I’m sure you all know Fanny Serrano. He’s a well-known celebrity makeup artists in the country. He enhances the beautiful faces of movie celebrities such as Sharon Cuneta, Lorna Tolentino, Amy Austria and many others. But did you know TF (as Fanny Serrano is fondly called) has a secret?

It’s not a new line of beauty product, no. It’s Secret Cafe — a coffee shop that, in the beginning, was intended for the husbands or boyfriends of the clients of Fanny Serrano Beauty Salon. He wanted them to be comfortable while waiting for their beloved have their hair or makeup done. But word travels fast. Soon, the secret nook beside his salon is no longer a secret. According to TF it seems his clients were impressed with the food and service of Secret Cafe.

Unknown to many of us, TF loves to experiment with food. Through the help of his very resourceful chef, Henry Ranas, he is able to fulfill his food ideas for the restaurant. He wants Secret Cafe to be known not just as a place that serves good food but healthy as well. Some of the food in the menu that’s becoming popular are the Unagi Sandwich, Pinoy Shawarma, and the pan de sal creations (Panlonto, with longganisa, tomato and egg; Pansarto, with sardines, tomato and egg; Pancorto, with corned beef, tomato and egg; and Panchito, with chicken, tomato and egg).  Here, take a look at some of Secret Cafe’s offering:

The Squash Okoy (squash-shrimp fritters) is served with vinegar and lots of garlic. It tastes better than the usual okoy and is more healthier because flour has been replaced by squash. And the Pinoy Shawarma… it’s filled with veggies and really tastes Pinoy (filled with adobo or chicken liver)! If you’ve tasted unagi sushi or any Japanese food cooked with unagi (Japanese term for eel), you will also love Unagi Sandwich. It has a creamy taste and goes well with the whoele wheat bread. Try the Sayote Shake, too. You’ll be surprised! You won’t even think it’s sayote.

What is good about Secret Cafe is the creativity exhibited in the food itself. Most of what the restaurant serve are original creations and, in a way, the recipes are unknown to diners. That is why TF chose to name his dining haven “Secret Cafe.” Although prices of the food are a little higher for the pocket of the ordinary Pinoy.

Secret Cafe does not only boost of its menu. TF is a fan of the art deco era. He deemed it as the perfect look and feel for Secret Cafe. The earth-toned walls is teeming with art deco paintings and the Tiffany chairs go very well with them.

Experience Secret Cafe, located along Scout Rallos in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It’s right beside Fanny Serrano Beauty Salon.

I love it when December comes. The air is cooler, especially during the night. From my window, I’m greeted every morning with a picturesque view of the mountains, with fogs hanging low. It makes me want to go back to bed, snuggle under the sheets, and steal a few more minutes of sleep.

Ah, the glory of provincial living…

But that’s not the point of this post. The city, where I spend most of my time during weekdays, is all glittery and bright this time of the year; truly a sight to behold during the night. Tiangge or bazaar can be found all over the metro. And the yearly Christmas decors in Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong, the COD Christmas display in Greenhills Shopping Center and the giant tree at the Araneta Center are already in place. One can marvel at their beauty. It may be a little extravagant at a time of economic crisis, but who can prevent the Filipino from celebrating Christmas?

The Metro’s Christmas Icon

Up until now, the giant Christmas tree at the Araneta Center continues to be the most popular icon of the Holiday season in Metro Manila. The tradition of lighting the giant tree started in 1981, getting its inspiration from the giant Christmas tree displayed at the Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Each year, the Araneta center holds a lighting ceremony, signaling the beginning of the Christmas season. This years giant Christmas tree is magnificently adorned with ribbons and gift boxes and lighted with over ten thousand bulbs, plus hundreds of stars and balls. The tree’s lights are on until midnight everyday.

Christmas All-Year Round

The museum of Belen Collection in Marikina is one of the nicest places I was able to visit this year. Here, everyday is Christmas day. Visitors can marvel at the wide variety of Belen from all over the world. “Belen” is the Spanish term for the nativity scene, which depicts the birth/birthplace of Christ. A typical Belen is composed of Mother Mary, St. Joseph and the infant Jesus in a manger. It is set in a barn designated for keeping animals and haystack. The depiction would also include the Three Wise Men carrying gifts, sometimes the shepherds and their herd, angels and the Christmas star or the Star of Bethlehem. The star is an important symbol in Philippine Christmas tradition. During the holiday season, a Filipino home is usually with a parol (Star of Bethlehem), usually placed by the window.

Belen from around the world, made from different materials.

The Belen Museum houses the collection of Mrs. Carmen Carlos of over a hundred Belen. Mrs. Carlos is a retired businesswoman from Marikina, who started collecting Belen in the 1950s. Before, she only showed her collection to relatives and friends. It was only in November 2006, from the request of Marikina mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando, that Mrs. Carlos’ collection was exhibited to the public. Its main aim is to deliver the message of hope that the birth of Christ brings to the world.

At the entrance. Catching snowflakes inside.

See how different countries interpret the nativity scene; most of them given a local touch. Be fascinated by the Belen from the Philippines, Russia, Japan, Bethlehem, Germany, Spain, Vietnam, Africa, Italy and Peru. There is a Belen made from every imaginable material: fiberglass, wood, ceramics, paper, tin and the most amazing are those made from riverstones, jute, abaca rope (lubid), and clay.

A familiar sight? When was the last time you were here?

Located at the heart of Manila, Rizal Park is one of the main attractions of the city. In the Spanish colonial era, it used to be a cleared area aimed to buffer any rebellious acts of the locals against the walled city of Intramuros, which, at that time, was the center of business and social activities. The area was then named Bagumbayan or New Town, but was better known as Luneta because its shape was like a small moon or lunette (Spanish). In 1912, Act No. 243 of the Philippine Assembly, declared the place as the site where a monument of Dr. Jose Rizal and a mausoleum which will house his remains will be erected. This location is almost the same spot where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed on December 30, 1896. Up to this day, two ceremonial guards known as Kabalyeros de Rizal or Knights of Rizal guard the National Hero’s monument twenty-four hours a day and all throughout the week.

How much of Luneta have you seen so far? Do you have a photo by the Rizal monument? Or are you one of those who find this idea appalling? But leaders from other countries do not think so. In fact most visiting dignitaries make it a point to pay respect and lay a wreath at the monument. The many times I’ve been in Luneta, groups of foreign visitors excitedly pose in front to take pictures.

Today, aside from the Rizal monument, Luneta Park has other attractions like the man-made lake with a replica of the archipelago in it, the Quirino Grandstand, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens (favorite venues of students for rehearsals of school presentations), a monument of Lapu-Lapu and a few meters from the monument is the National Museum, and the big flagpole in front of Rizal monument (marks kilometer zero). At night, visitors can catch the light and sound show about the last days of the National Hero in the park’s open theater.

Let me end this post with snapshots of Bagumbayan today:

Photos: marker of Jose Rizal’s execution site; a series of relief sculptures depicting the life of the National Hero; a scene in the light and sound show

Photos: La Madre Filipina (a detail on the right side of the Rizal monument also depicts a mother and has this inscription below: “La Madre Filipina cria el porvenir del pais”*); Binhi ng Kalayaan (unveiled during the Philippine Centennial, dedicated to the heroes of the country); a very attractive tree, Natinal Museum of the Filipino People (used to be the Finance Building); Lapu-Lapu monument; bulova clock

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*Rough translation: The Filipina mother nurtures the future of the country (Fil.: Ang ina ang humuhubog sa kinabukasan ng bayan)

Some of the photos in this post courtesy of my friend Agnes. Used with permission.

I’ve had the privilege to visit Biksa Coffee a few weeks ago and tried some of their food and beverages. The cafe offers for beverages hot coffee (espresso, cappuccino, Americano, etc.); ice blended coffee (caffee mocha, latte); frappe (brain freeze); smoothies; milkshake; Italian soda; and tea. They also serve food like sandwiches, pizza and pasta.

My friends and I had a long that day and we decided to drop by Biksa Coffee. We had mozzarella pesto sandwich, pasta with tuna carratierre sauce, a margharita pizza, Italian sodas (passion kiwi and passion strawberry), cookies & cream milkshake and cappuccino.

(Photo 1 – mozzarella pesto sandwich, pasta tuna carratierre, and margharita pizza (Photo 2 – cappuccino, Italian sodas (passion strawberry and passion kiwi) and cookies & cream milkshake

Let me describe how they appealed to my taste bud, starting with the Mozzarella Pesto sandwich, which is my personal choice. As the name suggests, the loaf bread is filled mozzarella cheese and pesto. I chose this dish because I’ve never tried a pesto-filled sandwich and it has cheese. How can I resist cheese? The two main ingredients blended nicely. I’m sure, people who love adding herbs in their food will appreciate this sandwich. The tuna carratierre was very good as well. Adding a little bit more Parmesan cheese increases the creaminess of this sauce. It’s good as it is or you can have it spicy (just add finely ground pepper!). The pizza margharita, well, just like other concoction of this famous pizza flavor, I love the tomatoes!

Overall, Biksa Coffee is a fine place to hangout. The ambiance is good, very homey and relaxed. Plus, similar to other coffee shops, it also has Wi-fi service. My friend just have a comment on their menu card: the presentation’s a little plain. And I agree. They should try making it more attractive.

Biksa Coffee is located at #18 Gil Fernando Ave. cor. Dragon St., Marikina City; just a few minutes away from Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall.

Pan de Amerikana embodies quality dining experience. The concept of the restaurant is meant to make every diner feel at ease. The ambiance is a fusion of European, Asian and Filipiniana that blended well together, creating a homey environment and a perfect garden set up. Unlike other concept dining places, Pan de Amerikana is not restrictive. Guests are free to wander around while waiting for their food to be served and linger some more after they have finished eating. And speaking of food, the restaurant serves authentic Marikina dishes and other Filipino foods. Marikina boasts of its Everlasting and Waknatoy. Everlasting is similar to embotido but it is placed and cooked in a “llanera.” It is named as such because it in the olden days, this dish is ever present in festivities and gatherings. Waknatoy on the other hand is like menudo. And like everlasting, it is also always on the table of almost every family gathering. The Chinese settlers in Marikina during that time would always complain and say, “Ito na naman? Wak na `toy!” (This dish again? No, not this dish again!). Other notable dishes in Pan de Amerikana are the Ilocano sarabasab, Bicolano express-laing, Cebuano sinugba and sisig rice. But the taste of these foods is not the only reason to dine at Pan de Amerikana. With a very nice ambiance, you’ll be surprised at how affordable their meals are.

Some of the things to look forward to at Pan de Amerikana

More than a place to eat, Pan de Amerikana is also an educational facility. As an added attraction, people can play chess for free. There are rows and rows of tables embedded or etched with a chessboard. Chess pieces are also available near the counter, which people can use. They just have to return them afterwards. But that’s not all! Kids can start appreciating chess also despite their young age through Pan de Amerikana’s giant chessboard. The big chess pieces, according to Mr. Jun Salvador of Pan de Amerikana, are instructional materials, like those used in Russia, Canada and Singapore.

The giant chessboard

The restaurant is also a haven for Marikina artists. There is an art session in Pan de Amerika every Tuesday and artists can display their pieces there until they are sold.

But why is the restaurant named Pan de Amerikana? What started it all?

Before the restaurant, Pan de Amerikana used to be a bakery selling 1950′s pandesal. It is different from the pandesal we are familiar with because its main ingredient is whole wheat flour and it is cooked using firewood, so the taste is really different. The size of the bread is big and sold for only five pesos and fifty centavos (Php5.50) a piece. They also sell a loaf-like pandesal (pandesal pan Amerikano) for fifty-five pesos (Php55.00). The pan Amerikano and Marikina are among the basis for the name of the restaurant.

Other attractions at Pan de Amerikana are the tree house, the rope bridge, and it offers free Wi-Fi service. Pan de Amerikana is located at 92 Ordoñez Street, Concepcion Dos, Marikana City. You may reach the restaurant at 475-2398. It is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sundays.

For more photos of Pan de Amerikana, click here.

I may be wrong, but most people think that museums are meant solely for the well-off members of the society, an activity only the rich people can afford and enjoy. That is a HUGE misconception. If you can afford buying tokens for a videoke machine (don’t shoot me, I have nothing against karaoke singing. I’m Pinoy, so I like it, too), you definitely can afford museum entrance fees. Some of them do not even charge a dime!

You see, museums are there for you — for you to learn more about your community, your country, a religion, a new technology, history, etc. Spending time in a museum somehow changes, in a positive way, your view of yourself as part the society. Sometimes you can find the missing aspects of your life. It can be fun, only when you start appreciating what you see there. You can even say, museums rock!

It had been a little while since I’ve been to one. This year I plan to visit as many as I can (that’s the GRAND plan!). And since I’m based in Metro Manila, I’ll start here. I’ve made a list of the museums here and grouped them by locality.  You might want to visit them also. Or join me!

Here goes my list with a few basic details:

City of Manila
Museo Pambata (Ermita)
Museum Hours:
Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesday-Saturday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (Aug – March), 9:00 am-5:00 pm (April-July)
Admission: Php 100 (children & adults), Free/discounted for Manila residents (bring ID); Free for museum workers and teachers (bring ID); Free for street children, infants

Archdiocesan Museum of Manila (Intramuros)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-11:30 am, 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Friday 9:00 am-11:30 pm
Admission: Free

Casa Manila Museum (Intramuros)
Museum Hours:
Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 am-12:00 nn, 1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Admission: Less than Php 20

San Agustin Museum (Intramuros)
Museum Hours:
Open Daily 9:00 am-12:00nn, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Admission: Free (you have the option of making a donation at the museum)

The National Museum of the Philippines (Rizal Park)
Museum Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Admission: Php 100 (adults), Php 30 (students with ID), Free on Thursdays

Pasay City
The CCP Museum (Roxas Blvd.)
Museum Hours
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 am-6:00pm
Admission: Php 40 (adults), Php 20 (students and children)

Philippine Airforce Aerospace Museum (Villamor Airbase)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am-12:00 nn
Admission: Php 20

Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Roxas Blvd.)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-6:00 pm (closed on Sundays and Holidays)
Admission: Php 80

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, The Money Museum (Roxas Blvd.)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm (lunch break at 12:00 nn-1:00 pm)

Makati City
The Ayala Museum (Greenbelt Park)
Museum Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-6:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-7:00 pm
Admission:
Ground-Third Floor Galleries
Adult: Php 150 (Makati resident), Php 350 (non-resident)
Senior Citizen/Child/Student: Php 75 (Makati resident), Php 250 (non-resident)
Ground-Fourth Floor Galleries
Adult: Php 225 (Makati resident), Php 425 (non resident)
Senior Citizen/Student: Php 125 (Makati resident), Php 300 (non-resident)

Museo ng Makati (Brgy. Poblacion)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Admission:

Philippine Army Museum (Fort Bonifacio)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Weekends – only for group/organized tour (advanced reservation required)
Admission: less than Php 20 (info needs verification)

Marikina City
Shoe Museum (Brgy. San Roque)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Sunday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (lunch break at 12:00 nn-1:00 pm)
Admission: Php 20

Miniature Museum (Brgy. Sta. Elena)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Sunday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (lunch break at 12:00 nn-1:00 pm)
Admission: Php 30

Belen Museum (Brgy. Sta. Elena)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Sunday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (lunch break at 12:00 nn-1:00 pm)
Admission: Php 30

Doll Museum (Brgy. Sto. Niño)
Museum Hours:
Monday-Sunday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (lunch break at 12:00 nn-1:00 pm)
Admission: Php 25

Quezon City
Jorge B. Vargas Museum (UP-Diliman Campus)
Museum Hours:
Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Admission: Php 20 (UP student), Php 30 (non-UP student)

This is sort of my birthday gift for myself also. I thought that a little culture/art appreciation won’t hurt.

Hey, if I missed something on the list, feel free to add it up in the comments section. Also, I’m going to post details of my visits to these museums.

The Philippines is part of the so-called Coral Triangle (it is in the center of the center of the Coral Triangle), thus, the country is blessed with a very diverse, very beautiful marine life. But only a few are learned in this field. And ordinary people like us knows only the general facts. There aren’t enough facilities to see and study the creatures of the water for us to grasp a better understanding of them.

When Manila Ocean Park opened in December 2007, the sea and the life that thrives in it became accessible to the ordinary people. Now, everyone has the chance to experience and be an explorer of the ocean. The Manila Ocean Park has three main goals. Its first objective is to let people see how beautiful the Philippines is in terms of marine life. Second, to remind the people that it is time that we preserve and conserve the ocean. Lastly, that people should love the environment. They want every individual visiting the ocean park to understand these things.

The first to adopt a fusion concept, the Manila Ocean Park brings together an Ocenarium, a mall, hotel and restaurants, open water marine habitats and function halls. Visitors may find the Oceanarium entertaining, but it is, first and foremost, an educational facility (so do not expect dolphin shows or sea lion exhibitions).

The Oceanarium is arranged in such a way that its parts — from beginning to end-follow the natural movement of water from land to the deepest part of the sea. Upon entering the Oceanarium, one is greeted with freshwater creatures like giant arapaimas and fire eels. This area is called “Agos” (Flow) and also features a touch pool where one can experience a close encounter with starfishes and sea cucumbers (yes, you can touch and hold them as long as you don’t remove them from the water).

Some of the species in Laot and Buhara

Reaching the end of Agos, brings one to “Buhara” (Reef). It showcases some of the most colorful creatures found in Philippine coral reefs. Each of the 46 tanks recreates a replica of the natural habitat of every species. A spider crab dwells in one of the aquariums; a creature considered the largest living invertebrate.

After Buhara is “Laot” (Fishing Ground). Here, the tanks are bigger and more elaborate, and houses species of the deeper part of the ocean. They are arranged in a circular manner and surrounds a resting area in the middle where one can take a break for a while marveling at the sea creatures swimming in the giant aquariums around.

Moving on leads to the 25-meter long tunnel of “Buhay na Karagatan” (The Living Ocean), which is the Oceanarium’s main attraction. Walking the length of the tunnel gives one a marvelous feeling; like the sea is so close to you and you can almost touch the life forms in it. Observe in this 25-meter bend how certain specie interacts with other species, their method in finding food, and the way they protect themselves from predators. The last main component of the Oceanarium is the “Kalaliman” (The Deep), which features different kinds of schooling fish like the barracuda-one of the fiercest and most feared creature in the sea.

The 25-meter tunnel, the amazing creatures in it, and “aquaman” cleaning up

Other highlights of the Oceanarium are the Overhang Tank of Pagi or Stingray, a separate aquarium of Pating (Sharks) and an activity area at second floor. Also at the second floor: the shark viewing area, fish spa, glass bottom boat area, a fusion restaurant and the souvenir shop.

Sharks and stingrays

A visit to the Ocean Park can open ones eyes to the amazing world underwater — a world that we must appreciate, preserve and love.

Click here for more information on Manila Ocean Park.

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Interesting fact:

Manila Ocean Park’s Oceanarium uses filtered water from the Manila Bay for its tanks (that’s according to the Ocean Park officer we interviewed for our newspaper). They want to prove and people to see the the Manila Bay is still alive.

Pilita’s Restaurant is located at Greenhills Shopping Center, near the movie theaters. This cozy little place is owned by Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corales and her husband Don Carlos. Pilita’s has a very relaxed ambiance, a perfect place to hang-out after a long day at the office. Its walls are filled with numerous memorabilia of the hip-bending singer from her career. One wall serves as a gallery of her photos in black and white. Meanwhile the upper wall behind the stage displays covers of her vinyl records in the past.

Our group ordered pizza, pasta, green salad, mashed potato and grilled pork chops. The fun part of ordering at Pilita’s is with the pizza, whose flavors are named after the twelve signs of the zodiac. We chose the Gemini and Cancer pizzas, both tasted very good, although the slices are a bit small for the boys in the group. The salad looks ordinary but you’ll be surprised once you take a bite. We hinted wine in its dressing, although we forgot to ask, so we really don’t know. The creamy mashed potato sure stood to its name: creamy, tasty, melts in your mouth.

Pilita’s new print ad?

Aside from the usual iced tea drink, some of us also ordered coffee. My personal pick is the Affogato, which is coffee topped with vanilla ice cream. Yeah, you can list this beverage under dessert also. Now I know why café affogato is sometimes called “cold shower,” since when you mix the hot coffee and ice cream, you’ll get a cold drink afterward. I did not mix the two immediately. I spooned a small amount of ice cream and dipped it into the coffee at the bottom of the glass. You get a sort of mocha flavor, but not really mocha, since the coffee and ice cream alternately teases your taste bud. Mixing the two components will result into something like the frappuccino in a well-known coffee shop.

Another good thing about hanging out at Pilita’s is you’ll surely chance upon the Asia’s Queen of Songs herself! Yes, Ms. Pilita Corales regularly graces her restaurant together with her husband. Obviously, both love music because even before Ms. Pilita arrived, Don Carlos has already been performing with the other musicians present that night. She performs for the audience, so it was like we attended a mini-concert. Also, if you want to sing, you surely can. Like our friend, Conrad, who got to perform on stage.

Pilita’s is mainly a hub for the older generation, but it doesn’t matter. We enjoyed our stay so much it was almost midnight when we left.

My work has given me the chance to visit one of the city’s tourist destinations: World of Butterflies, run by the local government of Marikina. WOB’s main goal is to conserve the habitat of the butterflies. Aside from its butterfly garden, it is also a sanctuary for breeding them. Here, one can see the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle.

Among the insects, butterflies have one of the most complicated life cycles. And unlike the other creatures under Class Insecta, they do not undergo a nymph period before becoming an adult; instead, a butterfly changes appearance when it becomes an imago. So, there’s no such thing as baby butterfly.

Did you know that butterflies are indicators of pollution? If a place is polluted, you will seldom see butterflies in that area. They can be a pest in crops also, since their larvae (caterpillar) feed on a number of citrus plants (larval food plant). Hey, larva’s the longest stage in the life cycle and entirely spent eating until it becomes a fully-grown caterpillar.

The saying that “a butterfly only lives for a day” is not really true. Their average life span is two weeks. But some butterflies can survive for months. If a butterfly only lasted for a day, it must have been attacked/eaten by a predator.

Photos from left – right: (a) larvae feeding on citrus leaves, (b) preparing to become a pupa, (c) a pupa, (d) comparing a male from a female butterfly–the female have more dots on its wings. (All photos taken by the author at World of Butterflies)

Although WOB is not as magnificent as I was expecting, it was a learning experience. It has reignited my curiosity in this peculiar insect. And maybe it will be worth exploring again, now that I have more knowledge. You do not need a large area at home to create a habitat for butterflies. A little garden with lots of flowers will do (tip on flowers: butterflies prefer non-fragrant, clustered ones like santan). It’s also a way of contributing something to Mother Nature.

What I have tried (together with friends) so far in Halo’s menu are:

(a) Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Olives – this one I highly recommend. I like how the tomatoes and olives blended and created a slightly sour sauce which suited my taste bud very well.

(b) Spaghetti with malunggay pesto – this dish is for the brave and adventurous. Although the malunggay sauce may look like your regular pesto, there’s more than slight difference in the taste since it is impossible to totally remove the bitter taste of the malunggay. Hey, but this is really healthy! Remember that malunggay is a better source of vitamin C than citrus fruits.

(c) Veggie Medley Lettuce Wraps – a little salty for my taste but still good. Look forward to discovering the taste of banana and ginger combined.

(d) Chicken Pastel – hmmm… this is different from the usual pastel dish because this one is not baked. It was okay. Still healthy, I guess, because it uses white meat (chicken skin not included).

(e) Wheat Grass Cold Tea – a drink that you MUST try when you eat at Halo. The wheat grass they use is freshly cut from the plant box they keep outside of the café.

(f) Eggplant & Cheese Wholewheat Tortilla – I think the wholewheat tortilla made the difference in this appetizer. And the eggplant? The eggplant always goes well with anything!

(g) Tuna Steak – one of the best-tasting in the menu. Loved the way it was cooked.

(h) Tarragon Tea – a highly recommended after meal beverage. Halo uses a mixture of fresh and dried tarragon leaves. You will enjoy its natural sweet flavor and fragrant aroma. I think it has a calming effect on the drinker because when I had a cup at Halo, I was able to sleep immediately when I got home. Maybe I should start growing tarragon in my backyard.

Here’s a peek at some of the food we tried:

(1) veggie medley lettuce wraps (2) vegetarian burger

(3) eggplant and cheese wholewheat tortilla (4) spaghetti with malunggay pesto

(5) wheatgrass cold tea (6) wheatglass plant box

Food prices range from fifty pesos to a little more than a hundred pesos. Really affordable.

For a list of Halo Cafe’s offering, click here.

A few snapshots of Halo’s interior: