The Wandering Lion

There's something wrong with this picture

2012-06-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

A Rockin' Great Time at the Liliputan Rocky Beach Park

2012-04-09T00:43:00.002-07:00

(July 2011)

No, Virginia, we did not go to Lilliput nor did we see Gulliver or the tiny people known as Lilliputians. We went to a not so popular beach park in San Julian, Eastern Samar --- The Liliputan Rocky Beach Park.

It was the last day of my short vacation in my hometown of Borongan so my folks decided to have some R & R and head on to the beach after the fiesta in our barangay. But instead of just going to Cabong (a favorite place by Boronganons) they decided that we go to the nearby town of San Julian.

Photos from isanjulian.bravehost.com

Liliputan literally mean where one turns around a point, from the root word "liput" meaning to turn around a point. This can also mean a short cut.

The way to the Liliputan Rocy Beach Park

Rocky Beach Park Fees

As you can see in the photo, rates are pretty cheap:
Entrance Fee: Php5.00
Cottage Fee: Small - Php75.00 Medium - Php150.00 Large - Php200.00
Open Space with table: Php25.00
Use of shower/comfort room: Php5.00
Use of electricity: Php50.00
Open space per group: Php20.00

It is not your typical beach, the shore line is far so there is no chance to do some HHWWPSSP (Holding hands while walking pa-sway sway pa) but to compensate for the lack of a sandy beach you can see the majestic rock formations that surround the area. The are rock enclosures where you can swim to your hearts content. My cousins and nephews all had a great time in the water.

Aside from swimming, visitors can also check out the turtles that they are taking care of at the resort. It's a perfect time to teach kids about animals and the ecosystem (Well if you still have time after all the swimming, eating and drinking tuba).

We wished we could have stayed longer but it was already late in the afternoon and I still had to rest for my flight back to Manila the next morning. I do hope to go back when I get the chance to visit Borongan again.

So if you do get to Eastern Samar, which is not exactly on everyone's travel list, you can check out the Liliputan Rocky Beach Park. I promise, you will have a rockin' good time.

Ciao.

SPYDER LEADS THE RACE TO A FULLY-CHARGED SUMMER

2012-04-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

ALABANG, Muntinlupa City – SPYDER, the brand that brought top-quality and high-performance multisport and motorcycling gears in the country, launched its summer season campaign for an more exciting, super active, and healthier summer activities with Spyder-Charge Your Summer 2012.

Spyder hosted the week-long Spyder-Charge Your Summer 2012 mall event where newbies are introduced to the discipline of multisport by offering the highest quality of products – helmets, shades, eyewear, and other protective gears, accessories and products to enable a fun-filled engagement.

The event featured a series of activities to invite the interest of mall-goers. A range of activities including hourly raffles, photo-ops on standees and photowalls, and trivia games were held throughout the whole week to spice up the event. Spyder-charge was conducted against a stage resembling a mountain beach resort to capture that summer ambience.

Team Spyder checking out the hottest gears on display at Festival Supermall.

Aside from the Spyder products on sale from March 26 to April 1, enthusiasts were also introduced to motorcycling, cycling, and running clinics. The clinics were held in partnership with Safety Riders, Team Manager of the Philippine Cycling team for SEA Games Edmund Mangaser, and three-time ultramarathon champion and Best Female Triathlete nominee Michelle Estuar, respectively.

Winners of Spyder-Charge Your Summer Blogging Contest were also awarded with cash prizes and premium items from Spyder and sponsors. Top blogs were featured on the Team Spyder website, with the grand winner winning P50,000 cash prize and an all-expenses paid beach vacation for two courtesy of Spyder.

Spyder-Charge Your Summer is an event of Spyder Helmets and Optics and sponsored by Skechers Go run, No Fear, Gatorade, Sun Cellular, Kawasaki, All Terra Cyclery, and supported by Total Fitness, Multisport, One Sport, Inside Racing, and Weekend Warrior Magazines, takbo.ph, swimbikerun.ph, motorcyclephilippines.com, clickthecity.com, and juice.ph.

Spyder Helmets & Optics is distributed in the Philippines by Roshan Commercial Corporation.

Quick-Snack is worth the buck

2012-02-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

Quiet, unassuming, modest. These may be the words to describe Quick-Snack, a popular but hidden dining place in Carvajal Street, Binondo, Manila. The street itself is filled with wet market finds like vegetables, fruits and sea food (minus the wet part, which deserves a thumbs up) you will not notice that Quick-Snack is actually inside.

We were brought to this hidden food haven by Jeff Siy, the man behind the popular website Boy Kuripot and his girlfriend, Melody Co also known as, Girl Kuripot along with some new found friends who tagged along with Journeying Jame s on the first day of his 100 days of backpacking in the Philippines.

Quick-Snack serves Filipino-Chinese dishes and the prices are reasonable. The servings are good for two if you are not that hungry. I ordered their Lomi and was surprised that it was a really big bowl of piping hot noodles in thick broth. It was a LOMI to remember.

Also recommended according to Yahoo Philippines are their Misua Guisado (Stir-fried misua) and sate chami (stir-fried noodles with sate sauce). So if you want an out of the ordinary dining experience just head over to Carvajal Street in Binondo. You will not regret it, I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die in culinary heaven. Well maybe not literally die folks.

I've Got Mail: A Postcard from Mexico courtesy of Pinay Travel Junkie

2012-01-20T21:59:00.000-08:00

It was a slow day at the office and I was not really expecting something in the mail so it was a surprise to receive the postcard sent by the uber popular globetrotter Gay Mitra Emami a.k.a. Pinay Travel Junkie. I don't remember the last time I got a letter or a postcard via snail mail and I surely appreciate receiving something that is not electronic.

I met Gay in February of 2011 when we were chosen to go to Batanes along with other bloggers. We all quickly hit it off like we knew each other from Adam. If you want to know more about her, you can just read her awesome blogs and watch her in this promotional video for Couchsurfing.

What is in the postcard, you ask? Well it is from Teotihuacan, which according to the ever reliable Wikipedia is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, just 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, containing some of the largest pyramidal structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Apart from the pyramidal structures, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals. Additionally, Teotihuacan produced a thin orange pottery style that spread through Mesoamerica.

It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is believed to have been established in 100 BC. (Kuya Kim, is that you?)

What Gay and Shervin (a.k.a Masterblaster Sherv, Gay's hubby) wrote on the awesome postcard:

Dear Kompanyero,

It's day 179 of our round-the-world trip, and alomost a week since we arrived in Mexico. Today we visited Teotihuacan to see its pyramidal structures.

The highligh of this day: Taking Luna to the top of Piramide Dela Luna's Stairs!

Happy Holidays,

Gay

Hi Leon,

Yeah, we also got to witness a tribal wedding held at the base of the Luna Pyramid!

- Shervin

Plus an autograph from the future star Luna Emami

Muchas gracias Kompanyera Gay, Masterblaster Sherv and Uber-adorable Luna Emami. Have fun wherever you may be.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

2012-01-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

The Swiss may had more fun back in 1951 but it's now 2012 and the Philippines is bringing in more fun.

Break it down, Y'all!

Ok, my rapping skills are not up to par but you cannot deny the fact that the new slogan, copied or not is catchier and more fun (pun intended) than its predecessor. So why don't we just support the Department of Tourism and help in promoting the 7,107 islands we call home to potential visitors (Yes, you Swiss are included, we don't care if it's more fun in Berne or Zurich).

Here are some of my entries to the slogan which has gone viral in the world wide web. More to come peeps.

Christmas at the Muntinlupa City Hall

2011-12-24T02:06:00.000-08:00

In a few hours we will be celebrating Christmas so I chose to post the photos I took of of our city hall here in Muntinlupa. The government building's Christmas theme for this year is Alice in Wonderland and it has quite become a tourist attraction as some people go there to take pictures or just admire the bright lights.

I passed by the city hall and I could not help but take some pictures.These were taken using my Nikon Coolpix L20 point and shoot camera's night mode.

Merry Christmas everyone, may we all be remember the real reason for the most wonderful time of the year.

Wandering Read: The Size of the World by Jeff Greenwald

2011-12-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

I bought this book way back in high school and it intensified my wanderlust. It's pretty mind boggling for someone to travel sans the comfort and speed of airplanes but I did understand what he was going for.

Here's a description of the book:
By the time that travel writer Jeff Greenwald hit his late thirties, he had covered more ground than Magellan, Marco Polo, and Columbus combined. But he also came to a sobering conclusion: airplanes had reduced his exotic explorations to a series of long commutes. So he set out to rediscover the mass, the gravity, and the size of the world. His mission: to circle the earth without leaving its surface.

What followed was a remarkable odyssey, as Greenwald scaled an active volcano in Guatemala, rode a rat-infested ferry across the Persian Gulf, dropped by Paul Bowles's flat unannounced, saved a baby snow leopard in Tibet, and spent his fortieth birthday marooned in the Sahara. And no matter where he found himself, he sent reports of his exploits from his ever-faithful laptop to the screens of thousands of eager Internet readers. A pilgrimage both hilarious and harrowing, insightful and wise, The Size of the World takes you on an adventure you will never forget.

How about you, would you dare travel the world without leaving the ground?

Wandering Photo: Paco Park Cemetery circa 2002

2011-11-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

All Saints Day is being celebrated in the Philippines today so people trooped to the cemeteries to visit their dearly departed loved ones. Since I do not have anything to post about this day, let me just post this photo.

Ang mga Bugoy

This was way back in college when our professor ask us to visit certain historical places in the Metro. It was my first time to pose for a photo right beside a grave. In this case the old grave of Dr. Jose Rizal. And we were all smiles. What were we thinking?

Wandering at the Pizza Hut Bloggers Meet and Greet with Shamcey Supsup

2011-10-30T02:16:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of meeting the gorgeous Shamcey Supsup, you must be familiar with her and all as she had recently won 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe beauty pageant. A simpleton like me would never imagine that I would get close to her lest be in the same room with her. But thanks to the people from Pizza Hut Philippines, I finally met her along with other bloggers who were invited to meet her as part of their marketing campaign for the new Tuscani Pizza.

Is Shamcey really pretty in person? Yes, svelte and tall, the kind of girl who I stare at from afar and know would never fall for me in a million years. Oops, TMI dear readers.

The new Tuscani Pizza actually reminds me of Yellow Cab's, not the pan pizza you grew up with but it is not also the thin crust variety. It comes in four variants: Supremo, Premium All-Meat, 3-Cheese Bacon and Spinach, Gourmet Chicken and Roast Beef. We sampled the Supremo and Premium All-Meat and all I have to say is it is tasty. As one fellow blogger quipped, "it is an explosion of flavors in the mouth". So if you are the type who prefers your pizza bursting with a lot of flavor (or your food in general as most of us Pinoys do) then the Tuscani is right up your alley.

What's even better was the pizza, the one pictured above, was served by no less than the gorgeous beauty queen herself. i don't know if it was part of her contract to do that part but what the heck, I aint gonna complain.

Still thinking if you want to try the Tuscani? Then this may enticed you more as Pizza Hut has unveiled two great promos for Facebook and Tumblr users.

On Facebook:

Like Pizza Hut Philippines' Facebook Page.
Use the "Flavor Your Life" application to register and join the raffle. You can see the link to the application on the left side panel of Pizza Hut Philippines' Facebook page.
Take a picture of yourself enjoying any of Pizza Hut's Tuscani flavor. You have five flavors to choose from - BBQ Chicken, 3 Cheese Bacon and Spinach, Roast Beef, All Meat, and Supremo.
Upload your photo using the "Flavor Your Life" app. Follow the instructions then app will automatically post your picture both on your Facebook wall, as well as on Pizza Hut Philippines' Facebook page's wall.
Take a picture of yourself enjoying any of Pizza Hut's Tuscani flavor. You have five flavors to choose from - BBQ Chicken, 3 Cheese Bacon and Spinach, Roast Beef, All Meat, and Supremo.
Upload your photo using the "Flavor Your Life" app. Follow the instructions then app will automatically post your picture both on your Facebook wall, as well as on Pizza Hut Philippines' Facebook page's wall.

One winner will be picked every week for the next 6 weeks. First week of draw will be on November 4, and that week will be on December 8. All winners will win p1000 worth of Pizza Hut GCs. The prize is not convertible to cash, and this promo is open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 and up. Though there are six weekly draws, you can only win once during the promo. {Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 7925 series of 2011}

On Tumblr:

Tumblr bloggers first need to choose which Pizza Hut Tuscani and prize the would like to win. Choices are: Supremo (iPad 2), All Meat (iPhone 4), Roast Beef (DSLR Camera), 3 Cheese Bacon & Spinach (Trip for 2 to Boracay), BBQ Chicken (20,000 worth of GCs from Araneta Center).
Write a blog post that centers to these questions - Why you liked the Tuscani pizza flavor you chose, and how winning your chosen flavor prize will add "flavor to your life." Blog entries should be at least 500 words long, and must include a photo and/or a video featuring their chosen Tuscani flavor.
Submit your entry to pizzahutflavoryourlife.tumblr.com by clicking the "Submit" button. Be sure you follow the prompt in uploading your entry.
Ask your friends to like your blog post, but as you know, only Tumblr users can like your post.
The blog entry with the highest score will win. Although the "likes" will give you a little advantage, do know that there are still other criteria for judging which blog post is the best:
- a) Number of likes - 10%
- Creativity of the post - 30%
- Grammar - 20%
- Use of media (novelty and quality of image/video) - 20%
- Following the instruction (word count) - 20%

One blog post per Tuscani flavor and prize will win. Bloggers can make multiple entries, but do know they can only win in one. Just like the Facebook promo, this contest is open to all Filipino citizens ages 18 and up, and all prizes are not convertible to cash.

Deadline for submission of entries will be on December 08, 2011. Promo period is from October 26 - December 08. Judging will be on December 08, 2011 at the Pizza Hut office in Araneta Center. Announcement of winners will be on December 09, 2011. {Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 7925 series of 2011}

Check out pizzahutflavoryourlife.tumblr.com and Pizza Hut Philippines' Facebook Page for more information.

Munti Discovery: The Triumph of Science Over Death

2011-10-08T02:50:00.000-07:00

I have been living in Muntinlupa for the past 10 years (not counting the 5 years I spent back in grade school) and I am ashamed of the fact that I have not checked out the sights in this lovely city I call home. Had it not for my office mate Rai who mentioned that there is an interesting statue very near Festival Mall, I would have continued to be oblivious of its existence.

The Triumph of Science over Death (Left)

The statue I am talking about is a replica of The Triumph of Science Over Death, a clay sculpture made by Dr. Jose Rizal as a gift to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt. According to my good friend Wikipedia, (aside from Google) the original sculpture is now displayed a the Rizal Shrine Museum at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. Another replica, made of concrete, stands in front of Fernando Calderón Hall of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine along Pedro Gil St. in Ermita, Manila.

To satisfy my curiosity and redeem myself for my ignorance of this replica's existence, I decided to check it out this afternoon right after doing some retail therapy (translation: grocery shopping). The statue is in the old research facility of the Department of Health, which according to my research will be part of the Festival Mall's expansion.

I hope that it is true because it would really be sad if development triumphs over this little known and hardly seen piece of heritage. I wonder who made the replica, it clearly has seen its good days and just like the compound where it stands, it is in a decrepit state. I bet our hero would rise from his grave if he sees its present situation.

If you want to see the statue for yourself, it is just a short walk from Festival Mall's X-Site Entrance. You will see the Alabang Bus Terminal right in front, and it is right before Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital.

That's all for now. Till my next wandering, Ciao!

NCCA Celebrates Dayaw: Indigenous Peoples’ Month 2011

2011-09-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) annual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month moves to Davao Region in Mindanao with Tagum City as its main venue. This October, Dayaw: Indigenous Peoples Festival 2011, under the auspices of the NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts and Mindanawon Foundation, in partnership with local governments, government agencies and the private sector, focuses the spotlight on the country’s indigenous peoples, celebrating their arts and ways of life, discussing important issues and making more people aware of the richness and importance of indigenous cultures.

The leaders and representatives of more than 100 indigenous peoples of the Philippines will converge together for the five-day event in the first week of October to showcase their rituals, performing arts, cuisines, games, crafts and others. Additionally, they will be joined by delegates from six Southeast Asian countries in simultaneous exchange and interactive activities such as performances, exhibitions, forums, lecture-demonstrations, workshops on traditional crafts and cuisines and indigenous games.

This year, Dayaw aims to celebrate the cultures of the Filipino people as well as those of the visiting foreign delegates by “understanding the commonalities of the various indigenous peoples.” It also aims to “strengthen/broaden the awareness, appreciation and pride of all Filipinos for our own traditional culture in the context of cross-cultural interactions in a global society.

With the theme “Paghabi ng Ating Pagkakatulad Tungo sa Kapayapaan” (Interweaving Our Commonalities Towards Peace), the festival features many components such as Tanghalang Makulay (a ritual and performing arts festival), Salu-salong Sarap (a food festival), Mga Habi ng Panaginip (an arts and crafts exhibit, focusing on basketry, textile and mat weaving), Sama-sama sa Tuwa (games/sports), and Usapang Dangal at Likhang Paghayag (forum and creative workshop on peace and unity).

The celebration is in consonance with Presidential Proclamation 1906, declaring October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month. The NCCA has been holding major festivals for several years now in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In 2007, Kalimudan: Panaghi-usa sa Mindanao (Mindanao Indigenous Peoples’ Gathering) held in Davao City in November, featured Mindanao’s ethnic groups. The following year, Timpuyog: Indigenous Peoples’ Month Celebration in Luzon was held in Santiago City, Isabela, focusing on Luzon ethnic groups and featuring performances, arts and crafts workshops, cultural awareness lectures, forums, tours, and a theme-park exhibition featuring the traditional houses, cultural resources, practices/rituals, chants, music, songs and dances, stories, traditional arts and crafts, indigenous games. In 2009, the Indigenous Peoples’ Festival was held in the Visayas, particularly in Roxas City, Capiz, called Dungog, with similar activities and aims. Last year, Dayaw 2010 was held in Metro Manila.

This festival aims provide venue for indigenous peoples to celebrate the richness of their cultures; allow cultural exchanges that will foster deeper cultural understanding to sustain a culture of peace; provide opportunity to discuss IP rights; give students and other people a chance to deepen their awareness and appreciation of indigenous cultures; recognize the expertise and contributions of indigenous communities; and advocate for the preservation as well as integration of traditional culture into the national cultural mainstream.

Dayaw 2011 is held in cooperation with local governments of Tagum and Davao as well as other LGU’snearby, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Education, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Trade and Industry, the National Commission for Muslim Filipino, SM City Davao, as well as non-governmental, socio-civic and peoples’ organizations.

The NCCA is led by its chairman, Prof. Felipe de Leon, Jr., and Malou Jacob as executive director, with Commissioner Joycie Dorado-Alegre as SCCTA head.

Maki-Dayaw na!

For more details, contact Ms. Marichu Tellano, Chief of the NCCA Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division, at 527-2214; Renee Talavera, Head of the SCCTA Section, at 527-2198; or Rene Napeñas, Head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office at 527-5529 or 0928-5081056. E-mail us at ncca.paio@gmail.com or visit our Web site at www.ncca.gov.ph.

*Kapamilya actor Piolo Pascual is the NCCA Ambassador for Dayaw 2011.

My Borongan Homecoming

2011-08-20T01:18:00.000-07:00

I left my hometown back when I was four years old and did not come back till 2006 when I came for a vacation after resigning from my first job. It was a great trip as it energized me and gave me time to think about what I should be doing with my life. I came back in 2009 and have been going "home" for the past three years.

I schedule my annual trip to Borongan every second week of July as it is the fiesta in our small barangay, Brgy. Pepilitan. Borongan's feast is held every September but I choose to come home for Pepilitan's celebration. Christenings are usually held during this time and I was even asked to be the godparent for a cousin's daughter last year.

For the second straight year I traveled alone and thanks to an office mate, I was able to buy tickets at a promo fare. There is no direct flight to Borongan so Tacloban is the usual gateway to Region 8 (where Eastern Samar belongs to), from there you just have to endure the four-hour land travel to Borongan. Your only consolation is seeing the beautiful scenery and the magnificent San Juanico Bridge which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte.

I recommend you ride the Duptours Shuttle Service, located in Sto. Nino St., Tacloban City, they are very reliable, hindi kaskasero. Tacloban to Borongan fare is at Php180.00. You will pass by a lot of towns in Eastern Samar, most notable are Basey (the banig capital of Region 8) and Balangiga (where the infamous bells come from).

My only pet peeve are the bad roads, pot holes start to jolt your ride especially upon entering Eastern Samar. How I wish that the tarpaulins showcasing the politicos greetings was just used to repair the roads. No wonder not a lot of tourist go to my beautiful province.

Upon arriving in Borongan, you will be greeted by another tarpaulin, yes, tarpaulins are the wave of the future, this time it features Mayor Fe Abunda (sister of the King of Talk Tito Boy), I just forgot to take a picture. Tarpaulins aside you will also see the Borongan Cathedral.

Formally called the Our Lady of Brongan Cathedral, it was originally built in 1710 by Jesuit Fr. Francisco Diez. It had been burned and rebuilt in 1781 by Fr. Roque de San Jose or de Osma. Fr. Juan Navarrete installed a new roof in 1843 and constructed a circular bell tower ten years later. The convent was constructed from 1895 to 1897. Its facade was restored. The cathedral houses the image of Nuestra Señora de Borongan, the towns patroness. (WikiPilipinas)


Photo from the Heritage Conservation Society

The church, city hall and the public market (Mercado) are all in the Poblacion, which everyone calls the Sawang. Tricycles and motorbikes are the popular mode of transportation. Sorry guys, jeepneys are not the king of Borongan's roads.

Brgy. Pepilitan is a tricycle ride away from the Sawang, here people know everyone unlike in Metro Manila where there are times when you don't even know your neighbors. I arrived at around noon and there was no electricity (bummer), ESAMELCO, the province's electric cooperative was replacing old posts so the folks just have to bear the heat amidst the busy preparation for the fiesta.

Lat year we visited my grand aunt, Apuy Coling who turned 92 last April or May, I am not sure (senior moment). She and my grandma, Apuy Guimay are the only ones left among their siblings. She lives in the nearby Brgy. Sabang. Apuy by the way is the Waray term for grandmother.

(to be continued)

Eat, Learn, Move

2011-08-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

They say this is the male version of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. A six-week journey of a lifetime crammed into one epic minute. How I wish I could do the same.

Borongan Homecoming Teaser

2011-08-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

It was my second time to travel alone to my hometown, thanks to a friend I was able to buy a ticket at a promo fare for my annual trip to Borongan, Eastern Samar. A small city with a population of 55,141 (2000 census), it is not on the top list of travel destinations of the Department of Tourism. Ask any traveler if they have been to my hometown and they most probably would ask, "Where is that?"

The famous San Juamnico Bridge which links the islands of Samar and Leyte,

Freshly caught octopus

How far is Borongan from Manila?

Solitary banca

Only recently, due to Tito Boy Abunda's popularity does the city gets mentioned in news outlets in the country. It is a place that is still waiting to be explored. I wish it would get its spot in future Pilipinas Tara Na music videos.

More of my Borongan Homecoming in the next post. When is it? You can never can tell. :)

Wandering in Dapitan Pt. 1

2011-06-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

I am both sad and happy that I was in Dapitan last month. Happy that I finally got to see the place where the great Jose Rizal spent four years during his exile. Sad that I was there before the Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail passport was issued. I could have gotten my passport stamped, now I need to go back and retrace my steps, Boo hoo. Enough of my dramatic meanderings, if you have not been to the heritage city of Dapitan, then now is the time to explore the sites.With the country celebrating the 150th year of his birth, a Rizaliana inspired trip is a must for every traveler.

We were in Dapitan as part of our office's planning and cultural immersion program. Hint, hint, it's up to you to guess where I work.


Santa Cruz Beach - Punto del Disembarko de Rizal en Dapitan, Sunset Boulevard

On July 17, 1892, Rizal landed on Santa Cruz Beach at 7 p.m. with Captain Delgras and three artillery men. They walked through Sta. Cruz Street with a farol de combate to the Casa Real where he was presented to Don Ricardo Carnicero, the Spanish military governor of the area. On May 19, 2011, The Wandering Lion arrived in Dapitan along with some angry birds.

After taking some pictures in Santa Cruz Beach, we then went to the Relief Map of Mindanao that Rizal built located right in front of St. James Church.I was not able to get a picture of the map as there was a lot of people (translation: office mates) having their pictures taken. Rizal created the map as an aid in teaching history and geography to the locals.

The facade of Dapitan Church a.k.a. St. James Church of Dapitan

While everyone was busy having their Kodak moment, I decided to go inside St. James Church and make a wish, as it is the belief that you must make a wish the first time you visit a church, I dunno who started it but who knows, my wish might come true.

Interior of St. James Church

The St. James Church of Dapitan has a historical marker which can be found in the exact spot where Rizal stood every Sunday during his exile from 1892 to 1896.

We also saw some kids playing soccer in the town plaza who, as their coach told us, played in the recent Palarong Pambansa which was held in the Dapitan.

The Jose Rizal Monument in Dapitan

My only complain was that the tour was so fast that I was not able to fully appreciate the surroundings. Hope I can come back so that I can also get my Rizal Passport stamped. More of Dapitan in my next post. :)

Lakbay Rizal@150: Where to Go

2011-05-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

For those interested to join the Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail here are the sites where you need to go.

National Capital Region

1. Prison Cell and Rizal Shrine

Fort Santiago, Manila

This was where Rizal was incarcerated during his trial from November 3 to December 29, 1896

Stamp site : On site

Operating details : Open Tuesdays to Sundays

8:00 am – 12:00 nn

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

2. Chapel Cell of Rizal

Fort Santiago, Manila

In 1896, this room was converted into a chapel-cell where Rizal spent the night prior to his execution in Bagumbayan.

Stamp site : Intramuros Visitor’s Center

Entrance fee : P75.00 for adults / P 50.00 for students

(To include both the Prison and Chapel cells)

3. Site of the Ateneo Municipal de Manila

Anda cor. Sta. Lucia St., Intramuros, Manila

Rizal was a student of the Ateneo Municipal de Manila from 1872 to 1877. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1932.

Stamp site : Guard Station near DOT WOW Clamshell, Anda St., Intramuros

4. Site of the University of Santo Tomas

Banco Filipino Building., A. Soriano cor. Solana Sts., Intramuros, Manila

Rizal was a student of the University of Santo Tomas in Intramuros from 1877 to 1882. IA installed a historical marker with photo and information about UST located at the corner of Andres Soriano & Solana Sts.

Stamp site : Maestranza Guard House, A. Soriano St. (Aduana), Intramuros, Manila

5. Site of Trial of Rizal

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Gen. Luna cor. Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila

This was where Rizal’s trial was held at the Cuartel de España which used to stand in the area. IA installed a historical marker relating to the whole PLM block (Jesuit Compound) including Cuartel de España. The marker is located along Muralla St.

Stamp site : PLM Guard Post, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila

6. Rizal Park

Along Roxas Blvd, Burgos, Kalaw and Taft Avenues, Manila

Also known as Bagumbayan or Luneta, this was the place of execution of Rizal on December 30, 1896. It has various sites and attractions honoring Gat Jose Rizal:

7. Rizal Monument

Near Roxas Blvd, Manila

A National Monument, it houses the remains of Rizal. It was designed by Richard Kissling of Switzerland. It was inaugurated on December 30, 1913 during Rizal’s 17^th Death Anniversary.

8. Rizal Execution Site (Light and Sound Museum)

Near Roxas Blvd, Manila

Exact location where Dr. Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan. A Rizal Light and Sound Show is presented at the site.

Entrance Fee : P10.00

Note : Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Operating details : 8:00 am – 5:00pm

9. Rizal Fountain

Near Roxas Blvd., Manila

The fountain is where Rizal used to drink in Wilhemsfeld Village, Heidelberg (now Noli Village), where he wrote the final chapter of his novel, Noli Me Tangere. The Fountain was a gift by the people of Germany on December 30, 1964.

Stamp site : Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail Kiosk or Cultural & Public Affairs

Division, Rizal Park (for all sites located in Rizal Park)

10. Paco Park

San Marcelino and Gen. Luna Sts., Paco, Manila

Rizal's remains were secretly interred in the Paco Cemetery. They were guarded for fifteen days by the Guardia Civil Veterana. His remains were exhumed on August 17, 1898, placed in an urn and deposited in the Rizal Residence in Estraude Street, Manila.

Stamp site : On site (Paco Park Office)

Entrance fee : P5.00

Operating details : Daily, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Region III

11. San Fernando Train Station

Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Fernando, Pampanga

Rizal exited this station on June 27 and 28, 1892 to visit friends in San Fernando and Bacolor as part of his mission to recruit members to La Liga Filipina. Among the houses he visited were those of Tiburcio Hilario in San Fernando on June 27 and Ceferino Joven in Bacolor on June 28. An NHI marker was installed in the station in 2004.

Stamp site : Guard Outpost, Pampanga Provincial Capitol

Capitol Boulevard, Santo Rosario, San Fernando, Pampanga

12. Kamestisuhan District (Women of Malolos Marker/ Bautista House)

Sto. Niño St., Malolos, Bulacan

The district also known as the Kamestizuan District is the location of a historical marker for the site of the school of the Women of Malolos whom Rizal wrote to on February 22, 1899 from London and the Bautista House where Rizal is said to have visited when he was recruiting members for the La Liga Filipina on June 27, 1892.

Stamp site : Guard Outpost, Malolos City Hall

Jacinto Street, Barangay Santo Nino, Malolos City, Bulacan

Region IV

13. Rizal Shrine

J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

A National Shrine, this is the birthplace of our national hero, born on June 19, 1861. Today, the house is a reconstruction done by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil, which was inaugurated on June 19, 1950.

Stamp site : On site

Operating details : 8:00 to 4:30 PM daily except Mondays

14. Calamba Church (San Juan Bautista Church)

J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

A National Historical Landmark, Rizal was baptized in the church by Fr. Rufino Collantes on June 22, 1861.

Stamp site : Rizal Shrine, Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

15. National Shrine of our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church)

Oliveros St., Antipolo City

When he was seven years old, Jose Rizal with his father took a boat for Manila and Antipolo from Calamba for a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Antipolo.

Stamp site : On site (Antipolo Shrine Pastoral Office)

Region 5

16. Rizal Monument

Magallanes and Justo Lukban Streets, Daet, Camarines Norte

This was the first monument honoring Rizal erected in the country. It was built through voluntary contributions of the people of Camarines Norte and unveiled on December 30, 1898. It is a National Historical Monument.

Stamp site : Guard Outpost, Agro-Sports Center (Camarines Norte Provincial

Tourism Office), Lukban cor Rizal St., Daet, Camarines Norte

Region 6

17. Molo Church (St. Anne’s Parish) and Escolta

Jocson and San Marcos Sts., Molo District, Iloilo City

Rizal’s boat, the S.S. España from Dapitan arrived at Iloilo where he had the chance to visit Escolta and the Church of Molo.

Stamp site : Panaderia de Molo, San Jose St., Molo, Iloilo City

Region 7

18. Dumaguete City

Rizal’s boat, the S.S. España arrived in Dumaguete City and went ashore, visited Governor Regal of Negros Occidental, visited a classmate Herrero Regidor and operated on the captain of the Civil Guard.

Stamp site : Guard post, Dumaguete Tourism Office

Quezon Park, Sta. Catalina St., Dumaguete City

19. Fort San Pedro

Pier Area, Cebu City

The S.S. España docked in Cebu on August 2, 1896 for a routine one-day stop over. After breakfast on board, Commander Carcinero took Rizal under custody to the Spanish Military Commander of Cebu, Gen. Adulfo Montero in the Military Headquarters located in Fort San Pedro.

Stamp site : On site

Operating details : Daily 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Region 9

20. Rizal Shrine and Waterworks of Rizal

Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City

Rizal's estate in Dapitan, it houses replicas of structures he built there for himself, his family, pupils and patients including the Casa Residencia, Family Kitchen, Casa Redonda, Casa Quadrada, Casitas de Salud and Casa Redonda Pequena among many others.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal purchased the property with his prize from the Manila Lottery and his earnings as a farmer and a merchant during his exile in Dapitan in July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896.

He also built a waterworks system which can still be found within the property.

Stamp site : On-site (Rizaliana Bldg.)

21. Dapitan Plaza

Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

A National Historical Landmark, the Dapitan Plaza was planned and beautified by Rizal during his exile. Acacia trees which he personally planted can still be found in the plaza.

Stamp site : Sangguniang Panglungsod Building, City Hall Drive,

Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City

22. Site of the Casa Real

Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

(Inside Rizal Park)

The official residence and administration building of the politico-military governor of the district, Rizal lived there from July 17, 1892 to March 1893 when he was transferred to Talisay, now the Rizal Dapitan Shrine. The original building was demolished in the 1920s.

Stamp site : Sangguniang Panglungsod Building, City Hall Drive,

Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City

23. Dapitan Church

City Hall Drive, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Built in 1883, St. James Church of Dapitan has a historical marker which can be found in the exact spot where Rizal stood every Sunday during his exile from 1892 to 1896.

Stamp site : Sangguniang Panglungsod Building, City Hall Drive,

Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City

24. Relief Map of Mindanao

Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

A National Cultural Treasure, Rizal created this map as an aid in teaching history and geography to the locals.

Stamp site : Sangguniang Panglungsod Building, City Hall Drive,

Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City

25. Santa Cruz Beach

Punto del Disembarko de Rizal en Dapitan, Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City

Stamp site : On site

26. Dipolog Cathedral

Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Rizal is said to have designed the church altars of the Dipolog Cathedral. Although the facade has been extremely renovated, the interior remains relatively intact.

Stamp site : Dipolog City Tourism Office, 2 Floor, City Hall Building, Dipolog City

27. Rizal Farm

Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte

The farm was acquired by Rizal from Calixto Carreon, a blind patient who offered it for free out of gratitude for his successful treatment. Rizal refused and paid him Php200 for the land. He cultivated it every weekend with his pupils. The Rizal monument in the town was a gift by one of his students.

Stamp site: Municipal Tourism Office, LGU of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte

Optional sites:

· Region III

Leonor Rivera House

Rizal Street, Camiling, Tarlac

Leonor Rivera is said to be the inspiration for Maria Clara in Noli Mi Tangere.

Note : By schedule only

· Region IV

Alberto House

Biñan, Laguna

Ancestral house of Rizal’s mother Teodora Alonzo.

Note : By schedule only

Paciano Rizal House

Los Baños, Laguna

The house of Rizal's brother Paciano designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of Juan Luna. Paciano Rizal’s remains are interred in the compound.

Note : By schedule only

Casa Segunda

Lipa, Batangas

A Heritage House, Casa Segunda is the residence of reputedly the first love of Rizal, Segunda Katigbak

Note : By schedule only

Biñan, Laguna

Gen. Capinpin St., Biñan, Laguna

Rizal studied Latina nd Spanish under Justiniano Cruz and painting under Juancho Carrera

Romblon

S.S. España where Jose Rizal was onboard on the way to Manila arrived in the town last August 5, 1896 for a routine stop-over.

· Region VI

Capiz City

Another routine stop-over for S.S. Espana where Jose Rizal was on-board on the way to Manila.

· Rizal’s Tallest Monument Calamba, Laguna

· Bagumbayan Light and Sound Museum Intramuros, Manila

And if you really want to take it to the next level, well if you have the time and money then you can also go the following countries

Rizal travels abroad

· Singapore

· Sri Lanka

· Egypt

· France

· Spain

· Germany

· Czech Republic

· Austria

· Switzerland

· Italy

· Belgium

· England

· United States of America

· China

· Japan

*See my previous post for the mechanics of the project.

Check the website of the Department of Tourism, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Rizal@150 Facebook Page for more updates.

Bencab Graphics, A Print Retrospective at the NCCA Gallery

2011-05-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

I know it's a bit late already since the exhibit opened last May 12 but you still have 12 more days to check out the print retrospective exhibit of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, more popularly known as BENCAB at the NCCA Gallery. The exhibit is actually held in celebration of Heritage Month this May and features his most essential outputs in the printmaking medium.


Sorry, it's not Bencab

Exhibit is on view until 12 June 2011. Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM. For details please contact: Jenny Picart, Ethel Buluran or Mimi Santos at 527-21-92 loc. 512 or email them at ncca_gallery@yahoo.com

If you are in Intramuros or planning to visit the area, why not drop by the NCCA Gallery and get in touch with your artsy side. This the Wandering Lion signing out. Peace.

Lakbay Rizal@150

2011-05-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150^th birth anniversary, the Inter-agency Working Group Committee with the Department of Tourism, Heritage Conservation Society, Intramuros Administration, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Cebu Pacific and the National Parks Development Committee cordially invites the public to rediscover and visit the sites and attractions which became part of our national hero’s life.

Travel as a pilgrim and be a part of the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150!

Visit the following sites featured in this brochure spread and have it stamped as proof of your visit. The first 100 pilgrims who have visited all the Rizal sites with proof of the complete stamps can present it to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to win a token and an official Kalakbay ni Gat Jose Rizal certificate!

The NHCP will verify the winners through the registration signed by the pilgrims in every stamp site.

Eligibility:

The competition is open to all domestic and international tourists. Organizers, sponsors and members of the Jose Rizal @ 150 Technical Working Committee/ Organizing Committee are not eligible to join.

Redemption of Prizes:

The certificate and token may be claimed at the Office of the Historic Sites and Education Division, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), TM Kalaw St., Manila. Tel. no. +63 2 5249952 or +63 2 5231019. E-mail: hsed@nhcp.gov.ph
Winners will shoulder all costs that they would incur in securing their prize (bus fares, taxi fares, gas, parking, meals, etc.).
The winners must present the following to an authorized NHCP representative when claiming the prize: the duly-stamped Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 brochure or booklet, one (1) valid ID with complete real name, picture and correct address.
Prizes shall be awarded only upon completion of entire validation process, resulting in the participant being identified as a legitimate winner. The winner/s should claim their prize within 60 days from receipt of notification. Otherwise the prize will be forfeited in favor of the Philippine government.
The Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 token and certificates are valid only from June 19, 2011 to June 19, 2012. The Rubber stamps will be permanent and will be available even after June 19, 2012 for visitors.

LAKBAY JOSE RIZAL@150

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1) Lakbay Jose Rizal Project Period?

· To avail of tokens and the Kalakbay ni Gat Jose Rizal certificate, pilgrims or tourists should have their brochure passport stamped from June 19, 2011 to June 19, 2012.

· Even after June 19, 2012, the stamping project will continue for tourists…

2) Aside from the Kalakbay ni Gat Rizal Certificate, what are the tokens for the pilgrims?

· Tokens may range from books or shirts or domestic air tickets, etc…

· To make things more exciting, the organizers will pre-determine the order of prizes

3) Where are the stamp sites located?

· Some stamp sites are located on-site where the curators can stamp the brochure/ passport e.g. Rizal Shrines, Intramuros while some stamp sites are across the street or the nearest tourism office such as in Rizal Park, Malolos and Dumaguete.

· They should also register in all sites so it can be validated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines when they have completed all the stamps. This will also help us ensure that all the winners have visited the 26 Rizal sites all over the country.

4) Why are there only 26 Rizal sites for stamping?

· The inter-agency committee limited the sites to 26 because these are ready and no appointments needed because some sites are privately-owned.

· But other Rizal sites are included as optional sites.

5) Where can the tourists get the brochures?

· Initially, the brochure/ passports will be available in the DOT Tourism Information Office here in the DOT Building but will soon be available in the DOT Regional Offices nationwide.

· We will be limiting the number of brochures/ passports to individuals

· For school fieldtrips, we will coordinate with the Department of Education and the Commission for Higher Education. Maybe we will print flyers and just let the teachers explain the importance of each site.

6) Where can the tourist get additional information on the sites?

· So it will be available before June 19, 2011, we are now finalizing a section in the dot (www.tourism.gov.ph) and nhcp (www.nhcp.gov.ph) websites to feature additional information regarding the sites like “how to get there” and “other attractions nearby.”

7) What is the difference between the Lakbay Jose Rizal @150 and the Rizal One-Stop Heritage Trail?

· Lakbay Jose Rizal@150 encourages people to travel to the various Rizal sites all over the country, it’s like a pilgrimage or site visit to actually see and experience the sites.

The Rizal One-Stop Heritage Trail on the other hand is a complete one-stop destination in Rizal Park (Rizal Relief Map) where one can already learn about the Rizal sites displayed around the map

· So all Filipinos have a chance to learn more about the journey and heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal whether they go to all the sites around the country or simply by visiting Rizal Park

8) Any tour packages available for Lakbay Rizal@150?

· The DOT will be coordinating with PHILTOA, PTAA and NAITAS for the development of packages tours and will come-up with such packages before June 19, 2011.

· However, the sites can also be easily visited by tourists/ FITs

Please kindly check www.tourism.gov.ph for updates

*Thanks to Mr. Ryan Sebastian of the Department of Tourism for the info.

Images of Batanes

2011-04-06T00:27:00.000-07:00

According to Digital Photography School, there are 20 travel photography subjects that must be captured by any traveler, so here are some of the photos (all from a point and shoot camera) I took from my recent tour of Batanes with fellow bloggers who won in SEAIR's contest.

1. Water

Taken from the Chawa Viewdeck in Mahatao

The Fountain of Youthh in Diura

2. Old People


Lola sa Bintana (Old lady by the window in Chavayan, Sabtang Island)

3. Young People

Children biking in Uyugan

Kid along the beach in Sabtang Port

4. Religion

Mahatao Church

The Ten Commandments in Ivatan

5. Sports


How many balls are in this picture?

6. Socializing

Journeying James' drinking session with the Ivatans

Sabong (Cockfight in Diura Fishing Village)

7. Icons

The house where Iza Calzado's movie "Batanes" was shot

The Honesy Coffee Shop in Ivana

8. Rich and 9. Poor (sorry I was not able to take pictures of rich or poor people, or maybe they were rich or poor I just did not notice, I do not really care about other people's economic background)

10. Transportation

The falowa or what I like to call, 30 minutes in hell :)

11. Economy

The butcher's Facebook status, wanna bet?

12. Food

Lunch fare at Nakabuang Beach (Coconut crab, sauteed onion leaves, turmeric rice, adobo and Kanañiz (squid)

Humet (Seaweed soup)

13. Food preparation (missed taking pictures of that, again, sorry)
14. Weather

Bovine basking in the sunset (Naidi Hills)

15. Art

Street art, Ivatan style

16. Modern vs. Traditional

A modern designed house being constructed beside a traditional abode in Sabtang

17. Downtown (Batanes does not really have a downtown area, no ubiquitous fast food chain or malls)

Journeying James and Pinay Travel Junkie strolling in Basco

18. Views (Lots of views, photographers would go crazy capturing the island's stunning vistas)

Chamantad Viewpoint in Chavayan, Sabtang Island

19. History

Ivana Church ruins (behind the current Ivana Church)

20. Architecture

Sto. Niño de Florencia Church in Uyugan (the "Kikay church" according to Journeying James)

The House of Dakay, the oldest surviving house in the town of San Jose de Ivana in Batan Island

21. Wacky/Odd (I dunno if this wacky coz I think only Pinoys would be able to get the joke)

Here at Is-im, we've got it all for you!

May I just add this, 22. Animals

Wandering Back in Time: The Old Globe in Rizal Park

2011-04-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through old photos in the house last night (old-fashioned browsing: hard bound photo albums) when I saw a picture of my mother back in the '70's. She was with her friend (sorry, forgot to ask the name) in front of the old big globe in Rizal Park.

I remember seeing that globe when I was a kid back in the late '80's (now your getting clues to my age), it was as awesome looking as it is in the picture but it was still a sight to behold. There was the old skating rink around it and many park goers would have their picture taken in front of the humongous globe.

Of course the globe and the skating rink are both gone and has been replaced by the statue of Lapu-Lapu (the hero of Mactan). After seeing the two photos, no offense to Lapu-Lapu, I kinda wish that the globe is still there.

This is the Wandering Lion signing off. Peace.

Midyolaseng sa Mineovaheng

2011-03-31T23:52:00.000-07:00

After a fun filled afternoon of sightseeing, eating Ivatan delicacies and perfecting their jump shots in Basco, Batanes, the lucky bunch of bloggers who were on winter tour of the province, decided to relax and hang out at Shanedel's Inn and Cafe.

Of course chillaxin would not be complete without some alcohol, so they decided to try the province's very own alcoholic beverage --- Mineovaheng. The wine is made from fermented sugar cane and has a slightly sweet taste.

It looks like Visayan wine, tuba (made from coconut and has a bittersweet aftertaste) but has a milder taste. The newly fermented Mineovaheng has a vinegary taste (if there is such a word) but the more vintage ones taste is more swabe, just like any other wine the older it gets, the better it tastes.

Journeying James obviously enjoyed the drink as well as the other bloggers in the group (The Wandering Lion did not want to comment). Good thing there was some left for Pinay Travel Junkie a.k.a. Gay Backpacker a.k.a. Nomad Wifey (who enjoyed it as well according to reports) who arrived the day after.

The lucky bloggers with Tita Dely Millan of Shanedel's Inn and Cafe

It was a fitting end to a day's worth of fun in the country's northernmost province. Cheers. Till we meet again Batanes.

Shanedel's Inn and Cafe is at National Road, Kaychanarianan, Basco, Batanes, Philippines

Seair flies to Batanes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Buhay Kuripot: Lunchtime at Aling Taling's

2011-03-29T00:04:00.000-07:00

Thrifty

adjective (thriftier, thriftiest)

1. using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully:
he had been brought up to be thrifty and careful

Oxford Dictionary

My friends, classmates and almost everyone who knows me, know that I am very thrifty dude and a certified cheapskate. So in everything that I buy I make sure to get the most out of my money, specially when it comes to my buying my lunch.

My office mates and I usually eat here at Aling Taling's Restaurant, or should I say carinderia. Carinderia, for those who are not from the Philippines, is a local eatery selling and serving and viands with wooden benches. It's also known as a "turo-turo" wherein customers literally point what they want to eat from an array of cauldrons (Thanks WikiPilipinas).

The reason why we eat here? Duh, of course, because it's cheap. Well, the food they serve is good enough for my pedestrian taste, but it's really the price that makes us a suki (loyal customer) of this tiny eatery here in Intramuros. Most of their regular customers are students and office workers from colleges and offices within the Walled City.

We like it here because we can order half a viand (e.g. Menudo, Bicol Express, Caldereta, Sisig, Tokwa't Baboy and other usual Pinoy fare) and rice, plus free sabaw (soup) for just Php28.00 (around $0.64). What else can a cheapskate like me could ask for?

This is the Wandering Lion signing off.

*Aling Taling's is located at Victoria St. Intramuros, Manila

Wandering in KL

2011-03-25T01:40:00.001-07:00

March 6, 2011

After a whole day of listening to lectures and presentations of other countries who participated in the seminar (I was one of three sent by our office to represent the Philippines) we decided to go out and see downtown Kuala Lumpur and see something else apart from the view of the Petronas Towers from my room.

We first went to the nearby Pavillion Mall which is like our Greenbelt, only with more high end shops, brand name conscious shoppers would have a field day in this mall. The cheapskate that we are, or should I say, that I am, we were just contented looking at the things we cannot buy.


My colleagues and our friend Deepika from New Delhi

Issey Miyake Tree?


The Fountain with Hibiscus design (in front of Pavillion Mall)

Sticky: Traditional hand made candy


Street sign: Jalan is Malay for road (Interesting, in Waray, road is called Dalan)

It was a good thing that my grade school classmate Lalin works in KL so we decide to meet her so that she can show us around and so that I can also give my pasalubong (present), Fudgee Bar and Hany Milk Chocolate imported from the Philippines.

She decided to take us to Jalan Alor, a street near the mall shopper's paradise of Bukit Bintang. According to my research it was formerly known as the red light district of Kuala Lumpur (bummer..hehehe) the area has since undergone a number of facelifts and is now filled with gastronomic delights (Hmm, wasn't there gastronomic delights before? Forget it).

Street food KL Style


Tau Foo: Stall selling Gelatin

There are no billboards in this area, just smaller signs in Chinese and a lot of outdoor restaurants, stalls selling barbecued meat, fish balls (Manong, how much per tusok?) fruit shake etc.

I went to KL to eat Ginisang (sauteed) Kangkong!

Sauteed Baby Kailan (Chinese Broccoli)

Squid with Bagoong (shrimp pate)


My favorite, Bak kut teh

We decided to eat in one of the restaurants and the food was good specially the soup, Bak Kut Teh which according to Wikipedia: The name literally translates as "meat bone tea", and, at its simplest, consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices (including star anise, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, fennel seeds and garlic) for hours. However, additional ingredients may include offal, varieties of mushroom, choy sum, and pieces of dried tofu or fried tofu puffs. Additional Chinese herbs may include yu zhu (rhizome of Solomon's Seal) and ju zhi (buckthorn fruit), which give the soup a sweeter, slightly stronger flavor. Light and dark soy sauce are also added to the soup during cooking, with varying amounts depending on the variant. Garnishings include chopped coriander or green onions and a sprinkling of fried shallots.

The soup had a distinct taste due to the herbs and spices but you will not get umay or sick of eating it. It was definitely perfect for my cough and cold. (Quarantine alert!)


Calamansi Juice

After dinner, we walked around Bukit Bintang, watched a reggae band performing on the street, took more pictures and went back to our hotel as it was already late in the evening (there were still a lot of people and malls close at 11:00pm)

That was our second day in Malaysia. This is the Wandering Lion, signing off. :)

I ♥ Paco in Coconut Milk

2011-03-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

If there is one vegetable that I would not get sick of eating it would be Paco, an edible fern (Scientific name: Diplazium esculentum) that grows in most of Southeast Asia. It is not really a popular vegetable and I seldom see it being sold in the public market so when I do get a chance to see it, I make sure that I buy a bunch or two.

Most restaurants use this fern to make a salad but I (or should I say my Mama) still prefer to cook paco in coconut milk. I am from Eastern Samar and Warays like me love to cook veggies in coconut milk and paco definitely goes well with it.

My mother was lucky to buy paco from an ambulant vendor in Muntinlupa public market last weekend, good thing there was some left as one guy almost bought everything that the vendor was selling (hoarder alert!). At Php4.00 per bunch, it was definitely a good buy.

Just like other leafy vegetables, you just need to take the tender sprouts and remove the mature leaves and stalk before cooking. Saute some garlic and onions, add the coconut cream, season with salt and voila, you've got a tasty dish.

You can add pork or shrimp if you want some protein but paco would still taste great even without it.

That's the finish product, a vegetarian dish that is great specially now that we are celebrating the Lenten season.

Paco in coconut milk plus fried fish, what more can I ask for?

This is the Wandering Lion, signing off. Peace!