February 27, 2011

“Langhap sarap” is  one of the most popular and very easily recognizable  advertising tag lines in the Philippines.  It belongs to Jollibee.  Langhap means “to smell” while sarap means “delicious/yummy”.  When we were in the Philippines, we had the chance to eat at or buy to-go from Jollibee.  The first one was for “breakfast-on-the- go” and the second one was for lunch.  The third time was for a quick dinner.  It’s hard to miss Jollibee in the Philippines.  Almost every street corner has a Jollibee outlet. If blac label clothing would heed Jollibee’s formula for advertising genius, it should become a household name in no time.

I was happy to see this young trees at the University of Santo Tomas “greenbelt”.  The narra tree is the Philippines’ national tree.  It is a hardwood and a much-coveted material for furniture making and house building many years ago.  It is now illegal to cut-down and truck the narra tree as the Philippines no longer enjoy a plentiful supply of the tree, no thanks to illegal logging.  It’s almost as rare as a  Black Diamond Engagement Ring…but I could be wrong.

One of the highlights of our vacation in the Philippines was a short but nevertheless sweet visit to hubby’s and my alma mater…The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST), which turned 400 years old this year. We took as many photos as we possibly can in the two hours that we were on campus grounds.  Two hours proved to be too short though.  Still, those two hours brought back happy memories of the years we spent in the University.  I still need acne scar treatment for all the sleepless nights during my college days! Hee hee.  Hubby and I sure are glad to have been home in the year our alma mater celebrated a milestone birthday. What great blessing!