I've been busy the past few weeks but Mina V. Esguerra, one of my favorite #romanceclass writers, recently released a new book and there was no way I was going to miss participating in book release festivities. If you are part of a book club or are thinking of doing a buddy read or group read with friends, why not make a party of it?

Below are some suggestions for location, music, food, and activities you can try, whether you'll be DIY-ing or going all out budget-wise.

But first, here is some information about the book "What Kind of Day."

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he's been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city.

It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn't ideal, especially if the person is a former colleague and the subject of the day's hottest political trash fire. But work is work, and she decides to let him stay in the tour. 

She's hoping she won't regret it. He's hoping his day turns around. What kind of day could it be? Maybe the best kind.

DIY

If you or your friends have a house, apartment, etc. that has enough space for a small crowd, there's no reason why your WKoD party can't be a house party. For decor, you can put a comfy chair, preferably red, in a corner of your venue and cover the wall with colorful post-its you can later write "Today is..." statements on as a party activity.

GO ALL OUT

If you want to go all out, why not book a room at the Bayleaf Intramuros or White Knight Hotel Intramuros and make a staycation out of it? Bayleaf Intramuros' rooms have, according to their website, "plush beds, a 32-inch LCD TV, Wi-Fi Internet, and spacious bath with rain shower." White Knight Hotel's rooms, on the other hand, are much simpler but reasonably priced and they also offer e-chariot and bike tours of Intramuros. If you go with Bayleaf Intramuros, don't forget to check out the view and the food from their 9 Spoons and Sky Deck restaurants. 😉

Bayleaf Intramuros
Muralla corner Victoria streets
Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines
Take a virtual tour here.
+63 (2) 318 5000 or 328 3170

White Knight Hotel
Plaza San Luis Complex
General Luna Street cor. Urdaneta Street
Intramuros, Manila
+632 524-7382, +632 526-6539, +632 525-2381

Photos from: Bayleaf Intramuros website, White Knight Hotel website, and Lamudi.

DIY

A What Kind of Day party won't be complete without kare-kare and baked tahong. You can also throw in some whole wheat bread sandwiches as snacks in between activities. For drinks, don't forget the orange juice and craft beer.  

GO ALL OUT

If you're looking to splurge, consider scheduling a degustation with Pepita's Kitchen (their kare-kare is a best-seller). If degustations aren't your thing, how about choosing from one of the restaurants listed as having mouthwatering or unique kare-kare or one of these restaurants where you can get baked tahong with cheese.

Photos from: The Philippine Craft Kings and Yummy.ph

I created a Spotify playlist with songs that reminded me of Ben, Naya, and certain moments from the book. There's only 10 songs so far, but if you have any song suggestions, let me know in the comments below and I'll add them to the playlist. 😊

DIY
Monster Crafts. If you and your friends love arts and crafts, how about creating your own mini monster alter egos? National Bookstore sells plenty of art supplies, including a kit that contains assorted craft materials, and they even have cute monster tattoo stickers.

Make your own inspirational t-shirt. You can write any inspirational message you want or, to be true to the story, you can write your own "Today" statements on a white card using a Sharpie. You can then have your designs printed through companies like Transfer It and Custom Thread.

GO ALL OUT

Book a Manila tour. There are plenty of highly recommended tours you can try. Carlos Celdran offers an Intramuros tour, which works out great if you booked a room at Bayleaf, White Knight or anywhere nearby. Old Manila Walks also offers an Intramuros tour, plus other interesting tours like the Big Binondo Food Wok. As mentioned earlier, if you stay at White Knight Hotel, you can also try tours by E-Chariot Tours Manila. They have a 30-minute and a 1-hour tour for P499 and P999 per person, respectively. They also have Bike Tours at P250 per person for the 30-minute Budget Tour and P500 per person for the 1-hour Grand Intramuros Tour.

Ice skating. If sports are more up your alley, you can also go ice skating. You can find skating rinks at SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, Southmall and Seaside City Cebu. You can see their rates here.

Photos from: Old Manila Walks, SM Skating Rink, and Transfer It

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon | Apple ibooks | Kobo | Smashwords | B&N

Gumroad | Print order form (Philippines)