Christian Vittorio Viñas
Writer / Author
Storytelling is not the same as an LLM | Writer
Crossroads
I'm at a crossroad right now. Taking the proverbial leap of faith is the rational thing to do, and by now, it's the only choice I have. Not knowing where to go next is forgivable but it seems stupid and foolhardy to stay, anyway. Considering not only the choice of roads ahead, but also, importantly, looking back at the way by which I have come before may guide me. But still, I'm baffled as to where would I go.
I'm at a crossroads, and frankly, I'm not faring well in this situation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Change For The Better
I remember Rachel, my 22-year-old friend in high school. She was shy but hardworking when it came to doing our homework back then. “I gave way for my older brother to finish his studies and become an architect,” she said. Well, my friend Mark just turned 24 and became an architect—a professional one, too.
Rachel wore loose maong pants and our PE T-shirt, and carried a heavy bag filled with books and God knew what. She was a good friend. My other friends were so excited to experience life afte...
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1,234 letters
It’s not about “me” loving “you.” Don’t think of it that way.
This essay is one of the 1,234 letters that I have written for you. I do not know when, where or even how I will give it to you. I just wrote it addressed to you in advance hoping that you, my future partner, would admire my love for you.
It’s a cycle, a cliché scene in my mind wherein the boy-meets-girl setting ends up not-so-happily-ever-after. It’s common for you because you’ve experienced it time and time again. Kinda sucks, ri...
WhenInManila.com
H.I.D. Burgers: A Perfect Barkada Hangout Place
When going out with friends and family, it’s a staple that even if it’s just window shopping or a joy ride in the outskirts of the Metro, we always agree on one thing: to find a place to eat and fill our tummies after a tiring trip. As the Christmas season becomes the go-to reunion date for most people to catch up, and 13th (and 14th) month pay slips are coming, we engaged in a food crawl to test a certain restaurant just outside the metro.
Enter: H.I.D. Burgers. H.I.D. Burgers, or Healthy and Irresistibly Delicious Burgers, boasts of flame-grilled chicken patties and oozing raclette cheese.
WhenInManila.com
The Maginhawa Snack Track 2018: Retraced
Maginhawa remains to be one of people’s favorite food streets. Offering everything from drinks and desserts to snacks and full-course meals, it isn’t a surprise that people find their tastebud heaven there sooner or later. However, appealing as the endless choices may be, even old-timers can sometimes struggle when choosing where to go.
As the year has once again turned over a new page, it is inevitable for Maginhawa to go through a couple of changes, as well. From our 2015 Snack Track, check out our updates on which ones have closed, which ones stayed, and which ones are new options you can
WhenInManila.com
#MADFest2017: Celebrating Filipino Talent through Music, Arts and Dance
Filipinos love music. Everyone will agree with me when I say that. So, come the long weekend, it’s no surprise that Jack TV’s #MADFest2017 drew a massive crowd amidst the ASEAN break and the excruciating traffic.
Jack TV delivered on its promise and brought back the biggest Music, Arts and Dance Festival: MADFest 2017 championing on the theme Juan Sound. One Playground. It was a celebration of breakthrough Filipino talent as concert-goers enjoyed 12 hours of non-stop music and interactive games to play. Held last November 11 at Circuit Makati Events Grounds, the concert boasted of a lineup co
WhenInManila.com
Mercato Centrale is Now Open at Glorietta 4!
From the people who brought you Cucina Adare, the first food truck market in the Philippines and Midnight Mercato @ BGC comes Mercato Centrale, a smorgasbord of good food located at Dolphin Park, Glorietta 4 (across Ascott Hotel), Ayala Malls Makati! The Mercato Centrale group, the premier night food market experience, brings together another great selection of well-curated street food-inspired vendors in one c...
WhenInManila.com
Arnel Pineda Celebrates His 50th Birthday in Grand Rockstar Fashion
When talking about Pinoy pride – i.e. Filipinos who brought fame and glory to the Philippines and earned a mark on an international scale – one singer always comes to my mind: Arnel Pineda. Sure, we have senator Manny Pacquiao and Lea Salonga, among others; but knowing Filipinos and their love for music, you would be surprised if no one knows who Arnel Pineda is.
(RELATED: Arnel Pineda Met Journey’s Former Lead Singer Steve Perry And It Wa...
WhenInManila.com
Matisyahu: The King Without a Crown Comes to Manila for One Reggae-Filled Night
When in Manila witnessed reggae in its raw form as Grammy-nominated reggae artist Matisyahu (or Matthew Paul Miller) recently performed in the Philippines last September 23, promoting their 6th studio album, Undercurrent. It is with great pleasure welcoming Matisyahu here for the first time and having the chance to witness it, too.
For me, the album is about finding and celebrating what each person goes through—self-sa...
WhenInManila.com
#WIMAsks Dutdutan 2017: What is your most memorable tattoo?
Bikinis, skin arts, bands, beers, and more tattoos! It was a celebration of art and ink at Dutdutan 2017, and it was a blast!
Held at World Trade Center last September 1 and 2, Dutdutan 2017 was on a roll from beginning to end. There were showcases, the tattoo competition, and 140 participating booths. Dutdutan 2017 featured guests who are renowned international artists in the ink industry such as tattoo artists Bobby Ruiz, Luke Wessman, ...
WhenInManila.com
Can’t Wait for the Justice League Movie? Catch the DC Fever and Join the League!
With November fast approaching, almost all comic book fans are already looking forward to Justice League, the next in line for the DCEU, or the DC Cinematic Universe. The first film in the franchise came out in 2013 with Man of Steel, followed by Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and the most recent, the box-office hit Wonder Woman.
ALSO READ: ‘Wonder Woman 2’ to Be Released in 2019!
Well, look...
WhenInManila.com
Red Ninja’s Year-Ender Fest Closed the Year with a Bang!
Red Ninja Productions, one of the long-standing music event groups in Manila, didn’t fail to live up to its patrons’ expectations as they brought another great year-ender with the Red Ninja Year Ender Fest! The #RedNinjaYearEnderFest took place at B-Side, The Collective, on December 2, where local bands and indie artists were brought together by the Ninja Masters on a cool, December night.
Red Ninja Productions, spearheaded by Nicole Sarmiento, reunited old and new bands as they proudly presented the ‘big guns’, including Hale, Cheats, Assembly Gene
WhenInManila.com
Empacho: A Taste of Home Through Filipino Comfort Food with a Twist
Empacho, a young yet already thriving restobar situated at the heart of Tomas Morato.
Industrial-themed interiors
With brick-covered walls and wood-laden table sets and accents, everything about the place screams “home”. Couple that with the accommodating staff, it’s not hard to instantly feel cozy and welcomed at Empacho. Found on the second floor, it separates you from the hustle and bustle of t...
WhenInManila.com
2nd ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival Launches Official Network for Young Entrepreneurs
2017 was a milestone year for the Philippines as we hosted ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary at the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) in Manila. Philippines hosted the 2nd ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival this year, which gathered a lot of interested persons from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Young entrepreneurs and delegates had the opportunity to network and participate in d...
WhenInManila.com
Experiencing a Diverse Culinary Culture at Novotel Manila Araneta Center’s Asian Street Food Festival!
#AsianStreetFoodFestival is now open to serve you. (And your tastebuds!)
If you love local street foods such as barbeque, isaw, calamares, kikiam, fishball, and squidball, wait till you taste their counterparts as Novotel Manila Araneta Center presents Asian Street Food Festival, a culmination of culinary culture from all parts of Asia for the Filipino foodie.
In celebration of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, Asian Stre...