Recipe: Spaghetti

Because its' Christmas and the Spaghetti pack is cheap.

Spaghetti Madness

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions minced
• 5 cloves of garlic minced, preferably large also
• salt and pepper
• sugar
• water
• 5 pcs of Jumbo Hotdog, sliced thinly :D
• 1/2 kg ground meat
• oil
• 1 kg Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 kg Spaghetti Pasta

Preparation:

THE SAUCE

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pot (good for 1 kilo of sauce).
2. Sautee the garlic and half of the onions.
3. Once slightly brown, add the ground meat ( I usually use meatballs in my spaghetti, so this is actually a trial run).
4. Stir lightly for 10 minutes or until you feel that meat is cooked.
5. Add 1-2 cups water and wait for it to boil.
6. Once boiling, check if the ground meat is cooked and add the hotdog, and the remaining onions.
7. Stir well and add the Spaghetti Sauce. (I also usually add Tomato Sauce and season again, but not this time :( )
8. Bring the sauce to a boil and salt and pepper and sugar, depending on how sweet you want your sauce.

THE PASTA

1. Boil a large amount of water in a pot, bout 3 liters since the pot is almost full.
2. Once boiling, add 2 tbsp of salt and 2 tbsp of oil.
3. Add the 500 gram of pasta.
4. Cook the pasta for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.  (For al dente, do not cover the pot)
5. Remove from the fire and strain. Wash with cold water.

NOW TO EAT.

Serve pasta with sauce and grated cheese.

Bon appetit :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D just because!

Thoughts On: Iloilo City PRISAA Math Challenge

The Iloilo PRISAA(Private Schools Athletic Association) is currently ongoing.
And as different sports team seeks to destroy each other physically on the field, some students battle it out in talent, skill, and intelligence on stage.

Last Saturday was the Math Quiz which ended with Hua Siong College of Iloilo taking home the bacon. The 2nd place was a tie between Paref Westbridge School and Ateneo de Iloilo, not that the students did not try to duke it out with 5 clincher questions that failed to select a winner so both were declared.

Our team contestants ranked 6th or 7th depending on how you look at the ranking and they are happy with it though we hoped for a better result, same as with the other 26 teams that did not cut it.

For me, as a first timer in this type of events was just happy that I was able to contribute a bit to the students' preparation for the contest. It was a matter of giving questions and making sure they got the correct answers based on the answer key provided or be able to justify the answers if it was different. It also involved practicing trial time and some shortcuts that are not really taught in general classes.

I also learned new things during this sessions and that's good enough for me. It was worth the effort.

During the contest, it was really fun to watch students enjoy answering Math questions and debating on which answers are correct and why. Debating in Math. Yay!

Made me wonder what would it be like to have 87 students, all brilliant in the subject in your class.

Must be what a NASA office will feel like. All have the answer, but which is the best?

I can resent it or embrace it.
Such simple choices, but really hard to act upon.

I guess I'll answer it when I am given a roomful of Einsteins next time.

For now, I am just happy to have one.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

 I post an article once a week... :D

Resto Review: Monkey Grounds

If you're a yuppie and wants to drown yourself in coffee, Monkey Grounds is the place to be.

If that sounds rhyme-y, blame it on the literature stack, the place has.

This quaint little place is located just below the overpass in Barangay San Rafael along Benigno Aquino Avenue (Diversion Road) and Donato Pison Avenue.

I have been here 3 times and I ordered a different pancake each time. And so far I have not been disappointed. As for the coffee, I am not a fan but my friends always orders, so far no complaints, so you will just have to take my word that they loved it.

The price ranges from 50 to 250 Philippine peso depending on what your order is. They have pancakes, sandwiches, pasta, coffee, some fruit juices and yogurt, and they also have brownies and cakes and yeah! milk and coffee.

Monkey Grounds Menu

This week, we felt like chilling out on a Saturday night, so there were only a few people. The place is not too crowded, though that also depends on the time and day because sometimes when I pass it also has a full house especially on weekdays.
But I guess the relaxing atmosphere and good music always draw people in.

As seen from inside.

Our orders were: Funky Monkey is a pancake with attitude, that's Peanuts and Banana Toppings with Chocolate Syrup. The yogurt tasted like Dutch Mill, so tangy with a hint of strawberry.

Funky Monkey Pancake with a glass of yogurt.

 Garlic Bread and the Dip is made up of Mozzarella and Spinach and some other cheese.

Garlic Bread with Spinach Dip or somethin

 Spinach and Mozzarella Melt Sandwich: The name I think suggests what its like, so no need to explain. It comes with a Tomato Dip and French Fries as a side, so it's really worth it.
The Fried Mushroom is a different appetizer though.

Spinach and Mozzarella Sandwich and Fried Mushrooms

 And for dessert, it's brownies because, with chocolate, one can never be wrong.

Brownies

I forgot to take a picture of my friends coffee.
I got distracted by the food.


Anyway, let me know if you liked your own visit.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Recipe: Fish Burger

Because we usually buy a big tuna mackerel (budlisan) from the market to make fish fillet. We always end up having lots of excess tuna since some parts cannot be sliced well.
When I was young, my mother always do this to make us eat fish without us knowing.
I adapted this one to give you my version of the Fish Burger. (You can use any fish)

Fish Burger

Ingredients:

• Leftover fish
• 2-3 pcs Calamansi, we use the juice
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 onion,minced
• 1 cup flour
• water
• 1 egg
• salt (and pepper)
• 1/4 cup oil

Preparation:

Fish:

1. Place the leftover parts, like head, tail, and parts of the body that where not filleted inside a pot. (You can either have fish adobo or sinabawang isda, your call really).
2. This time, we have sinabawang isda, so add 1-2 cups water, salt, crushed ginger, 1 medium onion, and pepper corns inside the pan and wait for it to boil.
3. Taste the broth if the flavor is just right for you and remove the pot from the fire.
4. Separate the fish parts that you will use for the burger like the tail and body parts, the head does not really have much meat, so you can eat that with the soup.
5. Allow to cool.

Fish broth

Fish Burger Mixture:

Na sipad-sipad na isda

1. I cannot find the English translation for the word, sipad-sipad. Basically, you separate the bones from the meat while crushing the fish meat to fine texture.
2. Once its fine and the bones have been removed, add one cup flour and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the calamansi juice and soy sauce.
4. You can have fresh onion or use the onion from the fish soup, mince this and add to the fish meat and flour.
5. Beat the egg and add to the mixture. Mix thoroughly.
6. Add a bit of salt and ground pepper for the egg and flour.
7. Add water slowly while mixing the ingredients. Stop adding water once the desired mixture is achieved. It should be not be too sticky but definitely not watery. The mixture texture should be similar or close to meat balls.
8. Set aside.

Sticky Fish Mixture

Now to fry.

1. Heat oil in pan over medium heat stove.
2. Form burger patties by taking 1-2 tbsp of fish burger mixture and flattening it inside the heated pan or in a separate plate.
3. Fry for 1-2 minutes and flip. Flip from one side to another until patty is golden brown.
4. Remove from pan and drain oil by placing it in a strainer or on a plate with tissue paper.
5. Serve with ketchup, or ketchup and mayo dip. :D
   OR  Serve inside a burger bun with all the burger trimmings. :D

Note:**

1. The thinner the patty, the crunchier it is.
2. I do not recommend super thick patties and high heat because there is a possibility that the inside parts will not be cooked.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article every two days... :D Just because!!!

Recipe: Cheese Stick

Because I was too lazy to leave the house last week, I spent all my time cooking.

Let's start with the hardest of them all.

Ingredients:

• Cheese
• Lumpia Wrapper
• Oil

lumpia wrapper and cheese with sample roll

Preparation.

1. Slice the lumpia wrapper into 2 parts. We use only half for cheese sticks.
2. Slice the cheese into sticks, thickness depends on how big you like your cheese sticks.
3. Place 1 and 1/2 cheese on top of the lumpia wrapper. It is highly advisable that you start at the sliced edge.
4. Roll the lumpia wrapper around the cheese, moisten the end of the lumpia wrapper to lock it. You can fold the endpoints or not, it depends on how long you want your cheese sticks. :D
5. Put the wrapped cheese in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.

And now we fry.

1. Remove the cheese sticks from the freezer.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat stove.
3. Once hot, place 1/4 to 1/2 cup oil in the pan, this depends on how many cheese sticks you will fry. Fewer sticks = less oil.
4. Place the sticks in the pan and wait for it to float or turn golden.
5. Flip to check even frying and remove from pan.
6. Place in a strainer to remove excess oil or on a plate with tissue paper.
7. Serve

Cheese Sticks with Cheese

Happy eating :D

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Resto Review: Luis Linaga-an

Because Life caught up with me and I was busy with it. I did not really have time to sit down and type articles though I have lots of ideas.

Today, since there was a power outage and I could not do anything without electricity, the hubby and I decided to go to the city. SM City was still close at 9:30 AM, so we walked a little bit further and ate at Luis Linaga-an. Where the BEST PATA is served in Iloilo, according to the hubby and who am I to argue. (did not bring camera, so no pix: photo below grabbed from the net)

Grabbed from https://yuhumweb.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/311.png?w=880

Luis Linaga-an has 2 branches; one in Diversion Road near SM City Mandurriao, Iloilo City and the other one near Mandurriao Plaza.

It's open 24 hours a day and the menu for Nilaga is shown here, not updated. The PATA is no longer 70 pesos, it is now 80 pesos and the UNOD is 70 pesos. The rest is as is.

Although famous for nilaga, they also serve other dishes since this is technically an eatery.

But this review is for the nilaga, so I'll get on with it.

What we like about the nilaga (boiled meat) of Luis Linaga-an first and foremost is it's not oily. So imagine how many filters and processes the meat has gone through to remove all those oily substances you normally have to contend with when eating this kind of dish.

Second, the unod (meat), kasudluan (innards), and matuk (eyes and brain) are tender and easy to chew, again the intricate process of cooking perfection is not neglected.

Third, no matter what time of day you eat at Luis Linaga-an, the Linaga is always; not microwaved hot but HOT as in left to boil in a pot kind of hot.

Fourth, UNLI SABAW (broth). Yey!!! Even if you do not ask for one, its offered readily. And its tasty sabaw too.

Fifth, the eatery is always clean.

Sixth, the meal is always delicious so you get your money's worth.

Today, we had HALO because that's the only available Laga. And the hubby commented that it's only in the Philippines where you can find a tasty dish that involves the intestines of animals because in other culture, they usually throw this away or use it only as a wrap for sausages and that's rare.

So happy eating.

Let me know what you think of Luis Linaga-an in Iloilo in the comments.

Or if you haven't tried it yet, what are you waiting for? Visit them NOW!!!!



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Come Back To Me

I am walking home alone
And the rain is falling strong
I remember all the times
You were there to make it rhyme

It's hard for me to admit
But this is my defeat
Even though it was my decision
I cannot seem to move on

Even if it hurts my pride
I want to hear you say
That you belong with me

So....

Come back to me (2)
Say that you're the prince that is meant for me
Come back to me (2)
Say that you belong with me

Oh baby,

I long to hear you whisper
That it's alright
You are near
And you will make it right

But I pushed you away
And you found happiness
Today's a rainy day
It covers up my madness

Even if I shout for you to

Come back to me (2)
Say that you're the prince that is meant for me
Come back to me (2)
Say that you belong with me

It will never happen now
I must move on
Must continue forward somehow
Its a wrenching lesson

Goodbye to you,
I must put this to rest
I must smile and show
That it was for the best!


------
Supposedly a song but since I am not gifted in that department
Sending this to someone who can.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Recipe: Laswa

Because one-third of a kalabasa is too much to add to the ukoy especially that there are only 2 people eating inside the house. Half of that was set aside, and so we decided to have laswa the next day. Laswa is staple in the Philippine culture and every wife is kinda expected to know how to cook it. Since I do not really like okra and talong, here's a version of laswa without these.

Laswa in a Pot

Ingredients:

• Kalabasa (Squash)
• Malunggay Leaves
• 2 Tomatoes
• 1 medium sized Onion
• Saluyot (Jute)
• Dilis (Anchovies)
• Water
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Cut the kalabasa into cubes.
2. Slice the tomatoes and onion into eights.
3. Remove the malunggay leaves from its stalks.
4. Wash the saluyot thoroughly.
   
5. Put 2 cups of water and the tomatoes in a pot  and bring to a boil.
6. Once boiling, add the anchovies (as many as you like) and onions. Boil for 2-3 more minutes.
7. Add pepper and salt, if needed, to taste.
8. Add the squash and boil for 5 minutes or until squash is tender.
9. Add the malunggay leaves and saluyot.
10. Remove from the heat and transfer to serving bowl.
11. Serve with dried fish or fried fish.
    

Fried Dried Squid

Enjoy your meal.!!



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D

Recipe: Kalabasa Ukoy

The vegetable peddler sold me one-third of a kalabasa (squash) for only 20 pesos. To not waste it, I decided to cook ukoy or fritters with squash as the main ingredient.

Kalabasa Ukoy

Ingredients:

Vegetables

• Squash (Kalabasa)
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Malunggay
• Kangkong Leaves
• Flour
• Egg
• Water
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oil

Preparation: Vegetables

1. Wash the vegetables thoroughly.
2. Add 1 tbsp of salt into half a bowl of water.
3. Slice (julienne) the carrots, potatoes, squash into strips not too thinly and soak into the bowl of water with salt.
4. Slice the kangkong leaves into strips and place inside a separate bowl.
5. Remove the malungggay leaves from its stalk and add to the bowl of kangkong leaves.

Julienned veggies with the leaves

Preparation: Mixture

1. Crack the egg, and add half a tsp of pepper into a bowl. Add a dash of salt and beat well.
2. Mince garlic and onion and add to the mixture (optional).
3. Add a cup of flour and mix while adding water (a cup more or less) slowly.
4. If you attained a nice mixture that is no longer sticky but not too watery either, add all the vegetables into the mixture and mix well.

Mixture with veggies

Preparation: Frying

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Once the oil is hot enough, scoop 1 tbsp of the vegetable mixture into the pan, 3-4 pieces should fit.
3. Fry until side is firm and flip to the other side, flip the fritter from side to side until its golden brown or you are satisfied with its color.
4. Do not let it stay on one side for so long to avoid over cooking the vegetables.
5. Serve hot with rice.

Cooked Ukoy

Enjoy your meal!

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D

Revisiting Gigantes

My first trip to the sleeping giants' isle was a few months after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated a big chunk of the Northern parts of Iloilo. During that visit, Carles is not considered a getaway place for most people. I don't think it was even on the top 20, considering the Philippines has over a thousand other islands to see.

Islas de Gigantes

But here we are 5 years later, Islas de Gigantes has become a social media phenomenon that more and more vacationers flock to this pristine little island to experience authentic island living even if it's just for a few days. I was actually afraid that maybe it was not as clean as it was when I first take a peek. My worries were for naught though as the beaches are still as white as before with only a few pieces of garbage here and there and a cleaning crew combing the beaches for pieces of trash that may have been accidentally left behind.

I am getting ahead of myself, so before I get carried away again, here are the details that you are looking for.

How much did I spend?

For this entire vacation, I spent 3500 pesos including fares and a bit of pasalubong. But this is on the pricey side because there are less than 10 or us. The more people you have, the less money you'll pay.

How did this happen?

I have a friend who knows a friend that offers tour packages. But on Facebook, you can find people who also offer tour packages and even promo packages to Gigantes.

How to get there?

From Iloilo City, ride a jeepney to Tagbak Terminal for 7-10 pesos depending on where you are in the city. If you're from the airport, you can grab a taxi for 350. The fare for the VAN is 150 pesos until Estancia Terminal, and the trip is for 2 hours.

If you have a tour package waiting and you want to get all your money's worth, I suggest you leave for Estancia or Carles early like 4AM (not that you won't get its worth if you'll leave at a later time ).

THE TOUR

At the terminal, we were met by the tour guide and he has tricycles waiting for us, so that's 15 pesos for the tricycle ride to the Port of Estancia. Then we paid 10 pesos for environmental fee and off we go for Gigantes.

We left the Port at around 1 PM and arrived at the resort that we will be staying at around 3PM and waiting for us is Mr. Crab asking to be eaten.

Eat me! -Mr. Crab

One of the things that I was really looking forward to in this vacation was the food and it never failed to deliver from the lunch we ate upon arrival until the breakfast we had right before we left.

We delivered our bags to our room and dig right in.

So we had sinigang na isda, crabs and some shells for lunch and unlimited rice :D.

Sinabawang Fish

After resting a bit, we went on to our island tour because we requested for a night swimming activity.

The first stop is Cabugao Island, the "selfie capital" of the Philippines. I think this was more fun than when we first went because now they have stairs and railings to hang on to while going to the top, and they also have barricades and warning signs so that you won't accidentally fell down.

Cabugao Island

The island also has Buddhist stone stacks arranged around creating a nice view on the ground.

While there, we observed locals cleaning up the island, they were combing the beach for trash, fallen leaves and sticks and other pieces of stuff that had fallen on the beach.

A reminder to our fellow travelers, please pick after yourselves.

Buddhist Stones

Next, for the night swimming activity, we were ferried to Bantigue Island, where the Sand Bar is.

It was a very long beach and all you can see is white white sand. The locals were even asking our ferrymen to attend the bonfire party for later that night. :D

Sand Bar, Bantique Island

They definitely have the place for it. Some people were already pitching tents on the beach when we get there. But we were there to swim, so that was what we did until the sunset turned to dusk and the night settled in.

Sunset at the Sand Bar

Then we were deposited to our room for cleanup and dinner.

Dinner was laswa with crab meat, grilled squid, squid adobo, calamari, and some scallops with eat-all-you-can rice.

Delicious foods, eat-all-you-can

After dinner, we stayed at the beachfront talking and playing with the fine white sand until bedtime.

2ND DAY

For the second day, the day started with breakfast. The breakfast consisted of fried dried fish, sunny side up and shells, I forgot the specific shell and lots of rice. Rice is the staple food for Filipinos.

The view during the climb.

The tour started with mountain climbing for the caving. I was excited at first, because the first time I went here for spelunking, it was inside a very magnificent cave with stalactites and stalagmites everywhere, though a bit of a hard work to squeeze through gaps to reach the other end. The cave this time was also good but it was small compared to the first one and it did not have any mineral formation. There was a very huge space though that can enclose a large building.

Caves

Then we went on another island hopping.

The first island was Antonia Island for snorkeling and swimming. If you come here, bring your own snorkels and lifesaver if you do not know how to swim. The corals are wonderful to see if you can hold your breath long enough especially in the slightly deeper areas near the beach. they also have jet skis for rent and banana boat rides available.

Antonia Island for Snorkeling

The next stop was the Tangke, this is a natural saltwater lagoon or pool found on the island. But for some environmental reason, it was close to tourists, so we had to content ourselves to having our picture taken and left. You can also cliff jump here.

Tangke - Saltwater Lagoon

Some of our companions are leaving ahead because they have a flight to catch early the next day, so after visiting the Tangke, we head off to the resort so they can clean up and leave with the other guests. We cleaned up also and eat lunch.

Lunch was crabs, calamari, and squid. The food is really delicious.

Delicious lunch :D

After lunch, we told our guide that we will rest a bit and explore the islands some more afterward. We went to our room for a bit to siesta and ended up sleeping until evening.

We messed up on our tour but still sleep is also part of taking a vacation :D

But we were not able to visit the lighthouse :(

So, we were woken up to eat dinner.

Dinner was squid adobo and sinabawang isda (fish soup). The fish was fresh as the soup was slightly sweet. Perks of being on an island.

Dinner :D

After dinner, we watched the lightning storm some distance away. And we were also told that we had to leave with the passenger boat because the boat was not available for the next day.

Lightning

There was also a masseuse who offered massage services after dinner but failed to show up after.

The next morning, our breakfast was fried dried fish, dilis and tapa, and scallops.

Then we were lead to the passenger boat and its Goodbye Islands.

Bye Islands

Before leaving Estancia though, we passed by the market to buy dried fish as pasalubong since we really loved the tapa we ate for breakfast.

So that ended our tour, it was not as fully packed as what was promised during negotiations. Some of it, our fault for delaying and arriving at the islands late and sleeping off half a day. But all in all, it was a relaxing trip and a memorable one as it was spent with friends you do not see on a daily or even monthly basis as they live so far away.

Sunsets

The food is unforgettable and one of those nice things you always want to have in the house, simple yet delicious. But since fresh is not in our vocabulary lately, so we settle for what we can have.

But if the opportunity arises, please grab it and rise above what is common and make it good.

Go UP!

Until the next adventure.!!!

If you want the number of the tour guide, send me a message or search for persons on Facebook who offers tours to Gigantes.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D

Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 2

Part 2 was late because author was busy…. Gomen…

Crocodile Farm – Barangay Irawan, Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan

Crocodile Farm

top – Rio
middle – Mascot
bottom – Baby Crocs

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a cab ride away from Sta. Monica.

We arrived there just in time to miss the 2PM tour. So while waiting for 30minutes for the tour to start, we bought our ticket which costs 40pesos each, ate some ice cream and look around the souvenir shops. In the end, I bought lots of miniature crocodiles and stingrays for the fiends back home.

The start of the tour introduced us to Rio, a crocodile who was captured because he ate half of the spear and was injured. He was treated but sadly because of old age, was unable to adapt to the new environment and died of stress. Next were the baby crocs from the newly-weaned to the almost adult ones kept in tubs in ones, twos, threes, fours or fives. There are screens on top of tubs but there are spaces with no covers. Because of this, signs of “DANGER: Baby Crocs may jump and bite. Do not place hands on top of tubs” are placed around the holding area. Then, we went to enclosed area with a bridge on top where the adult crocs are kept. The biggest one is big all 60+ cm semi-hidden in the water but the head and jaws can be seen and the horror you will be experiencing when you fell into the pen to be his meal is beyond my imagination :D.

Crocodile Pen

After this, there is a booth where you can have a picture with a baby croc and have it printed as well for souvenir.

The animal park is a do it yourself tour, we roamed around for a bit. The 1st animal is the bearcat, when we approached he got out from his hiding place to have his picture taken. Lucky us. The 2nd one is the bearded pig, snobbish creature who kept his face hidden all the time as if telling us not to bother him in his mealtime. The next are the majestic serpent eagle, I think. They looked regal all the time sneering at us, mere mortals. Then the lonesome sea eagle who gave a plaintive cry when he was disturbed. His tail was magnificent though. Then we have the hornbills who doesn’t want their pictures taken and kept themselves to the foliage inside their cage. Next, the noisy mynahs. Then, the parrots who rarely made a sound while we were looking at them. There was also a wildcat which has no name plate, so we could not really know what it was. They also have monkeys. But the last animal we went to see is the porcupine and we think it’s dying because its pins and needles are falling off. And the skin is showing, with red pelts.

Bearcat, Eagles, Parrots

After this, we wander back to the crocos for the last time then walk back to the highway to go to the tiangge.

Tiangge-Tiangge – Barangay San Rafael, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Tiangge is a marketplace for souvenirs. We told the driver specifically to drop us off there but he thought that we are not getting off because when he looked at me I did not take that as a hint that he was asking if we were getting off. So, we had to walk back a few blocks to get back there. In there, we added a few more souvenirs. Some pearls and a shoulder bag. We also looked for croc meat for people who requested but we’ll, the souvenir meat shop is closed. So, we left the tiangge behind before we are tempted to buy more.

Kinabuch’s – Rizal Avenue, Puerto Prinsesa City

Kinabuch’s Bar & Restaurant

Kinabuch is a highly recommended place to eat in Palawan, so from the tiangge we rode a tricyle to get there for an early dinner.

We ordered the specialty of the house, crispy pata, baby back ribs, halo-halo and shake, a platter of rice as well. The serving is good for 5 persons for the pata and the back ribs for 2-3. We ate a lot but we couldn’t really finish all of it, so we had those wrapped up to be taken out. It was a very satisfying meal and the place is quiet to as there are a few other guests in the resto. We paid almost 1000pesos for that meal but we had lots of leftovers that we still ate the next day.

Puerto Prinsesa Capitol

After the meal, we bought some soap, shampoo and food for breakfast. There was a funny scene when a foreigner asking why liquor is not sold in that store when it is sold somewhere else even though its banned because of the recall election. He did not insist though.

We also passed by the Provincial Capitol but did not go in because it was already late 

Baker’s Hill – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Baker’s Hill

Before going back to WPU for the night, we decided to stop by Baker’s Hill to taste the tamilok. The driver finally dropped us off where we want to go and he said, we can walk or ride. We decided to walk, decidedly the longest walk in my life. Two almost uphill climb and stretch of land in between. Poor feet. But we arrived, passing by wagyu beef, mother of steaks advertisement and many other restos along the area. Baker’s hill is aptly named, many stores sell pastries, pizza among them. There is also a massage parlor. After resting a bit, we explored. No tamilok for us, as the resto serving is already cleaning up when we arrived. And as we are not really hungry, we just walked around the park.

Shrek Park, Cherry Blossom, Peacock Display, Flowers

It was very dark, and I think we disturbed more than one fowl creature. They had a golden pheasant, peacocks (stuffed and real), and other birds couldn’t recognize because its too dark. There are also over-sized vegetables. I am not sure if all of them are real though. Then there are swings, and see-saws for children. Shrek Park have Shrek, Puss, Donkey, Fiona and the kids and other figures as well. Then there’s the cherry blossom and flowers. After exploring, we decided to call it a day, hired a tricycle to WPU for bed and rest.

As the next day is for the Palawan Underground River adventure.

For the first day of our adventure, aside from the 7200pesos for airfare which is 2-way trip for 2 persons, we spent about 3000pesos for transportation, souvenirs, food and other miscellaneous things we bought as we go.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!