Going Home for the HOLIDAYS ...

It's the holidays once again and the airport will become our friend or foe? The last time I went home was a total disaster ... attaching the pics c/o my new found friend Taiwanese Ken Chien who was Cebu-bound as well ...

Goodluck to everyone who's flying for the holidays ...

Mrs Jane B.

Food trip at the Manila Ocean Park

It's my fourth time here, no, not to visit the aquatic life at the Manila Ocean Park, but to eat at the MAKANSUTRA, Asian Food Village. My officemate introduced me to this place last September and we even brought our teams over for lunch.

The place is sorta like a nice looking hawker place in Singapore. The food varies from your usual dimsum, Filipino "sinigang" and "inhaw", also boasts of authentic tasting Singaporean, Indonesian, Thai and some Indian dishes. Of course, the place not only has Asian but it has its Western Counter as well that features pasta, fish & chips and steak. And note that food is cooked right there and then! So expect some waiting time.

They also feature some original sounding bev like Michael Jackson (soy milk with black gulaman). Oh no, am not adventurous so I stick to my good 'ol Coke! So far, the ones I've tasted are great given the price of each dish (really value for money), try their Laksah, Hainanese Chicken, Roti Prata and Spaghetti Vongole (Western Counter) ... if you're adventurous and like it HOT, there's lots to choose from!

Of course, I just go there for the food. Never been inside the Manila Ocean Park ... maybe you can visit and bring some kids along!

Mrs Jane B.

Can't Get Over UP

Yeah, had a great walk around the Sunken Garden this morning with my husband and our friend Bernard. On Sundays, the road around the garden is closed to vehicles, so there was a mass of runners, joggers, walkers, bikers, kids, granpa's, grandma's ... it was such a sight to see. I remembered way back in the early '90s that this was not the scene to see on a Sunday (being a dormer and all). But I guess, the fitness craze has hit everyone and even people like me who lives in Mandaluyong would drive all the way up here to walk, jog, talk and just plain relax.

My recent visit to my doctor showed I gained weight, a weight I used to have only when I was a freshman at UP Diliman. With the mixture of being homesick, trying to fit in, having to study (kuno!), concocting schemes so I could get my crush to group study with me, etc .... I could finish a pint of Selecta coffee crumble and a loaf of raisin bread from the Shopping center in one sitting! It was only in freshman year that I hit the 110lbs scale, I'm always within my 100lbs weight zone.

Walking around UP this morning, brought up so many memories and feelings. I guess my friend Bernard put it so aptly, "you just can't get over UP". Yeah, when you're 16, all alone with all the freedom in the world, away from parental control and rules ... who can ever get over UP? The freedom is sometimes overwhelming that I've seen people who couldn't handle it and just spiral down ... sad yet, being in UP has taught me more than just the experential smoking, drinking, sneaking out of the dorm, helping a friend out while she double-booked herself for a date and make-out sessions. And its not some, ISKOLAR ng bayan thing and maki-baka thing, it's being responsible for your decisions and actions. Yup, and when it's not going as planned, there's no one to be blamed but YOU.

At a very young age, I knew that if I spent my allowance on a shopping spree or some gimik, I won't have money for laundry, ikot (walk yourself to death), group meetings and photocopy. I had to learn to budget! I lived in a dorm, with only my friends, my roommate and my BF knowing where I am. Physical safety and security was something I couldn't just assign to somebody else. Mind you, no mobile phones at that time. And getting sick was the worse part because you don't have a mom to take care of you. You have to walk to the pharmacy and buy your own meds. So, by the time you graduate, you can live practically anywhere!

On a lighter note, it was in UP that I gained long-time friends. Friends who know how terrible you look way back in the 90's (my gosh, with very short shorts and frizzy hair). Friends who have seen your high's and low's, friends who have become your second family. UP Dil was my home away from home ... so, how can you ever get over that?

So, I've decided to visit UP every weekend and jog, walk, run, relax ... eat breakfast at Rodic's and possibly visit the other restos there now. Maybe I'd bump into some of you. See you there ...

Mrs Jane B.

Sweets Anyone?

It's really HOT in Cebu! Yesterday was no exception, I'm home for the weekend and decided to check out Ayala Center and our Big Beauty Sale for PONDS before meeting up with a friend. The heat was getting into me, so I asked my husband if we could cool down somewhere and check out any eating place at the Terraces.

Of course, for those of you who have not been to Ayala Center Cebu recently, the Terraces area was set up more than a year ago. It houses more restos and shops and has expanded the Ayala Center. In true Ayala Mall style, the place is themed and the design of the area is like the rice terraces, its tierred and there are water fountains and green landscaping. It has brought a new level of malling again for the Cebuanos!

Because I'm in Cebu, I wanted to go to a non-Manila place, and remembered The Dessert Factory! I do recall my friend (who has returned to Cebu a more than a year), telling me last time we went there that this sweets place is all-Cebuano, can't find it in Manila. So off we went at level 3 of the Ayala Terraces.

This place has the carnival/circus/magical feel inside. The waiters wear purple uniforms and funny hats. Their menu ranges from lots of cake types and pastries to the local halo-halo. But mind you I think only halo-halo is the Filipino dessert available. I'm not so into sweets so I ended up just having cold coffee latte just to cool down. But Brian has a sweet tooth and ordered their A-choco-lypse, their version "death by chocolate cake". And some savoury snack, mini corn dogs. In fairness, the cake was great, not so sweet and I thought the mini corn dog would probably be just 3 pcs, but lo and behold, 7 pcs all in all! My my, the light merienda has turned into a heavy one. We can't eat it all because we're saving space for the buffet dinner at the Crossroads Mall's Gourmet Cafe Kutsara at Tinidor (Dad's bday dinner treat).

Now, we had to walk it off! Ha ha ha!

Mrs Jane B.

Kadyos at Ilonggo Grill

It's really good to marry someone outside your province or town ... allows you to discover new things, new local flavours. Of course, I'm not against the "fall-in love with thy neighbor". Having an Ilonggo husband allows me to not just learn a new dialect in the Philippines but allows me to visit Iloilo in Panay on a regular basis.

My husband loves to cook, and loves eating more! And with it comes the fun of eating Ilonggo food. I learned to love eating Pantat Adobado (visit Zaraga in Iloilo during Christmas and they have their Pantat "catfish" festival akin to the Bangus Festival in Dagupan) and my new love, "kadyos". Its the Ilonggo's version of "sinigang". It's this dish that contains black peas local to Panay. It can be with pork or "bisaya" chicken, with "batuan" for the sour taste and vegetable "langka" (jackfruit). I remebered my in-laws bringing us the raw "kadyos" peas in Manila just so my husband could cook for me the dish.

You really can't find the "kadyos" in the local fresh area of the supermarket, in fact I don't even think there's available ones in the local public market. Though, I was told, there are some, but not on a regular basis. Since its really hard to find here, once my "kadyos" craving strikes, I used to feel so helpless ... but wait we found a place that served this dish that's passable enough vs Nang Oning's cooking (my in-laws trusted help and cook back in Iloilo).

So, if you're wondering what it tastes like, visit Ilonggo Grill in any of the popular foodcourts in malls. We know there's one in Galleria. An order would cost P70+ good for two already or if you're so hungry should only be good for you.

Try it, it will give you a different "sinigang'!

Mrs. Jane B.

Casa Verde, Casual Dining in Cebu City

My officemates in Manila were in Cebu City recently and it just so happened I was there too for the weekend. I wanted to take them out to dine so they can experience Cebu food and local restos. I didn't get the chance to take them out though. I asked one them if they were able to eat at Casa Verde and she said, "YES". And when asked how was the food, she said, "ang sarap!".

Well, Casa Verde is one of the local must visit restos if ever you get to visit the Queen City of the South. Its original location is near Ranudo St., near Ramos area. My dad told me that their original resto used to be a ladies dorm back in the 70's. It has branches in THE WALK and at THE AYALA TERRACES. It's Cebu's version of T.G.I. Fridays ... but better with more value!

Their specialty are steak and ribs with prices ranging from Php 150-300! If eat like me, their serving size is good for two. My all time fave other than their Brian's Ribs is their cream potato soup. It's perfect for me, just the right creaminess and thickness. Though my sis thinks its too heavy. There's a lot in their menu to choose from so no worries ...

Just a bit of advise though, come in 30 min earlier during lunch and dinner rush hours to ensure you get a table, otherwise you will have to line up. So when you're in CEBU, don't forget to try Casa Verde.

Untill the next chow!

Mrs Jane B.

Sugba and Tula Anyone?

This summer season, Cebu becomes a destination for everyone looking for BSS – beach, sun and sand! The island boasts of its white beaches either up north going to Santa Fe in Bantayan or going south to Moalboal and nearby Badian Island.

Being a native, coming home for the summer means food trekking as well.

Cebu started the “su-tu-kil” rave and everyone now knows what “sugba, tula, kilaw” means! If you still don’t then you must really visit Cebu and ask to be taken to the nearest SUTUKIL place. Anyways, my dad is a fan of these places and he and my mom used to frequent this place near SM City Cebu known as A1. He told me the “tula” is the greatest (fresh fish all the time) and they have various seafood “sugba” that are just charcoal hot!

We recently visited with my dad and husband in tow (who needs to watch over his cholesterol) the said resto. Of course its al fresco! Meaning its carenderia style with no aircon and monobloc chairs and tables! The resto was packed with people all ordering seafood dishes ... the sugba and the tula lived up to expectation! And the best part is, it’s value for money! For the three of us ordering sugba fish, tula fish, seaweed salad, rice and drinks (minus dessert), all under P300.00 or USD6.40 ONLY! What a lunch and you still have extra money for dessert.

I just love Cebu and the cheap local places where one can eat and enjoy! If you’re looking for this place, its outside the SM City Mall, walking distance from the CNT Lechon place, there’s parking and you won’t miss it because of the grill that’s outside the resto!

Until the next chow!

Mrs Jane B.