese, a truly delectable appetizer. Next was the Shinoda Chakin (shinoda is a dish simmered in a dashi stock flavored with soy sauce, sake, mirin and sugar), chicken wrapped in a tofu sheet with broth, the warmth of which opened up my appetite. Following next, the fresh and almost creamy slice of Sake Sashimi. 

To cleanse the palate, the Cold Noodles Soup to prepare you for the chef’s main course: Ebi Tempura (perfectly cooked prawn) and very tender U.S. Beef Teppanyaki. And to cap the meal, the Green Tea Ice cream. Oishi!

Which dish I loved most? All! It was a meal that took me to a favorite Asian destination, Japan.

Chef Jimmy Low of Tin Gow

Crispy Squid at Tin Gow

Sweet & Sour Pork at Tin Gow

With little time left before I take off, I will have to miss Chef Low’s cooking at Tin Gow. Not. They wrapped up my favorite Sweet & Sour Pork for me to take home to Davao. 

Now, catch your flight home wearing a smile of contentment while rubbing the tummy with glee. It’s always wise to make the best of circumstances that’s beyond anyone’s control. So when you suddenly have time on your hands arriving at the Cebu airport, make it a culinary stopover. 

Here’s a tip: Why not stay longer and stay a night or two. Get comfortable and don’t rush through the delights of your culinary stopover? The rooms at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Waterfront Cebu City are quite comfortable. I slept snugly.

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