Hopia Like the Bacon Way

I'm not fan of hopia, but there's one hopia that I love- That's bacon hopia! Who would've known there's such a thing??

Le Bistro D' Agathe is Le Magnifique

Do I know French food? I thought I did until we came to this (relatively) newly opened French bistro. It's actually an art gallery as well. (How's that for multi-tasking?) The three times we went here, they had different sets of pieces.

It's not posh or anything but it's one unique restaurant.

Everybody! Try Everybody's Cafe

A friend's birthday wish to be in the beach brought us to Pampanga. Sadly, it rained and we had to change plans. Our beach adventure soon became a gastronomical adventure, to everyone's horror.

Sly, wicked me brought them to Everybody's Cafe to eat frogs and crickets!

Mabuhay, Mabuhay Palace

Back in December, I went mental and bought so many vouchers from Groupon, Metrodeal and Deal Grocer. I must say, I've learned my lesson: it's not worth it to buy those. I've discovered that the best deals are those that cost x amount for y amount. Melo's offered this kind of discount and it was great. Whereas deals that offer x amount for a set of dishes are totally not worth it. One example is this last meal I bought for Manila Hotel's Mabuhay Palace. For Php 970 per person, we were served a good meal in small servings. 

D' Persian House is THE House

One lazy sunday night, we decided to have some Persian food which I fool myself to be "diet food". 

Nearby is D' Persian House where we've eaten before. We thought it was great but then we were badly hungry then and might've been unfit to judge.

Walang Kilig sa Camalig

Filipinos call Pampanga the local France just because Kapampangans are known for their delish cooking. This is the reason why I have such a long list of restaurants to try there. 

After watching the hot-air balloons take off, I chose to try out the Historic Camalig Restaurant which is also in Angeles, Pampanga right beside Nepo Market. It would have been hard to find because there's no sign along the street, one needs to go inside the parking lot first before seeing the name. Thankfully, we got directions from their website and didn't have a hard time going there. 

Puerto Princesa, the Port of a Princess

So many people had travelled to Puerto Princesa. I discovered that while everyone seems to be visiting the city to see the Underground River or UR to the locals, not everyone does get to see the unconventional river. I shall therefore share some tips in visiting the city. I'm not saying my way is best, I just like to play know-it-all. :)

I left My Puso in Pinatubo

It's one hour drive in the 4x4 ( there was a driver but hanging on to stay in the car was just as tiring especially for someone who rode at the back sideways like we did) followed by a 2.5 hour trek ( if you were as slow as we were. ). That was just on the way up. Every step was heavy with lahar. It was very sunny although windy. The air was full of unseen grains of lahar which createsdlayers on our face and our hair that felt like it would take days to get off. Blisters aren't uncommon ( believe me, I've seen several groups suffering from many. ) Shoes might give up along the way. ( there were some worn soles littered about to prove this.) To top it off, it can be expensive to arrange ( relative to other treks. ) All the hassle is worth it though just to see that picturesque crater lake atop Mount Pinatubo.

Capones, Intiendes?

After getting awestruck by Anawangin the day before (that day), we didn't really expect to be amazed once again. Looking at it from afar, it's not so inspiring as well. We were therefore once again caught off guard as we disembark from our boat (Php 800 for 3-4 pax). 

Another big WOW! This is even better if that's possible. I guess it is. This is a lot less frequented by tourists that there's little trash littered about. It's just glorious white sand drying itself under the warm morning sun. 

Isang Tingin sa Anawangin

We were planning a summer getaway. We love adventure. We love beaches. We love photo ops. We only have 2 days. Where else can we go but to the islands of Zambales!

Hardinero ng Villa Escudero

I'd been to Villa Escudero but that was the time beyond my memory, I guess my parents were taking advantage of the child discount. (It's pointless though since I don't remember it at all. Save for one thing that made me want to go back.)

LaLaLa, Isang Daang Isla

We've studied about the Hundred Islands since grade school some would even mistake calling the salad dressing Hundred Islands. Yet, it doesn't occur to many to visit this place even though it's up to par with every beach that's more popularly frequented.

Ang Ganda ng Sagada

Every sweat is worth it, and sweat I surely did! (and not because of hot weather.)