Destinations
The Ascott Limited unveils its first lyf property in PH
lyf Malate is designed to cater to the new generation of travelers by offering an environment where guests can meet like-minded people to bond with. From the uber private One of a Kind (Studio), duo-friendly Side by Side (Twin), and the All Together (Two-bedroom and Four-bedroom) apartment units, guests are free to choose how to cap off their day.

The Ascott Limited is about to revolutionize the hospitality industry with the announcement of the first lyf property in the Philippines, – lyf Malate, Manila. The company’s latest addition to its impressive accolades aims to provide modern co-living spaces with community-centric activities to all Filipino digital nomads, technopreneurs, creatives, and self-starters.
lyf Malate is designed to cater to the new generation of travelers by offering an environment where guests can meet like-minded people to bond with. From the uber private One of a Kind (Studio), duo-friendly Side by Side (Twin), and the All Together (Two-bedroom and Four-bedroom) apartment units, guests are free to choose how to cap off their day.
As work-from-home setups slowly continue to rise in the country, so do Filipinos who value the essence of an excellent work-life balance. Luckily, lyf treats its guests with a wide range of amenities that cater to everyone, regardless of the status of their social battery.
For extroverts who want to dwell in a mix of both work and socials, lyf’s Connect (Coworking Space and Communal Lounge) offers an experience that’ll make guests say goodbye to cramped coffee shops forever. These spaces are equipped with high-speed internet, comfortable chairs, and not to mention, plenty of power outlets to ensure everyone can work with the utmost efficiency.
On the other side of the spectrum, introverts who prefer solace can indulge in the peacefulness of lyf’s Nook (Private working space), where they can focus on getting things done without worrying about any distractions from the outside world.
Armed with their favorite recipes and ingredients, guests can cook up amazing dishes and swap culinary tips and tricks in the Bond social kitchen. If things get messy, the Wash and Hang (Social Launderette) is equipped and ready to fix any dirty clothing mishaps.
Following a long tiring day of work, guests can let loose and share a drink or two while taking in the stunning views of the city at lyf’s Unwind (Rooftop Clubhouse). Health buffs can also catch up with their workout schedule with lyf’s 24-hour fully-equipped Burn (Social Gym).
As part of lyf’s initiative to enliven every guest’s experience, the lyf Crew consisting of lyf Champion (Residence Manager), lyf Guards (Multitaskers), and Ambassadors of Buzz (Community Manager), is always available to provide tips, advice on how to get around the city better, or even just simply stick around for company.
The new lyf property showcases an overall vibrant and zestful design that complements the sense of community the property aims to exude to its guests. Combined with the strategic location in the city’s heart, guests can easily experience the culture of Manila without straying too far from the comfort of lyf.
“We are thrilled to be opening our first lyf property in the Philippines” said Philip Barnes, Ascott’s Country General Manager. “With the rise of digital nomads and remote working opportunities, we believe that lyf Malate Manila will provide the perfect environment for travelers to work, live and play, while also fostering a sense of community.”
lyf Malate Manila is set to begin taking in guests in June 2023 and with another lyf opening in Cebu soon, The Ascott Limited is confident that these expansions will usher in a new era of hospitality in the Philippines.
Frequent travelers can also get a rewarding experience with the Ascott Star Rewards program. Members under the ASR can earn reward points to enjoy the lowest rates and get access to exclusive discounts and perks. Learn more about the Ascott Star Rewards program via this link.
For more information and updates about lyf and The Ascott Limited’s properties in the country, visit the official website and following social media pages ( Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )
Destinations
Looking for good Ilonggo food in Bacoor, Cavite
If you’ve tried batchoy the way many locals in Iloilo prepare it, hahanap-hanapin mo siya. And this is how Old Recipe, this non-pretentious restaurant in Bacoor, Cavite came to our attention.

If you’ve tried batchoy the way many locals in Iloilo prepare it, hahanap-hanapin mo siya. And this is how this non-pretentious restaurant in Bacoor, Cavite came to our attention. Passing by some highway in the middle of the night, we came across Old Recipe, which boasts to sell “original” (open and close quotation) Ilonggo food, including batchoy.
@outragemag The #LGBT search for #Ilonggo ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
As FYI: This is supposedly an old resto, opening in 1988, though at first as Ilongga House. The name change happened in 2018, though the resto owned by Rufino Gallo must be doing something right since it now has a handful of branches.
The branch we went to was… nothing grand, even if it can seat around 80 pax. Old tables, old seats, and so on. You get the drift.
The staff was at least friendly; they even provided the info I sought for this quick review.
But the wait time was sobra. And to think we just ordered batchoy (the supreme sells for ₱198, and if you add extras, you pay ₱15 for an egg and ₱18 for chicharon or bawang), as well as pansit molo (₱168 for solo size). They have a sizable menu; this is one of those restos that has too much to choose from.
But to be extremely blunt, the food wasn’t great.
For the batchoy, you don’t get a lot of noodles and sahog. And it was too watery so that the batchoy taste was just not there. The pansit molo, at least, had okay broth; but the pork dumplings tasted like they just came out of the freezer.
This isn’t the Ilonggo resto I – personally – can see myself regularly going to. But I understand if others may like it, whether for after-inuman sabaw, or for those wanting to try Ilonggo offerings particularly if they live nearby. To each his or her own, sabi nga.
So off we go pa rin, as we look for more lafang venues.
OLD RECIPE is located at Greenfields Commercial Bldg., Mambog IV, Bacoor, Cavite.
Destinations
Craving for smoked meat? We checked Jfred’s Smokehouse for you
Are you searching (or craving) for #smokedmeats? We head to #Cavite to see if the noise about Jfred’s Smokehouse is deserved.
You see their ads often… these restaurants that offer smoked meats that are said to melt in your mouth with goodness. Sa visuals, maaakit ka, as they showcase slices of meat that remain juicy after being processed, and so yeah, maglalaway ka sa akala mo ay yummy.
This is how we discovered Jfred’s Smokehouse in Cavite.
After a visit, ano ang masasabi namin?
@outragemag Takam ka sa #smokedmeat? #LGBTQ food trip to Jfred’s Smokehouse @jfreds.smokehouse in #Bacoor, #Cavite ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, the place is easy to find naman, as it’s not too far from malls. Note that this is in Bacoor; meaning, you’d need to allocate time to drive to the place, and extra cash for tolls if you take expressways.
Ikalawa, the actual venue is… okay kahit di full-blast ang aircon. Malinis ang lugar. May maayos na furniture. Proper ang cutlery. Di mausok, so you don’t leave smelling like you sat beside the grillery. And so on.
Ikatlo, attentive naman ang staff. Halimbawa, they can explain the items in the menu; and they’re readily available if you need stuff.



Now… let’s talk about the food.
- The Smoked Angus Beef (₱900) was noteworthy for being soft, yes. You won’t even need a knife na when you eat because this is what “melts in your mouth” is like for real. However, this tasted quite bland. So when chewing, you – instead – taste the not necessarily desirable meat fat. Also, for ₱900, you get a small serving.
- The Beef Ragu (₱380) was malaman, and was cheesy. But it was also quite sweet. And yes, maliit ang serving.
- The Caesar Salad (₱250) was sariwa, and was cheesy. But for ₱250, the serving was quite small din.
- The French Fries (₱150) was served warm. But eat fast because mabilis kumunat.




Jfred’s Smokehouse is not a bad place. So if looking for smoked meat while in the area, yep… add this to your list of venues.
And yet this place made us realize that smoked meat is an acquired taste. Hindi lahat makaka-appreciate nito. And so yeah, revisiting isn’t in our calendar pa. So we just search for more lafang venues.

Jfred’s Smokehouse is located at 4930 Molino Blvd., Niog III, Bacoor City, Province of Cavite. Contact them at 0999 929 7624.
Dining Out
Heading to Cavite to try Som Thai Silang Bypass
We go to Silang to check Som Thai Silang Bypass.
There’s this venue in Silang in Cavite that started referring to itself as “Little Bangkok”. And why not, when – in a compound – there are various Thai-related offerings, helmed by a Thai resto called Som Thai Silang Bypass.
We checked it, and… how was it for us?
@outragemag Looking for #LGBTQ #thai #cheapeats in #Cavite? We checked Som Thai Silang Bypass to see if it's worth visiting
Una, this place is closer to Tagaytay than it is to Manila. So magbaon ng pasensiya at pera sa biyahe… considering that, yes, you have to allocate more time and monetary allocation for the gas and tolls just to check this place.
Ikalawa, the actual resto isn’t grand; it almost looks like a karinderya in the province. But then again, it reminds me of the micro and small entrepreneurs in rural parts of Thailand, where locals convert their houses into mini-restos for lunch and for dinner. Just don’t expect much when here.
Ikatlo, the service people were nice (e.g. they’d ask you if things are okay), but they were… slow (e.g. I had to approach the teller to pay the bill).








And lastly… the food; how was it for us?
- The Som Tam (papaya salad, ₱120 for the solo serving) was – in a word – malansa (fishy). There are different ways to prepare this, with some adding shrimp paste (bagoóng alamáng) or dried shrimps (hibi). But the version of Som Thai Silang Bypass tasted like it used fermented fish (bagoóng isdâ) from Pampanga. Now… if you’re familiar with Pampanga’s bagoong, you’d know what I mean when I say malansa.
- The Tom Yum seafood (₱291 for the solo serving) was, at least, malasa (tasty) and contained lots of seafood.
- The Pad Thai chicken (₱249 for the solo serving) was… tasteless. This is sorta disappointing because when a Thai resto can’t make a proper Pad Thai, you start to have doubts re authenticity.
- The Mango Duo (two pieces of half-cut fresh spring rolls + mango sticky rice + garlic mayo and peanut sauce, ₱265) is a cheaper way to get spring rolls and dessert. Nothing special here, but the mango slices used were really sweet.
- The Chicken Satay ((with peanut sauce and vinegar, ₱210) was bland. We were anticipating red curry (or massaman curry) or at least peanutty taste, but neither was noted. Even the peanut sauce did not taste peanutty.
- Be warned that the servings here are small – i.e. when they say “solo”, they’re serious in limiting you from sharing.
- Be warned, too, that some Thai condiments – e.g. tamarind paste – aren’t available. “Ubos na,” we were told.
If there aren’t other Thai restos in the area, Som Thai Silang Bypass should suffice. But this is Silang, a municipality in the Province of Cavite that has too many restos to count. So yeah… you can try if you want, and considering its limitations. Otherwise, let’s just discover more lafang venues.

Som Thai Silang Bypass is located along Bypass Road, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Cavite.
-
Beauty & Fashion2 weeks ago
Posh Skin Co. launches new pimple patch designs
-
Product Showcase2 days ago
TCL marks 25th anniversary, unveils new products with health and environmental protection features
-
Destinations1 week ago
Looking for good Ilonggo food in Bacoor, Cavite
-
NewsMakers1 week ago
Poor oral health linked with body pain and migraines in women
-
NewsMakers1 week ago
Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure — at least in the short term
-
NewsMakers1 week ago
Cannabidiol therapy could reduce symptoms in autistic children and teenagers
-
NewsMakers1 week ago
Menstrual cycle may contribute to sickle cell disease pain crises
-
NewsMakers1 week ago
Bad breath, bad news: How gum disease could worsen liver conditions