Biyernes, Nobyembre 3, 2017

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.

Huwebes, Setyembre 21, 2017

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

Sabado, Hunyo 10, 2017

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