Photo Essay: Gearing up for the holiday festivities

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Madelicious: Hot pandesal right off the oven

The manager told me that they churn out approximately 4,000 pieces of pandesal a day.

What’s unusual about this bake shop is that they constantly fill their pandesal bin with this hot-right-off-the-oven Pinoy favorite bread, because, as if non-stop, people buy them throughout the entire course of a 24-hour period.

What I often do is grab a seat in one of the three tables inside the shop and order two pieces at a time as each new batch of steaming hot pandesal are placed on the trays.  And they are incredibly delectable hot!  I would also bring along some cheese as filling.

Madelicious Bakeshop is located in Gallares Street in Tagbilaran.  And from what I learned online, Madelicious started operation in July 1998 in the City of Iligan by Mr. Marianito Dumadag Alemania and Mrs. Madel Penaso Alemania. They now have 44 branches and outlets all over Mindanao, Tagbilaran City, and in Metro Manila. 

Suggested read:

POC: Mga paboritong tinapay Pinoy

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Pasalubong center In Bohol

Whenever asked by those visiting Bohol where the best place to grab some pasalubong for their family and friends back home, I always direct them to BQ Mall in Tagbilaran.

There they will find almost all the packaged delicacies the province of Bohol is known for, including various versions of kalamay.  Also, if buying in bulk, the store will neatly pack them in sturdy cartons to survive the trip back home.

There is also local lechon available per kilo that you can buy for awaiting family members.

Taxi fare from BQ Mall back to any resort hotel in Alona Beach in Panglao Island usually costs P500.00

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Giuseppe Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast

Giuseppe Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast is located along Panglao Island's main highway about 400 meters from Rona's corner that leads to Alona Beach.  

This is a fine Italian restaurant that serves delectable pizzas, pasta, and various authentic Sicilian dishes.  It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Bohol.

Quattro Formaggi (four cheese pizza) - P380

Spaghetti with red tomato sauce - P360

Trancia al Caffe (coffee ice cream with candied fruits) - P200

Special menu of the day (besides the usual menu)

The restaurant's brick oven where the pizzas are cooked wood-fired

Spacious dining area

Next level has various wine, pasta, various Italian foodstuffs for sale

No air conditioning but the place is airy and comfortable

Giuseppe's charges an additional 10% service charge for dine in patrons, 
as well as 10% service charge for all deliveries

For reservations and deliveries: 
landline: (038) 502-4255
Mobile: 0917-625-5582

Visit their website: Giuseppe Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast


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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

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Dates: Health benefits

I had always loved dates, but realized they are hard to find here in the Philippines.  In New York, almost all supermarkets carry an ample supply.  I often had a quart of dates in the fridge, especially on weekends.  They are extremely delicious … and sweet.

A friend residing in Dubai suggested that I visit with his family and feast on various kinds of dates.  I might just take him up on it one of these days.  Be that as it may, according to Wikipedia, dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and parts of South Asia for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around Iraq, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE. The Ancient Egyptians used the fruits to be made into date wine, and ate them at harvest. There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia in 6000 BCE. (Alvarez-Mon 2006).

In addition, dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand, or may be pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, candied orange and lemon peel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. Pitted dates are also referred to as stoned dates. Partially dried pitted dates may be glazed with glucose syrup for use as a snack food.

Dates can also be chopped and used in a range of sweet and savory dishes, from tajines (tagines) in Morocco to puddings, ka'ak (types of Arab cookies) and other dessert items. Date nut bread, a type of cake, is very popular in the United States, especially around holidays. Dates are also processed into cubes, paste called "'ajwa", spread, date syrup or "honey" called "dibs" or "rub" in Libya, powder (date sugar), vinegar or alcohol. Vinegar made from dates is a traditional product of the Middle East.

Recent innovations include chocolate-covered dates and products such as sparkling date juice, used in some Islamic countries as a non-alcoholic version of champagne, for special occasions and religious times such as Ramadan.

Most important, herewith a list of the health benefits of consuming dates:

1) Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals.

2) They are rich sources of protein, dietary fiber and rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 along with vitamin A1 and C.

3 )It helps improve the digestive system as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers and different kinds of amino acids.

4) Dates are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose. To get more advantage add dates to milk and make it a very nutritious snack.

5) Dates are very low in calories and are extremely suitable for health conscious people.

6) Dates are rich in potassium and reduced in sodium. This helps regulate a healthy nervous system. Researchers have revealed the fact that potassium intake up to a certain extent can reduce risk of stroke.

7) Dates also help in lowering of the LDL cholesterol.

8) Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anemia. The patients can eat many dates for better advantages.

9) Dates also have fluorine that slows down the process of tooth decay.

10) It helps people suffering from constipation. Soak dates overnight and take it along with water for added advantage.

11) Dates help in weight gain and are beneficial for those who suffer from over slimming problem.

12) Dates are excellent for alcohol intoxication. It is known to cure abdominal cancer.

13) It also helps in improving eyesight as well as night blindness.

14) The best thing is that it does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural as well as it works better than medicine.

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Suggested reads:

Oregon State University: Dates – The holy fruit of Arabia

Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Dates

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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!

Life of Taho Vendors

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I once bought taho from a vendor in Quezon City, and while enjoying it, we talked about the business he’s in. His name was Jun.  He was born in Pangasinan, moved to Manila when still in his young teens, and hasn’t gone back to visit his hometown since then.  He has been a taho vendor for a couple of years when we met.

He told me that those aluminum canisters cost him about three thousand pesos. His daily expenses for the supply of taho is about eight hundred pesos a day from which he earns an average profit of three hundred pesos. He starts his day at three o’clock in the morning and heads over to Blumentritt to get his usual supplies – taho (made of fresh soft/silken tofu), arnibal (brown sugar and vanilla syrup), and pearl sago (similar to pearl tapioca). From Blumentritt, he would walk to his regular spot on Banawe Street near the Department of Labor building. He often sells out his taho by noontime and would head home by then.

As a single man leading a somewhat austere life, he claims he does all right with his daily earnings and even able to save a couple of bucks each day. His secret: he doesn’t engage in frivolous nighttime drinking bouts as some of his friends do.

But a more fascinating story of a taho vendor done well is that of Nelson Dugayo.

Nelson is the proud owner of the highly popular taho stall located at the Concourse Level of the Power Plant Mall.

According to the Power Plant Mall article, Nelson started selling taho at the age of 18. He and his brother-in-law started their little business with a small investment, sourcing out their taho from a distributor, then peddling their ware in the streets of Makati every day, rain or shine, all year long.

Nelson plied the JP Rizal route, but found himself gravitating more and more to the Power Plant Mall area. “It was my favorite spot and I grew some loyal customers there. For two years I sold taho at the corner of Waterfront Drive and J.P. Rizal. Then one day an official of the mall invited me to sell my taho at a food event at the Concourse. Life has never been the same since,” Nelson recounts.

The man bought taho from Nelson and asked him if his taho business was doing well. He answered, ‘Ok na ok po!’ Then he surprised Nelson by inviting him to his office to talk about his business. He couldn’t believe it. He had no idea that the man he was talking to was Mr. Nestor Padilla, the president of Rockwell himself. “He really changed my life,” Nelson said, almost wistfully.

Then, he used to work day and night so he could provide, no matter how simply, for his wife and two kids. “There were times when I would stay awake for 48 hours, selling taho in the morning, then working as a part-time waiter for a catering service at night. It was very exhausting but I needed to do it. Making good use of your time is very important for business and your personal life.”

Now Nelson still sells taho, but he already has employees working under him. He owns a permanent stall in the mall which has become a certified mall attraction.

“I did not think that my taho would become such a big hit. I didn’t think rich people would like it. Then the buyers came, one after the other. Even foreigners would buy my taho. Parents and their children would fall in line for my taho too. My customers tell me they are glad to find a magtataho inside the mall because it used to be their favorite snack when they were kids,  and now, they also want their kids to experience it as well.”

Nelson says there is nothing really extra-special about his product. “It’s the same taho that we all love and continue to crave for now and then. My product is really ordinary, but I make it special by preparing it with so much passion and discipline.”

“Time is very important in the taho business,” Nelson explains. “The product has a short shelf life -- five to six hours and that’s it. You must sell it within that time because after that it will begin to spoil. You also have to be very, very gentle with it. Taho breaks easily and you can’t sell it anymore if it’s broken up. I make it a point to teach the right way to handle taho to my employees.”

Business is good, Nelson admits. Now he has taken in his siblings to assist him in the business because he no longer buys taho from a distributor. He prepares and cooks the taho himself because his earnings have allowed him to buy his own grinding machine for the soybeans.

His earnings have gone up from his usual Php 400-700 daily to the Php 2,300 he earns daily per container. There are days when he is able to sell up to 3 containers, which enables him to earn almost Php 7,000 on good days. He is able to afford life’s good things -- like a washing machine and a personal computer for his family, which he uses a lot to prepare the monthly reports that he submits to the Retail office of the mall.

Now 22, Nelson remains humble and still describes his life as simple. What is important to him right now, he says, is how he can pay it forward to other people. 

Read more here.

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Suggested read:

Rappler: Food Porn - Tahoooo!

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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!

Aristocrat Restaurant

I have fond memories of this restaurant.  One of which was my eldest brother's wedding reception that was held here.  Another was during my teenage years with my Jai-Alai co-amateur players.  We would congregate here on some evenings for dinner; feasting with gusto on barbeque chicken with Java rice.

These days, other than the local Manileños, this restaurant along Roxas Boulevard across from Baywalk, also attracts myriad balikbayan visitors, including relatives and friends from New York who would always treat their friends and families for lunch or dinner here.  It has become like a tradition almost.

The following is a blurb from a Philippine Daily Inquirer article on Aristocrat.

The Aristocrat, which has served local and international cuisine to Filipinos for 76 years now, offers hassle-free celebrations and more. Its Roxas Boulevard branch is the ideal venue for gatherings such as birthdays, baptismal celebrations, debuts, reunion, homecomings and weddings.

The Aristocrat’s newly renovated the Doña Engracia Hall can accommodate 400 guests and can be divided into smaller rooms for private parties. The Parties and Catering Department offers a hassle-free wedding package starting at P40,950 for 50 guests.

Kiddie parties are made easy with The Aristocrat’s kiddie party package for as low as P17,650. Cool party themes to choose from include Car Race Party, Prince and Princess Party, Flower, Butterfly Party, Safari and Little Chef’s Party. Package includes 30 meals for kids complete with party favors, loot bags, prizes and party add-ons like bubble show, magic show and balloon twisting, etc.

Aristocrat can customize packed meals for as low as P150 per person, ideal for corporate events, sports fests, Christmas parties, etc. For quotation on bulk orders, email aristocrat_catering@yahoo.com

The Best Chicken BBQ in Town is just a phone call away with The Aristocrat’s Delivery Hotline 894-0000. Aristocrat delivers in selected areas in Metro Manila with a fixed delivery charge of P50.

For bulk orders, parties, catering and reservations, send email to aristocrat_catering@yahoo.com

Boneless chicken BBQ (photo courtesy of Aristocrat)

Visit  http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/

or call (02) 5247671 local 223 or text 0917-5112796

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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!

Indian Mangoes

The smaller than usual Indian mango, unlike the popular Carabao variety, is not a commercially popular Philippine mango, but it is just as delicious and refreshing.  Many Filipinos have Indian mango trees in their backyards.

And from what I understand, Indian mangoes contain healthful benefits as well.

Diana Herrington's article, “10 Health Benefits of Mangoes,” for the Care2 Healthy Living newsletter, gives several reasons why you should have a good, sweet, juicy mango every time you get the opportunity.

Mango can help prevent cancer, she claims, and that research shows the fruit has antioxidant compounds that can help prevent colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.

The fruit is also abundant in healthful enzymes.  Like papaya, mangoes contain enzymes that help break down protein. The fiber in mangoes also helps digestion and elimination.

The high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C in mangoes help lower serum cholesterol levels, specifically low-density lipoprotein or the bad cholesterol.

Mango contains tartaric acid, malic acid and a trace of citric acid that alkalize the whole body and help maintain its alkali reserve. And because they contain a lot of vitamin E, mangoes can boost the sex drive.

Green mango is good for cooling off when temperatures rise. It may be juiced and mixed with water and a sweetener to cool down and prevent harm to the body.

Mangoes can boost the immune system as, Herrington says, it has generous amounts of vitamins C and A, plus 25 different kinds of carotenoids that can help keep the immune system healthy and strong.

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Please note:

I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!

Philippine native carabao

During the summer in Subic when I was a kid, my cousin and I oftentimes rode their family carabao to the nearby river after its hard day’s work in the rice field.  Once in the water, just before we leave him to soak in the cool water, we’d use him as a diving board to swim away.

When I mentioned this to my nephew, he exclaimed what a docile carabao it must have been because while growing up, the carabaos he encountered were usually grumpy to allow such things. He even added that they would walk by some distance away from a tied one for safety reasons.  I was astonished at his remarks and wondered if the genetic make-up of native carabaos has started to somehow degenerate since my youth; making them irritable and mean-spirited.

This conversation with my nephew came up after reading the news about the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) encouraging farmers in Iloilo to branch out into genetic improvement of their livestock, especially carabao, for meat and dairy production – and to preserve the native Philippine carabao for field labor.

Traditionally, with Philippine native carabaos, farmers use the males to till the farm while the females are used for milking and carameat, according to PCC..

The executive director of PCC, Dr.Annabel Sarabia, said there is currently a high demand for “carameat,” milk and other dairy products.  A solution her center came up with is to propagate high yielding Bulgarian Murrah hybrid carabao.

Genetic improvement is initiated through artificial insemination (AI). Currently, AI and bull loan programs are being implemented by PCC in 13 national centers in the country: Five in Luzon, four in the Visayas and four in Mindanao. 

I truly hope that GMO giants have nothing to do with this program.  Nonetheless, I had tasted both carabao milk (chilled, mixed with chocolate) and meat (cooked adobo-style) while here in Bohol.  They were both tasty, though I only had a small portion of the meat.  It was very dark and I was unsure of its nutritional value.  Also, I was told the locals traditionally do not recommend consuming carameat for anyone with an ailment.

Incidentally, the Boholanos are known for going all out in celebrating their fiestas; much more so than during Christmastime. To grace a buffet table with delectable dishes, most families will save up to buy a whole pig, or raise one or two in the backyard..  And for those with limited funds, a family may pool their money with three others to buy a carabao.  Supposedly, a fourth of which is cheaper than a whole pig, yet provides about the same amount of meat to cook several viands for their guests’ gastronomic delight.

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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!

Sawsawan

Toyo (soy sauce) and Suka (vinegar)

It is said that a Filipino cook whips out a dish only to about 90 percent at its best, because the remaining 10 percent is reserved for the diner to complete it with the complimentary sawsawan (condiment).

Take for example grilled or fried fish and meats.  The locals prefer them with a dip consisting of soy sauce or fish sauce with squeezed calamansi, including with some chili peppers on the side.  Other viands that are not cooked with gravy or sauce, such as fish tuyo, daing, tinapa, as well as pork langonisa (sausage) and tocino, a small plate of sliced fresh tomatoes make wonderful accompaniment.

Patis with calamansi often accompany soupy dishes like pork or fish sinigang (stew), while vinegar and soy sauce with crushed garlic go well with fried tofu.

There are many more Filipino condiments; each region basically  has its own traditional condiment for every dish.  Essentially, these condiments or sawsawan are used to personalize the viands' flavors and thus, further enhance the diner's gastronomic pleasure, so to speak.

Patis (fish sauce) with Calamansi

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Suggested reads:

List of Filipino Condiments

Sawsawan ng Bayan: Ubiquitous Pinoy Dipping Sauce

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Please note:

I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.

Thank you!