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Posts Tagged ‘Philippines

Jan

CAVES AND BEARS

Hindu God, Murugan at the entrance of Batu Caves

SATURDAY MORNING : JANUARY 21, 2012

Our Day 2 of our Kuala Lumpur trip was devoted to explore caves and experience the sight of bears but definitely NOT in one location. We left our budget hotel in Chinatown at few minutes after 8 in the morning and headed to KL Sentral via taxi cab. At the KTM Komuter train station, we paid one-way-fare of RM 1 (PhP 14) each for adults (Mamy, Tina and me) and 50 sen or RM0.50 (PhP 7) for kids (Gabby); cheap for an almost 40 minute ride en route to Batu Caves.

The KTM Komuter train apparently looks old but still functional nonetheless, and resembles like our local MRT / LRT back home. After 4 to 5 stations, we finally arrived in Batu Caves.

Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur is probably the largest Hindu temple outside of India. It is expected to be packed every Thaipusam, the counterpart of Holy Week amongst us, Catholics. Thaipusam this year is scheduled on the 7th of February, a public holiday in Malaysia; thus expected to have thousands of people particularly from the Tamil community to flock to Batu Caves to venerate.

It is wise to visit this Hindu temple early in the morning; we’re happy to reached it few minutes past 9AM. The sun then was not that scorching hot yet.

Indian shrines like Buddhists’ that are frequently vivid in colors and covered with gold are always a visual feast!

Must have that detail shot…

Our noses led us to these leis for offerings…

Leis made up mainly of Jasmin or Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) to us Filipinos are also common offerings to the Hindu Gods.

Mamy Tessie who loves and adores flowers so much was delighted to see those leis. I love my mom’s energy during travels; she never ceases to pose for photo-ops as if she doesn’t feel arthralgia (read: pain in the joints! -she might kill me for this!

My mom was overjoyed and gamely posed even with those pigeons! She so liked it! I know even without telling us, she's imagining she's in Italy or somewhere in Europe, haha!

Must have that souvenir shot…

doing the tourists' thing!

That was our last photo before we ALL conquered the 272 steps of Batu Caves. Yes, even Gabby who was quite hesitant to climb and afraid of heights (who doesn’t?) successfully made it to the top and back down the grounds! He had no choice but to come with us (with no coercion or force, mind you! haha!), otherwise, he’ll be left alone and wait for us (which Tina and I would not do of course).

The facade before the flight of stairs has this fascinating icons…

Then we met our challenge.

The 272 steps!

Here we go.

The steps fell short for my feet.

I wish they constructed the stairs with consideration to those with big foot.

On way up, we saw more interesting sights…

Their faith is inspiring!

…And finally we reached the caves!

Like other tourist spots, vendors of various souvenir items are found present even in a temple like Batu Caves. At least these stalls are far from what’s considered as Holy grounds for the Hindus where they walk barefooted.

I'm no seasoned traveler and not fond of trekking (yet) either; I believe it's my first encounter with stalactites.

If you will look closely at the next photo, you’ll notice another flight of stairs on the left side that takes visitors and faithfuls to the a shrine at the center of the Batu Caves. I died seeing another challenge! I almost yelled “No way! Not again!” while catching my breath.

*panting! gasping!*

Needless to say, we went down few minutes after. Among the four of us, it was Gabby who was so relieved when we got off the caves. He never liked the experience of climbing Batu Caves, neither did I. It was damn too tiring for all of us! I salute and bow to those who go up with religious loads like this…

or this…

I always find myself clueless each time my son asks questions about other religions. Like, how will you deal when your own kid inquires about this Hindu creature?

Often, I tell Gabby, each religion has their own belief. Safe answer, huh?! I know he’ll understand it more when he grows older. For now, we’re just grateful that he’s exposed to a lot of diversities around him.

Young Devotion

Reaching the grounds again, we saw lots of fresh coconuts being sold at RM4.00 each (PhP 56) too perfect as refreshments after a tiring climb. However, none of us did sample those coconuts, haha! Guess what we did immediately after going down the caves? We had BUFFET of Indian breakfast (to be posted on a separate entry at the end of this series)!

Then just before lunch time, we hopped in at KTM Komuter train again heading back to KL Sentral.

From KL Sentral, we took a cab and for the first time, we met a taxi driver in KL who offered a metered trip. Usually, we pay RM10-20 (PhP 140-280) for a 5-less than 10 minute cab ride. Thankfully with an honest driver, it only took RM5 (PhP 70) to get to this shopping paradise…

The 147 United Buddy Bears on exhibit at Pavilion Mall in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON : January 21, 2012

Pavilion Mall wasn’t included in the itinerary that my mom prepared for this KL trip but I insisted we have to pay a visit. Not to burn cash on shopping (we had less budget than you think!) or anything but just to experience the “Rodeo Drive” and “Shibuya or Ginza” of Malaysia.

Upon getting off the cab, I heard wows, sighs and amazement from Tina, Gabby and Mamy. All of us were in awe at the sight of the upscale shopping district in Kuala Lumpur.

Adding to our heightened excitement was an astonishingly beautiful, one-of-a-kind, ongoing exhibit of United Buddy Bears just in front of the Bukit Bintang entrance of Pavilion Mall. We felt so lucky and happy to see them all!

We were only expecting to see dragon and lions because of the Chinese New Year celebration but we got more than that! Pavilion Mall in Bukit Bintang is currently the venue of the first exhibition in Southeast Asia of the 147 United Buddy Bears. They are so adorable!

After a quick glance at Wiki, I found this -

“United Buddy Bears – Worldtour

On 6 November 2002, the bears were moved to new locations, including their respective countries embassies in Berlin, or back to country that they were based on. Some of the bears were auctioned off to raise money for UNICEF.

After the circle of “United Buddy Bears” had been such an overwhelming success in 2002, a new circle was created in 2003. The idea was to send the circle on a global tour.

On their global tour, the “United Buddy Bears” promote peace, love, tolerance and international understanding. The circle changes every time it reaches a new city. This is not only due to the local conditions, but also to their constantly changing order, as the bears are always set up in alphabetic order, following the local language of the host country. This always leads to new and sometimes politically very interesting proximities” (sourced via Wiki)

So these bears promote peace, love, tolerance and international understanding. We all need that, don’t we?

happiness!

Kidding around the Philippines Bear featuring the Philippine Eagle by Artist, Pierre F. Patricio, sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Berlin.

Bear Love!

We can’t get enough of these bears!

Don't you wish to bring home at least one bear? hahaha!

Our fatigue from exploring Batu Caves was gone in a heart beat; thanks to these incredibly FUNtastic United Buddy Bears!

These colorful larger than life buddy bears have gone to countries like Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Australia, Egypt, Israel, Poland, Argentina, Uruguay, Kazakshtan, Bulgaria and as mentioned, first in Southeast Asia : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

Now, when will these bears visit 168 Mall in Divisoria, Manila? LOL!

On right photo is the bear from Malaysia!

The quote on the bear states, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” –Albert Einstein

Walk Like An Egyptian!

Tina, my mom and I were all happy to see Gabby enjoying these bears!

sexy back

Fun to look at with messages that cut through you…

Stay tuned for more posts about our fun moments at KL.

*This blog series includes : Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge Visit

Jan

CHRISTMAS BREAK 2011 DAY 5 PART 2 : THE LEGARDA MANSION

By docgelo 14 Comments

Our Christmas Break 2011 Series includes :

En Route To Pinas
Day 2 : Ulingan, Tondo
Day 5 : Malacanang Palace
Day 8 : Bisperas Ng Pasko Sa Ulingan
Day 11 : Our Students’ Wedding
Day 12 : We Went To Farmville!
Day 14 : Our Celestial Weekend at Hotel Celeste
Day 19 : Our Big Binondo Food Wok

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There's my dad-in-law who came home for the holidays from Missouri; holding hands while walking with her lovely daughter (the one in black striped shirt; not in pink, ok--no offense meant.

After an engaging and informative Malacanang Palace Tour with Ivan Man Dy, our group of local and foreigner-tourists walked back to where we met that afternoon –the Legarda Mansion that’s turned into La Cocina De Tita Moning, a fine dining restaurant that features Filipino cuisine at its best.

It’s good to see an herb garden within the restaurant itself. It’s so uncommon to spot a food place that partially rely on their own produce.

They grow Tanglad or Lemon Grass among other herbs and leaves for their very refreshing Lemon Grass Iced Tea.

We were ushered to the outdoor dining area where a tasteful and supposed to be a light merienda but was a bit heavy and delicious on the tummy was served.

While eating, Ivan continued to entertain his guests without a hint of fatigue from more than 3-hour tour guiding inside the Malacanang Palace. I believe it’s his gift more than a talent or skill.

Then the opportunity presented itself. Ivan Man Dy asked us if we’re interested in having a brief tour of the Legarda Mansion for free or as a last stop of our Palace, Power and A Shot of Beer Malacanang-San Miguel Walking Tour (remember, we were enjoying our light snack at its outdoor garden and without a reservation, one may have uncertainties to be accomodated inside the Legarda Mansion itself or the La Cocina De Tita Moning restaurant proper). I immediately replied, “Sure, I read somewhere there’s a medical clinic inside, I want to see it!”

Because it was almost past 5 in the afternoon, some of the tourists had to bid goodbye. We chose to stay to take a peek inside the ancestral house. I’m glad that my father-in-law was so courteous enough not to say no to my want despite he seriously lacked sleep and was still struggling with jet lag from his more than 16 hour flight from US to HK then Manila the day prior to the tour.

More than the main dining areas (read: several private rooms to dine) of La Cocina De Tita Moning located at the mansion’s second level….

Rose petals, sculptured crystals and the best china on the dining table.

I am more interested to see the other quarters inside the Legarda Mansion…

The wooden and iron staircase leads to a whole lot of fascination.

Do you like PHOTOGRAPHY?

Antique photography equipments are showcased in one of the rooms as Dr. Alejandro Roces-Legarda was into this beautiful (and expensive) hobby. Visitors, diners and photo-enthusiasts like me have plenty to talk about over this priceless collection.

This was how a camera looked like in Dr. Alejandro Legarda’s years…

Imagine if time didn’t evolve and cameras still appear like this, I think I cannot strap it around my neck to stroll and shoot, haha!

Are you into ARTS?

"La Inocencia"

For the moment, I was left in awe…

How many houses own a Juan Luna?

If owning a priceless masterpiece is close to impossible, then dreaming to have a coffee table book about such art works is the next best thing, haha!

Let me remind you (or myself, haha) that this mansion is the restaurant itself.

Photography. The Arts. If not, perhaps, are we playing in the same field?

Notice the stirrups on the photo? I'm no OB-Gyn but a humble General Practitioner-Educator only however, man, I miss delivering a baby! Just like many Filipino MDs, I had the chance to go on rotation in Fabella Medical Center in Manila where 98 deliveries in a 24 hour shift is considered BENIGN. I also miss my Post-Graduate Medical Internship days at Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City and my OB-Gyn rotations there. I miss yelling (just to make your voice heard) at women about to deliver, "Ginang, hingang malalim, pigil, ire!" (In that order! --"Mrs., take a deep breath, hold and push")....ah, those were the days!

Can you find a vaginal speculum on the next photo?

Dr. Alejandro Roces-Legarda was an OB-Gyn specialist along with his 3 other siblings who were all MDs.

Like the others, I also believe having a clinic at your own residence gives you the convenience to practice. However, the downside is having your own home and worst, own family being exposed to your clients’ pathogens (microbe-causing diseases ). To each his own.

We read the same book.

Of course, it’s not an issue to me but would you still have your appetite for fine dining at the sight of a female skeleton? *just asking*

An appetite stimulant or an appetite killer? haha! I won't mind for as long as the spread's delicious!

Other than the medical clinic, the living room upstairs is definitely attention-grabbing.

One of the quarters features the family’s radio transmitter collection. Another rare and expensive collectibles.

And then, there are some more things to tickle your fancy.

According to Ivan, a fine dining set meal, either lunch or dinner on reservation will cost you around PhP 1,500 to PhP 2,500 and up per pax. With the sample we had at the outdoor garden, I am definite that the menu is as superb if not beyond words.

The Legarda Mansion, a.k.a. La Cocina De Tita Moning extremely reminds me of two of my favorite heritage houses here in Penang,

the PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION

and

the CHEONG FATT TZE BLUE MANSION

which both stand with grandeur in George Town, one of UNESCO’s Heritage Sites.

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*Special thanks goes out to Ivan Man Dy for his generous invitations to me and my family. For readers out there who would like a professional and intelligent and amusing guided walking tours of Manila, visit the website of OLDMANILAWALKS.COM for details. Kindly give my regards to Ivan if in case you’ll find time to join his tours. Thank you!

Dec

CHRISTMAS BREAK 2011 DAY 5 : MALACANANG PALACE

By docgelo 31 Comments

Our Christmas Break 2011 Blog Series includes :

En Route To Pinas
Day 2 : Ulingan, Tondo
Day 8 : Bisperas Ng Pasko Sa Ulingan

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*Disclaimer : I try to maintain my blog as an APOLITICAL one so this isn’t about views and opinions about any issue.

”How many times have you been inside Malacanang Palace?“ asked by Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks to our group of 14 tourists –a mix of locals, balikbayans and a few foreigners. One of us replied, “Four!” …I thought my previous Malacanang experience was absolutely no match because I only answered, “Once“…

Then Ivan continued to ask, “How many times have you been to SM (Shoemart Department Stores)?

I smiled.

Apparently, setting foot inside the grounds where President of the Philippines resides and takes office doesn’t happen on a daily basis. Needless to say, it’s another EXTRAORDINARY experience for us. Thank you, Ivan for the invites! My wife, my dad-in-law and I definitely enjoyed every bits. Brilliant!

We began The Power, Palace and A Shot of Beer Walking Tour in one of the art-deco huge houses in San Miguel, Manila– the Legarda Mansion, that’s known to others as the fine-dining restaurant, La Cocina de Tita Moning. From there, Ivan escorted us through a parallel of San Miguel all the way to the stone throw away, Malacanang. The drizzle that Wednesday afternoon wasn’t an issue to get us in the Palace.

these things look amazing to me...

ORGANIZED… Several days prior, we received an email with reminders of what to expect, where to meet, the how-to-get-there-map, and whatnot on the this walking tour. Our names were collected for submission as guests to the Kalayaan Hall or the Malacanang Palace Museum thus, getting inside was such a breeze (Do you think PSG did a character-investigation prior to the tour? haha, just asking!). Understandably, since we’re paying the highest office of the land a visit, our bags and bodies were scanned; cameras were labeled with red-orange PSG stickers (I just didn’t get it why PSG asked us-those with cameras to have a test shot with them or point and shoot it first at anything…). Ivan explained everything’s a protocol, of course.

With utmost humility, I got 1.25 (highest of 1.0 and lowest of 5.0) in Philippine History back in my days when I was taking up my pre-medical course at Far Eastern University (who cares, right? even the carebears don’t care, toinks!). Defensively, I am neither a History geek nor a happy-g0-lucky kind of guy. I just don’t know up to now what soul got into me those days that I became so fascinated with Agoncillo’s book on Philippine History and taking essay-type-of-exams in our class wasn’t difficult for me. With more than a decade after, I forgot everything I’ve learned. Haha! Well, almost.

INFORMATIVE…Glad I was one of the participants of this walking tour because A LOT of things that happened in the past were not found on books. And Ivan had refreshed and informed us even of things unfamiliar to many. Case in point are these four men on a set of painting who contributed to the Philippine History. The only name that rang a bell to my ears was Hernando de Magallanes who toured the globe before he got killed with his Portugese Christian soldiers by a native ruler of Mactan, Cebu–who else but Lapu-lapu. (Iyong iba, di ko ka-facebook, hehehe!)

Apart from history and politics aside, Malacanang Palace as a tangible structure in my humble opinion, is very Filipino or at least represents who we are, how we evolved through the years. Inspite of the fact that the exteriors reminds us of Spanish colonial regime, it boasts of intricate carvings on solid wood inside its vast and countless rooms that obviously reflect talent, skills, artistry and craftmanship of Filipino people.

Must have that detailed shot…

INTERESTING…wood carving galore!

Can you believe that this served as a luggage used in traveling in the previous era? ...*hebigat*

One can easily tell that those solid wood carvings from Narra, Kamagong and other finest lumber are symbolic of our resilience amidst adversities, or was it only my interpretation? I hope others won’t perceived it as luxuries in the heart of a third world country (Did I just mentioned this blog would not discuss social and political issues?).

NEVER BORING… The tour featured almost all corners of the museum and the stories behind them.

Imagine the efforts exerted in making these floor to ceiling wood carvings. One can almost feel the hands that held those chisels. Artistic. Decorative. Beautiful!

Nothing’s overlooked…

even the electric sockets should look authoritative?

NOSTALGIC…Alas, my solitary memory of Malacanang Palace resurfaced from my lazy cerebrum. Upon the sight of the rooms, I remembered Imelda Marcos’ shoes, Ferdinand Marcos’ five libraries with vast collection of books, their gorgeous paintings, Madame’s canopied bed with wooden crown at its top, her toilet boasting of jars of perfumes with actual miniscule faucets and a lot more of Marcos’.

Admit it, they're the most vivid and powerful people who lived in the palace.

COMPELLING… How does a ruler convince his people to follow his lead?

Letras Y Figuras : One of the eye-catching commissioned paintings inside Malacanang has the name of Imelda Romualdez Marcos with scenic and iconic paintings representing her "achievements" per letter of her name.

Si Sir....

at si Madame...

Martial Law may have scarred the many; thus, looking at the same chair and table where it was proclaimed could hyperstimulate your senses or worst, can be disturbing…

ENGAGING with WITS and HUMOR…As a lecturer myself for almost a decade now, I have learned to make my classroom discussion interactive, lively and enticing despite a boring topic. And the Ivan Man Dy certainly knows to do the same, in fact far better than my limited skills. He makes Philippine History soft and chewy to absorb by the common tao, much more by the foreigners who most of the time are clueless of our own story.

"How many pairs shoes did Imelda Marcos have?", "Where are her shoes now?" Everyone was enthralled in the charming discussion about everything inside the museum including fellow blogger, Marian of her site, upto6only (wearing black shirt with pink headband and pink belt; yes, it must be pink, right, Marian? hehe!)

Folks, meet the most participative tourist in our group, Mr. Primo (the one wearing Fedora hat and eyeglasses). He’s the man who made the tour more fascinating. He had the most extensive commentaries.

Ivan's so successful in engaging all of us in his tour.

To me, students who come to my classes so prepared and well-read, are definitely a challenge. And Mr. Primo is similar to such, that with his impressive knowledge on Philippine History, his great discussions with Ivan made me think he could effortlessly pass as a Dean in an academe or simply put, he’s someone who experienced the tales being told.

FANTASTIC... The tour featured the priceless art works of Filipino artists as well as gifts from foreign dignitaries that are all housed inside Kalayaan Hall.

I just had to click my cam on the sculpture of that Greek God, Mercury (right photo); reminds me of a local drugstore's tag line, "Gamot ay Laging Bago" hehe!

There’s something for everyone to be interested with…

With all due respect, Ex-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada's inaugural Barong Tagalog showed he's definitely bigger than I am. *no pun intended*.

She will be forever Tita Cory to me. I was once a child growing up in her presidency.

One of the reasons why this tour's called, "Palace, Power and A Shot of Beer" : San Miguel Brewery back in the old days was located literally beside Malacanang Palace. Don't ask me how it happened. I highly suggest you join the tour of Old Manila Walks.

And of course, there were those photo-op moments…

Special thanks to my father-in-law who snapped this shot.

On way out, I found this sculpture of a family that I wished to have as a takeaway. hehe!

After more than 2 hours, we walked our way out of the Palace and Ivan led us back to the Legarda Mansion (not of Senator Loren’s but Atty Katrina’s family).

The tour promised a fine-dining merienda, et voila!

How often do you eat with rose petals on the table?

We enjoyed it in an-open-air-dining area within the simple garden of the Legarda’s. The ambiance was so casual yet the offerings were special.

The sotanghon (vermicelli noodles) dish was a delight. Squeezing a calamansi covered with mesh (similar to how they serve it at the Lobby of the Manila Peninsula --abangan!) over a sauce dish of fish sauce and chili even made the pancit more heavenly.

We were treated to a delicious light snack but absolutely less ordinary…

If my taste buds and memory serve me right, those 2 slices were chicken galantina. One thing is definite, its aroma and fantastic taste was to die for.

However, they made the dessert less sweet (perhaps, they’re considering the diabetic tourists/diners). Sayang, I like it done with more sugar.

Guinataang Bilo-bilo

For the nth time, this tour’s called, Palace, Power and A Shot of Beer. So other than that refreshing and refillable Tanglad Iced Tea (Lemon Grass Iced Tea) and cold water, here’s that single shot of San Miguel Beer, cheers!

It was so nice to end a tour with a simple feast. But lo and behold, Ivan gave us a plus! After I told him that I read somewhere that the Legarda Mansion houses a doctor’s clinic (the patriarch and his 4 kids were all MDs), without hesitation, he invited all of us for a short but another impressive tour inside La Cocina De Tita Moning.

The experience inside the Legarda Mansion deserves a separate post…Soon!

For interested parties to join Ivan Man Dy’s tours of Manila, contact them via their website at OLDMANILAWALKS.COM

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Manigong Bagong Taon po sa lahat at Maraming Salamat! May the good Lord continuously shower us with His divine grace.

Dec

CHRISTMAS BREAK 2011 DAY 8 : BISPERAS NG PASKO SA ULINGAN

By docgelo 42 Comments

Our Christmas Break 2011 Blog Series includes :

En Route To Pinas
Day 2 : Ulingan, Tondo

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“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I was once lost but now am found. Was blind, but now I see.“

“T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear; the hour I first believed”

Even Santa Claus found time to visit the children of Ulingan.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.”

“The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.”

Thank you generous donors, co-volunteers and supporters of Project Pearls!

Bigay ng BreadTalk

“Yeah, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.”

“When we’ve been here ten thousand years. Bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise. Than when we’ve first begun.”

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.”

Pagpalain Nawa Tayo Ng Maykapal.

*Thank you so much PROJECT PEARLS (through the amazing photojournalist-blogger, Mr. Sidney Snoeck of the award winning blog, MY SARISARI STORE , the generous soul behind PROJECT PEARLS, Ms. Melissa Villa, and the rest of my co-volunteers) for sharing with me one of my most unforgettable experience in ULINGAN. Your unselfish efforts to help the children and their families living in Ulingan is awe-inspiring.

*For those of you who would like to contribute, donate, share, volunteer and help, kindly contact and coordinate with PROJECT PEARLS. Thank you and God bless!

*Amazing Grace, the song used in this post was written by John Newton.

Dec

CHRISTMAS BREAK 2011 : EN ROUTE TO PINAS

By docgelo 27 Comments

Categories: FOOD & MORE FOOD!, MALAYSIA and TRAVEL
Tags: air asia, airport, airport food, airport maintenance, airport renovation, asian dishes, asian food, breakast meals, breakfast, budget airline, cakes, chicken noodle, chocolate cake, chocolate indulgence, chocolates, christmas, christmas vacation, Coffee, cold coffee, daricreme, diosdado macapagal international airport, dmia, expat, family, family and living, food, foodie, fracppuccino, Haagen-Dazs, indulgence, kuala lumpur, lcct, manila, mary brown, mary brown chicken, mary brown fried chicken, mcdonald's, NAIA 1, noodle dish, noodles, old town, old town coffee, pandesal, pastries, penang airport, penang international airport, Philippines, philtranco, reno, reno liver spread, restaurants, simple indulgence, theobroma, theobroma chocolate lounge, traffic, twister fries, waffle

*This blog series includes : Christmas Break 2011 Day 2 : ULINGAN, TONDO

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16 December 2011, Thursday night. I arranged a pick up from our place in Butterworth to Penang International Airport via SMS with an Indian taxi cab driver whom we frequently call whenever we need a ride prior to departure and arrival. He came at around 7 in the evening and with the expected rush-hour-traffic jam, we arrived before 8PM at the terminal. Dropping of our 49 kilo-luggages and bags was such a breeze because I did the online check-in already and had our boarding passes printed from the web days prior to our flight. And because we’re on a very limited budget and value practicality above something else, we went home via Malaysia’s budget airline, Air Asia (May kamahalan na din ang nakuha naming ticket kumpara sa karaniwan at promo airfares dito –humigit-kumulang PhP 35K kaming tatlo, one way from Pen-KUL, then KUL-CRK).

I set to use my annual work leave in spending Christmas season in Pinas. I didn’t go home or utilized my paid days off else where (read : our breaks in Paris, New York and London *kidding!* I wish but we only went to Kelantan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hatyai, Thailand this year were all enjoyed during public holidays) but saved it for the yuletide. After all, it is Christmas that Tina, Gabby and I consider as the most wonderful time of the year, the happiest season of all!

Despite Penang is only1545 miles away from the Philippines, there’s no direct flight yet to connect my current work place and our home. So it’s either you fly Singapore or Hong Kong first –which would cost you your arms and legs at this time of the year, or either take the cheaper but longer route by the bus or train or fly from Penang to Kuala Lumpur first that we usually do.

At the Penang International Airport which has on-going renovations (hey look, NAIA 1, terminals outside our country are on the road to improvement, and you?) we had dinner from one of Gabby’s favorite fast foods. It was a simple delight to have twister fries and quarter pounder before a flight.

After dinner, the waiting period began. Our local flight from Pen-KUL was supposedly 11:15PM but was delayed for 30 minutes. What can we do but bear with the waiting game. Are you fond of waiting for your flight/s at the airport? I do except when it’s not on time. I mean, I maybe impatient at other matters but killing time at the terminals for me is not that bad.

We safely reached KL-LCCT after 45 minute flight. Everything’s fine except the looooong walk from the tarmac to the airport itself. The fatigue and lack of sleep were gone withe the sight of this heavenly food place that we’ve been wanting to try…

The Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Kuala Lumpur may not be one of the best, perhaps not even included in top 10 great terminals in the world and in my opinion has also its share of inconvenience but nontheless has decent choices of food places. We passed on Starbucks Coffee, Mary Brown Fried Chicken (Malaysia’s answer to KFC), and some other few but we failed to resist the charm of Theobroma Chocolate Lounge.

the ambiance is casual and inviting.

Forgive us for indulging chocolates before 2 in the morning. Sinful is it not?

Look, everything looked nice and tasted great too but they served the knife & fork with its tips exposed and the handles wrapped with tissues and before you wrongly judge Theobroma, let me inform you that this is a common practice in restaurants around Malaysia; and frequently, availability of tissues is a rarity in hawkers too! (read: I am not a foodie expert neither have a degree in culinary but my common sense dictates me that it’s best to wrap and cover the parts you’ll put in your mouth rather than expose and drop it directly on the table. Spell HYGIENE and CLEANLINESS, people!).

Moving on…Tell me, how can you resist Theobroma’s Belgian Waffle with Ice Cream?

Me speaking to the waiter : “What are your bestsellers here? What can you recommend?”

Waiter pointing to the menu he handed us : “Ah, eto po ang masasarap, ok po ito, iyan…”

Me : “Ah, Kabayan! Saan kayo sa atin? Ano ba masarap dito?“

the eyes tell you that they're sleep deprived but hungry. hehe!

Our verdict : The waffle’s tasteful! The strawberry slices rippled with chocolate were divine. And it’s so amazing that the scoop of ice cream took several minutes to melt which made us ask ourselves, is it gelato?

Gabby went to the counter and checked out the cakes. I believe he wanted Oreo chocolate cake but we were served with Orange Chocolate slice. We did not complain; I felt there’s no need to because we also wanted to sample such flavorful combo.

Gabby’s taste buds were a bit purist. When he wants chocolate, he wants nothing else. In fact, our kiddo doesn’t want any nuts when eating anything chocolate. But the cake was a delight for me and Tina. It reminded us of one of Haagen Dazs’.

Tina asked our kabayang-waiters (we talked to 2 of them-one serving us and the other at the counter) their recommendations. One of them highly suggested QUEEN OF ROCK AND ROLL.

Me asking Tina :” ‘ney, design lang ba iyong nasa cup or chocolate ripple talaga? “

Tina : “ano ka ba, chocolate!” –tapos ngumiti iyong waiter sa clueless moment ko.

We trusted our kabayang-waiter and the suggested cup doesn’t disappoint! Queen of Rock and Roll (left photo below) went to Gabby and he loved it! That chocolatey creamy drink indeed rocks! While Tina opted for a coffee-chocolate blend called MADAME ESKIMO which was beautifully served with a coffee bean on top. My lovely wife, despite sleep deprived was happy!

Thumbs up for Theobroma's blends!

As for me, I needed to have something warm; I settled for FLAT WHITE.

Sarap! Nakakawala ng antok! Someone should bring home Theobroma Chocolate Lounge to NAIA Terminal 1 please!

The prices are comparable to Starbucks Coffee. Service is efficient. Goodies are yummies!

The Air Asia check in counter didn’t open until it was past 4AM. Maraming PASAWAY sa pila na ibang lahi. SINGIT! I didn’t allow them to get in over my queue. Our international flight from Kuala Lumpur to Clark Field, Pampanga was scheduled at 6:45AM. And so I thought, di ba 4 hours dapat bukas na ang airline counter kapag international flight?

Waiting, waiting and more waiting. After few bladder and bowel breaks, yikes! (hey, it’s part of morning rituals, right?), we decided to spend our last hour prior to the flight and our few remaining ringgit in OLD TOWN WHITE COFFEE restaurant also in LCCT.

Tina and I had a plate each of this noodle dish that the name slipped my memory.

I may have forgotten its name but the taste was etched on my palate. Sarap! It’s so comforting to eat hot noodle dish in the wee hours of the morning.

I was fortunate enough to avail of our RETURN FLIGHT on the first week of January 2012 last April 2011 at its promo sale. It only costs me PhP 8K nett for the 3 of us with 40 kg check in luggage and I think that’s a steal! However, due to tight budget, I only purchased our airline tickets from Pen-KUL, then KUL-CRK last week of November for our Dec 16-17 flight. Understandably, most of the aircrafts servicing Malaysia-Philippines route are alreay full because of the holiday season and prices of tickets are expectedly steep than usual. Nonetheless, come hell or high waters, Tina, Gabby and I have to spend Christmas in the country we call HOME.

From the arrival area of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), we claimed and paid our reserved bus tickets from the friendly ladies of Philtranco bus liner kiosk located at the lobby. I googled their website and did the reservation via email; a ticket from DMIA to SM Megamall (even up to Pasay City) costs PhP 400/pax.

The trip was only an hour and a half and everything went OK except for the traffic from Balintawak in Caloocan after NLEX to EDSA then Ortigas approaching SM Megamall. But hey, it ain’t home without the traffic! *pun intended*

The next morning, we savored one of our missed breakfast meals…

Nothing spells the Christmas celebrations better than spending it in your home country with your love ones. Walang katulad ang Pasko sa Pilipinas!

From Tina, Gabby and me, Maligayang Pasko po at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Dec

CHRISTMAS BREAK 2011 DAY 2 : ULINGAN, TONDO

By docgelo 51 Comments

Categories: Attitude and HEADLINES
Tags: charity, children, corned beef, corned beef meal, doctor, education, family, generosity, helping others, jollibee, kids, luneta park, manila, med mission, medical mission, medicine, metro manila, Philippines, poor, poorest of the poor, poverty, poverty in philippines, project pearls, rizal, rizal park, slums, third world country, tondo, ulingan, underprivilege

18 December, 2011. Sunday. 2nd day of our days off from work in Penang. *Arrival and Day 1 to follow.

Prelude : People who have been chronically exposed to coal dust of about 15 to 2o years are at risk to develop COALWORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS also known as “black lung disease” which is a progressive and incurable disease. Imagine the plight of those babies, children and their families living in Ulingan.

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I tried to win the battle against the alarm of my mobile by curling up in bed a bit longer but my sleepy brain was telling me that I needed to wake up at 4:15AM with the thought that I shouldn’t be late to my appointment on a very early Sunday morning. Resistance as they say, is futile. So after my quick but necessary morning rituals, I kissed my wife and our 7-year old son goodbye while they’re still dreaming and immediately hopped on a tricycle from my relatives’ place in Pasig City and rode a jeepney to LRT 2 Santolan Station. From there, I took the train for less than half an hour to Avenida, Recto Manila. One more jeepney ride and I found myself at the corner of Kalaw Avenue.

Because I left the house with an empty stomach, I felt the urgency to fill it in. I surrendered to one of my favorite Jollibee breakfast meals -fried rice, egg, corned beef and coffee. Solb!

En route to our meeting place, I walked through Rizal Park (formerly known as Luneta Park back in my childhood). It’s good to be back here after some time.

Glad to see you again, fellow MD –JPR.

To say that Rizal’s iconic is an understatement. The sight of his monument was so apt to further fire my willingness that day to participate in a medical mission of PROJECT PEARLS in Ulingan, Tondo, Manila. I had a chance to become a manggagamot again just like JPR in joining this worthwhile activity. Thanks to SIDNEY SNOECK (a Belgian photojournalist whose heart is in the Philippines and thanks to his facebook account and his famous and award-winning blog, MY SARISARI STORE) that I got to know MELISSA VILLA (the soul behind the charitable organization) and PROJECT PEARLS.

I had arranged the schedule with him few days before my family and I left for Pinas. Sidney and I met up in front of Manila Hotel at around 7AM and together we went to Ulingan in Tondo, Manila.

In my 35 years of existence, I have heard so much poverty in my country commonly personified by people of Smokey Mountain who thrive in rubbish. But it was only last Sunday when I saw and experienced the gospel truth behind issues I’ve read and heard. The sight was terribly haunting.

Sidney : “Doc, I’m sorry I failed to ask you to wear proper footwear. Your shoes will get muddy and dirty.”

Me : “Don’t worry, it’s already muddy even before we got here.”

I should’ve been prepared to wear rubber boots (the ones worn by fishermen, wet market vendors, and the like) however, I had no hesitation to soak my shoes just to reach (out to) Ulingan.

Unbelievably, a community exists in this part of Manila.

“ULINGAN is a small slum community in Tondo, Manila that sits on a dumpsite and surrounded by charcoal factories that emit toxic smoke; there is no electricity, no access to toilets or sanitation. Children and families have no choice but to live with soot, garbage, mosquitoes, flies all day and all night. The common meal is “pagpag” (leftover food from fast-food restaurants scavenged from garbage sites). “Pagpag” means to shake away the dirt and maggots in the food.” -sourced from the website of PROJECT PEARLS.

These are their homes– the abodes where they face life’s challenges, the houses where they build their dreams…

Sidney noticed the potted greens -proof that people of Ulingan still find time to make their surrounding a little pleasant despite and inspite of their condition.

This is their usual food, “pagpag” which is sold at PhP 15 per pack…

This is their common past time…

And this is how they make a living…

Sidney told me that children who work for their families in Ulingan remove the nails from the pieces of wood they collect from else where, then other workers would burn them under an "earth" where smoke is emitted day and night. It takes 2 days before charcoal is ready.

Before a sack of charcoal can be sold to about PhP 320 each….

the end consumer might be clueless that young and small hands were behind those uling...

Imagine breathing the smoke and living with the tons of rubbish day and night. Think of babies born by mothers within Ulingan with only midwife to assist and manage them. Life is unbearable but people here are probably the most resilient to tolerate such difficulties.

The main purpose of my trip to Ulingan began immediately after I was brought to the Project Pearls Learning Center.

Despite my heart was breaking at the sight of everything and everyone in Ulingan, inspite of the fact that my respiratory tract wasn’t getting along well with the polluted atmosphere in that community (I have not puffed a cigarette stick in my entire life but believe me, the feeling was probably worse than chronic smoking. I only spent half day in Ulingan but it also took me another six hours to breathe with less discomfort), I was silently jumping for joy upon seeing these…

Thank you to those who donated medicines for us to prescribe and dispense that day. May God bless us all!

*photo courtesy of ace photojournalist, Sidney Snoeck. Thank you, Sid! Mabuhay ka!

Assessing his frontal mass, apparently an infected wound with a complaint of pain and swelling in his mouth. Because we didn't have sterile instruments, I gave a referral note for surgical consult and management at a nearest hospital.

Do you remember the song, Paraiso sung and recorded by the group, Smokey Mountain and if I’m not mistaken, composed by Ryan Cayabyab? The lyrics came to my mind when I was in Ulingan…

“Return to a land called paraiso,
A place where a dying river ends.
No birds there fly over paraiso,
No space allows them to endure.
The smoke that screens the air,
The grass that’s never there.And if i could see a single bird, what a joy.
I try to write some words and create
A simple song to be heard
By the rest of the world.“

Their eagerness and enthusiasm to read and learn despite and inspite of everything are inspiring! Hope is alive in their hearts!

His eyes tell so much tales…

but his hands and feet certainly melted my heart…

As a father to our 7-year-old son, I feel so much for these kids. They’ve been exposed to unimaginable severities in life and were robbed of their childhood. Look at their eyes and peek into their souls…

It was a day that I will not forget for as long as I live. Sidney was repeatedly thanking me before we left Ulingan but I told him the pleasure’s mine. Had it not for him and the organization he’s in, I will not be reminded to make the most of what we have, and MUST THINK BEFORE WE COMPLAIN because we are more blessed than people of Ulingan who certainly know how to SMILE AMIDST ADVERSITIES.

Thank you to all my fellow volunteers…

Thank you, Project Pearls, Ms. Melissa Villa and Mr. Sidney Snoeck for giving me a chance to experience this worthwhile endeavor.

Find me in a sea of unsung heroes. It's an honor to be with them! *photo courtesy of the awe-inspiring photojournalist and award-winning blogger, Sidney Snoeck.

Another wonderful shot by Sidney–this time with Lola Felissa, a 99 year old woman from Ulingan. It’s just amazing she’s still up and about, can still walk and stand straight as if she’s not in her late geriatric years!

One more year and Lola Felissa from Ulingan will be a centenarian! I have not even lived half of the years she enjoyed in life! Mabuhay ka, Lola Felissa! *photo by Sidney Snoeck.

Thank you for these priceless smiles that bid us goodbye…

You can make these children’s lives a little better through your donations and/or by supporting the activities of PROJECT PEARLS; contact the organization via their website at ProjectPearls.Org

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*This is the first of the series of our Christmas vacation in the Philippines; DAY 1 to follow soon. May our CHRISTmas and holiday celerbations be happy and meaningful. Let us always count our blessings! God bless us!

Sep

TALES FROM A TAXI CAB DRIVER IN SINGAPORE

By docgelo 16 Comments

Categories: Attitude, SINGAPORE and TRAVEL
Tags: bencoolen street, doc gelo, docgelo, fascination, love for country, one fullerton, Philippines, singapore taxi driver, taxi cab driver, universal studios

We met some people in Singapore. We even encountered ourselves.

After we took a bus from Bencoolen Street and alighted at One Fullerton, we made a decision in a heart beat that we need to postpone the plan of strolling at Merlion Park, Esplanade and enjoy the view of Marina Bay Sands to a later time because the sun was scorching hot that morning. We opted to go ahead of schedule to Universal Studios.

And so I led my family to walk towards the waiting shed and with an outstretched right arm, I waived for a taxi cab. Clueless that we were waiting in the wrong side, I wondered why cabs without top lights that say ‘hired’ would not stop and pick us up (read: taxi cabs should take passengers from the side street and not from the main road–logical enough!).

Until one of the cab drivers on the main road signaled me to wait at the back of the bus stop and took us in.

Meet Andrew, the Singaporean taxi driver who sounded like more Filipino than we are…

: Singaporean taxi cab driver, Andrew with Gabby

At first, I didn’t know how he easily spotted that we’re Filipinos, it must be how we speak. As the unusual friendly taxi-driver-and-passenger-conversation started and went on, Tina and I found ourselves so engaged with Andrew’s little stories about our own country.

My cynical brain initially thought that this guy’s cheap words about his passengers’ home country were just randomly uttered to tourists’ fascination for time being but I was completely wrong. Andrew really knows and likes the Philippines not only because his money could buy more for him in our country but he fell in love with almost everything back home.He mentioned he has been to the Philippines several times and that his travels already took him to Iloilo, Cebu, Davao and Makati City. Tina, with so much amusement told him, “You’ve been to a lot places in the Philippines than we do.”

He described how he felt when he bought an entire lechon (roasted pig) somewhere in Cebu and shared it to the locals, mostly kids of various ages that he found along the beach.

Andrew’s also aware of unpleasant news back home. He also recalled being with his cousin in a Korean restaurant in Greenbelt Mall in Makati and suddenly was shocked upon hearing gun shots during the time that the Rolex watch store in the said mall was robbed. He also mentioned that he knows the tragic tourist bus hostage drama that involved Hong Kong nationals in Rizal Park in Manila. For a moment, I sanked in my seat; I cringed. But despite all those, he still spoke highly of the Philippines.

Apparently, Andrew fell in love with the Philippines. He elaborated that he likes the freshest and affordable seafoods, pristine beaches and simplicity of rural life in Iloilo, he remembered how he enjoyed his stay in Shangri La Mactan Hotel in Cebu and was so fascinated with Davao. Then, Andrew professed his desire to buy a condo unit in Makati City someday.

While some of us, Filipinos feel that the Philippines is hopeless, we met a Singaporean who plans to retire in our own country someday.

Upon reaching USS, he even instructed us where to go to find its entrance. I gave him S$50 because I didn’t have smaller bill; I was expecting him to get a tip on top of the taxi rate but he did not. It was one of the most fascinating taxi cab rides that Tina, Gabby and I experienced. The trip from One Fullerton to USS was short, but definitely extraordinary.

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Beyond Toxicity’s Singapore Blog series includes:

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Jul

THUNDERBIRD RESORTS (part 3) : DISCOVERING LA UNION

By docgelo 8 Comments

27 July 2010 Tuesday–City tour was part of the bloggers’ tour but I was actually surprised when the people of THUNDERBIRD RESORTS brought us to different unsung historic spots within La Union. It was truly beyond my expectation.

First stop : PINDANGAN RUINS

Built in May 6, 1786, Minasterio de San Fernando was the oldest church in La Union however severed by earthquake in the year 1892. The remains left us with lush vegetation which was the church itself before; and the location of the old altar was now a church run by nuns.

The magnificent support pillars to its lateral walls resemble those of most ancient churches in Northen Philippines, particularly remind me of Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte.

Second stop : LA UNION BOTANICAL GARDEN.

Vibrant colors from extra-ordinary blooms.

Located on top of the mountainous areas of La Union is its 20-hectare Botanical Garden. Tropical blooms and few animals can be found in this scientific garden amidst a research laboratory up North.

This garden is more impressive than my last memory of Baguio’s.

Third stop : MA-CHO CHINESE TEMPLE

Ma-Cho Temple was designed by Architect Diokno and was constructed by Chinese skilled workers flown directly from Taiwan.

Although without formal knowledge in Oriental architecture, I find it easy to appreciate Asian structures as they usually beam with rich heritage and culture.

Fourth stop : LUNA.

Almost an hour drive from Ma-Cho Chinese Temple, we trooped to the town of Luna. Never in my dreams did I expect to reach this charming town in La Union.

“The Town of Luna was formerly called “Namacpacan“. Namacpacan is an Ilocano word which means “one who had given food.”

Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish.

Having been raised as Catholic by a mom with former 30-church-Visita Iglesia-tradition every Holy Week, I find it not difficult to admire churches too. Admiration goes deep to veneration of course.

Still in the town of Luna, just a few meters from the Namacpacan Church is PEBBLE BEACH where the town’s BALUARTE WATCHTOWER.

“Built by the Spaniards along the shores of Luna, the watchtower was used to spot marauding Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirated.”

After walking several meters in the pebbled shores under the mercy of scorching sun, I found myself in awe with the remains of the Baluarte Watchtower in Luna.

Every stone and pebble was a concrete evidence of history; unfortunately, the remains of the Baluarte Watchtower screams for maintenance and preservation.

All in all, the trip was worth it.

Special thanks to management and staff of THUNDERBIRD RESORTS for inviting 10 bloggers, including myself to experience and savor their ultimate vacation paradise and fascinating spots in San Fernando, La Union.

*This is the last of a 3-part-blog-series about Thunderbird Resorts.

Up next : See you in Penang, My.

Jul

THUNDERBIRD RESORTS, LA UNION (part 1): THE SUBLIME EXPERIENCE

By docgelo 32 Comments

Few weeks ago, I received an irresistible invitation via email to join a 3-day-bloggers’ tour and experience the only 5-star-hotel with world-class accomodation in Northern Philippines. The timing was too perfect because it gave me an ample chance to enjoy an ultimate vacation few days before I join the league of Filipino doctors and fathers working abroad.

Dramatically set in a poetic cliff of Poro Point Freeport Zone and overlooking South China Sea, THUNDERBIRD RESORTS is more than a luxurious leisure and recreation facility. It offers a slice of Santorini-experience without leaving the country. Its Mediterranean-inspired architecture, hotel service and amenities at par with international standards are worth the 6-hour-trip from Makati City to its location in San Fernando City, La Union.

An absolute feast for the senses.

Picturesque design…

The Grecian dome ceiling is a welcoming attraction at the reception area of the hotel.

Breathtaking view from the lobby.

Santorini Lounge near the lobby provides a relaxing area where you can view the pool and crystal blue sea.

Who would not appreciate this?

Spontaneity in details makes this resort distinctly beautiful.

Bravo for being kid-friendly!

I like the idea of having the FIESTA CASINO and VEGAS CAFE located a bit far from the main hotel; making the entire experience more comfortable for guests with children.

More than having a casino, several restaurants within the hotel and the vicinity, an amphitheater and recreational facilities, THUNDERBIRD RESORTS is an event center.

Momentous celebrations like a romantic wedding proposal that eventually leads to bride walking down the aisle with the scenic view as the wedding backdrop, or probably just an intimate family gathering or a company team building, THUNDERBIRD RESORTS is a perfect venue for simple to grandiose activities.

Take a peek at one of the most comfy beds in a spacious deluxe room I slept on…felt like waking up in Santorini.

The rooms have verandas that give the visitors a priceless view of South China Sea.

And did I already tell you that I got to drive a golf cart when we visited their greens?

photo taken using my point & shoot cam by ace photographer/travel blogger & my roommate, estan cabigas of langyaw.com

The hills are alive at The Cliffs Golf & Beach Club, Thunderbird Resorts…

Do you play Golf? …I don’t.

Wonderful view at the greens…

Thunderbird Resorts have been existing in other countries like Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and has been operating in the Philippines for 5 years now; the first in Asia before it opens another resort in India soon. Thunderbird Resorts Philippines has 2 branches, one in Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando City, La Union (the one we enjoyed) and in Binangonan, Rizal.

Thunderbird Resorts in Poro Point, La Union offers Pitter Patter promo that runs from June 1 to September 30, 2010. An ultimate vacation lifestyle experience that includes a relaxing resort stay, delicious breakfast for 2, 15-minute massage, unlimited internet access and more for as low as PhP 4,800 nett/weekday and PhP 5,300 nett / weekend. Reservations recommended. Details are subject to change without prior notice.

For more details, please contact their Makati Office at tel # (63-2) 886-5555 located at 18/F Salcedo Towers H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Thunderbird Resorts Rizal at tel# (63-2) 651-6888 located at Eastridge Avenue, Binangonan, Rizal.

Special thanks to the management and staff of Thunderbird Resorts, Poro Point, La Union for their warmest accomodation, to Ms. Nica Serrano for the invite and to my fellow bloggers who joined this tour, Ann (thanks for the referral), Kristel, Vince, Hanna, Sol, Betty, Oggie, Estan, Ferdz, the experience was incredibly fun! Salamat!

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*This is the first of a 3-part-blog-series.

Up next: Gastronomic adventures in Thunderbird Resorts, Poro Point, La Union.

Jul

IBAYO : PINOY FOOD & MORE

By docgelo 23 Comments

My family and I grew up appreciating Pinoy food from Barrio Fiesta. It’s one of the local restaurants that we frequent for much needed comfort foods like Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata and other native dishes.

It’s good to know that the 3rd generation members of the Barrio Fiesta restaurant chain brought out innovation in introducing IBAYO, a bistro style food place that’s so true to Barrio Fiesta’s classic taste done with a modern twist.

IBAYO, literally meaning, “the next town,” offers new and exciting line of signature food and cocktail redefining the classic Filipino dining experience.

clockwise : My 5-year-old son, Gabby enjoying his Ripe Mango shake, fellow blogger-friend, Elna’s Sago’t gulaman fish bowl, and my glass of Four Seasons. (see menu at the end of the post for cocktail bar list).

21 July 2010, Wednesday 7PM. –I was one of the invited guests who graced IBAYO’s bloggers’ night. And since I’m stretching and literally counting my days before I go to my new work place in Penang, Malaysia next week, I maximized the event by enjoying it with my kid.

Upon seeing some familiar faces, Gabby and I sat down with Elna and her sister, Che. It was fun meeting the faces behind the blogs I follow. Soon after our acquaintance, the introduction to Ibayo and the people behind it was done. Then, they announced that it’ll be an ORDER-WHAT-YOU-WANT dinner. It sounded like music to our ears! LOL!

Take a peek at some of those dishes we feasted last night.

After browsing the menu, I spotted immediately dishes I favored. One of them was Mama Chit’s special.

MAMA CHIT’s SPECIAL : A feast in a bilao as how their beloved Mama Chit would prepare it. A mini fiesta in itself.

CRISPY PATA, anyone? Forget hyperlipidemia while you indulge once in a while, LOL!

clockwise : Ibayo Firesticks (zesty jalapeno & cheese rolled up and lightly fried to a spicy, exciting challenging appetizer), Paella Negra (paella cooked in squid ink), Pinoy version of escargot a.k.a. Ginataang Suso, and a personal favorite, Seafood Kare-Kare (mussels, crabs, shrimps, and fish fillet and veggies simmered in creamy peanut butter sauce).

Among the native delicacies perfect for dessert or merienda, I chose another favorite, Maja Blanca. Their version doesn’t disappoint; I like it.

Gabby had his bowl of Special Halo-halo that he didn’t finish because the serving is huge for his appetite.

All in all, I appreciate people behind IBAYO for being so brave on trying to reinvent a Barrio Fiesta’s tradition. Ibayo is highly competitive with the other food places that offer Filipino cuisines. Foods on the menu are great and reasonably priced. Service is surprisingly quick. Staff is accomodating and friendly.

Two thumbs up for Ibayo!

For more details on Ibayo, visit my other blog, Docgelo’s Eyes

Ibayo is located at Bldg G Unit 7-8, San Miguel By the Bay, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Special thanks to the owners of Ibayo, Mr. Ramon, Tyrone and Tristan Ongpauco and and to Ms. Abigail Delos Santos and Eventus Kinetix for the invite.

Click each menu to enlarge.

May

WAWA

By docgelo 28 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and TRAVEL
Tags: adventures, bernardo carpio, bike, bikes, cycling, doc gelo, docgelo, family, family and living, family life, fresh air, montalban, montalban rizal, Philippine tourism, Philippines, picnic, Pinoy, Pinoy food, province, rizal, rodriguez, rodriguez rizal, summer, summer vacation, tourism, TRAVEL, traveling, travelling, trip, vacation, wawa dam

Dear Gabby,

Sometimes I wanted a quick escape from hassles of daily living in a nearby province where fresh air and tranquility are common.

I envy your Lolo Ben, Tito Mac & Ninong Melton and 2 of their friends for what they did last Sunday. While we’re lazy spending the first day of the week at home, they went to Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal, the province formerly known as Montalban. It’s the town that comes after San Mateo, Rizal, Marikina and Quezon Cities. Your Tito Mac is generous to share his photos taken from their trip.

The provincial welcome sign has the dam’s replica on top…

No, they didn’t go there via four-wheeled vehicle but by bikes. You know how your 60-year-old Lolo Ben is still very groovy as he continuously joins cycling events like Tour of the Fireflies with your uncles..Look how he’s geared to the form that day! Japorms ang tatay ko, ano?

While your Tito Mac was in his usual cheerful self…

It’s amazing they’ve reached the place after long hours of bicycling…Your Tito Mac and Ninong Melton’s second time to be there; and first for Daddy or your Lolo Ben…

The scenes at Wawa Dam are simply inviting …

Rock-filled stream…

lush greens…

crystal waters…

They went to market to buy something to grill…

At the area near the stream, they parked their bikes.

Then they grilled these…

and had a fun picnic…

I can just imagine how relaxing the atmosphere in that part of Rizal…

perfect spot to doze off…

beside a river that runs through it...

Kiapo or water cabbages (where the name of Quiapo, Manila was rooted) are also abundant. Nice!

I think this is the must-see-spot in Wawa Dam : the two great rocks where Bernardo Carpio , being of great strength, was believed to be trapped. When you study Philippine folklores in years to come, you’ll learn that some say he is keeping the mountains from crashing into each other (similar to the Greek titan Atlas holding up the sky), and some versions say he is trapped and trying to break free. When Bernardo Carpio shrugs his shoulder, an earthquake occurs. (Sourced via Wiki).

The merging of those streams underneath those legendary mountains is just awesome! Who knows we might find time and go there someday too.

For now, enjoy your bike; you’ll have your own adventures when you grow up!

I love you, anak!

Tatay-doc

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*photos except Gabby’s were taken by my brother, Mac. Thanks, Mac!

Feb

LET’S WELCOME CHANGE

By docgelo 26 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO, HEADLINES and TRAVEL
Tags: dfa, doc gelo, docgelo, family, family and living, family life, LRT, mrt, parenthood, pasay city, passport, passport application, passport renewal, philippine passport, Philippines, pilipinas, pinas

February 22, Monday – I left my family (Tina + Gabby) at home (date was declared as special local holiday for schools because of EDSA Revolution anniversary) and rode LRT line 2 from our place, then MRT from Araneta Center-Cubao Terminal Station up to this EDSA-Taft-Pasay LRT Station.

I went to Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City to get Tina and Gabby’s new passports. Believe it or not, it took me only less than 5 minutes to claim it. So their previous green passports are now machine-readable-maroon…(sometimes, I imagine them blue! *wishful thinking*)

I renewed mine 2 years ago and will expire 2013 while Tina and Gabby’s passports are valid until 2015.

Allow me to share these old and new passport photos of our little biggest bundle of joy…

Isn’t he a grown little good-looking man at 5 ? That photo on the right was taken at 4:30AM hence the morning face. How time flies so fast! His first passport + photo were taken when he was 4 months old; apparently, he’s really a happy baby; the photographer at the studio in a mall did not find any difficulty making him smile giggle. His old passport was stamped at Hong Kong, Brunei and Auckland, NZ airports. We traveled with his Graco stroller then; even used it on buses in NZ.

I have claimed their new passports in a jiffy but they have applied for its renewal for several hours!

Flashback : February 01, 2010, Monday – Gabby was absent from preschool class and made a personal appearance at DFA. Although kids of his age who’d like to apply/renew their passports can just leave everything to their parents/guardians, and adults can have the process via on-line scheduling too, Tina and I opted to do it traditionally and brought Gabby to avoid any hassles. Turned out to be we’re in for a big old hassle!

Ang saya! We woke up at 3:30AM and arrived at DFA at around 4:30 in the morning. The basketball court-waiting area was already packed! Nothing has changed since I have renewed mine a couple of years ago. Unlike Boarding Gates at any airports where passengers with child/ren and/or geriatric individuals may board first, at DFA, they only give considerations to pregnant and old applicants only.

Yes, it was very systematic but looong queues were still there. We’re done with application, verification, processing and encoding (inside the DFA auditorium) at 9:20AM flat. It was really exhausting. :(

Imagine, until last Monday, the scene was the same…

But let’s thank God for change! Have you heard that DFA Consular facility +passport services will be moving to its new state-of-the-art building located at Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City ?

“Instead of sweltering heat, our consular clients will be greeted with cool air at the moment they enter our doors. Instead of monobloc chairs, they will wait their turn sitting on ergonomically-designed stainless steel benches. Instead of long queues, they can shorten their wait by accessing our online appointment system. Instead of going from building to building, they only need to move from ground to second floor,” DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo said.

DFA consular personnel, Romulo added, would also enjoy the convenience of modern work stations, furniture and equipment.

The building was acquired for a price of P530 million with the assistance of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The facility will be opened to the public once it is formally inaugurated in the next few weeks. For the time being and until further notice, the consular services requirements of the public will continue to be attended to at the DFA’s existing consular facilities along Roberts Street.

Source : KBK, GMANews.TV

Ang mahal pala ng change!

Feb

A WALK WITH DRAGON + LIONS

By docgelo 46 Comments

Categories: EVENTS, FOOD & MORE FOOD!, HEADLINES and TRAVEL
Tags: binondo, binondo church, binondo food wok map, binondo manila, bloggers, chinatown sidewalk, chinese, chinese charms, chinese community, chinese new year, chinese new year celebration, chinese temple, chives dumplings, doc gelo, docgelo, dong bei, dong bei dumplings, dragon dance, family, family and living, Filipino, food, food blog, fresh lumpia, fruits, glutinous rice, glutinous rice cakes, ivan man dy, kuchay dumplings, lawton, lion dance, lion dances, liwasang bonifacio, lumpia, manila, manila central post office, manila chinatown, manila post office, new po heng lumpia, nian gao, ongpin, ongpin binondo, ongpin manila, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, plaza lawton, po heng, po heng lumpia, seng guan, seng guan si, seng guan si temple, seng guan temple, te ya kong, te ya kong temple, the big binondo food wok map, tikoy, valentine, valentine's day, vegetable spring rolls, vegetables

Mr. Sun was shining its brightest as everyone celebrated Valentine’s Day + Chinese New Year. There was never a day better than last Sunday to take a walk through the streets of Manila China town.

I arrived at Manila Central Post Office fronting Liwasang Bonifacio, now known as Plaza Lawton, a few minutes before 10:30AM. This majestic building served as our meeting place for Dong Ho’s KaESKAPO sa Binondo.

I was lucky to be chosen as one of the 5 among the many blogger-followers of Dong Ho’s ESKAPO to explore Binondo on foot using The Big Binondo Food Wok Map by Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks.

The blog contest winners were selected based on Dong Ho’s querry :

Why do you deserve this map and join this food trip ?

It was a pleasure meeting young breed of fellow bloggers Chyng, Cher, Josh, and Ann (with her BF); all of us were recipients of this map from the Dong himself. Although I was the most senior of the group, it just felt like I was only with my students, less the toxicity of classroom lectures We were all amazed how The Big Binondo Food Wok Map was conceptualized; it points out heritage trail and of course, the most interesting food shops in the heart of Manila, from the cheapest finds to the most upscale restaurants. The coupons in the map for some freebies were certainly not left unnoticed.

After a short briefing about the activity and a casual intro to ourselves, we started the walk that led to one-of-a-kind-Binondo trip.

I am not new to the place. I have been to Binondo and Ongpin areas up to Recto and Divisoria countless times actually. But exploring it with strangers bloggers whom I haven’t met is a new experience for me and perhaps the same thing for them. Gladly, we instantly gelled as we enjoyed several hours together.

We’re fortunate to witness a Dragon Dance just few steps from the gates of Manila China town after Escolta.

We had a short stop at Binondo Church…

Then after I uttered my prayers, we headed off to Ongpin…

A festive welcome to the Chinese New Year isn’t complete without Lion Dances…

The colors of Ongpin and its side streets never fail to fascinate me… I’m sure my fellow bloggers were also delighted with such vibrant hues!

From freshest fruits to veggies, lucky charms and figurines; gold jewelries and more; almost everything is in Ongpin!

Although our son, Gabby had been to Ongpin more than a couple of times recently, I’d also wished him to experience Chinese New Year in Binondo. But his mom and I agreed for them to stay at home to avoid too much crowd and all. He’ll surely enjoy the celebration soon when he grows older.

After a few steps and shots, we headed to our food tripping!

Our first stop : the immediate left street at the back of Binondo Church for some remarkable dumplings!

It was only my second time to try DONG BEI DUMPLINGS - the famous KUCHAY or CHIVES DUMPLINGS of Binondo. I’ve written something about these dumplings May of last year, after I’ve tasted them and compared with the same steamed delight from a Chinese resto in a mall (view HERE! ) The major difference : Dong Bei’s version is more flavorful but doesn’t have overpowering taste. Plus, you get to view how it is prepared…

Freshly made dumplings, anyone ?

Your options : Plain Kuchay or Plain Pork; Combinations of Kuchay + Pork (last year I had Kuchay + Shrimp) either steamed or fried; 13 -14 pieces for only PhP100+. Guess what our team had? All of them! Have you tried Dong Bei’s Kuchay Dumplings ? How do you like them ?

Their both best dipped in chili sauce! Some of my co-bloggers didn’t like them that much, perhaps because it’s quite new to their taste buds or they’ve been more familiar with other Chinese dumplings than chives.

Dong Ho (not the owner of Dong Bei, LOL!) also introduced as to Dong Bei’s PANCAKES! These aren’t your usual pancakes served with butter + syrup *yum!* but it’s fried with stuffings of ….surprise –> Kuchay +Pork again! But its thin fried dough was more sticky than the fried Kuchay dumplings and thankfully, both were less oily.

And since I vowed with Tina and Gabby not to drink Coke and other sodas again (deliver us not into temptation, hehe!), I tried for the first time this Chinese iced tea on a can (but forgive me, although i hope it has less sugar, it’s carbonated too!)

My co-blogger Chyng didn’t like the canned Chinese cold tea that much; it was OK for my taste but nothing to rave about and would not cause you to crave for it.

After that quick bite at Dong Bei, the walk continued to the corner of Tomas Pinpin + Ongpin Streets where a shrine is venerated by Tsinoys.

SANTO CRISTO DE LONGOS

Note that incense sticks are used by the prayerful to adore the Holy Cross. It’s an apparent fusion of Catholic and Chinese beliefs.

Moving on… Do you like Tikoy ? What’s a Chinese New Year without Tikoy a.k.a. NIAN GAO / YEAR CAKES or Glutinous rice cakes ? What’s Binondo without horse-driven kalesas? (Note to Gabby : We’ll ride kalesa one day either in Manila or in Vigan!)

My wife knows how we share the love for FRESH LUMPIA. This made our next pit stop as one of my favorite food places we’ve been to. I recall one of my kind readers, JP recommended this when I posted SOMETHING ABOUT LUMPIA few weeks ago.

Tucked inside Uysubin Building beside HSBC, located along Quintin Paredes Street, is a courtyard where New Po Heng Lumpia House is.

I guarantee you satisfaction from these freshly rolled Hokkien-style lumpia! For only PhP 45 per roll, you can taste heaven in every bite! What I like about Chinese Fresh Lumpia is the inclusion of fried vermicelli + seaweeds and lotsa ground peanuts! It’s so delicious even sans sauce! I give my two-thumbs up to New Po Heng Lumpia! Definitely, it won’t be my last there; i’ll surely bring my family and friends there soon.

As we entered New Po Heng, we’re lucky to see the Ivan Man Dy in person on his last leg for that day on his Old Manila Walks. Dong Ho introduced us to him and to my surprise, he said, “Oh you’re the doctor who joined Chuvaness’ contest. Did you win?” I smiled back and said “No” (It was another blog contest with his map and his TOUR as one of the top prizes–The question was : If you were a Chinese dish, what would you be and why? My answer : Chinese Fortune Cookie -Because I believe I am more than meets the eye). I wasn’t only starstruck but was literally in awe because Ivan actually reads comments and entries! Wow!

Chyng had taken the chance to have photo-op with Ivan. I was shy to do so. Perhaps when I and Tina find time to join his once-a-month-Malacanang tour. Ivan is nice; he even offered us tikoy, part of the freebies he was giving to his local and a few foreign tourists who joined his walk.

Another treat for us bloggers was when Ivan introduced the next guy to our table as the TUTUBI of BACKPACKING PHILIPPINES AND ASIA. It was really one lucky day!

Still following some suggested heritage trail in The Big Binondo Food Wok Map, our group went to Ongpin again and went up flight of stairs to visit TE YA KONG TEMPLE…

Seeing almost all people in red, lighting incense sticks and praying, I can’t help but to admire the Chinese-Filipino community for their strong faith.

After several minutes, we’re on to our next merienda stop (I like the way we took this “NO-RICE”- Binondo Food trip; LIGHT & YUMMY) : SHANGHAI FRIED SIOPAO! Have you sampled one already ? It’s more flavorful than ordinary siopao.

The Dong bought fried siopao for all of us and split the bill just before we part ways. We brought them to Eng Bee Tin restaurant where Dong Ho suggested to have refreshing avocado shake; but it wasn’t in season so we all went for the next best thing : mango shake! (I like riped mango). I just forgot to ask Dong Ho how much fried siopao a piece but the mango shake was so good at PhP 50+.

Then after another hearty snack, we’re on our feet again for our last pit stop… On way there, we passed by Plaza Calderon dela Barca right in front of Basilica Menor del San Lorenzo a.k.a. Binondo Church…

I like fountains. (note to self : work for you to bring your family to Europe one day!). The sight of dripping water somehow recharged me to walk a few kilometers from Binondo to Reina Regente, Recto and finally reached Narra Street at the back of Tutuban Mall where the biggest and grandest of Chinatown’s Buddhist temples…

SENG GUAN SI TEMPLE

The facade of Seng Guan Si Temple is already amazing but there’s more than that beautiful front this place of worship has to offer.

The first floor was awesome. But the second floor of this temple was even more fantastic! There was even an enormous section that’s probably considered as the most sacred of them all. I thought that part of the temple is comparable to the Catholic church’s Adoration Chapel.

It was indeed a loooong tiring day but believe it or not, I enjoyed it to the fullest! Although I wasn’t with my family (Gabby + Tina), I’m glad to meet and gain new blogger-friends. Thanks, Dom (a.k.a. the Dong Ho)! Sa uulitin!

We could not let the day pass without taking photos of ourselves of course! So meet my Ka-Eskapo sa Binondo :

from left to right : The Dong Ho and docgelo; right : Chyng, Josh and Cher. photos by Cher Cabula (thanks, Cher!) these photos were taken at New Po Heng Lumpia courtyard.

Newbie and young blogger, Ann with her BF Archie and on right photo, the Chinese charm Dong Ho got for each of us.

One last group shot before parting ways… photo by Dong Ho

You may want to view (again) my previous posts about this most interesting part of Manila called Binondo. Thanks!

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2009 AT MANILA CHINATOWN

ESTERO EATERY IN ONGPIN

WAI YING

MR. UBE

DONG BEI DUMPLINGS

BINONDO EXPLORED

JANUARY 2ND 2010 IN ONGPIN PART 1

JANUARY 2ND 2010 IN ONGPIN PART 2 : PRESIDENT’S TEA HOUSE

Feb

PRELUDE TO CHINESE NEW YEAR

By docgelo 28 Comments

After an afternoon at the zoo, my wife suggested for us to have an early dinner in a restaurant an eatery in Ongpin last weekend; I was too weak to resist!

We went first to Sta Cruz Church, said our prayers and crossed the street. It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of Carriedo fountain (note to self : keep on dreaming for Europe). However, just like Manila Zoo, I heard it’s also wailing for some maintenance and preservation.

Then we strolled from Sta Cruz Church to Manila Chinatown and finally reached a hole-in-the-wall-Chinese fastfood. Thank Heavens, we immediately spotted an empty table; an unusual sight at this very busy eatery.

Since our heartbeats increased after walking, first thing we ordered was something to chill us down. This fastfood’s version of Hong Kong Iced Tea is a champion! It has finely shaved ice with thin slices of lemons that made it tasteful. At PhP 50, it’s so refreshingly good and affordable too that I almost ordered another glass. Tina reminded me that we’re observing utmost prudence on the budget, so I settled with the hot tea on the house; I smiled and did not complain.

We saw chinky-eyed customers flocking in non stop; a strong indication that this food place really serves best-tasting Chinese treats. We didn’t waste time and told the wait staff our orders… And voila, less than 10 minutes, they arrived on our tables…

SIOMAI . One of the best, if not the best-tasting siomai I’ve tasted!. It’s gloriously delicious.

Amen!

BOLA-BOLA SIOPAO is one of our common favorites. Tina’s biased with Kowloon’s; I can’t blame her. But even Gabby liked the soft white bun of this fastfood’s siopao! The filling is its edge in contrast to other versions. It has salted egg, strips of mushrooms, and a giant meat ball that’s so flavorful.

While we’re happy to try those 2 dimsums at its finest tastes, the next dishes suffered comparison from our favorite Chinese food places.

SHRIMP CHEONG CHONG FAN. Tina and I had our initial taste bud’s exposure to this shrimp rice rolls 5 years ago in NZ. Since then, it became our favorite. We usually order it whenever we eat Chinese. We love the version from LE CHING’S TEA HOUSE in Greenhills Shopesville and TirNoma and Shrimp Cheong fan from EMERALD GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT in Roxas Blvd. And because we’re used to generous servings of plump shrimps and its thick rice rolls from Le Ching, we’re a bit disappointed with this fastfood’s Cheong Chong fan.

We barely tasted the shrimps because they were too small for bites; the rice rolls were too limp and thin, like the fountain and the zoo begging for improvement. The saving glory was its sweet and salty soy sauce.

We also ordered rice toppings…

STEAMED CHICKEN MUSHROOM RICE (left) and SPARERIBS RICE TOPPINGS (right)

“Lasang Tinola” , my wife commented. Tina, Gabby and I love Chicken Mushroom Rice, but again, our reference was that of Le Ching’s so we find it quite different; gingery to be exact. But I must state that their chicken serving is more generous.

I had the Spareribs Rice Toppings; ’twas fine. I was satisfied. I may order it again next time we visit…

It would be unfair if we won’t visit WAI YING again in Binondo to try their other yummies. I know a few more dine-in here would lead to its inclusion to the list of our favorites.

Have you tried Wai Ying ? What’s your favorite from their menu?

Do you have plans already to celebrate this year’s CHINESE NEW YEAR VALENTINE’S ?

Last year, we had a blast; view HERE! and HERE (you want to click it, don’t you? LOL)

For this year, I already have something in mind but we’ll keep it cheap simple; we’re CELEBRATING LOVE everyday anyway!

——————————————————

WAI YING,927 Benavidez Street, Binondo Manila (From Sta Cruz’ Church go straight to Ongpin then turn right to Salazar Street (where President’s Tea House is located, then right again to Benavidez St).

Feb

ANOTHER VISIT

By docgelo 23 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and TRAVEL
Tags: amusement park, city of manila, doc gelo, docgelo, ermita, family, family and living, family life, interactive zoo, kinder zoo, manila, manila zoo, parks, Philippine tourism, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy

I give the credit to my wife, Tina who suggested we bring our son, Gabby back to a place that’s perhaps so familiar to you and me; feels like our relatives do exist there (pun intended) hehehe

No, we did not go mall-hopping last weekend but instead revisited creatures that can remind us of our childhood.

The picture below can tell you that Gabby was too uneasy with the claws of this colorful feathered friend on his left shoulder, nevertheless still managed to smile for the cam (read : no coercion was done for him to smile, *wink*).

It has been years since we first brought him to KINDER ZOO –an interactive (read : guests can touch animals with guidance of zoo keepers) and it’s a more colorful zoo inside Manila Zoological and Botanical Park a.k.a. the good old Manila Zoo that has been existing for more than 50 years, would you believe ? When was your last visit to the zoo ?

Kinder Zoo is a smaller scale but with a higher rate of PhP 65 compared to the Manila Zoo’s entrance fee of PhP 40/adult and PhP 20/child below 4ft. The 2 fees should be paid if you want to experience both and expect to see what your money’s worth.

For a family like us who have been fortunate to experience a few parks abroad, Manila Zoo suffered another comparison. Yes, we’re grateful that it is still on operations for more kids will be exposed to “most living things” quite up close, but a little more improvement and a huge reform on maintenance and cleanliness definitely won’t hurt.

Anyway, inside the Kinder Zoo, non living things like original Lego structures are installed…

Even Pooh, Piglet and Tigger can pose with you without a flicker, LOL!

Even Tortoise knows how to smile…

Manila Zoo still has its one and only large mammal…

Yes, she’s the same elephant you probably saw during your educational fieldtrips or ordinary visits to this zoo during your wonder years.

OINK!

Apparently, the zoo has improved through the years, but further development can be done to enhance it more.

I know ecological balance can’t be totally observe in a zoo with cages and all but it’s a responsibility in a way for parents and adults like us to teach our kids about nature and get them exposed to it as close as possible.

VIEW MORE PICTURES HERE.

Feb

DISTURBING BEHAVIOR

By docgelo 21 Comments

Categories: Attitude and HEADLINES
Tags: beach, BORACAY, boracay boat station one, boracay island, boracay station 1, catholic religion, doc gelo, docgelo, family and living, family life, local news, news, parenthood, philippine news, Philippines, religion, umagang kay ganda, willy's rock

If you’ve been to Boracay, or at least have read or viewed something about it, you may be familiar with this beautiful rock formation known as Willy’s Rock, the famous landmark at Boat Station One in the island paradise. It’s entirely visible in the morning, and is always almost half-submerged during high tide in the afternoon.

We were fortunate to see it and experience the crystal-turquoise waters and pristine powdery white sand on the last week of October just last year.

This morning, Tina and I were literally shocked; can’t help but uttered “OH MY GOD!” when we learned from a news item reported on Umagang Kay Ganda, a local morning TV show, that the owner of the resort where Willy’s rock is located, removed and burned the image statue of the Blessed Virgin on top of the grotto because of the reason that he’s now a pastor of a certain religion thus his act, alarming the parish priest of the Island.

We honestly respect other religions and beliefs but my wife and I are disturbed why others can’t do so.

Just imagine if our 5-year-old son who was with us in Boracay last year knows about this, how do you think parents should explain that other people could do such thing to something that represents one’s faith?

Jan

FIELD TRIP 2010 : PART 3

By docgelo 16 Comments

After a wonderful animal-encounter at Ocean Adventure in Subic, the 5 buses of preschoolers (Gabby & his batchmates) with their parents (including me and Tina of course) and teachers trooped to Clark, Pampanga and had a brief exposure to Filipino history & culture.

We already heard few years ago that NAYONG PILIPINO which was previously located in Pasay City near the airport, is now in Clark, Pampanga but we only got to see it last week. This TEMPORARY RELOCATION of the famous replica of most tourist spots of the country was done to give way for the building of the 2 Ninoy Aquino International and domestic terminals. And the latest we’ve known from our trip, plans have transpired to push through with the new construction of Nayong Pilipino near the SM Mall of Asia area. Have you heard of this news?

First stop : the replica of church in Bulacan imprinted on Philippine Ten Peso-Bill.

MALOLOS CHURCH served as venue for so many Philippine Constitutional Conventions.

Then there’s also those WALLS of INTRAMUROS and what appeared to look like a river however, there was no running water but a rock bed.

The Nayong Pilipino guide informed us that this Clark’s version is divided into 2 parts : Precolonial and Post Colonial eras.

At the Precolonial area, the simple Pinoy lifestyle before the Spanish regime is depicted. We were greeted by an Ifugao native dance…What a warm welcome for all of us!

The short performance of the natives was a fresh sight to the kids who were used to gyrating pop music.

The simple and creative way of living of Filipinos long before we were under foreign rules were shown in these huts built without a single nail or screw and amazingly can withstand any typhoon. I guess these native shelters truly represent what early Pinoys were – imaginative, resilient, simple. Do we still have these qualities at present ?

“Movable Ladder – Walang Akyat-Bahay! Ang galing ng ating mga katutubo!” (click the picture to enlarge)

Weaving of textiles with intricate and colorful patterns was also demonstrated.

Panggatong, anyone ?

This is a replica of an upscale Muslim house that’s suited for a Sultan or Datu, the village chief in Maranao, Mindanao. It’s called TOROGAN.

The Torogan House has colorful and intricate butterfly-like end beams that protrude in front of the house; apparently gorgeous Maranao artwork!

There are also monuments inside Nayong Pilipino to honor Philippine History and Literature…

On the left is Ang Alamat ni Malakas at Maganda… And on the right is Lapu-lapu, the chieftain of Mactan, pardon the pun, appeared to us as depressed in his stance… (click photo to enlarge) I believe Lapu-lapu deserves to be depicted victorious having been considered as the country’s first hero.

There are also monuments for Philippine Folklore’s goddesses – the likes of Mariang Sinukuan and Maria Makiling; but I didn’t take photos for I personally didn’t like how they were created. Imagine a statue of a women who look distraught complete with a dress-slit nearly up to their inguinal areas!

Moving on… The Post Colonial Era…

As far as I recall, there are replicas of houses of Filipino heroes – Apolinario Mabini’s, Jose Rizal’s and others’ that played significant role in Philippine History.

Note the features of houses during post colonialism greatly evolved and was then inspired by Spanish architecture.

As parents, Tina and I are always trying our best to be well-rounded with Gabby. We appreciate joining his field trip for we know that there’s more to life that kids should learn outside the corners of their classrooms and beyond reading their books.

We left Nayong Pilipino at around past 5 in the afternoon to head for our last pit stop : Puregold Duty Free for some shopping.

Another family fun-bonding time enjoyed.

PS : Because we as a family have experienced being in few amusement parks abroad, Tina and I wish that local authorities would exert more efforts in putting up and maintaining quality and cleanliness in our very own tourist spots.

Jan

FIELD TRIP 2010 : PART 2

By docgelo 17 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO, FOOD & MORE FOOD! and TRAVEL
Tags: amusement park, doc gelo, docgelo, family, family and living, family life, field trip, food, foodie, kani tempura, ocean adventure, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, subic, subic bay, tempura, vacation, vacation place

Still under the Subic sun, we queued to claim our lunch. As you know, amusement parks like Ocean Adventure prohibits patrons from bringing food inside; good thing that Gabby’s preschool had availed of the packed lunch inclusive of the tickets for all of us.

Breaded Chicken Fillet + Rice + Brownies = Not bad, actually…

But when we got in the bus, our baon prepared by my wife was so much better!

While most of his classmates were holding forks with hotdogs, we’re eating unusual field trip baon.

Home-cooked Kani Tempura was Gabby’s request; we even brought the entire bottle of tempura sauce! And it could have been a complete experience if we didn’t forget the chopsticks! *grin*

Before we munched those crab sticks, the last feature we enjoyed at Ocean Adventure was their newest show called WALK ON THE WILD SIDE..

Rescued forest animals that serve as environment ambassadors are the main attractions shown in their newest venue ~ Eco-Theater.

My brother who’s a private pilot by profession had experienced Jungle Survival Course in Subic as part of their curriculum before he got licensed. Now, Ocean Adventure had incorporated bits of that course in their show, Walk on the Wild Side….

Before animals and trainers were seen on stage, a true-blooded Aeta demonstrated the amazing ability to build and light a fire without matches but using only one grass : BAMBOO!

Can you do this ?

The indigenous Aeta named, Bruce (yes, Bruce!) also taught us how to boil rice and cook Sour Broth (Sinigang) using 2 different bamboo poles simultaneously prepared under one fire! Kuya Bruce also showed how to make utensils out of what else but bamboo.

Then presentation went on with some of the animals that may be encountered in a jungle. Winged creatures like owl, bats, and eagle were featured with reptile, cat, dog and some mice.

If there’s one important thing that I, Tina, Gabby and the rest of the kids, parents and other guests should always remember from Ocean Adventure trip, it’s the thought “LET’S MAKE EVERYDAY, EARTH DAY!”

We left Subic at around 2PM and headed to Clark, Pampanga…

To be continued…

Dec

LEARNING BEYOND BOOKS

By docgelo 17 Comments

08 December, 2009, Tuesday – After we had a hearty late lunch in a classic Chinese restaurant, EMERALD GARDEN in Manila, we explored a place that is exclusively dedicated to fun and learning.

My wife, Tina and I usually maximized our days off from work by spending extra quality time with our preschooler son, Gabby. And whenever we go out, we always make sure that Gabby will enjoy. Just a couple of weeks ago, we went to PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM in Riverbanks, Marikina City and seven days back we had another special trip to MUSEO PAMBATA in Roxas Blvd., Manila.

This interactive children’s museum allows visitors, both kids and young-at-hearts to touch exhibits, play and experienced everything hands-on. It’s a place that encourages a total-senses-child learning. I believe in that too –I always tell my nursing students and reviewees that ‘learning is easy when all senses are utilized’.

Since Museo Pambata was only established in 1994 when Tina and I were already college students, we had no chance to be there during our wonder years. Nevertheless, it isn’t too late to become a kid again; not that we’re having 2nd childhood already, heck no! we’re too young to have dementia and all, LOL But with Museo Pambata, the kids in us were unleashed once more!

Illustration above via MUSEO PAMBATA.

Who says learning can’t be fun?

The museum is divided into several sections : PAMILIHANG-BAYAN / Market Place, PAGLAKI KO / Career Options, KATAWAN KO / Body Works, TUKLAS!/Science Through Discovery, MAYNILA NOON / Old Manila, KALIKASAN/Environment, and many more.

I personally found the MARKET PLACE as most amusing. Kids can assume to tend a store or pretend shopping in wet and dry sections or perhaps in a shoe or drug stores.

In PAGLAKI KO / Career Options, Museo Pambata gives children a bird’s eye view of work opportunities when they grow old. Gabby enjoyed becoming a community worker for a while…

Money matters! Even kids should learn that hard-earned money should be valued at all cost.

There’s a small section near the Market Place where kids get to feel how it is to be in rural areas of the country…

While the Market Place seemed the most amusing, KATAWAN KO /Body Works section’s the most interesting for us. Just like in the old Science Centrum years ago, there’s a similar version of those anatomical parts in humongous scales! It’s hard to resist not to go through the exhibit’s main entrance – a wide-mouth! One will pass through it down to esophagus, stomach, and intestines and out to you-know-where!

In TUKLAS / Science Through Discovery, there are similar pieces that we’ve seen already in PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM but Museo Pambata’s versions are more well-maintained; thus, more inviting for visitors.

What’s a museum without retelling a history ? On the first floor of the museum are 2 fascinating exhibits — KALIKASAN / Environment on the left side, and on the right, MAYNILA NOON / Old Manila.

Have you seen a small scale of Binondo Church or Basilica Minor de San Lorenzo Ruiz? FYI, It’s a nice replica where visitors can go inside and take pictures of the church. This section of Old Maynila also brings back museum goers to the era of Galleon Trade and the days when Meralco Tranvia de Manila was still one of the modes of transportation in Manila. Sayang, authorities could have kept this tram until now for people to appreciate and still serve its purpose like the tram in San Francisco. Oh,well, at least we have the LRTs now.

Who says learning history is always boring ?

I cannot imagine Pinoy History without Dr. Jose Rizal, Katipunan and the evolution of flags…

The old Pinoy house, furnitures and all also caught our interest…

Some important aspects of Mother Nature is replicated at the section called KALIKASAN /Environment…

Do you agree with me that every Pinoy kids should be brought to this fun place ? I wish parents are reading this post.

Have you been to Museo Pambata ? How was your experience ?

MUSEO PAMBATA, Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila (It’s beside US Embassy in Manila and at the end corner of Kalaw Ave. and Roxas Blvd.) Entrance fee is PhP 100 for kids and adults, walk-in. Teachers with valid ID are free; Manila residents are given discount. Museum is closed every Mondays. Museum hours : 8AM-5PM (Aug-March) and 9AM-5PM (April-July).

Oct

BORACAY SERIES : FEAST FOR THE SENSES

By docgelo 19 Comments

Categories: BORACAY, FOOD & MORE FOOD! and TRAVEL
Tags: BORACAY, boracay boat station 1, boracay restaurants, boracay station 1, doc gelo, docgelo, food, food blog, kasbah, kasbah moroccan restaurant and bar, moroccan restaurant, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, traveling, vacation

This is my 5th post in a series…

As I walked several meters away from Willy’s Rock at Boat Station 1 in Boracay; I left my wife, Tina and our 5-year-old son, Gabby shortly while they were busy playing on the powdery sand, I came across this exquisitely themed beach front restaurant and bar at the far end of the white beach on our second day in island last week.

With wooden tables and large cushioned couches in vibrant and attractive hues, I didn’t pass the chance to sneak in and inquired about their lunch and dinner.

At half hour past 9 in the morning, I found myself too early for KASBAH, an amazing Moroccan food place located at few meters from the shores of one of the greatest beaches in the globe.

The gemstone colors of tables and seats and Moroccan lamps all over the place are so fascinating that one may experience a slice of Northern Africa. With priceless ambiance and authentic interiors, I can only expect nothing but the best cuisine.

The moment I entered Kasbah, I asked a staff for their menu. I became interested with some tangine and couscous in a heart beat.

I was too early to spot Kasbah; I was told they usually open 11AM onwards. The chef and his staff were not yet around when I came.

I could have tasted Seafood Tagine and Saffron, Couscous Lamb Tagine and perhaps Baklava for dessert…

No worries…

No regrets…

There’s always a next time ..

Have you experienced Morocco in Boracay?

Oct

BORACAY SERIES : A FOODIES’ PARADISE

By docgelo 45 Comments

This is my 4th post in a series.

I felt I gained 10 pounds kilos after our brief family break in BORACAY last week. You can’t blame me, the island itself is an epicurean paradise; there are tons of gastronomic temptations…

Can you resist this?COUPLE ICE, PhP 260. This is one of Red Bean Halowich’s refreshing delights. Thinly shaved ice available in 2 flavors- either milk or mango serves as the base. We chose mango ice.

Toppings include corn cereals and red mung beans and a ton of tropical fruits -slices of bananas, pineapples, mangoes, watermelons and cherries with a huge swirl of vanilla soft ice cream.

The moment we walked through D’mall in Boat Station 2 and saw Red Bean Halowich’s window display, we never had second thoughts of entering their airconditioned restaurant to try their iced sweet treats. We only ordered that big bowl and a glass of iced tea for Gabby. Couple Ice, second to their biggest serving, is huge enough to be shared by 2 to 3 people. The bowl reminds me of Red Mango’s, except that Halowich’s is more enormous in size and contains ice, not frozen yogurt. Nevertheless, we love it. Ask my family.

While Halowich offers the best alternative to the famous Pinoy Halo-Halo, ARIA for us (my wife Tina, our son Gabby and I) is another must-try restaurant in the island. A vibrant and relaxing vacation in Boracay is never complete without tasting the best pizza and best pasta from ARIA CUCINA ITALIA.

The fast and friendly wait staff who attended to our table told me that Aria is owned by an American restaurateur with some foreign partners; they also co-own Cafe del Sol, a coffee shop beside Aria and a Japanese restaurant located in the middle of D’Mall.

This was my plate from Aria…

Gabby was asking for pizza on our second day at the beach. As we try not to eat anything that can also be found in malls and Italian restaurants and fastfoods in Manila, we sat in Aria and gave in to our son’s request. We ordered…QUATTRO FORMAGGI, PhP 475 +. It’s hard to overlook Aria’s finest woodfire oven-baked pizzas. Aria’s version of four-cheeses pizza is light yet satisfying and flavorful. The amazingly delicious crust is topped with four different cheeses : pecorino, feta, parmesan and mozzarella. Gabby had his smile up to his ears when the pizza arrived at our table.

BOSCAIOLA, PhP 370+. A creamy sauce of mushroom, ham and parmesan cheese on pasta of your choice. We had the white sauce on penne. Wow, sarap!

There are many choices in Aria’s menu that are worth a try. There are insalata or salads, meat dishes, antipasti and other flavors of pizza and variants of pasta. Did I tell you already that Aria has wine selection too ?

What to have for dinner in Boracay ?

A few meters from the shore, as dusk comes to the island, beach front restaurants transform the coast line into a seafood and meat buffet, al fresco dining.

What’s a BORACAY VACATION without sampling the freshest catch from the sea? The spreads, which include fruits and some desserts, mostly cost PhP 250 per pax nett, excluded of drinks. While the price of the buffet is so affordable, would you believe that a 1.5 liters of Coke regular costs PhP 140 (regular Manila price around PhP 37 to 40 only). But heck, we have to try the seafood buffet here even for a night.

On my plate…

On Tina’s…

The gluttons in us had two rounds of the spread and a plate of watermelons and few servings of maja blanca and other kakanin and that’s it. Yes, the crustaceans are fresh; there were garlic and boiled rice even some pasta and fish dishes include Lapu-lapu and Tuna; there were grilled pork liempo and fried chicken too; there were adobong pusit (squid), crabs, baked oysters and mussels and shrimps which I like the most but sorry there were the usual “lutong-bahay” taste. In simplest terms, there’s nothing special about the buffet we had.

My wife and I have this ordinary rule of thumb when dining out : we try to eat something reasonably priced, that can’t be prepared easily; something gourmet, or unusually present at our table at home. And even though we’re satiated after that seashore pig-out, I still felt a bit disappointed. Perhaps, I was expecting more from the spread. At any rate, try it as well, you might like it. As what I usually post here, ‘to each his own’.

What’s best with our eat-all-you-want- dining in Boracay or elsewhere (including hotels in the Metro), our 5-year-old son still eats for FREE Although he only ate soup and few servings of fruits, we’re still happy that we didn’t pay a cent for his plate.

Another must-try in Boracay is LEMON i CAFE located at the heart of D’Mall in Boat Station 2. This resto boasts of all-day-breakfast ala carte menu, delicious entrees and of course, desserts.

On the afternoon of our first day in Boracay, Gabby was looking for McDonald’s or Jollibee for his favorite staples. To no avail, I and his mom asked him of other food he wanted to chow down. Thankfully, he pointed to a cake on a glass window display from Lemon i Cafe.

TIRAMISU, PhP 120+. This is one of the best Tiramisu I’ve tasted, hands down. Gabby’s picky palate likes it too.

For most travelers like us whose budget isn’t sky’s the limit, finding affordable food places that offer combo-meal that also doesn’t disappoint is so comforting.

D’Mall also has ANDOK’S that offers budget-friendly meals like… PORK SINIGANG, PhP 69. Andok’s big bowl of sour soup of pork and veggies is surprisingly delicious! The string beans, kangkong and tomatoes are fresh. FYI, we haven’t had anything from Andok’s in Manila other than its grilled chicken + gravy + atchara or pickled papaya. Now, we know that there’s more of it than lechong manok.

SIZZLING SISIG, PhP 145. Lipid-rich Sizzling Pork Sisig is one of Pinoy food favorites. Since we don’t eat it on a daily basis, I guess having it on a plate during a (self-declared) holiday is logical enough (*defensive*). Tina and I like this, malinamnam! (tasteful, compared to other restos’).

We also sampled Andok’s PORK BARBECUE, PhP 22 per stick and Gabby was delighted with Andok’s LECHE FLAN, PhP 34.

And I almost forgot, our brief stay in the Boracay was made special each morning with FREE breakfast inclusive of the package we availed from ESCONDIDO BEACH RESORT. A plate of toasts, fried egg, butter and strawberry marmalade plus a cup of coffee is quite simple but good enough to start our days in the island.

When you have a chance (again) to be in one of the world’s best beaches, take your vacation to the fullest by defining your digestive pleasure. If without dietary or health restrictions, go ahead, by all means, INDULGE!

Up next : More Boracay posts…

Oct

BORACAY SERIES : THE BEACH FROM DAWN TO DUSK

By docgelo 30 Comments

Categories: BORACAY, FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and TRAVEL
Tags: balabag boracay, beaches, best beach, best beach in asia, best beach in the philippines, best beach in the world, boat station 1 boracay, boat station 2 boracay, BORACAY, boracay beaches, boracay philippines, break, doc gelo, docgelo, Escondido, escondido hotel boracay, escondido resort boracay, family, family and living, family life, Filipinos, food blog, food blogger, foodie, island hopping, leisure, Life, most beautiful beach in the world, paraw, paraw in boracay, philippine islands, Philippine tourism, Philippines, Pinoy, resorts, resorts in the philippines, sand castles boracay, station 1 boracay, station 2 boracay, station one boracay, summer, summer break, summer fun, summer in the philippines, tourism, travel blog, travel blogger, traveling, vacation, willy's rock, willy's rock boracay

This is my 3rd post in a series.

Boracay has its unique Filipino charm. It has the glorious sunrise and the most magnificent sunset. And who can resist its turquoise crystal waters and sublime powdery sands? My family and I are missing it already

Our first morning in this island paradise was truly unforgettable. After a restful night, my wife, Tina, our 5-year-old son, Gabby and I made an effort to rise from our bed few minutes after 5AM to freshen up and hit the waters as early as 6AM.

Mother Nature has this scene to offer every sunny morning during off season at Boat Station 1…Boracay beaches is divided into three boat stations – Boat Station 1 has the finest, pristine white sands comparable to talc. As Boracay first-timers, we can’t help but to get few samples to bring home as a priceless souvenir

finest sand in my hand

Since the area isn’t as busy and is less crowded than Station 2 and 3, the hotels here are too pricey than others but with best amenities and services.

We stayed at ESCONDIDO BEACH RESORT in Station 1; since it’s not a beach front hotel, it’s budget-friendlier but nonetheless, relaxing, safe and with the warmest service too Few steps from Escondido and after crossing the main street and passing through a sidewalk in between 2 beach front hotels, we’ve an access to the waters already…

That second rectangular hole from the left served as our path to the beach.

Willy’s Rock, named after a beach front resort near it, is one of the attractions in Boat Station 1. It has impressive rock formation near the shores and a grotto of Our Lady.

It’s so amazing to see it on both high tide and low tide.

Breathtaking views of the white beach of Boracay can be best appreciated from the uppermost area of Willy’s Rock, all 360 degrees of it!

I guess anyone can enjoy Boracay at its most quiet moments during off seasons and every sunrise when most tourists and backpackers are still asleep or intoxicated with alcohol from a nightout.

Here’s another view from the top most area of Willy’s Rock …

For people like us who lives in urban areas, this rock formation is a sight to behold…

We just can’t hide the fact that we’re enjoying Willy’s Rock that morning…Wala kasing ganito sa Greenbelt o TriNoma, LOL…

I found this signage very important that I wish everyone in Boracay, tourists or not, should always take into action.

When Tina and Gabby sat on the sand and played with it, I left them for a while to take a short walk from Willy’s Rock to the northern part of Boat Station 1…

Next are my “NOT OUR HOTEL” photos…LOL…

Seriously, you might be interested and consider these beach front hotels on your visit to the island. But then again, you know now what I recommend. Sea Wind Boracay Island Resort

Sur Boracay Resort

Ambassador Hotel…

Pearl of the Pacific Boracay

Residencia Boracay

Other than those in my photos, the other notable upscale resorts in Boat Station 1 are Discovery Shores, Fridays and the newest addition to them – Shangri La Boracay If you have the budget to splurge, go ahead, by all means indulge! It’s your vacation anyway!

As I went back to Willy’s Rock, I noticed my family became too busy making sand patterns…

I tried making one, but I just left it with Tina and Gabby

We ate breakfast at the hotel, took showers and headed again to the beach. We walked and walked and walked from Boat Station 1 to 2 where most restaurants, establishments including ATM machines are located (I’ll post about D’mall and our eat outs next on this series).

In the afternoon, Boat station 2 has these sights to boast…

PARAW or sail boats with two outrigger canoes (or for us Pinoys, katig) predominate the shores of Boat Station 2 when winds are present every afternoon… Paraw with boat men are all for rent with price starts from PhP 600 per hour. Did we try it? No. Gabby, Tina (and I) preferred to pig out rather than to sail

Actually, my wife has vertigo making her too anxious of an attack during airplane and boat rides. So we rather dip into the water, eat, savor the wind, sand, and sun than sail or take island hopping… Island hopping which usually takes more than 4 hours going to Puka Beach and Crystal Cove and other isles near Boracay costs about PhP 1,500 and up; some offer snorkeling gears and free snacks and buffet lunch too.

Seeing all these made me realize why Boracay is considered one of the best beaches in the world. Tourism is alive regardless of season in this island.

Other than riding the paraw or sail boats, island hopping or taking glass-bottom boat rides, parasailing and scuba-diving can also be enjoyed. Most people we saw also have henna tattoos on their bodies which are so affordable from PhP 50 up and stays temporarily on the skin for 2 weeks. We never tried it for 2 reasons - we fear of paying damages when sheets at the hotel are stained and it’s not just us to have tattoos, permanent or otherwise. You can also ask and pay some women to braid your hair or get some relaxing massage by the beach or inside their facilities. Other attractions or must-do in Boracay is riding an ATV/all terrain vehicles which costs roughly thousands of pesos depending on the duration of driving. We saw some of these on the main road with the local tricycles and other vehicles. Since ATVs don’t have its own trail, driving it puts anyone to an accident-prone area especially with reckless drivers. For some, it’s part of the thrill. To each his own.

Fantastic is an understatement. Despite the commercialism, we wish Boracay could be maintained as serene and as clean as this so more local and foreign tourists can enjoy Boracay for many years.

It’s a common thing during weekends to spot marvelous sand castles along the shores and in front of those beach front hotels. Pictures may be taken for a voluntary donation of any amount. Before dusk, these sand castles are illuminated by lighted bottles.

Indeed, Boracay is such a fascinating island to explore. It’s so gorgeous that one can easily be lured and seduced by its beauty. It’s too enticing to people who long to leave the busy life even temporarily.

We’re just glad to finally enjoyed it

What’s your best memory of the beaches in Boracay?

Up next : our Boracay food trip!

Oct

BORACAY SERIES : OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

By docgelo 19 Comments

This is my second post in a series…

Having been considered as one of the best beaches in the world, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, Philippines is barely a seven kilometer-stretch with a breadth of about a kilometer at its narrowest. Its land area, according to the latest issue of Getaways Boracay Tourist Map & Guide is slightly over 1,000 hectares with only about 16,000 people. The island’s best attraction are its mile-long powdery sand beaches, crystal clear waters and fantastic dive sites.

Boracay has 3 baranggays or local communities - Manoc-Manoc where the jetty ports are located, then Balababag and Yapak. There are over 200 hotels with over 3,500 rooms to suit any range of budget. The main road that connects the 3 baranggays seems to have everything at present. Other than roadside hotels, it has medical clinics, lying-in, a hospital, convenient stores, a groceries, pharmacy and a lot more. The mode of transport along the main road is basically via tricycles; each ride costs PhP 7 per passenger.

Last Sunday, 18 October 2009, we found a temporary home for our short stay in this Island Paradise in Baranggay Balabag, Boracay. This is the street that leads to our hotel…

It’s one of the branches of the main road; beside it is a basketball court, a stage, a multi-purpose hall and a Catholic church. I can imagine myself and my family settling here, far from the busy areas of the metropolis; away from the hassles of daily living; a place that can surely offer serenity and peace of mind. But then again, a huge part of me also likes to consider it only as one of the nicest vacation places and just leave it at that.

One of the earliest activities that Tina, Gabby and I did after checking-in in our hotel room was to visit this church.

We felt we’re so blessed to have a short getaway, to have the best weather amidst the threat of a typhoon and a safe trip via air, land and water.

The Chuch was surprisingly big for a small community, perhaps it was really built also for the volume of tourists who visit Boracay regardless of season. It has a colorful mosaic of Christ Jesus with details of the beach at its facade and a rock and coral back drop at the main altar. Masses are offered daily every mornings at 6 and as scheduled.

The place was a good choice for being quiet and peaceful, away from the busy bars and restaurants near the white beach. It was perfect for families and friends who seek solace from a change of environment.

One can’t help but notice this sari-sari store along the street where the church is that sells probably everything but land titles, LOL

As early as few days before September, I’ve been browsing the net and calling travel and tours offices for days, comparing packages, fees, amenities and other essentials before I consulted my wife’s opinion about my choices. (Yes, in our family, the husband provides and does the budgeting as well, but the wife still has an important say to everything).

The other hotel I considered was a beach front hotel that has a Greek-inspired restaurant at its first floor but they don’t have an office here in Manila and I wanted to transact and direct my questions to a representative of a Boracay hotel.

Tina and I knew for a fact that we won’t be spending too much time inside the hotel room except during showers and sleep, so why bother choosing a pricey hotel when we’re only after for a decent and safe place to stay? (It’s a nicer way of putting words to practicality and the truth that we’re on a tight budget for this vacation, LOL).

After reading several good reviews about a budget-friendly non-beach front hotel located at Boat Station 1, my wife and I came up with a mutual decision…

ESCONDIDO BEACH RESORT served as our temporary home during our brief vacation in the island. Although it’s not a beach front hotel, we like the fact that it’s tucked within a quiet street that’s truly relaxing.

Upon arrival, the warm and friendly staffs of Escondido including the security guard on duty greeted us with the widest smiles. And their courtesy and politeness never ended on our first day in Boracay but remained consistent. Even the guy who fetched us from the airport and accompanied us through land and water transfers was so accomodating. What they showed us was a perfect example of Pinoy hospitality.

At the right side of the gate is the reception area where we were offered cold glasses of orange juice as welcome drinks.

At the first floor…

We were ushered to room 202 at the second floor…

This is one of the simplest but most comfortable rooms we have checked in…

I went to their office in Quezon City about a month ago to pay the reservation of fee of at least 30% of the package. I got a receipt and a voucher after I paid an initial amount of PhP 2,000. The friendly Escondido staff at the office, Ms. Cheng asked me to e-mail her our flight details.

The package we availed was a steal at PhP 6,100 for two persons (Gabby was free); inclusive of a 3 days 2 nights stay in an airconditioned deluxed room with a queen-sized bed and a single bed. The room also has a mini bar and fridge, a cable TV and hot-and-cold showers. The package also included daily breakfast for two which can be upgraded for an additional minimal amount into Continental or Filipino breakfast. Did I tell you that the package we paid also included the RTT/round trip transfers?

Gabby like it so much that he didn’t even miss our bed at home…

We like Escondido that I’m recommending it to you on your next (or first) vacation in Boracay. Thank you to the receptionists Anna and Gina (and the other lady when we left the hotel on our last day), thank you to our RTT guide, thank you to the security guards and the food servers of Escondido. You made our stay in Boracay more special. :D

After checking the place, sheets and all, we just freshen up a bit, immediately locked the room, got the keys and headed to the beach…

Escondido Resort is only a minute-walk away from the waters… passing that sari-sari store, the church, and after crossing the street, we were instructed to walk through a sidewalk beside another hotel…

After 4 hours at the waiting area at NAIA terminal 3; after 45 minute-plane ride; after 10 minute boat ride and 1 and 1/2 hours of land travel and a few steps more…

Voila! Paradise….

It took me few seconds of silence to realize we’re in Boracay. I was mesmerized. It was surreal.

I was in great awe the moment I stepped bare foot on its pristine powdery sands. Simply amazing.

Breathtaking, isn’t it?

Up next : more of the white beach…

Oct

GLUCOSE FIX

By docgelo 12 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: best crepe, coffee shop, crepe, crepes, desserts, doc gelo, docgelo, family and living, food, food blog, food place, foodie, mango, mango crepe, philippine mangoes, Philippines, restaurant, sweets, trinoma, trinoma restaurant

DEFENSIVE FOODIE My family and I love to eat veggies, fruits and drink liters of water a day (especially me, I always think I’m an marine creature on my past life if there is such, for my great love for fluid intake). We try to balance our meals AT HOME but whenever we go out on a simple family bonding, say inside a mall or in a stone-throw away fastfood or convenient store, can’t resist when our cravings go haywire sometimes most of the time, LOL. Resistance as the say is futile… I say particularly when food is notably delicious!

I always wanted to try CAFE BRETON but only had a chance last weekend (yes, just before we had our panic buying preparedness-grocery shopping in Landmark, TriNoma, in Quezon City).

The comment posted by one of my blog buddies, Ingrid of Urban Mudra in my earlier entry about desserts to try this quaint food place was really compelling! I brought my wife, Tina and our son, Gabby to have our glucose fix which was perfect before we hit the grocery shelves.

I was surprised that Cafe Breton’s menu is so reasonably priced and that we only spent less than PhP500 for everything we’ve tried. Times like these, families have to be extra conscious of domestic budget and luckily, this homey Mediterranean-Grecian inspired resto will not make you spend too much on dining, at the same time, there’s no compromise with the quality of food they serve.

Gabby was so delighted that he had a handful of yummies…

He and his mom shared on those tall glasses of sweet refreshments.

STRAWBERRY COBBLER, PhP 107.14 + It has generous servings of plump soft-chewy strawberries and whipped cream. Gabby, who loves strawberry-flavored anything other than chocolates, unsurprisingly liked this!

He also tried the smoothy mango shake, although I like it more than he did. In case you don’t know yet, I’m a sucker for mangoes.

MANGO SHAKE, PhP 84.82+. It’s near velvety consistency and taste of real ripe mangoes makes it different to other commercial shakes and smoothies.

I now believe that a visit to Cafe Breton isn’t complete without trying a plate of their heavenly crepes!

LA PINAY, PhP 142.86+ This perfectly thin crepe was filled with ample volume of riped mango slices, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle. I swear, this has been the most delicious crepe I’ve ever tasted. Can’t wait to revisit Cafe Breton for another plate!

While my son and wifey were enjoying their sweet moment together with their orders, I felt satiated after finishing my plate and sipping a cup of coffee…

CAPPUCCINO, PhP 75.89+. Foam’s just right…a nice way to end a sweet treat.

We like it here. Definitely.

Cafe Breton, Level 4, TriNoma Mall, North EDSA, Quezon City.

Oct

PANIC SI MISTER, PANIC SI MISIS

By docgelo 18 Comments

This was the scene at Landmark Supermarket in TriNoma, Quezon City today when we did our not-so-ordinary weekly grocery shopping at around half hour past 3 in the afternoon…

I asked the cashier and the bagger who assisted us if this was the picture since morning. They told me that shoppers came in troops since last week.

Everyone was in PANIC mode or perhaps just like us, only wanted to BE PREPARED for the typhoon Pepeng. After what Tropical Storm Ondoy had done to Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, most Pinoys have learned lessons from Nature (I hope so). We need not to be former boy or girl scouts to be always ready with everything; or to be somenone with OCD/Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to be most concerned and anxious at anything. Preparedness is the key to these calamities. Remember it wasn’t raining when Noah built his ark.

In as much as I wanted to buy tons of food stuffs, our weekly budget wouldn’t allow It’s also bad to hoard too much supplies because other people might be left with nothing. So we only had this push cart and waited for 30 minutes at the queue to the cashier.

We’ve enough supplies of candles and batteries at home so much of the items we bought were all to secure our tummies for the next few days. I wish we also have extra budget to buy relief goods for the afflicted people from the wrath of Ondoy last week. We have donated old clothes and will give more next week. I wish to join medical missions but I can’t risk my family’s security these days. I just have to be with them.

I and my wife, Tina with our 5-year-old son, Gabby join the entire nation in praying fervently that our homes will be spared by the effects of typhoon. Kaya po natin yan, basta’t sama-sama!

On the lighter side, we can’t resist but to click our cam on these miniature pumpkins…

We were delighted to see something literally cute despite the situation..

We just failed to ask how much a piece or a kilo. Nevertheless, the sight of these pumpkins was enough to make us smile, ask Gabby…

Seriously, Let’s continue reaching out… LET’S ALL UNITE in PRAYERS.

May the Good LORD bless us ALL.

Be safe.

Sep

AFTER THE RAIN

By docgelo 24 Comments

Categories: HEADLINES
Tags: affects of ondoy, calamity, doc gelo, docgelo, family & living, flood, forces of nature, Metro Manila flood, news, Ondoy, Philippines, storm, typhoon, typhoon Ondoy

Today, I rose early from bed to check the clouds. As I opened our door, it’s still a bit dusky but it’s so comforting to see a bloom after an incessant downpour.

I woke up yesterday with nothing unusual on my weekend mornings. Everything was fine until after lunch time. I’m just glad my wife chose not to attend to her work. She advised her students the night before that she’ll be absent for the reason that they’re supposed to have only one surgical operation for their entire 8-hour shift and the doctor on duty is noted for being strict on not allowing clinical instructors to have their nursing students observe and/or assist on cases. And man, her decision came out to be her wisest to date and served as a blessing in disguise for her and her class to avoid the rampage of typhoon ONDOY.

My wife, Tina, our son Gabby and I were planning to go on another family bonding somewhere in the Metro but we noticed that Mr. Sun hasn’t shown his might. Heavy rains kept us curling up in bed. We thought it was an ordinary rainy day. We just enjoyed steaming hot mugs of coffee, hot chocolate for our 5-year-old and Goldilocks’ plain puto (rice cakes) while watching TV and facebooking.

We honestly didn’t expect that typhoon Ondoy will soak the entire Metro Manila in heavy floods. We caught early news on TV and saw its effects on stranded individuals on streets and on the roofs of their homes. Floods were heaviest more than chest-deep at most areas of the city.

It was very depressing to watch on news a wheelchair-borne man wearing raincoat who was trying to cross a flooded main street amidst the traffic. Watching children and elderlies who were still left unrescued wasn’t easy; much more seeing those who were unfortunate to succumb to death.

Phone calls and messages via YM and SMS kept me busy as my relatives verified our safety. My mom who’s in UAE texted me to inquire if we’re OK; my aunt in the US also called my dad in Pasig City to check them. The compound where my paternal grandmother and other relatives in Marikina live and the house of my uncle and cousins in Karangalan Village in Pasig-Cainta were all devastated by the floods.

My family and I with our household help were most blessed to have chicken adobo and rice for dinner. Although we had it with candle lights, as power was only restored around 9PM in our place in Quezon City, I still feel so lucky and grateful we had something on our plate and that we’re kept dry, and we’re intact. I and my family are so thankful that we decided to be home and remained safe without floods on our streets. My wife and I encouraged our son to pray and to thank the good Lord for so much blessings.

I wish authorities would do more to extend help to afflicted families.

Bravo to those multinational companies, Filipinos here and abroad and all people who are pledging their monetary and in-kind help via NGOs and TV stations that are putting in fund raising drives. May God bless you a thousand fold.

Let us continue to pray for all those who are impaired by typhoon Ondoy.

How are you and your families?

I hope you’re safe too.

Sep

1950′s PANDESAL & MORE

By docgelo 20 Comments

One day, my family and I were enjoying brunch at a luxurious hotel in Makati; the next day we found ourselves having another extraordinary breakfast in a rustic quaint comfort food place in Marikina City. Regardless of the place we’re at, the important thing is we’re having family fun, fun, fun

I was surprised when my wife, Tina agreed to my suggestion that we’ve to try PAN de AMERIKANA for breakfast. Even it would take us approximately 20 to 30 minutes less traffic to get to its location at Concepcion, Marikina City from our place in Quezon City, we wouldn’t care less. After seeing it on a local morning TV show and learning that it’s owned by the same family who runs the school I attended during my High School (OLOPSC), the more I became interested to try its 1950s wheat pandesal and other affordable yummies.

With empty stomachs, we hit the roads to Marikina and reached Pan Amerikana around 10AM. Pan de Amerikana greeted us with its facade…

Where in the metro could you see a wooden windmill? LOL, only in Marikina! It’s really interesting!

The place isn’t only a bakery but an all-day restaurant as well. It has lots of fascinating things that may amuse you while you dine or simply can provide you a venue to kill time by playing chess on tables or on the ground, literally.

There’s this giant chess set much to delight local tourists like us especially the kids. It was a bigger chess set than the ones we saw in Island Cove Resort in Cavite early this year. Gabby was really excited to get hold of those black and white pawns.

At the counter, there are lots of regular-sized chess sets that diners can borrow for FREE after presenting a valid ID.

Do you play chess? Shame on me, I don’t, LOL. So when Gabby asked me to play with him, I thought we can just delay it until the day we both learn the game, LOL For that moment, we just had it as props for photo-ops! hehehe

Pan de Amerikana boasts of not only chess sets but a distinctly Filipino ambiance…There’s an overload of arts and culture that is truly Pinoy! Look at the kalesa parked near those bikes and a woven rattan hammock that’s so inviting.

Then there’s this antique grinder of something which led me clueless, if it’s a coconut grinder or an ice crusher. Can you please identify ? I found this collectible old piece few steps next to Popeye!

There’s also that miniature pugon or brick-oven to depict where the famous pandesal are baked.

The dining area has laid back atmosphere. It’s only provided with large units of electric fans, at times, it can become humid; the entire area is roofed so everyone is safe from inevitable downpour. There’s also a place where dripping water serves as fountain…

And did I mention already that the entire food place offers FREE WI-FI ACCESS? A lot of people across ages came in with their laptops and chargers doing school or perhaps office stuffs while having brunch.

As I went to the counter to order and pay for my food, I saw these striking things that can stimulate one’s interest : A tiny set of dining table and a small billboard with schedule of activities offered by Pan de Amerikana.

So did we try those 1950′s wheat Pandesal ? Of course!

PAN de AMERIKANA’S WHEAT PANDESAL, PhP 5.50 each. It’s humongous! So rich and fibrous, very filling. We took them home as our afternoon snack.

PAN AMERIKANO (mega-sized pandesal) gained its popularity when the Americans arrived during the 1940′s. It looks like a giant baguette that was processed like the pandesal. It was during the 1960′s that it suddenly disappeared and was replaced with rectangular loaves. Then came the famous Nutri Bun (monay shaped bread -3 -5 times the size of the pandesal), which was a hit during the 1970′s.

More than that Harley Davidson on display and FOR SALE and the other things we saw at Pan de Amerikana, the one that really caught my attention was this wooden posting in front of the big bike and a concrete bridge; figure out why….

Although this restaurant observes self-service policy, there are wait staff who will bring your tray to your tables; so we were handed a customer-number that was creatively Pinoy!

We also tried their pandesal with chicken and sardines, at PhP 25 each. Tina had the SARDINES PANDESAL, I had the CHICKEN PANDESAL; equally must-try!

Gabby wanted ARROZ CALDO with EGG, PhP 28 and a cup of HOT CHOCOLATE, PhP 25…

The arrozcaldo was good, but Gabby failed to finish it.

Before going to this place, I’ve heard that two of its specialties are WAKNATOY, PhP 35/order; a dish similar to menudo and EVERLASTING, PhP 35/order; which is I’m more familiar with. Everlasting is Marikina’s own. I grew up with that dish made of grounded pork with green peas, some hotdogs, boiled egg and carrots for garnishing; similar to embotido but steamed in an aluminum container. My relatives in Calumpang, Marikina and my late Lola used to cooked the best Everlasting, even better than that of Pan de Amerikana which was a bit soggy and has a bit poor consistency. Nevertheless, their version satisfied my craving for Everlasting!

The servings of each dish were good enough for a diner with regular appetite. And I must say the prices were very budget-friendly. After feasting on my pandesal, I dunked my spoon and fork at Waknatoy and Everlasting and sipped brewed coffee, PhP 15/ cup, in between.

Tina ’s breakfast choice other than Sardines Pandesal was DAING NA BANGUS MEAL, PhP 48.

She enjoyed that boneless dried milkfish with vinegar. Perfect meal to start a day!

There were also desserts like Halo-Halo, Saba con yelo and others but we’re just so full to try those sweets.

With Pan de Amerikana’s homey ambiance, friendly service, free-wi-fi access, and to top it all – most affordable food, Tina and I envied the people living within the area. After rising from their beds or coming home from schools or offices, they can just go straight to Pan de Amerikana and savor that family-friendly bonding moments.

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PAN de AMERIKANA, 92 Ordoñez St., Corner Maroon Concepcion Dos (near World of Butterflies) Marikina City/ Tel # (63-2) 934-0667 and 475-2398. Branch : 118 Katipunan Ave., White Plains, Quezon City.

Sep

DUSIT THANI : REVISITED

By docgelo 20 Comments

September 20, 2009 - Two days after my 33rd birthday, my wife, Tina gave me her present : a confirmed reservation for the two of us, with our son, Gabby who eats for FREE at Dusit Thani’s Family Sunday Brunch Buffet! It was our second time to experience such gastronomic adventure in 4 different themed restaurants of Dusit : Benjarong – Thai; Basix -Asian-Continental; Tosca-Italian; Umu -Japanese; Our first dining experience of such epic proportions at Dusit was only last March and can be viewed here; it was such a blast, we had so much fun!

After I have donated blood last Thursday at St. Luke’s Medical Center, as my humble charity work for my birthday, and revisited Bellini’s with my family on the day when I turned a year older, this buffet brunch is more than enough. For the moment, life cannot be better than this!

We both love Dusit; it’ll be forever memorable for the 2 of us, because 2 sections of its ballroom served as our wedding reception venue more than five years ago. And the brunch we had six months back was so remarkable that we promised ourselves that we’ll try and explore other dishes some time. We even spread the word about this Family Brunch Buffet to our colleagues and friends.

We arrived at the hotel lobby at 11AM exactly half an hour before buffet starts. After paying PhP 1450 nett per pax, the friendly staff gave our wrist bands that rendered access to those 4 fantastic restaurants in Dusit Thani. We also got a chance to roam around the Japanese garden opposite Umu while waiting…

We like those kois on the pond and that man-made waterfalls…

We shot photos of Gabby at every ‘road signs’ heading to those 4 restos which he enjoyed so much!

Though she likes Basix, my wifey chose to reserved a table for 3 at Umu for she knows that I like the ambiance of that Japanese restaurant; not to disregard the fact that I’m excited to eat Umu’s teppanyaki again!

Who can resist the beauty of Umu?

Its contemporary Japanese interiors is so inviting. With those wooden tablets in black with gold Japanese characters, and a sushi-sashimi station at the center, and a classy atmosphere, everyone is easily drawn to its charm.

After being ushered to our table by a purple-Kimono clad staff, Tina and Gabby went to Basix to get some yummies, while I walked straight to an area in Umu to get some of these…

At the Teppanyaki section, you have the freedom to choose the ingredients you’d like the chef to grill for you at his teppan – from the freshest beef cubes which I skipped; to thinly sliced veggies, bean sprouts, mushrooms, shelled tiger prawns, pink salmon and lapu-lapu…A dash of salt and pepper and other Oriental seasoning and oil, voila!

My teppanyaki plate from Umu is always a personal favorite! I just love how those fresh seafoods are grilled to perfection!

I also got goodies that were deeply fried upon request : prawn and bacon which was sooo good! and ham and cheese, eggplant on sticks.

I didn’t pass the chance to try another favorite from Umu : SUKIYAKI Look how those bowls of very tender marbled beef and stock with veggies and soft tofu are prepared…

The glass noodles were soft and thick; the soup itself was never too sweet, neither too salty… Sarap!

Unlike Sukiyaki from other Japanese restos, Umu’s version doesn’t disappoint because of its almost fatless beef. Isn’t it obvious that I really like Umu? LOL

Other delectable must-try are : (from left to right) Tamago rolls, Ika Karaage, Salad, Cold Soba…

What’s a Japanese restaurant without sushi and sashimi ?

On way to Basix, there’s a lady dressed as Thailander who played the string instrument, Khim.

Basix has this relaxed and cool ambiance…

Tina and Gabby brought to our table at Umu this plate from Basix…

I was informed by the chef at Umu’s Teppanyaki section that Ebi Tempura’s cooking was transferred to Basix. Because it’s one of Gabby’s favorites, Tina got him generous servings of those battered shrimps. It’s not the best tempura we’ve tasted but nonetheless, OK. The mussels from Basix were bordering from tasteful to bland; still we favor Circles Events Cafe of Makati Shangri la when it comes to New Zealand Mussels.

When I went to Basix, I got a slice of Roast Beef and 2 wrapped rolls of Peking Duck. Peking Duck tasted fine, but I wish they can improve the Roast Beef’s mushroom gravy into a thicker consistency and making it more flavorful.

There are tons of choices to choose from the spread at Basix; the buffet duration of 11:30 AM to 3PM is just not enough! Too many food, so little time, LOL

What makes Dusit Thani’s Sunday Family Crossover Brunch creatively unique compared to other Live-cooking / open-kitchen buffets in other hotels is that diners in Dusit can burn calories immediately after munching. How? One has to walk from the base-station of choice (for us :Umu!) to the other 3 themed restos. I view it as Dusit’s advantage rather than its opposite. Diners may take the grand winding stairs, or on our case, who were tooooo lazy to walk, take the lifts to go to the mezzanine where Benjarong and Tosca are located. At the lobby, there are interesting characters to cheer up kids and the kid-at-hearts – just like this smiley stilt-walker who’s always ready for a photo-op :D

Being a Thai hotel in Manila, it’s not surprising that Dusit Thani’s Benjarong boasts of ambiance that’s so elegant and enticing to the senses. The entrance to Benjarong has a wall adorned with ceramics that will lead you to the main dining area.

But, I guess my palate isn’t partial to Thai dishes, whether mild, or super spicy. I only like their desserts.

YAM SOM O : Pomelo Salad, and YAM PLA DOOK FOO : Crispy Fried Catfish with Green Mango Salad

YAM SAI KRAWK BACON THOD : Spicy Bacon Wrapped Sausage

MEE KROB KRATHONG : Sweet and Sour Crispy Vermicelli in Pastry Cup.

My Thai plate had a bit of everything…

I like those Thai sweet treats with coconut milk and glutinous rice…

KHANOM TAKO : Sweet Water Chestnut and Coconut Cream in Pandan Cup -> sarap!

KHANOM SOD SAI : Stuffed Glutinous Flour Ball with Grated Coconut and Sugar -> yum!

KHAO NIAO MAMUANG : Ripe Mango with Sticky Rice -> I love mangoes; i like rice! Tasted like bico.

Let’s leave Benjarong and allow me to take you to TOSCA, the Italian Restaurant of Dusit Thani in Makati…

Tosca is noted for its sophistication and class… the atmosphere is made subdued and comfy by a musician who plays the piano while diners enjoy some of the best Italian cuisine…

FREE FLOWING ITALIAN SPARKLING WINES, anyone ? This is another edge of Dusit Thani’s buffet. In other hotels, rates do not include beverages, but in Dusit, you can enjoy Italian wine flavored with either Dalandan or Raspberry to your hearts content! Other drinks available are Lemongrass Juice from Benjarong, Iced Green Tea from Umu, Dalandan and Raspberry Juices from Basix all in bottomless servings! Plus the staffs are always ready with smiles, which I most like!

There are wide array of food to be cooked and prepared upon request, from pasta to pizza, to salads and more.

I so wish our stomachs are bottomless too, LOL We can only eat as much.

I asked one of the chefs in Tosca to prepare me a personal-sized pizza. As he began to knead the dough I requested all toppings available except for olives. Tina and I aren’t fanatics of olives. He politely told me to return after 5 minutes as he bakes my pizza. It was delicious; the bread alone can stand sans toppings! As I enjoyed the pizza freshly made from Tosca, I failed to savor other Italian dishes like that Turkey Breast Stuffed with raisins and sage on roasted tomato cream (photo beside pizza); it looks delicious as well.

One rule that Tina and I have learned from buffets : MAKE ROOM FOR DESSERTS !

After my wife entrusted Gabby to the very accomodating staffs of KIDS’ STATION at the lobby, Tina and I became so busy with desserts… (Gabby opted to play and watch his favorite cartoons, Spongebob rather than stuffed his tummy like his parents, LOL). We had ice cream from Tosca, as we look upon Gabby.

DESSERTS from TOSCA : DIVINE!

DESSERTS from BASIX : SUBLIME!

Care for some D-I-Y HALO-HALO or CHOCOLATE FONDUE that tastes like Hershey’s?

While Gabby became occupied with having his face painted for FREE, Tina and I sat at Basix and had blueberry and mango crepes! I had mine topped with almond flakes.

BENJARONG SWEETS : EXQUISITE…

DESSERTS from UMU : TOOTHSOME…

Half hour before 3PM, we took time to photograph Gabby with the friendly balloon-maker and the man on stilts…

It was another memorable fun day with my family. What a way to welcome my 33rd year! The buffet was only icing on the cake; I am so grateful to our good Lord for my family’s health and safety. I am just thankful for having Tina and Gabby!

We love Dusit Thani’s Sunday Family Crossover Brunch!

Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City/Tel (63-2) 867-3333 Every Sunday 11:30 AM to 3:00PM/ PhP 1450 nett for adults/PhP 725 nett for children 6 to 12 years old.

Sep

A QUAINT RESTO : REVISITED

By docgelo 6 Comments

Our munch plan for my birthday :

Friday late afternoon snack/early dinner + Sunday hotel buffet = family bonding

This is the first of two celebrations I had with my wife, Tina and our son, Gabby…

It took us seven months before we revisited this quaint Italian restaurant tucked in the low-key area of Cubao (our first can be viewed here ). I like its interiors and ambiance more than their food. OK, their menu may be authentic, as the owners are a former paparazzo who married a Filipina; but I guess my palate has been biased with other restaurants that serve similar cuisine. Nevertheless, I always find BELLINI’s pleasing…

These aren’t paintings on the walls but murals on the ceilings.

Check out how enticing the interiors is…

Bellini’s, owned by Roberto and Ma. Luisa Bellini, has been a location of a local movie because of its romantic appeal…

It’s like a small piece of Italy in the heart of Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao, Quezon City…

Bellini’s delightful atmosphere is artistically beautiful but I just wish the service will be friendlier. The two wait staffs who attended to us were discreet and courteous; but smiles were inapparent. I like food servers who always flash their best smiles while at work. For me, smiles mean that they love and enjoy what they do. It lessens my appetite if the servers are apathetic.

I always expect waiters and waitresses to be acquainted with the menu. I usually ask something like the serving size and the restaurant’s bestsellers; and I admire staffs who are familiar with the food they serve. Yesterday was not my lucky day at Bellini’s; for the querries I addressed to our waitress were all thrown to her colleague.

I ordered one of my favorite breads, focaccia; even asked the waitress the dip that comes with it, but got no reply from her but from other waiter. And when I checked the bill before paying, the focaccia bread was charged but it wasn’t served. To be fair, I’d say the waiter was apologetic and did the necessary changes on our bill; but there’s no room for mistakes to render remarkable dining experience.

Poor me, I just thought that the waitress was new and still untrained, and I just swallowed my temper and remembered that it’s my birthday.

Enough, and on with the food…

BREADSTICKS, Complimentary House Iced tea, PhP 50+; it tasted like Peach flavored Sola Iced tea, not bad for me; i love peach!

Last February, we ordered a pasta that won our hearts, so we had another plate for my birthday!

BUCATINI AMATRICIANA, PhP 250+ (bacon, tomato and onion sauce).

We love its thick strands of pasta and its simplicity made it so tasteful.

What’s an Italian dining without pizza?

QUATTRO FORMAGGI, PhP 250+ (mozzarrella plus 3 different kinds of cheese; tomato based).

All of Bellini’s pizzas are mozzarrella and tomato based. We had Bellini’s special pizza seven months ago. It was fine combination of most toppings in super thin crust.

Yesterday, we chose this 4-cheese-pizza because we considered our son’s preference. He doesn’t like any toppings on his pizza but cheese. We all liked its flavorful thin crust; but we all thought that Amici’s version is far better.

POLLO ALLA DIAVOLA , 1/2 PhP 280+(grilled chicken breast with herbs and chili).

I ordered this grilled chicken breast with herbs and chili just to taste how different it is from other chicken recipes I’ve sampled from other restos. I like its well-marinated meat that was so tender that once you dunk your fork into it, it easily shreds off from its bones. I like it but not to point it’ll become my favorite. Unfortunately, my wife gave this dish her thumbs down. She was probably not in the mood for some spice.

TIRAMISU : GELATO CAKE, PhP 170+

Gabby immediately recognized that it’s a combined mocha and coffee ice cream cake. For a barely five-year-older, we’re proud to raise Gabby as a food enthusiast too (with the hope that he’ll pursue his early dreams of becoming a chef one day). But to my wife Tina, this gelato cake is a dissapointment; not of its taste, but of its price. I have to agree with her that it’s pricey for its serving. C’mmon, with its price more expensive than a pint of ice cream, the cost is just too steep! Look how fancy the layers are but its tiny size of slightly bigger than a teaspoon drowned all its glory…

Although we’re full after that meal, I felt something’s missing. I never experienced the excitement of dining I had during our first visit. Perhaps because of the gloomy weather, or can I attribute it to the service and some dishes that can still be improved?

Anyway, there’s still tomorrow for another day of gastronomic adventure.

Abangan!

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Bellini’s Italian Fast Food and Restaurant / Stall 68-69 Marikina Shoe Expo, Gen. Romulo Ave., Cubao, Quezon City/Tel #s (63-2) 913-2550.

Sep

DESSERTS BEFORE MEAL

By docgelo 14 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: desserts, filipino restaurants, food, food blog, foodie, foodie blog, halo-halo, iceberg, iceberg's eskimobob, mega atrium, megamall atrium, Philippines, Pinoy, sm megamall, sweets

Have you ever made desserts as your appetizers ? LOL.

I consider myself as someone who can be flexible to a lot of things especially when it comes to eating. I can chow down desserts first before the main course, I call it pure talent, LOL Some, like my wife, Tina just can’t; or at least, finds it difficult to reverse the scheme of dining. She believes everything should be done in proper order. I am not contesting. I am also systematic but when opportunity presents itself, I can easily adapt. Last Monday afternoon was an exception to my wife’s as we had sweets first prior to dinner.

As we’re strolling around Megamall as typical mall rats while waiting for our friend, Rob to attend to his early dinner invitation, we decided to fill in our tummies with light snack or merienda. After several minutes of roaming at the Atrium choosing what food to munch, we found ourselves seated at a table inside a familiar ice cream place : ICEBERG’s ESKIMO BOB.

Irregardless of the weather, ice cream and halo-halo for me are always a winner. So I was so sure when I ordered this…

CARAMEL FLAN, PhP 108 +.

With its cheap price, I was expecting a small bowl but the serving was good enough to be shared by two or even 3. I was glad to let my wife and our kid enjoy it too.

I always prefer super thin crushed ice when it comes to halo-halo or its variation. I hate one local fastfood chain that previously served pebble-sized ice on their halo-halo for the longest time until they recently innovate and changed for the better. This Caramel Flan from Iceberg doesn’t disappoint. Over the ice shaving were toppings of chewy macapuno balls, sweetened plantain (saging na saba), a scoop of ice cream and a cherry, with two of my favorites - riped mango cubes and generous amounts of leche flan slices. To complete the halo-halo experience, milk could never be absent.

While I was enjoying my bowl of sweet treats, our son Gabby was also busy with his…

At a young age of nearly five, Gabby is gradually developing his own preference toward food. He knows what he wants and his choices are not bad. Just like this SWISS CHOCO ICE CREAM, PhP 68+, that delighted his taste buds

Tina was craving for a crepe so she readily ordered this…

STRAWBERRY CREPE, PhP 168+. The price was again, never intimidating. However, it only looked better than its taste. This was the disaster of the three desserts we sampled from Eskimo Bob. It fell flat to our standards!

Both Tina and I love crepes particularly with blueberries, straweberries or with mangoes of course, wrapped in almost paper-thin pancake. This version did not live up to our expectations. The scanty little strawberries were chilled and never fresh, the pancake was nearly bland and to make the plate worse, the strawberry and chocolate drizzles were far from being sublime. The only saving grace was the ice cream topping and some whipped cream… Sayang! my wife didn’t finish it at all…

Despite the fact that Tina was disheartened with her plate, we still enjoyed the moment that was sweeter than our desserts!

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ICEBERG’S ESKIMO BOB, Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Sep

SOMETHING FOR MOTHER NATURE

By docgelo 17 Comments

My wife, Tina our son, Gabby and I have made grocery shopping once a week a part of our family bonding. We like buying our stuffs from toiletries to laundry and kitchen supplies including bottled and canned goods, fresh meat, poultry and fish from huge stores like Landmark in TriNoma, Shopwise and Rustan’s and SM Supermarket in Araneta Center all in Quezon City. As simple as it is, we really enjoy pushing carts from shelf to shelf getting our weekly needs from our favorite groceries. Convenience spells the difference between a wet and dry public market and airconditioned, mud-and-insect-free supermarkets. Sure you can’t haggle with vendors unlike in the market, but there are a lot of bargains and items on sale in groceries too.

On a budget, this was our cart with four bags of goodies this Wednesday afternoon…

I’m not sure when did SM supermarket start this eco-friendly idea of avoiding the use of plastic bags every Wednesdays but I definitely appreciate it. Even on a once- a-week scheme, everyone is encourage to bring their green bags available at SM for PhP 35 buy-one-take-one. Each bag has printed tag line of “Save a Bag. Save the World.” It also entitles the bearer of SM Advantage (rewards) card to earn 2 points every shopping with those reusable bags. Otherwise, any customer who’ll deny its use, he/she has an option to carry his/her grocery items on carton boxes and paper bags similar to what is being practiced abroad for the longest time.

Other than those green bags from SM, we also have canvass grocery bags from Shopwise which can also be use at all Rustan’s branches.

At work, I never forget to bring my Starbucks tumbler to fill & refill it with water and I avoid using plastic cups which are not biodegradable when crushed, or will take years to decay at least.

Our little cooperation as a family to use these reusable tumblers and grocery bags and segregating garbage will contribute a lot in prolonging the life of our one and only planet. Imagine if all families in all cities within the country will learn to practice this, there will still be trees and fresh air that our children’s childern can enjoy in perpetuity.

Recycle, reduce, reuse. Be environment friendly!

Sep

NOT OUR USUAL MEAL

By docgelo 15 Comments

Guess what type of food we had for dinner on a lazy Monday-holiday…

After a brief phone conversation in the morning and few text messages until afternoon, I, my wife Tina and our son Gabby were invited by our good friend of 16 years and counting, Rob to a dinner in one of the restaurants at the Atrium of SM Megamall. He’ll depart again to middle of nowhere by the end of the week after his official days off so he had to see us and feed us; LOL, before he bids temporary good bye for another 3 months of medical work that gives him his bucks.

Because our host doesn’t eat meat and practices Pescetarianism by choice, seafood and no-meat diet should be present on the menu every time we’re eating with him. WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING! We love seafood!!! But that night it was only him who had such craving, or was he? I know it’s unusual, but believe it or not, I wan’t craving for anything. I just went with the flow and trusted Rob’s preference.

Enough with the guessing game. I know I’m no good at that

OK, we had our first chow at THE KEBAB FACTORY. It’s our first time there but Mediterranean food is never new to our palates. I’m a fan of beef or chicken shawarma. There was an episode in the life of Gelo & Tina when we became so addicted to shawarma that we had it for almost a week as late afternoon snacks to the point that we got so umay or found it ‘sickening’. But after few weeks, we craved for it again, lol and had tasted so many varieties from food stalls on streets and groceries to high-end hotel restos like CIRCLES EVENTS CAFE at MAKATI SHANGRI LA where the chefs also serve such dishes to bakeshops like BreadTalk where they also sell Naan.

Going back to The Kebab Factory, it was almost empty of customers when we got there that late Monday afternoon but as our son’s ‘magnetic powers’ with diners worked again; as everywhere we eat he attracts more clients. With less than half hour, TKF was filled with hungry stomachs craving for something different.

Here’s a peek of what we had…

PAPADUM MASALA, PhP 65 +. Fried lentil wafers garnished with onions, tomatoes and coriander.

I ordered this appetizer. It’s marked as one of the bestsellers of TKF on their menu and the logic got into me after trying it. The wafers were thin but crispy and were perfectly served with dips of yogurt and hot sauce.

I wanted to compare Naan of Breadtalk and Circles with that of TKF so I aslo ordered its kind…

GARLIC BUTTER NAAN, PhP 65 + Traditional leavened Tandoor bread with garlic… Not bad either.

HYDERABAD CHICKEN BIRYANI, PhP 200 + The famous city known for its authentic chicken simmered in rice with the rich array of spices. Tina and I shared this dish and again, we can tell that this was satisfying.

I only remembered that I’ve watched an episode on Asian Food Network long ago, on how to prepare this Hyderabad Biryani when we got home. And now that I’ve tasted the dish, I can tell that it’s truly flavorful and perhaps next to paella which tops my list of rice dishes, I think given few more exposures, I can learn to love this too.

A visit to The Kebab Factory isn’t complete without trying one of their kebabs on skewers…

BEEF KEBAB, regular PhP 225+ / also available at 1 skewer for PhP 115 + Mouth watering minced beef kebabs cooked in a Tandoor oven. It was Tina who chose this and Beef Kebab doesn’t disappoint.

As for our pescetarian friend, here’s what he ordered that he genererously shared with us as well…

SAFFRON RICE, PhP 120+. Long grain rice cooked with butter with delicious aroma of saffron.

VEGGIE MEAT KEBAB, PhP 250. This plate got mixtures of flavors. There was a little bit of sourness we tasted which I guess, was part of its character.

PRAWN TANDOORI, PhP 480+. The plump shrimps had that lingual stimuli from those unfamiliar flavors that were fused in one dish. It’s neither spicy nor bland. The taste was good but far from standard and new to my tongue.

Except for the Persian lamps and nicely woven comfy chairs which are far from being eye-sores, the ambiance at The Kebab Factory is typical and casual. Entire staff was discreetly attentive, although constant smiles would help soar their service to the highest heavens. Food was served after 10 to 15 minutes after order which was good and the taste of what’s in the menu isn’t bad either.

Considering that our friend, Rob has been eating similar food at his work site, nevertheless, our tongues are still bias with our staples and with the few Italian, Continental and of course, Oriental. Although we found the food at The Kebab Factory as uniquely tasteful and a bit new to our senses, to nicely put it- I think it would probably take more gastronomic adventures partial to Mediterranean food before it tops our list.

Do you like Persian food?

The Kebab Factory, 2/F SM Megamall Atrium, Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

Aug

MACHO GUWAPITO

By docgelo 12 Comments

Categories: EVENTS and FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO
Tags: children, culture, doc gelo, docgelo, family, filipiniana, kids, linggo ng wika, parade, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, stage, twinkle toes academy

The month of August in the Philippines is never complete without celebrating Quezon City and Quezon province day on the 21st and Linggo ng Wika in honor of one of our presidents, the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon and the Filipino language. And most schools nationwide do have annual activities to propagate the use of our own language. (Isn’t it ironic that I’m posting about these festivities when in fact I’m blogging using the universal language? lol) The preschool of my son, Gabby is no exception.

Last year, Gabby looked like a Katipunero when he wore this…

img2479hh3 img2491xw5

This year, he was in his fighting form again for the parade and a performance on stage wearing this…

Their school opted to finish their quarterly exams first before having the event so it was delayed for a week and was scheduled this morning. My wife and I made sure that we attend this year’s together since she wasn’t able to fix her work schedule last year. My dad was ever present since his apo had started joining such extracurriculars.

The parade that was escorted by a mini band of drums started at around 8AM; it was a short walk from their preschool to the next street where the baranggay hall covered court is.

Look how parents prepared their kids for this…

I don’t have a sister, I grew up with 3 brothers. I am happy having a son now but of course my wife and I would like to have cute little chubby girl/s of our own soon someday Aren’t they too cute for their Filipiniana costumes?

My wife and I and Gabby’s lolo were all there to watch our son’s sing-and-dance performance on stage with his schoolmates. They danced in pairs to the tune of Ang Pipit.

They also sang the song Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika in chorus… Some of the groups of grade school students recited nationalistic poems in Filipino but the performance that was applauded the most was a dance number from older grade schoolers to the tune of Rico J. Puno’s Macho Guwapito….

Gabby could have been perfect for that song, don’t you think ?

Good job, Gabby!

After that morning activity, we trooped to Tomas Morato to munch on something that I’ll post next…

Aug

DO YOU EAT KAMARO?

By docgelo 7 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: araw ng dilaw, cabalen, cricket, doc gelo, docgelo, family, Filipino food, food, food blog, food trip, guinataan, guinumis, kamaro, local dessert, longganisa, Ninoy aquino, pampangga cuisine, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, Pinoy food, tocino

Believe me, it wasn’t intentional. We did not plan to eat pig-out at a Pinoy restaurant on a holiday in honor of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination some 26 years back. But it was not that bad after all.

It has been half a decade since we last dined at one of Cabalen’s branches in a mall. I admit that my parents are the ones who prefer it just as they like other food places that offer Filipino cuisine. I and my wife are not fond of going out just to eat the same food that we have at our own dining table at home. In short, we’re not fan of home-style cooking, sorry. But I have high regard with those establishments that made efforts in putting Filipino cuisine upfront. My wife and I with our friends enjoy CLASSIC CUISINE PHILIPPINES or C2 and CHEF LAUDICO’S BISTRO FILIPINO. Both of these restos offer Pinoy food as gourmet and with nice twists and taste. And did I tell you that CAFE ADRIATICO’s Lola Ising’s adobo and Lolo’s pancit canton binondo are to-die for?

We could have eaten our brunch last Friday, August 21 at a pizza and pasta resto, or a fastfood perhaps, but for no particular reason, our feet were drawn to Cabalen’s all-day-buffet and there was no regret.

My starters were a bowl of beef stock with corn, fried crispy kangkong with mayo dip, some mango and tomato salsa with bagoong and a slice of red salted egg, some onion rings and pork and tofu a.k.a. tokwa’t baboy…

Not bad actually. Even in Kamayan whenever we dine at Dad’s Ultimate Buffet that includes Saisaki and, yes, Kamayan, I do not miss to munch on those cripsy kangkong. I also liked Cabalen’s mango-tomato-bagoong salsa. The green mangoes were chopped to bits, which for me was the best rather than having unriped mangoes in chunks.

One of the Pinoy dishes I cannot resist is Kare-kare or stewed beef in peanut sauce with bagoong (again). I like the peanut buttery sauce and the VEGGIES : string beans and egg plants, cooked with ox tripe and ox tail …- Good Heavens, I am salivating now as I write this!

My second plate had Pampanga’s bests — from tocino ( I hope they don’t use salt peter), longganisa and atchara or pickled papaya. I had Kare-kare too, and of course garlic rice. I like the distinct taste of Cabalen’s longganisa, it’s so flavorful. Isn’t it obvious that I like local version of sausages? lol. From Vigan’s to Lucban’s, I like garlicky longganisa paired with tomato salsa! Man, I can eat it any time of the day!

My wife’s plate had similar dishes from Cabalen’s buffet spread except she sampled their fried chicken which I avoided for I had eaten too many of them over the past weeks.

For our desserts, Gabby, Tina and I tried Cabalen’s guinataan and halo-halo. What I like about the minimal dessert spread was the presence of a huge bottle of coconut milk or kakang-gata. It’s actually an ingredient of guinumis – local cold sweet treat of crushed ice with coco milk, gulaman and pininig or rice crispies. You can also make your own guinumis from the spread at Cabalen.

Tina suggested we put coconut milk over halo-halo instead of the usual evaporated milk. As an obedient husband and a food enthusiast, I surrendered to her craving. She was right; halo halo’s better with coco milk as we enjoyed it! We just added syrup to taste.

The guinataan was also great with those strips of jackfruit and sweetened bananas and generous amounts of small balls of tapioca.

Everything tasted OK except for the red gulaman of the halo-halo. It tasted like soap suds for goodness sake! I immediately called the attention of the waited and told him of our concern. He immediately responded by removing the square bowl of red gulaman from the spread and I noticed he reported the incident to his manager. We were in a hurry as we already paid our bills so we did not spend time bringing the matter to the manager. I appreciated the move of the wait staff.

We did not plan to eat at Cabalen, but nevertheless, we enjoyed it. What we intently did last holiday was honoring Ninoy and Cory’s ideations and contributions to Philippine democracy by simply wearing yellow that day.

Cabalen’s Eat All You Can P298 per adult; half price for kids; located at most malls in the Metro.

But wait! While I was getting my food from the spread, I noticed a distinctly Kapampangan dish that I learned from Kuya Kim Atienza’s report in TV Patrol World ( a local news ) that this was one of Ninoy Aquino’s favorites…

Do you eat KAMARO or cricket ? No offense to all Kapampangan, but I don’t. I call myself a food enthusiast but not a dare-devil and an adventurous as you are.

To each his own.

Aug

YOGURT LOVE

By docgelo 13 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: amici, cara mia, doc gelo, docgelo, Filipino, food blog, foodie, frozen yogurt, FYI yogurt, gelato, gelatone, Ice cream, il terrazo, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, red mango, red mango yogurt, restaurants, shangri-la mall, the white hat, tomas morato, white hat yogurt, yogurt

My family (referring to Tina & Gabby) and I have glucose levels going haywire lately.

Good thing we know how to control it (referring to our craving, lol).

We usually dwell on Starbucks with venti cups of white choco mocha frappuccinos and caramel macchiato beside a slice of heavenly cake or corned beef pandesal and we still long for more cups and dose of caffeine, but our sweet tooth also desires for more sublime desserts…

We’ve been enjoying both the regular and Italian ice cream called gelato…

–>click on photo and view post about it.

GELATONE's GELATO

AMICI / CARA MIA's gelato

Then, there was a day we began to look for great-tasting yogurt…

Golden Spoon : Yogurt that tastes like Ice Cream

Red Mango frozen yogurt

RED MANGO's green tea and original frozen yogurt

Yoh Gurt Froz

Tina likes fro yo of YOH GURT FROZ over others for their CHILLED/FROZEN toppings that don't melt the yogurt quickly.

Last weekend, we got to taste WHITE HAT FROZEN YOGURT from their branch at Shangri la mall.

Our four-year-old son ordered regular sized yogurt from White Hat with KITKAT chocolate wafer toppings..

I had blueberries, mandarin oranges and kiwi as toppings while our friend Rob, enjoyed heaping cup of cherry-topped White Hat yogurt.

The staff at the counter was sweeter than her yogurt when she handed me a discount promo card…

White Hat staff should be trained more on how to properly topped those yummy yogurt so it won’t spill and would still be appetizing once served. We also finished those cups and enjoyed till the last scoops, nonetheless.

Then this afternoon, we went to Il Terrazo in Tomas Morato for lunch (I’ll post it soon) and after that hearty Japanese pig-out, Gabby asked his mom and I to buy him what else but yogurt, this time from FYI…

Gabby had his favorite Kitkat-topped yogurt again! Note that FYI’s kitkat yogurt was crushed to bits as against to The White Hat’s kitkat cut into cubes-toppings. I don’t know with Gabby’s but Tina and I liked what we shared…

This is FYI’s yogurt topped with maltesers and almond chips, sarap!

Do you like yogurt too ?

HAVE A SWEET WEEKEND

Aug

HALF BLOOD JAPANESE

By docgelo 7 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: Japanese food, japanese restaurants, kimono ken, kimono ken shangri la, mandaluyong city restaurants, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, restaurants, shangri-la mall

With my usual craving partial to Japanese food, I wouldn’t mind being reborn even as a half-blood Japanese, lol

I noticed that my palate has been biased with Japanese food. I share this craving with my wife, Tina and our preschooler son, Gabby who favors kani tempura so much; he even enjoys eating it with bare clean hands and dipping it in tempura sauce. Tina and I are partial not only to ebi and kani tempura but to sushi and sashimi and soups like sukiyaki and more.

Over the past few weeks, Tina usually comes home from work with 2-packs of takoyaki as her pasalubong to us. And lately, if not Italian or Chinese, we’ve been dining out in Japanese restaurants – from HANA in Little Tokyo where we enjoyed sukiyaki plate, takoyaki and ramune or flavored ice shaving to KAGURA also in Little Tokyo where we first tasted okonomiyaki. We’re also loyal patrons of SAISAKI in Glorietta 3 and had tried ZENSHO buffet in Tomas Morato. Even fastfood stall like KARATE KID did not disappoint my craving. Of course, on the top of our list that we have tried is UMU in DUSIT THANI Hotel. I swear, Umu’s one of the finest, that we have to experience it again soon.

Our last Sunday’s lunch was nevertheless, special. We revisited KIMONO KEN; this time at the basement of Shangri la Mall in Mandaluyong City. We first dined at this casual Japanese dining place a couple of years ago at SM The Block and since then, I’ve regarded it as one of those that offer best-tasting and affordable Japanese food.

The pictures can only speak for itself, but the experience of tasting food and dining at Kimono Ken would be another story. Service was fair, wait staffs were all attentive, courteous and quick. Ambiance was always casual but with zen-inspired cleanliness and order. With Kimono Ken’s great tasting food and value for money, without even charging extra charge for service, they’re true to their tag line, Enticingly Japanese. For Less.

KANI SALAD, PhP 160. A chilled plate of crunchy cut lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber topped with generous volume of shredded kani strips with fish roe tossed with flavorful dressing. It’s simply a must-try!

I have been craving for a good-tasting seafood ramen for the past weeks now, and I was content with Kimono Ken’s GOMOKU RAMEN, PhP 200.

The serving was good for 2 to 3 persons; the salt-based soup perfectly blended well with the shrimps, boiled egg, some chicken slices and noodles. The waitress even offered a small bottle of chili powder as an optional spice. Tina enjoyed this ramen too. But I also liked her beef rice bowl served with fresh egg.

GYUDON, PhP 195. We both love eating Japanese rice. It has thicker grains and sticky consistency when boiled; so flavorful when cooked or topped with dish like this. Gyudon is a rice toppings of sweet-soyed beef with leeks and other ingredients that fused in that delicious bowl. I’m lost for words to describe the wonderful experience of eating it. I can consider it another “I-can-eat-this-everyday!” -meal.

Gabby ordered a glass of iced tea, PhP 40. And I’ve tried sipping KIMONO KEN’S SPECIAL, PhP 75.

KIMONO KEN’S SPECIAL is a slush mixed of orange and mango but the taste is more than that mango-orange; it’s not that tangy but sweet and refreshingly similar to four seasons. I guess everything’s reasonably special in Kimono Ken.

CHICKEN CHEESE ROLL, PhP 160. With fried chicken rolls topped with melted cheese, how can you go wrong?

MANGO TEMPURA A LA MODE, PhP 100. This was Gabby’s plate. He ate the ice cream but did not finish the mango tempura. This was probably because he’s used to crab tempura instead of mangoes, and he was also craving for his favorite fastfood meal – McDonald’s fried chicken happy meal that we gave him after eating at Kimono Ken. Nevertheless, this dessert perfectly ended our hearty lunch last Sunday.

Thank you God for another opportunity to enjoy Your blessings with my family.

How was the start of your week? May we have great days ahead!

KIMONO KEN, Garden Court LG Level, SHANGRI LA, Mandaluyong City.

Aug

IT’S BEEN A FAVORITE

By docgelo 14 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: cakes, conti's, desserts, dining, doc gelo, docgelo, eating, food, food blog, foodie, pastries, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, potato salad, quezon city restaurants, trinoma, trinoma restaurants

Yesterday, we had another remarkable afternoon dining at Conti’s in TriNoma. Tina, Gabby and I like their food so much that it has become one of our favorite restaurants. The ambiance is simple, never intimidating; their patrons- mostly family-oriented; the service is always fair; prices of dishes-value for money, and the food itself -impeccably delicious!

We first asked Gabby of what he’d like to order and quickly browsing the menu, he pointed out to a cake and a tall glass of iced beverage.

Our preschooler son opted to only have desserts. And just like his father, ehem, I guess he has good taste! He is sure of what he want, and he’s not “takaw-mata”. He makes sure that whatever he orders whenever we dine out, he’ll eat it. Yesterday at Conti’s he ordered for a glass of MOCHA FRAPPE PhP 110 and had a slice of a heavenly cake called BANANALICIOUS, PhP 80.

Its crust is made of fine graham powder topped with soft cake and cream with slices of chilled bananas in between. It’s simply hard to resist.

Since I’ve described what our son had for his sweet tooth, might as well continue with what Tina and I shared for dessert….it’s a slice of my favorite cake from Conti’s…

In my opinion, it’s a mortal sin to dine in Conti’s without having a slice of MANGO BRAVO, PhP 105. lol. IT’S MY FAVORITE CAKE for few months now. And nothing had replaced its place in my heart palate, lol.

Look how gorgeous those layers of lady fingers a.k.a. broas are! Perfectly fused with just the right sweetness of that cream and chilled slices of mango with minimal drizzle of chocolate. It’s just sublime!

Prior to being hyperglycemic with those divine cakes from Conti’s, Tina and I enjoyed these plates…

For our starter, we had RUSSIAN POTATO SALAD, PhP 115. The plate was served with chilled cubes of potatoes, carrots and red beets that made it pink, sarap!

Tina had this CHICKEN BALLOTINE, PhP 195. It’s a dish of chicken rolls with ham and cheese stuffing topped with white creamy sauce served with freshly blanched veggies.

What is BEST with Conti’s isn’t only the tastes of the dishes and of course their cakes and pastries but moreso, I like the fact that they don’t use commercially available packed corn and carrots. Don’t get me wrong, we also buy it from groceries once in a while, but I believe that all restaurants should served freshly cut and blanched vegetables as sidings to their entree for the benefit of their clients of course.

What I HATE about eating at Conti’s is the difficulty of deciding what to order. It’s not our first time to dine there but I still had a hard time again in choosing what to chow down. After several seconds of staring at their menu, pondering, lol.. I finally told the waiter of what I’d like and if the experience yesterday was a lottery, I think I hit the jackpot with this dish…

ROAST BEEF in MUSHROOM SAUCE, PhP 270. The beef slices were so tender; the mushroom sauce was flavorful and creamy, even the sidings as I’ve told you, were so pleasant not only to palate; it was just delightful.

I wouldn’t mind eating at Conti’s on a weekly basis.

CONTI’S TRINOMA, P1 Level, TriNoma EDSA corner North Avenue, Quezon City, Tel # (63-2) 900-5013.

They also have branches at BF Homes, Parañaque, Connecticut Street in Greenhills and in Serendra in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Conti’s also have catering and food order services : tel # (63-2) 842-5265.

note : Just the same whenever I feature other food places we enjoy, this post isn’t paid by Conti’s.

Aug

PIG-OUT MONDAY

By docgelo Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: buffet, dad's, Dad's Ultimate Buffet, doc gelo, docgelo, Eat all you can, Eat all you want, filipino eating, food, foodie, Glorietta, glorietta 3, Kamayan, makati restaurants, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, Saisaki

Oops, we did it again!

Three days ago, I brought my family to one of our favorite malls – Glorietta, to claim our free buffet plate from Dad’s,Saisaki,Kamayan Ultimate Buffet as we have completed another promo card.

After completion of ten validations (one signature for each visit —> read : yes, we’re a regular patrons), a FREE CROSSOVER BUFFET PLATE can only be claimed Mondays to Thursdays, lunch or dinner. FYI, it was our second time to finished a ”Happy Diner” promo card. As the cliche goes, the best thing in life is FREE.

Since I was off the whole day last Monday, and my wife Tina was done with her work around 2:30PM, together with our son Gabby who’s more excited to eat his favorite kani tempura, we headed to G3 in Makati.

However, we came too early for dinner so we decided to munch on something light as late afternoon merienda before pigging out at Saisaki. Tina wanted to have Taro Ice from Quickly at the Foodcourt of Glorietta 3 but it wasn’t available, so she and Gabby settled for Chocolate Ice also from Quickly. While I’m not sure of what to eat, Tina suggested for us to have dimsums. Immediately I thought of President’s Tea House.

We only ordered Japanese siomai – a piece of crab stick wrapped in nori, Asado siopao and of course, Hakao or shrimp dumplings. I eat anything with shrimps, lol.

The Hakao of President’s Tea House does not dissapoint; its moist-melt-in-your-mouth wrapper was just perfect to embrace those plump shrimps. And the Japanese siomai also is a must-try. I can’t say anything bad with the Asado siopao; the dough was just finely steamed; its filling-delicious.

After that quick bite, we took a stroll around the mall just to burn those few calories (as if we’re too health conscious, lol), and awited for 6PM, dinner time at Dad’s, Saisaki, Kamayan.

This was my first plate from Saisaki, sushi and few sashimi I like Saisaki’s Tamago rolls; I want to learn someday how those sweet fried eggs are rolled into its form

Tina also had similar choice…

Not too long, my wife came back from the spread with these deep-fried Ebi and Kani Tempura –yummy!

For a buffet price of PhP 455 at the Ultimate Buffet (crossover from Saisaki to Dad’s to Kamayan), it’s already a steal compared when one orders Tempura as an entree from other Japanese resto. We paid half price for Gabby.

Gabby was delighted munching his favorite Kani (crab) Tempura and sipped some of these bowl of creamy rich seafood chowder from Kamayan, while I didn’t pass the chance to taste Saisaki’s Sukiyaki again…(read : i like them both,lol).

Just before we thought we haven’t had main dishes yet, we’re almost bloated. But heck, we went there to pig out, so on with the deglutition, lol.

We had some fibers in between. Then I got my turf and surf plate - I had few rings of calamari seasoned with pesto (it was overpowering and too salty, sorry.), a slice of roast beef with pepper mushroom sauce, a thin slice of Dad’s original ham with sweet sauce, and my buffet in Dad’s isn’t complete if I didn’t taste lengua. It’s only in Dad’s that I get to enjoy this dish. Dad’s lengua is always tender, flavorful with its mushroom gravy.

I and Tina were not into Kamayan that much, as we’re into Saisaki and some of Dad’s dishes. Because we’d like to taste something different from home-style cooking whenever we dine out. But we cannot resist Kamayan’s puto bumbong at bibingka served with coconut shavings and muscovado… I don’t know about you but just like most Pinoy, we like it too! :D

While Tina and I shared the unbeatable tandem of bibingka and puto bumbong, Gabby was busy eating his plate of pasta with tomato cream sauce topped with bacon bits from Dad’s.

Gabby ordered bottomless iced tea but more than the beverage, he was more excited with what comes with the drink. He asked the waiter politely if he can choose from the many colors of those stuffed insects and he favored a red bug.

A satiating dinner would not be complete without a stimuli to my sweet tooth. The scoop of mocha ice cream was sweet, but my family’s hearty smiles were sweeter.

Aug

OUR LITTLE ACHIEVER

By docgelo 5 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO
Tags: children, doc gelo, doc gelo blog, docgelo, education, examinations, family, family life, filipino family, Life, parenthood, Philippines, Pinoy, pinoy family, preschool, preschool education, school

For the past few weeks since school started this year, our 4-year-old son Gabby has been consistently performing well in his kindergarten class. Proof to this are those stamp-pad-marks of “excellent”, “well-done”, “good work”; sometimes he brings home papers marked with ”fast worker”. I’m sorry but you cannot fully relate to my joy whenever he comes home after his 8AM-11AM class with these remarks unless you’re a parent too. “Tanggal ang pagod ko sa trabaho sa maghapon kung ganito ang salubong ng anak ko.” These mushy petty things for some, commonly serve as an inspiration to parents like me to do more and aspire more for the good of our kid/s.

We’re so blessed to have him as our son. He’s not only smart and fast-learner but he’s kind-hearted too. I know all kids are angels but my wife and I are just glad to have Gabby as our own.

At such an early age, he already showed talent in declamation when he won 3rd place over fifty-one Nursery students from their preschool last February with his 2-stanza-winning piece, ”For My Country.” Click this to review the post about it with title—–>ONE PROUD DADDY and I really am until now, and probably until I breathe my last. I guess it’s innate with us parents to always LOVE their child/ren UNCONDITIONALLY.

Tina and I understand that as young parents, we have lots of things to learn and we’re so ready to absorb what needs to be imbibed. Isn’t it that living is always a long learning process? As for now, what we pray for is to continue raising Gabby as God-fearing individual, healthy and happy kid.

We love Gabby so much not only because he’s an obedient and intelligent kid, but simply because we are a dear part of him.

Whether his name will be included in the quarterly list of topnotchers of their class or not, in my heart, he’ll forever be my number one!

Aug

GABBY’S CHOICE

By docgelo 5 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: cheedar cheese, doc gelo, docgelo, family, food, food blog, food places, foodie, fun, malls, mozzarella, parenthood, pasta, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, pizza, pizza hut, quezon city restaurants, restaurants, seafood pasta, trinoma

A couple of days ago, we had to go to Landmark in TriNoma to buy stuffs to fill in the fridge at home. But since it was half hour past 4 in the afternoon, we decided to munch on something as late merienda/early dinner before heading to the grocery shelves.

I had a short list of restaurants in mind to satisfy my own craving for some delights but I became too submissive when our four-year-old son Gabby called the shots. While walking towards the escalators, he told us that he wanted to eat a specific favorite at one of the common resto that we frequent. Since we just weaned Gabby from bottle-feeding several weeks ago (I know it’s quite late but what can we do? we’re just parents) and is now still adjusting with the sipping cup that he uses whenever he drinks milk, Tina and I are always excited to give in to his personal food preference.

Look how he candidly expressed his excitement to order the food that he wanted…

While I was wearing a blue shirt that day, they’ve conspired to wore politically-significant-YELLOW.

I think it’s a small hint of maturity for our kid that at a young age, he begins to have personal preferences towards food and starts to distinguish fastfood yummies from restaurant’s entrees. I also consider this as a result of our brain-washing motivating him to become a chef one day; which Gabby already disclosed since his mom allowed him to watch Iron Chef America on cable TV and of course, as we bring him to few hotel buffets and various restaurants, he developed his good taste for good food. We wouldn’t mind if he becomes a chef one day; we’re actually excited with just the mere thought of having a chef or a restaurateur in the family. Isn’t it obvious that we really love eating :D

Last Thursday, our son was craving for a pan pizza of a particular pizza place…

I like Pizza Hut’s pan pizza too. Mahusay pumili ang anak namin! But I was surprised with what Gabby favored. It’s 3-cheese pan pizza sans toppings!!!! Not even a single chopped mushroom was seen covering those cheeses.

It’s a cheese lover’s delight. A pan pizza of only cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan, family size costs PhP 429… Sarap, but my palate was looking for some toppings…

I was happy that Gabby volunteered to eat on his own plate of his own preference but I did not allow the chance to pass without trying again my own Pizza Hut favorites which I know are Tina’s favorites too…

CAESAR SALAD. With crisp romaine lettuce, bacon crumble, parmesan cheese, and herbed croutons tossed in Pizza Hut’s own caesar dressing served in chilled plate, how can you not start your meal right ? The price too, was very reasonable at PhP 79 a plate.

GARLIC BREAD. Toasted bread with garlic parsley butter, PhP 55. Happiness is affordable at Pizza Hut!

Then we ordered one of our favorite pastas from their menu….

GARLIC SHRIMPS and MUSHROOMS. Spaghetti tossed with sauteed shrimps and mushrooms, in garlic-butter sauce; PhP 119. It’s so delicious that I can eat it everyday.

Gabby also ordered his preferred drinks- Iced Mocha. Once in a while, we allow him to sip a small dose of caffeine and his other favorites are the frappuccinos of Starbucks. Calories, calories, calories….

After that hearty meal, we burned those calories by pushing carts at the grocery….

Till our next foodtrip.

Aug

KOMERSYAL MUNA

By docgelo 9 Comments

Categories: EVENTS and HEADLINES
Tags: bloopers, doc gelo, docgelo, Filipino, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy

Last Wednesday, my wife and I joined the entire nation and the rest of the Filipino communities worldwide in spirit of sadness as we’re deeply affected with the demise of the icon of Philippine democracy and freedom. We also rejoice and celebrate that she’s now with our Creator and is presently free of physical pain and sufferings. She lived a full life that inspired most of us Pinoys to continuously value our faith and strong belief that the we are indeed worthy of all of their sacrifice; and with that we’ll forever be grateful.

But can you honestly spot what’s wrong with the photo below? Please convince me that this was not done on purpose neither a SUBCONSCIOUS WISH of the many, lol.

Feel free to post your comment/s.

Aug

A BOX OF HAPPINESS

By docgelo 25 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: balikbayan box, cargo, chocolates, desserts, doc gelo, docgelo, Filipino, food, food blog, foodie, padala, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, sweets

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Few minutes after I woke up yesterday morning, I heard the door bell rang. Then I saw someone was at the gate asking for my wife. As I approached him, I also saw a delivery truck; I knew it was the package from my in-laws that we were expecting.

I guess giving pasalubong or padala from someone abroad to their families and relatives here in the Philippines is one unique Filipino trait that we had been used to. And my relatives abroad and in-laws are not an exception.

Go to an arrival area of any airport and you’ll see a balikbayan box from a Pinoy definitely. Only Pinoys aren’t satisfied with just luggages; there has to be those boxes! In fact, some business-minded individuals have been so creative in producing zippered nylon bags that can cover and protect these balikbayan boxes.

I remember my aunt in LA used to keep balikbayan boxes in their garage that we saw when we were there several years ago. We’re told that she continuously add things to those boxes bought whenever they’re on out-of-season-sale from branded shops and factory outlets and in groceries in California. A balikbayan box usually contains samu’t-sari – from clothes and toiletries to chocolates and cans of spam and corned beef, lol.

Upon seeing it, our preschooler son, Gabby became too excited to open this huge heavy box. However he had to wait until the day’s over.

After dinner time, as my sister-in-law came over to get her family’s share, my wife Tina and Gabby finally opened the box with the usual stuffs, properly labeled with the names to whom the things are due. It has towels, T-shirts, pants and shorts, perfumes, make-ups and toiletries, a mobile phone, and yes, canned goods and coffee! :D

It was the first time Gabby witnessed the opening of a balikbayan box and he was delighted with what he saw inside…

These were just a fraction of its contents. Of course, what caught my attention were the yummies that are enough to keep us hyperglycemic for few weeks months, lol. :D

I know everything should be consumed in moderation otherwise, a visit to the dentist might be inevitable.

I love pistachios (even as an ice cream flavor), so glad a big pack was included in the box. I also like those microwavable popcorns; too bad our oven retired from its service that we have to buy another before we get to enjoy those snacks get to pop.

I can’t blame my son for being so excited with all these sweets that he got from his grandparents… And have I told you that I like those Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Mini Chocalte bars?

It’s not that recipients of a balikbayan box cannot afford to buy these stuffs here (defensive, lol), but the gesture of sending some things to your love ones and receiving gifts are sweeter than a box’s contents.

The package contained sweet candies and stuffs that anyone can buy, but my son’s joy that came with it was priceless!

Aug

PINOY ART & LRT PART 2

By docgelo 13 Comments

Categories: whatever
Tags: acrylic on canvas, art, art contest, arts, doc gelo, docgelo, Filipino, Filipino lifestyle, Filipinos, gateway mall, LRT, LRT PAINTING CONTEST, manila, metro manila, oil in canvas, painting, Philippine arts, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, quezon city, visual arts

Barely a month ago, I posted an entry about an art contest conducted by LRT Authorities that featured Filipino life inside the train that makes public transportation in some areas of Metro Manila readily accessible. View my former post here —> PINOY ART & LRT .

Unexpectedly, it was still on display; so I got a chance to view the exhibit again yesterday at the LRT Araneta Center-Cubao station as I went to Gateway mall. I’ve clicked my cam to note the titles of the masterpieces and the names of the remarkable Pinoy painters.

Take a peek at the entries and see the frame that championed the contest as you scroll down this post. Enjoy!

Daytoy Iti Biag Ko by Isagani P. Carlos, acrylic on canvas

If you’re a Filipino and you’re Catholic, you’ll surely admire how the artist of the painting below depicted our faith.

Last Trip ni Sante, Kalong Munting Bro by Godofredo F. Zapanta, Sr., oil on canvas

The next entry gave me a smile. As a father to our preschool son, I can relate to this simple art work.

Kaagapay sa paglalakbay by Dean Mark Enoza, acrylic on canvas.

It’s nice to see Araneta Coliseum, the clock tower of Manila City Hall and Rizal monument in Luneta together in one canvas. These places are reachable within 20 minutes via LRT…

Ayan na ang tren! by Marvin D. Gonzales, acrylic on canvas.

I like the use of primary colors in this abstract…

Sulong Pilipinas – Lalarga din Tayo by Patrick B. Fernandez, acrylic on canvas.

Agos Enerhiya by Joseph S. Domirez Jr., acrylic on canvas.

LRT, Kabalikat ni Juan sa Kaunlaran by Ronald L. Jeresano, acrylic on canvas.

And the painting that won GRAND PRIZE …

Sakay na rin po kyo by Mario B. Panis, oil on canvas.

Hats off to all Filipino artists! Thank you for sharing your talents. Mabuhay po kayo!

Aug

SUPER FRUIT

By docgelo 4 Comments

Categories: FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: doc gelo, docgelo, food, foodie, fruits, mangies, mango, philippine mango, philippine mangoes, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, sweetest mangoes, tropical fruit

Do you know that they are cousins of pistaschio and cashew?

You may have it in various ways :

FRESH

DRIED

JUICE

SHAKE

PUREE

FROZEN

IN BRINE

PRESERVES

SPREAD

CANDIES

CAKES

ICE CREAM

TOPPINGS

I came home the other day with a kilo of this fruit which happens to be my favorite and my wife’s. I bought 3 huge pieces for PhP 100 and received a comment from my wife, “Great choice; it’s not too sweet, or too sour…” The fruits were half-riped. I like it yellow, she likes it green…

I don’t know about you but they’re definitely the BEST compared to other fruits. And the Philippine varieties are the SWEETEST!

“A ripe super mango emanates a sweet fragrance, reminding you of tropical summer breezes which sweep across warm, blue seas. No other mango has ever looked this – bright yellow as blazing afternoon sun, smooth to the tongue, and leaves a persistent craving for a next one. These are the images that only Philippine super mangoes can evoke.” —> source

The way my wife sliced its flesh for easy scooping reminded me of my late Lola. She used to prepare mangoes the same way Tina does.

Isn’t it mouth watering ? Who can resist its beauty ?

“Mangoes are excellent source of vitamin A and C, which normally vary with and maturity of fruits. A 100-gram of mango contains approximately 69 calories, 20.5 mg of Vitamin C, 14.1 g of carbohydrates, 2.1 g of protein, and 45.o mg of potassium. “—> source

I’ve been to California and Las Vegas before and tasted mangoes that were round in shape, reddish yellow in color but my palate has been biased with our very own. Nothing comes close to Philippine mangoes.

There’s only one National fruit and I SIMPLY LOVE THEM!

How about you? What’s your favorite fruit/s ?

Jul

MAINIT ANG ULO KO!

By docgelo 25 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO
Tags: bladder training, childhood, children, doc gelo, docgelo, family, family and living, family life, kids, Life, parenthood, parents, Philippines, pinas, Pinoy, preschool kids, toilet training

source

Our four-year-and-9-month-old son, Gabby who’s in kindergarten, went home from school yesterday in wet uniform. He voluntarily voided in his shorts because he feared his teacher might scold him. My wife called me at work during my lunch break just to inform me of what happened. For you, this might be petty but for parents like us, it’s not a big issue either but we won’t allow a chance to pass without correcting what needs to be corrected.

As I reached home early evening, our son narrated to us that he felt the urgency to urinate during the time that they were asked to copy writings from the board on their noteboook. Gabby told us, “Sabi ni teacher, pag madalas umihi, may lalabas na dugo sa ihi, kaya di na ako nagsabi ng, teacher may I pee?…”

I wasted no time in writing his teacher a letter regarding the matter….

Maam,

May we request your consideration and assistance whenever our son, ________(Gabby) feels the urgency to void; kindly allow him to do so.

As medical professionals and educators too, we certainly know that controlling micturition may result to possible infection and / or urinary incontinence. As parents, we’d like to inform you that Gabby is still adjusting on the fact that we just weaned him from wearing of diapers a couple of weeks ago as his age calls for bladder training.

We are bringing this to your attention because our son went home yesterday complaining that he voluntarily voided at his uniform because he feared you might scold him. According to him, you’re telling your preschool class that frequent urination will result to hematuria (blood in the urine) and this is far from being factual.

We’ll appreciate your concern with immediate response and action regarding this matter.

Thank You.

Dr. & Mrs. Santos

As our household help brought our kid to his school this morning, I was told that one of Gabby’s girl classmates also peed in her skirt because of the same scenario.

To say that I and my wife (who’s a nurse-educator) are also strict with our college nursing students is an understatement. We value time, money spent on education and efforts so we’re not power-tripping on them but inculcating discipline in every sense of the word. We may be rigid on rules, but we’re always honest and true to our students and we’re so democratic that we allow them to respond to the “call of nature”. We’re very unlikely Gabby’s teacher. We hope she will consider the consequences of her acts.

If this will be repeated, she’ll get what she deserves!

Sa lahat naman ng pagsasabihan ng tungkol sa maling medikal na aspeto ng pag-ihi, anak ko pa, anak ng pating naman ‘o!

Jul

ABOUT LAST WEEKEND

By docgelo 14 Comments

Last Saturday, after a quick stop at my folks’ place in Pasig, I brought my family -Tina and Gabby to Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City. Look how crisp the interiors of the Eastwood Mall is…Other than having those functional and stylish lounges, Eastwood Mall boasts of having mall butlers clad in black suits who’ll offer to carry your paper bags throughout the duration of your shopping. Although we haven’t bought anything yet from our previous visits there LOL , and still to try the cinemas (we commonly go to the Eastwood City cinemas – haven’t watched a movie yet at Eastwood Mall cinemas), we usually go there for few reasons : to get a load of Starbucks, for my preschooler son to enjoy Timezone and what else but to CHOW!

Perhaps, next to Glorietta & Greenbelt in Makati, Shangri la mall in Mandaluyong, and Gateway and TriNoma in QC, this Eastwood Mall is becoming one our favorites. Why not? it isn’t as crowded as Isetann Recto (patawa lang po).

Before deciding where and what to eat, we asked Gabby to pose as I click the cam. He knew he had so many photos taken already from this site from our previous visits hence the awkward smile…

From its exteriors, a row of upscale restaurants always appear so inviting however last weekend, Mr. Kurosawa won our votes.

It’s one of the chain of restaurants that the local celebrity Marvin Agustin partly owns. One similarity between John and Yoko in Greenbelt 5, SUMO SAM in Shangri la and Power Plant Malls, with Mr. Kurosawa besides being contemporary-Japanese in the menu, is the interiors. All of these food places have hip and edgy atmosphere having subdued lighting, the evident constant use of purplish hues, and lots of things in black which I like. The servers too, wear dark sexy short dresses in heeled shoes/boots; and you won’t expect any kimonos and obi belts just like in traditional Japanese resto.

I like the idea of glowing Japanese posters up in the ceiling…

My wife and I noticed food is basically the same. Their menus probably only differ in covers, but has less variations. I don’t know about your palate, but IMO, one thing is sure - the food in those three spots are delicious if you welcome a fusion of taste between the East and the West, however a bit reasonably pricey.

We keep coming back to SUMO SAM once in a while because I personally like this dish that we’ve also tried ordering at John and Yoko, now tasted the plate in Mr. Kurosawa —> SEAFOOD OMELET RICE, PhP 228.

Tina and I both agreed that Mr. Kurosawa’s version of Seafood Omelet Rice is BETTER than Sumo Sam and John and Yoko. The Japanese rice is stickier; the taste yummier. Common among the 3 restos : generous servings for this dish.

The serving was too large for our appetite (honestly) that we have to asked the wait staff for us to have it as to-go. OK, I admit we have huge appetite but far from being gluttons we failed to finish this favorite because we sampled another hit from Mr. Kurosawa…

The pizza that we enjoyed after the last bite is called IWO JIMA, PhP 279 …

It’s thin crust pizza which I like, and what made it uniquely savory from most pizzas we’ve tasted was the presence of sweetest mango cubes as one of its toppings. Imagine the saltiness from cheese had married the sweetness of mango bits. It’s Euro-Japanese on a plate! That one last slice I had came from this good-for-three servings…

If my taste buds served me right, the mango and cheese combo in IWO JIMA pizza was also mixed with cubes of chicken teriyaki and sesame seeds. It’s so flavorful enough for you to forget worries of daily living, lol Another must-try from the menus of either Sumo Sam, John and Yoko and Mr. Kurosawa, are the 3 -colored-iced teas.. They’re in green (lime), red (calamansi), and my favorite – in blue (dalandan)…

They’re refillable until whatever volume you can handle at PhP 108.

Apparently, we liked our merienda last Saturday; look how my wife and our son smiled after being satiated…:D

MR. KUROSAWA, G/F Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City.

Jul

A CALL FOR PRAYER

By docgelo 6 Comments

Categories: Attitude and HEADLINES
Tags: 1986 edsa, cancer of cory aquino, corazon aquino, Cory Aquino, democracy, doc gelo, docgelo, EDSA revolution, Filipinos, freedom, People Power, Philippines, pilipinas, pinas, Pinoy, prayer for cory aquino, prayers for cory aquino, support for cory

UPDATED : I posted this entry 4 days prior to her death. Former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino died of Cardiorespiratory Arrest secondary to Colon Cancer, Stage IV. She peacefully joins our Lord at 3:18 AM, o1 August 2009. May her soul rest in God’s embrace.

Filipinos all over the globe will forever remember your unparalleled contribution to our democracy and freedom.

I was in my 3rd grade when one of the world’s peaceful revolutions happened in EDSA back in 1986. I can still vividly recall the events how she was catapulted in power, mandated by the Filipino people as a result of longing for democracy. Needless to say, I grew up with her governance.

I do have my highest respect for Mrs. Aquino, not only as our former president who brought back FREEDOM in our country but as a person with deep FAITH beyond religion; a responsible woman who raised her kids despite of being a widow; a lady who stood by her man in one principle, and someone who stood up against a formidable dictatorship on behalf of the many.

Disregarding political issues, the more I admire her. She’s a woman of strength and humility. And now that she is battling with that dreaded condition, I don’t only sympathize with her in spirit but I emphatize as well. As a man of Medicine, I understand the pain she’s bearing. No one deserves to suffer that long and noxious. It’s best to pray for miracles, but for now I honestly hope for alleviation of her physical pain.

I am one with the many Filipinos and people across races who pray for her. It’s the least that I can do in my own gratitude for what she has done to the Philippines and to us Pinoys. May the good Lord bless her with His mercy. And may her condition bring UNITY to all of us again.

Jul

FOOD PORN PROMO

By docgelo 25 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: best buffet in manila, buffet, culinary, doc gelo, docgelo, Eat all you can, Eat all you want, Filipino food, food, food blog, food in spiral, foodie, manila, Philippines, Pinoy, Sofitel, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, spiral, Spiral Buffet

It was like all the constellations of stars and the galaxy of planets in the entire universe conspired that our overdue plan to dine at SPIRAL in SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA MANILA finally pushed through last Tuesday.

It was another gastronomic experience; a real feast to the sense!

Anorexia was never in my vocabulary but food enthusiasm! I am just grateful that I am married to a nurse who thinks and eats the same wavelength as I do. And thank Heavens we’re blessed with a son who at his young age, already developed the appreciation for good food (He wants to become an iron chef someday). My wife Tina, our four-year old-son Gabby and I have been to some of Manila’s remarkable open-kitchen-buffets in hotels and a mall (click each item to view my previous posts)…

1. CIRCLES EVENTS CAFE at MAKATI SHANGRI LA HOTEL

2. DUSIT THANI’S FAMILY SUNDAY BRUNCH

3. HEAT at EDSA SHANGRI LA HOTEL

4. DAD’s ULTIMATE BUFFET inludes SAISAKI and KAMAYAN

It’s hard to compare one with the other because all of them are a delight to the senses. I know that to spend more than usual these days is considered vulgar for the fact there’s global economic crisis, but life is damn too short to let these beautiful chances pass. We’re just fortunate to experience these beyond words (gluttonous grin) Going to open-kitchen-buffets in hotels has been a little scary for me, because it’s habit-forming, lol. But can you blame me?

I first learned about Sofitel’s SPRIAL Mad Mondays and Thrifty Tuesdays 50% discount promo from one of the blogs I follow. And it was really a perfect timing to EAT, CELEBRATE and BE MERRY for one of our colleagues will depart to Riyadh next week to work as a medical practitioner; so it was like a despedida for her but on a dutch treat, (read : KKB / kanya-kanyang bayad, lol).

promo ad photo sourced from chuvaness.

Sofitel’s SPIRAL + 50% discount + family & friends =EUPHORIC BLISS!

Tina made the reservation for 5 adults and one kid (our son/their godson) exactly 7 days prior to our dinner date. We met our friends and at around 4:30PM, we’re at Sofitel lobby already. Since we’re an hour and a half early before the buffet opens, we took Gabby at the pool side and had a stroll to while away time (scroll down to view former post below).

My wife reserved the best spot in Spiral – the Chinese section! Since it was still unpacked with hungry stomachs, I took time to roam and click my point-and-shoot cam (note to self: I should save for a DSLR). Below is the immediate view where we’re seated. Looks like Iron-Chef Kitchen-come-alive! (another note to self : Why didn’t I think of becoming a chef? Life isn’t over yet) :D

Here’s my first plate…

I spared the salads and grabbed some Oriental stuffs — steamed and fried dimsums and peking duck were really appetizing. The wrappers of steamed dimsums were just perfect! It wasn’t too mushy. Hakao or shrimp dumplings had generous fillings….I love those plump shrimps! There were also those yummy chives or kuchay a.k.a. vegetable dumplings…Spiral’s siomai is also a must-try. Sarap! …Here are Peking duck and some other Chinese roasts…

Tina had some cheese, cold cuts and those delicious super-thin-crust pizza. I swear those pizza slices are to-die-for! I may have tasted only a piece but I surely know my palate. If there’s one reason to go back to Spiral, definitely it’s there pizza!

After few laughs and bites, I had my second plate : California maki, Philadelphia rolls, tuna and salmon sashimi, and some crustaceans…

I was disappointed with the spreads where I got this plate. There were FEW choices of SUSHI. The New Zealand mussels tasted bland. (Read : I hate to compare but in CIRCLES EVENTS CAFE at MAKATI SHANGRI LA HOTEL, their mussels rock!!! ). I like it flavorful with some herbs and spices, instead of just a squeeze of lemon. And trust me, we’ve been to Auckland, New Zealand for seven week-vacation before, mussels there really are the biggest! Despite my discontentment, my wife still sampled Spiral’s seafoods to taste it herself…

Here are the spread of those shellfish and sashimi…

Commercial muna : While people across ages and colors begin to fill Spiral, guess who we spotted ? There were few celebrities like Ali Alejandro (son of Hadji) and tables adjacent to us had a local basketball superstar Marlou Aquino who was towering at 6 feet 9 inches might, and seated behind him was Buddy Zabala, a band member of a legend in Pinoy Pop music what else but E-heads! My wife was too shy to ask them a photo-op with Gabby and neither I have the nerves to do it, so I just took this photo while our son Gabby was busy with his desserts without disturbing anyone.

Moving on… Let’s turn more into Japanese with these sake display and some tempura…

If you have read some of my previous posts, you probably know now that one of my favorites is SUKIYAKI… And Spiral’s does not disappoint. It has the marbled tender beef slices, delicately thick glass noodles, warm delicious broth, some veggies and tofu, ahhh…just writing about it makes me drool…

Our son likes KANI (crab) TEMPURA so much, but there was none; there was only EBI (shrimp)…

I like Spiral’s version of Ebi tempura, I guess my wife agrees as well. The batter was thin, wasn’t too oily.

This was my surf and turf plate…With some cold cuts and Chinese roasts, I had spoonful of paella with tiger prawn and sausages and 2 thin slices of roast beef. I like paella while my wife doesn’t favor it. Spiral’s paella’s also good as their roast beef; however the mushroom sauce of the beef was less buttery.

All of us were almost satiated but no one resisted the sweet treats…

My sis-in-law, doc bibs had this plate… A crepe of mixed berries served with a scoop of berry-flavored ice cream, and a slice of cheesecake with tropical fruit toppings. I failed to taste the crepe but she told me that she didn’t like the berries-with-chocoalte drizzle medley .. “To each his own.”

Now, this was my sampler… isn’t it drool-worthy gorgeous?

I like that pinkish dessert at the back of my platter; it’s called Sugarfree Raspberry Panacotta – simply sublime.

It’s never disturbing to grab a bite at each sweets because most of them were sugar-free even tasted sugarless for real! And what’s best with desserts of Spiral, they’re in tiny bite-sized servings so it allows you to consume more and more and taste more and more… lol

This was Tina’s plate. That small pumpkin-shaped dessert was from the Chinese section; it’s made of glutinous rice somewhat like kakanin to us Pinoys.

There were mostly cheesecakes which I like best. But as I was looking for some variety they somewhat tasted similar.

Gabby munched on these delectable treats on the left, while the photo on the right shows Sprial chocolate fondue – as if one is not enough! you have the options of dipping fruits and mallows at melted white or usual chocolate! Two thumbs up according to our son.

We didn’t end the nice dinner without photo-op with doc shiny who will leave the country for FAR better earnings.

Note to doc shiny : Good luck shine, bilangin mo na ang mga buhangin sa Riyadh, lol… Don’t forget to buy us Saudi Gold and more of it! Papicture ka din sa kamelyo, lol

Doctors All : my dates last Tuesday…

With all of those delectable desserts and whatnot, nothing beats the sweetest smiles of my family.

LOVE KO ‘TO….

Till our next food adventure; happy eating !

Burp

SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA SPIRAL, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City / (63-2) 832-6988.

For Mad Mondays, Thrifty Tuesdays promo that runs until July 27-28, we spent PhP 1122 nett per pax. My son ate for FREE as per usual local hotel buffet ruling for kids age less than 5. Kids rule!!!

Jul

WHERE’S THE MEETING?

By docgelo 3 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO
Tags: doc gelo, docgelo, family, hotels in manila, hotels in philippines, leisure, Philippines, Pinoy, pleasure, sofitel manila, Sofitel Philippine Plaza

It was only last week when I learned from a friend through SMS that one of our classmates in med school is about to leave for Riyadh next week to work as a medical practictioner. Both of them are not just our friends of 12 years and counting but happen to be our son’s godparents too. Although we seldom rarely see them because of our schedules, we usually keep in touch via the wonders of cell phones and e-mails.

After my wife and I decided to meet up with our 2 friends, I also texted my sister-in-law who’s also our classmate in med school and their barkada actually, to join us in the “despedida” on a dutch treat, (read : KKB a.k.a. kanya-kanyang bayad, lol)

Of course, we brought our son Gabby to the meeting place for him to see his ninangs claim his overdue-gifts for all the occasions that they’ve intentionally missed. And Gabby wasn’t disappointed because he received a huge Transformer action figure and a deadly weapon water gun to his delight.

It was around 4:30 PM last Tuesday when we reached this place…

No kids, this isn’t FARM TOWN of facebook, lol.

Upon seeing the totally renovated pool side of this hotel in Pasay City after so many years that I haven’t been there, I suddenly remembered something… NO, not that alleged Piolo Pascual-Sam Milby-holding hands by the pool-tsismis lol but fun memories of my childhood years flashed vividly.

My mom used to bring us here for a weekend stay whenever my dad had his short days off from work. My dad used to work in Riyadh too, and the other key cities in K.S.A., Kuwait and U.A.E. for 17 years as a supermaket manager (read : bagong bayani, lol).

During those times, we usually checked in hotels in Manila to as far as Crowne Peak in Subic, and Venus hotel (my mom’s favorite because of cheap rates and accessibility) in Baguio City.

But this hotel is exceptionally grand…

However, since the pool side is at Manila Bay area, the only unfavorable thing was the unpleasant sea breeze that’s salty fishy to the senses (paging Manila Bay authorities, you may want to further your clean up program!). Nevertheless, this luxurious hotel was upgraded to its finest! One of its major advantages is freely given to anyone who becomes a guest in any of their 609 rooms and suites – that’s the spectacular view of the most beautiful sunset in the world. Manila Bay sunset is still breathtaking.

It was nice that we had taken a stroll while waiting for my sister-in-law who was caught in traffic on way to the venue. I felt good remiscing a part of my growing up years now that I am a parent too. I am more grateful to my parents on how they’ve tried their best raising us as kids. With these occasional hotel hopping and few travels abroad and in some provinces here, all four of us boys had an early appreciation of good things that life can offer. I just wish I can also do it to my own family. It’s so nice to share wonderful childhood memories to my own kid.

No, we didn’t get a room to check in this time but we went there to meet up with our friends to enjoy the feast at the hotel’s buffet that I will feature next.

Now that you have an idea of the venue of our get-together, swing by again soon as I post the feast we had for dinner last Tuesday.

Jul

A WINNER NONETHELESS

By docgelo 4 Comments

Categories: whatever
Tags: blog contest, blogger contest, contest, dad expo, doc gelo, family, gymboree, parenting, Philippines, pinas, pinoy blog, pinoy blogger

Blogging has been part of my quintessential social life. It’s one of the coolest benefits that the world wide web has offered. You don’t have any idea how smiley I am whenever you (yes, you!) drop comments on my posts. And reading someone’s posts is not only informative but entertaining as well, that has been a party of my daily routine to while away time especially after a day’s work.

One of the blogs I follow is Anton Diaz’ s OUR AWESOME PLANET. Do I need to explain why? His widely read site is all about my interests - food and dining, traveling and the thing that I like best – enjoying life with family. I only started reading his posts early this year and it became a habit. I usually comment on his entries whenever the topic catches my interest.

Last weekend, he’s one of the speakers of this EXPO DAD event at Rockwell, Makati which I failed to attend. A week prior to his talk, he conducted a blog contest to help him elaborate on his topic for the event. Anton asked his readers to voluntarily answer a question and the 3 entries with best answers win prizes. The question was “How are you creatively using the internet to help you in raising your kids?”

3681280901_994f89afbb

My simple entry revolved on how we use internet particularly facebook-ing as a source of our family bonding. My 4-year-old son has an account in facebook and uses one of its applications specifically Restaurant City where he becomes a chef and a restaurateur who finds ingredients and updates menu every now and then. Gabby enjoys it so much and it enriches and motivates his early-childhood dream of becoming a “Wolfgang Puck” or “Mario Batali or Anthony Bourdain” someday. —–> This was the synopsis of my short answer that won me 3RD PRIZE ! (applause, applause!)

And to quote OAP , PRIZES INCLUDE:

1st Prize: Overnight accommodation in a One-bedrrom suite for 2 people in Astoria Plaza inclusive of breakfast buffet (worth P5,279++) valid until Nov 2009. Astoria Plaza is located along J. Escriva Drive, Pasig City

2nd Prize: Regular Lunch or Dinner Buffet for 2 people at Cafe Astoria (worth P1,318++ ) valid until Nov 2009

Nevermind the first two top prizes, because my wife and I have been invited by Astoria Plaza staff few months ago for a FREE DINNER (which was nothing special to be honest) via a mobile call but the ‘catch’ was the fact that we’re invited to attend a promotional talk with the sales agents of that condo-hotel, or whatever they call their establishment for 2 HOURS!!! convincing us to sign and purchase a room to be paid on monthly basis etc. etc… How’s that for a modus operandi? Going back to the topic…God is really BEST because He knows I am more interested with the 3rd prize which I won…

The 3RD prize was GYMBOREE Annual membership Gift Certificate (worth P1,800) valid until May 10, 2010

To quote again OAP : On top of the top 3 prizes, I’m giving away one (1) complimentary seat to one Maven Secrets Hands-on Workshop of your choice for all the quality answers that I can use for my presentation in Expo Dad. You can choose from any of these Maven Hands-ON workshops:

August 8, Saturday: Photoblogging Workshop: The Art and Science of Story
Telling through photos (Fee: $99 or P5,000.00)

August 15, Saturday: Mastering the Google Adsense Game and Advertising
through Blogs (Fee: $99 or P5,000.00)

September 5, Saturday: Professional Blogging Workshop: Writing Timeless and
Viral Articles Online and WordPress 101 (Fee: $99 or P5,000.00)

August 22, Saturday: Mastering Pay Per Click Marketing through Google
Adwords (Fee: $99 or P5,000.00)

According to the blog post, winner will be announce July 16, Thursday.

As I religiously follow my favorite sites including his, I am NOT SURE if I missed out as his postings the names of winners in the COMMENT thread on his OAP site in his entry with title Digital Daddy Blog Contest. Also, one of the rules in his contest was to CLAIM the PRIZE/S ONLY during the expo. In short, I failed to know that I am one of the 3 winners (out of 13 or so, submitted entries) and my prize was already forfeited for failing to claim it personally last Saturday at the expo’s venue.

I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, neither blaming myself for, the lack of better term, petty negligence on my part (???) to miss out the posting of the names of the blog contest winners. Actually, I’m posting this because despite the fact that I cannot claim my prize anymore, (I could have join them in that photoblogging workshop next month!) I am still glad because the blogger I follow have chosen my simple entry to his contest as one of the 3 winners and perhaps I can say that I have humbly contributed an idea to his talk last weekend. It’s really a pleasure.

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Posts Tagged ‘Philippines

“United Buddy Bears – Worldtour

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