Destinations

Trying to be artsy in CDO

If you like the feeling you get when you’re in a Papemelroti branch, then you’d definitely like Chingkeetea. It’s rustic; it’s artsy; it’s hip; it’s… cool. But if your idea of having fun isn’t to sit on chairs whose owners may have long died, then this isn’t the place for you – go somewhere, instead, that’s more generic, like Starbucks or McCafé or CBTL or something.

Published

11 years ago

September 22, 2015

Kiki Tan

Yes, we’ve heard about the so-called “milktea panic” that emerged after at least two people (one was a customer, and the other the owner of the shop where the milktea was bought after he also tried the milktea that the customer said tasted weird) who consumed milktea concoctions died only a few minutes after they consumed the ubiquitous drink. Chingkeetea2 With the bad press milktea got (Heck, even local government units made the rounds and had milktea shops closed!), it almost seemed like it was on the way out.

Alas, the drink’s here to stay – arguably best exemplified by milktea’s continuing appeal in so many places, e.g. in Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao, where one brand continues to make a mark because of the milktea offerings, largely abetted by a blast-from-the-past, hippy, and even artsy-fartsy appeal of the brand’s branches.

And so welcome to Chingkeetea.

WHAT’S THERE

First – and definitely worth highlighting – Chingkeetea’s major, major appeal is the vibe of its venues. Here, you see everything from the olden times – e.g. ditched desks from public schools, repurposed into retro seats; mismatched furniture pieces that, weirdly, work together; empty bottles of softdrinks and wines serving as decorative pieces; et cetera. The only “new” pieces there are these artworks/drawings atop tables or clipped a la sinampay/laundry, so that they, too, become decorative pieces.

There are some variations – e.g. the branch closer to Xavier University, for instance, is way bigger than the other one located a few blocks away (though on the same street). But the “feel” of the place remains the same, what with all these knickknacks scattered around to give Chingkeetea this “lola’s homey place” appeal.

Of course, it helps that the food isn’t bad (even if it isn’t world-shattering), and – to top that – they’re cheap. Korean ramen, for instance, only sells for P75 a bowl. The drinks aren’t bad either. No, don’t expect kapeng barako, but with the coffees (Java Chip, Butterworth, Mocha, Cappuccino) selling from P70, they suffice. Particularly considering that with Starbucks and CBTL charging double that, this place’s offerings aren’t too bad at all.

And then of course we have the milktea drinks (e.g. wintermelon, strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, taro, honeydew, Oreo, and vanilla), selling from P60. Not as sugary as, say, Zagu; but not watery either. They more than suffice…

WHY GO THERE

It can’t be stated enough – if you want that artsy feel, come over. Here, there’s this sense of being laid back, as if everything isn’t rushed. Great, therefore, if you’re out to catch up with friends on lazy afternoons/dusk…

Not surprisingly, largely because the venues aren’t too far from the city’s biggest university, the crowd tends to be young (and yeah, the owner – nicknamed Chingkee – is still in her 20s) . And they vary, too – from the katkat (literally, “climb”, though locally used to refer to social climbers), to the yuppies, to the government employees, to the comparatively better-off students, and to the LGBT crowd (though most of them cisgender). So if you wanna be with the relatively younger crowd, check this out.

For catching up without having to kick your pockets hard (check the prices mentioned above), this is worth considering, too.

WHY AVOID

This is not to say this place is perfect – no, sir/ma’am, it’s far from that. In fact, there are things that, well, get to me. For one, many of the offerings aren’t always available – I, personally, had to change orders thrice on the first visit, twice on the second visit, and thrice again on the third visit because the ingredients of what I wanted to have weren’t available. A ruder customer would say: “Magsara na lang kayo (Just close shop, will you)!”; but let’s not…

The venues can get full – good for business, but bad for customers (particularly those arriving in groups). It doesn’t help, too, that the branch closest to Xavier University has a non-airconditioned space; meaning, you put up with the humidity or raindrops (depending on the season) when there…

There’s no Internet connection, too. The selling point of the place – as this drawing states – is for people not to get lost virtually when they’re in Chingkeetea, and instead start talking with each other. For a telecommuter like me, the word that comes to mind is “bullcrap”.

And then there are the… religious writings on the walls, showcasing the owner’s religious beliefs, which may not necessarily be shared by everyone visiting the place. If you don’t want other people’s beliefs shoved down your throat, you can choose to ignore; or just don’t visit at all.

IN THE END…

If you like the feeling you get when you’re in a Papemelroti branch, then you’d definitely like Chingkeetea. It’s rustic; it’s artsy; it’s hip; it’s… cool.

But if your idea of having fun isn’t to sit on chairs whose owners may have long died, then this isn’t the place for you – go somewhere, instead, that’s more generic, like Starbucks or McCafé or CBTL or something.

Chingkeetea branches are located along Pabayo/Corrales (near Xavier University).

CHINGKEETEA BRANCH NEAR XAVIER UNIVERSITY

CHINGKEETEA BRANCH AT GRAND CENTRAL

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Kiki Tan

"If someone asked you about me, about what I do for a living, it's to 'weave words'," says Kiki Tan, who has been a writer "for as long as I care to remember." This one writes about... anything and everything.

Travel

Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales

#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.

Published

6 days ago

July 2, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.

In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.

@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.

Ikalawa, what’s there?

The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.

What will you see while there?

the former lighthouse engine room
the top of the lighthouse
South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins

Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.

This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.

Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.

The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.

Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.

But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…

Travel

Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales

Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.

Published

1 week ago

July 1, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.

So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.

@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.

Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.

Ikatlo, what’s there?

Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.

So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.

But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.

Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.

But we’re off for more LGBTQIA+ discoveries…

Destinations

Finding beauty, and not just of faith, at the Bangor Cathedral

Seeking #LGBT #faith or beauty in #Wales? Check out the #Bangor Cathedral in #Gwynedd.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2026

M.D. dela Cruz Tan, MDC

A common practice among many Pinoy travelers is to visit a church, preferably Roman Catholic, in new places visited. Here’s the thing when you’re in the United Kingdom: it’s harder than you think because, while Catholics do exist, many of the churches here are of the Church of England/Anglican.

On one hand, without intending to gaslight, I often joke that it’s not like you’re praying to different gods (LOL).

But on the other hand, actually dropping by these churches can be eye-opening. Not just to faith, but seeing beauty in their richness… in history, architecture, and so on…

At least this is what was gleaned in the Bangor Cathedral in Wales.

@outragemag Seeking #LGBT #faith or beauty in #Wales? Check out the #Bangor Cathedral in #Gwynedd ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, if you’re in Gwynedd, this is very accessible. It’s there, in the middle of the oldest city in Wales. But if you’re from elsewhere, you need to travel to the city that’s over three hours away from London.

Ikalawa, this is formally St. Deiniol’s Cathedral, which has been used since about the 6th century.

As FYI: St. Deiniol, the 6th-century Welsh saint, wasn’t “made” a saint through the Roman Catholic canonization process. In the olden times, Welsh/Celtic Christian holy figures were usually recognized by local church tradition, reputation for holiness, and their role as founders/abbots/bishops, rather than by a formal Vatican procedure. In the case of Deiniol, he founded the monastery/church at Bangor around 525, so that over time, he was venerated as Saint Deiniol.

Ikatlo, what to see there?

Architecturally, it’s a mix of Norman/Romanesque and Gothic. It does feel medieval… and grandly so.

Inside, you’d see a layered medieval–Victorian Gothic interior, apparent in the stone arches, choir stalls, stained glass, and so on.

Those stained glasses, let’s emphasize, are from the 19th- and early-20th-century, including works by Clayton & Bell, James Powell & Sons, Burlison & Grylls, and Mayer & Co.

Should you seek this one out? Deserving ba na sadyain? Kung nasa area ka na, keri. Welcoming naman ang church.

Otherwise… rampa elsewhere na, as I do sa patuloy na LGBTQIA+ wandering…