crumb trails

A different way to celebrate Valentine’s day is happening at Adarna Food and Culture on February 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM with “PS. Mahal Kita”–A Valentine Tertulia. Profess your love to your special someone and bring a love letter to read.

Here’s the announcement from Adarna:

‘PS. Mahal kita.’ A Valentine Tertulia at Adarna

Date:   Saturday. February 13, 2010

Time:   7:00pm ~ 10:00pm

Location: 119 Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City

A tertulia is a social gathering common during the turn of the century. Friends usually congregate in someone’s home late in the afternoon or early evening to enjoy conversation, art and culture. The mood is informal and the guests themselves provide the entertainment.
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A weekend getaway is a tempting idea after a long stressful week at work. Somewhere accessible should do. I found one–Noah’s Leisure Park in mountainous Montalban, Rizal. It takes less than an hour’s travel from Quezon City to get there.

Noah’s Park combines leisure and nature–very suitable for bonding with your family or friends. Of course, who can resist the inviting warm pools. Noah’s Park is probably one of the resorts with very safe pools, especially for  children.

Pool(s) of fun and cottages to rest

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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.

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One of crumb trails earliest entries was about a place in Marikina. Among the cities in Metro Manila, Marikina has become one of the most progressive. But what sets it aside from other cities is its cleanliness. The discipline of its citizens is also exceptional. But apart from these, there’s a lot more to discover in Marikina. And one of them is Pan de Amerika (PDA).

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

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Let’s face it. In our country, visiting museums is not part of our culture. We don’t bother to go, unless you’re a student and your teacher or professor required you to visit a certain museum in a certain place.

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

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For most of us living in the city, relaxation would mean an out of town trip. With our fast-paced everyday life, we have no time to stop and smell the flowers or appreciate the little things in our surroundings. Fresh air is a luxury. And family bonding means a trip to the mall.

Unknown to many, a nature sanctuary is nestled right in the heart of Quezon City, where one can experience serenity, even for a while. The La Mesa Eco Park has been there for years. It has been rehabilitated a few years ago and is now open to the public again. It is a sanctuary for nature lovers, health buffs and for families who want to spend some quality time with each other.

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A day tour to Corregidor is a little expensive, costing around 2, 000 pesos via Sun Cruises. But the ferry ride to the island was inviting. It’s not everyday that I get to ride one! Although not a swimmer, still, I’m a fan of the sea. Just inhaling the cool sea breeze relaxes my mind and my nerves. The water couldn’t sound more wonderful when it kisses the shore or its waves slap over boulders of rocks and brave sea vessels. Yeah, I love the sound of the sea. That’s why, I couldn’t resist the trip to Corregidor!

Since the island was a military reservation during World War II, Corregidor is a favorite destination among war veterans, Filipinos and Americans alike. It is also frequented by students, teachers, foreign visitors, and Pinoy travelers, too. Like myself.

Going to Corregidor is more or less an hour’s ferry ride from Manila. The ferry leaves CCP terminal at around eight o’clock in the morning. As the boat traverse the sea, you are free to go around; buy some snacks, take pictures, or you may go to the second deck where you’ll be able to enjoy the panorama of the ocean, the islands and mountains from afar and even the diminishing view of the city you left behind. When the ferry finally docks in Corregidor, tourist guides, tranvias and their drivers await the visitors at the port, ready to take them around the island.

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Maligayang ika-110 Araw ng Kalayaan sa lahat ng Pilipino. Saang dako ka man naroroon, saludo sa iyo ang mundo. Ipagbunyi ang iyong kalayaan! Nawa’y patuloy mong pangalaan ang kalayaang ipinaglaban ng iyong mga ninuno at patuloy na makibaka para sa iyong dakilang bayan.

Laging taas-noo. Dahil ikaw ay malayang Pilipino.

(Larawang may kahalintulad na paksa)

Last week’s night out is the closest thing I could think of of a summer getaway. It’s already the month of May and I haven’t been to any resort (beach, pool or spring). I went to the beach too early (February). My time—or should I say, mine and my officemates’ time—is occupied by the routine at work. Maybe all of us were too busy to notice that summer is slipping away, fast and unnoticed, and the thought of some summer adventure only occurred to us in passing. Haay…

Anyway, on the last day of April, my colleagues/friends at the office decided to push trough with our plan of dining together at Adarna Food & Culture. It was also a farewell dinner for Conrad as it was his last day at the company. That was my third time at Adarna, and like my previous visits, it was again an enjoyable experience. This restaurant really keeps on surprising me and my taste bud.

There were thirteen of us who dined at Adarna. Butch, the waiter assigned to serve us, ushered us to our reserved table near the piano (we really specified that our table be by the piano because we planned to sing some songs after eating). Everybody instantly liked the homey ambiance. We ordered several platters of Batanes yellow rice, dilis, piassok, sigarilyas salad, Adobong Batangas ala Adarna, Pochero, Tapa served with a very interesting dip, and Gising-Gising. It was a delightful dinner; every bite a moment to relish. Personally, I have never imagined that sigarilyas (winged bean) could taste that good. The salad was one of the groups favorite. Piassok was a sure hit, of course—the beef melts in your mouth. This dish is a must-try at Adarna. Everything is a must-try at Adarna!

The Group (from left: Che, Avi , Yme, Chris, Tet, Leng-leng, Gemma & Alan, MJ, Obet, Conrad, Sir Jojo, and Sir Jay) Just finishing our cups of coffee, tea and hot choco. Thanks to Chef Giney for this photo.

Adarna Food & Culture is open until 10:30 in the evening. But we were enjoying the place, the company of each other and the singing that we somehow lost track of time. It was half past eleven when we left; many thanks to Ms. Beth and Chef Giney for allowing us to stay that long.

Here are some more pictures:

Jamming time! Yeah, we weren’t “that ready” for a night of music (`yan may baon talagang songbook )

Havin’ some good time.

Another group photo, taken just before we left Adarna.

This is not about the publishing house.

Recently, I discovered a restaurant along Kalayaan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City that serves delicious authentic Filipino dishes. Diners can take their pick of favorite dishes from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The restaurant’s name is Adarna Food & Culture. It’s a cozy place that gives a homey ambiance while you’re dining. The whole concept is very Filipino, like a home, and the place looks like a restored old stone house. You can also dine alfresco, by the fountain. Interesting memorabilia and other collections adorn the main dining room and the function rooms. Customers also get a treat from the sari-sari store (Choices are chocnut, white rabbit candy, chocolate coin,  cigarette, and many other goodies available in a sari-sari store). It gives an exciting feel, like you’re a child again visiting your suking sari-sari sa may kanto.

One of the dishes served at the resto. Pinoy Pasta — it has chorizo instead of ham or hotdog.

A Muslim dish from Mindanao — Piassok. It is cooked in smoked coconut milk. The meat is so tender you won’t need a knife.

Different angels of the smaller dining area — perfect place to have coffee with friends. The sari-sari store is also located in this area.

Sherma & I, taking turns posing at the main dining hall.

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You may reach Adarna Food & Culture at these numbers:

(+632)926-8712/(+63917)961-8113

E-mail: adarnafoodandculture@yahoo.com

(The have a graduation promo this month.)

Note: See photo of Adarna Food & Culture facade from previous entry.