Bacolod Trip 2015| Hofilena Mansion, Silay City

happened on September 18, 2015

After almost 2 hrs. in Balay Negrense, we walked for a few minutes going to this mansion.

the still inhabited mansion

We saw some heritages houses along the way, too.  I love the ambiance here, the feeling that you are being transported in time.  I love how fresh the air is so walking is not a hassle at all.

I could imagine how grand this used to be

this is just a grocery store

Bacolod Trip 2015| Balay Negrense

happened on Sept. 18, 2015

After a filling snack in El Ideal Bakery, we are now ready to conquer Silay City.  We started with this picturesque and famous Balay Negrense.

 

the restored Balay Negrense

This heritage house is situated along Cinco de Noviembre, which is also a very significant street during the Spanish regime.  This is where the locals formed a bloodless revolt that informally ended the Spanish ruling in this province in 1898.

the original stairs

the super spacious living room

Bacolod Trip 2015| Silay City - El Ideal Bakery

happened on Sept. 18, 2015


the shuttle terminal which is beside El Ideal Bakery

After two cancelled air flight bookings (TG! our airfare was cheap) , our travel to Bacolod finally pushed through.  Our airfare for this travel is only at Php1,500 per person for roundtrip fare already.  Booking in advance is always the key, guys!

 

If you are not familiar with the Negros province yet, the new airport is located in Silay City which is 30 minutes by land travel to Bacolod.  Yep, you have to pass by this heritage city before reaching Bacolod which I find to be a blessing since you will have the time to tour around this heritage place.

 

From the airport, there are taxis and shuttle vans available going to Silay City proper and Bacolod City.  Here are the rates as of this time:

 

Shuttle vans to Silay proper - Php50.00 per person; drop-off is in front of San Diego Church and near El Ideal Bakery

Shuttle vans to Bacolod City - Php100.00 per person

Tariff rate for Taxis to Bacolod City - Php 500.00 one way

 

In Silay City, the first thing that you will notice are the old homes and structures.  It's like being transported back to the Spanish regime.

Manila City| Paco Park

happened on Aug. 30, 2015

 

the tiny park with the tiny church

In my more than 30 years of residency here in the metro, it's quite embarrassing to say that it's my first time to see this little park; to think that it's so near my alma matter - Mapua Institute of Technology.  I'm a late bloomer in travelling!

Last long weekend holiday of August, the family is bored and needed a getaway very badly.  It's has been a very busy school days lately for the kids so they deserved a much needed change of ambiance. 

 

With a limited budget, I thought of just touring around the city since traffic is crazy outside of Manila.  Everyone just wanted to get out of the city for the long weekend.   

 

I've read that entrance fees in the National Museum during Sundays is free so this is immediately on the itinerary.  Then I added this park and an authentic Chinese lunch in Binondo.

 

We started off in this park.  I'm surprised to learn that it's just tucked inside a busy district on General Luna St., east end of Padre Faura St.  Driving to this park made me reminisce of my college days - during flooded days that I have to walk from school to Quiapo to our boarding home.  How time flies!

 

Entrance fee is only 10.00 per person (so cheap for maintenance purpose).  Upon entry, you will already see the whole park.  Again, I'm surprised to see how tiny it is.  Seeing it in pictures for weddings and some shoots made it in a bigger scale to look at.

the marker

at the entrance gate

my precious...

Marikina City| Rustic Mornings

happened on October 4, 2015

You can count through my fingers on how many times I have set foot in Marikina since I live and work in Quezon City area.  I find this quite far for me to check out.  However, watching Kris TV and blog stalking gave me an idea that it is home to a lot of good eateries.

 

It's a good timing that my friends invited me for a house tripping there.  I immediately agreed since I also wanted to check if we can live here someday.

 

how can you not fall in love with this???

After the tiring house tripping (if only I have the money, I'll buy that 3-storey town house right then and there!), we looked for a nice restaurant to have an early dinner.  This will be a treat of one of our friends so a posh dining experience is a must.  Sulitin ang libre di ba?

 

His wife suggested this popular place - Rustic Mornings, which is owned by one of the chefs (Portia) with a Life Style Network program.  Apparently, during mornings this is jam packed so we're glad that there is an available table for our group upon our arrival.  Maybe this is due to the heavy downpour in this city since noon time.

Quezon City| Brazo

the cables are sore for the eyes

I happened to be in our business center last Monday morning for our annual physical examination.  Our office is located in the now "famous Maginhawa St."  twenty years ago, this is purely a residential area.  Nowadays, it's home to lots and lots of hole in the wall type eateries and restaurants.  The construction of our office gave way for some commercial establishments.  I remember that there's a big issue with the home owners on the approval of its construction.  Well, your guess is good as mine why it was permitted to be constructed in the first place.

 

Going back to the subject; my friend and one of my mentors P treated me for lunch since it's my birthday last week.  Due to the heavy downpour we opted to go to this restaurant which is just adjacent to our office.  It used to be under a different management and not doing well - business wise.  Now, under a new name and management, we have to try if its offerings have been improved.

 

It has both air conditioned and outdoor settings.  We opted for the enclosed venue.  The ambiance is just so-so; nothing extra ordinary but clean and cold enough for dining.

the only décor corner inside

There is a wide choices of food in their menu.  The price is affordable and serving for the viand is good for 2-3 persons.

 

 

 Since we are only two, we only ordered their best sellers.

this is lunch

No. 1 best seller - Iberian Chicken (P238 for half) - fried with lots of spices.

Sinigang corned beef for P263.00 per serving

Their best seller - Iberian Chicken is a type of fried chicken with lots of spices and olive oil.  It's a meal by itself since there are potatoes for carbs.  It's tasty on the outside but quite bland in the inside.

The sinigang corned beef is delicious with its thick sauce.  We love this one!

We can't miss the desserts of course.

No. 1 best seller - Frozen Brazo de Mercedes for P75.00/slice

No. 2 best seller - Old-fashioned chocolate cake for P95.00/slice

I prefer the frozen Brazo this time since it's not too sweet. The old-fashioned chocolate cake is made up of our local chocolate.  You can really taste the bitterness of the chocolate in this one.

So what's my verdict?  Honestly, the food is not the type that you will miss and crave for.  It's delicious enough but not that memorable.  *Sorry, I'm just being honest here*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Juan| Chef Laudico Guevarra's



the old home turned restaurant

In most food blogs that I've chanced upon, this restaurant is always mentioned.  The more I'm stalking reading blogs, the more I'm convinced to try  this buffet restaurant in San Juan.
 

Thus, when my team (in the office) had planned for a lunch-out, I suggested this place.  It's quite far from our office so we left early in time for lunch.  Good thing, we arrived early so I still have enough time to shoot the place with lesser people around plus we were nicely sit in a corner.

I love the old house turned restaurant theme.  You know that I really love vintage stuffs so anything like it is a "must visit" for me.  I simply love looking at old stuffs at the same time having thoughts of their history.