B'gosh, it's a laundry shop!
Spotted along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City
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What's in a (Business) Name? Dieciseis
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Cecil's Extra Moist Chocolate Cake
One February afternoon, while waiting for my flight to Cebu, I killed time in Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City. It was after lunch and my mouth was salivating for dessert. I looked for a place that I would not find in Cebu as I am wont to do. No problem. There were only a handful in Limketkai.
I settled for the unassuming little stall in the center of the aisle on the ground floor. Cecil's. The cakes did not look especially beautiful nor tempting, but it was the price that lured me.
A slice of extra moist chocolate cake for Php55. Boy oh boy, did it surprise me. It was cruelly delish. And this, my friend, is why this piece of cake got me writing about it.
Oh Cecil's extra moist chocolate cake, you are making me drool just recalling our sweet time together.
Cecil's Snack Inn & Bakeshoppe
Ground Floor, Limketkai Center,
Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
Other branches:
- Corrales-Borja Sts. Cagayan de Oro City
- Corrales-Hayes Sts., Cagayan de Oro City / (082) 227 9864
- F Iñigo St., Davao City
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Silay Home(s) Invasion
When you fly in to Negros Occidental, you don't land in the capital, Bacolod City, but in Silay City, about 14 kilometers from the capital.
Welcome to Bacolod? Not yet. You are still in Silay.
Shuttle vans are available at the airport to take you straight to Bacolod City for Php 150 per head. We skipped that and walked to the airport's gate for a tricycle to El Ideal to have some breakfast. Regular tricycle fare is Php 10, but we, along with two other passengers, paid Php 15 each so we could get a move on.
El Ideal
118 Rizal St. Silay City
(034) 495 4430
El Ideal was built in the 1920s
Pancit molo, tapsilog, and puto
Goodies are aplenty at El Ideal. Some of the things on their shelf that caught my eye are the Guapple pie (I'm thinking its parents are Mr Guava and Ms Apple), Manapla puto (too bad it wasn't sold individually, I would have wanted to try one), star apple jam and red chili jam.
We had obtained a map of Silay at the airport tourist desk and decided to take a look around after breakfast.
Cinco de Noviembre Monument
"On this place and date (5 de Noviembre 1898) the residents rose in revolt against Spanish rule."
"On this place and date (5 de Noviembre 1898) the residents rose in revolt against Spanish rule."
Silay is home to many ancestral houses,
one of which is the Digna Locsin Consing Ancestral House.
We snapped a photo of it as we were walking from the monument to...
Balay Negrense
Built in the early 1900s, the home of Don Victor Gaston is now a museum.
Visitors are welcome Tuesday to Sunday, 10AM to 5PM
Admission fee Php 40
Built in the early 1900s, the home of Don Victor Gaston is now a museum.
Visitors are welcome Tuesday to Sunday, 10AM to 5PM
Admission fee Php 40
We rang the doorbell to ask if we could come in 35 minutes before opening time.
We were ushered in by the caretaker who uttered regrets that there were no guides yet at this time.
Mustachio was here!
Mustache is the way to go!
Checking the Gaston family circle to see if I am related to them.
Guess not.
Bike
A doll on the fence watched us as we moved along Cinco de Noviembre Street...
...on the way to the Manuel Hofileña House.
Admission fee Php 50
Sir Ramon Hofileña still lives in this house and an appointment must be made (034) 495 4561.
Admission fee Php 50
Sir Ramon Hofileña still lives in this house and an appointment must be made (034) 495 4561.
We were lurking at the gate at 1015AM hoping to be admitted without an appointment.
This guy (I'm sorry, I forgot his name) spotted us and kindly let us in. He also served as our guide.
Old pocketbooks
Some of Mr Hofileña's collections from his travels
Dining room
Showing us how to use the lithograph
Sir Ramon's bedroom is on the second floor. So is his art collection (paintings of Luna, Amorsolo, etc). No photos are allowed in the second floor.
Too bad we did not meet the man of the house. I guess he wasn't in the mood to see the two strangers who woke him from his blissful sleep. So, yeah, you better set an appointment if you want to meet him.
Just kidding. He was out taking a good bath that time.
How Silay invaded Mustachio's pocket:
Tricycle from airport to El Ideal Php 15
Breakfast for two at El Ideal Php 160Balay Negrense admission fee Php 40
Hofileña House admission fee Php 50
Silay Home(s) Invasion (you're here!)
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Hot and Cold Waters of Mambukal
Time check. 11AM. Time to leave the ancestral homes of Silay City and make our way to Mambukal in Murcia. The municipality of Murcia is about 17 kilometers east of Bacolod City.
Going to Mambukal from Bacolod City is as easy as one.... one jeepney ride: Just get yourself to Libertad Terminal on the northwestern side of Libertad Public Market. Jeepneys bound for Mambukal leave Libertad Terminal every 15 minutes starting from 730AM up to 730PM. The 45-minute ride to Mambukal costs Php35.
Libertad Public Market (left) and the jeepney bound for Mambukal (right)
Sugarcane fields and bridges on the way to Mambukal
Mambukal ResortBrgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental
(034) 433 8516 / (034) 709 0990
There are many things to do Mambukal which means there are many fees to pay.
First is the entrance fee. It's Php50 for adults and Php20 for children 11 years old and below. Even vehicles must pay an entrance fee.
Activies in Mambukal are: swimming, hiking, wall climbing, ziplining (slide for life), walking above ground from tree to tree (canopy walk), boating, butterfly watching, bat spotting, sleeping, eating, getting a massage, and dipping in the warm sulfur pool. Rates for these activities can be found here.
Swim in the pool
Hike around Mambukal and check out the seven waterfalls
Wall climb
Zipline
Row a boat
Spy on bats
Eat at the foodcourt
Get a massage (click to enlarge)
Dip in the warm sulfur pool
We did not try all those activities. Our money would only allow us to sleep, eat, hike, and dip in the warm sulfur pool.
Sleep
We chose to sleep in their cheapest room—a room at the Tourist Lodge which costs Php600 a night. The room had two single beds, an airconditioner, and a toilet and bath.The Tourist Lodge was rather creepy and badly needed maintenance. If not for the full house, thanks to the Mudpack Festival happening the next day, I think I'd have stayed awake all night watching out for something unusual. I am paranoid like that.
If you have an active imagination, skip the lodge and go for the LGU cottages. It will cost you more money, but will cause less paranoia.
For those who like to sleep to the sound of insects, birds, and bats at night, bring a tent. Camping is allowed for only Php30 per person. Accommodation options and rates can be found here.
For those who like to sleep to the sound of insects, birds, and bats at night, bring a tent. Camping is allowed for only Php30 per person. Accommodation options and rates can be found here.
Practicing (left) and getting ready (right) for the Mudpack Festival
Eat
We tried three different stalls at their foodcourt. Halo-halo was Php40 from the first stall (I forgot the name of the stall). From Ramos Grille, we tried the sizzling porkchop with pepper sauce (Php110). The mangoes gave it a tasty twist. Downside? It did not come with rice. We had to order rice for Php10. We also tried Ikea of Kabankalan's tambo (bamboo shoot) with corn soup (Php55) and kangkong (Php50).
Foodcourt
Halo-halo (left) and sizzling porkchop with pepper sauce (right)
Tambo with corn soup (left) and kangkong (right)
Breakfast at Sarah's Sari-sari and Eatery
Hike
We walked around the resort and saw a very hot sulfur pool. I think you can boil eggs there.
Hot sulfur. Do not attempt to jump in. Looks tempting, but burned skin is not my thing.
The trees, along with the streams, in Mambukal give it its cool, fresh air.
Trees, streams, lake
We went to the waterfalls with the help of a guide. We went straight to the seventh falls and made our way down. Best to do it this way. Gravity is our friend.
We passed an inn/restobar and paddies on our way to the seventh falls
Somebody enterprising sells buko (Php25 each) right on the trail
The seventh falls
A little resting place by the seventh falls
A pile of trash near the waterfalls :-(
We continued down to the six other falls (no photos of the fourth and the fifth falls; no access way). It was only at the sixth falls did I dip and dive. Swimming in the other levels is not allowed.
Sixth
Kids jumping into the water
Third
Second
First
Swimming is strictly prohibited
Dip
After the trek to the seven falls, we rewarded ourselves with a dip in the warm sulfur pool. The water in the pool is around 38-40°C. The 50-peso fee is one time; you can come and go anytime of the day or take a dip every day during your stay, just present the receipt to the gatekeeper. I would come back to Mambukal just for the warm dipping pool.
Mambukal Resort is a perfect place to bring the family for a day trip or a night or two.
How Mambukal placed Mustachio's budget in hot water:
Bus from Silay City to Bacolod North Terminal Php 15
Jeep from Bacolod North Terminal to Manokan Country Php 7.50
Jeep from Manokan Country to Libertad Php 7.50
Jeep from Libertad to Mambukal Php 35
Mambukal entrance fee Php 50
Room in Mambukal lodge Php 600
Halo-halo Php 40
Dinner for two at the foodcourt Php 235
Breakfast for two at Sarah's Eatery Php 111
Guide tip Php 300
Buko Php 25
Dipping pool Php 50
Jeep from Mambukal to Libertad Php 35
Hot and Cold Waters of Mambukal (you're here!)
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Saltimboca Tourist Inn
15th Street, Bacolod City
0932 877 9488 / 0910 490 3377
saltimpension@yahoo.com.ph
Recommended by friends who were in Bacolod months before our trip, I booked a room at Saltimboca Inn without a second thought. The perfect location for our food trip in Bacolod. Next door is Calea, a few minutes walk and you get to 21 Restaurant and Cafe Bob's, the Old Pala-pala is just a jeepney ride and a three-minute walk, and Manokan Country and Felicia's are a jeepney ride away. And if you like pasalubong shopping, Merci Bakeshop is right across the main road.
We were given the standard room C (with AC) for Php 900 a night. This poolside room comes with private toilet and bath. Towels and soap are also provided. If the boobtube lulls you to sleep at night, worry not, this lullaby is available, with cable too. You can find the room rates here. Note that there are some rooms that have shared toilet and bath.
The 900-peso-room comes with free breakfast
Free breakfast for two
The inn has a small gazebo for guests to relax in, some tables and chairs for some snacks and chitchat or a good read (just watch out for the mosquitoes), and a small pool for a refreshing dip. Oh, if you need to update your facebook or twitter, they have WiFi.
Navigating (a bit of) Negros Occidental:
Saltimboca Tourist Inn (you're here!)
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Belly Bursting Bacolod
I came to Bacolod City with nothing but food in mind.
I was prepared: I had a list of restaurants to visit.
Aida's at Manokan Country
I was prepared: I had a list of restaurants to visit.
Aida's at Manokan Country
Reclamation area (near SM), Bacolod City
Click to enlarge menu
Chicken inasal and garlic rice
After checking out the ancestral homes of Silay City and before going to Mambukal in Murcia, lunch! Lunch had to be in Manokan Country, the restaurant on top of my list. Their chicken inasal (roasted chicken) is finger lickin' good! The not-so-secret ingredient? Sugar (so they say). Oh, and they have a bottle of chicken oil, too, that's to be mixed with your plain rice.
Sharyn's Cansi House
Narra St., Capitol Shopping Center, Bacolod City
(034) 433 1374
Now you see it, now you don't
Cansi is a cross between pochero and sinigang—at least that's how it tasted to me: like sour pochero. As you can see from the photos above, we left nothing but the bone for the dog. Even the extra soup was all gone. A bowl of Cansi (Php 230), three servings of rice (Php 15 each), and two bottles of softdrinks (less than Php 20 for a bottle) shared between two equals big burps from two happy customers.
Hykso's Tulahan at Old Pala-pala
North Capitol Road, Old Pala-pala, Bacolod City
(034) 708 8130
Buy your fresh seafood from the wet market next door
Cooking fees (click to enlarge)
And again, the disappearing act
You do the shopping (at the wet market next door) and Hykso's does the cooking. When dining at the Old Pala-pala, it's best to bring a bunch of friends. Hykso's cooking fee is for a minimum of half a kilo. Anything less than half a kilo, the fee would still be for a half kilo.
Since it was just me and my travel bud, we only bought 1/8 kg of scallops (Php 60), 1/8 kg of shrimps (Php 60), and a crab (1/4 kg, Php 80). The fresh seafood were then transformed by Hykso's to grilled scallops, buttered shrimps, and steamed crab, with cooking fees of Php 80, Php 80, and Php 65, respectively. These three would not be complete without three orders of rice (Php 15 each) and drinks (Php 20 each). As evidenced by the above photo, we enjoyed our excellent fresh seafood dinner.
21st Street, Bacolod City
(034) 433 4096
10AM - 11PM Sunday - Thursday
10AM - 1AM Friday - Saturday
Mango salad
Regular batchoy (left) and super batchoy with egg (right)
Click to enlarge
The interiors of 21 Restaurant look fancy and make you think that everything on their menu is beyond the normal price. True, the food is quite expensive: the starters go from Php 110 and up; salads Php 140 and up; sandwiches Php 115 and up; main course Php 155 up to Php 1,200. But we were here for the batchoy. Super batchoy (with liver and bone marrow, Php 90) with egg (Php 15) for me and regular batchoy (Php 75) for travel bud. Bowls of cholesterol paradise. To counter this unhealthy choice, we threw in an order of mango salad (Php 165). It's lettuce, mangoes, and candied cashew nuts, with creamy mango dressing. We patted our stomachs for a meal well chosen.
How busting our gut burst Mustachio's pocket:
Lunch at Manokan Country for two Php 232
Lunch at Sharyn's for two Php 308
Dinner for two at old pala-pala Php 550
Lunch for two at 21 Restaurant Php 345
Belly Bursting Bacolod (you're here!)
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Not for the Diabetic
Negros Occidental is a dangerous place for diabetics. Bacolod City, particularly, is teeming with sugary goodness. Like moths to flame, we couldn't help but be drawn into Bacolod's cafés and pastry shops.
6th Lacson St. DOLL Bldg., Bacolod City
(034) 433 6586
Felicia's mouth-watering cakes and goodies
Swiss chocolate (left) and cream puff (right)
I wanted to try as many as I could but I was still so full from the cansi lunch at Sharyn's that I had to resign myself to cream puff (Php 90) and travel bud to a slice of Swiss chocolate cake (Php 80). The cream puff looked delicious but did not live up to its looks. I liked the filling, but, on the whole, it disappointed me. I couldn't finish it. The Swiss chocolate cake was a different story. It was gone in sixty seconds.
Cafe Bob's
21st Street, Bacolod City
(034) 434 2409
Bob's baked bounty
Gelato aplenty
Cab Gelato's dark choco in a waffle cone
Cafe Bob's is just across 21 Restaurant and that's where we skedaddled to after slurping our bowls of batchoy. With stomachs not having enough space for a piece of cake, we just fed our eyes with Bob's display of cakes. Off on the left side of the cafe, we admired Cab Gelato's array of colorful cold goodness. I gave in to the temptation and bought a cone of dark chocolate gelato (Php 95). Expensive, yes, but truly delicious.
Calea
Balay Quince, 15th Street, Bacolod City
(034) 435 8413
My sweet teeth are aching just looking at this wide selection!
Floating Island (left) and lemon merengue (right)
A visit to Bacolod would not be complete without having a piece of Calea. Though I have always liked their chocolate cake, I thought I'd try something new this time: Floating Island (Php 75) and lemon merengue (Php 75). Floating Island is like brazo de mercedes that's not put together right physically, but tastes even better. Lemon merengue was perfectly lemony, complete with real lemon strips. One can never go wrong with Calea.
Milk + Tea
Balay Quince, 15th Street, Bacolod City
Click to enlarge menu
Almond milk tea with black gulaman
The milk tea craze has also reached Bacolod. We found Milk+Tea just above Calea in Balay Quince. As a a last hurrah, I bought a large almond milk tea with gulaman (Php 100)... something to sip while we wait for our flight home. How was it, you ask? Let's just say I've had better. And for a hundred pesos, it was expensive.
How devouring desserts made Mustachio's sweet teeth ache:
Desserts at Felicia's Php 170
Gelato at Bob's Cafe/Cab Gelato Php 95
Desserts at Calea Php 150
Milk tea from Milk + Tea Php 100
Not for the Diabetic (you're here!)
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Brain Food in Negros Museum
My stomach is bursting. My sweet tooth is smiling. My brain is screaming.
Screaming from hunger.
Don't worry brain, I hear you!
I will feed you. Both sides of you.
I will treat left brain to a visit to Negros Museum.
And some turista photos on the way to the museum.
Gatuslao St., Bacolod City
(034) 433 4764
10AM-7PM Tuesday to Saturday
9AM-6PM Sunday
Cinco de Noviembre Exhibit
Sugar & Other Negros Tales
Be sure to ask why the men painted on the wall have sacks over their heads (upper right)
JGM Gallery of International Folk Art & Toys
For only Php50, left brain had its fill of Negros history and toys from around the world. Hands were also busy taking pictures in the museum. Yes, this is allowed...except in the Folk Art & Toy Gallery. I just sneaked some clicks of the toys while the guide had his back to me. I'm sorry, Mr. Guide, I just think toys are fascinating.
Negros Museum library
While you digest the chicken inasal and sweets during your food trip in Bacolod, I suggest you give Negros Museum a visit. Spend an hour or two at the museum (do ask for a guide for he can tell you about what you are staring at) and give your brain something to digest. This is why I did not write anything about the exhibits, because I want you to check it out yourself! You are also welcome to browse and read in the museum's library.
How feeding Mustachio's left brain put his pocket on a diet:
Negros Museum entrance fee Php 50
Navigating (a bit of) Negros Occidental:
Brain Food in Negros Museum (you're here!)
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Art About Town
My stomach is bursting. My sweet tooth is smiling. My left brain is burping.
Right brain, it's your turn. Let's go art gawking in Bacolod.
What luck, I met an artist at the Negros Museum. This was my chance to feed right brain with some art. I tailed this artist to his little art studio called Incubator and, in the process, also learned of another gallery called Gallery Orange.
Right brain, it's your turn. Let's go art gawking in Bacolod.
What luck, I met an artist at the Negros Museum. This was my chance to feed right brain with some art. I tailed this artist to his little art studio called Incubator and, in the process, also learned of another gallery called Gallery Orange.
The Incubator Studio
Dela Rama Drive, City Heights Subdivision, Bacolod City
At the time of my left-brain-feeding (June 2012...sorry for the late post; I admit, I am a procrastinator), the exhibit was Amorsecos y las Falsas Promesas y Valores Equivocados de la Ciudad Amurallada, which Google translated as "False Promises and Misguided Values of the Walled City". In short, it was about Manila's imperialism.
Map to Incubator (click to enlarge)
Gallery Orange
2nd floor Annex Bldg. Lopue's Mandalagan, Bacolod City
(034) 709 0604
2PM - 9PM Monday - Saturday
On exhibit at Gallery Orange were the works of Dennis Ascalon entitled Dekahon...
Mr. Ascalon's works were all carved and painted. Brilliant!
...and an art installation, by Jay-R Delleva, called The Waste Land Apparition.
In the complex, where Gallery Orange is located, there are also many artsy things to stare at.
How feeding Mustachio's right brain cost him:
Nothing!
Just the jeepney fare going to the studio :-)
Art About Town (you're here!)
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Napoleon(es): Bon Pasalubong
When I say Bacolod, what comes into mind? Chicken inasal? Piaya? Bongbong's? Tired of the same old pasalubong, we set out to find something different to bring home.
First up: Merci Bakeshop. Why? Because it was just a few steps from Saltimboca Tourist Inn. Scanning the shelves, it was the same old fare: piaya, barquillos, mango tart, meringue, etc. Vaguely remembering napoleones, something I received as a pasalubong years back, I asked if they had any. Unfortunately, the answer was no. They had run out of napoleones (and it was just 1PM). Not finding anything interesting, we decided to head back to the inn, pack up, and get ready to go to the airport.
At the airport, with some minutes to spare, we stopped by Bongbong's Pasalubong Center. Lucky us, we found half a dozen boxes of napoleones piled on a table. There were pieces without the white icing which turns out to be their sugar-free ones.
A box (12 pieces) of Bongbong's napoleones costs Php 150 at the airport. I am guessing it is cheaper at the branches in the city. Merci Bakeshop also has a stall inside the airport terminal and there they had some available for 5 pesos cheaper than Bongbong's. Virgie's, another pasalubong center in Bacolod, also has napoleones. Yup, napoleones is pretty popular in Bacolod.There's probably a question that's been gnawing on your brain two and a half paragraphs ago: What are napoleones? These are sugar glazed puff pastries with custard inside. Probably a close relative of mille-feuille, also known as napoleon.
The napoleones from Bongbong's are melts-in-my-mouth-heaven. Merci's aren't as soft as Bongbong's and it's sweeter (in fact, it is too sweet for my sweet tooth). Virgie's is at par with Bongbong's.
To whoever goes to Bacolod and thinks of getting me a pasalubong: Forget the piaya! Forget the barquillos! Remember napoleones! :-) Thankyouverymuch!
Navigating (a bit of) Negros Occidental:
Napoleon(es): Bon Pasalubong (you're here!)
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Under the Banner of Heaven
What's the book's title?
Is this part two of The Five People You Meet in Heaven?
Nope. This book is by Jon Krakauer, not Mitch Albom. And it's nonfiction.
Ok, what's the story?
Krakauer dissects the situations that lead to the massacre of a mother and her daughter.
Scary! But why heaven?
Because it relates to religious extremism.
Is it a good read then?
Very much. Krakauer has a gift of unbiased reporting and gutsy story telling. He simplified a complicated history of Mormonism, wrote interviews, compiled names, dates, events, and composed an eye-opening documentary of religious idealism gone awry.
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The Cherry Tree
About a year ago, I mentioned of a cherry blossom tree in AS Fortuna Street in Cebu City. Well, here it is! Not in full bloom, but I just thought I'd take a photo before I forget. If I forget, I will have to wait another year for the same show as this only happens once a year. Though not exactly the same as those in Japan or Korea, but it's still beautiful to see especially when it gets all white and pink. I am no botanist, but I would guess this tree here is a Palawan Cherry tree, locally known as Balayong.
As promised, here's a photo of the tree. :-)
PS. According to this Yahoo! news published in March 2013, Palawan is one of the places to see Cherry Blossoms.
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Less than Twenty Questions with Noelfy of Noelimits.com
Noelfy (read as no-el-fee) is one of those travelers that I envy. At 26, she has already traveled to 61 countries, couchsurfed even before Couchsurfing became famous, and immersed herself in learning each country's culture and language. Her blog, Noelimits, is a fitting name for a girl with dreams as big as the world she tramps.When the news came out that she was visiting the Philippines and thinking of heading down to Cebu, I asked her to drop me a line if and when she came to the city. And she did, so the time to finally meet her came.
We met on a Monday night. She was dressed like a gypsy, had slippers on, and moved like a little girl being floated by hundreds of balloons. Noelfy has been trying to become a vegetarian; supportive person that I am, we headed to Zayka. Unfortunately, it had disappeared. (Anyone know where they transferred?) I thought of Mr. India in Gaisano Country Mall, but it was too far. So the nearest Indian restaurant was the next sensible choice: Firozian Indian Tea House.
Memory serves to be my ally on this, but memory also deceives. What you'll be reading in this interview isn't verbatim.
Name? Noelfy.
I don't think that's your given name. How did you become Noelfy? A mix for Noelia and Elfy. I love the environment, trees, elves. I was called Elfy also.
What's a world without travel? Sh*t. When I travel, there's always something new.
How did travel change you as a person? I didn't have a good time when I was in highschool. I traveled to Italy when I was 17. Then started traveling to other parts of Europe. After that, I could not see myself having a normal life anymore (like being stuck in one place and having a boring job).
Best travel experience? Every travel. But the best places were Central Asia, Caribbean, and Malaysia-Borneo.
Don't you get tired of moving from place to place?I do. But I'm still in my life where I want to travel and travel.
What do you imagine doing after ten years? 30-40 years old. I'll be having my own business. It has something to do with helping the environment. I'll be doing work that will help change the world. It's written in my life plan on my blog.
What do you think of El Nido? My first time there was two years ago. Super lovely place. The prices were cheaper then than it is now. I was there recently and I couldn't work on my blog in El Nido. The electricity was up only for a few hours at night and my laptop's battery life is only an hour.
What do you think of beauty pageants? I'm not against that. There are people who fit joining pageants. What I don't like is people judging a person by their mere looks. Because every person, regardless of their looks, has something to offer.
Favorite color? Animal? Comfort food? Green. Koala. Sushi.
If you can travel to any period of time/generation/era, when would that be? Medieval times. I'll be fighting dragons. I'll be a conqueror!
What question should I refrain from asking you? Please don't ask me about football! ...That's unusual for someone who hails from Spain (currently No. 1 in FIFA rankings). But I know how to play. Last time I played, I was the only woman in the team and even played better than some of my teammates.
How many languages can you speak? More than three. In every country I visit, I make sure to speak the local language. Although it's harder for me to practice Filipino since everyone I talked to here converses with me in English.
I'd like to learn another language. Should I start learning Spanish? Yes, you should. It can be very helpful. In other countries I visited, I earned by teaching Spanish part-time and proof reading Spanish articles. Spanish is also widely spoken in South America. Cool! I'll take note of that. Even in my native tongue, there are still unfamiliar words I need to know. The great thing about language is that it's something you can never stop learning.
What's next for Noelfy? I'll go back to London. Then I'll be doing the Santiago Trail.
Honestly, this interview had more laughter than talk. If I include the hahahas, the article length would double.
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Allmytea: Tea with Calamansi and Orange
My email box's favorite pastime is to gather cobwebs. It does it amazingly well, too. When an email poked thru the cobwebs, my big eyes widened and my bushy eyebrows raised. It was just like receiving a letter thru the post—it rarely happens. The email was from Senpur Trading located in Naga City, Cebu, and it was an invitation for the launching of Allmytea Iced Tea. I racked my brain for answers to questions as to why they invited me and how they got my email address. I could not come up with any plausible answer. To whoever gave my name and email address to Senpur Trading: Thank you. :-)
On to the day of the launch. The Allmytea Iced Tea launch was held at Japengo in Parkmall. I thought it was going to be a big event with many media people and a flock of bloggers. But, no, it was small and modest, with just a handful of people.
On to the day of the launch. The Allmytea Iced Tea launch was held at Japengo in Parkmall. I thought it was going to be a big event with many media people and a flock of bloggers. But, no, it was small and modest, with just a handful of people.
Senpur Trading is responsible for bringing Allmytea Iced Tea to Cebu. Allmytea Iced Tea is a product of Marventure Corporation in Malabon City. This iced tea came out first as a homebrew and was later on sold in a school canteen in Manila. That was in 2003. Now, ten years later, we, Cebuanos, get a chance to try this brewed tea with real calamansi juice and orange squeeze.
Senpur Trading's General Manager, Stacy Rubie Purugganan, chose Allymtea Iced Tea for she wanted a drink that is safe—no artificial flavoring. The tea used is Black Tea since this has the strongest taste among teas. The iced tea is available in concentrate (500mL and 2L) and ready-to-drink (350mL and 500mL) bottles. The ready-to-drink bottles go for Php27 for the 350mL and Php32 for the 500mL. Allmytea can also be served as a frappe iced tea, iced tea shake, or as a cocktail (with vodka).
For now, Allmytea Iced Tea is available in Japengo, Popeye's Grill House, and Cafe de France Robinsons. It is not sold in groceries because, being all-natural, it has a short shelf life: four months for the ready-to-drink, and six months for the concentrate.
Senpur Trading's General Manager, Stacy Rubie Purugganan
What did somebody think of it's packaging? Let's just say that that person asked if there were any plans for the packaging to be changed.
What did I think of the iced tea? Hmmm...different. I could not describe it (though my friend said it tastes like sampaloc. Haha). Will the number of glasses that I drank tell you how I liked it? Five glasses. That has got to mean something —no, it doesn't mean I was just thirsty.
Loot bags at the launch
To contact Senpur Trading, you may email Stacy Rubie Purugganan at senpur.trading@gmail.com or thru 0916 464 7560.
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The Bandwagon
I have an announcement to make...
I am ripping off my mustache
and tearing down this blog.
and tearing down this blog.
Just kidding.
I have joined the social media bandwagon.
I am now on:
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Though not at all active.
But, hey, I took the first step, which is to sign up. :-)
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What's in a (Business) Name? Diecisiete
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Wisdom from the Road #3
On honesty
Not everyone is out to con you.
In Kalibo, when we got off the bus from Caticlan, tricycle drivers were looking for a fare and said the airport was too far to walk. We said, "no thanks," and walked. It was indeed too far—an hour'swalk to be exact—especially in the searing heat of the noonday sun.
Again, not everyone is out to con you.
In Puerto Princesa,when we asked an airport guard where the nearest chaolong house is, he said it was just a few hundred meters away. Just walk. (True.) As we were exiting the airport gate, pedicab drivers swarmed and said the nearest chaolong house was too far to walk; we should just take a pedicab. (False.)
In Kalibo, when we got off the bus from Caticlan, tricycle drivers were looking for a fare and said the airport was too far to walk. We said, "no thanks," and walked. It was indeed too far—an hour'swalk to be exact—especially in the searing heat of the noonday sun.
Again, not everyone is out to con you.
Wisdom from the Road
On honesty (you're here!)
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Best Isaw Ever
I was never a fan of isaw until I met Sabeth. The first time I met Sabeth was in 2003 (ten years ago!), outside the Port of Surigao City. I have been longing for her...isaw...ever since. Sabeth's isaw has got to be the best. It is cut down the middle, cleaned of anything that's in the intestine (please don't bother imagining what's in an intestine), and grilled to a crisp. Just like any barbecue place, Sabeth also has pork barbecue, grilled chicken, chicken skin, liver, and other typical BBQ fare.
Sabeth BBQ is just a few steps from the Port of Surigao City.
Isaw, pork barbecue, and liver. Don't forget the puso.
Try eating your BBQ with their sweet sauce.
Try eating your BBQ with their sweet sauce.
To find Sabeth, when facing the Port of Surigao City, turn right and do not be tempted by the other BBQ places lining the street. Go straight ahead and you will find Sabeth near the end of the row of BBQ eateries. When you find her, do give her my love.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Sabeth's way to Mustachio's heart is through his stomach then through his pocket:
9 pcs puso (Php 5 each) Php 457 pcs pork barbecue (Php 15 each) Php 105
10 pcs isaw (Php 6 each) Php 60
2 pcs chicken skin (Php 15 each) Php 30
2 pcs grilled chicken breast (Php 35 each) Php 70
1 pc liver Php 15
Mountain Dew Php 15
Total of Php 340
That's a lot, you say? Just to make myself clear, I did not eat all these. I was with two friends. See? I am not a glutton.
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The Suite Room by Casa Verde
A rather classy looking invitation for an exclusive lunch came in the (e)mail. What an honor to be invited! But what shall I wear? I can't go in my usual attire for this lunch. I have to don my best (and only) suit and red boots.
I comb my mustache one more time before entering The Suite Room. I look at the door handle and wonder why it has a card slot above it. I dismiss the thought and turn the handle. It's unlocked. I step in and see striped wallpapered walls, curtains and drapes, a chandelier, a fireplace, a TV, a bureau (desk) with a mirror above it, a closet, six tables with two comfy-looking chairs each (two of the chairs look like open luggages), and a counter that looks like a bed with a headboard. Ahhh... so it's a suite room. This is The Suite Room.I wanted to kick off my shoes and slip my feet into the bedroom slippers I found on a chair. But, no, my stinky feet might ruin everybody's lunch.
The exclusive lunch started off with the salads: Mixed greens with grapes and candied nuts, dressed with strawberry vinaigrette; Caesar salad; and fresh Thai salad with peanut dressing. The salad with the strawberry vinaigrette was unbelievably delicious. The fresh and crunchy greens went well with the sweet dressing. The Caesar salad had lettuce, bacon, eggs, croutons, parmesan, and Caesar dressing. I have always thought Caesar salads were boring, but The Suite Room's version changed my mind. The fresh Thai salad with peanut dressing? A wonderful mix of textures. I was loving all the salads (mind you, I am not a salad eater).
Left to right: Mixed greens with strawberry vinaigrette, Caesar salad, fresh Thai salad
Next up: Soup. Classic mushroom soup, Asian beef and shrimp noodle, and cream of squash. The mushroom soup was creamy but not overpowering. The cream of squash was thick and equally good. Of the three, I like the Asian beef and shrimp noodle. It was a beautiful mix of flavors.
Left to right: classic mushroom soup, Asian beef and shrimp noodle, cream of squash
Three different appetizers were served next: Meatballs in stewed tomato sauce, Cajun style skewered shrimps in a blanket, and Asian style sweet and spicy chicken wings. The chicken wings were tender, its skin slightly crunchy. It was mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness. The peppery, slightly spicy flavor of the skewered shrimps engulfed my mouth. The meatballs were excellent. Soft and tomatoey, the best meatballs I've had!
Left to right: meatballs in stewed tomato sauce, Cajun style skewered shrimps in a blanket, Asian style sweet and spicy chicken wings
We've only just begun and I was already giddy with happiness! What else could be in store for us guests? Sandwiches. Tuna salad sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, and tacos. The tuna and chicken salad sandwiches were what I expected them to be. The tacos would cater to the Filipino taste buds: its sauce was sweet.
Left to right: Tuna salad sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, tacos
This is not the day to be stuffing myself with everything on the table for there's more: Pasta. Spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli in tomato cream, bacon and mushroom pasta in pesto cream sauce, spaghetti and sausage in tomato sauce, and shrimp fettuccine in Alfredo sauce. Of the four, I was expecting to like the spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli, but I couldn't really taste the spinach in it (I wanted the spinach!). I like the bacon and mushroom pesto pasta best.
Clockwise from top left: spaghetti and sausage in tomato sauce, bacon and mushroom pasta in pesto cream sauce, spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli in tomato cream, and shrimp fettuccine in Alfredo sauce
They kept feeding us really good food that I am giving up describing each. Let the photos do the talking. I have run out of synonyms for delicious.
On to the entrées...pan fried salmon in citrus butter sauce with mushroom risotto, skewered surf and turf with Cajun butter, 1/2 citrus herb roasted chicken, and baked cream dory. Large servings. I am torn between the salmon and the dory (I am biased towards fish that day).
Clockwise from top left: baked cream dory, skewered surf and turf with Cajun butter, 1/2 citrus herb roasted chicken, and pan fried salmon in citrus butter sauce with mushroom risotto
Their ala carte menu consists of Australian beef rib eye steak; Australian beef striploin steak; pork kalbi with lettuce, garlic, and soybean paste; and fresh corned beef with horseradish sauce paired with cabbage, potato and carrots. Steak lovers, this is the place for you! Juicy steaks for just Php450. Taking a bite of pork kalbi reminded me of samgyeopsal. As for the corned beef, call me ignorant, I really wasn't expecting corned beef to look like that (the only corned beef I have seen were in cans hahaha).
Clockwise from top left: Australian beef rib eye steak, Australian beef striploin steak, fresh corned beef with horseradish sauce, and pork kalbi
Everything was superb. Plus, it was capped off with perfect desserts. Green tea ice cake, Rainbow cake, and frozen caramel macchiato. How my sweet tooth jumped for joy! I love green tea ice cream so thumbs up for the green tea ice cake. The Rainbow cake was too beautiful to eat...but I just had to eat it and eat it and eat it. The frozen caramel macchiato was love at first bite. I ooohhed and aaahhed as it melted in my mouth with bits of caramel lingering on my tongue.
Left to right: Green tea ice cake, Rainbow cake, frozen caramel macchiato
In my head, I was grinning from ear to ear and rubbing my palms with glee. This was the best meal I have ever had! Since that day, I have been spreading the word to every person I know to try The Suite Room. The Suite Room and Café Georg are now my favorites.
PS How will eating at The Suite Room bust your budget? Prices go from Php150 and up. You may opt to get a set menu (half portions of salad or soup, entrée, and dessert) for Php500.
PPS Reservations recommended. Only six tables of two, remember? :-)
PPS Reservations recommended. Only six tables of two, remember? :-)
The Suite Room
69 Lim Tian Teng Street, Ramos, Cebu City
(032) 254 0508
thesuiteroom@casaverdecebu.com
11AM - 10PM Daily
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An Ultimate Brownie Experience
Today I want some dark fudge on my mustache. Or maybe red velvet. Hmmm...what will it be? I think I'll have red velvet (I have tried dark fudge months ago and it was lip-smacking sweet!). The dark fudge and red velvet brownie cups are made to order from U.B.E (short for Ultimate Brownie Experience), made by food blogger Babe for Food.U.B.E’s brownie cups don’t come with ice cream. It can be eaten plain (after popping it in the microwave oven for about a minute and letting it cool a minute more) or with toppings. You can add ice cream, syrup, sprinkles, socks, rocks, leaves, whatever. It’s really up to you.
A brownie cup, whether dark fudge or red velvet, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is my preferred ultimate brownie experience. Sinfully delicious!
U.B.E’s brownie cups go for Php45 each, but a minimum of six cups is required. Go wild, have three of each! Or be like me, and tempt your friends so you can reach the minimum. Now stop drooling and give U.B.E/Babe for Food a call (and tell her I sent you).
0922 882 2655
ube032@gmail.com
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