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Category: Food Trip

UVUD ng Sarap….What’s There To Eat In Batanes?

April 2, 2013

Ivatan cuisine is as fresh and healthy as it gets. Most visitors would be eager to feast on freshly-caught lobsters and the coconut crabs (called “tatus”) indigenous to the place, but there’s really more beyond these coveted seafoods.

coconut crabs are called “tatus”

lobster galore1

Priced at 600 pesos a kilo (US$15/kg), I can eat those lobsters daily! As it turned out though, there were more of the other dishes which were repeatedly served during our stay in Batanes. Not that I don’t like them, but a little variety could have helped. Like I would have welcomed fish sinigang, calamares and fish kilawin while I was there. 😉

More LOBSTERS!

AND FISH. Grilled, fried or sweet and sour? I like mine sinigang!

But I do miss the lumot (seaweed) soup, pako (fiddlehead fern) salad, “Venes” or dried gabi (like “laing” but not really) and Uvud balls (minced banana pith cooked with fish flakes and minced pork). The last one seems to be the national dish of Batanes 😉 along with the luñis — the Ivatan adobo cooked in salt rather than vinegar and soy sauce — as they were served in nearly all buffet meals we’ve had during our stay.

Pako Salad. Made from fiddlehead fern.

uvud ng sarap!

When we visited the village of Savidug (named after a tree otherwise called “talisay” elsewhere) in Sabtang Island, our guide pointed out a Kabaya (breadfruit) tree to us. The Kabaya leaves are used as plates and may even be folded to scoop soup! Ingenuity at its best. Makes for a great picnic!

Now, that’s a spoon!

Good for scooping!

I didn’t see any rice paddies in Batanes. Nor fruit trees other than bananas. For sure, there are sweet potatoes and yam. We were served rice with turmeric, freshly harvested coconuts and the sweetest camote (sweet potato). There aren’t too many dessert choices and while I enjoyed the camote cue and “bukayo”, I’d soon grow tired of it if I had it all too often. For sure, I’d know what to bring the next time I visit Batanes!

“Lunis” or ivatan adobo.

Do we have to make a choice?

(Thank you, Chikie and Pinky for some of the food photos!)

Tags: Batanes, Ivatan, Ivatan Cuisine, Philippines, Uvud

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CARLOS P. ROMULO: Larger Than Life @Romulo’s Cafe

Filed under: Don't Skip Manila!, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 7 Comments

February 23, 2013

CPR. Naaah, not the medical/first-aid procedure. Long before initials became the norm in addressing bosses, the entire Philippine nation had CPR. CARLOS Peña ROMULO. My generation still remember those history quizzes back in Grade School where United Nations, Gen. MacArthur’s landing at Leyte and liberation were associated with CPR. As when I remember my father’s generation refer to him as Mr. United Nations. Always, with Filipino pride.

Sourced from the Net. This photo inspired the bronze statues representing the Leyte Landing of General Douglas MacArthur, then President Sergio Osmena, then Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo , etc.

From the staircase to the private function room (good for 80 pax) on the second floor, this portrait of CPR would greet the visitor.

Mr. United Nations, impressive orator, diplomat, soldier, Filipino patriot, journalist and author. An achiever at a very young age, he was no ordinary teenager. Wet behind the ears, he was already a reporter at age 16, a newspaper editor by age 20, and a publisher by age 32. He is also the co-founder of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. During the Japanese Occupation, he made sure the Philippines was not forgotten, chronicling the plight of Filipino fighters, his voice heard by as many Americans while he agonized just thinking of his family back in the Philippines. But more than all these, his legacy extends to this Filipino restaurant — Romulo’s Cafe.

Bangus Pate. Bangus is milkfish, flaked and made into a pate that are served as appetizers with Crostinis.

This Tuna Sisig is ideal for vegetarians and vegans.

You can start and end with the appetizers and NOT feel cheated. The Bangus Paté and Tuna Sisig are must-try appetizers. No pork in your Sisig? No liver pâté? I’m telling you. You won’t miss your pork and duck liver. Filipino ingenuity at work here.

Crispy Squid. Oh this is a favorite!

Fish Rolls

And there’s the crunchy squid and fish rolls. I can down these appetizers with a cup of steamed rice and wear a smile all night. All 4 appetizers so savory, and healthy. No guilt pangs. YET. 😉

Fried Tilapia

Pinakbet with Bagnet. A Northern Philippines (Ilocano) dish.

We TRIED staying healthy, but not for long. The deep-fried, splayed Tilapia served with 3 sauce dips is both a gustatory and aesthetic delight. The BAGNET in the Pinakbet stole the scene from the shrimps adorning the veggie dish. Too tempting. It broke all resolve to have a Meatless Friday — of course, others were dead set early on to break the rule 😉 — and so came the Crispy Pata and the Lengua .

Can’t stay away from meat? Try the Crispy Pata.

Lengua. (Ox Tongue)

Good company, good food, good service and a place so charming. The high ceiling, black-and-white motif, and tastefully-designed interiors all combine perfectly to highlight the framed photos hanging on the walls. Each one a lesson in history. CPR giving a speech — this little man standing tall amidst prominent Americans and other foreigners in the audience. CPR in a family photo, in earlier times and late in his years. CPR doting on his grandchildren. What a legacy!

Suman Con Latik. A very Filipino snack food with a twist!

Framed photos such as these are each a lesson in history. CPR is very much a part of the Philippines’ wartime and post war history.

A doting grandpa, more than anything else.

Tags: CPR, FILIPINO Dining, Filipino Restaurant, Food Trip, Makati, Philippines, Pinoy Dining, Romulo, Romulo's Cafe

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AMBOS MUNDOS 1888

Filed under: Don't Skip Manila!, Food Trip, Philippine Travels — 7 Comments

February 13, 2013

Many would remember it as that restaurant where Pinoy, Chinoy, and Tisoy cuisines merged, and which became a landmark off Echague Street. While it has since moved to 750 Florentino Torres near C.M.Recto and Soler Streets, the aura remains the same. It helps that the furniture exudes the same illustrado character, where an Amorsolo-ish painting hangs on one side of the wall and where menu offerings are written in chalk on boards hanging on another side.

And there’s that lone boar tied to the door…………. Could that be “Liempo” or “Pork Chop”?

Ambos Mundos. Claims to be the oldest resto in the Philippines. 1888

The “best of both worlds”. East and West? Ambos Mundos. I can imagine men in tailored suits (yes, they really dressed up back when Recto Avenue was still called Azcarraga) dining here. Perhaps feasting on either Paella Ambos or Morisqueta Tostada. Or would it be Lengua or Buntot Estofada? Many Filipinos think of Callos and Morcon as “fiesta fare” — special dishes served whenever there is reason or an occasion to celebrate. In the same breadth, Filipinos likewise drool over their favorite local food, and by that, I mean favorite local Filipino and Chinese food. Crispy Pata, Bulalo, Lumpia Ubod, Pancit Bijon, Asado, etcetera!

That menu is a real fusion of Chinoy, Pinoy and Tisoy Cuisines.

Chinoy or Pinoy or Tisoy Cuisine in Ambos Mundos. 1888

Is it really the oldest restaurant in the country? Both Ambos Mundos and Panciteria Toho Antigua claim to be the oldest, having operated since 1888. Who’s to tell? Both were my childhood favorites, by the way. But where Toho appears like many other old Chinese restaurants, Ambos Mundos has an altogether different charm. Very old world. Complete with pot-bellied black pigs tied to its front doors! (A recent addition, I suspect) Some keep pet dogs. Or pet kittens. But pet boars? We’re told they’re there for good luck. There must be a grain of truth in that. After all, they’ve been around since 1888!

My 2 amigas eagerly wait for our order of Morisqueta Tostada, Lengua Estofado and Patatas con Giniling.

See you again, “Liempo” and “Pork Chop”! We weren’t very happy with the Morisqueta Tostada, Lengua Estofado and Patatas con Giniling that we ordered — not as good as I remember 😉 — but we’re willing to try the other dishes next time we visit. 😉 OINK OINK

Another set of pet boars just across the street in Wah Sun, same owners. A Gaudinez married into the Leung Family who owns this Chinese resto since 1955.

They say you can order from either/both menus of Ambos Mundos and Wah Sun across the street. Same owners.

Addendum: This is even more interesting. Thanks to Teresa Gaudinez-Martinez, I now have a chance to straighten out some “kinks” and misinformation in this blog. Foremost is that THIS IS NOT THE AUTHENTIC AMBOS MUNDOS RESTAURANT. “Both Worlds” (Ambos Mundos) refer to Spanish and Filipino cuisines. NEVER INCLUDED CHINESE CUISINE. Huh? And there was NEVER A PET BOAR outside the restaurant. Huh again! Teresa, I have read all your blogs and sympathize with your legal woes. Obviously, there’s a long story fraught with family, legal, proprietary rights issues here. Thank you for taking the time to make the corrections. To our readers, here’s the link to Teresa’s Ambos Mundos blogs.

Tags: Ambos Mundos, food porn, Food Trip, Manila, oldest restaurant, Philippines, Quiapo

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Sightsee. EAT. Rest. EAT. Repeat.

Filed under: Food Trip, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

February 9, 2013

Food is an integral part of my travels and yes, you may say food defines many of my adventures. The passion to search for certain kinds of food is serious business. Going to great lengths for a food particular to the area builds the excitement as much as checking out the local attractions. So, here’s a compilation. It is a living, breathing list as I intend to add more as I get busy celebrating life. A few inches more on the waist, on the hips won’t hurt 🙂

EATING AROUND THE PHILIPPINES

It all starts at home. While the Philippines has national dishes like adobo, sinigang, Kare Kare and lechon, there are regional cuisines that are must-try eats. Check these out.

Philippine Cuisine

Regional Cuisine: Northern Philippines

What and Where to Eat in Laoag and Vigan

As Spicy As It Gets in Bicol

What To Eat In Batanes

Eating Frogs and Crickets From the Philippines’ Culinary Capital

DINING101 in AFRICA

Boma Dinner and the Exotic Meats of Africa

South African Cuisine

BUEN PROVECHO EN ESPAÑA!

Eating Around Spain

Best Churros Con Chocolate

FOOD PORN IN BANGKOK

EATING AROUND BHUTAN

PHÔ & MORE IN HO CHI MINH

BEYOND NASI GORENG IN INDONESIA

FOOD COMA IN KOREA

SUBJECT TO ADDITIONS, NO DELETIONS.

Tags: Africa, Dining, Food Adventures, food porn, Food Trip, Indonesia, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Travels, vietnam

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What To Feed Your Guests (Part 2)

Filed under: Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

January 31, 2013

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!

Tags: Filipino Cuisine, Food Trip. Food Porn, Kare Kare, Kilawin, Kinilaw, Pakbet, Pinakbet, Pinoy Foods, Sinigang

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What To Feed Your Guests (Part 1)

Filed under: Food Trip, Philippine Travels — 1 Comment

January 25, 2013

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]

Tags: Balikbayan, Filipino Cuisine, Filipino Dishes, food porn, Food Trip, Foreign Guests, OFWs, Philippine Cuisine, Pinoy food

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WORDPRESS FIREWORKS IN 2012

Filed under: Food Trip, Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 14 Comments

January 2, 2013

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. I was “harassed” by some wildlife conservation enthusiasts for even blogging about this. True, the one in Oslob, Cebu demands attention and outright condemnation, but this one in Donsol is way different and altogether more responsible! 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.

Tags: Blog Stats, Fireworks, Statistics, Wordpress

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MY YEAR-ENDER PHLOG (A Photoblog of My Life in 2012)

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Philippine Travels, Spain, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

December 30, 2012

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.

Tags: Phlog, photoblog, Travel, travels, yearend journal

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MANILA PENINSULA: An Urban Get-Away

Filed under: Don't Skip Manila!, Food Trip, Philippine Travels — 4 Comments

December 22, 2012

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?

Tags: Makati Staycation, Manila Pen, Manila Peninsula, Peninsula Weekend, Staycation

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Going Ga-Ga Over Sebastian’s Artisanal Ice Cream

Filed under: Food Trip — 6 Comments

December 16, 2012

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!