Saab Lariosa

1 week ago | rappler.com | Saab Lariosa

I’ve loved books ever since I was a little kid. I remember the rush of entering a Booksale shop and my parents allowing me to buy a single book, one that I’d proceed to devour for the rest of the week. Now at 27, I still feel that giddiness whenever I enter bookstores and read new titles. That one-book limit wasn’t holding me back anymore, and I see it as a way of not healing, but treating myself and my inner child. The only thing that held me back was those book prices.

1 month ago | rappler.com | Saab Lariosa

Most of us have that one friend who always brings home quirky snacks, cute stationery, or those limited-edition KitKats from their Japan trip. In my friend groups, that friend is me. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Japan eight times, and I still get excited like it’s my first with each trip. Every visit, I find myself falling in love with the little details: The convenience stores, the way the simplest products feel well-made, and the sheer variety of stuff you can find.

1 month ago | rappler.com | Saab Lariosa

With Japan experiencing a tourism boom this year, we’re taking you on a firsthand look at what two different budget hotels in Tokyo look like, and what you can expect from each one. Kicking off our Tokyo hotel series, we check into one of Japan’s most well-known business hotel chains: APA Hotel. From its signature compact yet comfortable rooms, we’ll see what makes APA a go-to hotel for many tourists around the world.

2 months ago | rappler.com | Saab Lariosa

Have you seen those TikTok videos romanticizing Manilalife with warnings like “P1,000 mo, isang araw lang dito” (Your P1,000 is gone in a day here)? That used to be a big fear when I decided to move to Manila. When I landed my first job, I commuted to and from Cavite to Manila every day. I’d wake up at 5 am, wait through traffic and long lines, and get home just in time to get some rest and do it again the next day.

2 months ago | rappler.com | Saab Lariosa

I wouldn’t say I’m a total sneakhead, but growing up with a shoe-collecting father has taught me a few things about shoes and how most trends nowadays are resurrected. Still, I never thought I’d see the day when my favorite bulky sneakers would be taking a backseat. Yep, “skinny” sneakers aren’t just back; they’re everywhere, at least on my FYP. From runways to TikTok ‘It Girl’ fits, there’s been a shift in what’s been trending in the shoe department.