I am beyond ecstatic. I was just awarded "Lawyer of the Year" for Franchise Law by Corporate LiveWire!

Every year, the research team of Corporate LiveWire looks for lawyers from all over the world who have demonstrated consistency, excellence and success in their jurisdiction and field of expertise. After four months of screening, online voting/feedback, and judging of finalists, the winners are awarded "Lawyer of the Year." The winners are announced and recognized in a special online publication by Corporate LiveWire.

This year, I have the extreme honor of being named "Lawyer of the Year" for Franchise Law in the Philippines! Franchise Law as a field of law in the Philippines is practically at its infancy. The legislation is minimal and best practices are still being developed and refined. Because it is so raw, I find it quite exciting! To be recognized in this field is absolutely surreal, and I am so glad I got to represent my law firm, Bengzon Negre Untalan Intellectual Property Attorneys. BNU reprezent!

Thank you, Corporate LiveWire!

See the other winners here.

Mike and I spent the Chinese New Year holiday this year food-tripping at Tagaytay with our then three-month old Terrynator. After basking in the sun at The Cliffhouse, we decided to have late lunch at Buon Giorno! Caffe and Bistro.

When Mike and I spent our first wedding anniversary in Tagaytay, we capped off our itinerary with lunch at this Italian restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience then and especially liked their mango cheesecake. Our return to Buon Giorno! was similarly satisfying, but we opted not to have dessert anymore.

Family picture.

Pumpkin soup. Oldie but a goodie.

Spinach cannelloni. Super good when warm.

Enjoying the bench by the window.

So far, all the items we have tried at Buon Giorno! have been really good, and the prices are very reasonable.

TIP: They have a lovers' table coined "Opium Bed," but it seems a bit stuffy and doesn't offer a view. We prefer the tables beside the railings, which in my opinion, offer better ambiance and an awesome view of the Taal volcano. It's always packed so better to go there at off-peak hours.

Buon Giorno! is located at The Cliffhouse. Here's their number: (046) 413 2102

Mike and I spent the Chinese New Year holiday this year food-tripping at Tagaytay with our then three-month old Terrynator. We practically spent the whole morning eating (Breakfast at Antonio's then Bag of Beans). Naturally, by lunch time, we were still full. To while away the time, we enjoyed the cool breeze, bright sunlight and great view of the Taal volcano at The Cliffhouse.

I was still getting used to shooting with Ewan, so I got to practice by having a mini-photo shoot.

It was a bright and laid back two hours with my boys. Mike was also able to get a few shots of me with Nate, but this one is my favorite of the bunch.

When we finally felt slightly hungry, we decided to have a late and light lunch at Buon Giorno (see next post), one of several eating joints at The Cliffhouse.

Mike and I spent the Chinese New Year holiday this year food-tripping at Tagaytay with our then three-month old Terrynator. After hitting Breakfast at Antonio's, we headed off to Bag of Beans for our dessert and coffee.

We have been to Bag of Beans several times and always return for our favorite dessert, their blueberry cheesecake.

I personally think this is the best blueberry cheesecake I have ever tasted. And I have tried A LOT of blueberry cheesecakes. I'm not entirely sure, but I think there is white chocolate somewhere there. Anyway, pair it with Bag of Beans' refillable house brew and you are completely set. It's not that pricey either--totally bang for the buck! Since Nate fell asleep that time, we really took our time lounging at Bag of Beans enjoying our dessert and coffee.

Bag of Beans is located along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City. Tip: There's ample parking at the back.

Mike and I spent the Chinese New Year holiday this year food-tripping at Tagaytay with our then three-month old Terrynator. Our first stop was Breakfast at Antonio's.

We read so many rave reviews about Breakfast at Antonio's. So we were pretty excited to find out for ourselves just how good the breakfast joint really is.

We arrived a little past 8 in the morning and the restaurant's parking lot was already full. We had to park by the roadside, but still in front of the restaurant. We waited 30 minutes to be seated. The waiting area was packed!

We got one of the tables near the window, which to us offered the best spot in the house--bright, chilly, with a view to boot.

Mike and Terrynator, basking in the chilly morning sunlight.

Family picture.

Nate having his breakfast.

The menu was extensive and everything looked really interesting. Mike and I usually order two different dishes and share, so that we get to taste both dishes. Mike chose the Eggs Benedict while I chose the Reuben Sandwich. For drinks, Mike had the Hot Chocolate, while I had the White Chocolate.

Eggs Benedict.

Reuben Sandwich.

Hot Chocolate.

White Chocolate.

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The Eggs Benedict was on the petite side, but the taste made up for the size. I was not a fan of the smoked ham which was a bit tart, but Mike said he liked it. On the other hand, the Reuben was gigantic and quite filling--a bit dry though. Our hot chocolate beverages were extremely rich and comforting.

Overall, the food was ok, just really pricey. For so little, we paid over a thousand pesos already. I suppose that's how much the Tagaytay ambiance cost.

Honeybuninski enjoying the cold weather.

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But Nate enjoyed the chill, so we're happy!

Breakfast at Antonio's is located along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Barangay Bagong Tubig, Tagaytay City. Tip: Get any table beside the windows.

During my maternity leave, in between nursing and making decorations for Nate's christening, I would take pictures of our newborn. There was a duality in that setup. I was the photographer, but being the mother of the newborn, I was also the client. The photographer sees the shot as an artwork, and rarely has a connection with the subject. But the mother sees the shot as a documentary--a way to freeze the moment and immortalize her memories of her child. It was then, under that duality, that I slowly began to figure out the style of photography that I want to pursue:

Portraits with a photojournalistic approach. Pictures that reflect the lifestyle and personality of the baby/child/family. Shots that document the moments that the parents wish to remember forever. Images that are as natural as possible. Lifestyle portraiture under natural lighting.

These are the kind of pictures that I want to have of my own growing family. These are the kind of photos that I would frame or make an album of. Not the Photoshop-ed baby with perfect skin and zero blotches. Not the postcard perfect family that I would not even recognize was my own.

I started by taking pictures of Nate. Now that I am also doing photo shoots of other families, I thought it would be apt to share the pictures that I took of Nate when he was just weeks old. Here is my set on the itty bitty parts of our bundle of joy. I no longer removed the baby pimples and the molting skin because I wanted to remember him exactly the way he was when these pictures were taken.

Here is hoping there are other parents out there who also appreciate the kind of niche photography that I want to pursue, and maybe they would let me take photos of their family.

During my maternity leave, in between nursing and making decorations for Nate's christening, I would take pictures of our newborn. There was a duality in that setup. I was the photographer, but being the mother of the newborn, I was also the client. The photographer sees the shot as an artwork, and rarely has a connection with the subject. But the mother sees the shot as a documentary--a way to freeze the moment and immortalize her memories of her child. It was then, under that duality, that I slowly began to figure out the style of photography that I want to pursue:

Portraits with a photojournalistic approach. Pictures that reflect the lifestyle and personality of the baby/child/family. Shots that document the moments that the parents wish to remember forever. Images that are as natural as possible. Lifestyle portraiture under natural lighting.

These are the kind of pictures that I want to have of my own growing family. These are the kind of photos that I would frame or make an album of. Not the Photoshop-ed baby with perfect skin and zero blotches. Not the postcard perfect family that I would not even recognize was my own.

I started by taking pictures of Nate. Now that I am also doing photo shoots of other families, I thought it would be apt to share the pictures that I took of Nate when he was just weeks old. Here is my bed shoot set. I had a ton of fun doing this one, with Nate doing all sorts of poses and expressions. I no longer removed the baby pimples and the molting skin because I wanted to remember him exactly the way he was when these pictures were taken.

Here is hoping there are other parents out there who also appreciate the kind of niche photography that I want to pursue, and maybe they would let me take photos of their family.