Christmas Shopping at Dapitan

We were looking for some ornaments and the perfect Belen so we decided to go to Dapitan Arcade. It was my first time there and didn't know what to expect. It was a holiday (I forgot which one) so the "main stores" were closed, but the streets were bustling with activity. It's Christmas season, after all, and everyone is looking for nice but cheap decors!

 

And boy, Dapitan did not disappoint. I wanted to buy everything and turn our house into a living Christmas ornament. I wanted to get a bunch of those outdoor Christmas trees (though the dogs will probably just eat it) as well as those giant dancing Santas. There were so many trinkets to choose from, and we eventually found the perfect Belen for us.

Check out the video!

13 Things To Do In Boracay (Aside From Swimming)

I've been to Boracay a couple of times but didn't realize until my last trip that there are a LOT of things to do in this paradise island. With a couple of friends, I explored but a fraction of these activities and ended up with a really full 5-day itinerary.



So here are 13 things to do when you are in Boracay!

1. Start the day right by eating a hearty breakfast at your hotel. My friends and I had a great buffet breakfast selection from Astoria Boracay, although the bacon does get a little old if you eat it every single day.

Real Coffee is also another good breakfast alternative. The omelettes are really good but a bit expensive (P300 for eggs???). They are also famous for their Calamansi muffins and (duh) their coffee.

2. Pig out at D Talipapa. If you love eating "dampa style," then you will definitely love the D Talipapa experience. Buy your fresh seafoods from the nearby market and have one of the restaurants cook your meals for you. WARNING: It's so good that you will likely leave the place with a really full stomach. Try to burn some of that food off by walking around the beach area or shopping aroung D Mall.

3. People always rave about Jonah's, but I find Jony's Fruit Shake a nice alternative. Astoria hotel's beach front is really crowded (all the sailboats are parked there), so we had little choice but to walk a short distance to find a less dense area. We just got a table from Jony's, ordered a couple of shakes, and went to the ocean in between sips.

 

4. Paddle Boat @ White Beach. I used to think that I had great balance. I was wrong, so wrong. Paddle boating looks so easy when you see other people do it. I was wrong, so wrong. I'll probably get the hang of it on my 10th attempt.

5. Island Hopping - Cliff Diving @ Aron's Magic Island. Everybody does it, so it must be super easy, right? Well, don't knock it til you've tried it. You will need to muster all your courage to step up the 10-meter high beam, and even more courage to jump. Go for the highest jump off point - it is, after, the same fear that will paralyze you.

6. Island Hopping  - Crocodile Island Snorkeling and Fish Feeding. I really REALLY wish I brought my full face snorkeling gear with me, but I could not find where yaya hid it. Nevertheless, I had a great time snorkeling in the middle of the ocean and watching the fishes eat the bread that we brought with us. They should open up a floating bakery in the area - there is not enough bread to make you want to stop.

7. Drink buko juice in the middle of the ocean. Yes, there was this buko vendor who sold fresh buko right where we were snorkeling. How cool is that? And yeah, the juice was refreshing.



8. Lunch @ Nami Restaurant. If you want to experience the best view of Boracay, this is where you should go. You can ride a tricycle going to Diniwid beach, walk for a few minutes, climb steep stairs, and finally ride a makeshift elevator to get to this place. The view is fantastic, but the food was (sadly) over hyped. It was still good food though, but the view was the scene stealer.

9. Swimming @ Diniwid Beach. This area is one of the more "tranquil" spots in the island. If you don't want to swim with too many tourists, then this is the place to be.



10. Experience Boracay at night. You should not leave the island without having dinner by the beach - this always makes the dining experience extra special even if the food itself is just average. Afterwards, you can go around and watch the fire dancers, go shopping, play beer pong and drink to your heart's content. And of course, one of the best parts of your day: heading back to your comfortable hotel room and getting some sleep!

11. Try new restaurants. The paella at La Cozina was decent, and the churros was also good. I had fun watching how kuya made everything from scratch. We also tried the food at Pamana and everything we ordered was absolutely yummy!



12. Eat at Smoke Restaurant - they are famous for their bulalo steak. We initially went to the original branch but it was fully booked. The waitress suggested that we try the Bulabog branch (with free shuttle) and it was one of the best decisions of the night!

13. Get a hair braid or a henna tattoo. The place is crawling with people offering these services. You can also get a massage - quite relaxing and a great way to cap the day.

Hapag Vicenticos - When in Cabanatuan

I was left all alone in Cabanatuan and so I had to find a place to end my boredom (by eating delicious food, of course). I searched online and came across Hapag Vicenticos - supposedly a "must go" in the city. Who am I to resist the temptation of a good crispy pata dish, right?

 

As advertised, the place looks like an old house that got converted into a restaurant. There was enough (old) wood to make it a fire hazard but it felt cozy and warm. It brought back memories of our own ancestral home and how much fun it was to have a lot of visitors coming over.

 

There was enough space in the garden for photo ops and just lounging. Kids had a great time running around and playing while the adults either watched over or checked out the menu. Don't worry, the kids probably won't get lost. There's a dutiful guard at the main entrance, and I'm sure that his watchful eye won't miss a straying kid (who may want to cross the street to get to the freedom park).

 

But of course, I came for the food. My first concern - there were so many things on the menu that I wanted to order, but there was just me and my appetite. How on earth can I satisfy this craving without ordering everything and breaking the bank? That ended up as a suggestion from me - I hope that they consider serving small portions for people who may come alone or with just one other person. Probably a nightmare for the kitchen staff, but it was worth mentioning.

 

The specialty of the house, I believe, is the Crispy pata. But that was way too much for me, so I ended up ordering the "2-in-1" specialty - the Krispy Kare Kare (P505). Without the sauce, it's actually Boneless Crispy Pata so it was like tasting 2 dishes. The Kare Kare was good - I liked the sauce and the bagoong was tasty. The crispiness of the meat added to the appeal, and I just craved for more. However, I was looking for tripe at the back of my mind so perhaps that's what prevented me from enjoying the dish at a 100% level. The Crispy Pata side of the dish, on the other hand, was really yummy. How can you go wrong with boneless? And the sauce was well balanced. Treating them as two separate dishes, however, was probably a mistake. My mind and palette got confused. But that's a "me" issue.

 

The Chicharong Bulaklak (P180) was also delicious. I know I should not have ordered this dish anymore - there was more than enough Pata to last me the day. But I just could not resist the temptation. So hello, high blood pressure. I will see you again soon.

 

And finally, dessert. I saw the other table enjoying their leche flan so I had to get a llanera for myself. As it turns out, it's called CARAleche Flan (P70) because it was made with carabao milk. In my research, I read that carabao milk is a thing around these parts so I went for it and tried it out. Delicious.

 

The best part of the visit, however, was probably the warm reception I got. I'm not sure if they felt bad for me because I was all alone in a strange place, but they were extra attentive. I felt like I had a personal waiter assigned to me who was tending to all my needs, giving food suggestions, and asking about my visit to the city. He pretty much just lingered, which I usually hate but was somehow comforting on that particular occasion. He got a hefty tip and a good satisfaction rating (he wouldn't let up - I HAD to fill in all of the blanks - even the "suggestion" portion.

So, when in Cabanatuan, it's probably a good idea to drop by this place. And may I suggest that you do it by yourself, too!

Bellevue Hotel Bohol - Staycation at its Best!

It was not my first time to stay at Bellevue - a couple of friends and I were there several months ago. It is not a perfect destination mind you - and I'll expound on that in a bit. However, the good points more than compensate for the bad, at least in my opinion. We had such a great time that we had to come back - this time with more friends in tow.

Looks captivating, doesn't it? 

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM MY FIRST VISIT LAST FEBRUARY

Bellevue is not located in the more popular Alona beach front. As such, it does not share the same "swimmable" waters. This in itself can be a major turn off for a lot of beach dwellers. The water is almost always on "low tide," and there are sea weeds all over the place. The "weedy" part of the ocean is also a breeding ground for sea urchin, so not the best place for a stroll. One of our friends got pricked, so be careful.

The sand is awesome!

But that's about where the "bad" part of the review ends. The beach itself is awesome - powdery white sand on a private area of the province. Perfect for a stroll, some photo ops sessions or sun bathing. There's also an area where you can play beach sports and even aqua sports. If you can live with swimming in the infinity pool and forego the ocean, this would be a great place for you.

Let's play a game of volleyball!

Yes, the pool. It's moderately sized and located in a strategic position that allows for a nice view of the beach. The water is usually nice, but can be almost freezing depending on the weather (it was really cold when we were there last February, but nice and warm this time around). There are sufficient lounge chairs, some with umbrellas and the rest for those who want more sun. There's a small area for kids, but the majority of the pool is around 4-5 feet deep (just enough for those who can't swim).

Exhausted!

The rooms are also very nice. It was very spacious, and more than enough to fit 3. Wifi is good and you can ask for IT support in case of connectivity issues. 

"Wish you were here"

I overused the bath tub (one of my favorites!) and actually fell asleep there a couple of times. Tip - you can use three or four of their shower gels to get a nice bubble bath going. I had some issues with the room that we got last February because of the bathroom "visibility" from the balcony. They used semi-see through blinds that will "expose" bathroom users to to those who may be lounging at the balcony. The room we got this time had a nicely situated bathroom with no windows, so there was not problem.

Cover me! 

Afternoons are great for drinks, and I say this because of the happy hour from 1PM to 6PM (I think). Drinks used to be at 50% off, but this time around they offered it at 30% off. I love a good mojito by the beach, so you'll know where to find me at those hours next time.

Mojito! Pizza!

And then there was the food. Damn. At some point, I must admit, you will get sick and tired of all the bacon served for breakfast. Well, not really, but there are also a lot of other food choices that include breakfast staples, classic "ulams," cereals, fruits and dessert. Drinks are flowing and you can stay from 6am to 10am. We set up pretty early so we can enjoy hours of food while working. You don't have much of a choice when it comes to lunch and dinner, however. It's the same cooking staff cooking the same menu items. But most of the dishes are simply awesome. I say "most" because we did encounter some dishes that were "so-so." The Kare Kare and some of the pasta dishes, for instance, were disappointing. The Humba and the spicy native chicken dish, however, are a must! They sometimes offer dinner buffets (the one we had was for around 900+) to offer variety. Overall, the food isn't as expensive as you would expect from a place like Bellevue. HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE FOOD SERVED.

Waiting for lunch!

One of the best parts about Bellevue, however, is the service. I was really impressed with how friendly the staff was, and you can ask them to do pretty much anything to make your stay a memorable one. Check in and check out were a breeze - and the crew made us feel welcome from the onset. Sure, there were some minor issues with billing and logistics, but those are normal and what's important is how they were handled. They also offered some freebies like a free shuttle ride to Alona beach at night (in case you want to go there for dinner), free bikes that you can use to go around the city, free use of certain facilities and free airport transfers.

Looking like experts!

We got a pretty good deal for our last trip. Our group was able to avail of a special "pay for two nights and get the third night free" rate, so we ended up only paying around 14,000 per room. We got a similar deal the last time we went, so it's good practice to check their website for deals once in a while. HERE ARE PHOTOS FROM OUR RECENT STAY. Will definitely come back to this hotel someday soon.

CHECK THIS OUT: 6 "Non-Traditional" Things To Do In Bohol

The Peninsula Manila and the Mahiwagang Sponsor

I haven't been to the Peninsula Manila in the longest time (over 10 years I think?) and so it felt like I was waltzing the halls for the first time. There's really not a lot of reason for me to check in in a Makati hotel nowadays, so this visit was sort of a fluke. Thank you, mahiwagang sponsor.

The lobby still looked (and felt) familiar despite the fact that a tank broke through its walls (my story is probably a little exaggerated - don't take it as a fact please haha). We used to come over (pre-siege) to eat ice cream at the Lobby so this visit brought back a lot of law school memories.

The room was nice - worth the price tag I think. The bed was comfortable and the sheets were super clean. There was a workspace that catered to my needs (comfortable chair, good wifi connection, stationary) so I was happy. I wish I could say I had a good night sleep though - I had to wake up really early for a meeting (that got cancelled, much to my dismay).

My favorite part? The tub, of course. I spent a good hour soaked in bubbles and pretending to be in far off places. I think I even fell asleep for a while there. The tub was big enough for me to stretch my legs, so I didn't feel like sardine in a can.

My complaint? Well, we were watching the finale of Dolce Amore last night and the television set was frustrating to say the least. The color settings were all f'd up, and the actors ended up having red hair and red eyes. It was like watching an Irish version of Twilight. Not good at all.

It was a fun and relaxing day, nonetheless. I like the fact that I had the option to cross the street to have access to the mall (but I stayed in). Breakfast was also good - while there weren't a lot of selections, they did have my favorites.

Pasto - Loved the Marinara

I'm back in Manila and one of the first things I did was to get in the middle of a Pokemon Lure Party. Pasto in Eastwood was perfectly situated, though you will need to rely on your phone's data connection or Eastwood Mall's 1-hour free wifi.

The place itself looks great; lighting was a bit dim, tables/seats were comfortable, and the vibe was chill. They also have a smoking area outside. However, I must mention that the airconditioning needs to be improved. It was warm where we were seated, and I had to drink liters of iced tea just to keep my body temperature from rising. It was tolerable because it was raining outside, but I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be if the weather was warmer AND if the resto was filled with people.

The pasta we ordered, however, was really good. I asked the waitress for their best seller and she recommended the Seafood Marinara (P295). I'm not particularly fond of seafoods in my pasta (unless it's shrimps/prawns), but this one got my attention. I guess I liked the bit of spice as well as the generous amount of ingredients. The downside? Serving was too small (just enough for one "not so hungry" person).

We also ordered the all meat Di Carne Pizza (P295). At first glance, it did not look like it had much to offer. It actually reminded me of 3M pizza. It tasted okay, however. I specially liked the crunchy crust and the rich taste of the meats added. Additional toppings would make it a lot better, IMO.

I remember liking some of the appetizers in this place, but we just didn't have enough space in our tummies (we just had coffee and pastries from Costa). Perhaps I'll get some of those dips next time.

Pasto is located in Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City

Tiya Ising's Filipino Restaurant - An Interesting Find

Third time's the charm - I made a couple of versions of this entry earlier, but both got "accidentally deleted." I'm hoping that this one gets published without incident, otherwise I'm gonna move on to the next entry haha.

It was a really hot afternoon and the gang was looking for someplace cool to eat. It was a challenging task to get out of a comfortably air-conditioned room and drive around under the heat of the sun. Some recommendations were thrown in the air, but I wanted something that would motivate me to move. Then I remembered hearing whispers about this new (?) resto near my high school. Luckily, my brother also suggested the same restaurant ("you have to see what they did with their flooring!") and so we ended up in Tiya Ising's.

The place itself had a nice ambiance. They were aiming for the old fashioned/style look and were able to achieve it for the most part. There were portraits and even some old clothes from the "baul" of Lola Itang (not sure how she's related to Tiya Ising though). There's also an interesting spot where kids can post their artwork (paper and crayons provided). It's a very casual place and a good spot to enjoy a decent meal and great conversation. The flooring? It was plain, and I had no idea why my brother had to bring it up in the first place. I just chose to ignore it.

Now on to the food. I immediately had the hots for the Kaldereta (P258). It did not meet the usual standards that I have for one of my favourite stews (lots of cheese, somewhat spicy); the dish that was served was on the sweet and salty side. I still ended up liking it, however. I loved that they didn't scrimp on the ingredients, and I liked the way the dish was cooked (reminded me of old-style cooking I guess). "Sarsa pa lang, ulam na" as they would say. I would go back to this place if only for the Kaldereta.

The Ginger Baby Spareribs (P258), on the other hand, was too sweet for my liking. While the meat was tender enough to "melt on my mouth," I thought that the dish did not go well with the other items that we ordered. I suppose some people would like it as a standalone dish (with a side of rice). I would likely skip it the next time I eat here.

I didn't care much about the Tortang Talong (P155). It did come in a nice presentation but I personally found it too plain. I wish we didn't order it anymore. I probably would have liked the Spicy Chopsuey better.

When I asked about the restaurant's specialty, they told me it was the Kare-Kare (P258). It was unfortunately out of stock (I hate it when that happens) so I never got the chance to taste it. Oh well, I have a million more trips for Palawan coming, so I have no doubt that I will be able to try it out in the  near future. And yes, they have free wifi.

Tiya Ising's is located in Rizal Ave corner Roxas St., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.

Best Western's Anibong Restaurant - Nothing Too Exciting

I was looking for a "new place" to dine in the city where I grew up, and Anibong Restaurant in Best Western Plus Hotel caught my attention. It was new, it looked posh, and I haven't heard a lot of reviews about it. Perfect for a family dinner, I thought.

The place itself is nice an spacious. The ambiance is perfect for a family event or perhaps even a romantic dinner - quiet, well lit and cozy. It looked expensive, but a look at the menu would reveal reasonable prices (with the exception of the steaks of course). I was ready to dig in on some really good food.

The first sign of bad tidings to come - the waiter told us that the Kare Kare (P300) had no ox tripe and the Beef Rendang (P390) was not available. While we ended up ordering the "Liempo Kare Kare," it didn't live up to the expectations. It lacked the "ooomph" that only tripe can bring to the dish. The alamang, however, was really good.

And then there was the Grilled King Prawns (P590). While they were indeed majestic, there were only three of them - which meant each one cost around P200. Nothing special about the prawns themselves, but the sauce really caught my attention. I made the mistake of putting a lot of it on my prawn before reading what it was - tamarind paste. Needless to say, it was too sour for my liking.

The Western Style Fried Cicken (P290) was okay - a bit on the bland side but with sauce sidings to compensate. Not a fried chicken fan, so I guess some people may like this one.

I personally think that nothing can beat my Dad's Tokwa't Baboy, so it hardly seems fair for me to comment about the Crispy Tofu and Pork Crackling (P220). I guess it tasted okay.

Once again, Baby's Choice won the night. When I asked around, almost everyone was in agreement that the best dish was the Mashed Potato. A close second would be the Pasta Carbonara (P220).

Overall, I suppose it was a "normal" dining experience - nothing too interesting, not much to talk about. I still had a great time though - the Baby was extra active and was even "flirting" with the waitress. Family time is the best.

Anibong Restaurant is located in Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Painted Table (Canvas Hotel) - What Happened Last Night??

It was my first night back in Palawan, and I was looking forward to dinner. Will Dad cook something yummy? Will we dine out and try one of the newer restos in the city? But I guess the night was all planned out, because my brother knew exactly where he was driving towards - Painted Table Restaurant in Canvas Hotel.

It was a good choice, mind you. Good enough to make a prodigal son feel missed. We've dined here as a family before, and I remember raving about how good the food was. Friends have shared the same sentiments. I was ready to eat my heart out.

When the food arrived, one of the first questions that popped in our minds was "did they hire a new chef?" Taking it to the next level, my mom actually asked the waitress if they made any changes to the kitchen staff. She said no. The reason we asked? The food wasn't as good as it was the last time we were there. 

The Nilagang Baka (P270) would have been the perfect dish to warm up a person recovering from illness (that's me). I was looking forward to it. But the soup was mediocre at best. It did not have the "lasa" that can only be achieved by hours of slow cooking. The only one who enjoyed it was the baby - who is notorious for loving (as in really loving) bland soup. 

The Crispy Pork Binagoongan (P360) was a bit better, and I'm downplaying my comments about it only because we requested to have the bagoong separated from everything else. Never touch a chef's masterpiece, and don't take it against him/her if things don't work out after you do.

And then there was the Slow Stewed Beef Curry (P365). I personally thought the taste was ok despite the unbelievably thin sauce. But the deal breaker? The meat was tough. I think they forced cooked this batch just to meet a deadline.

The Buffalo Chicken Wings (210) was the dish that saved the day. It was a good as I remembered, and I loved every bite. I'm glad I ordered it on the last second - otherwise dinner would have been a complete disaster.

It was still a happy family dinner at the end of the day, and we only paid a little over a thousand pesos thanks to a certain someone's overused senior citizen card. A steal considering the ambiance, location and the quality of food. I'm still hoping that last night was a fluke - perhaps the chef was absent or maybe they just ran out of gasul. I don't want to give up on this place, and I hope my next visit will be a better one.

Insert: A pahabol comment from my ever discriminating brother - "it's the kind of food that only babies will like." And you thought I was harsh.

Painted Table Restaurant is located in Canvas Botique Hotel, Puerto Princesa North Road, Barangay San Miguel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.