10 Cities Outside the Philippines Whose People Watch My Youtube Videos the Most as of March 15, 2025

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Interview w/ Italy-based Filipino Hair & Make-up Artist MALDITA FATE

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10 Countries Whose People Watched My Youtube Videos the Most in 2023

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Interview w/ Balik sa Basik Proponent LAARNI SILVA of Padova, Italy

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Interview w/ Filipina International Model ANNIE MARCELO

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Interview w/ NESS ARAJA of Ness Events Team in Venice, Italy

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Interview w/ PINKY BARCELONA-RUGGIERO, Bodyshots Model Search 1995 First Runner-up

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Interview w/ GRACE TAGAD-DENTI - Fashion Model, Macau Ambassadress & Wife

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European Cities That I Have Visited, So Far (as of August 4, 2022)

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AIRLINES THAT I RODE IN & THEIR RATINGS (as of July 7, 2022)

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Florence and Firenze (Italy) are One and the Same

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. During medieval times, it was the center of trade and finance in the entire Europe. It is very evident with the many business establishments that you can find in the city.

The Florence countryside is teeming with vegetation most especially grapes where you can find lots of plantations along the route to the city proper. Since grape plantations are bountiful in the area, it is logical to note that wines in the country are produced there.

This is also the city where you can find villas of the rich. Exclusive enclaves are located near the lush greenery of the area. Florence is an ideal place to build houses either for residential or vacation purposes.

Of course, the commercial and tourist district is where you can find the best of Italian architecture. Shops utilizing old buildings as well as hotels abound in the city. It is just awesome to see the old world having the new style in business.

As a devout catholic, I was amazed at seeing different churches with different architecture that can be seen in every corner of Florence. Just like any other Italian city, it is where you can find the old churches and the new ones filled with devotees inside. But it should be noted that not all the time, these churches are open to the public. There is a certain time of the day that visitors are allowed inside.

Walking through the streets of Florence, I cannot help but be mesmerized at how the people were able to preserve certain structures to the delight of its visitors. Despite being in an earthquake-prone area, buildings in Florence where able to stand strong from the devastations that ravaged the city in the past.

Whatever name you might want to call it, Florence or Firenze, it is one city worth going to when in Italy. The atmosphere is light and breezy. You just have to be ready for long walks as the way to the shopping area are narrow streets with outstanding sights along the way.

Credit to the owners of two photos. Also, special thank you to Miss Laarni Silva for bringing us there.

Simply Milan

Milan, Italy is the capital of the Lombardy region which is located in the northern part of the country bordering Switzerland. It is one of the most famous cities of Italy where fashion is the name of the game.

Milan is one of the fashion capitals of Europe and is regarded as host to one of the most awaited fashion weeks in the world. Italian as well as non-Italian brand names participate in this biennial fashion event. What with the many contributions of Italy in the world of fashion.

It is of no wonder why branded stores as well as those of upcoming names are scattered in the city. Prices can range from the most expensive located in malls and fashion streets to the cheap which are sold in the sidewalks of the city.

As in any other city in Italy, Milan has its share of churches to cater to the majority of Catholics in the country. Italy is predominantly Catholic. Their churches are also museums where tourists visit whether they are Catholics or not.

Despite the modern times, Milan has been successful in maintaining architecture in one side of the city. I marvel at how the buildings have been preserved to almost their original states. I guess it's political will.

Milan also has its share of modernity. With the ultra modern buildings being built at one side of the city, it tries to be updated with the latest design trends but, at the same time, be sustainable and environmental-friendly.

Milan can be reached from Manila by flights via Middle East cities, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai, Istanbul or Amsterdam. When in the city, you can go around the country or some European Union members states via train.

As of this writing, Milan is at the center of the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy. I am sure that the city has not lost its luster despite the trying times. Italians are known to be strong people. Definitely, it will be back on its feet very soon.

Milan might seem to be a highly-strung city but I see it as a very simple city just like any other city in the world. It's just that it was able to build a niche of its own.

(Credit to the owners of some of the photos used.)

Bologna is not Just Meat...It is Also an Italian City

For some, when they hear Bologna, they think of it as sandwich filling or some kind of a meat. Well, that's true. But it is also an Italian city where, despite the emergence of modernity, still has that Italian vibe.

Bologna is located in the northern part of Italy and is one favorite shopping areas. Many night markets can be enjoyed by shoppaholics and prices are really low. Imagine, an Italian pair of shoes for just 10 to 20 euros.

Since Italy is the seat of catholicism, it is but natural that church can also be found in Bologna in almost every street you go to. Some of its churches are even considered as museums already. What with those beautiful architecture as well as intricate interiors.

During our stay, we were billeted at the Savioa Hotel Regency which is located near the big highway but the quiet ambience makes this four-star hotel a good venue for events and conferences. Its ballroom was where our fashion show was held.

Strolling around the city, one cannot help but be awed with the way Italians preserve their structures. Branded names are not allowed to change the facade of their stores. They can only put a small brand name within the premises of the building.

Transportation is very easy. Buses ply routes of your choice. Since there are lots of cars already in the city, some opt to travel by bicycle. Discipline is key for the traffic situation not to worsen. Bologna has that discipline with its people riding buses and bicycle instead of using cars.

When in Bologna, you cannot help but be amazed by the structures that you see in the city. Despite the modern times, the atmosphere is still very Italian and European. I envy at how they value posterity as well as heritage. It is also called the red city because most of the structures are made from red bricks with terra cotta roofings.

Given another chance, I still would love to visit Bologna in the future. The five days that we were in the city were not enough to explore more. Many thanks to our sponsors Ms. Dittz Centeno and Ms. Laarni Silva.

Bologna is more than meat. It is an Italian city that has "meat" for culture.

The Tower is Still Leaning in Pisa

Pisa in Italy is best known for its leaning tower said to have been standing since the time even before Galileo Galilee was born. It is located in the Tuscany region on the western part of the country. Its long history dates back to years before Christ was born.

Of course, its main attraction is the Leaning Tower of Pisa which is one of the main tourist attractions in the Piazza Dei Miracolli. Surprisingly, most of the tourists who visit the place are Asians. There are other nationalities among the crowd but Asians were the bulk of the visitors (maybe just on the day we were there).

Inside the piazza, there is the huge Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte and a vast garden where tourists rest and take pictures of the famous leaning tower.

But the city of Pisa is not all about its tourist spots. There are lush greenery in the other part of the city. It is also where the Arno River is located. It is the city's main tributary that leads to the Luguiran Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea).

The other portions of Pisa are typical of any other city in Italy. The architecture, the ambience, the environment and the people make you feel that you are in an Italian set-up full of stories and history.

When visiting Italy, going to Pisa is a must. If only to see if the tower is still leaning. Yes, it still is and it was worth the visit.

Thanks to Ms. Delia Gabatin for this trip. Special acknowledgement also goes to Ms. Laarni Silva.