Happy Lunar New Year!
Practicing daily gratitude
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. // Lamentations 3:22-23
Practicing Daily Gratitude. #Meditations #Habits
The breath taking Garden grounds of Château de Versailles
Though I took these photos while walking through the garden grounds of Château de Versailles, in the far corners of my mind, I am taken back to a place called ‘Plumfield’, a place where 10 year old Annie ‘Nan’ Harding grew up. From the beautiful blue sky, the foliage and the pathways, an image like this can only bring back nostalgic memories of your favorite books growing up.
Truly, to read is to travel, giving one the sense of ‘I’ve been here before…’. Beauty has a way of inspiring and bringing back memories. #chateauversailles Château de Versailles
Experience the power of the north sea at oostende beach
Ostend (Dutch pronunciation: Oostende) Beach located in the province of West Flanders, Belgium has a strategic position on the North Sea that offers both major advantages for the city as a harbor (fishing and trade), and as a source of trouble (vikings and other conquering armies).
After the 18th century, Ostend was turned into a harbor of some importance when the Dutch, in 1722, closed off the entrance to the world’s biggest harbor of Antwerp, the Westerschelde. Ostend thus rose in importance when the town provided an alternative exit to the North sea.
At present, the beach is known for its sea-side esplanade, Royal Galleries, promenade pier, and fine-sand beaches. Here, a couple of preschoolers take a day trip enjoying the sand at Ostend. #LayasPaula #Belgium #Ostende 🇧🇪
LA RACLETTE!
A winter dish, which is usually eaten during frozen nights to warm up a little bit! Long ago, Raclette was a traditional meal for peasants in the mountains of Switzerland. Usually, they bring cheese with them when they go up or down the mountains and when there is campfire, they put the cheese close to the fire and when it melts to a certain softness, the peasants scrape it off as toppings on the bread.
Today, it is now considered a fantastic party dish! Each person takes a pan and lets the cheese melt in the Raclette maker. Can be combined with a variety of cheeses, vegetables and cold cuts. You can put chocolates as well, depending on the kind of Raclette party you’re having.
All the charm of a barbecue, except you can do it in winter! #LayasPaula #France 🇫🇷
Care for drinks? Try Bar Pintxos
So you’ve clocked out of work and just want to hang out with friends, or maybe want to have a few drinks and take the edge off? Might we suggest Bar Pintxos.
Currently, the restaurant/bar has three branches located at Alabang, BGC and Salcedo Makati. For the sake of this review, we are focused on doing a quick review of their Salcedo, Makati branch.
So on to the review! Our three-person group couldn’t specifically pin on Waze where exactly the restaurant was, so we had to take a quick walk around the block. Nestled and what seemed to be, literally, a hole in the wall, Pintxos was recognized thanks to a few wall art or murals.
Looking from the outside – in. Photos courtesy of Charm Leong. 
The restaurant looked small from the outside, and was even smaller on the inside. Cramped but well lit, Pintxos had a few artworks on its wall. A bar was situated on the further end of the room, with a few dining spaces which, what seemed, could fit around 15-20 people only.
Our group made a reservation in advance, which was a good decision! Our reserved spot was the ONLY good seating location that was conducive to a meeting, as the place quickly picked up pace as the night went on.
What we ordered – This being the first time to visit Pintxos, we went for two different food platters (charchuteria), a small plate of paella mixta, crisp eggplant fritters (escalivada), 2 glasses of beer and wine. Over-all, the food and drink were familiar.
Considering the bill we got, for three people at what were considered finger foods, P4000+ was expensive. However, it was all off-set due to the little bit of privacy we got at the far end of the room. As far as the crowd was concerned, seemed like most were working professionals who were in their mid-30’s to late 40’s.
Will we recommend this place for a business meeting? No. Be ready to sit in a noisy/cramped area if you haven’t had the chance to make reservations in advance.
Will we give this restaurant another shot? Yes. Pintxos is a restaurant/bar that captures casual dining for those who want a quick bite or drink with friends after work.
Bar Pintxos, Salcedo Makati branch
Date & time of visit: 17 July 2019, Wednesday, 6PM
Over-all rating ★★☆☆☆
Taylor, you’re not alone.
You know why the disgust is on a whole new level?
It’s close to pimping.
Taylor Swift’s masters are her whole career. Her ‘body’ of work.
Then there are these types of men.
They make money from it.
They pimp it.
They try to control you, by controlling ‘it’.
— All without having to do the ‘work’ themselves.
The industry varies, but these ‘types’ do exist.
Toxic masculinity exists and yes, it transcends the workplace.
As a creative and as a woman, I’ve had my share of encountering men such as these. Disgusted, yes. But no longer surprised.
Yet thankfully, not all men are like the ones we’ve met in our careers and in our personal lives. In fact, it was best that you met them early on. Hopefully, you’ll know the signs even before you make that professional or romantic commitment.
Just letting you know: I’ve been there, I hear you and I stand with you. #IstandwithTaylorSwift
Certified List of Senatorial Candidates in upcoming may 13 2019 Philippine Elections
New Year’s Eve on the roof
A few minutes before the clock struck January 1st 2019, with my camera on hand, I stood on the roof top of our building taking pictures of all the magnificent fireworks. Aside from being uncomfortably chilly outside, I feared I met get hit by one of the frenzied sparklers that were let loose. My armor? A grandma sweater and a baseball cap.
If I get hit, then I can always shout for help, right?
Kidding aside, the risk was well worth it. I got a front row seat of the momentous occasion. Even for just a few minutes that night, I reckoned, man was able to paint the midnight sky with all the hues available to him.
I made a pre-selection of all the photos I took that night. It can be viewed in the video below.
How about you? How did you welcome the New Year?
Innovative Spaces
Back in the day, I used to write constantly on this website. It’s still quite popular (with more than 1k subscribers), but I am delving into social media as a complement to Miss Tolentino dot com.
With the goal of refining my visual communication techniques, I have opted to create the Miss Tolentino Facebook page where I can instantaneously post my projects, my art (both visual and literary pieces), photography, humor and other relevant interests that go with being a creative.
May you find this space inspiring, challenging and thought-provoking. Also, I highly value collaboration, brain-storming and ideas. If you have comments or strong sentiments on the subjects I post, please feel free to let me know as long as they are constructive and respectful in manner/tone.
Thank you for following my page. I look forward to building a creative community that thrives in spaces where independent and innovative thinking is encouraged.
Maria Paula Tolentino
MPT/Miss Tolentino
Snapshots of OceanaGold’s Didipio Progress
Didipio Progress: A Mine Site Coverage
These are just a compilation of some photos taken during the mine site coverage of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. at Brgy. Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya from 26 – 30 June 2017. More of this story will be discussed further by Paula Tolentino.
Didipio Progress: A glimpse of the Open Pit Mine at Brgy. Didipio Nueva Vizcaya
This video was shot right smack on the mouth of the open pit mine at Brgy. Didipio, the OceanaGold Mining Project. The scale and magnitude of what the human mind can achieve is awe-inspiring.
#ResponsibleMining #PhilippineMining #Mining
SPOOF: How to epicly fail in wearing your PPEs
During an underground mine tour, our group was required to wear PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment). I had to finally ask help with wearing mine. This epic fail from my end was embarrassing and hilarious 🙂
All content © Maria Paula Tolentino
