Destinations

Dreamland: The making of an arts and crafts café

Zest Magazine gets “lost in paradise” in Dreamland, an arts and crafts café in Tagaytay.

Published

6 years ago

April 18, 2017

Dreamland is the name of the bar in Miss Saigon; where Kim was pimped by The Engineer to the highest bidder (who happened to be Chris). In not so many words, Dreamland – in my mind – is a whorehouse…

BUT then, there’s a Dreamland in Tagaytay that perhaps wants to reclaim that word, that name from the clutches of sexualized euphoria. Instead, it wants to focus on the literal meaning of that word – i.e. as a place that, borrowing the title of that Robin Williams movie, “where dreams may come”. And so welcome to Dreamland Arts and Crafts Café.

WHAT’S THERE

The place is not that hard to find because of the its artsy appearance even from the outside. Largely made of (or at least covered with) wood, there are numerous – and I mean NUMEROUS – dreamcatchers outside Dreamland, immediately giving it a sense of being peculiar (if not Bohemian). So much so that the sign a the door, which reads “Lost in paradise”, doesn’t sound… trite.

The inside is divided into “sections”. One section (at the left when you enter the door) has stalls; these have goodies from artists and (let’s admit this) pretend-artists that are for sale. On top of this section is a sitting venue for customers. On the right of this section (with the stalls) is the bar/order counter. At the right of the bar/order counter – and which can be seen from the outside – are more seats for the customers. These seats are also surrounded by stalls with more stuffs from artists, all of them for sale.

Dreamland is, to start, a café. And so expect to see café goods here – e.g. kape/coffee (obviously), frappes and pastries galore. But this place is more than just a café; it’s already a mini-resto of sorts, and even offers “silog” meals (more on these later)…

Dreamland is also an “art space”, and so there are “spots” where anyone can do art pieces. These pieces may also be hanged/pasted on a corkboard by the main door.

And, of course, Dreamland is also a “store” (as noted repeatedly), allowing artists to sell their wares to diners and… just about everyone who goes there.

WHY GO THERE

Suffice to say, Dreamland is quite an enticing place. This is particularly true for various reasons…

If you’re health-conscious.

For instance, there are coolers that are healthy – e.g. Indie Minty Pinomansi (from P100), Indie Greens Kalamychee (from P100), and Indie Minty Strawberry (from P100). There’s also detox water (P60), and lemon water (P25).

If you want to imbibe that artsy feel.

I’m not sure everyone knows the relevance of dreamcatchers, but that there’s a place full of them in Tagaytay at all is already enough of a come-on for many (like me)…

Support local.

And yes, if you want to support local, this is a good place to start. There are more localized versions of teas, for instance – e.g. tanglad, malunggay, salabat, lagundi and guyabano (P100 per teapot). Also, the goods being sold are often made (by hand) by local artists; so if you want to support them, head here…

WHY AVOID THE PLACE

HOWEVER, just because this place seem “cool” doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. I, myself, found some things that made me not fully like the place…

For instance, for a venue that has an extremely long menu, so many of the offerings supposedly there aren’t (always) available.

In the two visits, faves like Mamung’s Matcha Mambo (from P80), Sylvanillas Crunch (P120), Indie Greeantea Affogato (P140), and Sansdreamval (150) weren’t available. The same was true with many of the yummy (even if quite pricey) frappes (P200 to P240) – e.g. Matcha ni Tsang (P240), Avocado George (P210), Dream de Leche (P210), and Uberly Gerry (P210).

The place can be expensive for some – e.g. chicken wings cost P200 per serving, potato wedges for P160 per serving (to share), rice toppings from P100 (for Oh My Omelette) to P150 (for Hippie Wings of Love), and ‘silog” from P180 to P220 (!).

This place is also needed to be “dayo”/specifically targeted, and so for those without private transpo, it may not always be accessible.

IN THE END…

Without a doubt, Dreamland has its charm – from the numerous dreamcatchers to the local goods being sold. But it also has limitations (e.g. can be expensive, limited availability of goods, quite far). I’d say, though, that with the proliferation of the likes of CBTL and Starbucks (and others that so many of us see as emblems of “development” and “progress”), anything local – like Dreamland – ought to be supported somewhat. And here, a visit is called for, even if done only once so one can decide for oneself if it’s a place worth visiting indeed…

For more information on Dreamland Arts and Crafts Café, head to @DreamlandTagaytay or @DreamlandLipa in Facebook; or search for #dreamlandph.

Travel

Filipinos are traveling for longer, enjoying immersive travel

Two long years of being confined at home during the pandemic left Liezl and her family longing for a chance to unwind and explore new horizons. Winning The Fly and Live Anywhere campaign felt like destiny — and offered them the perfect opportunity to discover off-the-beaten-path destinations they had always dreamed of visiting, and to create new memories together.

Published

11 hours ago

May 30, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

Gone are the days of rushed vacations and packed itineraries, as Filipinos seek slower, more meaningful travel experiences. With bookings for long-term stays on Airbnb growing more than 2.5x year-on-year in 2022, it’s clear that Filipino travelers are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle and staying in one place for longer periods.

Take it from Liezl Sophia Jose, winner of Airbnb’s Fly and Live Anywhere contest, as she chronicles her travel experience, tips, and lessons learned from her family’s month-long adventure around the country.

Finding a home away from home

“An adventure doesn’t always have to be in far-flung regions or the most popular destinations, because there are so many choices in our beautiful islands. Some natural wonders are practically in our backyards,” Liezl shared.

During the course of their month-long adventure, the family explored Dumaguete, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro. They rediscovered the rural charm and local food scene of different cities, stunning beaches and sunsets, and enjoyed a spot of adrenaline-filled whitewater rafting. They also took road trips to Rizal and Batangas, where they enjoyed the picturesque natural scenery and countryside.

For Liezl and her family, the contest was not only a chance to travel again, but a chance to embrace a new way of life. As they explored the country’s hidden gems, the family discovered the joys of living like a digital nomad as they worked and took remote school from anywhere.

A guide for modern travelers

Here are Liezl’s top tips for anyone planning a multi-city adventure:

For those booking longer stays, search for Airbnb Stays with reliable WiFi connection and essentials like drinking water, bathroom essentials, and kitchen amenities like a microwave oven and coffee maker. These small things really help make you feel like you’re living in a home away from home!
If you intend to experience local culture in your destination city, markets are always a good starting point – by walking around you get to explore the neighborhood and learn more about the local food, people, language, and lifestyle.
Travel light and triple-check airlines and airport transfers in case a schedule change happens at the last minute.
Finally, put the phone down every so often. Take your time. Immerse in your surroundings. Respect the locals. Breathe the fresh air. Soak in the view. Hug a tree. Bathe in the sun’s rays. Be grateful!

For Liezl, the month-long getaway with her loved ones allowed her to pause, reset and enjoy life as it comes, “No two sunsets are the same. Each one is different. Yet, it comes from the same sun. It doesn’t matter where we are; we belong anywhere we choose to make our home for the day.”

Travel

Get paid to travel with ShopBack Travel Club

ShopBack Travel Club is an influencer showdown and user content contest that would reward winners with a free trip abroad and exclusive travel perks as part of the “club.” The launch took place last May 23 in Makati.

Published

5 days ago

May 26, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

ShopBack – Asia Pacific’s leading shopping, rewards, and payments platform is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest project – ShopBack Travel Club.

The project is in line with the continued growth that ShopBack is seeing amongst its travel merchants this 2023. During the first quarter of 2023, ShopBack saw an increase of more than 20% in average transaction value and observed a 3x growth in GMV vs. 2022 for the travel category.

“Revenge Travel” is indeed projected to continue and ShopBack Travel Club is the brand’s response to this growth as it continues to revolutionize the way users embark on their dream getaways by offering exclusive promotions, irresistible discounts, and huge cashback rewards.

For the contest, users and content creators will get a chance to win exclusive perks and prizes.

Free hotels stays in Bali from partner hotels of Agoda and Booking.com
Other discounts and perks from Klook and other partners

The campaign would kick off with a showdown between two groups of influencers who are being sent to Boracay this May 26 to outdo each other with travel content. The official hotel partner for the trip is Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay. Aside from a free trip and perks, the winning influencers would also be the face of ShopBack’s travel campaign for the year.

Users can join the contest by simply uploading travel videos on Tiktok and Instagram Reel. Users just need to mention the event tagline: “Get paid to travel with ShopBack.” Their videos would have to tag @shopbackph and have the hashtag #ShopBackTravelClub.

The contest would be judged by pioneer travel influencer Patrice Averilla (known as an Avelovinit on social media) and official media partner Tripzilla.ph. Winners would be determined based on the following criteria: 40% judges scores, 30% reach on Tiktok and Instagram reel views, and 30% likes, comments, and shares.

To learn more about the mechanics, users may visit this link: https://app.shopback.com/JoinSBTravelClub

“Users are already enjoying great savings by earning cashback from our travel partners. One user even earned P99K in cashback from booking their travels through ShopBack last year! ShopBack Travel Club is our way of making things even more exciting and a showcase of our commitment to enabling users to have the best travel deals.” says Raenald de Jesus, Head of Marketing for ShopBack Philippines.

Winners would be announced in time for ShopBack’s 8th birthday celebration which happens from June 15 to June 22 with an event in Glorietta from June 17-18 2023.

Travel

Emirates announces new offer for travelers planning to visit Dubai this summer

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

Emirates announced an exciting new offer for travelers planning to visit Dubai this summer. Starting from May 22,2023 to June 11, 2023, people who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class to or stopping over in Dubai, will be able to enjoy a complimentary two night stay at 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central. While for those traveling in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class, can enjoy a complimentary one night stay at Novotel World Trade Centre, Dubai.

This special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours, for travel dates between May 26, 2023 and August 31, 2023. The offer is available on bookings made on emirates.com or Emirates call centre or ticket offices and via participating travel agents, made at least 96 hours in advance of passengers’ arrival.

Based right next to Dubai’s iconic Museum of the Future, the 5* 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central draws inspiration from traditional Bedouin culture and design, but with a modernised twist. Lose yourself in a culinary experience from North Indian Cuisines to Bavarian beer across the five amazing in-house restaurant and bars all over the hotel. If you’re looking to relax, travelers can unwind in the Extra Hour Spa, a unique, rooftop sauna that overlooks the stunning city of Dubai.

Located within the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DWTC), Novotel World Trade Centre, Dubai, gives off a luxurious yet homely vibe right in the heart of Dubai. Relax by the pool and enjoy signature cocktails and light meals from Chills Pool Bar, and cap your adventure off with listening to a live music performance at the soul soothing Blue Bar. Whether traveling alone or as a family, make Novotel World Trade Centre, Dubai your place to stay.

Explore more of Dubai with Emirates

Whether it’s cooling down in private pools or enjoying family fun at indoor theme parks and water parks, there is something for every traveler when visiting Dubai this summer. From sun-soaked beaches and cultural activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences for every visitor:

My Emirates Pass: Customers flying to or through Dubai can simply show their boarding pass and a valid form of identification to hundreds of retail, leisure, and dining outlets, as well as famous attractions and luxury spas, to enjoy fantastic discounts throughout Dubai and the UAE. To see all My Emirates Pass offers, please visit https://www.emirates.com/ph/english/experience/my-emirates-pass/.
Skywards Partners: Members of Emirates’ award-winning loyalty program, Skywards, can earn Miles with our worldwide partners like hotels, airlines, car rentals, retail and banking. Members can spend these Miles on reward tickets, upgrades, or even tickets for concerts and sports events. Learn more about Emirates Skywards here: https://www.emirates.com/english/skywards/.

Emirates has safely restarted operations to more than 130 destinations, across six continents and currently operates 25 flights per week from Manila, Cebu, and Clark to Dubai.