Go Hotels North EDSA Is Now Open To Serve Budget Travelers On Value Stays

March 25, 2017, 3:46 pm

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Value for money bed and bedding

Way back in the early '80s, North EDSA didn't look like the bustling commercial attraction that it is today. It actually looked desolate, given that Quezon City is really big and considered far from the Manila International Airport compared to Makati or Mandaluyong. There was not a single mall in the vicinity. There was only the once famous multi-storey 680 Home Appliances along EDSA and across it was one big squatter's area. The only amusing space to hang out in from Cubao was as far as Munoz where Barrio Fiesta used to be. It was definitely not where you wanted to be 23 years ago when you craved for a staycation or a food trip.

Fast-forward to 2017, the squatter's area is now replaced by TriNoma Mall and a soon-to-open luxury hotel. The top mall to go to for home appliances is now SM City North EDSA and a few seedy motels have been in operation to cash in on the influx of commuters. Coinciding with this development, an authentic budget hotel has finally opened this January to cater to travelers who are after value stays and warm, Filipino hospitality. For anybody who has stayed at a Go Hotels anywhere in the Philippines, a Go Hotels North EDSA branch opening here is certainly good news. Well, it is for me.

Each standard room has a window

The hotel entrance from EDSA

The Country Style dining area and lounge for guests

If you're doing business in the area or have no choice but to make it your point of layover in Metro Manila, Go Hotels North EDSA can make your stay a relaxing one and worth every cent. I've tested it for myself and I determined the following reasons why it is so:

Windsor bed

1. Value Stay For Its Rooms' Essential Features

I've stayed in luxury hotels with windows that open next to concrete walls, so having been booked at a standard room at Go Hotels North EDSA with a window that has an unobstructed view of the outside was worth my time and money. I'll choose the latter any day over an expensive room that make me oblivious of the different times of the day.

Waking up from my bed with sunshine penetrating through the glass window is always priceless. And gazing at a lit city grid at night before hitting the bed is a routine for me when I'm hotel-hopping. A hotel window with a view is non-negotiable for me and this budget hotel has one in each of its 18-square meter sized room.

A hotel window with a view is non-negotiable for me and this budget hotel has one in each of its 18-square meter sized room.

Also, this Go Hotels branch has bidet-equipped bathrooms which is value for money because typical budget hotels are not even expected to have one.

Pull-out table for laptops (left) and super shower (right)

As for the rest of its room features, you can expect only the basic ones that are considered essential from a pull-out table for laptops, a chair to sit on, hangers for clothes, plush Windsor bed and bedding (cotton sheets and duvet cover) to a hot and cold super shower. Plus, there's access to free Wi-Fi and a 32" LED cable TV for entertainment.

2. Convenient Location Along EDSA's Bus Passenger Drop-off

Anybody getting off a provincial bus from a long commute up north can find it comforting to know that the hotel sits right along EDSA where passengers are routinely dropped off past Munoz. That's how convenient it is to arrive at the entrance of the hotel even if you have not made any prior booking and just intends to book on a whim.

SM City North EDSA and TriNoma Mall for exciting food trips and shopping finds

SM City North EDSA

Breakfast at Country Style

3. Accessibility To Two Malls

Being a guest at the hotel also means that you're just a stroll away from two major malls in the city. This makes your meals suddenly a food trip or shopping adventure. Just a few blocks away from the hotel entrance is the overpass that crosses EDSA to reach the entrance of SM City North EDSA. From there, you can also walk to a connecting overpass that lets you enter TriNoma Mall. For sure, you'll be spoiled for choice. Also, a stroll away is the nearest MRT Station which can bring you to any point in Metro Manila quicker than any commute can.

Should you decide to not leave the premises of the hotel, there's a Country Style next to the front desk at the second level of the 167-room building for brewed coffee, bagel, sandwiches and rice meals.

4. Back Massage For Php200 Only

While booked at the hotel, I did not only enjoy a food trip of a nearby mall. I also made sure that I availed of a wellness service inside the hotel that let me have a back massage for only Php200. For the convenience of not having to go outside to look for a spa, that's basically a steal.

5. Flash Promo Booking

From time to time, Go Hotels makes a Php588-per-night flash promo in any of its branch in the Philippines. I remember a friend -- a frequent traveler -- who has enjoyed booking a long stay at another Go Hotels branch for almost a week because he availed of the promo, so take advantage of the room rate sale by monitoring the hotel's official Facebook fan page for such announcements.

As of this writing, there's a total of 125 rooms available out of 167 that are targeted to be in operation at Go Hotels North EDSA which makes booking a room on weekdays and weekends a certainty unlike in other budget hotels with less appointed rooms. With this part of Quezon City starting to become well-served, this 12th hotel of the brand is set to be value stay-reliable for years to come.

Go Hotels North EDSA

Official website of Go Hotels North EDSA

Address: 1107 EDSA, Veterans Village, Bago Bantay, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63 (2) 939-8000

Check out my reviews of Go Hotels Manila Airport Road and Go Hotels Pioneer.

↧

How Travel Changed My Life

March 31, 2017, 9:42 pm

≫ Next: Must-Book Hotels In Quezon City

≪ Previous: Go Hotels North EDSA Is Now Open To Serve Budget Travelers On Value Stays

By Karl Acepcion

If there’s anything that travel has taught me, it’s the reticence of being at home anywhere my feet takes me. My credo is to escape what’s worth coming home to and it controls the spontaneity of my itineraries.

Travel started off as a koan to my dull soul. Leaving my comfort zone for the unfamiliar fuelled my early trips. Unlike many young professionals who slept off their weekends, I had no qualms abandoning what I deemed to be worth forgetting for a couple of nights. The goal was to un-see the predictable from a terrible supervisor to a spineless underling at work. The reward was being able to leave in a huff.

En route for Roxas City

Hiking in Abucay, Bataan

Natural High

I can’t remember how many times I fearlessly tore into an exotic grub or downed a kooky drink in a new town just to get a natural high. Add to that, the endless foray off-grid to experience not being able to tell the time of the day in my swimwear.

I also loved to mix it up. My itinerary, that is. One moment I’d be snug on a plush hotel bed. The next moment I’d be exposed to the elements down to my skivvies on some speck of an island.

Enjoying such contrasts that my trips afforded me meant that I could settle for a frosty canned beer at the last leg of my vacation after enjoying a digestif at a high-end bar the night prior. It didn’t matter if the day was balmy or sweltering. As long as the views seemed to be worth the escape, I was there.

Partying with locals and tourists in Bacacay, Albay

Vacationing in Marinduque's Maniwaya Island with fellow bloggers Paula and Paulo

A Different Kind of Escape

It was after I quit my corporate drudgery that I figured in a different kind of escape. With a lot of freelance hours to burn, I embraced a subdued iteration of my previous getaways. The tight budget called for intrepid trips. Mornings were longer. Dusks were more noticeable. Meals were more exotic. It was totally different from my well-designed trips and I liked it for a moment.

I usually had to bear with long commutes on passenger boats and buses. Unfortunately, those led to forced introspections about how devoid I still felt after being in different places in the Philippines. It pained me to realise how my wanderlust couldn’t be satiated regardless of the destination.

It came to a point when I even went to Roxas City for the first time just to trace my roots. I arrived without a single local friend in Capiz and left a week after knowing a whole clan of relatives. It was to be the start of my attempt to connect with people more than the destination.

Scoping the shoreline of Bani, Pangasinan

My getaway with my old folks

My Travel Caveat

The caveat to travelling, it turned out, is the traveller.

Don’t get me wrong. The resort vistas were fantastic, the hiking views were enthralling, and the local finds were remarkable. However, my feigned discontent always loomed over me after every trip. It was not something I could easily shake off even after going through a warren of attractions.

I felt more empty not knowing why I had to come home only to plot my next escape. Suddenly I couldn’t tell where I belonged because the trips compounded themselves into an endless meandering of the unknown.

River-crossing in Dingalan, Aurora after Typhoon Lawin

Meeting Dumagat tribe members in General Nakar

Change of Perspective

My recent trip to a Dumagat ancestral domain in General Nakar changed all that. It was when I accompanied a social worker friend of mine to a remote coast of Quezon Province when I realised that travel is not always about the next destination to tick off one’s bucket list. Sometimes, it’s about meeting a stranger in a new place and discovering that you have something in common.

We were halfway our long-week immersion when we had to transfer to Masanga, another tribal community which was roughly a two-hour boat ride away. It was a day after Typhoon Lawin had ravaged mainland Luzon. Reaching this part of the Sierra Madre meant numerous river-crossings in Aurora and enduring a Skull Island-esque boat ride to Lulumnan Beach.

My friend was there to teach the natives the trade of organic farming while I tagged along to see the sights. Along the way, I documented the trip including his discreet meetings with some tribe members. To our disappointment, the few crops being tendered by the natives were all destroyed, along with their rustic homes.

The young Dumagat who hitched a boat ride with us

The Young Dumagat Who Tagged Along

On our pump boat for our target destination was another tag-along – a young Dumagat. Looking weathered but hopeful, the kid hoped to reach his home the easier way than hiking more than five hours in the mountains which was how he ended up with us at the beachfront. It turned out he got stranded during the typhoon and had to wait it out with other distraught locals at the coast for a few days.

It didn’t concern him at all that he was hitching a boat ride with total strangers. He just felt relieved that he could finally go home after the ordeal. There was no turning back anyway. That boat ride was the only easy way out of the coast for the both of us. Suddenly, we were both travellers in a setting that neither of us could own.

As he jumped out of the boat and onto a rock expanse after more than an hour at sea, he knew that he was safe where everything was familiar again. He was home. Oddly enough, I felt the same sense of contentment in the middle of nowhere.

At that exact moment, my vicious cycle of escape also ceased. I finally made sense of what’s worth coming home to – knowing that I can be at home wherever I am.

Got your own version of a life-altering travel experience? It’s worth sharing on Traveloka.

#TravelokaPH #WhyITravel #TravelokaStories

↧

Must-Book Hotels In Quezon City

April 2, 2017, 5:09 pm

≫ Next: Where To Eat and What To Order In Quezon City?

≪ Previous: How Travel Changed My Life

The practice of booking a hotel in Metro Manila has changed. Gone are the days when a hotel needs to be near the airport to be able to attract guests the whole year round. With various enclaves redesigning the landscape of the metro and traffic becoming a big factor even in Pasay City where the airport is, choosing a city where one needs to stay is now a matter of need. This is where Quezon City finally comes into the big picture. What used to be an un-served city is now an area where entertainment and business districts are sprouting like mushroom. And where the action is, lodgings of all types are bound to be seen. Heck, a new luxury hotel in the once humdrum North EDSA is even close to opening its doors this 2017.

Before the development gets any crazier to the point of congestion, I recommend a few hotels that have fearlessly made their mark in their respective locations in Quezon City. I've tested all of them enough to make it to this list of must-book hotels in Metro Manila's biggest city:

Microtel By Wyndham-UP Technohub

1. Microtel By Wyndham-UP Technohub

Microtel By Wyndham has a lot of branches in the Philippines but its UP Technohub branch has a charming courtyard that can easily disarm a weary traveler of the day's hustle-and-bustle. It's what makes this branch unique, a breathable space of lush greenery where some of the more than 100 rooms have a good view of. Rather ironic but essential is its design because the hotel's smack dab in the middle of the booming IT and commercial development of UP-Ayala Land Technohub in the city. The dynamic PEZA-listed area is where one can find technology and business incubators, research firms, BPOs, restaurants, and numerous commercial establishments. And, oh, this hotel has a roof deck pool.

Read more about Microtel By Wyndham-UP Technohub.

Microtel By Wyndham-Acropolis

2. Microtel By Wyndham-Acropolis

Located across the perpendicular junction of E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue and the entrance to Eastwood City, Microtel By Wyndham-Acropolis is the closest hotel in Quezon City from the Manila International Airport. Travelers simply need to tackle the C5 Road from Pasay City where the airport is instead of plying the commuter-thronged EDSA. This makes it quite accessible to check-out from when guests are trying to catch a flight out of the metro. Since it's just a stroll away from Eastwood City, those who want to eat out or shop for essentials won't have a problem killing time during their stay.

Read more about Microtel By Wyndham-Acropolis.

B Hotel-QC

3. B Hotel-QC

B Hotel-QC stands out from the glut of classic hotels for a lot of reasons. It's designed to evoke the unique sensibilities of Brutalism, a profound movement in architecture that became prominent from the 1950s through the '70s. As a result, its bold aesthetic appeal crosses the boundaries of a business and a vacation stay the same way that a relevant museum successfully makes a first good impression on any type of visitor. It's impressive at 11 storeys in a landscape that still has a lot of residential bungalows, giving guests unobstructed views of the vibrant entertainment district of Diliman.

Where To Eat and What To Order In Quezon City?

April 4, 2017, 4:44 pm

≫ Next: Huat Pot Serves Taiwanese-Style Steam Pot In San Juan City

≪ Previous: Must-Book Hotels In Quezon City

QC eats (Photography by Aubrey Gacer)

Quezon City is bigger than Manila, Makati City and Pasig City combined. It's the largest city in Metro Manila and there's no point for you to be there and go hungry. It currently has pockets of commercial enclaves that have sprouted in recent years as a result of the mall bandwagon. However, it's best known among travelers in the '70s and '80s for stand-alone establishments in quaint districts where dining is taken seriously. Both styles of dining can be had today anywhere in this city that covers roughly a fourth of the whole expanse of the metro. If anything, there's always a restaurant here waiting for you.

Having lived all my life in Metro Manila, I've managed to try some of Quezon City's unique restaurants. Some are popular. Some are off-the-radar of most foodies. Some have closed down already due to unforeseen circumstances. Some are still in operation. Those that are still standing and are unique enough to be recommended are listed here for you try. For your convenience, I categorized them as high-end cuisine, family-oriented, and budget-friendly:

High-End Cuisine

Vittorio's Steakhouse

Vittorio's Steakhouse
Location: Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Tomas Morato
What To Order: USDA CAB Ribeye Steak, Clam Pasta and Good Shepherd Ube-flavored Ice Cream

Vittorio's Steakhouse is known for serving the most memorable steak-oriented dishes in Quezon City. This restaurant in the Tomas Morato dining district is not exactly along the long strip of other restaurants dotting both sides of the busy avenue. Because of its location along the less frenetic Scout Borromeo Street right beside the charming salon of celebrity Fanny Serrano, steak-lovin' patrons are also finding the establishment to be worth reserving for intimate meals and exclusive celebrations. With the presence of two major broadcasting networks and countless hotels in the area, business is lucrative so much so that even Mondays are packed.

Read more about Vittorio's Steakhouse.

Millie's All-Day Dining

Millie's All-Day Dining
Location: Microtel By Wyndham-UP Technohub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman
What To Order: Baby Back Ribs, Potato Dumpling and Panna Cotta

Something delicious is always simmering in the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue at a property development called UP-Ayala Land Technohub. With Microtel By Wyndham finally serving hotel guests in the area, its F&B facility has managed to make its tasty presence felt for those with discriminating taste. The venue is called Millie's All-Day Dining and it's just one of its other branches in the Philippines. For a memorable meal of comfort Filipino food with a dash of foreign cuisine, Millie's All-Day Dining is the spot to rendezvous at with a business partner or a loved one in the city. Located at the ground floor of the hotel, it's accessible to hotel guests who need not hie off to distant restaurants for a necessary degustation. Non-hotel guests are also welcome to walk in at the hotel lobby and dine at the restaurant.

Read more about Millie's All-Day Dining.

Annam Noodle Bar (Photography by Aubrey Gacer)

Annam Noodle Bar
Location: Eastwood City, Libis
What To Order: Pho Australian Beef Steak Slices, Twice Cooked Australian Beef Brisket and Crispy Imperial Rolls

Foodies on the hunt for Vietnamese cuisine won't be disappointed at Annam Noodle Bar. It's where they can sample authentic street food that's inspired from the S-shaped country without leaving Manila. The Eastwood City branch is easily the best place to have orders of rice flour noodles (Pho), toasted baguettes (Banh Mi), oriental rolls and more in QC. Diners can find comfort in knowing that its advocacy for healthy ingredients is religiously being followed from preparation to cooking. More than 90% -- 95% to be exact -- of its menu does not contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) which is something that's commonly used in other establishments to enhance the flavor in food. This means that dishes served at Annam are likely to be enriching rather than damaging to one's system.

Read more about Annam Noodle Bar.

Potts Point Cafe

Potts Point Cafe
Location: Eastwood City, Libis
What To Order: Organic Roasted Chicken Fillet, Organic Pork Sausage Shakshuka, Butter-scotch Budino and English Sticky Toffee Pudding

Named after an inner-city suburb of Sydney, Potts Point Cafe is an authentic slice of Paris. This is according to Aussie diners who frequent the Eastwood City-based restaurant. One can even feast on inventive and indulgent dishes that touch on Tunisia's favorite Shakshuka or poached egg in tomato sauce dish, the pseudocereal quinoa, and a pasta salad that has the ingredients of a deluxe pizza. What's more, most of the ingredients being used here are organic and are, therefore, healthy.

Read more about Potts Point Cafe.

Gaucho

Gaucho
Location: Robinsons Magnolia Mall, Aurora Boulevard, New Manila
What To Order: Cordero Entero ala Cruz (Australian-raised young lamb) and the flavourful Cochino ala Cruz (a native free-range suckling pig)

Gaucho

A restaurant that serves authentic South American-inspired dishes at Robinsons Magnolia Mall is Gaucho. Its kitchen is known to use the Argentinean style of cooking called "a la Cruz." The two-level dining place offers slow-roasted El Pozo de Fuego-style (roasting pit) meat with options for lamb, beef, and pork. Apart from the "a la Cruz" roasts, the restaurant also offers US prime and choice steaks from the grill. You'll be amazed to know that the dining area transforms into a festive tango dance floor on party nights so better get your dancing shoes ready when you're scheduled to dine in.

Read more about Gaucho.

Pino Restaurant

Pino Restaurant
Location: Malingap Street, UP Teacher's Village
What To Order: Kare-kareng Bagnet, Coffee-crusted Beef Belly and Tablea Cheesecake

Maginhawa and its neighboring streets is where Quezon City dining is subdued in a hole-in-the-wall style but sensational for capturing the local fare. And one such restaurant that has been captivating diners for a few years now is Pino Restaurant (also known as Pino Resto Bar). Its signature dish? The best-selling Kare-kareng Bagnet! No words are enough to express how delicious it is.

Family-Oriented

Ombu Kusina

Ombu Kusina
Location: Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia Street
What To Order: Crispy Pata, Sisig Pizza, Herb-Crusted Mahi-mahi

Quezon City's Timog Avenue is actually where a lot of restaurants have thrived for years regardless of the menu. At one of its corners, particularly at the ground floor of Sequoia Hotel along Mother Ignacia Avenue, is where such one restaurant started as a cafe and exists to this day with a redefined menu. Now on its fourth year, Ombu Kusina is reinventing itself not just for the sake of reinvention, but basically because it's time to do so. Originally known only as Ombu, the modern Filipino cuisine restaurant has now outlived its culinary limits given the gastronomic trends that have come and gone in this side of the metro.

Read more about Ombu Kusina.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps
Location: The Block of SM City North EDSA
What To Order: Fried Garlic Crabs, Sinuglaw and Pomelo Cream with Corn

Seldom does the fresh catch travel to distant locations in the Philippines, but when it does it's for a good reason. The seafood restaurant called Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps is a perfect example of bringing the goodness of Davao City's bounty to Quezon City via its new branch at SM North EDSA's The Block. Operating for three years now, it's a dining institution down south that prides itself in having its featured crabs and shrimps feasted on in the messiest possible way but for a delicious culmination, bib and all. The QC branch may just have opened late last year but it's starting to be a favorite among residents of nearby condos. Traditionally enjoyed on laid-out wax paper, orders of crabs, shrimps, and other specialties are at the center of the communal dining space at the restaurant. Past the fancy fishing nets that adorn parts of the establishment, the dining table where it's messiest is the most festive. Regardless if it's regular, mild or spicy hot, a basic order of the mains is usually great for three or four people which makes the shared experience endearing. With bare hands, pliers, and a mallet, dining just becomes more memorable and fun.

Read more about Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps.

Asya

Asya
Location: Centris Walk, Eton Centris, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue

What To Order: Grilled Squid, Binakol Na Manok (chicken dish) and Coffee Panna Cotta

Asya Filipino-Asian Restaurant has been a gustatory spot for some of the city’s discriminating dwellers and those in transit to Manila or Makati City since 2010. Its charming dining area flaunts everything in a startling way from prominent face-chairs (seats with painted-on faces for backrests) to elaborate lighting fixtures. However, what really makes it endearing to those who are familiar with its caliber is its best-seller of Grilled Squid that’s expertly served as a whole treat and not in morsels. The dish is beloved for being stuffed with tomato and onion a la minute and cooked to taste as tender as possible without losing its meat’s firm texture. What’s more, it's served with a potent-tasting Visayan sauce (vinegar, soy sauce, and onions).

Read more about Asya.

Budget-Friendly

Sisig Society

Sisig Society
Locations: SM City North EDSA and Eastwood City, Libis

What To Order: Bacon & Cheese Sisig, Street Tacos and Bottomless Mojito

Sisig Society

If you're so into the beloved Kapampangan dish called sisig, being in Metro Manila won't be that bad anymore. Even if the dish can be had anywhere outside of Angeles City where it first became quite popular among tourists, it's something that's now available at Sisig Society. The restaurant has a branch in Eastwood City in Libis and another in SM City North EDSA apart from its other locations in the country. What started as a sisig movement in 2015 is now a cluster of branches that makes the dish available in inventive ways to a lot of urban dwellers. Worth trying apart from its stellar sisig sizzlers are the Street Tacos and Bottomless Mojito.

Pepe's Meat

Pepe's Meat
Location: Kamuning Road corner J. Erestain Street, Kamuning

What To Order: Burga, Borta and NKKLK

Pepe's Meat is where meat-lovers can find the most affordable gourmet burger in Kamuning. Its menu has a street cred that reflects hardcore sensibilities. With burger flavors like Burga, NKKLK (another way of stating "nakakaloka" in Tagalog or crazed in English), and Borta, the joint is clearly posturing itself in the corner of Quezon City's busy Kamuning Road as a unique stall for street-oriented burger flavors. The business name itself is enough to make you take a second look as it's a play on the name of Pinoy rock icon, Pepe Smith.

Read more about Pepe's Meat.

Where to stay in Quezon City?
Check out my list of recommended hotels in Quezon City here.

↧

Huat Pot Serves Taiwanese-Style Steam Pot In San Juan City

April 14, 2017, 11:53 am

≫ Next: Villa Noe Beach Resort: A Must-Book On Cagbalete Island

≪ Previous: Where To Eat and What To Order In Quezon City?

Originating from Mongolia, the hot pot dining tradition of beef has been expanded in range as to include seafood when it was brought to coastal China and Taiwan and shared with the world. The assortment of East Asian ingredients that includes thinly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, egg dumplings, tofu and mushroom are traditionally thrown in a simmering broth inside a hot pot at the center of the dining table. Once cooked, the whole shebang is tasted with a dipping sauce.

Huat Pot Keeps The Tradition Alive

In the Philippines, Huat Pot is one hot pot restaurant that's keeping this tradition alive. It's best known for its fresh cuts of meats, bola-bola, and green vegetables. Lodged at the second floor of the Metropoint Building in Greenhills, San Juan City, the high-ceiling restaurant is where diners can experience the hot pot and steam pot styles of cooking.

Bola-bola and more

The high-ceiling dining area of Huat Pot

An attendant assists a diner's table

Delicious and Healthy

Its Taiwanese-style shabu-shabu has been attracting not just voracious diners for years, but also those who are health-conscious because they know the benefits of fiber that vegetables can offer the body. Customers are not only satisfied with the delicious variety of ingredients, but they are also ascertained of having lower cholesterol and regulated blood sugar, making them healthier in the long run.

...they are also ascertained of having lower cholesterol and regulated blood sugar, making them healthier in the long run.

Reserve For A Special Occasion

Conceptualized to serve a large number of diners, its dining area is spacious and designed with dining booths where groups can feel a bit more intimate. Private rooms are available for a more exclusive dining experience. The place can also be reserved for specials occasions.

Preparing the congee

The congee is ready

Beef slices

Pork slices

Steaming seafood

How Steam Pot Works

Huat Pot's steam pot style of cooking is basically using fresh ingredients straight from the dining table where a glass lid can be lifted to let off the steam from your exotic concoction. An easy-peasy guide can be found on each table where diners can commence with their step-by-step experience that will take them to the buffet stations for selecting their ingredients. Part of the fun is seeing beef and pork slices slowly transform right before your eyes.

A nifty tip is setting a flavorful base with a combo of vegetables and mushrooms. As for the broth of the congee, it's recommended that you choose from the restaurant's signature soup stocks which include the Huat Pot Special, Sate Soup, Chicken Soup, Laksa Soup and Szechuan Soup. While you're letting the congee simmer, an attendant can assist with putting a special steamer over it, along with the glass lid. Once everything is in place, the steaming process can last for a few minutes.

Fresh Seafood Choices

If you're into seafood, the restaurant has a panoply of fresh choices from squid, shrimp, salmon head, cream dory, sea cucumber and crab.

New A La Carte Menu

This 2017, Chef Jonas Ng of Huat Pot is also introducing a bevy of home-style dishes culled from his mom's recipes. Diners can order these Asian delights from the A La Carte Menu and the choices range from the following:

Stir-fry Egg with Tomatoes

Stir-fry Kangkong with Bagoong

Egg with Mayo

Braised Pork

Salted Fish Fried Rice

Braised Beef Sate Chami

For Taiwanese-style steam pot and traditional Asian cuisine, Huat Pot is an easy choice in San Juan City. It's best enjoyed with friends and families, so why not visit it soon to celebrate special moments while everyone's still around?

Photography by Aubrey Gacer

Huat Pot

Official Facebook fan page of Huat Pot

Address: 2nd Floor Metropoint Center. P. Guevarra corner Wilson St., San Juan City, Philippines

Operating Hours: 11:00am - 11:00pm

Phone: (02) 650-3091

Mobile: +639154805500

More Photos Below:

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Villa Noe Beach Resort: A Must-Book On Cagbalete Island

April 18, 2017, 12:03 pm

≫ Next: Come To Quezon Province: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 1 For Download

≪ Previous: Huat Pot Serves Taiwanese-Style Steam Pot In San Juan City

Cagbalete Island is incomparable as a destination in the Philippines. It's not developed to a fault like Boracay nor is it as seedy as Puerto Galera. The place offers an escape in between. Its lure is not as easily accessible as Bolinao because a visitor still needs to make a 40-minute long boat transfer from the pier of Mauban, but it's a guaranteed paradise once you're there. Electricity is still rationed -- and for a good reason for travelers. This is so you can kick back and relax to appreciate nature during the day. Slather that sunscreen. Put on that quirky hat. Stroll at the beach. Read a good book on a hammock or simply linger at the beachfront. And what's my recommended back-to-nature resort for this tropical pleasure? Villa Noe Beach Resort!

Why Book At Villa Noe Beach Resort?

Villa Noe Beach Resort sits smack dab in the middle of the tourist-favorite shoreline of Cagbalete, opposite from the local settlement of the island where local passenger boats dock. It's also directly facing the vanishing Bonsai Islet, a rock expanse attraction that's a 15-minute stroll from the beachfront on low tide. Stroll further to the left of the resort and you can slow down at the mouth of a mangrove forest. Hit the opposite direction and you can visit a vanishing sandbar (on low tide) that's a short walk from an old beachfront cemetery. It's also where viewing the island's sunset is most intense.

A couple enjoying each other's time away from the beachfront

Rustic Lodgings at Villa Noe Beach Resort

Where passenger boats dock on Cagbalete Island

The dining area of the resort

... I found it nifty that the resort has a catering package for meals.

Recommended Catering Package

My visit of Cagbalete Island became memorable because it's where I had the chance to lead a group of travelers, a mix of young professionals and a couple of fellow travel bloggers. Booking our accommodations was easy and I found it nifty that the resort has a catering package for meals. Availing it enabled me to forget about bringing supplies to cook on the island.

As a result, it let me spend more quality time with my touring guests. They also had more time for small talk, exploring the island, and simply being idle which is the best part of being on a vacation.

One of my tour guests killing time on Bonsai Islet, a stroll away from the resort on low tide

Part of the resort's catering package

Just one of the featured dishes of the catering package

The laid-back island vibe of Cagbalete Island via Villa Noe Beach Resort

Bonsai Islet

Rustic Lodgings

The lodgings at Villa Noe Beach Resort are how I wanted them to be for my guests -- simple and rustic. They blend well with the tropical setting and the experience of having soft sand on your feet unlike in neighboring beach resorts that really try hard to be modern but fail because the beach vibe is lost in the modern fixtures and design.

The lodgings at Villa Noe Beach Resort are how I wanted them to be for my guests -- simple and rustic.

Truly, any upgrade is not something that one will want on an idyllic paradise as Cagbalete Island. Most backpackers -- local or foreign -- will always look for a nipa hut, a wooden recliner, and nothing but trees to attractively obstruct one's view of the beach.

Bird-watching on low tide

Guests of the resort can kayak on a good day

The beachfront of the resort

Island Activities

For alternative activities, you can kayak on a good day or book an island-hopping tour with the resort. The place is also where some kiteboarding professionals train on selected months of the year because there's less tourists around and the wind conditions are great for the sport.

At night, don't expect the party vibe of typical beaches in Boracay or Puerto Galera because you won't see one here. On Cagbalete, the intimate guest interaction is the chief source of a stimulating evening. Some guests prefer to light up a bonfire while some simply kill time at the beachfront by gazing at the star-studded sky.

On Cagbalete, the intimate guest interaction is the chief source of a stimulating evening.

Getting There

Reaching the island in Quezon Province on a budget is easy, especially if you're coming from Metro Manila. Simply board a Mauban-bound Jacliner Bus (EDSA Kamuning station) and bear the 5-hour commute. Get off at the town proper and ride a tricycle for Mauban pier. Along the way, your tricycle driver will drop you off to a tourism outpost for a necessary registration prior to boarding a passenger boat for the island.

Reaching the island on a budget is easy, especially if you're coming from Metro Manila.

Don't wait for the beach to come to you because it will never happen. Some escapes are just meant to be pursued like the allure of Cagbalete Island.

A part of Cagbalete Island where Villa Noe Beach Resort is

Villa Noe Beach Resort

Official website of Villa Noe Beach Resort

Address: Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon Province, Philippines
Mobile: 0921-784-9062 or 0905-205-4348 or 0905-472-8901

More Photos Below:

Island breakfast at the resort

The vast rock expanse of Bonsai Islet

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Come To Quezon Province: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 1 For Download

February 19, 2017, 3:47 pm

≫ Next: Albay-Bound: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 2 For Download

≪ Previous: Villa Noe Beach Resort: A Must-Book On Cagbalete Island

Attractions to discover in Quezon Province: Lucban's Paskong Payas, Burdeos' Binumbunan Island and Ginatungan Rock Formation, Cagbalete Island, Lulumnan Beach and Maktang Beach of General Nakar, Masanga Coves and more.

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Albay-Bound: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 2 For Download

March 25, 2017, 3:38 pm

≫ Next: Cagayan Calling: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 3 For Download

≪ Previous: Come To Quezon Province: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 1 For Download

Attractions to discover in Albay: Pinamuntugan Island, Guinanayan Island, the blacksmiths of Cobo, Bicol Adventure ATV, Mayon Volcano, Legazpi City port, Pinangat, Quitinday Green Hills and more.

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Cagayan Calling: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 3 For Download

April 15, 2017, 3:43 pm

≫ Next: Primo's Restaurant and Catering: Ligao City's Delicious Spot In Albay

≪ Previous: Albay-Bound: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 2 For Download

Attractions to discover in Cagayan: Palaui Island, Laglagto River, Duba Cave, Aparri fishing and its public market scene, Callao Cave and more.

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Primo's Restaurant and Catering: Ligao City's Delicious Spot In Albay

May 2, 2017, 3:37 am

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Primo's chef

Any location in Albay where there's an enthralling view of the Mayon Volcano is enough reason for you to visit the province. However, her volcanic majesty is quite temperamental in that she makes herself visible only whenever she wants to. Or when the weather conditions are right. Old folks would even opine that she only reveals herself to those with pure heart.

This is why Ligao City has always been a bit lackluster for me compared to Legazpi City because being stranded in the latter when Mayon refuses to be seen always lets me enjoy other attractions like restaurants and parks. As for the former, I can only muse about its Kawa-kawa Hill and its sunflower farm. This was the case until I recently revisited the city that's eight hours from Metro Manila for a wedding of a relative. I discovered that a new budget hotel had just opened and its affiliate F&B called Primo's Restaurant and Catering was graced by none other than the country's Department of Agriculture secretary, Manny Piñol, when it opened. Finally, the city's residents and tourists have a decent restaurant as option to the typical fast food joints and so-so highway eateries.

Cornflakes-coated Prawns

Lumpiang Laing (Spring Rolls)

Citrus Caesar Salad

Crispy Pata

Primo's 101

Primo's Restaurant and Catering is located at the ground floor of David Hometel. The location used to be just a vacant lot along Washington Street in Barangay Guilid. Parking space is available for those on a road trip en route to Legazpi City from Manila or Quezon Province. A floor above it, at the common terrace of the establishment, both Mount Masaraga and Mount Mayon can be seen on a good day without much visual obstruction.

It's air-conditioned and seats are comfy for a relaxing meal any time of the day. What's more, the dining area is designed to showcase the open kitchen where the restaurant's chef and cooks perform their kitchen skills. At least, there's something spectacular to see inside if both Masaraga and Mayon are stuck outdoors in an invisible rut.

A floor above it, at the common terrace of the establishment, both Mount Masaraga and Mount Mayon can be seen on a good day without much visual obstruction.

Mayon Volcano

A Primo's feast for lunch

Mount Masaraga

With my cousin, Hazel, one floor above the resto at David Hometel

Evolving Menu

The menu is a conservative mix of local and international dishes, with local fare pulling more muscle in the selection. When I dined with my relatives at the restaurant, my jet-setting cousin even ordered the resto's version of Indonesia's Satay and Nasi Goreng which tasted quite interesting given that it was my first time to try them. The rest of our orders leaned more on traditional Filipino cuisine from Crispy Pata, Beef Bulalo to Stir-Fried Chop Suey.

According to the restaurant's chef who used to work for Dusit Thani Manila, he intends to add more international dishes in the menu aside from what's currently being offered.

Beef Bulalo

Stir-Fried Chop Suey

Dining with the Ritual Family

With my cousin, John, who was billeted at David Hometel for his wedding

Memorable Dishes

We also ordered a couple of odd dishes (at least to me) namely the Cornflakes-coated Prawns and Crispy Spring Rolls that were stuffed with laing instead of the traditional combo of pork and shrimp or beef with seafood (some even have tofu). In my opinion, it's just reasonable to showcase a laing-oriented dish in the menu since Bicolanos are known to have a strong affinity for coconut milk and chili peppers. The Lumpiang Laing we had was quite memorable for being what it was. More than an appetizing vegetable dish, it's locally inventive. As for the Cornflakes-coated Prawns which is known by others as Cereal Butter Prawns, it's just as appetizing. Bites off of it rendered strong flavors in the mouth and I loved the contrasting texture of the cornflakes' crispiness, the succulent shrimp, and the mild sweetness of the mayo. It's something that I won't hesitate to order for a revisit.

Lastly, one of the reasons why I consider Primo's to be on a good start is because of its take on the traditional Caesar Salad. Its Citrus Caesar Salad was quite flavorful and nothing like I've tasted in a lot of random restaurants in Metro Manila. The green lettuce was crisp and tasted fresh along with the cherry tomatoes, herb croutons, bacon bits, parmesan cheese and citrus Caesar. It's truly an appetizer that's worth ordering in the middle of nowhere.

After that sumptuous meal at Primo's Restaurant and Catering, I consider Ligao City as a destination that's finally waking up to a delicious present.

Primo's Restaurant and Catering

Official Facebook fan page of Primo's Restaurant and Catering

Address: David Hometel, Washington St., Barangay Guilid, Ligao City, Albay, Philippines

Mobile: 0917-566-0189

Check out my visit of Ligao City'ssunflower farmhere.

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What To Order At Buffalo Swing Cafe: Pizza, Pasta, Wings and More

May 6, 2017, 10:02 pm

≫ Next: Beyond The Bataan You Know: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 4 For Download

≪ Previous: Primo's Restaurant and Catering: Ligao City's Delicious Spot In Albay

Chicken BBQ Corn Pizza by Buffalo Swing Cafe

You may know Pasig City to be the home of Kapitolyo, a popular dining district of international flavors among foodies. What many don't know is that just a 20 to 30-minute drive away is a community at the city proper where homegrown dining institutions can also be found. One of them is the local favorite Buffalo Swing Cafe (BSC), a neighborhood-style restaurant that's located along Dr. Sixto Avenue in Caniogan, just past the Riverfront Residences if you're coming from the direction of Rizal High School. From Rosario or Ugong, it's easily a 10-minute drive away.

For the past year, more and more Pasig City residents trooped to Buffalo Swing Cafe for its pizza, pasta and wings. From time to time, young couples and students have also found the restaurant to be a great hangout over desserts and milkshake. As for patrons, some of them dine at least twice a week just to satiate their craving for unique chicken wing flavors that BSC is best known for. The best-seller is probably the irresistible Spicy Salted Egg Wings.

As a long-time resident of the city, I've seen a lot of hole-in-the-wall dining joints close down only after a year of operation. BSC, for some bizarre reason (at least for those who have not tried it yet), still stands today near the congested city center unchallenged not even by fast food chain quality food. The community palate seems to still gravitate towards home-cooked and uniquely crafted dishes, all of which BSC offers.

Here are three exciting reasons why Buffalo Swing Cafe works as a dining spot in cutthroat Pasig City:

Honey Soy Wings

Butter Parmesan Wings

Spicy Salted Egg Wings

1. Unique Chicken and Pasta Flavors

For the longest time, its Butter Parmesan-flavored wings took the spotlight among diners. When the crowd-favorite Spicy Salted Eggs Wings became available, it became the star. For some, a great alternative to the two is the oriental-tasting Honey Soy Wings which brings any local foodie kitchen memories of home-cooked meals. The sesame seeds are just something extra on top of the solid flavor. If you're after intense spicy flavors, though, the Hot Buffalo Swing is highly recommended.

Shrimp Pesto

To make your dining more hefty, you can order the health buff-fave Shrimp Pesto or the Mac 'N' Cheese which is popular with kids.

Should you and your friends have a need to indulge on a 40-piece tray of BSC's chicken wings or pasta for a special occasion, the restaurant has party packs. Simply contact the phone number at the bottom of this article to order.

Chicken BBQ Corn Pizza

2. Extraordinary Pizza Flavors

BSC has a panoply of pizza flavors from Pepperoni to Bacon and Mushroom, but one that's fast becoming a must-order by diners is its Chicken BBQ Corn Pizza. Ask any Pasig City resident who's into the popular Italian fare and they'll opine that the fresh ingredients and the style of preparation at BSC make all the difference in the high-grade taste.

Brownie a la Mode

French Press Coffee

Vietnamese Coffee

Blueberry Cheesecake

3. Terrific Desserts and Hot Drinks

Hot Chocolate Milk

Being a cafe, BSC also has hot drinks and desserts which is almost devoid at the city proper. The nearest Starbucks is way up in Oranbo and there's a so-so cafe serving forgettable cake and coffee in Kapasigan, so the best spot to have a cuppa or a sweet order of anything is in Caniogan where the restaurant is.

You'll be surprised to know that BSC serves Hot Vietnamese Coffee for the well-traveled coffee aficionado and French Press Coffee for those who have the affinity for the classic.

If you're into something sweet, it also has Hot Milk Chocolate. At BSC, chocolate callets are served in a heat-resistant glass where you can pour the accompanying hot milk for an indulgent, rich, creamy experience. That way, one can have a real chocolate drink. The result: superiority in taste as well as a thicker and richer texture.

To add to your drinking experience, order the restaurant's Brownie a la Mode or a Blueberry Cheesecake.

Still not sure what to order at Buffalo Swing Cafe when you're in Pasig City? Maybe it's time to visit the restaurant yourself and finally taste the neighborhood hit that's BSC.

Photography by Aubrey Gacer

Where To Find Buffalo Swing Cafe in Pasig City?

Buffalo Swing Café

Official Facebook fan page of Buffalo Swing Café

Address: #363 Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Caniogan cor. Liwayway St., Pasig City, Philippines

Hours of Operation:

(Mon-Sat) 10:00am - 10:00pm

(Sun) 11:00am - 10:00pm

Phone: (02) 641-2561 and (02) 341-5288

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Beyond The Bataan You Know: Turista Trails E-Zine Issue 4 For Download

May 9, 2017, 5:07 am

≫ Next: A Feast of Lechon Gallena By Leonardo's Lechon and Various Pinoy Dishes at Trellis

≪ Previous: What To Order At Buffalo Swing Cafe: Pizza, Pasta, Wings and More

Attractions to discover in Bataan: Bataan National Park, Pasukulan Falls, Vista Tala Resort and Recreational Park, The Plaza Hotel Balanga, Amanda's Marine Products, Geno's Ice Cream, Bataan Tourism Center, Westnuk Beach, La Salle Beach, Stella Mariz Beach and more

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A Feast of Lechon Gallena By Leonardo's Lechon and Various Pinoy Dishes at Trellis

May 16, 2017, 7:29 am

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It's almost impossible to not have lechon in any Filipino party. The whole roasted pig symbolizes the delicious revelry over milestones from a family member's graduation to someone's homecoming. The achievement can be anything for as long as it merits the gathering of loved ones over something as delicious as lechon. In the Philippines, it's always the star of the feast and dining guests queue more than once towards the venue's lechon carving station just to have a plate of its crispy skin and succulent meat.

Lunch of Lechon and More At Trellis

Since the month of May is considered a time of fiestas, a special lunch of crispy lechon and various Filipino dishes was arranged by a friend at Trellis. The restaurant in Quezon City was the venue of a feast that included the stellar presence of the unique Lechon Gallena by Leonardo's Lechon. If you still don't know, the brand is a leading lechon distributor and has been for more than 70 years in San Juan even before it officially became a city.

Hello, Lechon Gallena!

The Lechon Gallena is truly unique for being stuffed with flavors that one won't normally expect. Once carved open, the pit-roasted treat will show you herbs and spices, potatoes, and even whole chickens. It's that loaded with more than just the roasted body. The good news is that it's just one lechon variant from a list of other variants that include the carnivore and the drunken lechon which you can also order at Leonardo's Lechon.

With Lechon Gallena, you're not just in for a delicious surprise. You're also bound to be satisfied by its quality that pedestrian-tasting lechon brands in Metro Manila can't provide. It's crispy-crackling on the outside and succulent-savory on the inside. There's a heightened richness in flavor when feasting over a Lechon Gallena regardless of the lechon size ordered.

There's a heightened richness in flavor when feasting over a Lechon Gallena regardless of the lechon size ordered.

Dinuguan

Simply dip a piece of that treat on an accompanying liver sauce and you're good to go. It's definitely more than a taste of the traditional Lechon Tagalog. If that loaded surprise doesn't match the extravagant reason for the party, whatever milestone that may be, I don't know what else will!

Lechon Sizes To Order

Order one depending on your party need. For intimate gatherings, a De Leche (3 to 4 kg.) or Small (5 to 8 kg.) will satisfy the dining troop. For bigger parties, you may opt for Medium (30 to 60 kg.) or Large (60 to 100 kg.). The Lechon Gallena is available in De Leche (great for 10 to 15 people) for Php5,300 and Large (more than 80 people) for Php11,600.

Dinuguan Bonus

A terrific bonus per lechon order is the inclusion of the supplier's tasty Dinuguan, another Filipino party staple. Now, that's a real treat that's worth your money!

A terrific bonus per lechon order is the inclusion of the supplier's tasty Dinuguan

Kare-kare

Pork Sisig

Buro

Upping the ante of the feast is the set of Filipino dishes that were served at Trellis.

Full-blown Fiesta At Trellis

Upping the ante of the feast is the set of Filipino dishes that were served at Trellis. This is because the fiesta mood wouldn't be complete without the presence of other dishes. At the lunch venue, party diners were treated to a sizzling plate of Pork Sisig, the appetizing Kapampangan-favorite Buro (Tagalog for "preserve") and a hefty version of its signature Kare-kare which was actually prepared with real peanuts.

If you're in Manila and suddenly have an appetite for lechon, you no longer have to fly all the way to Cebu for one. Leonardo's Lechon can satiate your craving. With Nard Aquino at the helm of the business, the family tradition of offering patrons the crispiest skin on the right sliver of fat and juiciest pork continues and can still be relied upon for more parties to come.

For lechon orders, call Leonardo's Lechon at (02) 724-3068. For more information, you may also check its official websitehere. Distributor address: 89 J. Basa Street, San Juan City, Philippines

You can reach Trellis at (02) 924-1057. Restaurant address: 40 Matalino St., corner Kalayaan Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Photography by Aubrey Gacer

More Photos Below:

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The Virtus Awards Making A Mark In The Tourism Industry

May 18, 2017, 11:14 am

≫ Next: 12 Pasig City Hotels To Book, Rain Or Shine

≪ Previous: A Feast of Lechon Gallena By Leonardo's Lechon and Various Pinoy Dishes at Trellis

Margie Munsayac, HSMA President (leftmost) and Rose Libongco (rightmost) flank the 2016 Virtus Awards winners – (left-right) Marivic Recio of The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Ma. Trixie Ong of Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila, June Kelly Ichinomiya of The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, and Ann Olalo of Radisson Blu Cebu

The Virtus Awards’ quest for creativity, innovation and excellence is now on its third year. The multi-category competition offers a unique platform among hotel sales and marketing professionals in the country to tell their stories of excellence and success that resonate well beyond the hotel and resort industry. It acknowledges customer and business-focused strategies as well as innovative and creative programs that bring about measurable results and return on investments to their properties. The Virtus Awards is designed to shift paradigms in hospitality excellence.

The Virtus Awards was launched in 2015 by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) in collaboration with industry stakeholders. There are three individual awards and one corporate award given out once a year. The individual awards (Associate, Manager and Leader) cover positions in room sales, events management, catering, reservation, public relations and communications, and revenue management. The corporate award recognizes the most outstanding marketing campaign that is built around a single, unified theme.

As the HSMA continues to grow, with 80 member-properties to-date, “the Virtus Awards has propelled the HSMA into another level of advocacy and raised the bar in the delivery of its objective of motivating and encouraging excellence among its ranks.”, quips Ms. Rose Libongco, Chairperson of the Virtus Awards. Rose further adds that “through the annual competition, we hope to ignite the passion and drive of hotels and resorts through their all-important sales and marketing team to excite the market, deliver vigorous business, make hearts beat a little faster, and yes, shake our world.”

Last year, winners were announced in a glittering Awards Ceremony that took place at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center. Ma. Trixie Ong, Sales Accounts and Events Executive of Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila bagged the Associate category while the winners for the Manager and Leader categories both came from The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts - June Kelly Ichinomiya, Assistant Director of Sales for the Japanese Market and Marivic Recio, Group Director of Sales and Marketing, respectively. Radisson Blu Cebu’s “Something Blu, A Wedding of a Kind” was adjudged the most outstanding marketing campaign for 2016. The campaign harnessed customer insights and competitive scanning, combined with creative execution, made a fresh approach possible to a regular topic such as weddings.

“Excellence is one of the most powerful tools in a manager’s toolkit. It is intangible but it produces very tangible results. Also, when you have had a taste of excellence, you cannot go back to mediocrity”, notes Ms. Margie Munsayac, HSMA President.

With a stellar cast of industry leaders and influencers as judges and the steadfast support of industry partners led by the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies, the Virtus Awards gears up to yet another year of celebrating excellence in hotel sales and marketing. Margie adds “The Virtus Awards simply reminds us that perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence. The HSMA will continue to forge ahead to make the Virtus Awards leave a mark and the winners be true exemplars of the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Deadline for the submission of Nomination forms is on 15 August 2017. Visit www.hsmaph.com for details or call the Virtus Awards Secretariat at (632) 926.0224 or 0917.8274518.

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12 Pasig City Hotels To Book, Rain Or Shine

May 21, 2017, 11:03 am

≫ Next: New Cravings of Tuyo Pasta and Bottled Gourmet Tuyo

≪ Previous: The Virtus Awards Making A Mark In The Tourism Industry

Pasig City is just 17 kilometers from the international airport in Metro Manila which makes it more tourist-friendly than neighboring cities like San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City. On a good day without traffic, the drive from the airport to the city proper of Pasig can only be 30 minutes. However, this becomes an hour or so since traffic has recently been unbearable. As it is, the city is accessible from the airport which has led districts of it to open hotels that range from budget to luxury. The number of such establishments have increased in the past decade so much so that even residents have learned to appreciate their presence by booking them for weekend staycation or special events.

Most of the luxury hotels can be found in Ortigas Center while the boutique and budget hotel brands have decided to take the vantage points near the city proper where most residents are. From unobstructed city views, swimming pool, to cozy restaurants, the hotel experience can vary depending on the type of room and the hotel location.

Check out the following hotels that you can book in Pasig City for your next getaway, layover or long stay:

1. Ace Hotel & Suites

Location: United St. corner Brixton St. in Kapitolyo
Advantage: It has a fully operational water spa that attracts weary travelers who love experiencing its hydrotherapy massage while booked at a relaxing room at the hotel. What's more, it's a stroll away from a variety of unique restaurants in the dining district of Kapitolyo and the nearby Capitol Commons. Book a room.

Ace Hotel & Suites

Book now.

2. Aruga at The Grove

Location: 117 E. Rodriquez Jr., Bgy. Ugong, C5
Advantage: It's located along C5 which is the major thoroughfare that vehicles ply from the international airport to reach Pasig City. Just across it is the commercial complex of Tiendesitas where guests can go on a shopping spree and food trip. Book a room.

Aruga at The Grove courtesy of Arugaatthegrove.com

Book now.

3. Astoria Plaza

Location: 15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center
Advantage: It's smack dab right in the middle of the Ortigas Business District where more than a couple of malls stand. There are also a variety of restaurants to choose from within the vicinity of the hotel. Book a room.

Astoria Plaza courtesy of Astoriaplaza.com

Book now.

4. Discovery Suites

Location: 25 ADB Ave. Ortigas Center
Advantage: Just across a mall called The Podium and a stroll away from Megamall is this luxury hotel which is highly preferred by travelers on long stay because of its well-appointed rooms. Book a room.

Discovery Suites

Book now.

5. Go Hotels Ortigas

Location: Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha, Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Brgy. San Antonio
Advantage: Apart from having courteous staff members, this budget hotel offers affordable room rates that can go as low as Php588 depending on the time of booking for a projected check-in time period or when there is a flash sale. Book a room.

A standard room at Go Hotels Ortigas

(left) Shower area at Go Hotels Ortigas; (right) The city view from the room

Go Hotels Ortigas courtesy of Gohotels.ph

Book now.

6. Holiday Inn Manila Galleria

Location: One ADB Ave., Ortigas Center
Advantage: The Holiday Inn brand is well-known in the hospitality industry to be reliable when it comes to relaxing stays, so its good reputation can instantly make you feel at ease upon check-in. What's more, it's just next to Robinsons Galleria where guests can conveniently shop, dine, and see a movie. Book a room.

Holiday Inn Manila Galleria courtesy of IHG.com

Book now.

7. Linden Suites

Location: 37 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center
Advantage: It's highly accessible from the city proper of Pasig for staycations. Also, it's a stroll away from Megamall which makes it tourist-friendly. It's just a few turns away from EDSA where vehicles from the international airport can decide to traverse instead of the other route via C5. Book a room.

Linden Suites courtesy of Lindensuites.com

Book now.

8. Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila

Location: 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Advantage: For its location in the middle of the bustling Ortigas Center, this hotel is easily a great choice for travelers on business or business-savvy individuals on long stay. It's also tourist-friendly for being a stroll away from three major malls in the area, namely Robinsons Galleria, The Podium, and Megamall. Book a room.

Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila courtesy of Oakwoodpremiermanila.com

Book now.

9. Privato Hotel

Location: 706 Shaw Boulevard Extension
Advantage: This Italian-inspired business and lifestyle hotel is quite affordable for being where it is -- 20 minutes away from the city proper of Pasig and roughly 15 minutes away from EDSA. Room rates can go as low as Php1,800 depending on a promotion and it has a swimming pool, making it appealing to local residents who are after a staycation. Perhaps it's best advantage is being near restaurants in Kapitolyo, Capitol Commons and the food park called The Yard in Oranbo. Book a room.

Privato Hotel

Book now.

10. Richmonde Hotel

Location: 21 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center
Advantage: Similar to Linden Suites' advantage, this hotel is just a few turns away from EDSA and a 30-minute drive from the city proper of Pasig. And, since it's also a stroll away from Megamall, guests have the chance to shop, dine, and see movie while booked at the hotel. Book a room.

Richmonde Hotel courtesy of Richmondehotelortigas.com.ph

Book now.

11. The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Location: Exchange Road cor. Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center
Advantage: With a room rate for as low as Php1,800 and access to a swimming pool, this budget hotel is easily a Pasig City resident's choice for staycation in Ortigas Center. It's just a stroll away from the newly-opened Ayala The 30th where guests can shop, dine, and see a movie. Book a room.

The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel

Book now.

12. The Malayan Plaza Hotel

Location: ADB Avenue corner Opal Road, Ortigas Center
Advantage: With room rates that go as low as less than Php3,000 or even below Php2,500, this hotel is preferred by travelers from China and South Korea for being near major malls in Ortigas Center. It's in the same location as Oakwood Premier and Discovery Suites but for less the price. Book a room.

The Malayan Plaza Hotel

The Malayan Plaza Hotel courtesy of Themalayanplazahotel.com

Book now.

↧

New Cravings of Tuyo Pasta and Bottled Gourmet Tuyo

May 31, 2017, 1:28 pm

≫ Next: Karen's Kitchen in Kapitolyo: Great For Family and Romantic Meals

≪ Previous: 12 Pasig City Hotels To Book, Rain Or Shine

Foreigners have a love-and-hate relationship with dried herring or what is called “tuyo” in Tagalog because of its pungent smell when cooked. Most Filipinos, though, regard it as a staple breakfast. It’s easy to cook and quite cheap to have, making it a regular meal feature in a local household even in other times of the day.

With the recent makeover that it’s having as gourmet tuyo, the once scaly fish food has suddenly become a delicious bottled trend that even non-locals are raving about.

The Tuyo Reputation

Ask any Filipina who has a foreigner husband and she’ll lament of her struggle to consume dried herring in secret like it was some contraband substance. She can even be quite mindful of neighbors abroad who sometimes complain about the distinct smell of the fried fish.

Thanks to the wave of tuyo lovers nationwide who have mastered the way of stuffing descaled and pre-cooked versions of it in olive oil-filled mason jars, anybody can now appreciate the dish in gourmet format more than once in a day and even the whole week.

Gourmet Tuyo Fix In Pasig City

In Pasig City, Ingrid Mediarito of Ingrid’s Sweet Haven Pâtisserie & Baking Supplies has finally come up with her own version of the bottled treat after exploring the Philippines’ seafood capital of Roxas City in one of her business trips. Metro Manila-based gourmet tuyo lovers can now drop by her restaurant called Buffalo Swing Café in Caniogan and easily buy the product for more than Php100 per bottle.

New Dish: Tuyo Pasta

At Buffalo Swing Café, I’ve tasted the same content from the bottle via the restaurant’s Tuyo Pasta which made use of homemade pesto sauce. The pasta itself is firm and is an interestingly stubborn match to the initially overwhelming taste of the main flavor which is the dried herring. I particularly love the inclusion of tomato slices to balance the overall taste. After I finished the whole plate in just a few minutes, I realized that the bottled gourmet tuyo is not just great to have with steamed rice. It’s also sensational in pasta format!

Location of Buffalo Swing Cafe: Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave., corner Liwayway St., Caniogan, Pasig City
Phone: (02) 341-5288

Read more about Buffalo Swing Cafe here.

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Karen's Kitchen in Kapitolyo: Great For Family and Romantic Meals

June 11, 2017, 8:22 am

≫ Next: 4 Perfect Father's Day Gift Ideas

≪ Previous: New Cravings of Tuyo Pasta and Bottled Gourmet Tuyo

Karen Young of Karen 's Kitchen in Kapitolyo

We've all been so accustomed to our glaring smartphones and the mesmerizing muzak outside that we sometimes fail to appreciate meaningful meals. Chances are, you're reading this article while you're mindlessly snacking on something. Such has been the case with diners in Metro Manila even in the dining hub of Kapitolyo in Pasig City where foodies frequent for new dish discoveries.

Most restaurants here look attractive and provide customers with dining extras like Wi-Fi access and games. However, they are easily forgettable for having no character. One exemption, though, is Karen's Kitchen. It stands out for being down-home from its thoughtfully assembled menu which literally covers a whole wall next to its entrance to the charming dining area that can sit a total of 48 guests. Here, diners tend to set aside their gadgets and immerse in the joy of dining. For a duration of a meal, they find themselves connected to something comforting and delicious which is what really matters anyway.

Quiet Side of Kapitolyo

Located along San Rafael St. (behind KFC-Shaw and Privato Hotel) that's a quieter side of Kapitolyo, Karen's Kitchen is popular among foodies for its roster of cake flavors that include Chocolate Ganache, Caramel Mousse, Red Velvet Cake, Strawberry Shortcake and Frozen Brazo-Manila Vanilla. Its pasta flavors and traditional Filipino dishes are also beloved by patrons. The restaurant receives a lot of family diners but since it's just less than 30 minutes from the city proper of Pasig, it's also potentially an ideal date place for local diners who are looking for a romantic dining venue that's comforting to the senses.

Located along San Rafael St. (behind KFC-Shaw and Privato Hotel) that's a quieter side of Kapitolyo, Karen's Kitchen is popular among foodies for its roster of cake flavors...

Apple Cider Iced Tea

Chocolate Ganache

Mushroom Truffle Pasta

Mushroom Truffle Pasta and More

For my afternoon meal, I ordered one of the best-sellers called Mushroom Truffle Pasta. Its light creamy sauce grew on me as I forked halfway the hefty plate. It's definitely something that can be shared by two guests since it's quite flavorful. I paired it with a jar of Apple Cider Iced Tea which went down as a fantastic contrast to the creamy pasta. For dessert, I had the Chocolate Ganache and Sticky Toffee Pudding which equally tasted great with the Makabayan Coffee, a Benguet brew.

Charming Dining Area

One can take time dining here as the ambiance is like being in someone else's home which is neither intimidating nor overwhelming. Dining at the restaurant was like catching up with a good friend -- familiar yet filled with surprises -- because most of the decoration details are either reinvented or preserved. The dining tables, for instance, are actually repurposed sewing machine tables and the mini-chandeliers are decked with porcelain cups for light holders. What the whole space successfully does is drown out the neighborhood hustle outside to make the dining experience memorable. If you're with a date or with a family member, you'll tend to focus on the food and your company instead of your next scheduled activity.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Makabayan Coffee (Benguet arabica beans)

Memorable Detail

What I loved the most about the dining area is the presence of colorful placemats that have bible verses or positive messages. The placemat I had during my visit was one that lifted a part of the verse from the book of Ephesians (2:10): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Seeing the decorations reminded me of "Joy", a wonderful song by VaShawn Mitchell:

Joy by VaShawn Mitchell

There's beauty in my brokenness

I've got true love instead of pain

There's freedom though you've captured me

I've got joy instead of mourning

You give me joy

Down deep in my soul

Finally, dining in Kapitolyo is no longer just about being trendy. It's being true to the God-given, down-home character that a restaurant has which resonates more for me as a Pasig City resident who's constantly looking for meaningful meals.

Karen's Kitchen

Official website of Karen's Kitchen

Address: 17A San Rafael St., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Phone: (02) 696-3332/30 or 234-5118
Mobile: (0917) 539-4968

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4 Perfect Father's Day Gift Ideas

June 12, 2017, 3:32 pm

≫ Next: Spice Up Your Food Trip In Pasig City Via Roke Ramen At The Main Park

≪ Previous: Karen's Kitchen in Kapitolyo: Great For Family and Romantic Meals

Father’s Day is celebrated once a year to honor the fathers of our households whether with gifts and tokens or a meal fit for a king. Since we’ve become a society of revelry, the special occasion also alludes to father figures like uncles and mentors. And, do we have a lot of those in our lives! They all could have given that life-altering advice, but it’s their actions that ultimately set the perfect example that we all can emulate.

The whole month of June is the perfect time to plan for that special day. Take the time to plot a schedule so that you can secure your father’s elusive presence (assuming that he’s still working) for an intimate meal with the rest of the family.

In advance, visit the mall for potential gifts that your dad will love. It doesn’t always have to be something that he doesn’t have yet because most men are creatures of habit and collecting something is oftentimes the preferred hobby that they keep aside from being the master of the TV remote.

For convenience, you can shop online by visiting Gifts Less Ordinary (GLO) where there’s a variety of interesting products that are perfect for fathers of any age. Many items from the GLO Team’s selection can be personalised and come gift-wrapped to add that extra special touch.

To help you zero in on gift ideas that you can choose from, we’ve listed down at least four unique ones that we stumbled upon this leading one-stop marketplace:

1. Leather Bracelet with Engraved Clasp

Fathers don’t have to lose their unique personality with this leather accessory. It’s still masculine and makes a good alternative to a wrist watch. It can be his way of being sentimental about fatherhood because whenever he sees it on his wrist, he will always remember that you gave it to him on his special day.

2. Personalized Cafetiere

An ideal gift for a dad who loves coffee is this etched cafiterie. The coffee pot is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker inside a chrome-plated steel frame with a black polycarbonate handle. The best thing about this nifty item is that you can personalize it with your own words which is always an effective way of reminding him of your love in the morning, especially if you’re no longer living under one roof.

3. Personalized Luxury Leather Travel Wallet

Make your father feel that he has truly achieved great things with this travel wallet made of leather. The sentiment that he can get out of this item is that you’ve given him something to last for years because top quality leather is definitely a classic material for an accessory. More importantly, it’s useful to carry travel essentials such as passport, boarding cards, and currency.

4. Personalized Large Elegant Briefcase

For fathers who are still at it in the professional world, this elegant-looking briefcase that’s made of vegetable tanned leather will surely appeal as a valuable gift. This luxury item can hold plenty of work documents, files and even a laptop. The more it’s used, the more handsome it will look.

Don't hold back on giving your dads something extraordinary this Father's Day. For access to the full selection of products, visit Gifts Less Ordinary.

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Spice Up Your Food Trip In Pasig City Via Roke Ramen At The Main Park

June 18, 2017, 11:45 am

≫ Next: Go Loco For La Loca Mexican Cantina In Pasig City

≪ Previous: 4 Perfect Father's Day Gift Ideas

Food parks are all the craze in Metro Manila and have been for a few years now. Even progressive cities in the provinces like Bacolod City and Angeles City have them to the delight of locals. These are consumers who honestly want an alternative to fast food and fine dining once in a while. In Pasig City, one such food park is called The Main Park which just formally opened this June, 2017. And the first stall for visitors to see past the entrance and parking area is Roke Ramen, a stall that serves authentic Japanese ramen and don buri.

Located At The Main Park

Unlike some Japanese cuisine-oriented stalls that can be found in many parts of the city, Roke Ramen is ideally where it's supposed to be -- with an assemblage of other food stall brands that serve quality but affordable treats out of their food park-designed menu.

Most of the stall owners have quickly become friends in the course of getting signed up, preparing and operating their respective brands at the food park so much so that they regularly critique each other's dishes. Ask anyone from them and they have nothing to say about Roke Ramen except that it tastes authentic the way ramen should be. According to them, there's nothing street to it in terms of quality and this is making co-owner Gwen Roque fantasize about turning it into a full-fledged restaurant soon.

Budget For Bowls

While it's still in food park mode, Roke Ramen's meticulously curated menu entries can be had for a budget bracket of Php150+ to Php250+ from its don buri (Oyakodon, Torikatsudon and Gyudon) to its ramen flavors, respectively.

Ramen-irrific!

The list of ramen flavors is short at three choices but they're all available to appeal to unique tastes of the Japanese dish. The Black Garlic Shoyu (Php200+) is the best-seller for having a distinct taste. The Tonkotsu is what anybody new to ramen wants to order first because it's more neutral in taste. The Spicy Miso is the most flavorful of all the three even after minutes of letting the broth cool down. All of them are consistently filling as they're served in big bowls enough to be shared by at least two diners. The secret to authentic ramen, however, is not in the hefty serving but in the broth which Roke Ramen definitely gets right so far with every bowl served.

How Roke Ramen Got Started

The stall is owned by siblings Gwen and Leovir Roque whose family used to run a medical supplies business. When that fizzled out, Gwen decided to go into catering which led her to join The Main Park with her brother via a Japanese cuisine stall venture. According to her, the brand name -- Roke -- is a perfect Japanese version of their surname and a fun approach to making ramen available to foodies like her.

She remembers being able to only taste authentic ramen in pricey restaurants and she's always sorely disappointed with street stalls that serve the same version but for a forgettable taste. As a result of that experience, Roke Ramen was born.

Head on to Barangay San Miguel in Pasig City and make your road trip more interesting with a food stopover at The Main Park for a bowl of ramen and more at Roke Ramen. You won't be disappointed.

Roke Ramen

Official Facebook fan page of Roke Ramen

Address: The Main Park, Luis St. corner Mercedes Ave., Brgy. San Miguel, Pasig City, Philippines
Mobile: 0929-645-5931
The Main Park Hours of Operation: 4:00pm-12:00am daily

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Go Loco For La Loca Mexican Cantina In Pasig City

June 27, 2017, 12:58 pm

≫ Next: The Playfield Food Park At The Main Park: Pasig City's Tasty Secret

≪ Previous: Spice Up Your Food Trip In Pasig City Via Roke Ramen At The Main Park

A new Mexican cuisine-inspired food stall is making foodies crazy (in a good way) in Pasig City and at its helm is a chef who used to work for Nobu Manila. Co-owned by Chef Fara Pakdamanian, La Loca Mexican Cantina is not your ordinary taco nook. If anything, it serves a hefty taco that's as big as a person's face via its banner treat called La Loca Special. Ironically, the beast of a taco can be had in a food park environment where you can pair it with other orders of non-Mexican dishes from other stalls that serve Japanese, Italian, and Korean cuisines. At Chef Fara's food stall, though, you can go loco for Soft Taco, Quesadilla, Elote en Vaso, Burrito, Burrito Rice Platter and Nachos.

Taco Bucket For 3

As for the monstrous La Loca Special, it's fantastic for sharing by three people. It's amusingly served as a crispy tortilla bucket filled with savory layers of Mexican rice, beef corn carne, cheddar cheese, beef carnita, cajun chicken, the signature La Loca sauce, cheese sauce, cajun-buttered corn, cabbage, pico de gallo, pickled chilli and camote chips.

The whole shebang is truly Mexican for having a mélange of distinct flavors from tangy, savory to a kick of spiciness (a level that any sweet-loving Filipino can tolerate). The fried camote adds that unique snap and crunch to the savory treat. It's cheeky and crazy-delicious! What's more, the order comes with a liter of La Loca iced tea. Divide Php457 and each person on the table is only set back Php150+. What the La Loca Special can be is a dynamite of a shared treat by the foodie gang.

Check Out A Short Video of Chef Fara and His La Loca Special:

Mexican All The Way

If you're into other treats in the menu, you can go for the Soft Taco (Cajun Chicken or pulled beef with cabbage, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, La Loca sauce, pickled chilli and tomato salsa) or the Quesadilla (Cajun Chicken or pulled beef with caramelized onion, cheddar, mozzarella cheese, La Loca sauce, pickled chilli and tomato salsa) or the Elote en Vaso (cup of cajun-buttered corn kernels topped with La Loca sauce, cheese sauce and camote chips) or the Burrito (Cajun chicken or pulled beef, flour tortilla, Mexican rice, cabbage, pico de gallo with La Loca sauce and tomato salsa) or its rice platter version -- Burrito Rice Platter or, finally, the Nachos (Corn tortilla topped with beef con carne, pico de gallo, cheese sauce, La Loca sauce and pickled green chilli that's good for four people).

I certainly hope that Chef Fara seriously considers taking La Loca Mexican Cantina to the next level as a full-fledged restaurant soon once the food park scene has waned. Or he can muster the courage to go and do so even with the food park trend still in full-blast mode because the latter seems not to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Food Stall Location

The food stall can be found at the Playfield Food Park of The Main Park in Pasig City. It has enough parking for cars and the food park itself is cleverly designed to create an appetizing mood for meals.

Visit La Loca Mexican Cantina soon and taste what's crazy-delicious and new in Pasig City!

Photography by Josua Chan

La Loca Mexican Cantina

Official Facebook fan page of La Loca Mexican Cantina

Location: Playfield Food Park at The Main Park next to East Raya Gardens, along Luis St. near the corner of Mercedes Ave., Brgy. San Miguel, Pasig City, Philippines

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