Support Puerto Princesa Underground River: Deadline for Voting (11.11.11)

Reposting

One month to go before 11/11/11. Just one more month to go to cast your votes.

For SMS Voting

Text PPUR to vote for Puerto Prinsesa

Users will have to send in N7W to 2861 to get more information about the polling service and they will be charged for every successfully sent message.

Tariff per SMS

Globe – P2.50

Smart – P2.50

Sun – P2.00

SMS Votes

When users wish to send their text votes, they will have to text PPUR, PPUR7, and/or PPUR15 to 2861. They will be charged and will receive a confirmation reply for every successful text.

Globe Subscribers*

1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (P2.50 each text)

10 votes – “PPUR7” to 2861 (P20.00 each text)

15 votes – “PPUR15” to 2861 (P30.00 each text)

Sun Subscribers*

1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (P2.50 each text)

7 votes – “PPUR7” to 2861 (P15.00 each text)

15 votes – “PPUR15” to 2861 (P30.00 each text)

Smart Subscribers*

1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (P2.50 each text)

7 votes – “PPUR7” to 2861 (P15.00 each text)

15 votes – “PPUR15” to 2861 (P30.00 each text)

*Exclude the double quote (“) when texting.

Voting Period: 10/1/2010 – 9/25/2011
Per DTI NCR Permit No. 5151 Series of 2010
Voting Period is Extended Until November 11, 2011
Approved by DTI-NCR

For Online Voting

click here

Other useful sites:

http://www.puerto-undergroundriver.com/

@NAIA New Modus Operandi

Just reposting .. since this happened recently, its really sad that reforms by the present government still cant prevent these things from happening... read on..



I got this from a brother mason;
Brethren,


May I share with you what happened to my cousin Mabel Muncada last January 12 at the NAIA Airport on her scheduled flight to Bangkok via Kuwait Airline 412 (about 9pm).

At the last X-Ray Check (after immigration), certain lady inspectors played on her handbag and found a 9mm live bullet. Mabel was brought to a certain LAFORTALEZA (the lady inspector's "Hepe", slim built in his mid 30s) and she was verbally charged of some offense. Mr. Lafortaleza suggested a negotiation for the case for Mabel to pay any amount as bail. She wasdirected to be at the Bo's Coffee and prepare the money by wrapping it with paper. Having no other choice but to give in to the modus operandi, Mabel gave a $100 bill wrapped in a Bo's Coffee tissue paper. That was of course besides having no spare change or a smaller bill. Mabel was able to make it to Bangkok that night.

Mabel is a Teacher by profession and resides in Texas, USA. She visited the Philippines to check her mother Nanay Tonay who is now very old. She visited also a sister in Bangkok. I never expected Mabel to bring a bullet through the airport and embarrass herself. Her sister in Bangkok is an International Lawyer and she has also a brother in Nagoya, Japan who is a respected SVD priest. I know that bullet was planted in her bag of those unscrupulous people who are trying to earn a living out of foolishness.

I am sharing this to the Brethren so you can help other people. Those dishonest people are in the same working place with our own Brethren. I can feel that the families or our Brethren are always seeking assistance from the NAIA brods for a single reason, to keep away from troubles like the one that happened to Mabel.

Disclaimer: blogger cant validate the authencity of the incident

What A Wonderful Year!!!

Wow! My blog looks so lonely without me posting anything hehhee..

I can't believe that a lot has happened since my last post.. Last year about this time I was thinking of quitting my last last job.. Now I am doing a different thing again.. funny how life takes you to different roads and meet new people.. Some are nice and some not so nice .. Well that's life for you..

Lots of story to tell but so little time.. I was plannin' on posting some of my weird and great experiences here and offshore but uhmm.. ahmmm.. Here it is now hehehe..

First, I want to tell you about Deborah Day. This was the day that I and my friends joined a tour to see a bunch of rocks in UK. There were 3 destinations that day: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. This lady guide, Deborah, of Evans Evans Tours left us at the first stop. Well there's a very long queue for the lady's room and to make a long story short she left us! But, we did not give up. We already paid for the tour and tickets to the sites. So we decided to take a train to the 3rd destination skipping the rocks so we can join the rest of the tour again. Boy.. she was so surprised to see us! She even said, "you made it.. some people might have given up and just gone back to London.. But you two girls.." Yes, we found them and vowed that I will write a comprehensive review of the tour and tour guide to all the online reviews that I can find.. hahahaha!!!

Next, we had a surprise treat at Oxford! We went to Oxford University to see the famous hall where they shoot the Harry Potter - "Great Hall of Hogwarts" but we stumbled upon a white tent where a bookfair was being held.

There was a book signing by the famous author of The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman. For a fantasy-fiction book lover like me, this was really a treat!

I can never forget the time that we went out to see some musicals. We saw Stomp and Wicked. Wicked was wicked!!!

Of course, my year will not be complete without the culinary excursions ... hihihi.. We went to Jamie's in Canary Wharf. The Tiramisu was to die for!
And who could forget the Haggis in Scotland. This culinary treat gave me the heat durin' a cold day in Edinburgh.

Back here at home, my colleague, Mike Casio, introduced me to 8065 Bagnet. This heart stopper culinary trip wins my vote for the best Bagnet out of the Ilocos province.

These days, my time has been occupied by lots of parties, reunions and other get togethers. But the thing that I am excited the most is my current project. Boo and I decided to have a bonggang-bongga house renovation. I can’t wait for my new kitchen to finish : D I am sooo excited to try out new dishes and I plan to master some of the old ones.

Well, that's it for me this year.. (will post new photos of my new kitchen soon hihihi...)

Resorts World Promo - Last Chance Today

The promo buffet breakfast and lunch of Resorts World will end today. It’s a good thing I was able to experience the lunch buffet myself last Tuesday. On the menu that day were..

For starters

Light Pumpkin Soup

Salad Bar

Assorted Dinner Rolls

Maki

Main Course

Chicken Teriyaki

Roast Porkloin

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Roast Beef

Stir-Fry Vegetable

Meaty Spaghetti

Plain Rice

Naturally, the menu will not be complete without the sumptuous desserts..

Dessert

Crème Brulee

Pudding with cream

Tres Leche Cake (with mango, kiwi and dragon fruit on top)

Lemon Squares

I love the chicken best. The beef was a bit rare for my taste. Water is provided but since there were a lot of people, there was a scarcity of drinking glasses. So we ordered our drinks. Honestly, for a hotel the prices were reasonable.

Coffee is at P85

Soda is at P75

Green Iced Tea is at P105

Lemon Iced Tea is at P115

All in all it was worth the drive from Makati :D

The breakfast buffet starts at 7am to 9am for only P88 and the lunch buffet starts at 11am for P188 as advertised but we actually paid P206 each. The restaurant that caters to this wonderful feast is Mercado. It is located at the main lobby of Resorts World Casino. You have to pass by the various slot machines and card tables to get there.

Important info to those of you who will go today, parking is located a little bit far from the main lobby of Resorts World but shuttle service is available for free. You’re welcome to tip the driver of course. Parking fee is P40. Valet service is also available. Btw, to those of you who are using Smart as your mobile service provider - signal is crappy at the area. Mind you, the queue during lunch time tends to be very long. So be there early. Sorry I was not able to get pictures – no cameras allowed.

Resorts World Manila is located at Newport Boulevard at the Newport City fronting NAIA Terminal 3.

Ginny's Zesty Fries

“I want fries”, this is the first thing I heard this afternoon from the boss, my 3-year old son. Having less than 6 hours of sleep, my world was still a blur at 3:30pm. After TWENTY (20!!) grueling hours at the office, I have to admit I’m still beat. But being tired on a Saturday afternoon is a big no no for mom’s like me. Besides, how can you say no to those two small, chinky eyes staring back at you?

Instead of going to my neighboring fast-food chain that houses the so-called world famous fries, I decided that I’ll cook this one instead. Straight to the kitchen I went and started chopping those potatoes. After 25 minutes here is my zesty fries.

Did the big boss love it? Of course he did (lutong eh) :D This zesty fries are crispy and flavorful. Even the nanny loved it.. hehhehe..

So here’s a new twist to that good ol’ fries. Follow easy recipe below:

2 large potatoes

1/3 cup all purpose flour

2 T chicken flavoring mix (any will do, I used crispy fry)

dry italian herbs

cooking oil for frying

Peel and cut potatoes to desired shape and size. This time I just cut it to fries-size but you can also make wedges or spuds. Mix all the dry ingredients and sprinkle to the cut potatoes. Make sure that the potatoes are evenly coated. I usually put the potatoes in a large bowl and cover it with a flat plate then I shake it. Deep fry till golden brown. Make sure that your oil is roiling-hot before you dump the potatoes.

Tip: to save cooking oil, If you dont have a small fryer, use a sauce pan instead.. this way you can save on cooking oil and still be able to deep fry your patatoes..

Best with Tater's sour cream dip but you can use mayo-ketchup as well. Me, I like it even without any dips.

You can add chilli powder to this recipe and make Diablo Fries.

South Gate Mall - Alphaland

Hey guys.. One of my colleagues tipped me regarding this new mall in town. Most of the shops are still under construction but the supermarket is already open. I am talking about the new Alphaland - South Gate Mall. It is located at EDSA corner Pasong Tamong Ext. (Chino Roces Ave). Since the mall is still on dry run - parking fee is FREE!!! (well I’m not sure if they’ll charge in the future) Great isn’t it. I can use the extra savings myself. Besides the free parking the grocery is not crowded. Unlike the other Supermarket that opens at 10am, they open at 8am so more shopping hours for us.

They also have a number of restaurants already open like Pepper Steak, Teriyaki Boy, Tapa King plus the usual Jollibee and Chowking. I also saw a drugstore (The Generics Pharmacy) on the ground floor. Office Warehouse is also open at the second floor and a lot more.

The Super 8 Grocery is located at the ground floor. Since soft launching last August, I can’t believe how vast the variety of products is. I have been passing that building since the 80s and I am glad that it’s almost complete and finally put to use.

The Alphaland - South Gate Mall is also accessible via the MRT-Mantrade station. The basement parking’s entrance is via Pasong Tamo Street.

D2, thanks for the tip men. :D

Ondoy's Wrath!!!!

It’s almost 20 hours of non-stop heavy rains here in Manila. I heard from the radio that 90% of Luzon, one of the 3 main islands of the Philippines, is heavily flooded. 23 provinces under a state of calamity!!! There’s no flooding this bad since the 90’s. Wow! When mother-nature gets angry, she really lets it all out!

Boo and I are supposed to go to a get-together today but when we reached Essensa it was flooded. I can’t believe it!!! a river here in the middle of Global City.. (No effffing way!!!)

This flood is unbelievable, whether big or small no vehicles can pass through. Small vehicles can’t pass and the big vehicles (SUVs) can’t overtake. (Well except from the 6x6 military vehicle) So we decided to turn around and head back to the house. Hey I love my friends but you should always think of your safety and your vehicle’s first.. Hehhehe.. It’s a good thing that the event was cancelled, flooded at the restaurant.

It’s really terrible; my nephew got stranded in school as well. They have a Science Club meeting today. (I can’t believe it, 11 year-olds have to go to school on a Saturday for a club meeting.. hmmm) . My sister’s vehicle is unable to get through the Aguinaldo highway. She said the water is waist-deep on the HIGHWAY! It’s already dark and we still don’t have news. Plus my other 4-year old nephew and his nanny are the only ones at their house. Haaayyy….

I just hope that the rains stop pouring, if it’s havoc here in Manila; I can’t imagine how bad it is in the provinces. Let’s pray that the rains will let up.

*** Image from PAGASA

Nurture Spa Village Promo

My favorite spa resort is having a promo, Nurture Spa Village in Tagaytay. This is the best place to drive your woes away. Pamper yourself with a relaxing massage and a facial of all organic ingredients. Perfect for couples or girl pals.. so what are you waiting for unload that stress at your left shoulders. Have a weekend rejuvenation and getaway from the polluted metropolis.. treat yourself to pesticide-free, all organic healthy food.. btw, I love their salad with vinaigrette and the Lumpia (spring roll) wrapped in lettuce :D

The promo consists of a full body massage plus a lite meal for only P995. I just added P100 for the facial :D

Fo more info please call:

0918-8888SPA
0920-950-5724
0922-898-8654 o
(02)584-4228
(046)483-0805

Enjoy!!

Halo halo for P33 @ The Penn

Hey guys!!! today is Manila Peninsula's Anniversary. Starting at 12:01 am to 11:59 midnight of September 14 .. Halu-halo, sausages and pancit luglug will have a mark down price of P33.00.

See you at the Penn :D

***picture taken from internet

Home Sweet Home: Airport Blues

It's great to be back!! I missed Manila and all the traffic jam, pollution, etc. hehehe.. Just got back from Malaysia from a business trip.. I flew back to Manila via Malaysia Air. I alighted to NAIA terminal 1 around 4PM ... haaaay I can't help comparing NAIA Terminal 1 to KLIA, theirs is far more advanced.. even compared to NAIA terminals 2 & 3. So why again are we still using Terminal 1 as our INTERNATIONAL Aiport?? Apologies to the airport authorities and management but NAIA terminal 1 is so bulok!!!. The toilets are leaking, the flooring and walls are ancient. It's like a 3-star hotel in the province. It's a 28-year old structure so what do you expect.

If we plan to attract more tourists, before anything else, I think we need to improve the airport terminals. It's complicated enough that we have three (3) international airport terminals (not to mention the domestic terminal in domestic road) but the public/tourist information system is lousy as well. Even for some Pinoys these terminals are confusing.

So I decided to put this little information about our airport terminals just to help out some of the tourists and even local flyers about what airlines/flights are in which of which:

NAIA Terminal 1
All International Flights except PAL and Cebu Pacific

NAIA Terminal 2 a.k.a. Centennial Terminal
Philippine Air Lines international flights (North Wing) and Domestic flights (South Wing)


NAIA Terminal 3 - located in Andrew's Ave. near Villamor Air Base
All Cebu Pacific flight, Air Philippines and PAL Express

Domestic Terminal - located in Domestic Road
Zest Air (formerly Asian Spirit) and SEAir

Hope this helps!

Get That Natural High: Sky High Adventure in Cebu

I first heard about this escapade in Sports Unlimited and read about it on the In-flight magazine on board CebPac. The thrill seeker in me will never pass this opportunity to experience the Sky High Adventure. So when we arrived in Cebu City, after dropping our bags to our hotel, we venture into the metropolis.

Good thing our hotel has a terrific location. It’s near SM Cebu, the Ayala Center and most importantly it’s a good walking distance to the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. This is the location of the Sky High Adventure.



We rode the elevator and got off to the 19th floor. It actually reminded me of the ticket booths in Ayala Cinemas. Here we inquired about the package for the Sky Adventure. It’s a whoopping P380 for the entrance fee and P500 for the Edge Coaster ride or the Sky Walk Extreme. Good for us, they have an on-going promotion, buy 1 take 1, so my buddies and I split the tab. Btw, the entrance fee comes with a Sky Meal. You can choose from the ff choices:

3 pcs siomai
Siopao
Grilled Sandwich
Tuna/Chicken Turnover
Donut

All of these come with a refillable iced tea for drinks.

After buying our tickets, we rode the elevator again and headed for the Edge Coaster ride on the 38th floor. All cameras and other electronic devices are prohibited once you enter the turnstile to the Edge Coaster ride. They have their own photographer.

So this is it, I said to myself when I stepped onto the platform. The attendant helped us buckle up for the ride. He gave us some instructions on how to operate the coaster and off we go. The coaster can only seat two people. The interval of each coaster is around 5 minutes, this is the time it will take 1 coaster to finish the entire course. The coaster goes automatic and it will tilt your seats 50 º on the first area alone. After this you’ll have a free hand on tilting it back or tilting it more. When the coaster tilted to 50 º my heart pounded upon our bird’s eye view of the city below. Boyyy it was scary and yet exhilarating at the same time. We actually never tilted our seat back to enjoy the full experience all through out. It’s a good thing we did it in the evening, Cebu City is alive with lights. The view is spectacular and amazing. It reminded me of my trip in Eiffel Tower way way back.



The five minute ride was thrilling. I’ll surely ride again but next time I’ll do it over sunset. This way I’ll be able to feel the elevation more. You can purchase your pictures at the lobby. The picture costs around 350, 550, 850 etc. depending on the number of shots. They’ll burn a cd for you and you can have it printed. I think this is terrible and super expensive. Imagine 16 shots for P550. (harang diba!)

If you want to try the Sky Walk Extreme, you just need to proceed on the lower level mezzanine. Special suit and rubber shoes will be provided. Remember to bring your own socks. This event will take around 15-20 minutes depending on you and your guide.



Btw, if you’re interested in this natural high adventure I suggest you buy your tickets to their marketing agents. You can get more discounts and the prices go up at the Crown Regency Hotel during night time. The Sky High Adventure is open from 8:00 am to 2:00 am.

Please contact Gaby for reservations: 09158736360

The Hoyohoy Villas in Bantayan Island

If one of those suspected A(H1N1) cases in Cebu turns positive I’m heading to the hospital for testing. Hahahha.. now you know where I went.. yes I went to the Queen City of the South, Cebu. Despite the flu scare and the bad weather .. yup I still went, packed my bags and flew with my girl buds to Cebu. (tigas ng ulo..)

Our first destination was Bantayan Island. Bantayan is a 2-3 hour drive from the airport. You can take the public transportation or rent a cab to Hagnaya pier. For the bus ride, go to the North Terminal and look for the Ceres bus liner, it’s yellow and look for the Hagnaya destination. It takes around 3 hours if you take the bus. The girls and I, hired a cab from the airport to Hagnaya pier. It only took 2 hours to get to our destination. The cab fare cost us P1800 but I got a driver who could drive anybody for P1500 only.

When in Hagnaya, ride the shuttle, this is how they call their ferry boat in those part. The shuttle ride is about 1hour to Sta Fe, Bantayan Island. The resort owner promised that somebody would pick us up at the Sta Fe pier. I was surprised that pedicabs were it. Yes, pedicabs are the major transport provider in Sta Fe, cool :D We got to the resort in less than 5 minutes (lapit lang pala hahha..) we could have walked. We were greeted by the gentle sea breeze and a refreshing buko juice. There’s only one description for the HOYOHOY Villas resort, LOVELY.



I found out that the resort owner, Inday Rimaz, is an interior decorator. This explains the careful attention to every detail of all sorts of things, the kalesa, old jars etc. All the villas are elevated, ideal to keep the water out in case of big waves. There are only 6 villas in Hoyohoy and at the center of the resort is a swimming pool with a charming mini bridge and falls. The restaurant is also facing the pool. The rooms are spacious. Ours has one queen sized bed and 1 single bed. All rooms are equipped with a mini bar and a satellite tv. Actually the amenities are just a plus. The nice thing about the room is how the natural light illuminates it. It’s so relaxing perfect for that stress-alleviating moment. I think all this is due to the curtains. They’re made of light material (am not sure if it’s abacca). They’re kept in place by these handsome shells hanging loosely.



The bathroom has a big tub, good for soaking your aching back and legs. The shower area is situated outside the bathroom. Honestly, this is my favorite part of the villa. The walls of the shower area are made of Japanese bamboo that encourages voyeurism hehehe.. The sky makes up for the ceiling, reminding me of how were bathrooms before in the provinces. This brought taking a bath into a new level. Imagine bathing in warm water from the shower and at the same time cool fresh water pours from the rains. Some kind of experience di ba. Even the floor is a marvel. It has scattered stones composed of white (buhay na bato) and gray rocks. Grouped in a flowery like formation - that promotes good blood circulation for you while bathing.



The staffs are all courteous and accommodating. We requested for so many things during breakfast and I thought they’re gonna charge us extra for that. Btw, card payment is available.

Did I mention that Hoyohoy means breeze..

Here's a 360 degree view of Hoyohoy..

White Water Rafting in CDO: A Glimpse On A Day Of The 2009 Tarsier Convention

WHITE WATER RAFTING @ CDO
We got up early to prepare for the day’s activities. Our visit to CDO will not be complete if we don’t get to brawl with the waves of the great CDO river. Before heading to the rapids we dropped by to the Macahumbus cave. This cave is only about 57 meters and at the end you’ll have a nice view of the river.

Now we’re ready to tackle the rapids. There were nine of us on the raft, 6 paddlers, 2 guides and 1 miron. I was a little nervous and excited at the same time. Our group took the advanced level. It consisted of 21 rapids, 7 of these are advanced levels and 14 are considered for beginners. Our guides briefed us of water safety, simple signaling conventions and basic paddling in a raft. We each have our helmet, vest and lastly our paddle.

It's around 10 am when we started. The course began in the boundary of Bukidnon. The first few yards ended up in getting stuck with some big rocks. Maneuvering was really a challenge for us first timers in white water rafting and since it's summer time the water is low. After this first hurdle we started to get the hang of paddling and we started to enjoy the rapids. I learned that the secret to a successful paddling is to be in harmony with your fellow paddlers. Just follow the strokes of the one in front of you, the one behind you should the do same thing. Timing is vital. Now I know how the dragon boat team feels like. After several hours of muscle paddling action we were rewarded with scrumptious lunch.

Lunch consisted of grilled prawns, grilled liempo, grilled chicken, embotido and puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves). We had pineapples for desserts. Honestly, I am not a big fun of pineapples but boy these pineapples were really ripe and yummy! It made me want to visit Bukidnon. We’re all so famished that it felt like engaging in a boodle fight. Hahahha!!!

After a few minutes of rest, here we go again to the rampaging river. Like what I said, since its summer the water level is low. But our guide said that if you visit during the rainy season, it’s a different ballgame. He also told us that due to heavy rains and flash floods last January, the river’s width increased. Most of the houses were trampled by big rocks and raging waters. Yikes! That’s mother-nature getting back at us for not taking care of her.

We decided to switch places to even out the paddling arm. I found out later at night that this was actually a good idea since it even out my muscle aches. Hehehehe! By this time were down to the beginner-level rapids. Our guide is quite experimental and made us stand, form a circle and hold each other. This is actually one of the parts I enjoyed most. We emerged triumphant in this exercise because of balance and everybody’s fun-lets-go-charge attitude.


After tackling all the 21 rapids, it’s graduation time. Did I fail to mention that not all parts of the river is fast, rocky or shallow. In this area, the water is calm, deep and steady. It is so inviting and that of course I jumped right in for a swim and docked to a nearby rock. This big rock is actually the podium of our graduation. We were made to jump to mark the end of our paddling exercise. Don’t worry they’ll not force you to jump if you don’t want to.




It's almost 4pm when removed our vest and rest our weary bodies. I'm hungry again. All snacks seems delicious, I remembered Jodie's kiamoy inside my bag and feasted on it instanly. Hahaha this time everybody wanted the kiamoy.

Yahoo!! I conquered the river. It was exhilarating. Next time I’ll try the expert level. The tour was provided by RAP, Rapid Adventure of the Philippines. The cost is around a thousand bucks including the foodie. You can visit their site: http://www.raftingadventurephilippines.com/home.html.

View a snippet of the actual adventure below, enjoy!!

Back at the White Beach - A Night in Galera

ONE NIGHT @ PUERTO GALERA

After a decade of shying away…. I found myself walking the white shores of Puerto Galera again. This time with my boo and my 3-yr old son happily taunting the calm waves. Ooohhpps did I fail to mention our tour buddies, the AIEP
group which consisted of an eclectic bunch. There are around 50 of us but I can still say that white beach is still deserted. This is one of the advantages of vacationing during off season.


One can enjoy simple pleasures like going to the souvenir shops, have a henna tattoo, relax with a P200 massage or just wander in the beach and feel the sand caress your feet.

The weather is cool in the morning and sunny most of the day. Fun and activities were provided by our group director, Chris. We had a mini amazing race ala treasure hunt. Boy, the tasks are no walk in the park since it consisted of a two-page list of things to find and do. I have been to the island so many times but this time I really got acquainted with Galera. Who would ever find “the tree with no leaves” or the restaurant “Dito Ba ‘Yun?”. These are just snippets of the treasure hunt list.

Most of the group partied the night away. Sample the Mindoro Sling a local cocktail that comes in a variety of concoctions. The common recipe consists of rum, clear cola, grenadine, orange juice, mango juice and lemon. Pop me if you want the recipe.

Day 2, we went island hopping and snorkeling in the morning. Snorkeling is in no comparison with diving but if you’re in a tight budget, why not. I always grab any opportunity to be in the water.

Beware of the small boats tugging behind. Especially to those who are non-swimmers, they offer to take you where more fishes and lush corals are abundant for a fee of course. Hey there’s nothing wrong with that … but if you stayed with your group you’ll find out soon that this is the next stop to your island hopping itinerary. (Hmmm.. our boatman is in league with them hahahha…) Actually, the real danger here is that these small fishing vessels are so eager to get customers that they tend overlook some of the other folks snorkeling around. I almost got hit in the head by one of the boats. Fortunately for me, one of my tour buddies warned me about the approaching boat. Haaayyyy.. I hope the Tourism of Mindoro can impose some policies regarding this.

Believe it or not we only spent P1700 per head for the trip. These include transportation from Manila to the beach and back, food and accommodations for the night. Not bad hah! The henna tattoo starts from P150 depending on the complexity of the design. Island hopping costs around P350 per head, snorkeling equipment included but I usually bring my own mask and snorkel. Meals are cheap and have a vast variety.

Did I mention that henna now comes in color and glitters :D

Btw, we stayed at the White Beach Resort... room rates starts from P800, visit their website for more info.

Dumaguete in a Glimpse

................................................ ................... Scenic Bay at Rizal Avenue in Dumaguete City

We arrived at Dumaguete, around 2 in the afternoon. We took the city tour before going to our accommodations. The city is very clean and there are a lot of foreigners particularly Koreans. Motorcycle seems very popular in the city. First stop, Silliman University. This university, one of the oldest in the country, has been erected on August 28, 1901 after the treaty in Paris of 1898. The treaty that ended the 333 years of Spanish regime in the Philippines. The school boasts for producing literary talents. I remember my English Lit professor attended a conference in this school regarding arts and literature. This is one of the main reasons why Dumaguete is filled with Korean tourist, they study English in Silliman.

............................................. The Library at Silliman University in Dumaguete

Then we proceeded to Rizal Ave. (this is their own version of baywalk) I saw a lot of couples frolicking beside the bay. One of the things that caught my attention was the little kids swimming. They're so carefree even the heat of the afternoon sun doesn't seem to bother them. I couldn't help compare it with the baywalk in Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Dumaguete's bay is more sparklingly clean. We also dropped by at the Sans Rival Bakeshop and Cafe. I bougt a loaf of Sans Rival for the entire barkada. (Salap!) The pier is also visible from where we were. If you're going to Siquijor or Bohol, this is the place to go. The waiting area in the pier amused me since it resembled a big boat. You'll never miss it :D

We ate at Lab-as (means fresh). Many restaurants were recommended like the Jo's Chicken Inato(grilled chicken) but we want to give ourselves a treat before continuing the tour of the city. This restaurant is surrounded with "Su-to-kil" kiosk. We feasted on the indeed fresh seafoods that they offered. We only spent around P1200 for the seven of us.

Next, we went to Forest Camp. It's like a big park with streams and brooks. The trip from the city to Forest Camp is around 15-20 minutes. Forest Camp is near Casaroro Falls. But were not able to trek to Casaroro since were so pressed for time. Try the buko halo-halo to refresh you after a day of traveling. Yummy!

............................................Infinity Pool at Antulang Resort

It's already dark when we arrived at the resort. Antulang is about an hour's ride from Dumaguete CIty. Yes, its quite far but its worth the trip. If you want a place where you can really relax, Antulang is the place for you. It's recommended for honey mooners for its exclusivity and personalized service. Antulang got its name from Antulanga, Gumamela (a flower) in Filipino. Antulang is situated on top of a cliff. The view is spectacular! I also love their infinity saltwater pool. I took a lot of pictures for my personal collection of travels.

Visit their website to view rates and more pictures of the resort. I am an amateur photographer and may not be able to do justice to the beauty of the place.

http://www.antulang.com/new/main.html

Tip: to get the best rates try travelling during the offpeak season and avail of their special promos

The second day in Dumaguete was spent in the world renowned Apo Island. Apo island is famous with divers because of its diverse marine life. Honestly, this was the highlight of my trip. I don't know how to describe the feeling I get when I am underwater. They say its the best way to relieve you of stress. Some really experienced divers get high during a Nitrox dive. (Let's leave diving for a while. It may take several days for me write about it. ) Btw, if you want to dive or snorkel in Apo Island you have to register and pay a minimal fee. Dive rates ranges from 25-35 USD.

We had lunch at the Apo Island Beach Resort. Yes, there are resorts in Apo Island but the water and electricity is limited so do not expect a suitable overnight accomodations here. The menu offers a variety of seafood dishes. Surprisingly, they also have Schnitzel hehhehe.. I dont know about resorts... but its the nth time I found this Austrian dish served in the beach resorts here in our shores. Loved the pork adobo and my companions enjoyed the grilled fish. We actually ordered the fastest dish they can serve since were famished from the water activities. The price hmmm .. a little bit pricey for me but it's in a secluded island, so what do you expect!

The afternoon was filled with snorkeling and island exploration. I am actually surprised that there's a community in Apo Island. Around 4, we headed back to Antulang to rest for the night.

............................................ .Jo's Chicken Inato Dumaguete City Branch

Our last day in Dumaguete comprised mostly of shopping for souvenirs. This was also our last chance to sample the famous chicken inato, where else, at Joe's Chicken Inato. We arrived during the lunch hour and the place was packed. It was hard to get a table especially for a big party like ours. We ordered ahead and when we got our tables ready so was our food. Everybody ate their chicken and garlic rice the traditional and the best way, with bear hands. The meals are cheap and really delicious. The chicken was grilled perfectly, not burnt and not raw ,just right. Boo ordered a round of buco halo-halo again, this became his favorite dessert during our stay in Dumaguete.

It was time to proceed to the airport and our 3 day trip was over.. everybody felt bitin. There are a couple of place I really wanted to visit like Siquijor and Bais. I will definitely comeback to Dumaguete and I'll make sure that I'll include these two in my itinerary.

Ran Ramen Tei - Cheap Eats at Fort Bonifacio

When people say Fort - they usually mean Global City, where Serendra and High Street are located. But there's more to to Fort Bonifacio than Global City.. If you manage to passby McKinley Hill or you went to Daboys wake and funeral .. you probably went through Bayani Road. Here, there's a nice Japanese joint that serves really good food. So when craving for that delicious Donburi or you just want to snack on maki.. Why spend so much on such Japanese dishes when you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine served hot/cold/fresh with a very reasonable price. Especially nowadays, when everyhting is expensive, people are looking for something that has value for money to offer.


This fastfood has attracted alot of Japanese golfers at the nearby driving range along Bayani Road. You can tell from the customers that the food suits them since they come back again and again to enjoy the simple ambiance and great food.

Randolph Rebleza, the manager/owner of Ran Ramen Tei, has managed to turn his small Japanese Food Counter into a modest fastfood restaurant in a span of just one year. During his opening months his target customers were the people who came from the happy hours. The mini counter offered assorted Donburi(rice bowl dish) and miso soup. The soup and other ramens was a knock out for the tipsy customers. The popularity of his food grew and later on he needed to man two shifts. The first one catering to his usual night customers and the new shift to cater to the early morning golfers. Soon he attracted more clients and he turned his joint into a family friendly place. This is when my husband started bringing me here. Since then I'm hooked and everytime I want to eat Japanese stuffs I directly go here and compared to the ones at the malls you spend less. You can even watch them cook it for you.

I personally like the Katsudon (deep-fried pork cutlet with egg, veggies and sauce). It reminds me of the ones I used to enjoy at the UMall during my collegiate years. Another thing I like about it is that the pork is still crunchy even when sauced.






Boo likes the Ebi Furai (fried crispy prawn) and the Gyoza (steamed dumplings slightly fried on one side). We both like the miso soup and assorted makis.

Some other popular dishes are the sizzling beef teppanyaki, tendon and tamago sushi. While the maki platter is popular with Japs.

Here is a short list of some of the dishes in Ran Ramen:


Katsudon 70.00
Tendon 70.00
KatsuCurryDon 75.00
Ebi Furai 80.00
Tonkatsu 80.00
Ramen 70.00
California Maki 95.00
Gyoza 45.00
Miso Soup 25.00
Fruit Shakes 25.00

Ran Ramen Tei and Sushi Bar is open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm located along Bayani Road, AFPOVAI ph. IV Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. They accept advance order via phone 4975439. They also accept catering service to company events and other special occasions.


Ginny from the blog says Oishii!

***photos courtesy of http://www.pinoylakwatsa.blogspot.com/

Easy HomeMade Gravy

Hey guys, you dont need to buy that instant gravy stuff you find at the supermarkets. Why not make your own. This home made grave recipe is simple and easy to prepare. When my former colleagues and friends visit our house for a round of chitchat I usually served the ever dependable fried chicken with my HomeMade Gravy. They always ask me for the recipe, so here it is. It's really simple.

Easy Home Made Gravy Recipe

Ingredients:


2 T flour
3 T butter or margarine (ordinary cooking oil will do)
1/2 piece of onion chopped into small pieces
1/3 C evaporated milk
1 C chicken broth
1 t sugar
1 t oystersauce
some button mushrooms chopped into small pieces (3-5 pcs will do)
salt and pepper to taste



Melt the butter/margarine in a saucepan over low fire. Before it completely melts, add the onions then the chopped mushroom. When the onions are half done, stir-in the flour. This will make the consisteny a little dry. When flour is completely mixed with the melted butter, you can now add the broth. Let it boil. Add the milk and other ingredients and continue to stir. Adjust the consistency by adding more broth or corn starch (dissolved in water). If you add cornstarch simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.


I usually add some herbs for a richer flavor...basil or oregano will do. Btw, you can do away with the mushrooms if you dont like them.


Tips:
if you use margarine, put less salt or seasoning since most margarines are already salted.

Use 1/3 C of water for 1 T of cornstarch.

For the health buffs, use olive oil instead of butter/margarine and substitute evaporated milk with non-fat milk.

When cooking sauces always use a wooden spoon.


Well friends I hope you try this recipe instead of using the instant ones. There's usually a lot of MSG with the ones available in the market. Next time, I'll post our secret recipe for the knock out Fried chicken.

This is Ginny from the block saying, "behind a great meal there's a great sauce".

Ciao!
(",)

Gin Tries to Blog

Due to insistent public demand, yes, I'll start my blog so I can share my family's secret recipes (well not so secret anymore after this).

Since it's Father's Day, my debut recipe will be my Boo's favorite dish - Calderetta ala Cora (ahhh.. Cora's his mom by the way). I learned the recipe so I can still prepare it just the way his mom used to cook it for him. My in-laws are in the States already that's why I mastered this dish for him to enjoy it again.

This dish is famous in the northern part of Luzon (an island in the Philippines). The dish varries a little with the addition of gata (coconut milk). Some uses tomato sauce and vinegar but we use fresh tomatoes.

Ingredients:

6 large ripe tomatoes
1/2 kilo beef cut into cubes (may be substituted with goat meat)
1 clove garlic
2 pcs onions (white or red)
1 bayleaf
5-10 peppercorns crushed
1 large bell pepper
2 carrots (cut in medium sizes)
1/2 C green peas
1 C coconut milk (gata)
1/2 C water
oil for cooking and salt/pepper to taste

Boil the meat together with salt, peppercorns and garlic for 45 minutes using a pressure cooker, if you dont have a pressure cooker, boil it for 2hrs in low fire or until tender.

While waiting for the meat to be tender prepare the other ingredients. Boil the tomatoes for 5-10 minutes then set aside. Prepare the coconut milk (I usually use fresh coconut milk but they are available in tetra packs and cans in your local groceries).

In a large skillet, saute garlic then onions. Add the now tender meat frying till brown. Add the carrots then the green peas. Add the boiled tomatoes, crushing the juice out till you have a sauce. Add water as desired (Tip: you can use the water from where you boiled your tomatoes).

Now add your coconut milk, stirring, make sure not to over stir for this will crush your meat into smaller pieces. Lastly, add the liver spread and bayleaf and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if you like.

Optional:

My Boo likes it spicy so I usually add crushed chilli peppers, the small nasty ones (siling labuyo). I put this in before frying the meat. I also add a little sugar for more flavoring. I'm not so fond of MSG so I use natural ingredient as much as possible.

Ginny from the blog says, Ciao!!