Study English in The Philippines ｜Face to Face English School【F2F】 | 11019003_10203755650116288_8637205786211308525_n

“Goals are like bananas, they come in bunches” Coming here in F2F is a first step to achieve your goals. While you’re staying here, you’ll also discover many things that will surprise you. Just like about bananas. Banana is one of the agricultural products here in Tagaytay. We can easily grow bananas in backyard gardens.   Here’s what we can do with bananas in the Phil. 1. Sweetened Bananas It is a traditional Filipino dessert. Ripe saba bananas are boiled in a mixture of brown sugar and water until it gets thicken.   2. Banana cue Banana cue is made with deep fried bananas coated in caramelized brown sugar. The bananas used for this recipe are Saba bananas, which are very commonly used for cooking in the Philippines. It is usually skewered on a bamboo stick, and sold on the streets.   3. Turon Turon is a popular Filipino snack …

The Dining Tables That Never Sleep   Who can say “No” when talking about food? Who doesn’t crave every time you read blogs about different cuisine? And who doesn’t drool over mouthwatering dishes when watching cooking shows? Food is more than survival. With it we make friends, and count our blessings. The sharing of food has always been part of the human story. In the city of Tagaytay some markets have food stalls that do not sleep. Those stalls are in Mahogany Market. They are open 24/7 all year round. Rain or shine, they are always open to serve hungry customers with their delectable dishes. The Cooks and servers often say, “We cook and serve not just tasty food, but we cook and serve with our hearts in it.” Mahogany market food stalls offer various dishes for everyone to enjoy. All ingredients are freshly harvested. The source of meat and …

Creating Possibilities in the Philippines When you travel, baggage becomes a problem especially if it’s a trip abroad. It’s annoying to carry heavy stuffs while wandering around trying to look elegant. You might end up having a long discussion with the airport staffs because of your excess luggage, too. It’s troublesome. Your goal is to relax and not to find more stress.  No worries! The Philippines has got your back! Aside from its breathtaking views, the Philippines has also a lot of malls that you can visit for your OOTD (outfit of the day) without compromising your budget. One of them is Acienda Designer Outlet Mall. It is the very first authentic international outlet mall in the Philippines. It is located along Aguinaldo Highway in Silang, Cavite; 30 minutes away from Tagaytay. It operates from 11 am to 9 pm. You can find your favorite brands (local and international) at …

A table without bread is not a table, but bread is a table on its own.”    – Scottish Gaelic Proverb   Bread is life. This is a common food for breakfast here in the Philippines. Although some Filipinos prefer heavy meals, bread is best matched with brewed coffee to boost up one’s energy in the morning.       Noceda Bakery Address: Aguinaldo Highway, Mendez Crossing West, Tagaytay City 4120         Historical Background Noceda Bakery is a small local shop that was founded by Paterno Noceda way back in the 1940s after World War II. He set up a small bakery within his house in Mendez, Cavite. He started with small-squared biscuits and named it JACOBINA®.   JACOBINA® is a great constitute for any soft bread.   Why do most people eat bread? 　・There is a wide range of breads. 　　People can choose from soft tasty …

Where in the world would you find something for free? In this era of the world where everything cost an arm and a leg, it is difficult to find something free of charge. In the past, people survived because they were dependent to nature especially when it comes to food, however in the world today, people depend on technologies to live. Reminiscing the past, it was truly great to learn that people used to focus in developing agricultural products as a form of livelihood, but people today are transforming those agricultural lands into industrial subdivisions, parks, malls, condominiums and resorts.  Because of this, natural resources that used to be free became exclusive. The fast pacing industrial development of the world affected the growth of agrarian products and it leads for natural resources to become scarce. Fortunately, Face to Face main dormitory, which we called the Red House is surrounded by …

Whenever you are around in Tagaytay make sure you don’t miss to eat Bulalo. One of the most recommended dishes. It’s A massive beef bone soup and I’m pretty sure your mouth is filled with Saliva. You could just imagine the beef has been stewed for a long time ..so good and so tender. They are some vegetables in there ,Chinese cabbage, green onions, corn, chayote, garlic pepper corn..  it would taste a lot better if you put some chili, lemon and then mixed. Who cares about plates, spoon and fork when your eating with filipinos We used to eat with our hands, “kamayan” style. As long as your enjoying our food just eat it with your heart out.. it’ll be great! oh Yeah , The best sawsawan for bulalo is PATIS(fish sauce) + calamansi + sili (chili) . Soy sauce is ok but patis is the bomb. 

Do you feel worried, troubled and doubtful about your English skills? Everyone agrees that studying English is good. It boosts confidence, brightens your career, and allows you to do more things around the world. A quote that says, “Learning another language is like becoming another person.” Just ONE BIG IDEA. One big idea and you can be a better English speaker someday. I am Teacher Cheche. I’m one of the teachers of F2F. Teaching is my passion. It requires great patience and effort to be able to instruct kids, teenagers and adults. I have been teaching English for more than seven years. The stories I have heard from my (former) students could fill a book. Some stories are about giving up, and some are about life experiences that everyone ‘must have’. Perhaps, I want to inspire them – wait, I was supposed to be teaching – how to improve and …

Hi! Today, I will tour you in my healthy lifestyle (hahaha, I am just pretending to be health conscious, but I am not.) Anyways, let’s start. Lemon water is one of my favorites, so let’s go to the lemon world. Lemons can be easily found in the supermarkets. So, if you are on a tight budget, you can make your own lemon water. It’s cheap. Your 20 pesos can buy a piece of lemon.   If you are lazy, you can just buy lemon water in the store which is located at Fora Mall-Supermarket. For 65 pesos, you can have this refreshment. You can also have some adds-ons such as yakult, kiwi, cucumber, orange and calamansi for additional 10 pesos. I personally recommend lemon water with kiwi. It is so refreshing and delicious. Maybe next time, we can go here and try this together.  

Tagaytay is of one of the coconut producers in the Philippines. In the Philippines,”buko” means young coconut and buko is always used for many foods ingredients. You can easily find coconut trees here. Students are usually surprised when they hear or see coconut desserts here in Tagaytay. What can we do with coconut flesh and water? I’ll tell you what we can do. 1. Buko pie Buko pie is a Filipino-style coconut pie made of fresh, young coconut meat combined with a creamy filling and enclosed in a flaky pie crust. The pie is a favorite pasalubong item mostly bought from the area of Tagaytay and Laguna. Stores such as Colette’s, Amira’s and Rowena’s have become iconic destinations for this scrumptious pastry. 2. Buko Juice/Shake Buko juice is very popular in the Philippines and most Filipinos love to drink it, aside from being a refreshing drink it contains health benefits. …

“Sometimes, having coffee with your friend is all the therapy you need.” They say the key to survival is coffee. And having a sip of coffee with friends sponsors a good mood. Studying or simply hanging out in Starbucks Coffee is one of the things we enjoy doing. Your stay in the school is never complete without it. Coffee there might be a little pricey but it’s nothing compared to the quality time spent with people you admire and respect.

  A sari-sari store, or neighborhood sundry store, is a convenience store found in the Philippines. The word sari-sari is Tagalog meaning “variety” or “sundry”. Sari-sari, by the way means all kinds or various. The store sells all kinds of everyday essential goods in miniature packets, or as a single item, which is commonly referred as “tingi”. An individual can purchase a small amount of cooking oil or a piece of egg according to your budget. Even a cigarette can be bought by the stick.   In Tagaytay, the sari-sari store could also be a good place to hang-out. Commonly found outside the stores are wooden benches for customers to consume their purchases like snacks and their favorite drink.     One distinctive thing about the store is that the customer is outside the store. The customer must pinpoint the goods he wants to purchase and the goods are transferred …

We all have our personal weaknesses. YES, EATING ICE CREAM. Light, creamy and sweet. It is possibly the ultimate in satisfying food. Having a terrible day? An ice cream is the answer! (Oops… your waist-line might not be grateful) I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM. Everyone loves ice cream, but why? There’s an endless amount of flavors. No matter what you like, there’s an ice cream flavor out there for you. It is good in every season. It’s the perfect treat for any season. Moreover, it makes your sadness go away. It helps heartaches and major causes of sadness easier to get through. Aside from that, you can eat ice cream anywhere – the possibilities are endless. It also soothes sore throat. It brings the comfort to your home and soothes your aching throat.   Here are some ice creams you can try around F2F, Tagayaty …

I’ve always been a big fan of walking. I read somewhere that when you walk, you get to “kiss” the world with your feet. That was really poetic, I know, but I also think it is quite true– exploring a place can be a simple yet an awesome experience. At Face to Face School, dinner is usually served at 6PM. The students and homestay teachers just like me get to enjoy our food together and chat almost about anything under the sun. Everything seems to be just how it is, doesn’t it? Well, almost except for one thing– we get hungry as the night goes by. That’s the time walking comes handy.     Despite the fact that Tagaytay isn’t as developed and convenient as other bigger cities in the Philippines, there are still some establishments near our dorms which can save our starving tummies. One of them is Mcdonalds, …

What a Cliche: “There’s No Place Like Home” As many people said, home is where they live, but for others, it is where they feel the most wanted, appreciated or involved. Therefore, everyone’s description of home could be different. It could be a specific place where you find comfort, joy, love, support and a sense of consistency or simply refer to “home life”. How about you? Where is your home? Nevertheless, no matter what, people will still continue to use this phrase out of context, so I guess what I’m trying to say is that we should always think before we speak because we don’t always know the implications of what we’re saying. Some things may seem as simple as black and white, but have roots deeper than what you can see from the surface. Look at the view in the photo above, Yes! That’s Taal Lake View where you …

Busy streets, stressful work, tiring school life, daily ritual movement.. It’s suffocating, right? You deserve a break! Thankfully, the Philippines has a lot of good things to offer you. Nuvali is one of the perfect places to visit. It is a master-planned residential, commercial and recreational development complex that has great things for everyone. It is located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, just more than 30 minutes away from Tagaytay, accessible through vans for commuters, more or less 150 Php ($2.88) back and forth. Here are some of the tranquilizing things you can do in Nuvali:   1 Koi Fish Feeding If you are with a kid or you are a kid inside, Koi fish feeding will be the best for you. It is one of the most popular activities you can do in Nuvali. Koi are ornamental and omnivorous fish. They help to keep the lake clean. You would be …

Pretty much, I can sum up everything that I want to say in “I love teaching English” simply because that is the truth. Period. But my boss isn’t going to like a 1-sentence introduction so I have to lengthen it. It’s been weeks since I received the news that I have to write an introductory blog about myself. Man, I still don’t know what to say about myself. So let me just tell you about pizza, and how much I love it, and how much I would die to eat it every moment of my life. My student recently noticed that I often use “pizza” in my examples. It scared me that I was unconsciously telling others how addicted I am to pizza. Please, forgive me. You see, the feeling that I have for pizza is equally the same as what I have for English. I love English as much …

Good day everyone! T. Em here for another blog… For today, I will be sharing about a “bread icon” in the Philippines, but before that try to understand this, Every country has a nationally beloved bread. Example: French- croissants, San Francisco- sourdough, and Italy- focaccia. For Philippines – pandesal. It is a type of bread that Filipinos love and pair with a lot of things and can be eaten not just for breakfast but also for snack. I give you the “Pandesal” (Filipino Bread Roll)    For some Asian countries, “bread” is a staple food, just next to “rice” the same goes in the PH (PH = Philippines) but when we talk about breakfast food we cannot put aside the fact that many Filipinos love bread and one of the favourite is the “Pandesal”. Originally, the name “pandesal” means “salt bread” in Spanish where it originated but contrary to the …

SEA Games 2019 in the Philippines   As part of the South East Asian Nation, the Philippines was chosen to host the 30th South East Asian Games. It’s a sporting event held every four years in different countries which is part of this organization. It aims to have good relationship between countries to promote camaraderie with the theme motto this year, “We win as one”. 11 members of Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) were expected to take part in this said event. These countries will be sending their athletes to represent their respective countries.  Brunei  Cambodia  Indonesia  Laos  Malaysia  Myanmar  Philippines  Singapore  Thailand  East Timor  Vietnam   The said sporting event will be held in several places throughout the country. Luckily, Tagaytay was chosen as one of the participating places to hold these matches.   applied to give for the said occasion.The Tagaytay Oval was being reconstructed and converting some …

Hello I’m teacher Amy. I’ve completed my studies at Lyceum of the Philippines, Manila – Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Service major in Political Science. I had worked at Philippine Airlines, Flight Operations Department located at NAIA Road, Gate 1 Metro, Manila. Thereafter, I worked at Hyatt Regency Hotel as a Receptionist then to Sheraton Hotel, Harrison Plaza Manila. I had lived in the United States of America for about eighteen years. During my early years in Los Angeles, I have held several jobs from AMC Theater in Beverly Hills; as a Guest Relations/Customer Care Representative, and to numerous office works at Downtown Los Angeles, to Baldwin Park, and North Hollywood; as a Receptionist, Office Clerk/Admin, Accounts Receivables, Payables, Collections, and Bookkeeper – primarily focusing on accounting related jobs. Consequently, I had worked for almost 13 years as a Financial Accounting Specialist in Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA. Our office is …

Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” –Henry Ford Education never stops in what you have or had achieved, rather it’s the endless possibilities thereafter. Nowadays, there are more courses offered for skills enhancement and creativity. One of them is the English language proficiency course. Learning English is important, and people around the world decide to study this as their second language. Wolverine, Madame Tussauds, Hong Kong Darth Vader, Makati Hi, I’m Teacher Jane, and I’m a traveler, foodie, writer, and an enthusiast of things related to nature, science, the arts, literature, and comic-book characters. I’m not only an educator, but also a class disciplinarian, mentor, planner, and a builder in F2F. Through years of teaching in different schools and with hundreds of students, only in F2F did I experience “Hogar dulce hogar.” That’s the Spanish for “Home sweet home.” …

Many people settle for less not because they can’t do anything about it but because they are afraid they might fail. Most of us consider failure and difficulties as the end of everything, we give up trying and we choose to stay miserable and unsuccessful. Why should we where in fact, there’s hope? We can be successful, we can have fun. Learning English is the key! Why should we learn English? English is the Language of International Communication    According to research, English is the official language of 53 countries, spoken by over 400 million people and the most second language in the world. It is the language a lot of us can understand. Travelers of course have chances to speak to people with different cultural background as they go overseas. In order to communicate with them, English is needed. English is the Language of Business  Companies, both international and …

Why choose Tagaytay? Simply because everything is just around the corner. Especially, if you love to try different kinds of food, here is the best place that you should visit. From fancy restaurants to street foods, we’ve got it all for you! You won’t feel hungry or bored. There are many places to go to. Transportation is accessible. If you want to have more adventure, just walk along the highway, for more excitement and sight-seeing. People are so approachable; you won’t hesitate to ask.   You’d better book now a flight to the Philippines and see you soon!  

Learning a second language is not as easy as eating marshmallows or as fast as blinking, but not as difficult as climbing mountains or digging diamonds. Learning another language is a process that can sometimes be frustrating and discouraging. “How can I learn and use another language that sounds just as normal as my own, especially on a daily basis?” “How can I study abroad if I always miss my home and my family? “How could I live in another country if my culture were different?”   Worry no more! Face to Face Language and Culture School is   where learning English becomes a leisure… Face to Face Language and Culture School is located in Tagaytay City, Philippines. A place where a city and countryside meet. Its altitude and cool climate give everyone space to breathe and a retreat from a stressful city life.   Studying English in Face to …

  Hi I’m teacher Tanya, and I’m a part of Face to Face family. I am competent to adapting teaching methods and instructional tackles to meet learners’ varying demands and interests. I’ve taught various levels of English learners and handled different areas of the English language, though most of the time I handle Speaking classes. I help learners improve their speaking skills, but more importantly I encourage them to be more confident and comfortable in using the English language. I make sure that the students will have more opportunity to share their ideas and practice spontaneity. Enjoying the food and amazing view at Bag of Beans Restaurant in Twin Lakes, Tagaytay Taken at Samba Bluewater Resort with Inflatable Island, Olongapo, Zambales Studying the English language can be challenging, it doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. Learning doesn’t only happen in the four corners of the classroom. Enjoying a good …

Tagaytay is popular tourist destination where you can experience cool temperature with beautiful nature. You can also try different kinds of cafes, restaurants, shopping malls and ukay ukay here. Tagaytay has been a thrift shopping place for tourists especially for foreigners, ukay-ukay is one of the examples. It is a store wherein secondhand apparels like clothes, bags, shoes and other accessories are being sold at very cheap prices. There are lots of good and unique pieces here, too.     Local and tourists enjoying their staying or vacations here in Tagaytay because aside from its weather and close to nature, you can also experience good malls and groceries with very cheap prices. Like, Ayala malls, Robinsons, Fora Malls, etc. Here in Tagaytay you can experience the local culture and charm while looking for unique items to bring home.     “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where …

Donut you like promos? It’s the “Ber Months” again in the Philippines which means sales and promos are again aplenty due to the coming Christmas season. One of my favorite promos is the discounted donuts of Krispy Kreme! You can choose from different promos ranging from donut and coffee combo to half a dozen glazed donuts or a dozen mixed donuts which are a great treat for families or friends. To make things even better, they also offer the Originals Card. It is 195 php and you can get a free half a dozen Original Glazed donuts upon completing your registration.  On top of that, you can get the same freebie on succeeding orders of a dozen donuts with a maximum of 6 freebies a month. You will also get 3 free donuts on your birthday. The card can also be used for other discounts in all Max Group restaurants. …

If this isn’t your first time on this home page, you probably already know that people at Face to Face School live for coffee. And where else is the best place to have an afternoon cup of your favorite coffee but Starbucks! However, what if all of a sudden, you realize you were running out of money, and you checked your pocket only to find that you only had a 100 peso bill left? Well, that wouldn’t have been a problem if you had been in the Philippines these past few weeks.   Earlier in August, Starbucks Philippines announced its 100 Peso Frappuccino on Wednesdays Promo. It’s quite simple really—from July 31st to September 4th, coffee-lovers had a chance to purchase a Grande Frappuccino at Starbucks from 3PM to 6PM for only 100 pesos. You read it right—for only 100 pesos! That was a good opportunity to enjoy a variety …

The Philippines hosted the second leg of the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix tournament at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna from October 4 to 6, 2019. When my friend (Joey Magobo) sent me the schedule of the tournament on my messenger last Wednesday (October 2, 2019), I got very excited to witness the memorable event live. I cancelled all my Saturday and Sunday appointments. Volleyball is life.   Going to the sports complex was fun. Asking mu uncle to drive for me is a relief because I’m not familiar with the place. From my house to Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, it took us an hour. My friend (Edelle Mendoza) and I arrived at the venue at 1:30 pm. Luckily we didn’t go to the ticket booth to secure tickets because Edelle’s uncle who is one of the line judges of …

Are you a coffee lover? Coffee Addict? I’m sure most of you loves coffee very much. Coffee for you is more than just a normal drink. Your morning is not complete without a cup of coffee whether you’re watching a movie, enjoying the sunset or just talking to your friends. It is always a good way to relax and enjoy the intoxicating smell of this magical drink. If you found yourself that your day is not complete without a coffee then you are definitely a coffee lover. Don’t worry, you are not alone in this. I’m also a coffee lover, in fact while I’m writing this blog, I’m having my favorite hot black coffee.   If you’re looking for different places to have coffee and at the same time enjoy the beauty of nature then our country’s second summer capital is the best place for you. Tagaytay is known for …

Volleyball is LIFE! On and off the court…. While I may not have been able to watch volleyball as I would have liked recently, there has been a plenty volleying all around the country. For most if not all conferences, 2019 Grand Prix Second Leg 2019 Volleyball tournament will be held at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Sta. Rosa City, Calamba from October 4 to 6, 2019. These rematches are fun to watch because you can make predictions based on the last matchups and still be surprised! So, here I am again, and here you are again also – we are all hoping for the best for team Philippines, aren’t we? After having witnessed a lot of bad things in match four between the Philippines and Thailand yesterday, aren’t we getting more and more into the negative circle of volleyball? But don’t you think we are too focused on …

My name is Emmanuel K. Manimtim but here in F2F, most of the students call me “Teacher Em”, Emanh or just plainly “EM” with my colleagues. I’m originally from Cavite City but I’ve been living for almost 20 years here in Tagaytay City. I have been teaching for more than 9 years as an ESL teacher, I started with Koreans, Chinese and now Japanese, more than 2 and a half years ago, I started teaching for F2F, still here and still enjoying my work. I handle Speaking classes and Listening classes generally. I also enjoy organizing trips and sometimes parties for the students. What I’m going to talk about with you today is one of the types of classes that I handle here at F2F, “Speaking Classes”. It is divided into different categories: Explanation Topic Debate Q and A All speaking classes have similar format and have similar purpose, it …

Drinking coffee is a very common past time here in the Philippines. Having been blessed with rich lands suitable for farming coffee, this bitter but oh so energizing drink has been a staple since the pre-Hispanic era. In modern times, coffee has been commercialized by the arrival of multinational companies, lead by Nestle. There are different types of coffee beans and various ways that they are brewed in several regions of the country. There has also been an abundance of coffee shops in the cities and major tourist destinations. Having said that, Tagaytay is one of the cities with the greatest number of cafes, both foreign and local. Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) are the biggest coffee franchises in the country. Tagaytay has numerous branches of both companies but let’s focus on CBTL.   It has been a trend in recent years to drink iced coffee …

　　　　　　　　　　　S–U–M–M–E–R Time flies fast. We didn’t notice that the best time of the year is approaching. After the long cold season that we experienced; it’s now time to hide all the jackets, hoodies, and coats that we used to use because of the extended cool breeze that we can feel. Finally! Summer is coming; so bring out the board shorts and swimsuit to flaunt in the beach.     Now is the right time to plan a perfect getaway with friends and family. In summer, many family plans a holiday that each members will consider to be memorable. Some people really like spending their time with nature such as camping, going on a picnic, spending time on the mountains, and even going to the beach. The weather also adds extra humidity which forces people to look forward to diving into cold water while grilling food at the beach front. It’s …

~ Aia English is very hard to learn. No one ever started to be very good in this language. However, there’s one thing that I would guarantee. Learning English at Face to Face language here in the Philippines is ever fun. Not just Philippines has a lot to offer, the first one is hospitality. Filipinos are well known as hospitable people. We always offer warm welcomes. Face to Face English school has also exciting and fun activities. Every Tuesday and Thursday night starting from 7:30- 9:00, students are invited to join EOP ( English Only Policy)  wherein it helps students go out of their comfort zone and try to mingle with others. With this policy students are not allowed to speak using their native languages instead they must use English the whole period of time. They play games that would help to practice their English.

The Gift of Netflix One of the questions I often get asked is how old I was when I started studying English. It would then be followed by how I learned English at a very young age. The answer of course will always be the same, and I would also always tell my students that many Filipinos learn the language watching English TV programs, may it be cartoons, movies, or series. Thanks to someone, these English programs have just arrived at our doorsteps. Everybody, meet Netflix.   Whether you are trying to improve your listening skill, or you want to improve your vocabulary, or hone your pronunciation skill, you can do that in your own pace and time while watching movies on Netflix. You can make an account and pay it monthly. The good thing is that you can share it with up to 4 other people, so you are …

◎Teacher’s blog (Teacher Jz) What comes to mind when you hear the word “Philippines”? Most people will probably say “hot weather”, “bananas and mangoes”, or “white sand beaches”. Well, all those answers are correct, but the Philippines has so much more to offer, and one of those many things is English proficiency.     On the summit of a mountain I am Teacher JZ, and I work for Face to Face English School, which is one the leading language centers in the Philippines. I started teaching English as a part-time job when I was a university student and found myself in love with this profession. As a result, I pursued this career even after finishing my school. In seven years of my teaching career experience, I have handled various levels of English learners from elementary, high school, university to business professionals. Moreover, I have taught almost all areas of English …

La Botella There are times when we want to drink our worries away somewhere less crowded and less noisy. One place that you can visit here in Tagaytay is La Botella Restobar. It is located right across the famous and usually packed Papa Dom’s Bar and Restaurant. This place does not attract throngs of people. It has a homier ambiance and is definitely stylish. Adorning the ceilings are colorful lights fashioned from recycled bottles – hence the name La Botella. There is even a dedicated wall filled with a kaleidoscope of bottles. It’s a very nice background for taking Instagram pictures! They have a variety of food options and are not limited to finger food that goes well with alcohol. There is also a cornucopia of alcoholic beverages. The prices are affordable and definitely suitable to the offerings’ taste and portioning. It’s a great place to hang out and talk …

Last Saturday, November 10, 2018, my colleagues and students at Face to Face had a plan to organize a picnic lunch just right on the front yard of Brown House, one of the dormitories at our school. Why? I think the better question is “Why not?” The weather that day seemed to be perfect for an outdoor activity, but at the same time, my friends and I didn’t have enough energy to go anywhere farther than the vicinities of our house. Haha! What is more, we were kind of short of budget. That was why a picnic right in front of our house was the best option we had. And so we did! First, Teachers Mafe and Jiezel together with our ever generous and enthusiastic students Lawa and Akari headed to the nearest supermarket to purchase some groceries. They bought chicken, veggies, corn, fries, rice, and four pieces of fresh …

Good day everyone! Teacher Em here… On this blog we are going to talk about food.   It is originally a middle-eastern cuisine consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone like shaped “pita” bread and roasted slowly on a turning vertical rotisserie or spit. For those of you who don’t have any idea, I’m talking about “Shawarma” (some other names includes: Chawarma, Shaurma or Showarma). Still no idea? Okay, other similar dishes are Doner Kebab, Al Pastor and Gyros. Nothing comes to mind? Okay, originally they use Lamb or Mutton for the meat it is said that Turkey and Veal are also alternatives but in the Philippines; Beef and Chicken are the most common. They commonly have tomatoes, cucumber and onions to go with it. This dish is usually “made to order” meaning, they only prepare it after you order it and you can usually see …

Honey    What food doesn’t spoil? Honey  is the only food that doesn’t spoil while in an edible state.   Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm is a pleasant stop-off along Aguinaldo Highway away from the bustling city. Named in honor of the Virgin Mary who is said to have caused innumerable mysteries to the place, Ilog Maria engages in natural and handcrafted beeswax products that have salubrious and therapeutic properties.   What are the benefits of honey?     Honey is used as home remedy to relieve cold and cough symptoms.    Drinking warm lemon water mixed with honey can soothe a sore throat.     Honey is a substitute for sugar.    It has a lower value than sugar as it does not raise blood sugar levels quickly.     Honey is rich in antioxidants.    It reduces risks of heart attacks, strokes, and some types of cancer.     Honey nourishes skin …

PAGMAMANO: A Kiss of Honor What is it about the Philippines that make it different from the rest of the world? Well, for one thing, it is all about Filipino culture. Filipinos are very polite. We have a culture of PAGMAMANO, which is where we raise the back of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a sign of admiration. Almost the same to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the hand of the elder and presses their forehead on the elder’s hand. This is usually performed with the right hand. The word MANO is Spanish for HAND while the word PO is often used in Filipino culture and language at the end of each sentence as a sign of respect when addressing someone older.It is an ordinary way of building up one’s strong feelings of warmth towards their loved one. What are you waiting for, …

Do you Love outdoors like Hiking? Trekking? mountains? lake? swimming in a hot-spring?  Horseback riding? Taal Volcano is Perfect! If you are heading to Tagaytay, one of the things that you definitely can’t miss is hiking Taal Volocano and enjoying the views from the top or explore beyond than that. Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines. And Tagaytay is a very popular destination in the Philippines because of the good weather.   The weather in Tagaytay is warm during the day but not so warm like in you’re in Manila. And at night the temperature goes down, but it’s refreshing without the feeling of it being too cold. So yes — Absolutely! perfect weather. We had so much fun with great outdoor activities, and had an amazing time in Tagaytay. If you have been thinking of which places to visit then hang-out with me here. …

Hi. Thanks for clicking. I’m pleased that you’d probably like to know some things about me. My name is Norlene, born in the year of the Water Tiger. I was born and raised in one of the coldest cities in the Philippines—Tagaytay City. —Face to Face Language & Culture School, Inc. “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” —Frank Smith CAREER I am a licensed nurse by profession and a teacher by heart. I’ve been an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor for over ten years now. After graduation, I started joining training institutions such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and other English proficiency programs. I’ve also worked as a supervisor, a trainer to colleagues and students, and a team leader. —Hawaiian BBQ, Tagaytay City INTERESTS Setting a new …

Tagaytay’s Name: What does it mean?   The story goes like this. A father and son went on a hunt. Their prey is the Wild Boar. The Wild Boar is a fierce animal; when provoked, it can take down a grown man. As the enraged beast charged toward the father, the child cried “Taga (slash) itay! (father)”, “Father hack it!”. The boar was bested by the duo. And the city’s name came to be. City College of Tagaytay, an educational institution located just a few meters away from Face to Face uses the Wild Boar as its team name/symbol — the CCT Wild Boars. Now being improved, the college will have more of the glorious animal. At least 3 sculpted boar heads are found near the gate which is still under construction.

Oslob Cebu, whale shark encounter What is a family? According to some dictionary, Family is a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Another definition is “a basic social unit in a society related by blood or marriage”, and so on and so forth. But for me I think, Family is not only how the dictionary defines it, because I found a family here in F2F. This was taken in Tagaytay Highlands when F2F had a Sports activity. This photo was taken by Teacher Jz when we climbed Mt. Maculot in Batangas. Most of My photos are taken by Teacher Jz. Hi, I’m Teacher Sharon and I’m a teacher, a mother, and a big sister in F2F. I’ve been a member of F2F family for three years now and I never thought I would have a family this big and fun. I consider F2F a family …

The season I’ve been waiting for the most has finally come! People like me who are obsessed with Starbucks and Halloween, hold October very dearly for it is when a limited edition drink arrives… the Pumpkin Spice Latte.     This drink is usually available only for the month of October in the Philippines. It is originally a US and Canada only Starbucks drink, until a couple of years ago when the franchise finally heeded the call of their customers. Pumpkin spice is a symbol of autumn in the United States. What is pumpkin spice? It is a combination of five other spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice. It’s definitely a must-have whether in cakes, muffins, pies and of course coffee. The craze people have for it is inexplicable. The fact that it has reached our shores and has become well-loved by Filipinos just show how much our country …

The Philippines is known to have a vast marine biodiversity and beautiful beaches, a destination for newlyweds, a peaceful place for retirement and one of the best places to study English. It is comprised of 17 regions and each region has unique offering.   Tagaytay City, which is in Region IV, is one of the most favorite spots for leisure and English learning. Its high altitude provides cool climate and windows to magnificent landscape and the scenic view of the Taal Volcano.   Tagaytay City has a lot to offer. It is one of the best places for wedding receptions, recreations, retreats, summer vacations and studies. Its location on the mountain ridges gives everyone access to all the main highways going to the main city like Manila in approximately two hours, to the nearest breathtaking resorts in Batangas for about an hour and a half, to many amusement parks in …

Finding the time to focus on yourself can seem inconceivable for both men and women. However, everyone deserves some time to indulge in being pampered, and spas are the best way to get away from it all and refresh your body. Increasingly, all men are realising the importance of looking good and feeling good, and many see spas less as an indulgence and more as a health necessity. While we are often quick to assume a day at the spa is a women’s activity, this certainly isn’t the case. Men have used spas for decades, centuries even and for the exact reasons as women, to look and feel great. Weekly I visit my favorite spa – Azrama Wellness Spa. It is located at 3rd Floor Jeda Bldg., Tagaytay Calamba Road, Sungay East, Tagaytay City.     I recently had the good fortune to spend some quality time with my best …

I remember it was a rainy Tuesday evening as I was my way home. At that time, I didn’t want to go home yet. Then it came across my mind of having something to drink. I passed by a local coffee shop. I didn’t realize it is a café at first because of its unique name. Out of my curiosity, as I entered the vicinity, I discovered an astonishing place. I was impressed with how well organized it was.   New location: Hillcrest Plaza, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Junction South, Tagaytay City     ‘Kuuma’ means ‘hot’ while ‘Kaakao’ means ‘cocoa’ in the Finnish language. The store itself means ‘hot cocoa’. Don’t get me wrong, the store also offers cold drinks and mostly, Filipino delicacies. Wondering why it’s Finnish? I guess the owner got inspired about the country–Finland. It is actually one of the top three coffee-drinking countries in the …