Category: Food Trip
Other Asian countries have their sour broth equivalents, but our very own “sinigang” stands on its own in all its “Filipino-ness”. Those who’ve left the country to work abroad invariably served their own versions of sinigang using ingredients from their new place of residence and that old reliable sachet of sinigang sour broth powder. Yes, we all travel with our sinigang, don’t we? But nothing beats home-cooked sinigang using fresh ingredients from home. And true, making sour broth (tamarind or kamias or miso or guava) from scratch never fails to win applause. So….. Have your guests savor a home-cooked sinigang! It should rank up there along with “adobo” in must-try dishes.
Prawns cooked in sour broth.
Adobo
Adobo Republic. Need I say more? Every Filipino meat lover digs his adobo — in any “version”. But wait, adobo need not be limited to pork or chicken. There’s my favorite adobong pusit! Have your guest try that. A legacy from Spain? Maybe. But we have “Filipinized” it and took “en su tinta” real seriously. Squid cooked in its ink in all that vinegary goodness!
Chipirones En Su Tinta ? The local version is called Adobong Pusit.
Of course, we want to introduce our “bagoong” (shrimp paste) to our guests. What better way than to pair it with the coveted “Kare Kare”? The ground rice and peanuts making up the sauce renders a very Oriental flavor. Our Malay ancestry reveals itself in this dish, made more special by the aromatic bagoong. Green mangoes too, please. And while others may claim Filipinos rarely serve salads, try our “Lato” (seagrapes) and our “pako” (fiddlehead fern) salads. Drop some slices of salted duck eggs, onions and tomatoes, if you like. Pops in your mouth. Yum!
Seagrapes. Called “lato” is good with slices of tomatoes, radish and onions.
Pako Salad. Fiddlehead Fern Salad.
You can’t go wrong with seafoods too — prawn, lobster, crab, oyster, mussel, scallop and fish. Steamed, grilled or fried. Keep it simple. And fresh!
Balikbayans (literally “balik” means return; “bayan” means country) and foreign guests should share the same list. After all, who better to promote the Philippines abroad other than our very own “kababayans” (fellow countrymen). The balikbayans or returning/holidaying countrymen have conjured up images of local foods they must try/taste long before their arrival. You see, food images can either excite you or leave you in despair.
Rice Cakes with Dessicated Coconut, locally called “bibingka”.
Puto Bumbong.
I have several circles of friends — from childhood, school, office as well as those I’ve met and kept in my travels. Invariably, balikbayans hanker for the same food list. Deprive them and they’d have a bad holiday. As for the foreign guests, why force them to eat “balut” (duck embryo) when many Filipinos feel grossed out with such? There are many Pinoy dishes without the necessary Fear Factor-ish controversy. So, indulge them with:
#1: Bibingka and Puto Bumbong
I always bring my guests to Via Mare for their bibingka and puto bumbong fix. We are rice eaters like many others in Asia. So it comes as no surprise to find the equivalent of suman, puto and kutsinta in other parts of Asia. But i found none similar to our bibingka and puto bumbong. If there are, I have not seen nor tried them. So, how about introducing these rice-based eats to our guests?
Puto, Kutsinta and Suman
Mangoes — green and ripe, Chico, Durian, and other local fruits.
#2 Local Fruits: Manila Mangoes, Durian, Marang, Chico, Dalandan, Balimbing, Coconuts
Remember how we drool just thinking of cherries, persimmons, dragon fruits, naranjas, grapes, etc? Carnivores and vegans alike would most certainly be interested in our local fruits. No “eww factor” and it won’t cost you big time! And how about sweetened and candied fruits? I can think of our dried mangoes, condol and pineapples.
Halo Halo from Razon’s.
#3 Halo Halo
Halo Halo is not exclusive to the Philippines. Fruits with ice shavings can likewise be found in Japan, Vietnam, and elsewhere. But ours is unique because of its toppings.
Halo-Halo combines many of our sweetened fruits along with the very local yam (Ube) and Leche flan. Now, wouldn’t these choices be lots better than the “balut”? (By the way, they also have “balut” in Cambodia but locals there would not have it at the top of the list of must-try dishes.) Halo Halo sells for as low as 20 pesos (San Andres Market), maybe lower in the provinces. A humongous serving can be had in Manila Peninsula, but it will cost you. Me? I’m quite happy with Digman’s halo halo or the finer ice shavings and simpler (aka fewer but yummy ingredients) halo halo from Razon’s. Many local eateries also offer this as “merienda” (snacks) or as dessert.
Pancit Luglog
#4 Pancit Luglog or Pancit Palabok
Noodles. Italian pasta, Chinese Pancit, Korean Chap Chae, Japanese soba. All noodles.
What have we got that’s different from the rest? Palabok or Luglug, or even Pancit Malabon. The sauce base is different. Color is different. Toppings are different, especially if you load up with crushed chicharon. And don’t you just love how the sliced, boiled eggs sitting side by side with the squids, oysters and squid rings take center stage?
[The list continues….. Watch this page]
Aside from “Travel Blog“, I also maintain a “personal blog” site in WordPress. Lifeisacelebration has surpassed the 100,000 views in 2012 even if I dare not call it a travel blog. Lifeisacelebration chronicles my travels, my food adventures, and…… my musings and ramblings. There is more “writing” in “TravelBlog” while I simply just blah-blah’ed my way through wordpress. These 2 sites are my stress-busters. Truly, writing provides solace. I’m a writer, not in the professional sense, but I simply write a lot. I write when I’m overflowing with joy. I write when struggling out of affliction.
Photo Credit: WordPress
Another Photo from WordPress
I found it interesting that my most viewed blogs involved domestic destinations I visited even before 2012. I guess readers want to read Filipinos writing about the Philippines. And found these Philippine travel blogs more interesting than my 2012 trips to Spain, South Africa and Zambia. I was a prolific writer while living in Madrid. Over 40 blogs in nearly 3 months. I struck off African Safari from my bucket list and learned how awfully and totally wrong I was about Zambia. Yet….. Readers chose to read more my Ilocos posts — especially the one on Grandpa’s Inn in Vigan, Ilocos Sur — and that most controversial blog about a “collection of heritage houses and structures” in Bagac, Bataan.
Grandpa’s Inn in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Just a few steps from Calle Crisologo and Syquia Mansion.
Love those Calesa Beds!
I lament that our government does not take heritage preservation more seriously and consequently, take on the responsibility of funding restoration and preservation work. Funding is really, really essential. As I wrote in reply to a comment on my blog on “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar” .
“I really hope something’s done about how best to preserve historical treasures. Either via legislation or a simple act of funding to take care of restoration work. It isn’t cheap and I can only sympathize with the owners that they’re unable to preserve the places for fellow Filipinos like you and I to appreciate. Mockery or not, money/funding is essential. That’s WHAT we should figure out to do so these owners don’t sell out to the likes of Acuzar.
We can rant all we want, but I’m too old for any hostility. We all love the same country. Cheers!”
Las Casas de Filipinas de Acuzar. Taken way before the place opened to the public.
Photo Credit: Romy Ramirez.
A Collector’s Dream, indeed!
Two of my blogs attracted controversy. Well, sort of, judging by the “hits” registered. The other blog is about the whale sharks of Donsol, Sorsogon. Some readers may have “generalized” ALL whale shark-watching adventure as contrary to animal and wildlife care and preservation. Â I was “harassed” by some wildlife conservation enthusiasts for even blogging about this. Â True, the one in Oslob, Cebu demands attention and outright condemnation, but this one in Donsol is way different and altogether more responsible! Â Even WWF wrote a piece about it.
That’s Randy, our Butanding Whisperer in Donsol, Sorsogon.
Photo from WordPress. Only my Philippine blogs topped the list!
Thus, I want to do more Philippine destinations this year. I have yet to trek Mount Pinatubo and brave the boat ride in the Batanes Islands. I must confess though that I hardly write for my readers. Please do not take offense. I honestly write to express myself, much like writing in one’s diary. That explains why I hardly give directions and expense accounts, etc in my blogs. When I give details on directions, history and other specifics, I confess it is more to store some data lest I forget how I got somewhere, what places I visited, what foods I enjoyed and what historical footnotes I wish to remember. But that is not to say I am not flattered by the stats and more importantly by the comments you took time to send. Being read by others from 142 countries give you a “high” and I appreciate them all. For all these, i only have this to say. Thank you.
Not enough views, really. But hey, I wasn’t expecting this. Salamat!
Alright. I’m no Jessica Parker. Nor a Julia Roberts. I don’t really agonize over my blogs. Once I get started, I just simply write away. Writing from the heart is like writing on one’s diary. Something I’ve been doing since I learned how to write! At the time, I would just DRAW on the diaries my mom gifted me with.
It’s the last day of the year. In less than 24 hours, it’ll be 2013. And I have yet to firm up my travel plans this coming year. Been putting it off for sometime. For once, I’ve either run out of ideas or I have grown so confused on what I want to do the year I turn senior. So, I’d give it a rest. And for the moment, I’m looking back on how my travel calendar went this 2012. The photos show what kept me “busy”.
The Park Near Fort San Pedro in Cebu City
3 hours on the road, but no luck with tuki sightings in Oslob, Cebu
Just before I left for Madrid in February, I made a quick trip to Cebu. No luck with tuki sightings (whale sharks) in Oslob, so we instead toured the towns of Boljoon, Dalaguete, Carcar in Southern Cebu. In Madrid, I helped a niece set up house. Stayed nearly 3 months, and blogged every other day! Walked the streets of Madrid every single day. Visited way too many churches and museums. Lucky to be in all the right places to witness Holy Week Processions especially in Sevilla and Cordoba. Went on random day trips to Toledo, Avila, Segovia, Alcala de Henares, Valencia, El Escorial, Valle de Los Caidos, Aranjuez via car, bus and trains and planned a few weekend get-aways to Andalusia and Barcelona. In between furniture shopping, palenque trips and household chores, I was busy!
Cloudy Day in Parque del Retiro in Madrid
Day Trip To Cochinillo Country in Segovia. And Not Just Once.
Good Friday in Cordoba. Some religious procession!
Toledo, Valencia, Aranjuez, Alcala de Henares, Segovia, Avila, El Escorial, Valle de los Caidos, Barcelona, Segovia, Cordoba. Then there’s Plaza de Toros, Plaza Mayor, Almudena Church, Palacio Real, Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol, the Museos of Prado, Reina Sofia, Morolla, Thyssen, Riza’s Favorite Haunts, Senado, Plaza de Cibeles, etc just around Madrid.
Photo Credit: Sarah. All my photos of this great monument were epic failures. Thank you, Sarah.
Spain was many things to me. I was alone often and my human interaction was limited to just a few hours a day. When I got back to Manila, I missed the daily walks and the solitude so much that I started on many solo trips to Chinatown, Intramuros, University of Santo Tomas, Batangas, Cavite, Pampanga, Bulacan, as well as trips to the National Museum, Metropolitan Museum and Ayala Museum.
The lovely Betis Church in Guagua, Pampanga
University of Santo Tomas. Oldest in Philippines. Oldest in Asia.
Before long, I left again. This time, to South Africa and Zambia. Cape Town and the rest of the Western Cape of South Africa did not disappoint. Well, except for the botched cable car ride to Table Mountain and whale-watching adventure. The weather did not cooperate, but luck was on us searching for the Big 5 and other beasts. Yes, the trip highlight was the African Safari. But I must say Victoria Falls in Zambia was such a delightful surprise!
In the kingdom where lions are kings, the males are def prettier than the mane-less females. Entabeni Park.
And if there is a Big 5 of the Safari — elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and cape buffalos, the GIRAFFE ranks high up there among the Lovely 5.
The Wildebeests of Entabeni Park. Just before sunset of the 2nd safari day, one of these served as early dinner for them lions. 😦
We kept still and quiet as this lone rhino walked ever so slowly, and passed the side of our safari jeep. (Look Ma, no protective bars!)
We had the best hotel in Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town. Champagne and Oysters for breakfasts? Who’s complaining?
Our Biggest Surprise : Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia. Double Rainbows were so uncommon!
In Zambia, it is a must to take that 25 minute helicopter flight if only for this vista! Zimbabwe on your left. Zambia on the right. That bridge spans both countries.
The African adventures fired me up so much I needed to do more than the usual day trips once I got home. My niece and I planned on a Mount Pinatubo trekking adventure but ended up spending a long weekend in Sagada instead. Not bad, especially in terms of many “firsts”.
Spelunking in Sumaguing Cave? At my age?
Roadtrip from Sagada through Bontoc to La Trinindad Valley
A few more day trips and …… a cemetery tour. And that was it for me in 2012. I should be heading back to Madrid, likely in 2 separate trips as there’s the May election and a grandson’s March graduation. I also have Myanmar, Laos and Hanoi in my mind. There’s a few more, but I will likely confuse myself even more. The only trip “fixed” for now is autumn and Christmas in Madrid in 2013. Before then, who knows where my feet will take me?
Scene from Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas. Taal lake and volcano in the background.
Corregidor Island Tour for some history lessons. A 1 hour ferry ride back and forth from the Sun Cruise Terminal in CCP Complex.
It’s nearly Christmas. And it turns out many urbanites had the same idea for this weekend. With traffic jams in nearly every corner within the metropolis, many Makati residents dared not venture out of the city for a weekend getaway. What’s next best then? A Staycation in Manila Peninsula!
There was a line of urbanites checking in. Can’t blame them. The Pen has always been a place “to chill” within the city. You save a lot on fuel (and time!) staying here. The pool is certainly not of Olympic proportions, but around this time of the year, the poolside is such a pleasant place to read your book, have a drink, and of course to swim. The same pool area and garden can be viewed from 2 of Pen’s dining areas : Spices and Escolta.
While the kids swim, there’s the option to check out the gym or the spa. Or both. This weekend, both are busy. So with the poolside bar. The cool breeze abruptly halted any prolonged stay in the pool. So out of the pool and back to the room. But not without passing the lovely lobby festooned with Christmas decor and a giant Christmas tree. As the band played Christmas carols, I was tempted to stay and order a mango daiquiri. The tea buffet was tempting too. 🙂
I remember bringing my “elves” here when they were toddlers. It was their “park” — only cooler (air conditioned), kid-safer (the 2nd floor area where the band plays is carpeted), and tops in sounds. Always, music from the lobby entertains. And with Christmas in the air, who doesn’t love listening to Christmas carols?
As soon as I heard Sebastian’s came up with Green Mango with Bagoong Ice Cream, I just couldn’t let a day pass without a trip to either Mall of Asia (near IMAX) or Podium in Ortigas Center.
My imagination failed me. Big time. I just couldn’t imagine ANY ice cream topped with “bagoong” – that very Filipino shrimp paste that’s a perfect match with green, unripe, sour mangoes!
Green Mango Sorbet Topped with Sweet, Warm Bagoong!
Say that again, Sam!
Not cheap. But hey, this is food art at its yummiest! Initially, I thought the idea ends with the look or presentation. Toinks! You’ve got to taste it to believe it. If the green mango with bagoong doesn’t do that for you, try the “Sapin Sapin”! I swear…… I only needed to close my eyes and actually taste the Sapin Sapin flavor in this ice cream. Both flavors were so good that I ordered the same when I visited a second time.
Sapin Sapin Ice Cream in all its yummiest and colors!
Purrrrrrfect to the last spoon!
As for my elves, they ordered the red velvet and the pizza ice cream. I admit I was disappointed they didn’t order the more Filipino flavors like “mangga’t suman”, “champorado” and “pastillas de leche”. Well……. There would be more visits for sure. 😊
A scoop of Red Velvet….. and something else (?)
Mangga’t Suman. Yey!
Champorado Ice Cream…………..Beats the Chocolate Granizado at Valor’s in Madrid! Hands down!
This Christmas Season, there are more flavor offerings. Who can resist “bibingka” , “puto Bumbong” and “quezo de bola” flavors? I’ve had several sets of balikbayans and foreign guests and I’m telling you, all these flavors are such hits! Thank you, Sebastian’s. You do us proud!
Bibingka Ice Cream, topped with……..what else? Shredded Coconut!
I’m giddy with excitement. Puto Bumbong flavored Ice Cream!
Should end every Noche Buena and Media Noche!
In an earlier blog, I shared our latest discovery. The Collective. Hip, Twisted, Quirky. In this complex located in Malugay Street in Makati, we found a number of food establishments lining the graffiti-filled walls. My “elves” took turns having their photos amidst all that art painted on walls.
When we first visited, my “elves” extracted a promise from me to head back to dine in this complex. They had their eyes set on Wabi-Sabi. Obviously a play on the words “Wasabi” and “Wala akong masabi”. The elves didn’t have long to wait. In a week’s time, we were back.
The tiny place had only about 5 tables. Menu spelled out on blackboards hanging above the counters and printed on hard paper much like many Japanese eateries. But it wasn’t at all ALL JAPANESE. For noodle soups, there’s a choice between Vietnamese Phô and Japanese Shoyu Ramen. Or one can choose the simple clear Miso soup. Vegetarians would love it here. The mushroom siomai was so good we had seconds. Then there’s the cuapao and 2 kinds of siopao. My elves claim the Milk Tea is sooo good. I was quite content with my Lemon Grass tea as well. Now, you’d likely wonder. Is this a food blog without the food photos? Well…….mi apologia. Those kids were quick to the draw! No chance to snap photos! 😄
When my “elves” asked me to take them to this place day after day, I knew they wouldn’t stop until I give in. Telling me to buy film from here for their Polaroid cam was a lame excuse. I knew there was more to this than a Polaroid film.
Non-descript Frontage of The Collective
Entrance through a narrow alley opened up to a spacious court hemmed in by walls painted with surreal art. The shops within this gym-like structure have the most brilliant titles or names. Certainly for the hip, unpretentious crowd. Thought-provoking… As with the art plastered on the walls.
Very artsy, don’t you think?
My “Elves” took turns having themselves photographed here.
There are a number of dining options here. Don’t be surprised to know the elves extracted a promise from me to head back for either late lunch or snacks here. They’re eyeing some of these curious eateries.
Art On Walls.
Will try out this place next time.
Quite honestly, I do like the place. Artsy, yes. Slightly twisted, yes. Irreverent, very. Yet there’s something about the place that makes you feel comfortable. The rock stools I found odd, yet ingenious. The painted walls and irreverent signs remind me of some Parisian scenes. The whole place is very Bohemian.
Very Hip, indeed.
Ingenuity. These rock stools may not be comfortable though, per one of the elves.
Though not exactly new, this is yet another hangout for the young and artistically-inclined. I’m neither. Yet I know I’d be back. With the elves. And then with the not-so-young to check out some of the food joints.
All reasonably priced, I assure you.
Check out the menu on the right!
Here you go. Menu of Kubyertos.
Friday and Saturday nights must be busy nights. I can imagine a rock band playing while foodies check out the tiny cramped food joints. So…. Is it a date?
Love this alley!
Coffee & Saints is a coffee shop run by the Don Bosco PUGAD, a project for migrant youth from all over the country. Other projects include bread making and water filtering stations where young men aged 17-21 gain technical skills and self-worth.
You’d find the coffee shop right beside the Don Bosco Church and within the church compound and parking lot. In my earlier blog, I wrote about a few of its simple menu offerings. Today, the tiny coffee shop now offers home-cooked meals at very affordable prices. Check out these daily offerings through the photos below.
Remember how we used to troop to Amicà just outside the church compound after hearing mass? At the time, it was just a simple “carinderia” with great pasta offerings and many gelato flavors. Well, Coffee & Saints is no trattoria and no, they only offer Pinoy everyday meals. But from the “Silog” series come these comfort food at prices well within one’s budget. Who says you can’t enjoy home-cooked comfort food while staying frugal? Plus the tiny dining place is tidy, packed with ambience, and manned by eager to please migrant youth.
And if you’re still stuck with Coffee & Saints’ original “Silog series”, they’re still available. EVERYDAY. Same with their desserts, except that some of the “Kakanin” are available only at certain hours of the day. Me? I promise to try a new dish every visit along with my “standard daing na bangus”. And if you don’t care for their desserts, ask for the Pugad cookies priced at P20 each. There are cookies flavored with malunggay or ashitaba leaves. The same leaves you’d find in your ginisang mongo and dinuguan dishes.
And oh, don’t forget to try their Barako coffee or the chocolate batirol. The Pugad boys will cheerfully serve them while you’re waiting for your orders. Bless these boys. God bless you too for patronizing this place!
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