Fixating Fascination: The Jazz'n Bluz Experience

Jazz’n Bluz has always fascinated me everytime I pass by Ayala Access Road going to my former workplace. I worked in the evening then, so all I saw lighting the thoroughfare were street lamps and those coming from the buildings and establishments lined up next to each other. Jazz’n Bluz’s wall sign was always bright and colorful. I knew then that I’ll get in that music bar one day. Despite the intense longing, however, either I didn’t have the time or I didn’t have enough audacity to get in there by myself.

I let that go until opportunity opened itself. Just yesterday, my present company concluded Fiscal Year 2010 inside Jazz’n Bluz. We had to wear our 60’s outfit and everyone was up for it. The ambiance inside the bar was just as I thought it would be – dimly lit with colorful lights, a drinking bar, a stage, and a set of musical instruments. It was the kind of place where you can chill out either by yourself or with a group of friends. The show spotlights the band and its music and nothing more. But of course, since it was a company celebration we had to steal a little of the limelight by holding our short progam and presentations. The rest of the night was spent partying and grooving in the music performed by two of their excellent live bands.

I have to say that the experience was great. One of my confreres confessed that what stood out best is the atmosphere in the venue which dispelled her discomfort and encouraged letting loose of one’s’ reservations. To me, it was more than just about the party. It was the satisfaction brought by the quiet fulfillment of an old fascination.

Jazz’n Bluz is open to holding special occasions and parties. They serve good food and prides Itself to be the town’s maker of the best ceviches (an English term for “kinilaw”), baked scallops, and tiramisu. Not much has been said about the owner but it could be Yuko Ishikawa, whose visibility commands the place. For more information, you may visit their website: www.jazznbluzcebu.com .

JAZZ’N BLUZ
27F Cabahug Street,Ayala
Access Road,Mabolo Cebu City
TEL : (6332)232-2698
FAX : (6332)231-4373
URL : www.jazznbluzcebu.com
E-MAIL :info@jazznbluzcebu.com

Time-traveling Vigan

Vigan will never be unfamiliar to any schooled Filipino because several significant and memorable events in Philippine history took place in the city. Regardless of whether they call the  high school subject Sibika at Kultura, Araling Panlipunan, or HEKASI, its books contain “Vigan”. People like Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo, Padre Jose Burgos and many others walked along its streets.

Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Despite its popularity, it was to me just history until it became part of me that fateful night of June 30, 2010.

We arrived at Laoag Airport straight from Manila close to 6PM, rode on a jeepney and headed straight to the bus in the terminal which brought us to Vigan Public Market. Vigan is 80 kilometers away from Laoag and takes about 1½ hours to commute. Once you are there, trikes are the other popular means of transportation let alone a few traditional kalesa. Seven pesos per passenger will take you to any destinations within the city – the same took us to Villa Angela.

Villa Angela Heritage House is a beautiful Spanish house which was built by Gobernadorcillo Agapito Florendo y Bonifacio in 1870 and originally owned by Engr. Candelario V. Verzosa, Sr. and Dra. Purificacion Lahoz-Verzosa before they bequeathed ownership to their own present-day generations . Although online marketing does not make mention of visits and short stays by local and foreign artists, Piolo Pascual’s framed picture with his affixed signature hangs proudly on its hallway wall. Other than that, the attendant revealed about Tom Cruise’s 6-month stay in the place