Arghentrock's A Taste of the Philippines

Philippine House Lizard Learns to Eat Rice Lightning-Fast

2020-07-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

We all know that house lizards eat insects, and house lizards in The Philippines (known as butiki) are no exception. But there was this particular lizard that we had at the old house we used to stay in that preferred rice. We had noticed how it would linger be our table after having a meal and then right afterwards, it would scour the table for scraps of food, often rice and would grab what it can with lightning speed and then hide behind the oven toaster. It would then stealthily peek out again for another bite. It was a good thing it made a habit of waiting at the table to get his share of our meal because it was such a fascinating thing to witness.

So we thought it would be great if we could capture what it does on video and that's exactly what we did using an old Samsung digital camera. We were amazed at how the lizard, which we had named "Bart" was able to "stalk" a clump of steamed rice and grab a few grains with lightning speed. He was so fast that the frame rate of the camera was unable to capture the exact moment it bit into the rice! It was like he had the super speed of a biting snake (maybe even faster) You can watch the video and see for yourself how it played out. I hope you enjoy it.

BUY on AMAZON:

Alamat Ng Butiki - The Legend of the House Lizard (Modernong Alamat - Modern Legend) Paperback by Rene O. Villanueva; illustrated by Joel O. Chua

Our Lady of Lourdes Mt. Maculot Virgin Mary Image on Rock Formation Seen from the Grotto

2018-06-10T23:15:00.002-07:00

Mt. Maculot is a small mountain in the laid-back town of Cuenca of Batangas province in The Philippines. Formed by the explosion of Taal volcano in prehistoric times, the mountain is now a mountaineering site favored by beginner hikers and campers. But apart from camping, the mountain is also frequently visited by Catholics for the Stations of the Cross. These stations pass through a monkey sanctuary (found near the 10th Station) and reaches the top of a smaller peak where sits the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto. The shrine itself is a very humble structure made of concrete and rocks that feature a cross, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and a niche for prayer candles. There's a crude restroom area on one side, the doors of which open towards a deep cliff (which gives new meaning to the saying, "I got to go..." if you're not careful).

At the grotto, you will notice a cluster of rotating solar panels. Beside this is a dirt trail going down from the grotto. You will see what appear to be shelters protected form the heat of the sun by tarpaulins. You'd think this is a campsite, but it's really a mountaintop food court where you can buy meals and refreshments (which can be a welcome surprise to pilgrims. There's even a secluded area where the local storekeepers wash up. Where they get the water is a mystery you can solve yourself by asking them where the water comes from. The traverse trail to the mountain peak and to what locals call "The Rockies" passes through these stalls. This might not be for everyone, but for those who are fit and psyched up to facing the challenges of the mountain, they can definitely go on to experience the rest of Mt. Maculot. But for most people, the grotto is their sole goal.

Our Lady of Lourdes pic by Dennis Jarvis

The view from the grotto is fantastic. From there, one can see almost the entirety of the province of Batangas including another famous shine, Montemaria, where you can visit the gigantic statue of the Virgin Mary at the foot of Mt. Banoi. But panoramic views aside, there's also an interesting feature in the opposite direction, and it's part of an exposed part of the peak of Mt. Maculot.

During my first climb to the Our of Lourdes grotto, the patch of rock face was what caught my attention. I don't think anybody has noticed it before, but if you look carefully, you will see what appears to be the image of the Our Lady of Lourdes Virgin Mary. If you want to be scientifically technical about it, it's what is called a simulacrum, which means the similarity might just be a quirk of nature and human perception (the image of the rock featured here has been zoomed in, switched to black and white, and color-inverted), but as a coincidence, it is short of miraculous to find it there. It is definitely something that could be attributed to more than chance by the Catholic faithful.

Outline of Our Lady of Lourdes

If you are interested in taking a look at the rock formation yourself at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Mt. Maculot, do not expect too much since it is just a small feature visible from a distance that has remained unnoticed (since the grotto was built). When do do visit, make sure to register and pay the local village barangay administration fee, which, at the time of this writing, cost 10 pesos. You can start your climb from the Pinagkaisahan Barangay Hall or from the Mt. Maculot View Resort, where you can pay at the station where the trail starts to ascend.

Note that the barangay hall is not identified on Google Maps, but the resort is marked. If you will have trouble finding your way, then you can ask the local tricycle drivers or just hire them to take you there. The main tricycle station is near the intersection of B. Laqui st. and the National Highway. It's best to make the journey during the dry season, which is between December and May. Otherwise, the trail would be muddy and slippery, even though, for the most part, you will be climbing on concrete stairs.

BUY from LAZADA PH: Our Lady Miraculous Medal Necklace

Our Lady of Lourdes Statue by Onyx

When Shih-Tzu & Rabbit Pets Don't Mix inside The House

2017-12-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

WATCH: This Shih-Tzu dog has an issue with having a rabbit in the house.

Pets are popular in The Philippines, and, like everywhere else, dogs and cats are the norm, but sometimes, there's the occasional rabbit, now that rabbit breeders are growing in number. Rabbits are still generally regarded as pets, though, unlike cats and dogs, they are usually kept in pens since they like to chew on things, especially furniture. It's probably best since dogs, like this Shih-Tzu, doesn't appear to like having a rabbit in the house. Who knows what she's thinking?

Shih-Tzu's are known for their attitude, even towards their owner, so they might get a little jealous if there's another pet around and rabbits don't seem to appeal to them, or maybe they do like them for another reason? Shih-Tzus are small and given enough time, this rabbit in the video will likely outgrow this dog. Whether dogs and rabbits get along, it's best to give them both good homes. They're always great pets and companions for us humans.

BUY on AMAZON: Living World Deluxe Habitat

Electric Infrared Feet Massager by Hinano Tested by 6-Year-Old Kid

2017-12-24T16:33:00.002-08:00

WATCH: 6-year-old kid tests an infrared foot massager by Hinano.

Many people have all kinds of physical complaints these days, especially involving their feet. The population is aging and more people are feeling the aches and pains associated with getting older. In the Philippines there are lots of devices being sold out there that supposedly help in encouraging blood circulation and easing pain associated with a number of ailments like arthritis, but it's hard to know which ones are safe or do the job. Unknown brands abound and there's no assurance when it comes to quality and reliability.

The device featured here is an old Hinano electric infrared feet massager and the video shows a 6-year-old child testing it. Basically, the device vibrates for a number of minutes (5 minutes in this case) and this produces a massaging effect by shaking the feet and gives the sensation that pins are pricking their underside (simulating acupuncture and accupressure). The user also has the option of adding heat to the mix. This model has eight (8) "H" levels and the speed is variable. When the heat is turned on, yellow lights flicker like fire under the feet. They're harmless and only produces a warming effect. Regardless of the setting though, there isn't any perceptible change in warmth, but this could be because the feet are being shaken too much for the user to notice.

Using the Hinano infrared foot massager will leave your feet shaken and you will feel a strange tingling sensation for a while. It could be helpful to seniors experiencing joint pain in their feet but it's still best to consult a doctor first if you intend to use this when you know you have a condition which might be directly affected.

BUY on AMAZON: Foot Massager Vibrating Foot Massage with Heat Infrared Foot Spa Massager

800-Meter Palawan Over-Water Zip Line Ride - Puerto Princesa Manlipien Beach Jungle Trail Peak

2017-12-24T02:17:00.000-08:00

WATCH: 800-meter over-the sea fantastic zip line of Puerto Princesa Palawan!

There are lots to do in Palawan and when in the capital, Puerto Princesa, there's one trip a tourist should not miss - the St. Paul Subterranean (Underground) River tour. Because it's a trip that's world famous, there's a waiting time of a few hours. To while away the time, you will be given the option by your tour guide to either ride the 800-meter long zip line or take a boat and row among the mangroves that grow near the protected Manlipien Beach area. Most of the adventurous ones choose the zip line. It's a long ride and takes you over the waters of the Sulu Sea like the wings of a bird. To get there, you will take a short hike along a primeval beach, then go up the side of a mountain thickly covered by an ancient forest. At the top, there's a zip line platform where you will be treated to an amazing view of the shore, the sea, and distant mountains!

This zip line isn't scary at all, though the thought of hanging by a cable for short of a minute (my estimate) can give you butterflies in your stomach. Once you're there (hike up the mountain in a dense primeval forest) and you soak in the awesome view and see kids as young as seven taking the ride, then whatever apprehension you might have would likely dissipate with the wind. It's not everyday that you get to ride an 800-meter zip line over water, so when you do get the chance to visit the Underground River of Puerto Princesa Palawan in The Philippines, do so. You will feel alive and if you're lucky, have a zen-like experience. Oh, and there's also a treat on the tiny island below, which is your destination. It's a very primordial island with layered rock formations that are probably more than 20 million years old, if you would consider the gelogical history of the area.

BUY on AMAZON:
Lonely Planet Philippines (Travel Guide) Paperback – June 1, 2015 by Lonely Planet (Author),‎ Michael Grosberg (Author),‎ Greg Bloom

Mall Christmas Holidays "Animatronic" Toys Lobby Display - Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Philippines

2017-12-23T18:50:00.003-08:00

WATCH: Giant Christmas Toys Holiday Season mall display by Robinsons Magnolia.

The Christmas season starts early and ends late in The Philippines. Come August, malls start playing Christmas carols much to the surprise of westerners, who always wonder why. That's understandable, but it's not really practiced in households. Filipino families do not play Christmas songs in their houses in August; only the malls do. Why do malls do this? Well, there's a saying that Christmas songs put people in a festive mood and more likely to make a purchase. Whether that's really true is debatable but the fact is that malls in the Philippines like SM, Robinsons, and Gaisano do spend a lot of money for Christmas, and if they start playing holiday season music as early as August, then it's a long season indeed with lots of potential revenue for commercial establishments.

The video here shows one of the Christmas holiday season giant toys "animatronic" displays of Robinsons Magnolia along Aurora Boulevard in New Manila, Quezon City. It's right in front of the old building which used to house the German Cultural Center or Goethe Institute (a building which has seen better days at the time of this writing). The Aurora boulevard frontage of the Robinsons Magnolia mall is pretty cramped, but that's where the Christmas display is usually installed.

The Robinsons Magnolia mall is where the old Magnolia Ice Cream building used to be. It had a playground in the front lawn and children used to point to it from jeepneys and the LRT trains that passed above, but it was never really openly accessible to them, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it was a landmark until it changed to Nestle and eventually became a mall. So that's basically the simple history of the place.

BUY on AMAZON: Animatronics: A Guide to Animated Holiday Displays 1st Edition by Edwin Wise

MoKja! Korean Buffet & Barbecue Restaurant in Quezon City is a Must-Try for Tourists

2017-12-23T05:21:00.000-08:00

WATCH: The MoKja! Korean Buffet & Restaurant Quezon City, PH tourist experience.

Maginhawa Street of Quezon City in the Philippines has become a kind of food mecca where residents and tourists alike get to treat themselves to restaurants which serve local Filipino and international cuisine. There's so many to choose from and since there has been a level of cultural influence from Koreans who've chosen to make the city their second home, there have also been a boom in Korean food restaurants. One of the popular ones include MoKja!, which is a buffet and barbecue restaurant at the 3rd flr. of 80 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City 1101, Philippines.

"Mokja" is Korean for "let's eat" and this vibe is definitely present when you enter. It's quaint, small, and cozy, so if you're not early, you might have to wait at least a half hour or so before you can be seated. Diners have a maximum time of two hours to eat, so there could be some stomachs grumbling waiting in line to get filled when you get there. By the time you get seated, you might already have the sweet smell of bulgogi beef meat on your clothes since the frying smoke that fills the place can really cling on you. The gold-painted exhaust tubes which hang from the ceiling like some high-tech anime tech gear don't help much to suck out the smoke from the room, although they definitely contribute to the feel of the whole place which seems to be popular with people in their twenties.

MoKja! is really the kind of Korean restaurant where the food becomes part of how friends, co-workers, or family get together over a good meal. If you're a tourist in Quezon City thinking of treating a few friends in a fun restaurant, then MoKja! is a good choice. Just be prepared to wait until you get seated if there's a crowd and also be ready to eat lots of meat. Sure, you can mix your own salad at the buffet table, but that's just secondary to the meat.

BUY on AMAZON: Manila Restaurant Guide 2017: Best Rated Restaurants in Manila, Philippines - 350 Restaurants, Bars and Cafés recommended for Visitors & Tourists, 2017 Paperback

Finding a Starfish on Starfish Island, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philipp...

2017-12-10T04:09:00.001-08:00

WATCH: Armored starfish of Starfish Island, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, PH.

In Puerto Princesa, there is an island where starfishes abound. It supposedly has the most starfishes anywhere in the province of Palawan. It's called, not surprisingly, Starfish Island. It sits among other islands, just as colorfully named, in Honda Bay. Despite the name of this body of water, tourists won't find any motorcycles or cars floating in it. It's name likely originated from the Spanish phrase for deep bay, bahia profunda. Other people might have other origin stories for the name. You can choose what you want to believe.

It's a bit of a mystery why there are lots of starfishes on Starfish Island, but you have to bet there are plenty of food there for them to eat. The starfish in the video is a type of armored starfish. They have knobs on top, they feel hard to the touch, and for some tourists, they would appear to be dead, although, if they would just take the time to look at the underside, they will see the tiny tentacles that line the midsection of their arms

BUY on AMAZON: Scenery of Tropical/Summer Resort. White Beach with Starfish and Seashells | Gallery Wrapped Canvas & Ready to Hang - 16" x 24"

Fruit Shake Refreshment Stand near the Zip Line and Mangrove Paddle Ride in Puerto Princesa Palawan

2017-12-08T05:52:00.000-08:00

WATCH a fruit shake being made with a fruit blender at a fruit shake refreshment stand.

If you're going on a trip to visit the Underground River of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, you'd likely be given the choice of a side trip between the 800-meter zip line and mangrove forest paddle boat ride. One can make your heart race in anticipation (not for the faint-hearted) and the other can lull you to dreamland. What's common for both is that these rides can make any tourist thirsty and hot, because after a few hours of being under the sun, well, let's just say you'd be in desperate need of cooling liquid refreshments.

So once you've screamed your heart out zipping over the sea hanging from a cable or tested the limits of your patience while languidly floating through mangroves, the most obvious thing to do is to buy some refreshments and waiting for tourists with parched throats at the beach, are a number of colorful fruit stands, ready to serve you a cold fruitshake or two, like the one in the video. There's no lack of refreshing drinks in Puerto Princesa, because with all the tourist spots that one can visit, they're really a necessity.

BUY on AMAZON: NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System, Gray

Playing in the Sand with Toys at the Beach - Madz and Cools Resort - Real, Quezon, Philippines

2017-12-07T18:38:00.002-08:00

VIDEO: Beach sand play in Real, Quezon, The Philippines (Madz and Cools Resort)

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands and beach life is a way of life for most Filipinos. Every summer, families from all over the country flock to popular beaches in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Most would have already heard about Boracay Island and El Nido in Palawan, but there are other places, like Real in Quezon province, which offer more humble environs which locals would still find enjoyable.

This video was taken at the Madz and Cools resort along the Famy-Real-Infanta Road. It's a private resort house which can be booked, when available, for special family and other small-scale gatherings. As of this writing, the resort isn't even on Google Maps. The beach sand is grey with an underlying bluish-green clay layer, so it's not really for building sand castles. Also, there are plenty of old coral rock formations which do not contribute to much of a beachfront and can make swimming a tricky business. Still, in spite of the limitations, this beach can still offer perks such as spectacular sunsets, great seafood and a great bonding place for the family.

BUY on AMAZON: Beach Builder Create-A-Sand Castle Building Kit for Kids (18 Pcs)

Mimosa Shy Plants of The Philippines Are Fascinating for a Child

2017-12-06T18:03:00.000-08:00

WATCH THE VIDEO TO SEE THE MIMOSA PUDICA "SHY" PLANT IN ACTION.

The Mimosa Pudica plant is common in the Philippines and every young child almost always gets an introduction to them courtesy of their parents or older friend by showing how the leaves fold or shy away from being touched. It's sometimes called the Touch-Me-Not plant and it's ironic that people despite it's name, never tire of touching it's compound leaves to see them fold.

In the video, a child learns how the plants react to touch by folding up (leaves and stems). It's a great way to teach children about plants and nature in general since Mimosa plants can be found almost anywhere there are fields and by the roadside. They can even be planted in a pot of soil so that they can be admired by children at home - sort of a pet plant. Here you can order Mimosa pudica seeds that you can plant in the comfort of your own home.

BUY on AMAZON: Package of 100 Seeds, Sensitive Plant "Compact Growth" (Mimosa Pudica) Non-GMO Seeds by Seed Needs

Strawberry Farm Market Stalls of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines

2017-12-04T17:14:00.001-08:00

WATCH THE VIDEO. SEE WHAT YOU CAN BUY AT THE STRAWBERRY FARM

One of the often-visited tourist spots in the mountain province of La Trinidad, Benguet in The Philippines is the Strawberry Farm. There you can pay to harvest strawberries just like the locals. But if baking under the hot high-altitude sun isn't your cup of tea, then you can check out the market stalls that sell souvenirs and stuff you won't easily find anywhere else, like snake liquor and phallic ashtrays. Of course there are the ever-present strawberries.

If you will be buying raw strawberries, make sure that you get those that are not yet ripe so they can last a few days. They rot quickly and if you do not consume them on time, you'd end up with a lot of moldy lumps you wouldn't even care to look at. If you'll be traveling more after your visit, and would still like to buy souvenir strawberries, then get the jams and preserves.

To have an idea of what you can expect to buy there, watch the video (taken in 2016). Just pause it when you see something interesting so you can get a good look at the item.

BUY on AMAZON: Baguio Philippines Island Visit Vintage Travel Advertisement Art Collectible Wall Decor Poster Print. Measures 10 x 13.5 inches

Puerto Princesa Palawan Baywalk Seafood Restaurant Walkthrough

2017-12-03T16:37:00.002-08:00

WATCH THE VIDEO AND EXPERIENCE THE PUERTO PRINCESA BAYWALK.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan is a city known for being a city in a forest, but its also famous for its seafood and the Baywalk, near the docks, is where you can get your fill of local seafood fare to your satisfaction.

There are stalls that sell seafood from one end to the next and if you don't know what you're looking for, you might have a hard time choosing what to order. If the vendors see your confusion, though, they might offer you the delicacy that Puerto Princesa is famous for, the tamilok mollusk, also called a woodworm (although it's NOT A WORM) It's found inside decaying wood along the beaches, especially where there are mangrove forests. Locals swear it's tasty like oysters, perhaps even more so. It might not be for everyone, but if you do happen to be on a trip to Puerto Princesa, do check out the Baywalk and order some tamilok. You won't find it as readily available in Metro Manila so don't miss the opportunity.

BUY from AMAZON: Step by Step Cooking Filipino by Arlene Diego

Maria Isabel Garcia and Her Science Solitaire Book

2015-05-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Maria Isabel Garcia is unlike other authors because, to her, the best thing about having a published book is not about getting rich from sales or leaving a legacy. For her, being a writer is more about the satisfaction of seeing a finished book get a life of its own. She is a natural explorer who writes about what she sees around her, connecting her observations in life with science. Her inquisitive nature has led to become a science writer of The Philippine Star, a content author for Rappler, and ultimately, the curator of The Mind Museum, an innovative science museum in the Philippines that adds to the reasons why it's more Fun in The Philippines.

Maria Isabel Garcia's first book is Science Solitaire: Essays on science, nature and becoming human. It's all about science, but the kind that is more personal and derived from her own personal experience of the world, which comes to her in a visual manner in her head.

Ideas do not come to her in words but in symbols that take on a visually solid or liquid form in her head. She combines what she sees with what she reads and viola, new ideas emerge to help her llustrate a point. That is what she writes about. "Writer's chase" which she does in order to capture the essence of a thought. It's what she experiences instead of "writer's block." She tries to chase after her own understanding of a topic and do all sorts of things to share it clearly and beautifully to people. Getting the approval of the book review board of the Ateneo De Manila University Press was something that she was very happy about.

Garcia’s wish for Science Solitaire is for it to inspire young people to write about science. Oddly enough, it's not even shelved with the science books but rather under the ‘Filipiniana’ section, which even her own friends, who are also science writers in the US, find very strange.

Here's how Maria Isabel Garcia describes her book on Amazon:

"Science Solitaire is a mind dance with nature's cards, in a style and lens that could help us see that science is alive - as it inhabits not just classrooms and textbooks but also our everyday lives. It consists of pieces of discovery that try to reveal the possible connections between the snippets of understanding we gain from science and our journey toward becoming human. What happens to our brains when we are happy, when we delight in music or food or other pleasurable pursuits? What lurks behind the awesome powers of some creatures with whom we inhabit this planet? What is E=mc2 and why is it the most popular icon for scientific ideas?"

Science Solitaire: Essays on science, nature and becoming human

Maria Isabel Garcia is also the author of Twenty-One Grams of Spirit and Seven Ounces of Desire

Kinamat Resto Bar Silog and Budbod Menu (Angono, Rizal)

2015-04-29T00:38:00.001-07:00

"Fi-fi-fo-fum. I smell a hungry customer. Solve this riddle to enter..."

Kinamat Resto Bar in Angono, Rizal is a simple native eatery with a band area for guests to experience a little live music while dining or drinking with friends and family. It has a rustic ambiance with all the natural materials like wood, bamboo, and nipa, used in the building structure. Outside, traditional masks used in festival parades look out to welcome diners. One could easily pass by this restaurant without noticing it. There's just a gravel driveway where guests can park, but apart from the sign hanging from a bamboo post and what's painted on the front wall, one would think that it's not a restaurant at all, but people do frequent the place and word-of-mouth gets around. When kids hear about the shark lamp, they all want to see it with their own eyes, though it's only made of fiberglass, maybe.

Sink your teeth into this crispy Kinamat pork chop.

Kinamat Resto Bar is simple, informal, quaint, and a local favorite, which means tourists have nothing to lose by checking out the place and ordering local food favorites like budbod, which is similar to Spanish tapas but with fried meat that's heartily mixed in with rice and slivers of scrambled egg. There are different kinds of budbod available. There's Shanghai (lumpia or egg roll as it's called by Americans), Pork, Beef, and Mixed, Of course, where there's budbod, there's also likely the silog dishes which are essentially fried rice (sinangag) with ulam, which is the meat you eat with the rice, like fried beef, pork, longanisa, chicken, bangus, hotdog... all served with fried egg, tomatos and your choice of either vinegar (suka) or fish sauce (patis). It's like breakfast at any hour of the day! there's also the popular breaded pork chop that is crunchy on the outside and juicy in the inside. Most of what's in the menu would complement a bottle of cold beer, as the locals would prefer it. But just as the restaurant is simple, so are what's in the menu, but it's all good. Kinamat Resto Bar is located along 1342 Col. Guido St. near the Manila East Rd. Tricycle and jeepney drivers can tell you where it is.

Kinamat Resto Bar's Beef Budbod.

Kinamat Resto Bar's Menu. Click to read.

The Filipino Cookbook: 85 Homestyle Recipes to Delight Your Family and Friends

Pinoy Robust Supplement for Men Secrets Revealed

2015-04-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

Many men in the Philippines as well as men from places like the United States and the UK of course, look to enhance their virility and performance by exploring exotic herbal solutions mostly available in Asian countries. In the Philippines, some of the popular male enhancement products are the Lee MF-Rhino and Honey Moon teas, but there's another brand that few men realize actually leave a lasting effect on their manhood. It's Robust Dietary Supplement for Men and its combination of mostly exotic Asian herbal ingredients is guaranteed to uplift men and their special member for hours at a time. If you want to know more about the secret of its ingredients, then read on.

Robust Dietary Supplement for Men is marketed in the Philippines, as the name reveals, as a supplement, but it's no ordinary supplement. It's a supplement with ingredients specially combined and formulated to enhance male sexual performance. Essentially, it's like herbal Viagra and it's got a lot of oomph to go. It's marketed for men an fondly called locally as pampa gwapo (makes you attractive). Women can even try it.

Robust - gampa gwapo.

Each pack of Robust Dietary Supplement for Men (imported and distributed by ATC Healthcare Corp.) costs less than 200 pesos (P110 as of this writing) and comes with two tablets and a small brochure with a picture of sexy actress Paloma in bikini. The excitement starts even when you first open the box! Pop the two tablets from the foil pack and you immediately get a herbal scent. It's the kind of smell you would normally associate with a Chinese apothecary shop. This is not surprising because most of the ingredients in the tablets are Chinese herbs that you have not likely heard of. It's powerful 500 mg blend.

Robust Supplement for Men main ingredients and their secrets.

Epimedium Extract (Horny Goat Weed) -
Contains icariin, which works like sildenafil, the active ingredient of Viagra. It has the same effect

L-Arginine -
Reverses erectile dysfunction, so if you're already fully functional, this does a lot more; improves sensations for men and women

Songaria Cynomorium Extract -
Used to treat impotence in men and enhance libido

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid/GABA -
Gives you a relaxed sensual state

Cnidium Monnier Whole Plant Extract -
Natural libido booster

Ginseng Extract -
Effectively treats sexual dysfunction and improves sexual desire of both sexes

Ginko Biloba Extract -
Increases sexual desire and orgasms (women and men)

Dahurian Angelica Root Extract -
Improves sex drive and performance

Dansheng Root Extract -
Herbal libido enhancer used in traditional medicine

Take the two tablets 4 to 5 hours before going into action. In three hours, you will feel a warm fuzzy sensation in your face and extremities. This means you're almost ready. In four to five hours you'll feel solid like a rock and stay that way for a few hours more. You can buy Robust Supplement for Men at Mercury Drug Stores and select convenience stores in the Philippines.

But be careful. As with anything, too much can be dangerous, so follow dosages and consult with your physician if you intend to take dietary supplements especially if your intent is to boost sexual arousal or performance. If you have a heart or blood pressure problem, it's best to get advice from your doctor because your life is more precious than a few hours of excitement.

FEMALE LIBIDO PLUS - 120 Capsules - Horny Goat Weed (1000 mg) + Maca Root (250 mg); Herbal Complex (9 Ingredients) For Women that Helps Increase Sex Drive and Supports Pleasure from Sexual Activity - Natural Aphrodisiac and Libido Enhancer

Batchoy Noodle Soup Is for Tourists to Taste in The Philippines

2015-04-12T04:11:00.000-07:00

American and British tourists should get a taste of batchoy in the Philippines.

One of the noodle soup dishes popular in the Philippines as a merienda meal is batchoy, a noodle soup which includes slivers of braised pork meat with crunchy skin, liver, and shrimp steeped in a salt, pepper and egg noodle broth flavored with sauteed garlic and onions. It's simple but flavorful with a perfect blend of ingredients that tease the taste buds with every sip of the hot broth. It's an oriental in style but distinctly Filipino. Batchoy, is a dish that Western tourists (Americans, British, etc.) should taste and experience because it's unlike the usual noodle dishes from other Asian countries.

Batchoy originated in the Visayas region. According to Wikipedia, it was first made in La Paz in the province of Iloilo by someone named Federico Guillergan, Sr. in 1938. Whether he's the sole originator, it's hard to say, but what did happen was batchoy became Iloilo's signature dish and is now popular all over the country. It's particularly more enjoyable during the rainy season when piping hot batchoy can be a warm companion.

Inside the Eskina batchoy restaurant in the Sta. Lucia mall.

Pictured here are bowls of hot batchoy served at the Eskina Ilonggo Manukan Seafoods at Batchoy restaurant at the Sta. Lucia mall along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal. Since opening, this restaurant has become one of the more popular merienda or mid-afternoon snack establishments to go to when people are craving for a fix of batchoy noodle soup. If you're an American or British tourist, looking to experience Filipino cuisine, don't forget to get a taste of batchoy. This is just one of the restaurants that specializes in batchoy.

Lucky Me Supreme Instant Noodles La Paz Batchoy 65g Pack of 8

Balaw Balaw Exotic Food Restaurant Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal

2015-01-14T22:33:00.001-08:00

The Balaw Balaw restaurant welcome sign

Welcome to Balaw Balaw

Balaw Balaw is a native specialty restaurant in Angono, Rizal in the Philippines that doubles as an art gallery. Established by local artist and crafstman, Perdigon Vocalan and his wife, Luzvimin in 1982, Balaw Balaw became known for its menu which includes adobo crickets and timber grubs. If you're a tourist looking to experience a new and challenging culinary adventure in the Philippines, then this is the place to go to. You can find Balaw Balaw restaurant along the Manila East Road near the corner of Doña Aurora Street in Doña Justa Village in Angono,

Looking down from the 2nd floor

There are plenty of the surprises inside the Balaw Balaw restaurant. There are several floors and rooms that are open to guests where they'll find all sorts of wood and paper sculptures and also paintings depicting local culture. The house itself is a wonder to behold with it's winding staircases and local antique charm. You can start your exploration in the dining area where there are already plenty of installation art and sculptures from local festivals on display. The ground floor is bisected by an artificial creek that's obviously been sitting there untended for a very long time. You'll find a little bridge of rocks that you can cross to get to the other side where the art gallery actually begins. The sculptures there appear old and untouched so don't be surprised to find huge cobwebs and a spider or two staring back at you. But it's all part of the thrill of the old house.

The Balaw Balaw dining area

A roomful of paintings

There are lots of very old things to discover inside Balaw Balaw restaurant and if you go visit when few people are around, like two in the afternoon, it can feel like you're exploring an abandoned house. You might get an eerie feeling when looking at the many sculptures with faces and religious iconography, and at times you might feel like you're being watched from a dark corner. A section of the house is actually occupied and the rooms are connected by obscured passages, so you might get startled when someone suddenly appears when it seems you are alone in a room. Just hide your surprise by pretending to admire your surroundings or by asking if the piece of art you're looking at is for sale.

Head up to Balaw Balaw restaurant

A partly hidden room

At the roof deck, there's a quaint garden of potted plants and a shed where paper mâché masks used in the local Higantes (Giants) festival held in November are displayed. Be careful going in there because there's likely a guard dog in a corner of the room (another one of the little surprises of Balaw Balaw). It's actually where the art workshops are held.

So, if you love adventure when it comes to eating exotic food and exploring old art houses, why not get a taste of Balaw Balaw restaurant? It might not be the kind of place for a first date, but if you are into art, antiques, strange food, eerie things and a meditative state, this is highly recommended. Go to Balaw Balaw for the experience. The memories will stay with your for a long time and enough for you to take a few friends or tourists along so that they can also experience it with you as their guide.

What does balaw balaw mean? The term refers to a local delicacy in Rizal made from fermented shrimp paste and rice.

The grand room of driftwood sculptures

Join the Last Supper of Balaw Balaw Restaurant

The wooden spiral staircase of the Balaw Balaw house

The art workshop

Balaw Balaw Restaurant house facade

The Philippines and International Restaurants Food Recipes

The Mighty Ton Giant Hamburger at The Porch

2014-12-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

Giant Hamburger of The Porch.

If you like hamburgers, a normal-size bun might not be enough for you to feel full. So this giant hamburger called The Mighty Ton from The Porch long Anonas Street Extension in Quezon City may just be what you need to be satisfied. Of course, if you're ordering for yourself, you'll likely only finish just an eighth of this monster, so be prepared beforehand to be intimidated by the sight of this hamburger and it's weight! It's called The Mighty Ton for a good reason.

Dig into this giant burger!

Apart from its huge size, it's not your usual hamburger because it does not use a typical patty. Instead of a hefty patty in the middle of those bun slices, you get beef flakes which remind you of tapas. If you choose to take on this burger, make sure you have at least 5 to 10 other people along with you. Otherwise you will have no choice but to ask for a takeout bag when you realize you just can't finish it. As a party burger, it's perfect for some fun eating with friends and family, especially with a hefty dose of French fries! The Porch is a restaurant by Casa Verde.

Wow! Works Hamburger Adult Beanbag chair

Summer Fun at Club Serene Resort in Rizal, Philippines

2013-04-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

View of the entrance of Club Serene Resort from the inside.

Club Serene Resort in Taytay, Rizal is one of many basic resorts with pools that are common destinations of local day trippers who are looking for a resort in Rizal for some simple summer fun with family or friends. It has five swimming pools, cottages, and picnic tables.

For only 130 pesos (as of this writing), you can enter and spend an entire day enjoying the pools. For a little extra, you can belt out songs using the videoke machines available for general use. At Club Serene Resort, you cannot expect to experience more than what you'd expect for that amount, which is really for locals who just wish to have a summer diversion in a resort with pools. Resorts that offer affordable rates equates to more local visitors who look beyond quality sought by foreign tourists and actually expect nothing of the sort in favor of spartan facilities that serves their purposes.

Like other resorts in Rizal, Club Serene Resort overlooks the skyline of Metro Manila and is a short distance from SM Mall in Taytay. If you and your family live in the Antipolo, Taytay, or Cainta area, Club Serene is one option if you are looking for an affordable escape even for just one day, just to have fun with family and friends. Based on resort reviews of locals and visitors who've been to Club Serene, in this resort, it's not the ambiance, the facilities, or the scenery that's important or what you'd care to go to; it's really more about the time you spend with the people you care about.

The main patio of Club Serene Resort with a tamarind tree as a centerpiece.

Club Serene Resort with pools is located along Cabrera Road, Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal. You can check out more of the resort on the official Club Serene Resort website.

Bread Looks Like Roasted Pig

2013-04-07T17:37:00.001-07:00

Just like real lechon in Cebu, there's Pinoy bread shaped like a suckling pig baked and sold in the Philippines. You can call it Pork Bread or Piggy Bread if you want to. At first glance, you'd think this pork bread is a real honest-to-goodness roasted suckling pig.

A bakery in Cainta, Rizal in the Philippines, Joy Karen bakeshop (near Junction intersection), claims to be the originator of the Pork Bread. The owner says he's been baking such bread, which he simply calls "lechon" (Tagalog for roasted pig) for many years and that other breads shaped like a suckling pig are inspired by his creations. He doesn't use a pig roaster or even a lechon oven. A simple bread oven works well for him.

Learning to make your own recipe for lechon bread that looks like real Cebu lechon only looks easy and takes practice. The owner says he doesn't make his Pork Breads too large because the bigger sizes sacrifice quality. The Pork Bread is a special Pinoy product from Joy Karen and isn't always available. But when it does go on sale, it's always a hit and never fails to amaze people by how the bread looks like a real pig fresh from out from the pig roaster. Some ask the bakery how to make bread shaped like a suckling pig, but it's really best to just buy them, if you're not a fan of baking.

The Pinoy Pork Bread, tasty as it is, doesn't taste like real Filipino lechon as some people would think. It's actually slightly sweet and has chocolate chips inside. It's best eaten while still warm and families just love it as an afternoon snack. If you want to eat pork but can't take the fat, maybe this bread shaped like a pig, is the next best thing. It's the perfect recipe for lechon without the fat. It's an amazing tribute to Philippine lechon cuisine wherein the suckling pig is the star.

Here's a lovable Piglet with Winnie the Pooh Salt and Pepper Shaker Set you can order here.

Coconut Harvesting in The Philippines

2012-12-04T07:05:00.001-08:00

Here's how trees with coconuts are harvested in a palm tree plantation cum resort in Quezon province in the Philippines. Among the recreational facilities like tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools and gazebos are these tall palm trees which are regularly harvested for their glorious fruit. Coconut nuts from Quezon get to reach places as far as Manila, perhaps even the United States for their coconut water, now touted as the new vitality drink. If you've ever wondered how palm coconut trees are harvested of their coconut nuts, then here are pictures that will be of interest to you.

First, the trees with coconuts (the coco fruit of the coco tree of the coco palm family) are harvested with the use of a very long harvester made from bamboo. At the tip of this palm coconut harvester is a sharp-toothed iron cutter which is used to saw through the stalk that bears the coconuts. The cut palm tree coconut nuts fall, are gathered on the ground, and are husked on the spot. The naked coconuts are then placed in baskets often called kaing slung on the back of a horse. The coconuts are then taken to a storage area prior to distribution to buyers.

TRIVIA: How do I open a coconut? First remove the husk. Use a sharp, pointed object that stays in place and just hammer the side of the coconut on it to strip the husk. When all the husk is removed, place the coconut on one hand and use a wedge-shaped tool to strike the side of the coconut (not the part with the eyes) repeatedly with a hammering force, rolling the coconut along as it cracks.

Shih-Tzu Dog Planking on a Giant Chess Board

2012-12-02T06:06:00.001-08:00

A Shi Tzu dog does planking on a giant chess board.

Planking dog

Have you ever seen dogs for planking? You know - that craz-e planking thing wherein you lie flat and make your body rigid like a plank with your face on the ground? Yup, that kind of planking. Well, this dog, which appears to be a Shih Tzu, is one of the dog pets that are cute and happens to be also one of the great dogs for planking. It's a resident pet of a Christian retreat resort at the foot of Mt. San Cristobal in Quezon (Rizal Re-Creation Center) in the Philippines and one of its favorite lounging areas is this giant chess board in one of the gazebos.

If you happen to be looking to get dogs for pets that are cute, then the Shih Tzu is a nice choice. But this particular Shih Tzu is more cat in how it behaves, preferring to keep to itself and not mind you even if you try to get its attention. It goes where it pleases, ignoring the resort guests even when they come in droves. Once it lies down on the giant chessboard, it stretches out its hind legs flat on the floor like a plank. In this planking position, it's hard to tell the front from the rear of the dog even if you look closely. It's a good thing that this Shih Tzu's companion, a huge St. Bernard dog, doesn't mistake his little friend for a rag and sits on it.

Shih Tzu (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

Hot Chili Ice Cream in the Philippines

2012-11-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

Chili ice cream served at the 1st Colonial Grill

1st Colonial ice cream selections.

With so many ice cream flavors available, would you want to try chili ice cream? Yes, it's one of the strangest ice cream recipes out there and you can find some served at the 1st Colonial Grill in Legazpi City in Albay province in Bicol, Philippines. As a region known for it's chili pepper cuisine, ice cream made from hot chili peppers isn't surprising. Bicolanos are famous for their hot dishes, so if you're looking for ice cream that's really hot, you can find some in Bicol.

Where can you find 1st Colonial Grille? This restaurant famous for its exotic homemade ice cream recipes has several branches in Legazpi City. Just ask around and you'll be directed to one of the branches like the one at the Pacific Mall. Several unique ice cream flavors are available, such as Bailey's (the cream liquor), Kalamansi, Malunggay (Moringa oleifera), Tinutong (burnt rice), Pili (a native nut), Coffee, and Melon, but the most intriguing is the chili, or sili, ice cream, as it's called locally. But there's nothing silly about this homemade ice cream. It's seriously hot on top of its sweetness and creaminess. A spoonful of it will initially naturally feel cold in your mouth, but after several more, you will definitely taste the burning hot chili.

The 1st Colonial chili ice cream flavor is not for everyone, but if you're curious, you will need to have a few ice-cold glasses of water ready. You may give a cold shoulder to this chili ice cream, but this is the hottest homemade ice cream around town. If you'll be visiting Legazpi City any time soon to see Mayon Volcano, make sure you also drop by 1st Colonial Grille to get a taste of its amazing flavors of ice cream. It's cozy, laid back, and has friendly management and staff.

You can make your own ice cream recipe using chili. Just add blended chili into the mix! Learn the basics of making homemade ice cream here.

1st Colonial Grill manager gets friendly with customers.

Spooky Chapel on Haloween Night

2012-11-05T14:20:00.002-08:00

Every year, on the first day of November, known as undas locally, people in the Philippines flock to cemeteries to visit their dead. At this time of year, all roads lead to memorial parks and public cemeteries. Where there's a cemetery, there's traffic and people - lots of them. Thus, all other places are left almost empty. The roadside Catholic chapel pictured here is one of them.

Locked securely behind an iron gate, it sits mute, silent but still inviting in its call to the spiritual and religious in Catholics. The lights left switched on at night gives the small interior an eerie auria, making the statues of the saints shadowy and gloomy. Nevertheless, the open bars of the gate still permit devout Catholics to pray. They just have to stay outside by the road. This chapel is in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

Read about Ghosts in the Philippines and other supernatural stuff - Supernatural Philippines