Hi. I am Joseph Emmanuel E. Lim, a Licensed Architect by profession and an avid traveler by heart. My passion for travel has been greatly influenced by the profession that I a practice. Since my college days, I always had this fondness of the old world, of historic places, of ancient civilizations, and the intrigues and mysteries that come with it.
As a traveler, I consider myself a typical backpacker. My trips are low-cost and mostly solo, independent travel. I started my fondness for backpacking the year 2013, when I explored Southeast Asia for 30 days. Since then, It has become my goal to travel at least once a year, to a foreign city/country that I have never been before. I also made a goal to complete the 7 wonders of the world before I reach 40 years of age. But then, the pandemic came. So I might have to extend my timeline for that.
As a backpacker, I prefer small and laid-back towns over party destinations. I like waking up early for a stroll around public market and see how foreign communities start up their day. As of today, I have been to 46 UN recognized countries.
When visiting Davao, never ever leave our city without seeing the coral gardens and marine life of Samal and Talikod Island. And especially to first time Davao visitors, a day tour to our Coral Garden and Marine Park can smoothly be arranged for you by Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours.
The Coral Garden and Marine Park, around 45 minutes away from Davao City by boat, is located west of Talikud Island, and is dearly called “Linosutan” by local divers of Barangay Linosutan.
Divers are treated to a sight of hard and soft coral beds, tropical fish, garden eels, anemones of shrimps and the likes. For some thrill seekers, seeing banded sea snakes would be a highlight, but it is given of course that these marine lives are not supposed to be touched for conservation, as well as for safety.
In all honesty, I was hesitant at first to do diving. As all my friends know, I am not the best of the swimmers, and I never swim deep water without a floating vest. But Sir Darriel Quiogue of Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours, who is an avid diver himself, was good enough to talk me though it. All i needed was to be surrounded by experienced divers after all.
Fake smile. I was actually nervous to take the plunge! (Please don’t judge me. haha)
Although first timers do need to suck up some courage to begin with, intro diving does not really require a person to be super good at swimming. As arranged by Tide and Tribe, the intro diving is a “1 dive guide to 1 guest” policy; Each guest will be under capable hands of an assigned dive master. The intro dive can go 25 feet in depth. Each plunge would take around 20-30 minutes underwater.
Here are some of the snap shots taken by Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours. Indeed, diving first time is a surreal experience.
Me with Escape Manila, a fellow first timer. haha !An amazing experience of getting this close to the lush coral garden of Samal Island. This shot is at around 25 feet in depthHalf way through the diveOur fully equipped boat around Samal and Talikod Island
This amazing diving experience has been arranged by Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours, as part of the Two Day “Must-C” Davao package.
Apart from the two day package, the operator also offers a Three day package for broader Davao experience. They can also design special tours upon client’s requests. Get to know the operators by reaching through the following links below.
Here is something interesting to do on your Davao visit this summer. Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours has recently launched its creatively designed Davao“Must-C’s” Tour Package. The “Must-C’s” (Must See’s) is a brainchild of tour operators Darriel and Catherine Quiogue, which is essentially a bundle of Davao specialties and attractions that coincidentally start with the letter C — chocolate, cheese, coffee, clams and coral garden for example.
Apart from the catchy tour banner, what made “Must-C’s” tour distinct is that it does not conclude on mainstream stops and activities, to which any visitor could have expected. Rather, the tour introduces the city with focus on cuisine, culture, and conservation, the three things that define and distinguish the Davao experience; Interesting enough even for Davao locals.
I was fortunate to experience first hand what Tide and Tribe had to offer. The trip turned out smooth and hassle free with a bundle of activities carefully arranged to keep up the adventure cravings of the guests. Here are the highlights of my awesome weekend getaway, as part of the Two Day Davao “Must-C’s” Tour Package.
Day 1
The Tour started off with a hearty cheese-tasting session at Malagos Farmhouse, A local chocolate, wine and cheese producer, where visitors will hear from the artisan cheese-maker herself, Olive Puentespina, how she makes her cheeses and how best to enjoy them.
The Ricotta Cheese, one of the three kinds of cheese served by Malagos Farmhouse for the tour. Ricotta curds are creamy white in appearance, slightly sweet in taste, and contain less fat.
My Plate full of different kinds of cheeses , locally made in Davao by Olive PuentespinaChitchat with Malagos Farmhouse’s cheese makers during the cheese tasting Session, arranged by Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours
The tour hies off to the Philippine Eagle sanctuary in Calinan (some country side in Davao) to get up close—really close–and personal with the magnificent national bird, the Philippine Eagle, and other birds of the sanctuary, with a Keeper’s Talk.
A Portrait of an Adult Female Philippine Eagle ; Such a fierce beauty.The Brahminy Kites are among the exotic birds protected by the Philippine Eagle SanctuaryStriking a pose with the Majestic Philippine Eagle
After the visit to the conservation center, lunch of catfish (hito) and barbeque awaits in a countryside setting in one of the many hitoan restaurants that line up this stretch of the road. Catfish(hito) farming is also a lucrative and sustainable industry here in Davao.
Heavy Lunch with Darriel and Catherine Quiogue and other bloggers at a catfish (Hito) farm, not very far from the Philippine Eagle SanctuaryThe House Specialty, Deep Fried Catfish, a personal Fave.
Next up is a visit to Rosit Cacao Farm, where visitors will learn more about Davao’s growing reputation in the chocolate world from the owner himself, Mr. Grover Rosit, who has trained many a cacao farmer here and abroad. We top off this tour with an interactive experience at tablea-making and hot chocolate tasting.
The Process of Producing Pure Cocao (Cocoa), locally known as TableyaSampling the Native Hot Chocolate drink . Freshly grounded and brewed in the Rosit Cacao Farm
Day 1 ends with a privately hosted dinner of home-cooked, spicy Kagan food, prepared women of the Kagan tribe, who will also share their dance and music with you. Kagan is one of the eleven indigenous tribes of Davao. And to cool down the fiery heat of the Kagan dishes, we give you Davao’s signature fruits and a surprise dessert, capped with fragrant, freshly roasted and brewed Kagan-style coffee.
Sampling a traditional meal from the Kagan Tribe of Davao. The Tininuan is an Indigenous spicy chicken dish sauteed in shredded/roasted coconut flesh. On the side is a Kagikit, a mildly spiced shedded fish dish. The Yellow rice prepared in coconut milk and turmeric.
Day 2
Day 2 is beach day! The tour will take an exclusive boat ride to the Malipano islands where you will spend the morning snorkeling at the protected marine habitat of our ‘taklobos’ or giant clams and its smaller relatives, with the help of the official snorkeling guides of this eco-tourism project of the Davao del Norte State College, the AdeCor United Fisherfolk Organization and the local government. There are 3500++ number of living clams in this sanctuary, for conservation. The Clam sanctuary is limitedly open to the public, and the best way to visit is through an organised tour. More pictures and details of this on my next post =)
A closer look at the Clams. Photo taken by Darriel and Cathy QuiogueThe shadows on the water are actually living clams, around 12 to 18 inches in width. Some are even bigger, which can be found in deeper water. There are 3500++ number of living clams in this sanctuary,for conservation.The Must-C Team =)
Sumptuous BBQ and seafood lunch is served after the snorkling session at the Clam Sanctuary, Samal Island.
A Heavy BBQ lunch at the beach is served after the snorkling session at the Clam Sanctuary.Comfi boat to take you around the best snorkling and diving spots in Samal Island, as arranged by Tide and Tribe Travel and ToursA relaxing boat ride along the coast of Samal is provided by Tides and Tribe Travel and Tours. The boat has a comfort room, a Kayak and snorkelling sets to use.
The highlight of Day 2 on the afternoon when visitors get to experience Intro Scuba Diving, as part of the tour package. Scuba diving is forbidden at the Giant Clam Sanctuary but it is certainly a must-do at the shallow reefs of Samal islands. Visitors will be in the capable hands of dive masters who will guide you and carry you along on an intro dive. More of this diving experience on my near future posts.
The First Time DiverThe first time diver enjoying the Lush Coral Garden of Samal Island , under the good hands of Tide and Tribe Travel and ToursFirst time Scuba Divers. More of this diving experience on my near future posts.
All that activity will surely make one hungry. The tour concludes on a gastronomic high with an eat-all-you-can dinner at a crab and seafood buffet, which is Davao is also famous for. =)
A Sumptuous feast of Crab and Shrimp, served buffet style, concludes the “Must-C’s” of Davao Tour package.
A Sumptuous feast of Crab and Shrimp, served buffet style, concludes the “Must-C’s” of Davao Tour package.
This amazing experience has been creatively designed and arranged by Tide and Tribe Travel and Tours.
Apart from the two day package, the operator also offers a Three day package for broader Davao experience. They can also design special tours upon client’s requests. Get to know the operators by reaching through the following links below.
Presenting my new Airlite Futon Comfort Bed by Uratex.
Airlite Futon is among the recently launched stylish portable bed series by Uratex Philippines. The bed features a 3D spacer fabric covering, a new cutting-edge technology that provides three dimensional ventilation all around the mattress.
The bed is conveniently foldable into three, with durable coated canvass material as base, to minimize dirt absorption. It also comes in a pouch for convenient storage and handling.
And as a promise of product quality, Airlite Futon is guaranteed for a period of five full years from the date of purchase against inherent defects under normal usage, thus assuring us of high quality foam.
Uratex Foam Incorporated is a home furnishing company specialized in quality beds and cushions, that are proudly Philippine made.
Uratex showroom in Davao City is located in National Road Corner. Belen Road, Brgy. Pampanga. Lanang, Davao City Get in touch with them through fb.com/UratexPhilippines and http://www.uratex.com.ph
Exactly a year ago, I travelled to Central Asia all by myself for around 3 weeks, and indeed it was the bravest travel experience I’ve had so far. I will never forget how it felt on my first few hours in Kolkata, with a feeling of thrill being at my farthest from home, hopping in a wonky public bus, the noise, cows lounging at the middle of the road, the smell of rubbed flowers and spices, and the cool bengal morning wind pinching my face… finally made me say I am in India, the Real India I was told about.
Recalling my previous backpacking to other Asian countries, people and things felt relatively similar to home, but my visit to Central Asia was that one scenario when almost everything really felt … foreign. Despite that feeling, I came prepared, and had been fortunate to meet and found comfort from kind locals and fellow backpackers in India and Nepal. Backpacking almost always make you feel uncertain, but the moment you find truthful kindness from people you come across, that’s when things feel positive, and that you can finally say you’ll be OK, and that your day will be awesome! Indeed, the concept of smile and kindness is universal, regardless of culture.
As a tribute to my Backpacking Central Asia 2014, here are my travelogue postcards to share how great things were back there. All shots were taken by me with my basic digicam . Feel free to share. =)
Feel free to check out my related blog posts re this backpacking trip.
After getting recommendations re this new Kebab place/hanging chicken in Obrero, finally I got the chance to dine at Espetada Food House, and it was a delight from the first bite.
Espetada is located along Sobrecary St., Bo. Obrero. , in that strip of eateries where Blue Carabao used to be located.
The humble mediterranean inspired food house, serves mainly grilled chicken and beef kebab, among other meat dishes. They also serve hummus/yogurt dips at fairly affordable price.
What’s unique about this food house is that the Chicken Espetada is served hanging on a metal stand, juicy hot and dripping to a plate of rice below it. Espetada is a Portuguese dish made usually of large chunks of beef or chicken rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick. To put it in simpler term, Espetada is meat on a stick – the Portuguese way (from Espetada FB Page). You also have a choice to make your espetada mild or spicy.
Beef Kebab is also another house specialty; Tender meat, smoky and spicy with a hint of curry flavor to it. This one is super good ,I really recommend. May Competitor na ang Majids. Goodluck !
Here are my personal faves. 🙂
Chicken Espetada set, the house specialty at an intro price of 100 pesosYummy Cheesy Dip at 75 pesos , good for sharingBeef Kebabs . 3 sticks at 75 pesos . Rice at 10 pesos. This one is super good . I can really recommend. May Competitor na ang Majids. Goodluck !
Beefs Hummus ( Greek Style spiced yogurt dip ) at 85 pesos. Good for sharing. Chicken fillet at 85 pesos
Espetada House of Hanging Chicken is open Tuesdays to Fridays at dinner time from 4PM to 12Mn Saturdays and Sundays from 12nn to 12Mn . Closed on Mondays.
They also serve mixed drinks by shot and by the pitcher . Would love to have that soon.
The Chicken Espetada in full presentation. Photo credit to Espetada FB pageEspetada Location Map. Photo Credits to Espetada FB page
This is an al fresco restaurant and they do not have wifi and posh services so ‘Wag Maarte’ , but food here is affordable and worthy of a recommendation. 🙂
For inquiries and bulk orders , contact 0908 969 8694.
Davao’s ‘skin health and care enthusiasts’ are excited in welcoming DERMAX Laser Center and DERMAX Skin Professional to our City.
Now, Davaoeños can get to experience the latest in skin care innovations through DERMAX Laser Center’s technology-focused treatment procedures. The center specializes treatment procedures such as anti-aging, skin whitening, tattoo removal, and their highly popular Diode laser hair removal service.
DERMAX Laser Center provides science-based skin care product line, the DERMAX Professional. DERMAX Professional products are formulated by award-winning chemist, DERMAX Laser Center Founder, Chairman and CEO Mr. Fred Reyes. He is the recipient of the 2008 Achievement Award conferred by the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies, and the 2011 Outstanding Professional Award in Chemistry from the Professional Regulations Commission.
Among the center’s best are clinical-strength products such as SoGentle Gel Cleanser for your sensitive skin that is Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free, and Fragrance-Free; NanoWhite Night Essence that helps even out discolorations on the face and neck; and Pink n’ Pout that creates youthful, smoother, fuller lips with lasting results though a combination of two multi-awarded and patent-pending innovations that add volume and improve the contour of the lips.
A Travel Essential : Dermax Professional UV Active Sunscreen Photo by Mr. Ian Garcia of M Magazine
UV Milk Anti-Aging Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ has a milky touch formula and provides maximum UVA/UVB daily sun protection. UV Gel Water-Based Sunscreen SPF 30+ PA++ provides sun protection for oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. And there’s the first of its kind, the sunscreen with “water-burst” technology where it is applied as lotion but will leave a cooling burst of moisture making your skin feeling fresh and moisturized. These are: UV Baby Water-Burst Sunscreen SPF 30+ PA++ that offers broad spectrum sun protection and is safe for kids and babies 6 months and older, and UV Active Water-Burst Sunscreen SPF 45+ PA+++ which is a water-resistant sunscreen perfect for those with active lifestyles.
DERMAX Laser Center held a press conference to launch its top-of-the-line clinic concept store in Seda Hotel, Davao City last February 7, 2015. Local media editors and reporters, as well as lifestyle and fashion Davao bloggers attended the press conference. Afterwards, DERMAX Laser Center opened its doors in Abreeza Mall where the ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing was graced by representatives from the local government, Abreeza Mall management, and other VIP attendees. DERMAX Laser Center Abreeza marks the skin care company’s second branch in the country.
The Dermax Professional Team with Special Guests from Davao City Council. Photo by Dermax Laser CenterDermax Laser Center’s Sleek Interiors, located at 3rd Floor, Abreeza Mall, DC. Photo by Dermax Laser Center
DERMAX Laser Centers proudly carry an inviting modern and clinical interior that is clean, simple and well-lit. It has individual treatment rooms for utmost privacy, which our discriminating clientele require. Courteous and friendly front desk personnel receive clients at the reception area. Doctors are available daily for consultation and doctor’s services. Well-versed Skin Consultants who are all fully trained nurses have years of experience in providing the best service every client deserves.
To know more about DERMAX Laser Center and DERMAX Professional products, visit our branches at the Level 3, Abreeza Mall, Davao City and Level 3, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. You may also contact us via email at info@dermaxpro.com or check out our website at www.uniqly.net/store/DERMAX.
With the Davao Bloggers’ Society at DERMAX Professional’s Launch last Feb. 7, 2015, at Seda Hotel, DC. Photo by Dermax Laser Center
I felt a bit excited that Airasia has re-launched its Cebu-Kota Kinabalu route, which will start flying this March 2015. Based on personal observation, Kota Kinabalu is the cheapest “International destination” ticket when coming from Cebu, and even from Manila. Promo Flights can go as low as 2,500 round trip all in when booked 2 months in advance, and it could even drop lower, depending on season. Mentioned ticket price however, excludes Phil. travel tax and terminal fees.
Heres a quick glimpse of how I lazily roamed around Kota Kinabalu for two days. This charming city was my last stop from backpacking Northern Borneo last year. A bit tired, I just let myself loosen a bit from my planned itinerary to just spend afternoons strolling along downtown’s waterfront parks and commercial strips, and enjoy the view of the Sunset , which was totally gorgeous by the way, The best sunset I’ve seen so far .
Day 0 — Strolling around waterfront park and seafood tripping
I arrived at KK half pass 4pm via 9 hours bus trip from Bandar Seri Bengawan, Brunei , which gave me enough time to check in and settle my things and immediately rushed to the waterfront park nearby . I was just in time to view this gorgeous Sunset . It was surreal =)Enjoy a bottle of beer while chilling on this deck by sunset.Enjoy fresh seafood from the nearby Market , and they call it “Filipino Market” because there are a lot of Filipino stall owners here.Affordable Halal BBQ Chicken .. you don’t see much of pork openly displayed in KK as the citizens here are mostly Muslim-Malay.More Seafood at the Filipino Market . And as a traveler coming from Mindanao, these are a bit pricey.
Day 1 – Dat trip to Palau Manukan Island , around 20 minutes from KK by speedboat for around 23 Ringgit ( 6USD) including necessary fees. Palau Manukan is the biggest and most developed among three public island beach resorts that can easily be reached from KK. Tourist can also visit nearby islands to do snorkeling/diving , for additional fees.
The view upon docking at Palau Manukan IslandA view of Kota Kinabalu Cityscape from afar . which is 20 minutes away by speedboatExpect to see a lot of Australians on the Beaches of KK, as there are daily flight routes connecting KK to different cities in Australia.The Jesselton Port, where Boats to neighboring islands are docked.
Authentic Malaysian Food
Sup Daging from nearby Malaysian Eatery. Sup Daging (Beef Soup) is an aromatic broth serve with either noodles, rice or flat bread.Beef and Chicken Satay with peanut sauceNasi lemak – considered as Malaysian national food, is a set of rice in coco milk (and sometimes with Pandan) , served with sambal (spicy sauce with shrimp paste), fried crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, Hard boiled egg and cucumber. Usually this set is paired with Ayam (Chicken)
Day 2 — Day trip to Mt. Kinabalu World Heritage Site, packaged tour cost around 130 Ringgit ( 36 USD ) with hotel pick up and buffet lunch . Any hotel in KK can arrange this for you. Other blogs also mentioned a DIY tour to this mountain park via public bus , which is around 2 hours from the city (90 kms.). If budget permits, then a Visit to this mountain park is still worthy to do =)
Behind me is the majestic Mount Kinabalu , the highest peak in archipelagic Southeast Asia, rising at 4,095 m. (Philippines’ Mt. Apo is at 2,954 m )Giant Insects still thrive in the protected areas of Mt. Kinabalu . Here in the frame is an actual Bornean stick insect.An actual mummified Giant Moth of Mt. Kinabalu , mostly are endangered species. some have already gone extinct due to over harvesting. so sad.Rafflesia Flower which thrives along the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu . This is around 15″ in diameter. Those in deeper woods can grow bigger.
Feast on Chinese Food in KK , as the Chinese holds a very strong influence in this Southeast Asian city. Hongkong Style Hawkers are almost on every corner.
Fishball soup and Teh Lou mee noodles , which is comparable to Filipino-Chinese Satemi , only that its more on the sweet side.Freshly squeezed lemonade with Kiamuy sinkers. Interesting !Hawkers Type Meal , a plate-full for around 5 Ringgit . 1.5 USDHongkong Style SkewersShaved – iced Durian ( not really ice cream, its just like durian milkshake , that has been freezed, then shredded and served )
Where I Stayed in Kota Kinabalu :
Travellers Light Backpackers Lodge at around 8 USD (Dorm Type) per night with light Breakfast and Unli Coffee/Tea , located at 19, Lorong Dewan, which was around 10 minutes walk to Jesselton Port and nearby Malls. The Lodge is owned by a Malaysian and his Filipina wife, Joy , whose from Iloilo .
The Lodge’s terrace where breakfast is served , and is usually visited by stray monkeys begging for a slice, which is kind of cute; But these ,monkeys don’t come near people so theres no point to be scared =)Having dinner with fellow backpackers from Spain and China , Hosted by the owner, Joy !
Roaming around KK is accessible via public Bus or Taxi .. buses to the international airport however are limited, which almost got me losing my flight. haha ! I’ll be more vigilant with schedules next time . =)
Closed counter . Buti nalang nadala sa pakiusap ! Took this shot after I checked in =)
Adding up to Davao City’s vast and growing options for food and dining, Cafe Tavera along Avancena Street is undoubtedly making waves as among the city’s most recent best. Launched 2013, the restaurant serves Filipino food with a contemporary twist; And not to mention a notable polished ambiance and great interiors, fit for intimate dining experience.
What I liked the most about Cafe Tavera is their wide range of Menu, from all sorts of live seafood to staple meat dishes, and they have quite a number of salad and appetizer choices, as well as vegetable dishes. Personally, I find Cafe Tavera a good option for Vegetarians, as well as non pork/red meat diners.
One thing I find unique with Cafe Tavera is on how they included Salted egg on Salads and special sauces , which I find very Filipino. Here are some of the restaurant’s best, which I personally loved and are worthy of a recommendation.
Paco Salad with green Mango and Salted Egg . Very Filipino ! A great alternative to the usual Ceasar Salad.Langka Bulad sa Gata. A staple Bisaya dish of green (young) jackfruit with Dried Fish chunks in Coconut milk sauce. Very FilipinoPrawns in White Sauce of Butter, spices and Salted Egg , which I find the taste new and very interesting ! A Must try. Big Crabs in Chili Garlic Sauce. A House specialtyCafe Tavera Imbao Soup ( A Type of Clam ) . This is among the best clam soup I tried ever. Unlike the usual Imbao soup, this has a bit of citrus-cy – lemon grass taste to it , which I find interesting. Another of Cafe Tavera’s contemporary twist.Dragonball ( Pork meat balls ) made to look cute and interesting . =)Cafe Tavera Tropical Delight ! good for sharingThe cakes station.
Apart from walk – in dining area, Cafe Tavera Also boasts function Rooms to cater meetings and private gatherings. Get touch with the restaurant through the following channels,
Finally , a full course Korean Buffet has just been launched by Korea Town Restaurant for all of Davao’s food enthusiasts. More than just unlimited Bulgogi, the buffet includes:
10 staple side dishes, unlimited serving of Kimbap ( Korean version of Maki), Kimchi soup, popular Korean street food like ddeokbokki (rice cake in spicy sauce) and Mandu (meat and vermicelli dumpling), 6-7 other popular korean meat dishes. All these for P 345.00.
Here are some of the snapshots I took to perk up your kimchi craving =)
Kimbap ( Korean version of Japanese Maki Roll ) The difference to Maki is that Kimbap usually has pickled vegetables in it. Kimbap is a popular street food in Korea.The buffet includes 10 Staple Korean Side dishes. Korean food lovers are probably familiar with these on the picture =)My top fave viands served were Jaeyook Bokum / Stir fried pork and kimchi (the reddish one on the saucer) and the Yangnyeom Tongdak/ spicy Korean Fried chicken . =)Beef Bulgogi . A bit filipinized in my opinion, but still good =)
My top fave viands served were Jaeyook Bokum / Stir fried pork and the Yangnyeom Tongdak/ spicy Korean Fried chicken . =) Kimbap and Mandu dumplings were also good. Some dishes were adjusted to filipino taste (less spicy than I expected), but overall, the buffet set is hearty and very filling. The buffet does not include tabletop grilling , as the bulgogi dishes are pre cooked and served on warmers.
The place is modest, and the attendants are in nice traditional Korean dresses. The Korean owner is also accommodating and very much willing to chitchat and introduce her dishes . No service charge on top of the bill.
Overall the place is worthy of a recommendation =)
Serving buffet only every payday / 15th and 30th of the month , it is ideal to have a table reserved by calling 082.285.2882 . Korea Town Restaurant is located at Victoria Plaza Compound , JP Laurel Ave. , Bajada , DC.
For Davaoeno’s , landing on Ilo-ilo City Airport would most likely be the easy, yet practical entry point to any of the provinces in Panay , and most particularly to Caticlan(Boracay Island). There are still no direct commercial flights from Mindanao to Caticlan and vice versa, at the moment, connecting flights from Davao through Manila then Caticlan (Boracay Island) would be too expensive.
Charming and rich, Ilo-ilo is not just a monotonous city for a short stop over . Boasting its affluent Ilonggo history, as well as its abundance with oysters, shellfish and other seafood, I say this city is also worthy of a leisurely visit for a day or two.
On my most recent visit to Boracay, I had a bonus chance to spend an overnight in Ilo-ilo before leaving for Negros the following day. Tired and time restraint, I opted to skip the usual historic tour. But I made sure to check on this city’s food scene, which should never be missed ! Here are some of the food trips I had around Ilo-ilo 🙂
First Stop, Lapaz Batchoy from the Original Branch of Deco’s at Lapaz Public Market,which has been serving this staple Ilonggo tummy warmer prior to WW2. ( 1936, as told to me by the staff) . This Super Special Batchoy (with everything on it ) costs around 80 Pesos. Deco’s is among the chains of batchoy restaurants in Ilo-ilo. Other chains have more branches , but I like Deco’s more for its taste.
Inside La Paz Market stands another Ilonggo staple , the Madge Coffee Shop serving Native Brewed Coffee. Don’t expect frappe on this old timer, as they only serve their original brew.Passed from one generation to the next, this coffee house still serves the original coffee concoction since 1951. A Cup of native brewed coffee costs 25 pesos. This is also worth a try =)
While having coffee, its also nice to sample some delectable kakanins native to the Ilonggo province.
Suman with Bukayo Topping . This is an ilonggo twist on the Pinoy staple sticky rice delicacy by adding sweetened coconut (buko) fillet . I never had such as this before back in Davao.Puto Gata, A Rice cake Delicacy. The maker used Coconut Milk instead of the usual milk. This is perfectly paired with Batchoy and Dinuguan ( pork blood stew )
The best part of my Ilo-ilo food trip was sampling their abundance on Oysters ! I dined at Samurai Restaurant, an affordable seafood and grill , very near to SM City. A Platter of Oyster , cooked in three ways ( Ginger-steamed , buttered , and Chili Garlic ). A Platter with 16 pcs only cost me 130 pesos ! Thats how cheap Oysters are in Ilo 2x.
Oyster Platter for only 130 pesos at Samurai RestaurantVegetables sauteed in Butter Garlic only costs 55 pesos . A Great Side dish.
I only had a few hours to roam around and sample Ilo-ilo’s fine tummy fillers , as such , the limited sharing. But definitely, Ilo-ilo is worth a re-visit. Even just for those delectable Steamed Oysters ! =)
__________000000___________
Transportation Ilo-ilo to Caticlan v.v.
Ilo-ilo to Caticlan (Boracay) and back is a smooth 6 hours by public “limited-stopped” bus. Ceres Bus line takes this route on vice versa, One departing bus every hour from 3 AM (first bus) to 6 PM ( last bus ) as of November 2014 , and costs around 350 Pesos per way , Air-conditioned .
Public Van transportation is also a usual option especially on night trips. But bus rides are recommended for safety .
Cheap Option to Stay in Ilo-ilo overnight
Fine Rock Hotel along Jalandoni St.Fine Rock Hotel Promo rates as of Nov. 2014 . Rooms are Ok . just right for its price. City Dorm , an0ther cheap option , just on the corner of Fine Rock Hotel . This one is probably the cheapest in the City. Dont expect much luxury
Have yourself a sweet and merry get together this season with these heavenly specialties, heart-fully baked by Mix N, Magic Cakes and Dessert Shop. We made these cakes extra special, and perfect for the coming holidays =)
Extra special Chocolate cake layered with Chocolate coated Waffle sticks . This is definitely a sweet and chocolatey Christmas in every bite. Specialty Cakes are priced at around 600 to 750 pesos.Our Best Selling Cupcakes . Ferrero , Cream Cheese Carrot and Red Velvet .. Mango Cream Cake. a personal Favourite of mine by Mix and Magic . Our Classic Chilled Mocha Cake . Artful in every angle . Round Cakes start at 469.00 Pesos. Cream coated Red Velvet Cake , also a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table =)Mix n Magic’s famous Ferrero Cup cakes . with Real ferrero Chocolate ball on top !
For over 18 years, Mix N’ Magic is proud and has remained to be the best Cake and Dessert Shop in my hometown, General Santos City. Just mid of this year , Mix N’ Magic has re-launched its cake and dessert specialties here in Davao, with the opening of its newly renovated outlet in Gaisano Mall of Davao. The diner is located at the Lower Ground Floor , fronting Grocery Area.
Mix N’ Magic Cakes and Dessert Shop at Gaisano Mall of Davao .
Mix N’ Magic also accepts Dessert Buffet services to perk up dinners and parties of any occasion. Get in touch with the branch for this.
From Vigan, I headed further up north to Laoag and lazily roamed around the city and nearby towns for 2 days. Laoag is 2 hours away from Vigan, and around 9 to 10 hours away from Metro Manila , both by public bus. There are comfortable buses that travel by night from Manila to Laoag , as well as the other way around , which I think is fairly ideal to do for budget conscious travelers, because it saves you a night stay at the hotel. Farinas Bus and Partas Bus leaves pasay on a scheduled trip.
I will be uploading a separate detailed post on recommended Ilocos backpacking budget , but for now , here are some of the highlights and the must do’s, inspired by my recent visit to Ilocos Norte:
Visit Bangui Windmills in the Morning . The Windmill complex is an iconic landmark of Ilocos province’s progressive state . Bangui is around an hour bus from Laoag City .
Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. You probably saw this on several Philippine tourism Ads , such as the “Biyahe Tayo” of Regine Velasquez from few years back. With 20 units wind turbines of 70-metre high, Bangui windmills Asia’s largest wind farm today, making Bangui the capital of green energy in the Philippines
Head further up north and spend lazy afternoon at Pagudpud Beach . This is another hour away from Bangui by bus + tricycle.
Calm and Clear shores of PagudpudThe white sand shore of Pagudpud is comparably as wide as Boracay. Not as fine though , but still very beautiful in such as way that its calm, and fairly unconsumed by resorts and commerce.Fellow Backpackers I met while travelling Ilocos Norte. Shout out to Vincent and the guys. Hola ! =)
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse . Along the way back to Laoag from Pagudpud by bus, drop by this charming lighthouse up the hills of Burgos , overlooking the mighty South China Sea. A lot of Filipino movies have been shot in this enchanting location.
The Mighty waves of South China Sea, crushing though the time formed cliffs of the North.
Lazy around the grounds and gardens of the Majestic Paoay Church , Preferably late afternoon, or ’til sun down, if you wish; Paoay is just 30-45 minutes away from Laoag by public jeepney. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this is probably the most photogenic church I have ever visited. It is also where the Filipino/ Thai movie “Suddenly Its Magic” was shot .
From Paoay, it is also just one tricycle ride away to the Malacanang of the North, a Pride of the Marcos Regime .
Sample Ilocano and international inspired Dishes at Rufino’s Restaurant just beside Paoay Church
Lechon Baka slices in Pita pockets . Yummy ! This is only 85 pesos per plate of 4 . ( as of 2014, that is )Ilocano Pakbet at 95 pesos per meal . Food is fairly affordable in Ilocos , even at restaurant that are a bit fancy and with a great view =)They call it Poki Poki , an ilocano delicacy … which is a battered- deep tried talong (eggplant) Rufino’s however turned theirs into bite sized balls.
Roam Around Laoag City on Foot , and sample grilled Batac Longanisa at Dap ayan food stalls along Rizal Street.
Saint William’s Cathedral in Downtown LaoagIlocos Norte Provincial CapitolSweet Buco Roll, hot and fresh from the oven . This one is really yummy and has recently became a popular item for pasalubong , as per some locals. This Buco Roll Bakery is just at the front of Farinas Bus terminal, and is open 24 hoursSample some yummy Batac Longanisa ( Ilocos Norte’s own ) This Longganisa is a bit milder in taste an smell, compared to Pampanga’s and the usual other Filipino Longganisas.
Visit Ilocos Museum and Check out Food stalls and cafes at the compound of the Museum.
Food Market just beside Ilocos Museum.Johnny’s Pasta with generous seafood toppings , from Johnny Moon’s Cafe . which is as well at the compound of Ilocos MuseumJohnny Moon Cafe , serves Laoag’s contemporary twist on ilocano dishes. The name is keenly thought and derived from one of Philippines’ National Heroes, Juan Luna , who is also from the province of Ilocos NorteFish taco from taco del norte . A good light snack after visiting Ilocos Museum
Where I Stayed : Texicano Hotel along Rizal Street, just stone throws away from Farinas bus Terminal. Rooms start at 350 pesos , Ideal for backpackers. Will upload a separate article for suggested cost, stay tuned =)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines, November 24, 2014 Trust is undeniably an intangible asset that makes an organization a powerhouse. Trust makes past and present generation of customers patronize a product or a service. It is the core value that keeps an organization rooted, grounded, and even impervious to any crisis, from envious competitors to economic crashes.
Photo provided by Uratex Website uratex.com.ph . credits to the owner
Trust has empowered Uratex to grow immensely in over 46 years, from a modest company to a highly respected leader with an influence and loyal customer base here and abroad. Partners, suppliers, and colleagues associate the brand with ingenuity, innovation, reliability, endurance, and a dedicated customer service. Recently, and for the sixth consecutive year, Uratex won the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Platinum Award 2014, an Asia-wide survey running for 15 years now. It covers a wide array of industries, where winners are chosen based on trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.
A passion for excellence characterizes its products. Innovations like the “Quali-5 Cellular Technology” make sure that Uratex foams are undeniably top-notch and world-class, shows the company’s strong adherence to quality; its quality assurance through its ISO-9001 certified facilities; world-class equipment; superior formulation and process engineering technology; and usage of best raw materials.
Photo provided by Uratex Website uratex.com.ph . credits to the owner
It is therefore no surprise that Uratex has become the country’s largest manufacturer of commercial and automotive polyurethane foam products. Uratex is the flagship brand of the RGC Group of Companies, made up of RGC Textile Manufacturing Corporation, Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Corporation; and Inoac Philippines, a joint venture with Inoac of Japan, and the RGC Foam Group, composed of Polyfoam-RGC International Corporation, Multiflex RNC Philippines, Inc., and Polyflex Industries. These companies and its 16 first-rate plants are responsible for bringing to the Philippine market high-quality and high value-for-money foam and other products nationwide.
RGC Foam Group is part of the RGC Group of Companies, one of the most progressive manufacturers in the Philippines today. The Group’s thriving foam business began in 1968 when Robert Cheng realized his dream of producing high-quality foam. He founded Polyfoam Chemical Corporation and, later on, expanded into related businesses to address the growing needs of the automotive, furniture, bedding, footwear, textile, garment, and food industries.
“Davao is consistently recognized as one of the most important areas in the country with regard to economic success due to its thriving tourism and commercial industries. Having a Uratex showroom here is part of our earlier commitment of expanding our business here and in other regions and cities in the country. We are proud to be now a part of Davao as it treads toward progress and future development,” says Mr. Eddie Gallor, Vice President RGC Group of Companies.
Aside from being one of the most flourishing cities in the Philippines in terms of economic success, dynamic leadership and good governance, it is also an important growth area in the East Asian Growth Area or EAGA, a Southeast Asian regional economic enclave. Davao is known considered one of Mindanao’s financial hubs with a growing trade, commerce and industrial environment, and touted as the next most important destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) locators from Asia and the world, with around more than 20,000 full-time agents working in more than 20 BPO firms of various sizes.
It also has a thriving tourism industry that continues to draw foreign and domestic tourists, which contributed to the surge in the number of hotels, inns, resorts, and other hospitality-related establishments sprouting around the area.
And this is where Uratex sees the importance of the Davao market as it aims to supply world-class quality foam to travel-related establishments to ensure that their customers get very restful and healthful sleep. The same holds true for many Filipino households as for generations, mothers, homemakers, and individuals who hold sleep as a premium for their energetic lifestyle have always patronized Uratex mattresses.
It is this kind of quiet but solid, relentless support and trust that Uratex hopes to gain in Davao and the rest of the Philippines. Customers, clients, and partners have always recognized that it is their welfare that Uratex constantly keeps in mind – and it is their needs that the organization address in its continuing mission to innovate and develop its products.
DAVAO SHOWROOM
>>>>>>>>>>> National Road Corner Belen Road Brgy. Pampanga
Known for its Filipino old world charm, the City of Vigan has already become one of the most desired local tourist spot to visit here in the Philippines. A recognized Unesco World Heritage treasure, strolling around the old city’s cobblestone pavements and well preserved Spanish Era Architecture is such a nostalgic experience, giving visitors a feel of how days and nights were during the old days. In addition to that, Vigan is also the destination to enjoy authentic Ilocano cuisine , with restaurants and street side eateries serving Vigan longganisa, bagnet and empanada, to name a few specialties. In all honesty, Vigan is indeed a must visit for Filipinos; A “must experience”, at least once in our lives.
Vigan is a relatively small city around 8 hours away from Metro Manila by Bus. I stayed there for 2 days before heading to Laoag, which is around 2 hours further up North. With no particular and strict itinerary, I lazily roamed around the city by myself and spent late afternoon sipping coffee along Calle Crisologo. Travel is best spent when you really don’t have to rush time to see everything there is. A lazy walk on streets and local markets gives us travelers better chance to experience the vibe of the place more. =)
I will be uploading a separate post on recommended Ilocos backpacking budget , but for now , here are some of the highlights and the must do’s, inspired by my recent visit to Vigan:
Exploring the Famous Calle Crisologo – the center and the most well preserved part of Vigan’s Unesco World Heritage Protected Area
Calle Crisologo , ViganSample of Antique Displays along the road
Museum Visits and roaming around the rest of Vigan City Center on Foot. The city is relatively small and easy to navigate. However, the most interesting mode to see Vigan is on a Kalesa ( Horse Drawn Carriage ). The Kucheros are much willing to be a guide for P 150 per hour . Renting a bike is also a cute idea , any hotel can assist you on where to get one =)
The tower at the center Plaza Salcedo is somewhat historic , as this has been used to publicly execute criminals and rebels during the Spanish Era ; Gabriela Silang was among them. Today , this tower has become the centerpiece of the lively fountain park of the Plaza.Some interesting installments along the streets of ViganThis is what Tricycles / tuktuks look like in Vigan . Almost all of Vigan Tricycles were made to be artsy . =)The Unesco World Heritage MonumentA corner Cafe serving fried chicken since 1956. Chicken is delicious ! =)
Visit nearby town of Bantay to see the Old Church and Bell Tower. Bantay is just around 10 minutes tricycle ride from Calle Crisologo . I even managed to just walk from Bantay Church all the way back to Calle Crisologo for around 30 minutes. That was a leisurely late afternoon walk , and I got to cross the bridge on foot . =)
Centuries Old Bantay ChurchThe Bantay Bell Tower, which folks say, is slowly sinking down . This structure is relatively unrepaired for centuries now.A leisurely walk from Bantay Church to Vigan City CenterLighting of incense at Bantay Church as an offering to the departed loved ones.
Sample staple ilocano noodle specialties such as this Pancit Batil Patung. A mix of fine noodles topped with deep fried pork meat (Bagnet), vegetables, bean sprouts , chicharon and a sweet specialty sauce that has a mild but recognizable “patis” (Fish Sauce) taste in it . It also comes with a sunny side up on top. A nice garden restaurant just outside Bantay Church serves such good noodle dish for only 60 to 65 pesos.
Pancit Batil Patung for only 65 pesosThe Garden Restaurant serving pancit specialties, which is located just outside Bantay Church. This should not be missed.
Quest to find the best Vigan Empanada ( .. Or just my humble excuse to eat more empanada. haha ) Vigan Empanada is famous for its staple ilocano style filling of seasoned Vigan Longanisa (skinned) carrots, cabbage , and whole egg. I tried several empanadas and found the best one on an eatery in fron of Plaza Burgos, which was way better than the most publicized one along Calle Crisologo.
The best Empanada for me is found at an eatery fronting Plaza Burgos, prepared by Aling Peng. This one was more flavourful than other empanadas i tried .This is the Empanada at Irene’s along Calle Crisologo . Its just ” so-so ” , but the store location is good; As such, this one sells better .Another Sampling of Empanada just along the Park, this one is more meaty and it does not have an egg in it. The ones prepared by Aling Peng at Plaza Burgos is still better.Empanadas are fried fresh , basically everywhere in Vigan
Sample some Ilocano Pakbet, Sinanglaw ( Beef Innards in Clear soup ) and other local viands at the eateries along Plaza Burgos.
If I am not mistaken, Ilocano Pakbet is a bit oily, more of like stir fried but ma sarsa … unlike pakbet in Bisaya which is a bit saucy. Plus, Ilocano Pakbet always has crispy pork in it. =)Sinanglaw Beef Soup
Witness the Fountain Show at Plaza Salcedo every 7 pm in the evening.
Stroll around Calle Crisologo once more, and this time, in the evening . =)
Recommended Affordable Stay : Vigan Hotel , which is just behind Vigan Cathedral and the School . a few steps away from Calle Crisologo. A non air room costs only 400 pesos per night. This affordable option was recommended to me by Nik of Pinoyontheroad.com
Backpacking Laoag and the rest of Ilocos Norte is up next. Stay tuned =)
Adding up to Davao City’s exciting choices of restaurants serving sumptuous buffets, Al’s Kitchen 360° recently introduced its 249 Pesos comfort food buffet , available for lunch and dinner all Fridays and Saturdays. Located at the ground floor of Metro Lifestyle Complex along Torres Street corner Jacinto Street, Al’s Kitchen 360° is known and popular to Metro Lifestyle Gym goers as “Fruitea Master” food and drinks station serving pro-fitness beverages and post workout meals, as well as regular set meals served in big portions. And with the introduction of the 249 Pesos buffet, Davaoenos can now enjoy the restaurant’s specialties , “All you can Eat” Style.
For 249 pesos, diners get to enjoy a feast of the restaurant’s best, such as the seafood curry pasta (which is a personal fave ) and Beefy Pasta in Italian red sauce, among others . The Buffet also includes BBQ’ed meat , Chicken Fingers , a number of appetizers , as well as the restaurant’s noted Fresh Salad Ala Fruitea Master .
Seafood Curry Pasta. A Personal Fave !Beefy Pasta in Italian Red SauceAl’s Kitchen 360’s Fresh Salad ala Fruitea Master . A mix of Greens, vegetable , Apple and Grapes slices in light dressing, topped with parmesan cheese.Al’s Pasta , Salad , Pork Steak and Chicken Fingers, all included in the 249 pesos Buffet.Some walk in Diners excited to enjoy the lunch buffet . lol !Apart from the Weekend buffet , Al’s is also worth a try any time of the week . Their Ala Carte Meals come in large servings and are priced just right .
Hungry and curious on finding awesome restaurants in Davao, me and a friend Ar. Pen Tancio decided to check the P 499.00 payday buffet of Helen’s Kitchen, located along Buhangin Road, Davao City. Much to our expectation, what we had was a lavish heavy dinner, of more than 10 specialty dishes, tasty and worth every peso. =)
Serving buffet every 15th and 30th/31st of the month , Helens Kitchen offers a sumptuous dinner which includes Lechon Baboy ( Roasted Pork ) , plus 10 of their staple house specialties such as Patatim , Chili Crab , Iberian Chicken , grills, BBQ’s to name a few. The buffet also comes with a generous serving of appetizers, salads, desserts and bottomless iced tea/lemonade.
As a certified foodie infact, I find this restaurant the most ” Sulit ” among Davao Buffet restaurants below five hundred pesos, for serving that much food choices, and are prepared with quality and standard. As Such, Helen’s Kitchen payday buffet is worthy of a high recommendation. =)
Enjoying dinner with Ar. Pen Tancio
Here are some of Helen’s House Specialties which I personally enjoyed,
Chili Crab in Big Sizes , This dish alone made the P 499.00 buffet super sulit ! Crabs are really big, as the plate can attest to it. Garlic Shrimp. Shrimp is fresh , as you can easily peel the shell off. Freshly Grilled Tuna Belly ! Sauteed Mushroom and Asparagus in Oyster Sauce for the VegetariansTasty Kare Kare. Meat is tender and well cooked !Lumpiang Shanghai. This one is really good !Unlimited Lechon Baboy as included in the buffet ! Helen’s Buffet of more than 10 specialty dishes with Lechon BaboyBeef Morcon. Helen’s version of embutido, wrapped with thin and tenderized beef slicesPork Patatim ! A proud house specialty .Perfectly baked Iberian ChickenUnlimited Pork BBQ , as included in the BuffetHelen’s Specialty garden Salad with grilled chicken and parmesan cheese.Helen’s Macaroni Salad, a House specialty as well.
For almost a decade now in the food business, Helen’s Kitchen has earned its reputation for excellent taste and service in Davao’s catering industry. And with the business’ prosperous years, Helen’s has opened its kitchen doors to the public, with their spacious dine- in restaurant along Buhangin, DC.
Apart from the payday buffet engagement, Helen’s is also open every lunch and dinner for ala carte meals and grills .
Helen’s Al Fresco Dining Area , with acoustic performances every buffet dinnerHelen’s Function Hall to accommodate 50 to 80 pax . Photo Credits to the owner
Helen’s Kitchen also boasts a modest , air conditioned function hall for various occasions, that can accommodate 50 to 80 pax . Packages start at P 395/pax . For Inquiries on functions and catering services, contact the restaurant Manager , Sir Joel Dorado with the following numbers,
Telephone Number : 305-8894 / 305-5214
Mobile Number : 0917-7056161 / 0922-8663294 / 0918-9073707
Last friday, a few Davao Blogger members were invited for food tasting and menu update of Bulgogi Brothers Phils. at SM Lanang, Davao City.
Famous in South Korea, Bulgogi Brothers is a casual dining restaurant chain specialized in Korean dishes and bulgogi ( marinated Korean barbecue ). As an added knowledge for everyone, The word “bul” means fire and “gogi” means meat, in Korean.
Bulgogi Brothers Philippines is the first franchise outside South Korea , which gained popularity on Filipino food enthusiasts with branches at Greenbelt 5, Alabang Town Center, Mall of Asia, Glorietta 2 in Manila, and SM Lanang in Davao. Thats five aggressive branches in just a short span of time.
Bulgogi Brothers’ traditional KimChi.Korean Side dishes. Always refillable =)The recently launched Bulgogi Brothers Phils. Three way Shabu Shabu Set
As an addition to the restaurant menu, Bulgogi Brothers Phils. introduces its Three-way Shabu shabu – Korean Style. Originated from East Asia ( Korea, Mongolia , China , Japan ) , Shabu-shabu is a traditional way of tabletop hot pot cooking where meat and vegetables are boiled in bubbling hot broth , seasoned with oriental flavors and spices. Hot pots are always a fun dining experience with family and friends.
Bulgogi Brothers Phils.’ version of Shabu-shabu
Twisting from the traditional way of hot pots, Bulgogi Brother’s Three way Shabu-shabu is more than just the usual hot pot soup. The feast begins with the server pouring a tasty broth onto the pot, bringing it to a brisk simmer by cranking up the heat on the metal hot plate. Guests can savor the stew with an additional order of rice.
Fresh mixed seafood Hot Spot : a plate of fresh and plump clams, blue crab, mussels and squid cooked over a spicy broth. A sureball winner among all Bulgogi Brothers Hot pot Set .
Next, a plate of Ramyun noodles arrives on the table. Because shabu-shabu encourages guests to be their own cook, they can toss the noodles together with the meat and other vegetables for a distinctly flavorful pot of Ramyun noodles.
Towards the end of the meal the server creates tasty rice porridge (juk) from the same shabu-shabu broth with Korean rice topped with seaweed, vegetables and egg for a truly filling meal.
Plated Rice before it is made into a porridgerice mixed with the remaining broth
For a unique flavor that’s suited to their liking, diners have the option to choose what meat goes into their hotpot. There’s Beef and Veggies, beef bulgogi on a garden of leeks, peppers, cabbage, bean sprouts and mushroom; Ham and Sausage, a marriage of American and Korean flavors with ham, sausage, cabbage, bean sprouts, mushroom and gochujang (Korean hot chili paste); and Mixed Seafood, a plate of fresh and plump clams, blue crab, mussels and squid cooked over a spicy broth.
Ham and Sausage, a marriage of American and Korean flavors with ham, sausage, cabbage, bean sprouts, mushroom and gochujang (Korean hot chili paste)Beef and Veggies, beef bulgogi on a garden of leeks, peppers, cabbage, bean sprouts and mushroomFour Mushroom set for the Vegetarians. Also very Delicious !Chili – Vegetable Salad . A personal Fave ! =)
Open for Lunch, Dinner and cocktails , Bulgogi Brothers Davao Branch is located at the 2nd Level, Fountain Court, SM Lanang Premier.
Contact Number for inquiries and dining reservations : (082) 285 2593
A Valentine date , some late night group studies , casual meet ups , business meet ups , probably everyone in my generation has one or two Basti’s Brew Coffee experience to share .
I Still recall back in 2001 when we were asked to pen sketch Basti’s facade for our manual drawing subject in Architecture. Funny how time flies so fast, and it is such a delight to imagine how Basti’s Brew has been serving Davao for 15 years already. 15 years , and still a staple in Davao’s Coffee Experience till this day.
As part of Basti’s 15th year anniversary, the cafe invited Davao Bloggers for a hefty lunch treat and sampling of their home style dishes. More than just serving coffee, Basti’s serves pizza , pasta and full course meals in big portions , aside from their staple pastry specials.
Here are some of my personal Favorites , which are no doubt worthy to recommend.
Grilled Pork Chop Power Meal . 239 pesos . a hefty portion of grilled lean meat with Vege salad and soup.Chicken Cordon Bleu Power Meal at 239 pesos . Hefty sized ham and cheese , sandwiched in perfectly coated and fried lean chicken breast meat. served with potato salad and soupBeef Stew at 239 pesos . just delicious and tender beef cutsPesto Pasta !Tuna PastaChicken Garlic Pesto Pizza at 185 pesosCheesy Carroza Sandwich with special tomato sauce dip at 145 pesos
Best of Basti’s Brew’s Pastry
Basti’s Blueberry Cheesecake 130 pesosRound Carrot Cake 119 pesosBanana Mackintosh Pie at 119 pesos
Basti’s Brew serves coffee and all other comforting food at the Ground Floor of Victoria Plaza, JP Laurel Ave. DC .
For function room inquiries , contact 082 222-6168 , or get in touch with them through https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bastis-Brew/
Cute Interiors at Bastis Brew . taken from Basti’s facebook page . Photo Credits to the OwnerBasti’s Main Dining Area , taken from Basti’s facebook page . Photo Credits to the Owner
Celebrating another bountiful year in Davao dining experience last October 8, 2014 , Trellis ‘N Vines Restaurant has invited Davao Bloggers for a savory dinner and sampling of the restaurant’s best selling menu entries.
Trellis ‘N Vines Restaurant has been serving savory comfort food here in Davao for quite a few years already , and known for its simple, home-style dishes, inspired by flavors from around the globe. The restaurant is known to serve specialty international dishes such as their noted Chicken Biryani Rice ( A twist of Indian chicken and yellow rice meal ) , Chap Chae ( Korean Glass noodle ) , Pad Thai ( Thai noodle ), Nasi Goreng ( Spicy Malaysian noodle ) and Baby Back Ribs to name a few. What’s good about Trellis ‘N Vines is that specialty dishes are served in Big Portions to share , and are priced just right .
Trellis and Vines has one of the Best Tasting Kinilaw I had in Davao! Here are more of the restaurant’s specialties which I personally liked.
Kinilaw na Malasugue at 185 pesos . spiced and flavored just right! One of the Best Kinilaw I had in Davao!Pomelo – Green Salad at 165 pesos . Light and Hearty ! Chicken Biryani Rice at 235 pesos. A Best Seller and I am definitely coming back for this ! Serves 3 to 4Pan Fried Boneless Bangus with Adobong Kangkong and Tomato Salad at 210 pesos — Just Delicious !
Other Entries from the restaurant …
Chap Chae -Korean Glass Noodle with Beef and Sesame at 195 pesosSizzling Liempo at 175 pesosA Hefty Serving of Oxtail Kare Kare at 245 pesosCrispy Canton at 195 pesosCalamari with Mango Salsa at 185 pesosThai Beef Salad at 220 pesosMango Pandan with Sago to top a heartful meal. at 75 pesos
The restaurant also offers catering services and exclusive parties with its 50-seater function room.
And also in line with their anniversary celebration , Trellis ‘N Vines launched its Loyalty Card Promo. For inquiries, you may get in touch with them at (082) 221 5566 , or email at trellisnvines@gmail.com. The restaurant is located at Door # 4 Autoville Compound , Torres Street , DC . ( Walkable from Davao Convention Center )
Visiting Northern Borneo was not originally part of my backpacking route last March- April 2014 . After spending more than two weeks in India and Nepal , my route supposedly was to head back to Kuala Lumpur , then Manila ( which was the cheapest option by the way if you think of travelling to central Asia. ) But apparently at the time of booking my tickets online, my lust for wander brought me to find super cheap promo tickets from Kuala Lumpur , to other key cities in Malaysia . Still having a few days left , I then decided to take the long way back to the Philippines, and see more of the south by passing through Miri ( Sarawak State in Malaysia ), the Kingdom of Brunei , and Kota-Kinabalu (State of Sabah).
My promo tickets were quite cheap with “Airasia” . Got a morning flight from Kuala Lumpur to Miri ( Sarawak State ) at 731 pesos (around 15 usd All in ), And Kota Kinabalu ( State of Sabah ) to Manila at 947 pesos ( around 22 usd All in ). Bookings were made around 3 months in advance. Apparently, low cost intercity flights within Malaysia are more flexi and affordable ( as compared to local Philippine flights ). More so when they are on sale, like what I got! =) In between the two Malaysian States , I hopped on local buses , which were a bit consuming , but still worthy to do!
Easy-practical route ? not quite. Up for another travel adventure ? Totally !
Travelling between cities in Borneo is heaven for Passport Stamps Collector
Heres why .
Travelling within Malaysia is quite interesting. Malaysia is composed of several states , and it is a policy of the country for foreign travellers to have their passport stamped approved when crossing between certain states, which is actually ideal to monitor foreign individuals roaming around the Malaysian peninsula. As such , travelling within Malaysia alone, would gain you quite a number of stamps , plus the stamps you get when crossing boundaries with Brunei. The lands of Sarawak and Brunei are interlocked , so If you are on your way to Sabah from Miri/Sarawak , public buses would most likely pass through the capital of Brunei , then through Tendungan/Limbang towns of Sarawak , then enter Brunei once again through Puni/Labu eastmost provinces, then enter Sarawak once again through Lawas, before reaching the State of Sabah. Just to give a simpler picture, here is how my 6 days travel from Miri to Brunei and to Kota Kinabalu by LAND/BUS went on..
Fly from Kuala Lumpur and Enter Miri, Sarawak — 1 stamp at the airport
Stayed one night in Miri
Exit Sarawak State at Sungai Tujuh ( Malaysia side ) — 1 Stamp
Enter Brunei at Sungai Tujoh ( Brunei Side ) — 1 stamp
Stayed 2 nights in Bandar Seri Bengawan, Brunei
Exit Brunei at Kuala Lurah — 1 Stamp
Enter Sarawak State at Tedungan — 1 Stamp
Exit Sarawak State at Dermaga Kastam Limbang — 1 Stamp
Enter East Brunei at Puni — 1 Stamp
Exit East Brunei at Labu — 1 Stamp
Enter East Sarawak at Lawas — 1 Stamp
Exit East Sarawak at Merapok — 1 Stamp
Enter Sabah State at Sindumin — 1 Stamp
Stayed 2 nights in Kota Kinabalu , Sabah
Fly out from Kota Kinabalu to Manila — 1 Stamp at the airport
Thats 12 stamps in Total =)
Bus Travel Details : Miri — Bandar Seri Bengawan — Kota Kinabalu
Miri to Bandar Seri Bengawan (BSB) — PHLS Express runs a direct bus between BSB and Miri for 45 MYR/18 Brunei Dollars . The bus leaves Miri at 7AM and 1PM and takes about 4 hours to BSB . Bus leaves Miri at Pujut Intercity Terminal and stops at the Riverside Promenade in downtown BSB.
Bandar Seri Bengawan to Kota Kinabalu — Jesselton Express offers direct bus from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu at B$ 45 / 114 MYR, which runs only once a day at 7 am . A bit pricey, but it is a direct ride so you wont have to change buses at the border. The total travel time is about 8 and 1/2 hours. Jesselton Express leaves BSB at the riverside promenade fronting Maybank Building, and stops at Kota Kinabalu City Center bus terminal.
Option to ride a ferry to Kota Kinabalu is also available. But I prefer bus ride to see more of the countryside. =)
Daily Expense Tip : Food is relatively inexpensive In Miri and Kota Kinabalu . 10 USD would be more than enough for a day’s allowance, as there are a lot of hawkers and street side cafeterias for budget conscious travelers. with price ranging at 2 USD for a full meal. Dormitories are much available for 5-8 USD per night, with breakfast.
Brunei however, might require you additional budget, especially with accommodation and getting around with public transportation. Brunei Dollars (BSD) is around the same Value as Singapore Dollars ( 35 pesos per 1 BSD ). An accommodation worth 20 BSD/pax was the cheapest that I came across in Brunei. But on a brighter picture , food in Brunei is relatively affordable , if you buy from Gadong night market and grocery stores. 20 – 25 USD per day per pax would probably be a safe budget when travelling in brunei , that includes accommodation, food and getting around. More of Brunei at https://iamjosemanuel.com/2014/09/14/weekend-itinerary-around-brunei-darussalam/
Miri, Sarawak Malaysia Miri is a relatively small , but wealthy city of the northern part of Sarawak State. ( The more famous city in Sarawak is Kuching at the south ) . Miri may not talked about by usual Pinoy tourists like us , but this city is quite famous to westerners, as well as Australians , as the gateway to the nature reserved mountains of inner Borneo , which is valued for its biodiversity and protected tropical wildlife sanctuary. Aside from that, Miri is also known as the oil producing province of southern Malaysia. Miri was just a transit city for me because I only stayed for one night. Aside from the nature parks and reserve (which I did not get to visit) , theres nothing much to do within the city of Miri . But I did have a good rest though, the dorm and the people were nice.
Downtown MiriMiri Public Park . very quietGovernment office of MiriThere are no buses Miri Airport to City enter. I was forced to take a taxi at 23 MYR (around +300 pesos, 8 usd) for a 15 minute ride. =(Downtown Miri.
Sarawak Tourism
Where I Stayed In Miri : Coco Guesthouse ( Dormitory of 8 capsule type beds per room ) at 35 MYR per Bed (+400 pesos)
Good places to eat : A lot of Hawkers around, serving Chinese food. There are a lot of Chinese in Miri , and even more chinese restaurants than Malay . But they do have malls and fastfood like pizza hut and Mcdonalds
Hawkers food just along the streets of MiriCoco Guesthouse where I stayed. Just tell the taxi driver to bring you to this place beside the Grand Hotel.My bed for a nightAuntie Rita , whom i met at the guesthouse . She helped me find a local bus to Pujut inter city terminal ,where I got my bus to Brunei .Humble ticket kiosk at Pujut inter city bus terminalPHLS Express runs a direct bus between Bandar Seri Begawan and Miri for 45 MYR/18 Brunei Dollars . The bus leaves Miri at 7AM and 1PM and takes about 4 hours to BSB
Bandar Seri Bengawan , Brunei . The peaceful Islamic Kingdom
Refer to this for more of Brunei –> https://iamjosemanuel.com/2014/09/14/weekend-itinerary-around-brunei-darussalam/
Sarawak – Brunei Immigration Border CrossingBandar Seri Bengawan does not have a formal Bus Station . Inter city Bus stops at this riverside promenade , opposite MayBank Building.among the nice government offices you’ll pass by when entering BSB city center.Sultan’s Mosque at BSB , among the first sites you’ll see upon the arrival of the bus at the city center.
Direct Bus Ticket Brunei to Kota Kinabalu at B$ 45 / 114 MYR by Jesselton Express , which runs only once a day at 7 am . A bit pricey, but it is a direct ride so you wont have to change buses at the border.Jesselton Bus, The only direct bus from BSB Brunei to Kota Kinabalu , which travels daily at 7 am . It is an 8 and 1/2 hours ride.
Where I Stayed In Kota Kinabalu : Travellers’ Light Backpackers’ Lodge , #19, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar, 88000 Kota Kinabalu , at 25 to 30 MYR/Night . Joy, the owner’s wife, is a Filipina and is very comforting to have a chitchat with. I Definitely recommend this place. You may get in touch with them through Agoda.com and https://www.facebook.com/travellerslight
Photo credits – Joy of Travellers’ LightPhoto credits – Joy of Travellers’ LightFellow guests at Traveller’s Light Backpackers’ Lodge https://www.facebook.com/travellerslightTerrace and Dining Area at Traveller’s Light , just around the perimeter of Kota Kinabalu’s mountain park . The Lodge occasional ets monkey visitors at this area, especially during breakfast. =)
Around Kota Kinabalu . Will upload more of this soon. =)
Jesselton Ferry Terminal In Kota KinabaluBeach of Pulau Manukan IslandSeafood Market in KKLovely Sunset at KKMount Kinabalu
Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog 