Santa's Christmas Bazaar - December 16 & 17 at La Vista

Still looking for that budget friendly, worthy gift for your family and self?  Look no further for bazaars are in the craze right now.  With over 150 stalls, Sant's Christmas Bazaar @ La Vista is the place for you!

Now on its 12th year, this bazaar is truly something worth your time, money and effort! Plus entrance is free!

Happening this December 16 & 17 at the La Vista Clubhouse, Katipunaan Ave, Quezon City from 9:00AM - 7:00PM, you will definitely find something worthy of your visual, style and palate taste.  Not only is the place pack with friendly vendors but also an hourly raffle is to be done on the said date and they even offer free art/craft workshops.

Nourish, a food and drink vendor, will also be there offering their freshly made drink blends and food treats such as banana chips, bottled fish in corn oil, chicharon, to name a few.  Nourish is formerly known as Blended - a juice made of herbs and fruits and was launched during the History.Con and was well received by the critical food crowd during the Our Awesome Planet Pro-Edition 2017 that took place in Glorietta, Makati City.

Part of the whole Christmas thing, the bazaar is also offering a Santa Party for kids on the 17th at 3:00PM. To register for the Santa Party, send an SMS/text of the name/s and age/s of the kid/s to 0917 8636644.  For the art/craft workshop full listing and schedule, visit www.facebook.com/santaschristmasbazaar.  Free registration for the first 100 pax.

Come and be part of this awesome event and complete your gift list just before the Christmas week!

Enjoy the visuals that you will see and make sure that you bring along a big bag to hold all the items that you get to purchase.  Bring a companion to help you carry things. :-)

Joey Bana's Cafe of Saints, Now Open to Last

Opening their doors to a new bigger space this December is Joey Bana’s Café of Saints – a cozy, quaint dining and possible personal events place here in the City of San Pedro Laguna.

Located between St. Louie Anne College and San Pedro College of Business Administrations (SPCBA), along the highway or main road of the city, this dining place officially opened in a small space on the 2^nd level of the building across SPCBA.  Then they decided to move to a more spacious spot just across the street from where they started.  Offering a good selection of mostly Filipino dishes with some Japanese and international choices, there is something for someone in terms of a meal or a quick bite.

From sandwiches and burgers to pasta, rice toppings to familiar Japanese dishes, Filipino viands and a weekly buffet day, Joey Bana’s aims to give something for all ages and walks of life.  The prices are reasonable and friendly even to students.  They also offer ice-blend drinks that is so price friendly (Php 60.00) and flavored right.  They are open from 11:00am till near midnight with a buffet offering every Friday from 11:00am till 2:00pm only.

What makes this place different from other dining places?

It is the interior design that will definitely grab your attention! The place is designed to show the personality of the owner.  It is set to give a visual treat as you dine and relax as you enjoy your meal.  It may seem too religious for some but remove or get over that mind set and you will see the artistic side of the works displayed – works created by Mr. Victor Berroy Ballesteros based on the inputs of the owner.

The owner of Joey Bana - the name and the place

The whole place is not only a business reflection of Mr. Jun Alcantara, the owner but also him being a camarero.  A camarero is someone who is a not just your regular devotee of a faith but a person who believes in taking care of a certain religious image and totally treating it with care and love.  He also takes part in religious procession or celebration in connection to the religious image he is taking care of.

How is the food flavor?

The food is prepared with care.  With key ingredients that are chosen with care and sourced out from respectable supplier, you are assured of good quality per dish.  The flavor is simply right to its name per dish.  One thing that I am proud to say is that the meat tenderness is at the right note, no toughness, not too tender for comfort – it is simply right.  The ice blend drinks are also worth mentioning since they were able to present real, true, near natural, flavor in each glass.  The chocolate ice blend is deadly! You have to try it!  The red velvet is a balance of red color and choco notes in every sip.  A must try and have!  Like any espresso, their double shot didn’t have any effect on me but definitely will drive someone to palpitations (caffeine is in my blood-sorry).

Food pictures:

Come and visit Joey Bana’s Café of Saints of San Pedro Laguna and experience a visual and palate treat in every visit.  You never know, it may lead you a proper reflective path.

With a new and more spacious interior, Cabalen Alabang Town Center (ATC) branch, re-opens this last quarter of the year to serve and satisfy the cravings of Filipinos looking for authentic local home-cooked dishes.  Dishes that fills the stomach and that of the heart.

The place

With glasses and mirrors playing a major role in the new look of their re-opened branch, the interior of the place gave a feel of more space without adding more space.  The white ceiling application also helped in creating that spacious feel.  Despite the modern touch of mirrors, chandeliers were placed to give it a classy yet homey dining area.  Strategic positioning of their A/C units assures guest of a cool place to dine in without fully affecting the quality of the food served in the service area.  The wooden chairs (with silohiya) and tables were retained; a signature trademark of the place.  Even their restrooms had a new look and some added features – bars for people with disability, ensuring still the comfort of all visiting guest and old diners.

The whole place was made to be more adaptive to the need of the store in terms of space and privacy.  To those who wanted their own space for their event, movable panels’ separates and makes-up two function rooms capable of seating about 30 people in each space in a regular dining set-up.  On cases of a sudden guest surge in the dining area, if the function space is not in use, those panels can be moved those opening up space and making it part of the main dining area.

The food

As expected with Cabalen, food served is always hot or warm and freshly made.  From starters or salads till desserts, they have something for you.  Known to served Kapampangan  way of cooking dishes, expect your dishes to be flavorful and truly savory – rich in flavor so to speak. 

The buffet service area is sectioned in the following way:  a soup section, wherein two (2) types of soups are served on a daily basis; a salad section wherein different variants of dressing and sauces are there for you to try out; a grilled section that goes with their sizzling plates offering – pork, tofu and/or white meat; main dishes section and their dessert section.  All space occupied giving you a feel of food for you to eat and enjoy.  With a good variety of accompanying sauces for you to try-out, no dish will taste the same for you – and you won’t have the same food offerings everyday.

The place offers a good variety of food for everyone.  There is meat, fish, vegetables, noodles, soup, seafood items and even dishes that are not truly Kapampangan but has found home in this established place. Every day is a variety, every visit a new experience of flavors but still in the comfort style of service that Cabalen is known for.

Cabalen is . . .

Known to serve good food since the 80’s, an attribute that they have retained and continuously do so up to now, the place is worth every dining experience spent.  It is not just the food but also the people behind it - the people that we see and do not see in every visit.  They are the unsung heroes of every restaurant in the industry.

The whole staff

The Dining Room Staffs

The Kitchen Staffs

Good food is nothing without the love and dedication of the people behind each dish.  Good food is nothing without the good service given by the dining staff.  Cabalen is more than good food; they also have good people giving that good food experience.

                                    

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With a new look for their ATC branch, re-experience Cabalen’s signature food and good service in new comfort and prepare to say that it is indeed an experience well spent.

PR: MOYMOY LULUMBOY BOOK 4: MGA DULOT NG DIGMAAN

Moymoy Lulumboy faces false accusation in “Moymoy Lulumboy Book 4: Mga Dulot ng Digmaan.” Written by award-winning author Segundo Matias, Jr., the Moymoy Lulumboy Series takes us to the magical world of Gabun and reintroduces us to the popular Filipino mythological creatures.

Lampara Books is bringing us the latest installment of the bestselling Moymoy Lulumboy series. Moymoy Lulumboy: Mga Dulot ng Digmaan will be launched at the 38th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) on Sunday, September 17,  2017 at 12 noon at the Meeting Room 2–3, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City.

The story of Moymoy begins in Moymoy Lulumboy Book 1: Ang Batang Aswang, which introduces Moymoy Lulumboy as a boy who is raised by humans but is actually a tibaro, a magical creature. He discovers the truth about his parentage and the reason why he is brought to the human world. In Moymoy Lulumboy Book 2 : Ang Nawawalang Birtud, we are introduced into Moymoy’s birthplace, the magical world of Gabun and the evil Buhawan whom he must fight with his twin brother Alangkaw in order to protect Gabun. The brothers’ adventure continues ni Moymoy Lulumboy Book 3: Ang Paghahanap Kay Inay  where they embark on a mission to save their mother, Diyosang Liliw and find Gabun’s lost gold.

Book 4 immediately picks up where book 3 left off – the brothers’ search for the gold stolen by the evil Buhawan. It is said that upon the gold’s return to its rightful place, the curse of the Tibaros will be reversed. But just when they thought they finally recovered and returned the gold, it is discovered that the gold is not complete. Moymoy is accused of stealing a missing piece.

Can Moymoy prove his innocence and free Gabun from the curse?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Moymoy Lulumboy Series is written by three-time Palanca Awardee, award-winning author, and teleplay and screenplay writer Segundo Matias, Jr., who is also known by his storyteller persona “Kuya Jun.” He has written and published numerous stories for children and young adults, including the titles Makabagong Alamat, Mga Kwentong Nanay, and Mga Kwentong Dapat Mong Malaman. He is a three-time Don Palanca Memorial Awards winner for  his teleplay Loida: Taxi Driver (First Honorable Mention, 1991), Alamat ng Duhat (First Prize, 211) and for his essay #PaperDolls (Third Place, Sanaysay Category, 2016). His story Ang Papag ni Tatang also earned an honorable mention citation from the PBBY-Salanga Prize in 2012.

At present, Matias is a student of MA in Creative Writing in Filipino at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. He is currently writing his masteral thesis “Batang Pusit,” a young adult book based on his research on HIV.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Jomike Tejido is an architect by profession. He practiced architecture for some years before deciding that his true passion lies in writing and illustrating children’s books. Tejido has illustrated over 100 books since he started in 2000, some of which he also wrote. This includes the Jepoy Dyip book series and the Claysaurus book series. A distinct characteristic of his stories is the presence of that fun factor which sparks curiosity, discovery, and playfulness while developing the love for reading. Tejido is also a painter who specializes in using banig as a canvas.

MOYMOY LULUMBOY BOOK 4: MGA DULOT NG DIGMAAN is available at all Precious Pages and National Bookstore outlets nationwide. Online purchase is also available at www.preciousshop.com.ph.

Visit the Lampara Books Web site on http://www.lamparabooks.com.ph/home/

Contact Lampara Books

PRECIOUS PAGES BUILDING

Sto. Domingo Avenue, Quezon City

(02) 367-6222

inquiry@lamparabooks.com.ph

www.preciouspages.com.ph

Albay is one province with so many hidden and known beauties.  Like the people in the said area, it bears beauty that is pure, basic and grand.  Albay has a certain charm that will sweep you off your feet and bring you the time that was or give you majesty that is simply indescribable.  With 15 municipalities and 3 cities, Albay bears so many things to see and experience. 

Gov. Al Francis Bichara

Governor Al Francis Bichara was such a gracious host as he welcomed us to his place and this was reflected by the people of the various local government units (Dept of Tourism and Dept of Agriculture) and that of Human Explore Travel and Tours.  The tour given to us was both informative and time worthy.  Tiring it may be BUT truly worth every moment.  Thank you to Ms. Dorothy Colle and her people from the Department of Tourism Provincial Division Region V – Albay, Ms. Che of the Provincial Agriculture Department, management and staffs of Human Explore Travel and Tours and Ms. Farah Sobremisana – owner partner of Pepperland Hotel.  They truly made our visit such a wonder thru their efforts and time generosity.

Legazpi Marker - Boardwalk - Embarcadero Area

The whole of Albay is filled with old churches, old craft making, worthy place to go to, old houses, natural beauties and beautiful festivities.  With 15 municipalities around the majestic Mayon Volcano, if you do a whole 360 tour like ours, you get to see this natural wonder in all its beauty.  Try to learn also the story behind this volcano and the insider tease of its behavior.

From the ruins of Cagsawa (with a average guest of 150pax per day) to the churches in Camalig, Ligao, Sto. Domingo and Daraga, to the calm Sumlang Lake and the historic Japanese caves in Quituinan Hills, to the traditional way of metal smiting in Tabaco, farms and various beautiful parks and landmarks all over Albay, you will never have a dull moment when you decide to do a full exploration of the province.  It is also filled of noteworthy food places that you could and should try out (story and review in another write-up).  Albay also has spring resorts with water source coming from near the volcano or underneath the ground making it cool or even cold depending on the time of the year – such resort is D’ Hacienda Spring and Nature Resort in Guinobatan, Albay.

For active people, I would highly recommend for you to try out the Japanese tunnels/caves in Quituinan Hills.  The trek is not that stressful but the crawling (should you be adventurous enough) is like having an archeological dig.  For historical buffs, try seeing the various churches of the different municipalities and compare notes in terms of its style and story behind it.  Should you wish to see various craftsmanship of the place, go to Sumlang Lake to see the woven beauties of Albay, the metal smiting of Tabaco, pottery shops in Tiwi and pili delicacy making in Legazpi.  Don’t forget to visit the various farms in the province that show the resiliency of the people as reflected in their farms – some of them are IG worthy too.

The beauty of this trip is the fact that we were able to try out some of the crafting process in Albay, such as smiting. You should give it a try also. It is a good way to let go of some tension inside you. hehehe

Since they have 15 municipalities around majestic Mayon, you get to see this natural beauty in all its grandeur.  With clouds or without, Mayon will surely captivate you may it be morning, noon, mid afternoon or sunset.  With its romantic yet tragic story behind this beauty, you will definitely want to be welcomed by it every time you are in the said province.

Albay is truly beautiful! The people reflect their place and the place live through its people.

Photos used were personally taken by the writer during the tour given by the DOT and Human Expore Travel and Tours.

Here are some of the pictures during our Albay 360 Tour

Lignon Hills

Quituinan Hills/Japanese Tunnels

Planetarium and Skyline

Pandayan sa Tabaco, Albay

Sumlang Lake

Parochial Church of Sto. Domingo, Albay

St. John The Baptist Church in Camalig, Albay

Cagsawa Ruins

Cagraray Eco Park

d' Hacienda Spring Resort