Talisay, Taal, Tawilis

My family and I have been going to Talisay, Batangas to de-stress and just to get away from it all. In Buenavista Heights, we treat ourselves to the much needed break, and guilty as we are for not having enough physical activity (who am I kidding, I don't exercise at all?!), we took advantage of the sports facilities in the club.

An overnight stay is just enough to keep us refreshed and ready to face the work week again. Hubby and the boys headed for the pool as soon as we got there, and though the kids still need to learn how to swim, they fearlessly thread not-so-deep waters in the Zen inspired pool near the casitas. For the pros though, there is the olympic size pool for the taking. While the boys are enjoying the water, I find myself enjoying the quiet family room and take my much deserved nap. With Yaya Girlie keeping watch on the boys, I sleep and wake up refreshed and raring for a game of badminton.

The area also has a basketball and badminton court facility. Should you also want to check out the entire village, you may rent a bike at a reasonable rate. We however, decided to play an hour of badminton doubles against my sister and her husband. Interestingly, we tease each other on their new racket investments which, to me, seems overpriced, but of course, it is all about the game.

We sweat profusely while playing and do not follow any of the rules of the game. The goal is to work out and to keep the shuttlecock afloat. We laugh at our silliness and our misses. We all had a good time.

We headed for our rooms an hour later and ordered for room service. The resto menu offers mostly Filipino dishes - bulalo, sinigang, inihaw, sandwiches, etc, the downside though is that they offer no dessert - hmmm, sad news for my sweet tooth. And just like our previous visits, we brought enough water, beer, chips and sodas to save a few pesos from ordering everything there.


On our way home, we went to Talisay wet market to purchase the famous Tawilis which, surprisingly costs only Php50 a kilo. Best for deep frying and eaten with spicy vinegar, restaurants in Tagaytay charge around Php90 per serving. Tubong Lugaw!


Our new discovery: the lakefront location of the wet market overlooks the Taal volcano, which is just a 15minute boat ride from the market. We were informed by the "bankeros" that they only charge Php1500 for a round trip which can seat 7 adults. While in Taal, one can go horseback-riding, or just stay in the restaurant enjoying the grills.

Will definitely try that when we go back.

Elbi On My Mind

The best years of my student life was spent in UPLB. I write this with much conviction because it is true - the 4 years I have stayed in Elbi provided me with some of my fondest food memories, that which strengthened my decision to be a professional "foodie" one day.

The late Ma'am Del Mundo who was our Basic Foods professor in the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food - was probably one person in the academe who has influenced me dearly - what with her strict demeanor and high standards. Our laboratory sessions were not only informative, it provided us with a keen sense of culinology, challenging us to understand the principles behind each step of the cooking or baking process. As I have already been cooking at that time, Ma'am Del Mundo made sure that we were "on our toes" and ready with whatever question she will raise. Not only were we pressured to know the principles, but ensuring that we have our complete set of ingredients for the same class also was expected everytime. I remember scouting the Elbi wet market (this was in crossing) for an entire hour just for fresh macapuno for our macapuno balls recipe. Any excuse is unacceptable. Get the item, get the grade.

My food education however, was not only limited in formal grounds. There was even more to learn outside the classroom. Interestingly, other than Buko Pie, Elbi had more to offer - I remember the very first Sisig I have tried in Sizzlers (I absolutely have no idea if it is still in existence) which was right across the Agrix supermarket and Theatre. These crunchy bits of pork skin and cartilage plus chopped onions were drenched with a spicy Knorr -laden sauce served on a sizzling plate. Amidst all the calories it had, I always devoured it with gusto. For the student with limited allowance, who can ever forget Ellen's fried chicken with its crisp cornstarch coating and salt infused meaty interior. And what about the infamous DTRI strawberry ice cream which to this day, is still the one to beat - never mind the other ice cream giants around. In fact, a couple of years after graduation, a "blockmate" and I went back to visit and intended to each buy a pint just to satisfy our craving. The only available size at that time was half a gallon. I will never tell you what happened after, but, let's just say that the steps of the Audi witnessed everything. (burp)

And who would ever forget our academic org's pasta buffet and salad buffet every Feb fair? Pre-sold tickets were distributed and it is during this time that our food service skills are put to the test - menu planning, purchasing, inventory, production, costings - name it, we did it. In fact, our booth was probably the most unique in a sense that ours was an interactive buffet - way more advanced at that time and much more interesting than the other booths (I'm biased). With food, you definitely can't go wrong.

It has been years since I have been to Elbi. Admittedly, visiting has always been put aside because of the demands of day to day. However, the rich UPLB memories and gustatory pleasures are enough to keep me satiated, for now.

Divisoria Bites

That Saturday, I got a call from my sister inviting me to go to Divisoria with her - this is in downtown Manila, where all cheap possible items (clothing, food and toys)are found. Off we went at 3PM complete with Eric (her hubby) and Isko (their assistant) and after nearly an hour from Paranaque, parked the car at one of its malls - 168 Mall - which I believe is one of the safest possible places to park in the area.

Our first stop was the paper supplies store where my sister gets her food packaging materials needed for her sandwich place. As soon as we were done with our "official business", we changed into our "shopping mode" and went from mall to mall - 168 and Divi Mall, with stops in between - there is nothing like shopping also along the streets of Divisoria - you will find great bargains for flip - flops, shorts, shirts and even kitchen wares.

By the end of our 2 hour "malling", we headed back to 168 Mall, which is about 2 blocks away from Divi Mall. On the 4th floor, you will find the food court which offers a variety of fast food items - barbecues, pizzas, burgers and various cuisines - Chinese, Filipino, American and Thai. My favorite spot is Chariya's Kitchen which is owned by chef and culinary instructor Chariya offering affordable and authentic Thai Favorites. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of her food at this time - I was so hungry that I devoured everthing right away, but mind you, it is my absolute favorite food stop anytime.

Authentic Thai
I readily ordered my favorite Paad Thai which is flat rice noodles cooked in a special sweet-sour-spicy sauce and topped with a generous amount of egg, leeks, shrimps and meat. To match it with, I also ordered their fried spring rolls which vegetarians would enjoy as it is stuffed with assorted vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and leeks and served with sweet chili sauce. Hungry as I was, one can easily finish an order of these. When in the area, try also her Thai Iced tea which is laced with evaporated milk.

We ended our meal just when the mall has closed and were only allowed one access area to exit the mall premises. Twas quite a trek from the gate to where we parked which justifies our excuse for trying another food place in the area. Just when we were about to leave Divisoria, we passed by Crepe De Chine and, as if we haven't just eaten, decided to eat some more.

Crepe De Chine


Located in Juan Luna street in Binondo, Crepe de Chine offers not only crepes but sandwiches and pasta as well. I was particularly intrigued with the Yang Chow Crepe, that I just had to try it (and convince my companions to join me as well). Filled with ground beef, green peas, corn kernels, carrots, egg omelet and a sweet teriyaki style sauce, it was huge enough for sharing. I enjoyed it, though Eric (my brother in law), who was not a fan of sweet meat dishes thought otherwise. Other savory crepe offerings are Braised Beef crepe (think Beef Pares in your crepe), Seafood Marinara crepe and Mabuhay adobo.

We also tried the CDC Party Dessert Sampler, which featured 3 different crepes, banana, peach and mango, served with sauces such as vanilla, raspberry and caramel and generously topped with whipped cream and 3 types of ice cream and garnished with maraschino cherries. As expected, you will find other popular dessert crepe variants such as Choc-O-nuts (for the nut fanatic), Mango Teena and Apple Jubilee.

I personally enjoyed the crepe (wrapper) which was not gummy and was not too sweet which complemented the natural sweetness of the fruits used for filling. However, I just find the Php270 price quite high.

Another thing that I noticed was that they have very good brewed coffee (I am a fan of Cafe Americano, plain and simple), you know, the kind that has a froth on the surface and at Php45, it is absolutely reasonable.

What's more, with the pretty ambiance of the place, you wouldn't think that you are actually downtown. We raved about the beautiful swing-inspired nook made of palo-china that we bugged Isko to make one for our garden.


I have yet to find more food places in Divisoria, but for now, these two places proved to be worth my "food" trip.

Fresh food finds at Aani Market

Like any typical female, and foodie for that matter, a trip to the market is always anticipated. It is actually a de-stressing activity for me, especially after a full work week. For me, going to the market and checking out fresh produce and other interesting food items is like a child heading for a carousal ride.

Because I live "down south", going to the FTI Aani Weekend market along the East service road in Paranaque was easy. Though much bigger than Salcedo Market in Makati, a colleague who lives nearby warned me though that it is not as "high end" as what I have seen in Makati.

Dragging my hubby with me as early as 8am this Saturday, we drove to FTI with the primary objective of purchasing our week's food requirements, specifically seafood and vegetables (I have succumbed to the idea that seafood is always best purchased in the wet market - and this goes for vegetables too). Of course, on the side, we intended it to be our "breakfast date". What with all the food items there - raw and fully-cooked, there is more than enough to choose from.


The Aaani weekend market offers fresh seafoods - from tuna, live tilapia, gindara, lapu-lapu, to prawns, clams and mussels. Hubby and I opted to buy my favorite "tulingan" which will be cooked "sinaing" style. I keep this frozen after cooking and for breakfast, I typically serve it fried with achara and sunny side egg on the side. Hubby requested for the "gindara" which at 3 large slices cost around Php250. For the kids, the small "galunggong" is much preferred. This humble poor man's fish is surprisingly a favorite of my kids, crispy fried.

Fresh meats are also found there, though I still prefer to buy these in supermarkets and meatshops. Fruits are in abundance, mangoes from Zambales and Guimaras, paho mangoes - green mangoes, the kind that you coarsely chop and mix with tomatoes and onions, simply the best with ensaladas; and "supsupin" mangoes - ripe mini mangoes that does not require a knife but instead, you eat it by peeling off the skin with your bare hands and by biting and sucking into its flesh - thus its name.



Because I have a bag of fish tofu at home, I would have wanted to serve it with asparagus, stir fried in garlic and butter. Though after knowing that a bundle of fresh ones would cost around Php85, I opted to use Tagalog sitaw instead. It is much shorter than the ones you see around, about 6 inches in length and more green at that. What's more, with a mere Php12, I have about a fourth of a kilo, just enough for the entire family.



As I was walking around, I found one "manong" working on "patani" seeds. Though I don't really use it in my own kitchen, I have fond memories of this seed being served with sotanghon soup in San Pablo where I used to spend summer vacations in.


Turo-turo style, we bought pancit malabon, puto bumbong and bibingka, beef kaldereta with rice and Coke for breakfast. All these for a mere Php200! Really cheap! I don't really drink soda for breakfast, but unfortunately, there was no one in the area offering hot chocolate or coffee - at least I didn't see one. That's something that I noted and really liked about Salcedo market. In Aani, there is an abundance of fresh produce, in Salcedo, you find more ready to eat, fully cooked items of various cuisines.

If however, you are a fan of our local delicacies, there is no need to go to far-flung places because its all in Aani - puto calasiao, cassava cake, sinaing na tulingan, suman sa ibus, even fresh pinipig (for a while, I though I was in Baguio Market, hehe). Those who prefer organic vegetables will also be happy to know that they offer beautiful salad greens and herbs here.



I am not much of a gardener, but if you are, you will find a lot of interesting plants and gardening tools here - pots, fertilizers, etc. On our way out, I stopped by the sole barbecue place in the area. Bought 2 sticks of pork barbecue at Php25 each and brought it home. My 6 year old son finished it off. I will buy more next time.



Fresher than you can imagine, another booth offers chicken newly slaughtered and dressed at Php125 per kilo. Though they had no native chicken at that time, I was enticed with the interactive way they do it, that, you just had to buy one. And buy one I did, in fact, by lunch today, we will have and enjoy our chicken tinola with green papaya and for dessert, my sweet star apple (kaimito) also found in this market.


Happy eating everyone!




.