To relax I… watch a lot of concerts. I love music! I also blow bubbles and hula-hoop. At the same time.
Interesting hobbies and obsessions: Astrology. I read my horoscope every day. I also enjoy Tarot. One of my other dreams when I was a kid was to be a fortune-teller.
The thing I love the most about living in New York: Getting to live my dream.
What I miss the most about the Philippines: My family, my friends and all the pretty girls.
Favorite way to connect with loved ones back home: Snail mail! I’m very old school. I love writing letters and decorating them with stickers and fun stuff. My grandmother is the best because she always sends me letters and cards. I have Viber groups with my high school and college barkada, and it’s great because I know what’s up—although I get kind of jealous when they are planning get-togethers.
Five things you can’t live without: Coffee. Music. Dreams. Intellectual conversations. Crushes.
When friends visit New York, I take them to… the Wythe Hotel rooftop bar (The Ides). It’s my favorite view of the Manhattan skyline.
Favorite borough: Brooklyn! It’s where I am all the time.
Favorite New York restaurant: Alice’s Tea Cup. It’s one of my favorites because it’s Alice in Wonderland-themed! I go there with friends and we get the Mad Hatter Tea. You pick two teas (my favorite is Alice’s Tea and Drink Me Detox) and they give you a three-tiered stand with scones, sandwiches and dessert. I actually had my 24th Royal Birthday Tea Party there and I made all my guests wear tiaras.
Favorite New York cheap thrill: Amazing musicians who perform in the subways. Yesterday, there was a guy in Union Square with this thing that recorded his voice. He started with beat-boxing “Fancy” and then he started layering other beats and then he started rapping. I wanted to join but I was too shy.
Favorite thing to do on weekdays: Work! I super love my job.
Favorite thing to do on weekends: Hang out with my friends in parks.
Favorite places for shopping: Beacon’s Closet! I love thrift shopping. I also shop online a lot and I find super great deals at Barneys Warehouse and The Outnet.com. When it comes to physical shopping, I love SoHo. All my favorite stores are there.
Where I go for a dose of culture: Museums. I love the MoMA and the Met. I also love going to poetry readings. I’m seeing Andrea Gibson again this month and I am very excited!
Favorite New York hangout: Central Park
One New York secret you wish you can tell tourists: It wouldn’t be a secret if I told people :)
Any other secrets about your city that you want to share? Go to the Strand Book Store. If you want to have a food fest in your tummy, go to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. During the summer, there are a lot of free movie screenings at parks—Bryant Park, McCarren Park—all you have to do is bring your mat and snacks. If you want to view the Statue of Liberty but you don’t want to pay for anything, ride the Staten Island Ferry. Always check the weather before going out to make sure you are appropriately dressed.
Find Triszh on Instagram and Twitter: @triszhermogenes.