Bing's Fong Cafe or Holly's Coffee? The name of the restaurant was confusing. But then it's hard to miss being the front liner of One Archer's Place. One day, after an exam retake we survived, thankfully, headed to Bing's Fong to appease our battle-stricken brains.

What to choose?

Initially, our plan was to buy their big snowflakes. Its big and bright pictures were luring us outside. But it was a chilly day, and the exam famished us, so we went for real deal.

Should we go for cakes?

Or snowflakes? Yum!

Their pasta menu reads Carbonara, Lasagna and Bolognese all priced at Php 160. Serving size was good for one. Went for Lasagna plus White Chocolate regular drink at Php 125.

While waiting for our orders, my exhausted eyes began to notice the relaxing vibe of the place: wood and greens. This should be a great nook for reading or studying.

When the food arrived, I realized they were not the perfect match. One was sweet the other was salty. But I must say that I very much enjoyed the Lasagna. First it came straight from the oven. It was hot and oozing. Second, it's so cheesy and meaty. Was blabbering the whole time how a prize it was after biting layer after layer of cheesiness.

Not only Garfield craves for lasagna

Next, my white chocolate cold drink. It was the opposite because my white chocolate tasted like milk. Or should it? Though had a little shock, still managed to finish it. Maybe a hot version would be better next time.

White Chocolate Drink

The Lasagna stuck in my mind and it made me happy. Great try, indeed. When I crave for another bite again, I'd be sure to grab some snowflakes, too.

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/bings-fong-malate-manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to add a blog post for Bing's Fong on Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6312272/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> 

: 4

Bing’s Fong is located at:

Ground Floor, One Archers Place,

Taft Avenue, Malate,

Manila

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Monday, August 31, 2015

Okay, so here's another hype: Churreria La Lola. Obviously, they are offering yummy churros thus its long queue. Curious and envious, tried for the first time how lola nailed it.

Hello, Lola!

Churros Classicos come in three sizes: medium with 6pcs (Php 110), large with 12 pcs (Php 195) and x-large with 18 pcs (Php 275). Hot chocolate dip is sold separately with several sizes, too: medium (Php 60), large (Php 100) and x-large (Php 130).

The menu x busy crew

Full from a hearty dinner, just grabbed medium classic churros with a large hot dip. Noticed at once its greasiness. It was hot and straight from the fryer. So I immediately dipped it in the chocolate dip (which I didn't think was large enough). The dip was not so chocolaty and sweet but it's still good.

Yoyoyoyo!

Enjoyed my first few churros but at the end, I can't take it anymore. I just wasn't sure if it's the meal I ate before or I was beginning to feel umay due to its oiliness. I think maybe it's because I expected so much. 

The #hashtag

It was good to note, too that its packaging was well thought-off. Even their tables with "holders". Cool. 

Nevertheless, I felt happy that I was able to cross-off La Lola in my dessert checklist. Yahoo!

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/churreria-la-lola-rockwell-makati-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Churreria La Lola, Rockwell and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Churreria La Lola Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6316178/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 3.5

Churreria La Lola is located at:

LGF, Power Plant Mall, 

Rockwell, Makati City

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Sunday, August 30, 2015

Early this year my grandmother joined our creator in Heaven. When she had her last breath, I was miles apart. She was in General Santos. I was in Manila. Despite that, I  know how blessed  she was. On the other side of the  archipelago, we think of her every single day praying for her pain to go away. Until the end she had her loved ones around.

On my 2nd year celebrating my birthday giving back, she was my inspiration.

In my search for a home for the aged around Metro Manila, I came across San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Pasay and the website introduced Sister Rosario.

Hello!

Preparation: A Challenge

During the preparation stage, I realized the challenge of staging a party for the Elderly. First challenge was the type of games they play. Would they want the bingo types? Next was the kind of food they eat as I'm sure they have restrictions already. Found out that it's chicken and fish. Good thing I never planned for a Jollibee party. Then there's the loot bags, I had in mind comb, face towels, socks, rosary, biscuits or duster. But then I haven't asked Sister what they really need.

So I decided I should go there for an ocular visit. It was a blessing. I got to ask what they really needed. Turned out that what I had in mind weren't necessary but instead, single-sized bed sheets and pillow case were much essential.

After buying those, packed it individually in a tote and added breads and tetra packed juice. For games prizes, bought assorted soft breads in the market.

Here was my simple invite I again made from PicCollage stickers:

Simple invite

A Day with Lolos and Lolas

There were 44 eldery in San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly. If I'm not mistaken, 36 of them were lolas and 8 lolos. The Home for the Aged was huge and we proceeded with our program in their auditorium.

Their auditorium

My lovely hosts again with lolo singing :)

We played talent portion where lolas and lolos can either dance or sing. Most of them sang their heartfelt rendition of mass songs. We also had the longest Happy Birthday again the winner Lola reached around 22 seconds. Lastly, we danced to the tune of cha-cha. Some of them can really groove it. It was a touching sight.

Go lola!

Wow, singing lola even on wheelchair!

Longeeeeeeest Happy Birthday!

Lolo making chika first :)

You can do it, lola!

Cha cha time!

And of course, the best part was eating time. We originally planned to serve them soft breads but also brought home-cooked special spaghetti and fried chicken for my friends. And they want it, too! So it was shared by everyone.

Before blowing the cake!

Fun with family and friends!

I just wished we stayed longer so that we can talk to them at length. But at around 5pm, it was their prayer time already so we were left downstairs. Nevertheless, it was a fruitful, touching and memorable day. I hope that we've made them happy even just for a few hours.

Pay It Forward

Again, I wrote this down because years from now, I want to remember how this day made me happy. Furthermore, it's hard to find a home for the aged nearby so hope this article will help the right people.

If you need to contact them, see the footer below. Meanwhile, let me end with this beautiful quotation I just saw around the worldwide web: "When God blesses you financially, don't raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of giving."

                           

San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly

of the Little Sisters of the Poor is located at:

50-B Lancaster St.,  (along FB Harrison St.)

Pasay City, Manila

Contact Sister Rosario or Sister Cecilia at:

Cellphone number: 0939 375 1362

Telephone no.: (02)8329689

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Friday, August 28, 2015

For a quick sisig fix, Street Sisig is now serving yummy pulutan along BF Resort Drive, Las Piñas. They have a tiny dining area al fresco with variety  of sisig choices on the menu from pork, chicken, tuna and their specialty, original crispy chicken Isaw sisig.

What's seen on the street

Had a hard time deciding on what kind of sisig would make our hearts happy, so ordered the safest: Pork  Groupie size at Php 159. Their sisig came in plate, not sizzling, yet it could feed 2-3 stomachs.

Menu, what to choose?

The best part was its crunchiness. I enjoyed it with traces of Mayo and finely chopped carrots. Convinced myself that yeah, it's somehow healthy. Except that I it's quite salty. Wonder how it goes for Isaw? Hmmm...

Plateful of sisig.

Not the best sisig on the earth but can manage cravings enough.

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/street-sisig-talon-las-piñas-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Street Sisig, Talon and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="Street Sisig Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6317359/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a>  Rating: 3

Street Sisig is located at:

BF Resort Drive, BF Resort Village,

Las Piñas City

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

A year after, I never thought that I'd find the urge to write this. Some good memories, perhaps, demand to be felt- again. So I'm traveling down my memory lane, July 26, 2014, two days before my 25th birthday in Little Home of Nazareth (for the Neglected Orphaned and Abandoned) of the Little Sisters of the Annunciation because:

Took this photo during my ocular visit

• It's in my bucket list in that "once I earn my dough" portion. It came a little late. Nevertheless, when I started to make my first dream board in 2014, I decided to make it happen. (Thanks for the dream board idea, Cha!)
• I know somewhere out there, another soul is looking for the same experience: to make children happy. As a marketer by day, I know the power of search engines. I pray that this will be a click away to one generous heart.
• When I get old, 100,000 light-years from now, I want to remember how this made me feel much made special with the company people close to my heart. I don't want this to blur.

In my search for kids, I ended not far from home. Little Home of Nazareth was just inside BF Resort Village in Las Piñas where I met Sister Lucy.

The Preparation

I had been to several outreach. In some, I took part in the preparation..But never once for my own. It thrilled me that, finally this is going to happen. With the help of friends from my FRM community, while I crafted the program they took charge of the hosting and party music.

Since it was a party of the kids, bought party hats, name tags, prizes and loot bags. The quest for the prizes and gifts part was in itself fun already. Stashed in the loot cartoon character pencil set (with short ruler and eraser),  small notebook with ball pen and little comb.

Eggzoited! Before they were packed!

For the prizes bought also character tumblers and hair accessories.

By the way, they were all girls so just played around the theme of Barbie, Frozen, Strawberry Shortcake and Sofia the First. More characters, more pinks and violets, more fun!

Before the party! So colorful!

Also made this invite for my other friends using PicCollage that I enjoyed doing with free stickers:

After all, it's a girls party!

The Memorable Party

Little Home of Nazareth has a relatively large garden perfect for parties. We all played with the kids. There was a game of relay with hula-hoops, longest happy birthday in tandem with the ates and kuyas and trip to Jerusalem big sisters and brothers playing as the chair.

My lovely hosts!

Pray before anything else

Let the games begin!

Pinoy henyo!!!

Next we blew my birthday cake and the recess part ensued. Kids would love Jollibee, I know because we love it still. We sliced the cake to be shared by everyone. The best part was the ice cream bought by my mom's friend.

Happy birthday!!!

Thank you !

Photo opp with the sisters while kids are eating :)

It was a great time. Hearing those little voices laugh out loud, seeing them smile, looking at them messily enjoying their spaghetti and ice cream, feeling their tight hugs was beyond wonderful. How I wish the joy in their hearts will last to forever as it did, I believe, in all of us 'elders'.

Super Fun!

The Challenge

Before we left the orphanage, we pledged to Sister Lucy that we will sponsor a kid at their rate of Php 3,000/ year on Christmas. Unfortunately, my mom had an operation 3rd quarter of the year and come December, my grandma became too ill. I still haven't forgotten that pledge. In the most perfect time, it will come. 

In the meantime, until then, I pray the right people will come across this and support the orphanage.

Little Home of Nazareth (for the Neglected Orphaned and Abandoned)

of the Little Sisters of the Annunciation is located at:

112 Margie Moran St., BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City

Contact Sister Lucy at cellphone number: 0939 444 4603

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Friday, August 21, 2015

After braving Mt. Batualo we were so famished that the only sensible thing to eat along the nippy Tagaytay weather was bowl of steaming bulalo at Bulalo Point!

For the hungry beasts!

After a few glances at the menu, had the ff:

• Special Bulalo at Php 350- Their bulalo was relatively cheap but so delicious! A perfect aftermath of the climb. Enjoyed slurping the soup and the tender meat. This alone was satisfying already.

BULALOOOOOO!

• Sizzling Sisig at Php 220- I don't have a picture because I was already excited to eat! It was good!

• Cripsy Tawilis at Php 190 - First time to try fried tawilis it surprised me. Never thought that it'd be good even without the vinegar. 

Crispy men!

Downside was, they don't have a good view of the taal volcano. Nevertheless, food was inexpensive but great!

Menu here:

 
:3.5


Bulalo Point is located at: 


Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway,
Tagaytay, Cavite

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

I used to frequent Nasugbu, Batangas in 2011 because of work assignment. In my more than a year of this routine, I never had the chance to climb the stunning Mt. Batulao. Back then I'm always fascinated by its beauty. I haven't seen yet its "bato sa ilaw" phenomenon, the origin of its name, but its famous jagged peak was already etched  in my mind.

The goal is to reach this. (From the summit)

Fast-forward to 2015, I can't believe I'd be going back to Nasugbu, Batangas to climb the mountain closest to me. I'm not a mountaineer so it's a perfect first climb. Difficulty level is only three for the new trail.

Contacted my previous workmates and I was referred to Mr. Ricardo Pega (cellphone number: 0930 300 6753). Once in Batulao, we went straight to Evercrest and Chapel on the Hill, near the foot of the mountain and were endorsed to Kuya Edwin (cellphone number: 0936 113 7238), our guide. Tour fee was Php 400.

Preparation to Batulao

Rewind first to the prep stage. Mountaineers, just like runners, would usually prepare for a climb. And as a non-pro, we had to increase our stamina level so had zumba and badminton during the week before the weekend climb. In hindsight, I think it helped a lot.

For the things to bring, we made sure we had not to many except the ff:

• Cap or sun visor
• Face towel
• Bottle of water
• Clothes and little toiletries for changing (but left these in the car)
• Sachet of sunblock
• Cloth gloves (forgot this but a must for rapels)

Wore long sleeves, too and comfortable pants as an added protection from the sun and second, from possible scratches. Sandals are not advisable, too. 

The Long Pre-Climb

We started walking in the shower/ parking area. We never thought that we were around 2-30 minutes from the foot of the mountain. Only when we saw the hikers in the tricycle did we asked, but anyhow we continued the walk until we reached the registration area (for time in and out). 

The view far away from the foot of the mountain

Registration!

The road less traveled

A walks after that, the steps began to steep and the tour guide already gave us wooden sticks or staff. At this stage, we were already panting. Wheeeeew!

Ascend the Batulao (The New Trail)

When it began to steep, I kept on asking "are we there yet?" referring to the foot of the mountain. After quite a few bugs, we were there already! We had to stop in the store, to relish this first feat. Haha. Only the first of the 12 peaks or 10 camps. 

We chose the new trail because it's relatively easier. Wah!

10,000 more steps! Lezzgo!

Oh when you look back...

Good thing in some of the peaks, there were stores. In fact at the 8th peak, we had halo-halo at Php 25. Asked also for some shaved ice at Php 5 for our water. At this peak, we paid for a Php 30 registration fee. 

"One halo-halo, puhlease :) "

I need this to get to you!

The glucose from the halo-halo was really much needed. Aside from the steep and stony steps, we had to endure four rapel climb. The rope were scratching bad already and regretted not bringing cloth gloves. On the bright side, it was fun!

Rocky sides

Just keep walking!

Another good news was that we're quite near! In total, it took us 3 hours to ascend the jagged peak of Mt. Batulao.

Just before the summit :)

At the peak, it's just as stunning! What a feeling and achievement! Whoah! 

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSS!

On the other side's view

Priceless!

And bought sweets again too such as this Popsicle at Php 30.

Another reward :)

At this height, I realized that we're just but some tiny speck in the universe. Oh well, conducive for some deep thinking, too.

The Aftermath

Once at the top, you wouldn't like to descend but well, it's part of life. Took us 3 hours again to go down.

A good shower is a must too. Don't be like me who didn't have some good sense to bring toiletries. Lucky my friends had.

CR for a fee

After shower, a hot steaming bulalo is a must, too. Well, that's another story :)

This isn't going to be my first and last climb. I'm glad that I was able to push myself further. Another good thing to note along the climb is the genial greeting of co-climbers. Hoping that even outside, we'd have the guts to say to strangers, "Ingat po!"

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Saturday, August 15, 2015