A Taste of the Philippines

Peek at the First Maid Cafe in the Philippines

2011-06-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

This is Meidolls, the first maid cafe in the Philippines where the waitresses are dressed in cute maid costumes worthy of an anime cosplaying party. Meidolls is at the second floor of the building just across the Rublou shopping plaza near the Brookside jeepney stop in Cainta, Rizal. You can see the interior of the restaurant from the outside of the building through a long glass wall fronting the road. The management of the cafe had relocated to this front unit from a smaller one on the same floor that's hidden from view.

The interior of the Meidolls maid cafe is quaint with a television in the corner where a maid or two usually sings or dances. The large counter in one corner is where all the food is prepared and served from for ease of service. The restaurant has just enough room for maybe two or three groups of people and a few pairs along the side. The tables and chairs have short, or no legs at all, to simulate an authentic Japanese dining experience. Once you open the door, the "maids" inside greet you in traditional Japanese fashion and attend to you almost immediately; at least, as long as they're not busy attending to other guests.

The maid servers call all diners "master" and they are summoned with the ring of a counter bell on each dining table. Just tap the bell and they come to fulfill your dining needs. They can even perform a little song for you (see images), if the timing is right. It's all about fun dining and you can even play an eating game - with a corresponding order of course! Meals are easy to eat and fun to look at. The colorful menu says it all. If you want to, you can even have your meals prepared to go. But then if you do that, you miss all the fun.

Boracay, Wet and Wild in October

This is a Queens Blade Airi Black Maid Costume Statue just for you maid-loving anime figurine collectors. It's impeccably detailed and you know at a glance that she's a maid. The question is if she's out to serve or out to serve your head on a plate! Click here or on the image to order this fine anime maid statue with a huge scythe for your collection!

New Year (2011) Brings Firecracker Air Pollution in the Philippines

2010-12-31T16:39:00.000-08:00

Smoke from firecrackers spent on the midnight of Dec. 31, 2010 linger the next day.

Here are a couple of pictures that show the aftermath of the new year celebrations for 2011 in the Philippines. At left is what the streets of a residential area in Rizal looked like about an hour into the new year, and the above photo shows houses the next day at 7:30 am shrouded in air particulates that resemble fog. The limited visibility is the result of millions of firecrackers that have been lit and exploded on the midnight of Dec. 31, 2010. That means a lot of smoke from burned firecracker powder and it can linger for days in many parts of the country.

Pinoy Carbonara pasta recipe

These are not your typical Peanuts ceramic collectibles. They are actually the Peanuts Holiday Salt and Pepper Shakers! Click here or on the image to place your order!

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Bibingka and Puto Bumbong: Philippine Christmas Sweets

2010-12-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

When it's Christmas in the Philippines, it's the time of year when you can buy lots of bibingka or sugar-glazed rice cakes baked under hot coals and puto bumbong, a pasty snack made from glutinous rice cooked inside pipes or tubes (traditionally made of bamboo). These two traditional foods are served and eaten hot, often served with shredded coconut. If you go to a local cathedral, you will likely find them being hawked in the streets in stalls with makeshift ovens that make use of hot coals on galvanized plates placed over either clay or concrete stoves.

Shown here is a bibingka and puto bumbong stall near the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City. Cooking bibingka cakes must be done carefully; in other words, it has to be timed. Otherwise, the cake can get burned and the customer may end up with one or two with blacked sugar glazing. Puto bumbong, on the other hand, must be cooked just right or it will turn too sticky and harden quickly if served too soon or too late.

If you are visiting the Philippines this Christmas season, getting a taste of these delectable and tasty treats is a must. Ask around so you know where you can get the best of these treats.

Delicious Tuna Egg Foo Young (Philippine torta)

Little girls can make their own sweet treats with this Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery Cake Maker kit. Yes, this will get your little doll on the right path to being a baker. Click here to order your Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery Cake Maker Kit!

Money Making Experiment

2010-12-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

The means to earn money online lies with you!

Hi, everyone!

I placed this money making post here because I know many people in the country want the chance to earn good money online, especially writers. For those of you who don't realize it yet, it's true that the Internet can be a good source of revenue. It may not make you rich like Manny Pacquiao, but it can definitely be a good source of money for spending.

If you're a writer and want to earn money on your compositions, articles, and essays, I invite you to join Triond. There are lots of members here from the Philippines who are earning enough good spending money every month. Join Triond

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NOTE: No one paid me to place this post. I'm just sharing it with you readers.

All the best,

alvinwriter

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Asphalt Overlays Sink Houses by the Roads in the Philippines

2010-11-24T04:07:00.000-08:00

Roads in the Philippines are raised by asphalt overlays, resulting in ensuing constructions that sink houses and buildings beside the thoroughfares and cause flooding inside residential and commercial lots.

Have you ever seen roads in the Philippines that are almost at the level or even higher than the sidewalk? There's plenty of those in Metro Manila and even the provinces aren't spared. In Quezon province, for example, there are roads there that were overlayed with thick asphalt for years which resulted in the roads now being higher than the sidewalks!

At first, this practice seems helpful in that it keeps construction budgets to a minimum, but in the long term, it becomes a problem to houses and other structures beside the overlayed roads. When the sidewalks are renewed, for instance, they are constructed at a higher level to match the road already elevated with too many asphalt overlays, and this results in the "sinking" of the houses and other buildings on the roadside. The mismatch causes flooding in the rainy season in many residential yards that ended up below the level of the road and sidewalk.

If the construction of the overlayed or repaved road and sidewalk isn't supervised properly, driveways are sometimes blocked unnecessarily and there was the case when a driveway into the parking lot of a church in UP Village in Quezon City was blocked by a new elevated sidewalk after the road was repaved at a higher level than the old one. One car which used to pass through the driveway without problems ended up "hanging," with the front wheels meeting only air. The driver wasn't aware the construction workers didn't provide a means for access. The church had to remedy the problem with a concrete ramp inside the compound. There wouldn't have been any incident if the construction was done with access to the buildings beside the road in mind. In other places, in the same area, wheelchair ramps were made (in accordance with the law), but some are practically useless because of the high "ledge" that falls off from the sidewalk. Some ramps were also constructed that go up in front of an obstacle that practically blocks any wheelchair from going through!

If asphalt overlays are unavoidable due to budget constraints in the rehabilitation and repair of roads, the engineers and construction people must consider the effects if the roads being managed are raised along with the sidewalks. Too much asphalt overlays cause flooding in the lots of buildings and houses beside the roads, and they also lessen accessibility. If the roads are made higher every few years, then the houses and buildings will also continue to sink. Ideally, Philippine lawmakers should pass a law that specifies that roads and sidewalks should not be made higher than the driveways of houses and buildings which were constructed well before the new road unless there is a valid reason for making the road higher.

The Gotohan sa Hardin restaurant in Ortigas Road Extension in Rizal has already sunk somewhat due to the higher level of the road resulting from multiple asphalt overlays and successive constructions that led to higher pavements. It always gets submerged during heavy rains.

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Boracay: Aerial View from a Departing Plane

2010-11-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Barangay Yapak of Boracay Island from a plane departing from Caticlan.

It's hard to leave Boracay Island just when you're starting to have fun in the sun, sand, and shore! But when it's time to go, you just gotta go and the only final souvenirs you can get are the pictures of the island that you manage to catch as your plane departs. Shown here is a picture of Barangay Yapak of Boracay Island. It's where some of the more expensive resorts are located and you can see some of the condominiums and golf courses that go right down to where the white sand beaches are. See how the beaches are naturally partitioned in some areas? That should make the pockets created more private!

At the upper right side of the picture on top is part of Carabao Island, the larger neighboring land mass near Boracay that doesn't get as much media attention and hype. Here it is at the left in a picture that shows a complete view of the island. It appears more tree-covered unlike Boracay which has been developed into a mini cosmopolitan community. It was a fine day when these photos of Boracay and Carabao Islands were taken - one which came after consecutive days of dark clouds and rain.

What is Boracay in October like? Find out here!

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Bulalo Served in Tagaytay Is a Hot Treat

2010-11-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Tagaytay City in the Philippines is famous for it's meat market. It's said that the best meat in the province of Cavite can be bought at the Mahogany Public Market. The place is crude, but it's there where you can buy good beef meat that's affordable. In front of the market is a long row of eateries or turo-turo in the local language. The term literally means to point repeatedly, and that's exactly what a customer usually does when he points to the food he wants to order. In a turo-turo food store, what's on the menu is lined up front to make it easy for customers to see the food for themselves.

Shown here is the famous bulalo stew of Tagaytay City. It's basically a beef leg bone soup with long string beans and cabbages seasoned with salt and black pepper corns. It's simple, but it's delicious and perfect for hot, steaming rice. Everyone loves a bowl of bulalo in Tagaytay if the weather is cold. The bulalo meat may be dipped into fish sauce mixed with a local lemon called kalamansi. For some kick to the sauce, you can add some red chili. The bulalo pictured here was ordered from an eatery called Moi's Little Ronamar Canteen. It serves complimentary mini bananas on the table.

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Sweet and Sticky Suman of the Philippines

2010-11-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

Suman is a Philippine desssert or merienda that's made from sticky glutenous rice cooked in salted coconut milk extract (called gata) and water. It is conveniently wrapped in a cut banana leaf which makes it easy to eat like a banana. Suman is sticky and oily so one may need some napkins while eating them. Nevertheless, suman can be so delicious you may just do away with the tissue paper!

Suman starts out as rice that's cooked in coconut milk (gata) until soft and sticky. The coconut milk gives a pleasant and appetizing taste to the suman. If you want the suman to be sweet, you can add sugar to the mixture. A simple rice cooker can be used to prepare the suman. But the product wouldn't be "suman" is if isn't wrapped in banana leaves! If that's the case, that would be kakanin (local sticky sweets made of rice) similar to another Filipino delicacy called biko, which is laid on a bilao (flat woven basket) and sliced diagonally into square or diamond sections.

The banana wrapper can be sourced from locally-growing banana plants. Otherwise, the leaves can be bought already prepared from grocery stores and the community market (palengke). If you want to prepare your own banana leaves. cut them into squares just big enough for your suman. The pieces are then heated over an open flame to soften them up. The leaves will turn darker over the flames but do not let them burn!

To wrap the suman, take spoonfulls and drop them into each leaf. Each should appear like paste from a tube and should be big enough to be held in one hand. After the suman rice are all wrapped, place them in a pot filled with water and allow to boil. You should then let it simmer for about 30 minutes, after which the suman should be done. You may prefer to cook your suman rice without sugar. You can just add coco jam to your cooked suman for flavor while you eat!

Learn about the Philippine sweet potato or kamote

This freeloader fork is perfect for those times when you fear there won't be enough food left for you. It's ideal for hotdogs, sausages, and suman! Click here or on the image to order this fine freeloader fork that expands up to 2 feet!

How can you grow money with GeoString?

Cafe Bialetti near the University of the Philippines: Quaint Alternative to Starbucks

2010-10-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

This is the Bialetti Cafe somewhere in UP or Teacher's Village in Quezon City. It's just a small establishment that's big enough for small groups of people who just want to chill out with friends and hang out. It's right inside the village near the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Ateneo University where students and teachers alike live and breathe so it's an easy place to visit. Businesspeople and office employees find this establishment to be a fine place to relax or to have small casual meetings.

The price of coffee offerings of Bialetti are competitive yet still reasonably cheap, which makes it a second favorite to Starbucks which has a branch in nearby Matalino St. It's a franchise, so you can expect a lot of fine coffee products here. The staff of Bialetti is small which may require waiting for an order to arrive, but hey, it's a cafe! You're expected to hang around a bit to talk or do whatever it is you do while in a cafe. You'll find the water served at Bialetti fragrant with flower petals. It may not be the kind of water kids will enjoy, but it's a real treat apart form the usual fare of coffee!

What are tabliya balls?

So you're a fan of coffee and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, eh? Here's one mug you can combine the two. It's the Wizard of Oz "It's All about the Shoes" mug. It's fine piece with a classic appeal featuring the emerald shoes in the story! Order the Wizard of Oz mug here.

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Longganisa of Taal, Batangas in the Philippines

2010-10-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

Pictured here are longganisa, a native sausage from Taal, Batangas in the Philippines. Here they are as they appear after cooking. Stir-fried, they serve as a satisfying meal, especially when served with rice. Different regions in the Philippines are known for their own version of longganisa, which originated from Spain centuries ago. As a former Spanish colony for 300 years, the Philippines adopted Spanish cuisine and longganisa is one prepared food that's kept its popularity over the centuries.

Longganisa is basically ground meat which may be pork, beef, or chicken stuffed inside intestines which are tied at the ends with a piece of string or reed. The size of the longganisa depends on the kind of animal intestine used. Tradition dictates whether each will be long, short, or balled. In Taal, Batangas, the longganisa sold in markets are dry, chunky, and meaty. They are sought by people from all over the Philippines for the distinct sweetness.

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How to cook Ilocano Lauya beef broth dish

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Fantasy World Castle in Lemery Batangas - Diokno Road Landmark

2010-10-10T00:45:00.000-07:00

Cars coming to and from Tagaytay City that pass along Diokno Highway in Lemery Batangas can't fail but notice a fantasy Medieval castle standing majestically by the road. Travelers who see it for the first time blink and say, “I didn't know there was a Disneyland in the Philippines!” Well, they are correct! There is no Disneyland in the Philippines, but there is the Fantasy World Castle, which is a kind of exclusive amusement park generally for members and condominium owners within the facility.

Tourists who aren't members of Fantasy World are said to be able to enter by paying a fee for a minimum of 10 persons. It used to be P1000 but you never know how much the fee is now unless you go there. You can of course, ask a member to accompany you inside for free. It's a common error to say that the Fantasy World Castle is in Tagaytay City. The truth is that it's in Lemery, Batangas.

The Fantasy World Castle is something of a curiosity for many people since it's not really open to the public, and yet it's a known landmark along Diokno highway. Strangely, it always seems to be empty. Unlike other amusement parks, you will see no rides around the castle (at least not yet as of this writing) and no stores that sell anything. There's just the castle which always seems to have its doors closed. Because of this fact, people - kids mostly - wonder what's inside. Is there a lovely princess in one of the towers waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince? Unlikely, but few people know that the Fantasy World Castle was used before as a set for a local film based on the classic 1904 children's novel, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's also been used for shoots of several fantasy television series, like Majika.

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Picnic Grove in Tagaytay Is a Fave of Tourists

2010-09-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

If you've long been a resident of the Philippines, you already know about the Picnic Grove in Tagaytay. For many of you reading this, it is a place filled with memories of yourself as a child running and rolling on the grassy slopes, basking in the sunshine with cool wind in your face, and immersing yourself in the grand view of Taal Volcano and it's lake. Picnic Grove is indeed, every Filipino's summer destination. in Luzon.

Picnic Grove has gone through a lot of changes through the years, but it's still doing good business with it's horseback riding experience for kids and adults alike. There used to be a lot more open spaces and facilities were better and less crowded way back in the nineteen sixties and seventies, but for the visitors who travel for hours just to get there, it doesn't really matter. They simply know that they are going to have a great time on the grass socializing with friends and family and enjoying a brief respite from the polluted city.

A new treat at the Picnic Grove is the zip and cable car line. If you are brave enough, you can take a ride and zip on a cable across a deep chasm like you're flying through the air! And it's not just one way, but back and forth!

If the zip line isn't for you, you can simply relax and chill out. Tourists can rent covered picnic tables, although during peak days, most will already be occupied if you come in late in the day. The only other option is to rent or purchase one of the picnic mats from the friendly peddlers roaming the facility. Make sure you get a mat that's clean and dry. Watch out for ants where you place them, because you never know where the ants really are unless you look closely!

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Balot Duck Eggs Bring Good Luck with "Bato" Fish

2010-09-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Balot is a common snack in the Philippines. It's boiled duck egg with a developing duckling chick inside. A balot is usually served with rock salt. It's said that eating balot can make your knees strong and prepare you for a lot of action. Here, a pair of balot that were bought from a roadside vendor are opened, revealing small dark-feathered ducklings still surrounded by the yolk and white. The third egg is called penoy, because it does not have an embryo inside. It just looks like a normal chicken egg with white and yolk.

The prized part of the balot is often the yolk, which is tasty, but some prefer the young duck, as long as it's not too big and the bones are still soft. Although popular as a nighttime snack which is often eaten with liquor during cold nights (balot sells well during Christmas), there are still a few who can't stand the sight or thought of the young duck inside being eaten. The appearance of the shelled balot is not actually appetizing either with the blood vessels and all stuck to the sides. Nevertheless, it's still a good meal high in protein and fat.

Interestingly, the two balot eggs shown here revealed hardened egg whites called "bato" (rock) shaped like fish! This is an auspicious find especially in Oriental regions where brightly-colored fish are regarded as beings that can help you enter altered states of consciousness where good vibrations allow the materialization of prosperity in life. It's said that whoever dreams of or finds fish (such as golden koi carp fish) in unlikely places will have good luck in terms of abundance - in other words, there are riches coming!

If you're reading this post, then consider yourself lucky! Good fortune will come to you soon enough. Just gaze at the balot fishes, make a good wish, spread the URL, and link to this post. If you believe, your wish will come true and your luck will multiply! ;-D

Auspicious "good luck" golden koi fish at Nuvali (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) entertain tourists

If you don't like balot, then you will like this instead. It's a Steiff Willy Drake Plush Duck and you can own it! Just click here or on the image to place your order for this fine stuffed duck toy.

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Tagaytay Zip Zoo Zip Line Adds to Animal Thrills

2010-09-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

There's a petting zoo in Tagaytay City in the Philippines where tourists can see animals like tigers, crocodiles, birds, monkeys, an alpaca, and many others, from different parts of the world. The place is called Zip Zoo and there's a good reason why. Apart from the animals, its other main attraction is the zip line and cable car. If you don't know what a zip line is, well, it's basically a cable where you slide from one end to another while supported by a harness - much like the kind used in hang gliding. If you ride the Zip Zoo zip line, you get a fantastic view of Taal Volcano (left)!

The Zip Zoo zip line is but one of two in Tagaytay that tourists flock to. Use of the zip line is included in the entrance fee. Tourists get a souvenir photo with a soft-wood frame after the ride, which is really a back and forth package. For one way, you use the harness and zip through the line like superman (below). But customers are given other ride positions to choose from. They can ride in a sitting or upside down position and can even have a kid riding on your back, like you're a horse! On the way back, you ride the cable car (top) and you get to choose between a "normal" easy ride and a "thrill" ride. The latter will give you real heart-throbbing excitement that you will never forget! You can always ask the resident alpaca, it knows!

When riding the harness or the cable car, it is best to keep loose items securely tucked in your pockets. If you wear sandals, the attendants will take care of them and secure them behind your back in the harness. If you plan on taking pictures while riding, make sure you hold on very tightly to your camera or cell phone. It is easy to let go of it while in the middle of the ride. For all it's worth, you get to see your gadget falling to it's doom for several seconds if you do let go of it!

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center in Lucban, Quezon

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Nuvali Koi Carp Fish Feeding Frenzy

2010-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nuvali is a real estate project in Laguna by Ayala Land and the Yulo family. It's an eco-community where residents live close to and are aware of nature around them. This is why there are lots of planned greenery in Nuvali and there's also the waterway that water taxis ply to take people from one place to another in the complex and the manmade lake. Thriving in the fresh water are ornamental koi fish (a kind of carp) which can be fed by tourists.Packets of fish food pellets can be bought at the stall near the feeding area.

The number of koi fish in the water of Nuvali is enough to turn the water into gold as people throw fish food towards them. The fish, hungry as they are, jostle to get to the nourishing tidbits first. They clump together to the extent that some of them are actually pushed above the water moments at a time! It's amazing to see how the fish react to the food thrown at them. It's like they function as one big organism.

Nuvali can be reached from the Luzon South Expressway exiting at Sta. Rosa, the road the leads to Tagaytay City. The recreational village lies within Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna. It's now turned into a popular stopover for tourists and commuters going to and coming from Tagaytay.

Good luck balot egg white fish

How to cook Cream Dory fish sinigang with lemon juice

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So you like marine creatures? Here's a novelty item that you will definitely want for your bedroom or living room. It's the jellyfish mood lamp and it's got three active jellyfish in the water! They're not real, but they sure to swim like they're alive! Click here or the image to order the Jellyfish mood lamp.

Kamay ni Hesus Church: Miracle Healing Place

2010-09-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

At the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center, in Lucban, Quezon, there is the church where miraculous healing takes place through Father Joseph Faller, a Catholic priest who found out that he was tasked by God to heal the sick. The church is supposed to be a place of peace and healing; a haven of rest for those in need. Although small, the church is only a part of the larger healing complex that includes a park with a replica of Noah's Ark, and a grotto at the top of a hill where the faithful can pass through the Stations of the Cross.

Shown here are the interior and exterior of the church. The paintings behind the altar are inspired by religious movies like The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston as Moses. The church is surrounded by gardens which inspire meditation, prayer, and introspection.Interestingly, the facade of the church faces a wall. It is the side entrance that is used by visitors, the front of which is a concrete pavement with the names and thanks of people who have found blessings through Father Faller and the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center.

Noah's Ark in Lucban, Quezon, The Philippines

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Kamayan sa Palaisdaan Restaurant - A Treat by the Road

2010-09-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

In Tayabas, Quezon, in the Philippines, there is a restaurant by the roadside called Kamayan sa Palaisdaan (Hand eating at the Fish Ponds). It is a popular treat to many motorists travelling to and from Lucban where the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center by Father Faller is located. The restaurant serves traditional Filipino food and it's specialty, which practically everyone orders, is crispy fried lechon sa kawali. Other dishes are also a must to order if you are in the mood for a truly Filipino dining experience.

It's open day and night and in the morning, guests are treated to its quaint interior with tables fashioned from antique sewing machines (top). There are also sculptures around the dining area that will surely get diners' attention. Near the entrance is a peeing boy fountain statue (left) that will surely make you smile with amusement with its funny expression. There's also a wooden crocodile hidden underneath some shrubs; there's also a happy buddha staue in a corner of the stage. Of course, there are the floating restaurant tables (above) on water teeming with fish.In the evenings, restaurant guests can enjoy the performances of live bands.

From the parking lot, the dining area is accessible from stairs or a ramp for the eldery. A wheelchair is available for those in need, although convenient, the chair still has to go through a gravelly area to get to the ramp, and it can be quite a challenge pushing the wheelchair.

How to make Philippine torta (egg foo young)

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Punta de Fabian Resort in Baras, Rizal

2010-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Rizal is one big place. It's not exaclty a province separate from Metro Manila, since a big part of it is still well within the urban sprawl of the metropolis, but the fringes are pretty much rural. Lots of resorts are in Rizal and most of them are set either high in the hills or near Laguna Lake (Laguna de Bay). The lake itself is not fit for swimming because it is murky with lots of fish pens. However, the lake does provide a great view (top) and many tourists will find this a good alternative to Tagaytay where Taal lake is viewed.

Shown are portions of Punta de Fabian resort in Baras, Rizal which is a part of Tanay. It is small and is on top of a small and rocky hill. You will need a powerful engine to get to the top since there is a very steep but brief climb after you pass the guardhouse. There are two swimming pools (one small; another an infinity-type) and quaint cottages, most of which have great views. It's ideal for weekend trips with the family and corporate trainings, workshops, seminars, and team-building. The management is courteous and will go out of their way to help out clients with their needs.

The resort has facilities for indoor sports like darts, table tennis, and billiards in the game room. Conference rooms are convenient and spacious and are a short walk to the dining area where clients get treated to packaged European-style meals (below). There is also a videoke bar to release your hidden singing talents. When it rains, it pays to be careful when walking on tiled steps and the mud, both of which can get very slippery.

Giniling (Philippine picadillo) recipe

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Street Rambutan in the Philippines

2010-09-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Here are rambutan fruits sold on the street in the Philippines. These were discovered to be of good quality and sweet in spite of the seemingly unripe color. Sold by a young boy, the Rambutan fruit is plentiful come August in the Philippines and much can be found on the street even when not near any public market. Along roadsides, the Rambutan can also be found in makeshift stalls from which sellers flag down travellers. Usually, Rambutan buyers are given a free taste before buying.

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Noah's Ark for Tourists in Lucban Quezon

2010-09-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

There's a concrete replica of Noah's Ark in Lucban, Quezon, in The Philippines. It's part of the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center of Father Joey Faller, a Catholic healing priest who found his true calling in life as a servant of God after he discovered that he can heal people of many illnesses. After an accident which caused the last finger of one of his hands to curl permanently, he set out to fulfill his destiny to heal people, and eventually established the Center with a church and Bible-themed park for those in search of healing through God.

The Ark of Noah is just one of the many attractions of the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center, with the main one being the Grotto with the 50-foot monument of Jesus Christ at the top of a hill. Noah's Ark is really a building with an exterior made to resemble the ancient boat where Noah's family took refuge from the Great Flood along with pairs of animals. At the time these photos were taken, it was still under construction.

The Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center is found in Lucban, Quezon. Those interested can read more about it in this article:

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church

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The Humble but Popular Pan de Coco

2010-09-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

In the Philippines, the most popular bread is pan de sal. But do you know what the second most popular bread is? For many Filipinos, this would be the pan de coco. The pan de coco is a small, round bun with a cavity inside that’s filled with a ground coconut jam which is sweet and chewy.Usually, there are lots of sweet shredded coconut inside, although some bakeries save by adding just a little. Pan de coco is popular throughout the year but it's likely more people buy them during Christmas and the new year.

Each pan de coco bun can be eaten in about five bites and provides a very satisfying snack if two or three are eaten. Pan de sal is usually eaten in the morning, but pan de coco is a kind of all day bread and may be eaten as a dessert. If you haven’t tasted pan de coco yet, then maybe it’s time that you try it. Once you eat one, it’s hard not to be tempted to eat another, and another, and another, until you are full. That’s how delicious and satisfying pan de coco can be.

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Mt. Carmel Church in Lipa: Witness to Rose Petals Miracle

2010-09-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

This is the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lipa. It was the setting of a miracle wherein a former nun became witness to an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Related to this are the dancing sun and rose petals that supposedly fell down from heaven. The dancing sun was witnessed and recorded on video by many witnesses. The petals that fell to the ground had iconic images like those of Jesus.

The event was investigated by the Catholic Church, but it came short of declaring the event as an official miracle. Now the investigation has been reopened and witnesses which have attested to being healed are being interviewed. Every year on September 8, the festival of the Virgin Mary, the faithful gather at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church to recollect the events that happened so many years ago. Many of them hope for a personal miracle or to be a witness to a new one.

Will rose petals ever fall from the sky again at the Mt. Carmel Church? Who knows? But for now, Catholics all over the Philippines and other parts of the world wait for the final ruling of the Church, hoping that it will declare the inexplicable events that happened there are true miracles.

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center and Grotto in Lucban, Quezon

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Flood Mitigation Efforts in Rizal, Philippines

2010-08-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of workers hired by the local government of Cainta, Rizal to clean up drains in the hopes of alleviating the floods that frequently hits subdivisions like this one. In sudden downpours that last for two hours, flash floods often block roads and causing jams that last for more than 12 hours, stranding commuters who have no option but to walk home in deep and murky floodwater.

Residential areas also have to deal with muddy water that enter houses. Residents cleaning their homes of mud and debris in Rizal is a common sight every year during the rainy season. The little drain maintenance will hardly do anything to alleviate future floods. What is needed is a long-term project that will divert flood waters to big drainage systems massive enough to take in all the rain water and divert it to where it will cause no harm or damage.

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Mayon Volcano Greets Air Travelers to Legaspi City in Bicol

2010-08-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

What could be a better greeting for air travelers to the Bicol region in the Philippines than being greeting upon landing in Legaspi City airport, by majestic Mayon Volcano? Yes, locals say the volcano shows it's whole beauty very rarely as it is often shrouded in clouds. Consider yourself lucky to get a glimpse of it's smoking crater as your airplane lands. The name Mayon comes from the local term for beautiful, maayon.

Sometimes, the pilot will fly close to the peak and will announce that you can take a peek out the windows (usually on the left) to get a really close look at the summit of Mayon Volcano. It's active, so you'll be treated to while smoke and gas coming out of its crater. You will also be able to see the blackish lava flow that has hardened coming down the slopes. During eruptions, the crater spews rolling balls of exploding lava and it can be a spectacular sight from the ground! Upon landing, you will be able to see Mayon on the right side, but it will be much farther away (top; left).

Please click on the images for a bigger picture!

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Honey Moon Tea and Lee MF-Rhino Tea: Which Boosts Libido More?

2010-08-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

In the Philippines, two libido boosting teas are making waves—Honey Moon Tea and Lee MF-Rhino Tea. Readily available at Mercury Drug Stores, these teas are manufactured by Tai Ping Trading Co., Ltd. (Honey Moon) and Wei Hui Trading Company (Lee MF-Rhino), respectively. Both companies are based in Hong Kong. Advertising for these products have been minimal, being confined to magazines like FHM men's magazine and others, but awareness of these products have been spreading by word of mouth and sales are constant, even as people talk about these libido products in hushed tones.

Many people are curious to know what's in them and if they really work to increase libido. In a post on Lee MF-Rhino Tea, also in this blog, A Taste of the Philippines, some of the questions typically asked by people about that product have been answered. But many have also been asking about the Honey Moon Tea, and this article should be able to shed some light on the product and its ingredients. It does not go into details about the specific ingredients, though. But it should be enough.

First off, you should know that the ingredients of Honey Moon Tea and Lee MF-Rhino Tea are essentially the same. Only the spelling of some terms are different, such that “Epimedu” in Honey Moon Tea is spelled as “Epimedii” in Lee MF-Rhino Tea. In fact, if you look at the packaging, you will see that the descriptions are also similar and use the same words. Most of the components are herbal, with the exception of antler.

The sachets also use the same Chinese artwork on Chinese Emperor Kao Tsung and his wives. But, only the Lee MF-Rhino Tea packaging says that it's “for men,” although the Diamond Laboratories distributor site says Honey Moon Tea is a “Love Potion for Men.” The FHM ad also says "Herbal Tea for Men." Even with the same basic ingredients, the components of Honey Moon Tea are actually greater than those in Lee MF-Rhino Tea in terms of weight. We can assume that Honeymoon Tea is much stronger than Lee MF-Rhino Tea—which is perhaps why it is also more expensive.

The following list the ingredients of both Honey Moon and Lee MF-Rhino teas. You can see here which ingredients are shared by both brands and which ones are unique to the other.

Honey Moon Tea                                Lee MF-Rhino Tea

Herba Epimedu leaves               .525 g    Herba Epimedii       .325 g
Herba Cyanomoru stem            .525 g    Herba Cynomorii    .325 g
Woodwardia Japonic                 .500 g    NOT INCLUDED
Fructus Polygalea       .475 g    Fructus Polygalae .300 g
Yang Gong Cao aerial             .425 g    NOT INCLUDED
Radix Polygalea root              .425 g    Radix Polygalae      .325 g
Semen Astralagi Complanati .400 g    Semen Astralagi      .250 g
Radix Ginseng root       .400 g    Radix Ginseng      .250 g
Pilose Antler antler                 .325 g    Pilose Antler       .125 g
NOT INCLUDED                                           Rizoma Cibotii     .325 g
NOT INCLUDED                                     Rizoma Drynariae .275 g

You can see that two ingredients in Honey Moon Tea, Woodwardia Japonic rhizomes (wasabi) and Yang Gong Cau aerial are not in Lee MF-Rhino Tea. On the other hand, Rizoma Cibotii (for back and knee aches) and Rizoma Drynariae (for bone strength), are not in Honey Moon Tea.

The ingredients of Honey Moon Tea and Lee MF-Rhino Tea are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They do not necessarily simply increase libido. Some of them are used to treat various ailments, which may be circulatory or respiratory in nature. But generally, the ingredients appear to be put together in these products as energy boosters. Herba Epimedu increases testosterone in the body. Testosterone is basically the hormone responsible for libido, and increasing the level of this in the body also works to increase sex drive in both men and women.

Both Honey Moon and Lee MF-Rhino teas come in granular and semi-powdered form. If you sprinkle a few grains on your tongue, you will find that both products are slightly sweet to the taste. But you should only use about half a cup of water with the contents of a sachet, otherwise, the tea will taste bland. Otherwise, just add sugar.

Drinking a sachet of Honey Moon Tea produces a stimulating, but mild, effect. It's not like the sensation that caffeine in coffee produces but it kind of gives a warmth that begins in the chest and neck area and moves outwards to the body extremities. After ten minutes or so, you may feel a warmth on your face and hands. You may feel a tingling sensation in the body and this may be “uplifting” for both men and women. It's at this point that you know the tea is working its magic on you, and/or your partner. With a little creativity, you can capitalize and even maximize this effect.

As of this writing, Honey Moon Tea costs P91 per sachet at Mercury Drug store, compared to Lee MF-Rhino Tea, which is available in a thee-sachet promo pack for only P75. If you're wondering which is better to purchase, then it's likely Lee MF-Rhino Tea. Why settle for one sachet when you can have three that contains basically the same things as the other brand? Just add more than one sachet to your glass or mug and you've got a more potent brew! Be careful that you do not overdose and always test first to see if you are allergic to the teas.

Find out more about libido enhancing Lee MF-Rhino Tea.

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