Tabi Tabi po..... Balete Eco Park, 600 years of Mystery Escapade

Tabi tabi po.... According to our ancestors those are the words that we must say when we go to places unknown to us or where big trees and mostly nature are. 

My Nanay (lola/grandmother) told me stories that one of my aunt had an encounter with mysterious and  powerful beings.

And because of that certain event that I will not dwell right now, and my nanay devoted my aunt to Antipolo Church. So every year on her birthday our family will go on an outing in Antipolo and so that my aunt can attend the mass in the province church.

According to traditional belief they said that balete trees are homes for the engkantos, tikbalang, spirits and basically everything supernaturals. So just imagine my surprise and hesitation when we went to Baler Quezon my uncle took us to visit The Balete Eco Park, to see the 600 year old Balete tree. The tree was so wide, vast and mysterious. I was a bit skeptical with this whole Balete tree adventure. But don't be mistaken! I was skeptical not because of engkantos,  or spirits or whatever! But because of more logical and practical reason! You know those scaly yucky things that crawl with hissing sound? Yep that's right! Snakes!!! The first ting I asked our guide when he led us inside the tree? " kuya meron bang mga ahas dito??" " kuya are there snakes here?" well I did not saw any which is good! And what I saw is an obstacle course! Obstacle course of crisscrossing braches and roots and people who climbed them expertly. I almost did not get out! And imagine the embarrasement if you turn back because you won't fit! Thanks to my voluptious body! Yeah right! So I handed my aunt my sling bag and got out in a different path! I almost crawl to get out! And yesss!!! I did got out!
It was a good nayure experince. I enjoyed the park. Beside the tree there is also a pavillion that sells exotic foods to souvenirs. it was a great experince that fueled my fure of adventure. I hope I will embark on my adventures like this.

Sisteretes Dewang and Marketplace Food Adventure

One fateful friday of June, when the classes were cut because of pumigation churva, we were required to attend a seminar about dengue and mosquitoes. I was  feeling very low and sad about something when my sisters from the beautiful world of English Department decided to eat out. So after the seminar we hailed a taxi ( a van actually).  And went to Daewang an eat you can Korean resto located at Kalayaan Avenue. It was a  very looong drive from Tondo to Kalayaan, but it was still an experience! We watch a movie on board, passed by the Big Brother's House and that castle likehotel. The resto was just like what I usually saw on Korean dramas and movies, even their glasses and pitchers! ( Iam a huge fan of korean dramas). The samgyupsal and side dishes were unlimited!!! I sooo love the meat wrapped in lettuce, garnished with kimchi, pickled radish and soy bean paste that really goes with together. I was actually living my dream! I lovr korean food! There were pancakes, kimbob, seaweed soup, different kinds of side dishes and even anchovies! And I totally love all of them! We spent a few hours eating and chatting and my sadness went down the drain. We also ordered two bottles of soju ( 180 per bottle). The bufftet cost 300 pesos which is very reasonable and totally worth it. After Daewang we went to walk along Malingap Avenue and went to a small but very cool outside food hall. The Malingap Marketplace. It was another food haven! I totally love the ambiance, the tables and chairs, the whole farm like theme. There were different food stalls of food gloriously food. We decided ti have our dessert. I ordered an Ice tea in a jar in raspberry flavor that was good enough for all of us. It cist around 80 pesos. Shara bought some nachos that is amazing ly cheezy with some herbs. I am not really sure how much but you can get it for 60 pesos when you bought an Ice in a jar. And Lourme bout some panna cotta in original and cocoa flovors. Chet orderedsome kind of chocolate banana smootie while Clauds ordered a Dew dew cake aka raindrop cake that is very simple yet unique. We shared everything. The ice tea was sweet and tangy with strong raspberry flavor that will definitely pucker your face. The panna cotta has very light flavor and a bit cold like ice cream. The smootie is sweet and tasted like banana more than anything else. And the highlight is ofcourse the unique raindrop cake that is like clear unflavored gelatin served with some kind of powder and black honey.before going home qe need to buy something to bribe. I bought my mom some kebab wrapped while I bought myself some hummus with pita. The night turned out great! Itwas one of my best experince. Going out with friends and eating delicious foods. 

Riding the Waves-Baler

Last May 2016 my family decided to have an impromptu out of town vacation. Since it was the fad my uncle dick and his wife tita pearl and my tita loida took us to Baler Quezon to experience the thrill of the activities the province offer. My tito day dick hire my tita pearl's nephew who is a rider to drive us to baler while my cousin mark drove their car. It was a long ride. We stop at a resto famous for riders because of the food and because of the "waitresses" according to jon jon aka the driver. When we got to Baler we went to the market to buy things to cook since we rented a transient house (all hotels were fully booked). After eating merienda at the transient house we went to the beach to surf. Well I tried! I grind while my cousins glide!!! Talk about being fair!!! So ok I basically fell from the surfing board all the time but hey! I know I will come with vengance! BTW beaches don't have entrance fee! Surfing board rentals around 100 pesos for an hour with free surfing lessons and your own instructor! 

Two days one Cafe: Cups and Cones

Two days one cafe Cups and Cones

Day one: Claudette, Rholet, Lourme and Ish

After work my friends and I decided to eat out. So together with Ish our department's babe we went to Conception Malabon to scout coffee houses and cafes. Lourme and Claudette being food fanatics "well me too" decided to eat at Cups and Cones a beautifully lit elegant and fresh looking cafe. The food is great although a bit pricey is worth it. I especially loved the chicken salad with chicken, lettuce and the most delish dressing I ever tasted. Their strawberry cheesecake is awesome, not to sweet and a bit tangy. Their clubhouse sandwich is also heavenly and their raspberry flavored ice tea is bomb.com.

Day Two: Aaron, Lourme, Rholet


Very lucky for Lourme and I Aaron decided to teat us. We decided to go back to Conception to eat at Hideout. Since the store is full packed we decided to eat again at Cups and Cones. And yes another great food trip day!!!

Coffee Chapter

Cute, small but elegant at the same time. With food and drinks at their most affordable price. A great way to spend the afternoon reading books from their small
Collection of books or just chill with your friends or surf the net. So let's SIP READ EAT REAPEAT.

Teapop foodtrip

A small cafe with several branches in manila. Strong wifi connection, great ambiance and great food and drinks selection. Teapop is located at c4 bound to Malabon and the other one that I know is located at gagalangin Juan Luna st. I like their earl grey milk tea ehich I usually order anywhere by the way and their rice meals qnd sandwiches and their lasanga.