Tour of Morong, Baras & Tanay in Rizal

I gave my mother a different tour experience last month, when she came for a 20-day vacation here. She doesn’t want long road trips, so I took her on a Morong-Baras-Tanay day tour of century-old churches and Daranak Falls.

St. Jerome Church of Morong

First built in 1586 with light materials, a fire destroyed it along with the town in 1612. Now this current church’s frontispiece and belfry were built by Bartolome Palatino of Paete, Laguna between 1850 and 1853. 

I have read on some internet sites that this church was unique in a sense that Chinese artisans helped in its construction. Whether its Mr. Palatino of Paete or Chinese artisans, I would say they did a superb job in creating those intricate carvings on the church’s facade.

Chicken Ma, Shangri-La, & King Chef Restos

Here’s a brief round up of Chinese casual restaurants I tried on latter part of 2013. I've been very busy, hence these late posts.

Chicken Mami House in Binan

Kikiam with rice at P 118, while the siopao costs P 64/pc.

IsKarGu Restaurant in Calauan, Laguna

After our second dayhike in Mt. Kalisungan in Calauan/San Pablo area, we went to Kamayan sa Palaisdaan restaurant in Bay, Laguna. But they have so many customers, that even just calling the attention of waiters takes too long, so we decided to leave and try another restaurant.

From the Duck Junction of Victoria, we've seen this quaint restaurant along the highway, named Iskargu. It is actually an acronym for Isda (fish), Karne (meat), and Gulay (vegetable). I saw many vehicles parked on its frontage, so I think they must have been serving good food.

Aling Cora's, Weegol's, & Margie's of Butuan

Butuan City may have few tourist attractions, but they compensate that on nice food options. The city is like "Bacolod" in Mindanao, but on smaller scale. These are my reviews of the restaurants we tried, and my experience on their wet market.

Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora

This "dampa-carinderia" style restaurant is just across Gaisano Mall along Jose Rosales Avenue. Customers can choose between cheap set meals, or raw seafoods that can be cooked any style. 

Their specialty is roasted chicken inasal style, seems well marinated, and a bit on the sweet side. Still, Aling Cora could do better for their signature dish, as it lacks its own identity. It is served with 2 cups of rice.

Gail's, Casa Babano & Ocean View Restos

One good thing when traveling is we get to try the food in other areas. When outside of Metro Manila, the food are usually fresher and cheaper as well. Here are some of the food we tried in Bislig City, including those I found in the market.

Casa de Babano Coffee Shop

We were starving when we arrived at night on the pension house. For our dinner, we ordered a chicken barbecue, a pork sisig, and malasugui fish in sour soup.

My Stay and Food Experience in Sagada

For a small poblacion in Cordillera region, the town of Sagada in Mountain Province has a lot to offer to tourists. Allow me to share my experience with these establishments in the area.

George Guesthouse

Our group of about 30 people stayed in the neighboring hostels of Canaway and George guesthouses. Above left photo shows the facade of George Guesthouse. The rock on the right photo is along the road to the caves and Mt. Ampacao.

Food Experience in Bangkok, May 2013

Part of any travel experience is also trying the food options in the place that we visit. Below are some of the nice food experience I've had in Bangkok recently.

KFC's Fried Chicken Fillet

When outside of my locality, I avoid the international fast food chains. This time, I made an exception, just to see what is the difference of the KFC menu in Bangkok against what we get in Manila. Well, their chicken fillet meal on the first photo shows how fiery hot it is. Yet its quite healthier as the side veggies offset the fats from the fried chicken.

Hong Kong Food Trip 2013

On my two trips to Hong Kong last April and May this year, I was able to try many other restaurants that I missed during my previous visits in the former British colony. Here are their brief reviews:

A Chinese Restaurant in Carnarvon Road

In search of a good Chinese restaurant for breakfast in Carnarvon Road, our family stumbled on this old and simple restaurant in upper Carnarvon Road, near the corner of Cameron Road. It has no English name on its small entrance, but the roast meats on display and the presence of many HK locals inside made us try it. That decision proved to be a good one.

We ordered many types of dimsum, noodles in broth, and rice with barbecued duck topping. Their food on above photo are delicious, even the kids enjoyed them all. Their menu prices are cheaper than the more upscale restaurant beside Golden Crown Guesthouse, on the other end of the same street. This is a nice find for an authentic yet cheap Chinese food in TST.

Tribu Mindanawan and Green Buffet Haus

On our first night in Davao, we watched the Tribu Mindanawan show beside the Crocodile Park. We arrived past 5 pm, so we were not able to watch the crocodile show. Good thing that we were not required to pay entrance or show fee of Tribu Mindanawan, as long as we dine at their Kaonanan Restaurant.

Visitors are welcomed by the female drummers who are also the fire dancers of the show. One or two members of our group danced to their rhythmic beats on the street, while some of us took photos and video of the fun event.

BPI Pizza Hut-Taco-Dairy Queen Promo 2013

After more than 3 months of waiting, BPI reintroduces their promo with Pizza Hut group, namely -- Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, and Taco Bell.

Promo period is from 15 May until 31 July 2013. Redemption period is until 29 September 2013. Below are the product entitlements after meeting the minimum purchase requirements.

Amici, Mary Grace, Sumo Sam, Tempura Restos

I was browsing through my photo files, and saw the pictures I took on my recent dining experiences this year. Then I remembered why I took those photos, to briefly write comparisons about my first impressions. The food I tried were quite limited, so my reviews do not necessarily reflect the overall quality of a restaurant's food choices.

 

A month ago, I was able to try Mary Grace Restaurant's branch in Greenbelt. It has casual ambiance, and I noticed that they already have many customers, unlike their neighbors. Clueless on what are the must-try food there, I sought the recommendation of my colleagues. I ordered the spaghetti in olive oil sauce with seafood below. 

Lety's Buko Pie of Los Banos, Laguna

For many outsiders of Los Banos, Laguna, they prefer the Orient buko pie, as evidenced by long queue of buyers outside their lone store in the area. But for locals of Los Banos, the more popular brand is Lety's buko pie, which I was able to try twice about a month ago.

Coming from Calauan, Laguna, we stopped beside a gasoline station a few meters after the store of Orient buko pie. This is where Lety's main branch is located, and good thing that we arrived before 5:00 pm when their stocks are about to be depleted.

Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Laguna

Early last month to celebrate the birthday of my youngest son, the whole family spent dinner at Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Calauan, Laguna. It is situated along the highway after Los Banos leading to Sta. Cruz. Its hard to miss it, as its facade has these large Egyptian(?) statues.

The place is a feast for the eyes as there are many statues, that attracts both old and young diners. Seated statues of Presidents Erap and Tita Cory are at the receiving area, as we entered the restaurant.

Chef Mau Restaurant in Liliw, Laguna

Two weeks ago, some nieces from Bulacan stayed at our place in Binan. To make their visit worthwhile, we decided to take them to a road trip in western Laguna. Our first stop was at Chef Mau's rustic restaurant in Liliw, to satisfy our lunch craving after 2 hours on the road.

The place is a house converted into a 2-storey restaurant, along the main road that leads to Magdalena town. I read somewhere that its owner is a dishwasher-turned-chef, who now runs Chefs Quarter chain of restaurants. The furnitures at the second floor are made of wood, while I saw some monobloc chairs at the ground floor. The decors are simple, supporting the native ambience of the place.

Afternoon Delight in Bacolod City

After our 3-day hike of Mt. Kanlaon, I asked the climb organizer to drop me at Robinsons Mall in Bacolod City, along with my trekmates who also have a flight to catch at 8:20 pm. Since we have almost 4 hours to kill before we go to the airport, I decided to buy pasalubong first at the mall.

To relax a bit while thinking of what I should do next, I decided to have coffee at Cafe Bob's just outside the grocery. I asked the lady at the counter what light snack will go well with their brewed coffee, and she suggested their chicken empanada. It was indeed a good match, as the reheated empanada is a winner. Total food bill is about Php 80.

Pleasant Travelers Pension & 18th St. Palapala

On my first night in Bacolod, I stayed at Pleasant Traveler's Pension House along the 13th Street. Its walking distance from Lacson St. where many restaurants and hotels can be found.

From the Ruins, I boarded a Libertad-bound jeepney and told the driver to drop me at 13th Street. The landmark is the cluster of bars named Sorrento Piazza.

Tuna Grill, Kabayan Nelson, & Blugre Coffee

General Santos City is also a food haven for tourists. Being the country’s tuna capital, tuna dishes are something that should not be missed. So on our first night at the city, we tried this touristy restaurant Tuna Grill along Pres. Quirino Avenue.

Judging from the picnic-style tables on their photos, it has a casual ambience, though they also have air conditioned dining areas with more formal setup.

Lake Sebu and Zipline above its Waterfalls

After breakfast on our second day at GenSan, we proceeded to Lake Sebu, the name of the town with many lakes and waterfalls. Its more than a 2-hour trip with lots of transfers, yet its all worth the time and effort.

From Amigotel, we rode a tricycle to Bulaong bus terminal to board an airconditioned Yellow Bus to Koronadal City (formerly known as Marbel). Fare is Php 75/person.

Bumming at Gumasa Beach in Sarangani

Right after dropping our luggage in Amigotel at General Santos City last month, we asked a tricycle to drop us at the van terminal beside KCC Mall, to get a ride to Glan, Sarangani. We like to see their white sand beach in barangay Gumasa, where resorts dot the coastline.

Past 8:00 am when we arrived at the van terminal, and waited for at least 30 minutes for our van to get full with passengers. 

Orient Buko Pie of Los Banos, Laguna

Orient Buko Pie in Los Banos, Laguna is the number one buko (coconut) pie for me. It has the right sweetness to it, and full of coconut meat, unlike other brands with lots of flour and extenders. Even after 2 days, the pie does not dry out, and still delicious. 

Price as of last month on their store is at Php 150/whole pie. Usually there is a long queue on their store along the national road, but its worth it. I bought 2 pies one Saturday afternoon, and they are all finished at home before Sunday lunch time.

See my previous personal ratings of buko pie brands here.