Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 1

Booking a ticket several months ahead bound for Puerto Prinsesa, the Princess of Ports (because any kind of sea vessel can take rest on its bay), we finally travelled on May 8-11, 2015. These series of posts will chronicle what we did, what we saw and what we conquered on this summer escapade bound north.

Puerto Prinsesa City International Airport

Leaving Iloilo International Airport at 8:40 in the morning, we arrived Puerto Prinsesa International Airport at 9:45 am. Our accommodation was booked ahead by a friend who teaches at Western Philippines University (WPU), she gave us a recommendation to stay at the university guest house. This allows to save a few bucks as the guest house is only for 350 pesos/pax for an overnight stay. We paid 2100 Php for the 3-night stay. There are also lots of cheap hotels and apartments around the city, you can always google it up ahead or ask the tricycle drivers that are fetching passengers to and fro the airport. The drivers are honest and recommends good places to stay at.

A Different kind of tricycle

Upon our arrival, we hired a tricycle driver to chauffeur us to WPU, Pajara, Sta. Monica; since we don’t know where that is. We paid 100 Php from the airport to WPU. The driver even offered to tour us around the city when he knew that we did not get ourselves a city tour. But we did not take his offer, this is our first time in Palawan and we are planning to tour it on our own. Plus, my friend advised that Puerto is too small to get a tour for it and she gave us a list of recommended places to visit. And so, let’s tick off the list one by one. There are also agencies who offers city tour for 500 to 1000 Php for each person.

Western Philippines University
(inset)Guest House Signboard

We deposited our bags at WPU, after 30 minutes or so of waiting. We arrived at the ungodly day of recall election for Puerto Prinsesa City. It was a holiday and the caretaker was not there to greet us since she was off voting. Good thing, the student residents were helpful and helped us get in touch with the Mrs. Conching. We left our bag, took a key for the room and searched for an eatery for lunch.
After eating at a small eatery just outside of WPU, we asked the ladies how to get to Butterfly Garden, our first stop. We rode a multi-cab to Butterfly Garden and got lost because the driver forgot that we asked to be dropped specifically at the garden. So we got off and rode the tricycle to get exactly where we want to go.

Butterfly Garden

Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden houses 10 species of butterflies that are being bred in the garden and by sponsors who helps populates the garden. The entrance fee is 50pesos each person. 

Butterfly Life Cycle
(top)caterpillar (mid)pupae (bottom) butterfly

An attendant informed us that the butterflies are donated by enthusiasts who also sells butterflies to other visitors. She showed us the different stages of butterfly life cycle from caterpillar to pupae to butterfly. She also explained that different species of caterpillars prefers a different plant where to lay their eggs. So depending on what butterflies are found in the garden, they also plant the preferred plants for these butterflies to lay eggs. Then she showed us the chrysalises, most are empty but there are some that are yet to hatch.

Aside from the butterflies, the garden also have other insects and animals under their protection. Scattered around the garden are pens and glass cases that houses the following: millipedes, stag beetles, stick insects, bearcats, a gecko, giant Malay scorpions, a baby croc, a box turtle, and peacock pheasants.

the animals (clockwise) stag beetle, stick insect, gecko, scorpion, pheasant, box turtle, bearcat, crocodile

The Tribal Village is home to the Tribu Palwan when they come down from the mountains to sell their goods. They are given a place to stay here for people to learn of their culture and traditions. Tribu Palwan is believed to be the descendants of the Tabon Man and they have weaponry and knowledge handed down from their ancestors that they still use in their everyday lives. This tribe reveres the monkey as a sacred animal.

(left) Ginger around bf, the tribesmen, their instruments & tools
(right)the spear

They also have musical instruments used in rituals and songs. They allowed us to hear bits of their music but the dancing is part of their sacred rites and is only perform during ceremonies. Their weapon of choice is a bamboo blowgun where they shoot darts and poisoned arrows by blowing on it from the other end. Their accuracy is amazing. The other weapon is a spear decorated with monkey bones for luck in hunting and sort of blessing from the gods. They also have a rock used to create fire in 2 strokes and it smells like resin. They also have a torch that lasts for a month if lighted.

We have our picture taken with their pet Ginger, a 5-foot yellowish python that wrapped up the tour on the Tribal village.

After this, we spent some time with the butterflies and then leave for our next destination: The Binuatan Workshop.

Binuatan Creations – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Binuatan and how the looms are created

Binuatan Creations is a workshop where Buri, Pandan and other native fiber-y materials in Palawan are used to manufacture handloom woven products. It is located in Sta. Monica just a few blocks away from the Butterfly Garden. We rode a tricycle to get there. 

front and back view of the loom

The lady in charge of the weaving showed us how to work on the loom, how patterns are made, what type of materials are combined to create different finished products/patterns. After the materials are woven into a certain length, it is then transferred to the item creation. From this, placemats, bags, cellphone holders, purses, ipad covers and other stuffs are produced then displayed in the showroom.

Most of the workers in the shop are mothers who just need extra money or has nothing to do in the idyllic afternoons. There are also students who work there for the summer and on weekends during school time to earn some extra cash, male and female. The lady told us that they really try to accommodate all individuals who want to work there. She said that she is very happy if the youth shows interest in these things, so as to avoid bad company and other influences that may hinder education or pursuit of a brighter future.

I bought a purse from the showroom because its’ beautiful and I needed one. Also, the price is cheaper compared to buying one from the malls.

Binuatan Show Room

This has been a long post and I am not even halfway there…
We still got to the Crocodile Farm, Baker’s Hill, the Tiangge, Kinabuch, and the capitol.
Please watch out for the Part 2 of this escapade.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Rest Easy Now!

Sometimes we wonder
Sometimes we know
For most times we fear
Still, we pursue

Not everything is clear
Not everything is certain
The most we can do is be aware
Even if we are uncertain

The world is not black and white
The world is not wrong and right
Why must we always divide
Whole into parts?

We always question our existence
We always deny a higher being
If the answer does not make sense
Begin at the beginning

Who can answer me
Who knows everything
Answers surround me
But who will be checking?

I have my doubts
I have my fears
But life must go on
So we get a move on

If I am wrong today
I trust that tomorrow
Everything will be OK
I will be allowed to redo

So rest easy now
Give me self a break
Lay my head on the pillow
Until dawn breaks...

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

Resto Review: Into the Rabbit Hole

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the new tambayan of yuppies and teens in Iloilo which is Smallville. I recommend you go visit a quaint little place near Atrium that will remind you of a childhood classic.

Let’s get lost together down the Rabbit Hole with the White Rabbit and your friends to attend the tea party.

Me and my friends are always on the lookout for new places to eat here in Iloilo. We heard a bit of a place called Rabbit Hole near St. Paul University but did not really know exactly where it was until I stumbled upon it by accident when I took the wrong turn when walking to Tibiao Bakeshop.

There was the small sign that said Rabbit Hole.

So me and the friends decided to try it out one Friday night.

On the door, it said Café + Bar. We hesitated for a bit before entering because none of us is much of a drinker, but decided to try the menu, if nothing else.

The café is small and one of the company said that it used to be an internet shop when he was in college. So that might explain the setup.

It has a high rise table (portion of the wall) that looks like it holds something and the cashier desk is somewhat further in with displays on shelves which now shows the menu but once upon a time displays available food.

Anyway, the place was small, about 10-11 small tables with 2 chairs per table. But it was comfy and dim lighting really creates a relaxing mood plus the music playing are the usual un-irritating top hits.

The neon lights and the art works displayed on the side does not cause loss of appetite at least. 

When we were handed the menu, I resisted a giggle because at the top it read Eat Me! for the Food Menu and Drink Me! for the Cocktails and other drink selections.

At the side, the menu is also displayed.

(That's the door to the kitchen)

So for the Food we ordered their Rice Meals: Honey Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Pork Schinitzel.

We also have 3 orders of Hot Box Burger, 1 Buffalo Wings and 1 Mozzarella Sticks.

For the Drinks, we only tried their Blue Turnate that turns the drink from Blue to Purple when Calamansi or Lemon Juice was added.

The food though was mouth-watering. Its presentation will really whet your appetite. And the taste, the taste of the food is heavenly. The honey chicken tasted sweet but you can really feel the tenderness of the chicken. 

 

Honey Chicken and Mongolian Beef

The Mongolian beef was easy to chew and the sauce in the Pork was creamy but not bland. 

Pork Shinitzel and an Exra Egg

The mozzarella was melted just right and crunchy even though it was chewy. 

Mozzarella Stick and the Hot Box Burger

I even nibbled on the Buffalo Wings even if I have a no-no rule for spicy foods. I think they added cheese in the Buffalo Wings and that added to the taste. 

Buffalo Wings

I only had problems with the Hot Box Burger because the patty was too salty for my taste but the other 3 people who ate the burger does not agree with me, they are highly recommending that you try the burger.

Hot Box Burger from the drinks

Purple Turnate

Don’t ask us about the drinks because we did not order any except for the Blue Turnate.

But I am recommending you try the place out and discover for yourself the wonders of their available cocktails.

You will get your money’s worth in terms of food quantity and quality.

That goes for drinks too, because even if we are no longer actively drinking socially, I am still aware of the price range.

So visit the Rabbit Hole, at Gen. Luna St., in an alley in-between Tibiao Bakeshop and St. Paul University, in front of Atrium.

Bring your own Alice or invite the Mad Hatter.

Youcan find them on Facebook:

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

Parenting 101

I am not a mother. I am not even claiming that I will be a good one if I will be blessed with a child. But there are just some instances in life which will make you realize that some women or men, for that matter, are not really ready to become parents. And even if they accidentally become one, they do not even try to learn how to be good parents.

I had interacted with a lot of parents in my life. Every family has a different kind of approach to parenting. Some parents try to be as strict as possible with their children, some are too lax. Others think of it as a way to test out their theories on raising children and train their children at a young age to become somebody or behave in a certain way. Some are Spartan in nature. Others have the well-rounded family, the perfect family you read about. There are also some, who are a disaster waiting to happen and you wonder why it didn't strike yet, the way they were going.

---

Earlier today, I was at the mall when a commotion perked the interest of me and my friends. A child, about six or seven or younger, was screaming at the top of her lungs. Tears streaming down her face as she cries that her mother is missing. Two high-schoolers were trying to calm her down to no avail while the security guard radios the paging system of the mall that a child is found and is currently at the custody information desk of the mall.

We went near the scene because we noticed that the high-schoolers trying to calm the child are students of ours. Good thing we did, because the lady at the information desk was not even trying to help them. She was just looking in. One of my companions pointed out that it is her responsibility to calm the child because she is an employee at the mall. When she touched the kid, the kid bolted out and I had to grab her and hold her down at the same time trying to calm her and reassure her that her mother is coming. She was fighting for all her worth trying to run away, anyway. But at least, she was not screaming anymore.

The moment the mother arrived, she spanked the kid and told her that she was stupid because she lost sight of her mother. She then dragged the kid away, without even acknowledging or thanking the people who found her child.


What really raised my hackles was that first, it was a child. At that age, a child is curious. So the tendency is that you will look from left to right, up and down, if there are interesting things in your environment. So she was scolded for being curious.

Second, if you are in a big place or a crowded place, you always hold the child's (friend's) hand so you will not get separated. Clearly, the mother does not know this because when she led the child away, she just told her to follow.

Third, I know the feeling of getting lost in a very big and crowded place at a young age. An unfamiliar one at that. To say that it scared the bejesus out of me is an understatement. But my mother has told me what to do in case the situation arises, not that she expected me to get lost but precaution is always good. The kid obviously was not oriented on this matter, because that scream was clearly for hopelessness.

Fourth, when a child is scared, you should calm her down. Never berate a child in public. The fear, shame, and humiliation it causes marks a kid forever.

I was so pissed, not because she forgot to thank anybody but because she scolded the kid in a crowd and blamed the kid for everything.

What the? Is the child a rational being who can think for herself? Was she raised to become independent? Is she of legal age, responsible for her actions?

The answer is clearly NO. If you bring a child to a trip, you are responsible for her. You should tell her what to do in certain situations. If you do not brief the child and bring her on a trip, then tie her down or rope her to you so you won't have to hold her hand. If you want independent kids, then train them how to act in public. Agree on meeting places, or agree on things the kid can do while on a trip with you.

Clearly, the mother was not aware of these methods or she was just not motherly in nature. Or she might also be panicking that she lost her child and so it was a defense mechanism that led to forgetfulness and attack on the emotional and mental state of the child.

Whatever the case was, the kid was found and reunited with her mother. She was certainly happy to be found. I hope the mother apologized to the kid or at least train her children what not to do in unfamiliar places, like not getting lost.

Just want to rant for a change.



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

Farewell Chester

Chester Bennington died on Thursday. I did not know about it until Friday when a colleague mentioned that Chester died when we were making small talk about various artists in and out of the country. It was so out-of-the-blue that I had to blink back tears hard to prevent myself from crying. (I even texted a friend and fellow fan if the news was true.) Calmly asking what's the cause of death and knowing that he took his own life did not really deter me from mourning the death of one of the power duo that made me realize screaming is not really that bad in music.

I am writing this article as a tribute to one of those artists that made my college days bearable. This is a collection of music forced on me by roommates who loved to listen to Linkin Park when we are on the verge of exams and studying with music blaring at 3 in the morning makes sense.

If the prospect of failing major subjects like Math, Physics, and various Computer Science does not force you to depression, LP music will surely do that but then you can just scream, right?

So here are some of the songs in the playlist of our study days with Linkin Park.

It was mostly songs from their Hybrid Theory, Meteora, A Thousand Suns, and Minutes to Midnight albums. So that gives away our age.

1. Numb
   
2. Breaking the Habit
   
3. Easier to Run
   
4. Leave Out All the Rest
   
5. Bleed it Out
   
6. No More Sorrow
   
7. Iridescent
   
8. Blackout
   
9. Waiting for the End
   
10. By Myself
    
11. One Step Closer
    
12. In the End

Linkin Park music, especially some of the lyrics are as sad as sad can be. It gives away the feelings of the artist when they write the song, and when they perform, they always lose themselves in it.

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but this band have songs that mirror their life situations, and ours for that matter.

We can lose ourselves in their music and scream out loud our feelings with no one to bother us because its a song after all.

So thank you for writing songs that we can relate to. I know you fight so hard to overcome your personal problems but in the end, being by yourself did not really helped matters.

Goodbye and Thank You, Chester.

Depression took him away from us. Let us be happy that he was able to hold out as long as he can. His childhood was not a happy one. He had experiences that would drove any one mad. His means of escape was drugs and alcohol abuse and later on, his music.

The music was no longer enough for him to hold on because in a way it also reminds him of the tragedies that have befallen his career and personal life.

At least he belongs somewhere now:

NOTE: All videos and links in this article belong to Linkin Park.
https://www.youtube.com/user/linkinparktv
https://linkinpark.com/



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

Recipe: How To Eat Avocado

It has been a long time since I posted anything and so to break the non-activity I am writing on something I do best: EATING!!!

Yesterday, a fruit cart passed by the house. I bought some avocado for 40 pesos per kilo so that's 1 large and 1 medium-sized avocado.

This is how you eat avocado in the Philippines!

Avocado Dessert

Ingredients:

• avocado
• sugar
• milk
• crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Cut open the avocado fruit, please be careful since the hard seed is found inside the soft flesh of the fruit.
2. Scrape the fruit from the peeling into a bowl.
3. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix well.
4. Add condensed milk or 4 tbsps of powdered milk. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add crushed ice or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

And that's that...

Enjoy your creamy dessert, perfect for hot days and even cold days.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D just because!

Movie Review: Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society is a movie that followed 7 boys and the teacher who made a difference in their lives.

credits to Rotten Tomatoes

Robin Williams starred as Mr. John Keating, the new English teacher who believes that his students must understand poetry from their own point of view and not because the books tell them that this piece is interpreted like this.

We also have Charlie Dalton who is too rich to care. Stephen Meeks and Gerrard Pitts who in their own way rebelling by creating a radio which is a banned experimentation. Richard Cameron who takes everything seriously. Knox Overstreet who in every sense of the way, fought the courage to go out with a girl engaged to someone else. Todd Anderson who is overshadowed by his more popular and more brilliant older brother. Neil Perry who dreams to become a theater actor but is prohibited by his father who wants to make him a doctor.

The rest of the classes in Welton's School for Boys are rigid academics which emphasizes the Four Pillars of education: Tradition, Honour, Discipline and Excellence.

The famous line from this movie: Carpe diem, Seize the day boys. Make your lives extraordinary was uttered by Keating on his very first lesson. After that, he practiced unconventional ways to teach poetry so that his students will get into the emotion and live the poem not just read it.

These 7 boys were so intrigued by him they look him up in the old alumni photos. Out of all the descriptions, they were curious about the Dead Poets Society and asked him about it. Upon learning what it was, they decided to recreate it. Breaking a lot of school rules in the process.

But everything wasn't made for perfection. So even though, the boys find their courage and pursue what they always wanted to do. It did not make the school happy nor their parents.

In the end, even though Neil got the part he always wanted and practiced for it. His father did not approve. It didn't matter that he got straight A's in all his subjects and could really perform well. His father wanted a doctor, not an actor. Neil felt suffocated and committed suicide.

The blame was placed on Mr. Keating and all 5 boys were forced to sign the petition to remove him from office. Charlie refused and was expelled.

When Mr. Keating said goodbye, half of his class said goodbye by calling him their captain.


Watching this movie made me miss Robin Williams. It was really one of those moments where you can really say that he was a very sad man. His eyes were in sorrow all throughout this movie. Even in the frames where he is laughing, they never really reach the eyes. It must be because he knows that the admin disapproves of his methods and that he is just waiting to be sacked. Or it is because we know that he is suffering from depression and making others laugh is his outlet for it.

Being able to think for ones' self is a great treasure, so please become a person who knows what you want to be and slowly aim for that goal of yours so that one day you can look back to life with no regrets.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

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

Movie Review: To Sir, With Love

To Sir, With Love is a movie as old as my mother and I did not really expect to like it. But there I was laughing as each prank is played and the odd dialogue and behavior accompanied it on-screen.

credits to Wikipedia

The story is all about an engineer named Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) who was seeking employment in London's engineering firm. To make ends met, he started a job as a teacher in East London. He was warned that his students are good kids with problems. It turned out to be more than that as his tactics are met with resistance after resistance, not counting all those pranks played on him.

When he lost his temper, he decided that the academic approach would not really cut it, so he decided to use the adult approach where he showed the class how to be responsible adults and become useful members of the society.

It actually worked for him, and he had reformed students to show for it. Even had one student hanging on to every word and falling in love with him which he of course dutifully ignored.

At the end of the movie, he was accepted as an engineer but was swayed to stay as teaching staff because his students liked him too much and acknowledge that if not for him, they would all end up in juvie.


The drama was minimal. It was quite entertaining.

The songs in this movie were all beautiful renditions from Lulu, which also played as a student in this movie.

The school staff were either people who have gone cynic, still hopeful, given up or just there for the paycheck.

The principal is a hopeful individual who wishes for the best of his students.

The community is actually quite helpful, like they do not let the teachers fall in line in supermarkets because they know that the break time is short, or they show support when Mr. Mark started going to the museums to educate his kids.

The students were kids with an attitude, and are rejects of other schools. They do not expect to be anyone greater because they would more or less work in blue-collar jobs positions or in the red-light district anyway.

But one man who has also in his past went through the horrors these kids are going through tried to make a difference. He showed that he cared and that he feels responsible for the future that his students will have. And that made all the difference in the world.


Every action we make affects other people, so we must mindful of what we say and do because we can never really know if what we did just make or break someone.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Chili Bomb

We had loads of chili pepper that needs to be disposed of. Feeding them to the chicken is a waste, so we decided to make some Chili Bombs, the kind sold in the streets with a bit of cheese.

Ingredients:

• Chili Pepper
• Lumpia Wrapper
• Cheese, cut into rectangular shapes
• Oil

Preparation:

1. Remove the seeds from the Chili Pepper.
2. Place the cheese inside the pepper.
3. Wrap it in lumpia wrapper and seal.
4. Heat oil in a pan, and fry the lumpia wrapper with chili pepper and cheese.
5. Once it turned golden, remove the bomb and drain all excess oil.

Enjoy eating, you can dip them in sinamak (vinegar stored with spicy condiments) for a chilier experience.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Meat Balls

Since eating is and has always been a hobby, cooking follows right after. Not that we became gourmet chefs because of it, but we try.

So today's recipe is Meat Balls, easy to prepare and consume.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg of ground meat
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp of flour
• 1 medium-sized onion, minced
• salt and ground pepper
• oil

Preparation:

1. Put the ground meat in a bowl, add the egg and flour and mix well.
2. Add the onion, some ground pepper and salt for taste. Mix well.
3. Take 1 tbsp of the mixture and form them into balls.
4. Place the formed balls on a plate covered with a bit of flour so it would not stick.
5. Heat oil in a pot or a deep pan, at least an inch of it to cover the meatballs thoroughly.
6. Fry the balls in the pan until it turns golden brown and floats to the surface.

Enjoy eating!!

Tastes great with mayo and ketchup dip.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

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

Restaurant Review: KSpice

I am not really into Korean Food or anything too spicy for my taste. But we found ourselves having dinner with friends in a quaint little resto just outside MegaWorld called KSpice. They have a wide variety of food on the menu but our friends ordered the 350 pesos Eat-All-You-Can set where meat and condiments are all unlimited, you just ask the waitresses.

The restaurant is located at Taft North, Manduarriao, Iloilo. Just a few feet away from the newly-opened Jollibee Fast Food. It is quite a small place but at least it has its own parking area, so customers won't be parking on the side of the road. It is easy enough to find, though not really noticeable when you are riding public vehicles going at top speed. You will have to walk or take a taxi, or you can ride the jeep whose route is to and from Mandurriao.

The place is clean and has table settings for different group types. Table for twos, fours, eights were arranged around the room. If there are more of you, I guess you can request for additional tables and chairs. Each table setting has a table with a single burner grill which is used by the customers to cook their own meat. The grill is also replaced from time to time depending on the amount of grease it has. Ours were replaced thrice.

The food consisted of 4 types of meat, Spicy Pork, Pork, Chicken, Kimchi Bacon. Then for the unlimited condiments, sotanghon, kimchi, and rice. Can't really remember everything since I don't eat them. The meal set is also accompanied with a glass of iced tea and unlimited rice or chinese cabbage leaf/wrap.

It was a nice dining experience. you have the illusion of cooking for yourself though its only grilling really. Still, the meat was delicious and I don't mind eating Kimchi Bacon and Spicy Pork though at a minimal amount and at a very fast rate of chewing.

I am not really the best person to recommend a Korean dining since I do not float this boat. But if you want a different Korean experience, visit KSpice and judge for yourself.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Breaded Shrimp

Happy Labor Day everybody.

I have been spending the past few days being lazy, hence the No posts state.

Anyway, since today is a Holiday and if you can get lucky you can find some BIG Shrimps from the market and try this recipe out: Breaded Shrimp with Cheesenax.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp / Prawn
• Vinegar (2 tbsp)
• Breadcrumbs
• Flour (4 tbsps)
• Egg
• Water
• Oil
• Cheese
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

• Shrimp

1. Add 2 cups of water in a pot, add the vinegar then the shrimp.
2. Stir the shrimp constantly, and wait for some of them to float or get cooked.
3. Once some shrimps float, remove from fire and drain.
4. Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour cold water over it.
5. Peel the scales off the shrimp and set aside.

• Breading

1. Place 4 tbsps of flour in a bowl, add egg and water to create a mixture. Divide mixture into two. Add the first one with a bit of salt and pepper. Leave the second as is.
2. Place some breadcrumbs (5 tbsps) in a plate, continuously adding breadcrumbs until all the shrimps are cooked.

• Deep Fry the Shrimp

1. Heat oil in a deep pan. Make sure that amount of oil can cover the shrimp.
2. Dip the shrimp in the mixture with salt and pepper. 
3. Roll in breadcrumbs.
4. Dip in the 2nd mixture.
5. Then roll again in breadcrumbs.
6. Place the shrimp in the heated oil and wait for it to float.
7. Remove from pan and drain excess oil.

Since we had some mixture and breadcrumbs left, we mixed this together.

Then we cut some cheese (cheese stick cut), roll them in the mixture and deep fried this as well.

• Dip

1. Add some mayonnaise in a small bowl and add some ketchup.
2. Mix them well.

Hope you enjoyed making and eating this as much as we did.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Tour Siquijor

On our first day on the island of Siquijor, we were scheduled to have an island tour. It has 6 municipalities and we visited 5 of them. A multi-cab was hired to accommodate 7 adults, 3 teenagers, and 2 kids. Our friend's uncle also followed in a motorbike.

Coco Grove

Waking up early in the morning, our very first stop is Coco Grove Beach Resort, just for a walk on the beach. We can see the marine sanctuary in the distance but did not visit it. We just sat on the beach and watch clear waters and play with the kids in the fine white sand comparable to the ones in Bora.

Sanctuary

Breakfast at our friends' house followed and packing while we wait for the cab to come.

Balete Tree

Following the Siquijor Circumferential Road, our first stop at Lazi is the Century Old Balete Tree. It is found located at the side of the road, so very easy to get to. They have a small bazaar that sells pasalubong in form of shirts, key chains, food, dream catchers and a lot more. Love potions and herbal oils are also sold here. But the attraction of the place is the sprawling Balete Tree at the side. The locals added a Fish Spa at its roots which you can use for a 10-peso fee. So you can sit at the edge of the mini-pool, gaze at the tree while your feet are cleaned off the fishes. They also have a mini-zoo of sorts. It has different kinds of animals, like the big black Boa who is curled asleep, cackling crows and native chickens, monkeys, hamsters, guinea pigs, turkeys and a pair of dogs, They also have a cage with bats and chickens, a commensalism set-up.

Fish Spa at the Balete

Our next stop is the Lazi Church, also known as San Isidro Labrador Parish. We were in despair because it is a very beautiful church and it's falling apart. The floors were creaky and some actually move when you step on them. The paint is peeling, and the air actually smells of neglect. As a National Cultural Treasure, it is not being properly taken care of.

Lazi Church

Next on the list is the Cambugahay Falls, it has 3 falls located at the bottom of a 100+ step stairs, feels that way somehow. It does not have an entrance fee, but you need to pay a parking fee depending on the vehicle you brought, So it ranges from 10-50 pesos.We went down and saw a lot of people jumping from the top of the falls to clear blue-green water below. They also provide a jump swing, where you can swing nd jump for an unlimited number of times for 20 pesos, I overheard the man said it since we did not try that one.

The 8 feet pool

The very first fall open to the public is wide and the pool below it is also big with a depth of 8 feet. The jump is short, 5 feet or so of falling. The 2nd falls does not have a large pool, so people just take a dip in it. The 3rd falls has a depth of 15 feet and a jumping point of 10 feet above the water. I actually took a deep breath before jumping on this one, but the feeling is exhilarating so I did it 3 times then did a dive on the last one, but not at the 10ft mark, but on the platform constructed 5ft above the water, which is nearer.

The 15 feet pool with platform

We then proceed to Salagdoong Beach at Maria, Siquijor for Lunch and some Cliff Jumping. The entrance fee to the beach resort is 35 pesos, all amenities included. We ate lunch first then took a dip the sea. The sand near the edge is gravelly though, but there is an area a few feet away from the beach where the sand is fine and the water deep. A nice place to lay down in the water and bask in the sun.

The beach and the cliff in the distance

After this, we decided to take a plunge from the Cliff which is the main attraction of this resort. So they have 2 jumping points, one at 5 meters above water level and the other one 10 meters above the water level. The water depth is at 15 meters on a high tide and they do not allow jumps on a low tide.
I really needed to talk myself into jumping because vertigo hits every time I wander near the edge of the diving board. I finally jumped after taking forever and it was actually a freeing experience. The hubby even jeered because he managed to jump from the 10m cliff and he does not know how to swim. He asked a friend to check if the coast is clear then did a running jump. Next time maybe if I have the guts.

view from the top of the Cliff

Going home now, we stopped at Lilibeth's Pan Bisaya located at Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, which was featured in a lot of travel & tour shows in the Philippines and bought some of their specialty bread stuffed with bukayo, or coconut. They are actually baking in a dome-shaped oven that is actually homemade and not bought on appliance centers.

Lilibeth's Pan Bisaya Oven

We also stopped by at the Talingting Boulevard, but it was a hot afternoon so we did not really stay, but I bet the sunset view from there would be awesome.

Talingting Boulevard

Then at Larena, we stopped for snacks at the Triad Coffee Shop. It was a dome-shaped building overlooking Siquijor. You can see the white beach at the distance, the depth of the water defined by its changing colors from blue-green to deep blue and the skies are clear as well. You can see Bohol, Cebu, Dumaguete even the fumes above Mount Kanlaon. The air is fresh and you can just let the wind blow your worries away.

Panoramic View of the Triad

Back at San Juan, we stopped by a place they called mini-Boracay, it's actually a beach with coconut trees at the side. The white sand stretches all the way from the palm trees to the beach. A lot of foreigners were sunbathing and walking in it. They said that it is where tourists flocks when the sun sets for the view.

Panoramic View of mini Boracay

Our last stop is Capilay Spring Park, it is a public pool located the Poblacion of San Juan. So residents won't have an excuse of not having water in the house for bathing because a public pool is open and free for all at their disposal.Though they charge environmental fees for tourists. The pool is flowing spring water and is at 6 feet, so pretty deep. It is fresh and cold, a very nice way to rinse oneself from the sea water clinging to ones' hair. The park also had a cafe and benches for picnics. Really idyllic place amidst the bustle of the municipality's capital.A very nice way to end the tour as well.

Capilay Spring Park

After this, it's home sweet home for rinse and rest.

So that's 5 out of 6, Mount Bandilaan is located in Siquijor, that should have been 6th. But anyway, I bought pasalubong there..
So 6 out of 6, though not a very thorough one :D


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Lakbay 2017: Siquijor

For the Holy Week (Lent Season), the hubby and I were invited to stay over at a friends house.

We obliged and were off the grid for a few days because Siquijor is an island province where the internet signal and cellphone signal are ghosting, meaning it comes and goes. It is also rumored as the witches lair and the voodoo capital of the country, so yeah, a pretty neat place to be when people are celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ.

But I am getting ahead of myself, first, let's talk about how to get there. You have two options. First and the most usual is riding a ferry from Dumaguete, Tagbiliran, and Iligan. The nearest and has a daily schedule is, of course, Dumaguete and they have 4 different ferries, GL Shipping Lines, Montenegro, Aleson, and OceanJet. Here's a link to schedules from the internet. The fare ranges from 100 to 300 and the travel time to 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours or more. The 2nd and less popular option is to charter a small plane or helicopter and be flown over. Its' expensive too.

For us, since we are living in Iloilo, we have 2 options as well. Flying to Dumaguete or do a road trip. We took the 2nd option since doing it by plane is expensive and we were with friends.

So a ferry from Iloilo to Bacolod early in the morning (first trip), that will cost you from 250-400 pesos depending on the ferry taken and the accommodation. That took an hour or so. Breakfast at the pier to ready ourselves for the 6-hour trip. :D

We left Bacolod at 9 AM and arrived in Dumaguete at 3 PM with the bus traveling south. Do not ask me about the travel because I was asleep for most of it and is only awake for a few intervals watching the countryside roll by for awhile. Stretches of sugarcane and banana plantations that marks Negros then moved on to sea seen from a distance when we finally entered Dumaguete then the sea when we arrived at the pier for ferries to Siquijor.

Bought some tickets for a 3:50 PM trip that costs 170 pesos then proceeded to a popular cafe called Food Net for snack/lunch.

Finally, at 5:30 PM, we arrived at Siquijor and hired a tricycle to the municipality of San Juan where our friend lives. Hiring the tricycle costs 250 pesos but they also offer an island tour for 1000 pesos which will show you around the place. For us, our friends planned everything, so what we just need to do is wake up early and be prepared to be shown around. The main mode of transportation in Siquijor is the tricyle though there are motorbikes for rent and multicabs that take passenger but usually for hire or for long-distance trips like from Siquijor to Lazi.

St. Frandis de Assissi Church near Siquijor Pier

So the 1st day was spent on touring the island, I will post another article for this to highlight the many places we visited.

The 2nd day Holy Friday, we were supposed to trek to Mount Bandilaan but there was a bomb threat, so we ended up taking a dip near Coco Grove Resort at noon as our friends' family tradition and then attending mass at the San Juan Church and joining the procession.

We also visited the local shell museum Marelle's Underwater World Museum where they feature all species of sea creatures found in Siquijor and other places in the country. Crabs, urchins, shells (lots and lots of these), starfishes, and literature or backgrounds on sharks and the shells. It also has a souvenir shop where you can buy shirts, lamps, bracelets, earrings and other home decorations made entirely from shells and other local materials.

The 3rd day, Black Saturday, we spent the morning at the seashore. It was low tide and our friend's father gathered some sea urchins straight from the sea for our breakfast at the beach.There were 3 different kinds of urchins and I ended up eating one of each just to see the different in taste. the urchins tasted like crab meat to me, texture included and one urchin (inset) tasted best. Totally recommend eating it with steaming rice.

In the afternoon, we went to the municipality of Siquijor to inquire on trips and buy pasalubong. We ate snacks at M's Place where the siopao is sold for 16 pesos and the halo-halo served in a very tall glass. It tasted great too. Then next door, I forgot the name of the place for shirts and other pasalubong. And oh, they sell love potions too :D

Then Sunday, early in the morning, we left Siquijor at 5:30 AM for the trip back to Iloilo.

It was a very relaxing vacation and we promised to come back for our friend's wedding. Hopefully, it will come soon. :D



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!