The Super Lomi of Malvar, Batangas

 

One Sunday morning, me and Jerry decided to go to Malvar, Batangas to have some lomi.
I did not know that he ordered the Super Bowl. So when the order was put on our table, I almost screamed because of the size. It's the KING of bowls!

Toppings 101: Pork; Liver; Chicharon; and Meatballs.

Try the Super Lomi at TDA's Lomi House and Kitchenette, along the national highway in Malvar, Batangas.

Casino Español de Manila

Casino Español de Manila is located at TM Kalaw St in Manila, juxtaposed to the Instituto Cervantes de Manila. It is near the LRT station at UN Avenue. It was erected in 1893 as an exclusive club for Hispanics living in Manila that time. The design of the first building was based on the works of Juan Arellano (1913). It was opened in 1917 and was unfortunately destroyed during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.

The club was transferred at the corners of Oregon St (now Apacible St) and Perez St in Paco, Manila. It was re-erected in its original location in 1951 with the help of Ignacio Planas.

Casino Español de Manila now serves as the venue for pertinent occasions of Spain in the Philippines.

The above photo is the logo of the restaurant.

TIP: Try their Paella Nigra.

Other outstanding foods:
1) Filetes de Lenguado Muenniere

 2) Paella a la Valenciana

 3) Buko Pandan

 4) Leche Flan

Their official website is this.

Tower Ground Bulalohan in Tagaytay

It was really stormy, but we fought it like pro-firefighters. Amidst the drizzle and cold wind blows, we drove to Tagaytay for that yummy mushroom burger and bulalo.

When we got there, there was a family of eight. From the front side of the establishment, you could see the Taal Volcano in one of the windows.

We did not mind the strong wind, that it even made our eating not really comfortable. But we wanted to eat with the view of the volcano, so we took a seat by the window and did not mind what the waiters were thinking that time. We also ordered fried tawilis. And it's so yummy!

Tagaytay's Mushroomburger

Mushroomburger attracts many visitors and considered as one of Tagaytay's icons. Its name is a derivative of the main ingredient of the burger patty - mushroom. Two other branches have been opened in front of Ateneo de Manila University and in 91 West Avenue, Quezon City.

Price of burgers range from 30pesos for the Pinoy mushroom burger to 94pesos for the king-sized mushroom burger (in picture).

The mushroom burger steak with adobo egg is super-yummy (96pesos).

The gravy is superb.

This one's Sweet Mushroom Drink, aka mushroom-y gulaman (29pesos).

Buddy's Pancit Habhab

Branches are in Market! Market!, Taguig and in Jupiter St, Makati. You can contact them at telephone numbers 8867711 and 8867722.

Ilocos Empanada: How To Prepare

1. Get the wrapping material made from rice (please do not ask me how to turn it into something like in the picture). It’s ORANGE!

2. Flatten it.

3. Put the uncooked cabbage and cooked mongo sprouts. Take note of the placement.

4. Put the longganisa (Ilocos sausage) and raw egg. Take note that they are placed in the inner side of the semi-circle formation of the fillings.

5. Lift the other side of the wrapping material to close. Press the edges. Smoothen the edges. Deep-fry!

Thanks to Ms Revie dela Cruz of Angela’s Empanada, located in front of the public market of Pagudpud.

Pagudpud Public Market

Angela's Empanada (located in front of Pagudpud Public Market)

The Wonders of Ilocos Norte

In the Philippines, provinces are grouped into regions with the National Capital Region comprising the focal point. Region I, or more commonly known as the Ilocandia, is composed of four provinces in Northern Luzon: Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. However, Ilocos is only commonly referred to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, with the UNESCO Heritage City of Vigan as the frontliner. Ilocos is a major tourism hub for its centuries-old churches (prime examples are those that can be found in Sta Maria, Vigan, Paoay and Bacarra), old Spanish houses in Vigan and even contemporary structures like the windmills of Bangui and Malacanang Ti Amianan in Paoay. Other tourist sites include the homes of patriotic heroes like Juan Luna in Badoc, Diego Silang, Leona Florentino and Father Burgos (one of the three martyr priests) in Vigan, Artemio Ricarte in Batac. Even the houses of former presidents of the country have attracted massive number of visitors like that of Elpidio Quirino (or the Syquia Mansion) in Vigan and Ferdinand Marcos in Batac. Natural wonders include the beaches of Pagudpud and Cabugao (which is good for surfing), sand dunes and the magnificent lake of Paoay and Tirad Pass in Cervantes. Delicious foods are also popular like the pinakbet, bagnet, longganisa, sinanglao, chichacorn, soft biscocho, balicutia, bibingka, empanada and okoy.

How to enjoy Ilocos Norte with a tight budget?

1. Buses are cheaper modes of transportation from Manila than planes. But you have to spend 10-12 hours travelling. Planes can only consume 1.5 hours. For those who cannot afford to buy plane tickets, they can take the bus. The most expensive bus fare is 962pesos with Partas (deluxe type). Partas terminals are in Pasay and Cubao. Other options include the Farinas Trans (green buses), Autobus (orange) and Florida Liner (pink).

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CebuPac) fly from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 2 and 3, respectively. PAL flies to Laoag at 1745hours, while CebuPac is either 1240 or 1800 (both airlines fly only once everyday to Laoag International Airport). From the airport, one can take shuttles or trikes to the city proper. You can ask your hotel to pick you up at the airport. Just a caution though, not all hotels offer free airport transport. Better ask the hotel before making a reservation to save money.

2. For local accommodation, it is best to plan very wisely. There are hotels within the city and in nearby towns (which can be 30 minutes away from the airport at most). If you are planning to roam the city at night, it is best to stay in one of the hotels in the city proper. But there are also good finds at the outskirts of the city, such as the 5-star Fort Ilocandia in Paoay and Gertes Hotel in Laoag (via San Nicolas). You can also opt to stay in Playa Tropical in Currimao or Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud.

3. For tour packages, you can ask your hotel for tour packages or contact James through mobile number 09083088131. Rate ranges from 3500 - 4000pesos. Some offers 2500pesos, but customers shoulder the expenses for fuel. Driver and van is, of course, included. You can go to any part of the province or even Vigan. Some drivers even suggest good itineraries to maximise your visit to the place.

4. Take the early evening CebuPac flight (1800hours) from Manila and arrive in Laoag at 1920hours. If you are planning to include a one-day swimming in Pagudpud, you can go directly to this town. This will give you the time to rest for the night and wake up to the scent of the ocean breeze. Homestay is popular in this town wherein you can avail really low rates. Cottages in the municipal beach cost 300pesos for overnight stay (plus 20pesos entrance fee). There are buses that ply from Laoag to Pagudpud (I do not know though the time schedules for buses, so for you to be assured of the bus, better take the early afternoon CebuPac flight). Fare should be minimal as there are only four towns in between. Pagudpud is two hours away from Laoag by private vehicle.

5. After a day of swimming in Pagudpud, you can visit the other tourist spots. It is better to rent a vehicle to visit as many places as possible. From Pagudpud, the first stop-over is Bangui Windmills. A windmill ref-magnet costs 25pesos. The sand in the area is fine but black.

6. The lighthouse of Cape Bojeador in the town of Burgos can accompany you in viewing the entirety of the place. This is on the left side of the road. You can buy gamet seaweed (nori) in this town for 400pesos per bundle (ganta).

7. Kapurpurawan White Rocks Formation is one of the natural wonders in this part of the country. As the name suggests, there are white rocks in magnificent formations.

8. You can buy soft biscocho in the Pasuquin Bakery (the name of the town is Pasuquin) for 70pesos. The toasted biscocho is 75pesos.

Pasuquin Bakery is the lone maker of the soft biscocho.

9. One of the popular churches in the country is the Bacarra Church and Bell Tower Ruins. The domeless belfry has attracted a lot of tourists.

The domeless belfry of the Bacarra Church has attracted a lot of tourists. (Photo credit: http://worldtourist.us/ilocosnorte/laoag.html)

10. In Laoag, you can visit the Sinking Bell Tower, Tobacco Monopoly Monument and the museum where you can buy loom woven clothings.

11. In Batac, you can visit the Marcos Mausoleum and Mariano Marcos State University. Ask the locals where you can buy bagnet, longganisa, and empanada. A kilo of bagnet costs 350pesos. A kilo of pure meat longganisa costs around 220pesos, with taba is 190pesos. A piece of empanada (wrapping material made from rice, with cabbage, longganisa and egg as fillings) is 40pesos.

12. In Paoay, you can visit the Paoay Church, eat pinakbet pizza in Herencia Cafe (in front of the church) for 330pesos, sand dunes, Malacanang Ti Amianan near Paoay Lake. Chichacorn factory is in this town. Loom woven clothing factory is also located in this town.

The massive structure of Paoay Church makes it not susceptible to earthquakes.

Herencia Café in front of the Paoay Church is home to the popular pinakbet pizza.

13. From here, you can go directly to the airport for your flight back home. You do not need to go back to the city proper.

Suggested duration of visit: 2 days and 1 night (excluding the first night of travel from Manila and the last night of travel back to Manila). If you are planning to include Vigan in your itinerary, just add 1 day.

Suggested month / time to visit: February to coincide with the Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag, July for the Empanada Festival of Batac, or summer months to enjoy swimming in Pagudpud.

Ms Polly's Chocolate Cake

Do you crave for something but you do not know what it is? Try Ms Polly's Chocolate Cake! It IS the best chocolate cake ever!

According to www.bacontunamelt.com, do not compete for the corner slices as the middle slices have the thickest icing. Branches include their Comissary in Merville and in Robinson's Galleria. One box is for 460pesos only.

Read more about this mouth-watering chocolate cake.

 (Photo credit: www.bacontunamelt.com and Ms Polly's Facebook account.)

Sabroso: A Backpacker’s Guide To Eating In Zamboanga City

I arrived in Zamboanga City with the sun’s radiance greeting me in its most elegant form. The city is not known for food but wandering around and asking your friends who had been to the city would really help a lot.

Country Chicken

This is actually a group of different restaurants in one compound. The central building is La Oliva that specialises in Italian cuisine. The cook is Mr Ric Manzano, a cousin of the actor Edu Manzano.We were treated to an appetiser named Salsa Diablo and another one with shrimp. Salsa Diablo is made up of shredded turkey meat with olive oil. It was served with toasted baguette. It was so yummy that I never thought of halting myself from eating. I was already full when the main dish was served. But it did not stop me either from getting the best out of my taste buds. The crispy pata was so good and made crispy the way it should be. 

There was also the grilled vanggacious (a Vietnamese catfish) that delighted me not only because of its unique name but also its one-of-a-kind taste. I also made a remark that the pinakbet of Zamboanga is the same as that of the Ilocanos – without squash. The wife of the cook told me that they only ran out of stock of squash. 

The closing set – dessert – was composed of apple pie, extra dark chocolate ice cream and the rare peanut butter ice cream. Take note, home-made ice cream. Location? The restaurant is in Pasonanca, near the Pasonanca Park. You can treat yourself here after trekking and finishing the fourteen stations of The Way of the Cross at the Mt Pulong Bato. You can take any tricycle to take you there.

Mang Paeng’s Inasal

This is under the ownership of one of the sisters of renowned Filipino scientist Rafael D Guerrero III. It was only opened in April 2011 but the quality of the food is reflected on the number of customers flocking the restaurant. Since the city has a lot of restaurants of chicken, the owners needed to find something unique to outstage the other competitors. I must say that they made a jewel out of the chicken panggang and its counterpart, chicken inasal. 

Chicken panggang (Image credit: Promding Chamimay; Related article: here) is a Malaysian-styled dish, with the extraordinary combination of sweetness and exciting spiciness. The meat is superb and the sauce makes everything magical. Every bite to the meat is so overwhelming that you would stop everything that hinders you from eating. Be sure not to leave Zamboanga without trying their version of chicken inasal. The clam soup is also very delicious. The restaurant is located at Brgy Sta Maria. 

Others

Owing to the location of the city, people can always get everything in affordable prices – including the wildly popular curacha! 

This is a crab, a different kind. It thrives in sand so its body structure is very different from the usual crab that we know of. I also saw chicken in a black sauce. Their bananas are super sweet. A friend suggested Alavar and Jimmy’s satti. Another friend also mentioned ube loaf in front of the Fort Pilar Shrine. I will check on them the next time I cast my footprints over the land of Zamboanga City. And as the locals say, “Sabroso!” for foods with good taste.

Lugar Lang: My (Gastronomic) Backpacking Experience in Iloilo (Day 2)

Day 2. I was excited to visit the old churches in the province. We postponed our breakfast so we could fit more places and sceneries in our itinerary. Near the market, there is a terminal bound for the southern towns of Iloilo including Miag-ao. On our way, we scouted the really amazing and eye-catching churches that included Tigbauan and Guimbal. It takes 45minutes to the town.


We got off at the entrance to the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.

It was Sunday so all the offices were closed and nobody was roaming around the campus, unlike UP Los Baños where students roam 24/7. It was my first time to see the Diwata ng Dagat.

When I saw it on the broadsheets when it was still newly-built, I thought it was so big. And I enjoyed the fish and fishnets at the bottom part of the structure. We then walked to the Miag-ao Church. And man, how I jumped out of happiness when I saw the façade of the church.

After our short affair with the church, we rode in a jitney to Guimbal for 15pesos. We got off just before the bridge in the town and walked under the scorching heat of the sun all the way to the market to the church.

The church is smaller than Miag-ao church but they have the same colour (almost!). The bell tower doubles the height of the main portion of the church.

The design of the poblacion is reflective of Spanish styles, similar to what you can see in the historic city of Vigan. The town is proud of their achievement as one of the cleanest towns in the country, most child-friendly and business-friendly community in Iloilo.

We dropped by the church of Tigbauan.

What I like about the church and its surroundings are the arches, which serve as gateways to the plaza, leading to the church.

Its physical appearance is reminiscent of unpolished concrete walls, like the churches of Molo and Jaro.

From Tigbauan, we went back to the city, took a quick stomach progress at REDS. Yummy native chicken arrozcaldo for 57pesos. Then we headed to Tagbak Terminal along Leganes Highway (fare is 20pesos). This terminal is like the central terminal of buses and jitneys to the different parts of Iloilo and nearby provinces like Aklan and Capiz. At exactly 1300hours, we left for Pototan. The rain started to pour, so I tried to close the window of the bus. And it brought back childhood memories of doing the same thing on Fridays that we (together with my brother and my mother) needed to go to Vigan.

After 40minutes, we arrived in Pototan and went directly to Loreleen’s Pizza.

The wide and clean road greeted me.

Jerry lived here before so he was ecstatic to see the town again. According to him, when he was still living in the town, he was very lonely because there was nothing much to see. He toured us around. Then we decided to go to Dueñas, where the legend of aswang originated.

It was Sunday and the church was closed.

In the plaza, all I could see were human species from Adam’s tribe playing basketball. The church is grand and overwhelmingly gorgeous. The door was closed but we saw some teenagers who went inside. So we made our way inside the church and tried to find the way to one of the bell towers. Eureka!

The upper levels were filled with guano because of the bats hanging from the ceiling. We left Dueñas (fare is 45pesos) and arrived in the Tagbak Terminal at 1700hours. Then we planned to close our Iloilo trip with a good body massage. For 500pesos, the hotel service massage was A+. Refreshing and rejuvenating!

It was indeed fun visiting Iloilo. For two days, I was able to see some beautiful places and structures, experience their culture and eat some popular food items from the province. And so I was very happy going to the office that Monday. I was not late! Parang nagpahinga lang ako sa bahay.