Teachers Village needs a good Japanese Restaurant

aka the Maguro Sushi Bar Experience

As part of my continued search for the Ramen of my childhood (which my sister is convinced is from Ajisen Ramen), or something better, my friends and I tried Maguro Sushi Bar in Teacher’s Village. It was also to celebrate the first day of my birthday week (yay vanity!).

Maguro Sushi Bar is a modest little place along Matalino Street, in between Kalayaan and East Avenue. While most of the other food places there have screaming neon signs, Maguro embraced the simplicity of the Japanese in its interiors . It felt warm and intimate and generally looked like a good place to unexpectedly find good food.

Not that we did.

Well, it wasn’t the OMG-I-FOUND-THE-RAMEN-OF-MY-DREAMS experience, not even the I-finally-found-a-good-Japanese-Restaurant-in-Teacher’s-Village experience. It was just—ok.

While ordering my Beef Ramen (PhP110), I asked if they were offering options for the soup base. When the waiter kind of looked at me funny, I knew it wasn’t a good sign (the Beef Ramen has soy based soup, btw). The noodles seemed to be fast food noodles, just a little firmer than your Lucky Me Supreme instant noodles. The soup base just felt oily and didn’t really taste right.

We also ordered the Maki Platter (Php165 for 16 pcs) which was ok except that it lacked Japanese Mayo.

If you’re wondering if we’re coming back to this place, probably not.

Though  it has Crazy Katsu (which sadly lacks makis and sushis in their menu), Teacher’s Village sorely lacks good Japanese Restaurants.

28 Matalino St., Teacher’s Village
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(+632) 922-0129
11:30am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday;Open from 5pm to 11pm, Sunday

In case you're looking for a Mr. Thursday (and Friday and Saturday) up North

Foodies up North (of EDSA) were thrilled when the brilliant minds behind Mercato Centrale, Soderno and Distrito Makati finally brought the weekend food market experience in Quezon City with Mezza Norte.

No longer do we have to troop to Ortigas, Makati, Taguig or Alabang to get our foodie fix.

Though most of the booths are the same with those in most weekend Markets,  I'm glad to report that the QC-based suppliers rejoiced with its opening and have joined the fun.

Here are some tips for in case you get to drop by:

 1.  MOST SULIT: Paella by Flavor Avenue
Paella Valencia > Bagnet Paella
But I heard they're offering different flavors on different days- like Lechon Sisig Paella (feel the cholesterol!) and Paella al Nero (Negra).

2.  Bite-size food

The most unique thing I've seen here so far were those little taco-things people wanted to fit into egg cartons. There were even mini taco shells from made from malunggay leaves.

3.  If you haven't had enough isaw in UP, here you go
also works in case you're too lazy to go to UP, Isaws, Barbeques and street food are staples in weekend markets.

Awesome except I don't eat Isaw.






(In case you want to strategize where to eat, visit Anton Diaz's blog for a map of booths here.)

Mezza Norte also offers live entertainment like this band of two people who seemed old but played Jonas Brothers songs.

The sad part was that the wifi didn't seem to be working. But hey, let's not trade the experience for the sake of documentation, yes?

On a side note, I was really amused to still have been able to find a pay phone in the area (thank you Ministop) but even more so that even pay phones now look like mobile phones. Will our kids even know what landlines look like?

MEZZA NORTE, Mercato of the North
UP Techno Hub Mall, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City
Every Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 6pm to 3am.

Adventures on Easy Street: Mga Salinawit sa Sopa Negra

Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din. Bilang pahabol sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika (Agosto), sisikapin kong isulat ang artikulong ito sa wikang Filipino (salamat, Google Translate at paumanhin sa lahat ng naging guro ko sa Filipino).

Nitong nakaraang taon, nadiskubre ko kasama ang isang kaibigan ang Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace sa kahabaan ng Maginhawa St., Teacher's Village. Naging isa ito sa paborito kong destinasyon kahit pa nagkalat sa paligid nito ang iba't ibang makakainan. Ito'y hindi lamang dahil sa katakam-takam nitong mga putahe (subukan ang pork chop ciabatta at twice-cooked adobo!) kundi dahil na rin sa mga interesanteng likhang-sining na litrato at poster sa mga mesa at dingding, pati na rin sa mga libro at album na inaalok nila sa kanilang mga parokyano.

Sa dinami-rami ng pagkakataon na dito ako kumain, nitong nakaraan ko lamang nakita ang isang libro na kamuntik ko nang nakawin mula sa lugar- ang 101 Salinawit ni Pete Lacaba. Dito, makikita ang mga pagsasalin ng nasabing musikero ng mga awiting banyaga tungo sa wikang Filipino.

At dahil walang binatbat ang awtor na ito sa pagsusulat sa ating sariling wika, mas mabuting ang mga larawan na lamang ng mga napili kong awitin ang magpatuloy ng kwento:

Blacksoup Cafe + Artspace
54 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
12 nn-3 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m. araw-araw maliban sa Linggo

P.S. Nais ko ring magpasalamat sa mga tauhan ng Blacksoup sa hindi pagpapalayas sa akin kahit kanta ako ng kanta sa loob ng nasabing restaurant

P.P.S. Ngayong Setyembre ang anibersaryo ng Blacksoup. Bisitahin ang kanilang Facebook page upang makita ang kanilang mga promo para sa pagdiriwang nito.

Battle of the (Luxury) Buffets

aka if you’re going to take photos of your food, might as well do something useful with them

It doesn’t really show on me but our family loves eating buffet-style (yes, I am gifted with eating like a starving hyena and never gaining weight). Over the past year, two establishments opened along Seaside Boulevard in the Mall of Asia Complex that didn’t weren’t just Buffet Restaurants but Luxury Buffet Restaurants. Naturally, we had to try them out.

So, here’s a comparative look at two of the hottest “luxury buffet restaurants” this side of EDSA:3



ROUND 1: SUSHI – MAKI – SASHIMI

In most lunch/dinner buffets I go to, the first round would always have to be at the Japanese food station.

Though both restos didn’t disappoint, Vikings provided a wider range of available makis and sushis than Buffet 101. Not a fan of picking my tuna and salmon from the fish body, though. It makes me relate to my food in ways that I’d rather not.

ROUND 2: SEAFOOD

Both restos allow you to choose from a variety of fresh seafood and them have them grilled.

Vikings' seafood selection is a lot pricier than that of Buffet 101’s, though. With lobsters, oysters, squid and others, the restaurant had me at Gindara.

ROUND 3: SALADS

Viking and Buffet 101 both offer salad bars and a variety of fresh salads for those who want to balance their pigging out with some veggies.

Do yourself a favor though, DO NOT EAT olive and grape salad from Vikings unless you like saggy grapes. It looks promising but no, I promise you it disappoints.

ROUND 4: MAINS

Vikings' selection seems to be more savory because of the sauces while Buffet 101 tends to be on the spicy side.

But Vikings pulls out an ace in its steak section with a selection of Australian Lamb Steaks, Batangas Tenderloins, Australian Sirloin Steaks and Roasted Beef Tenderloin. You have to move fast though, these run out pretty fast.

ROUND 5: BEVERAGES

While some buffet restos don’t include the beverages in the buffet, the owners of both Buffet 101 and Vikings prove to be more sly by allowing people to gorge and immediately get full on drinks.

Though both restos offer fruit shakes, Buffet 101 has a wider range of fruits you can choose from. Viking only offers the ‘shake for the day’, if you can find where to ask it from (near the ice cream station). But! Vikings has sago’t gulaman in exchange.

Both of them also have soda, coffee and beer dispensers. I’m biased towards Vikings in this round only because they offer Dalandan juice.

ROUND 6: DESSERT –oh glorious—DESSERT

The cakes served at Buffet 101 are from Red Ribbon while their ice cream’s from Magnolia; the must try dessert is their blue lemon jelly. I don't really know where Vikings' desserts come from but I urge you to try thei r straberry ice cream.

Both restos have frozen yogurt machines and a variety of toppings top choose from. But remember that at this point you've probably already eaten a lot, drank fruit juices which may not sit well with frozen yogurt. Just saying.

Vikings also has a crepe bar but it only offers banana crepes. The must try desserts include the white chocolate mousse and strawberry ice cream. It also has two chocolate fountains which is a hit with the kids.

ROUND 7: VALUE FOR MONEY

As the table shows, it’s a bit pricier at Vikings, especially if you have kids in tow.

It’s also a lot harder to book. If you want to eat at Vikings, you’d better book at least a week in advance and confirm on the day itself, otherwise, you’d land on their lengthy waiting list. And since it’s a buffet and they can’t tell when people’ll finish eating, there’s no telling when you’d finally be able to eat.

Unfortunately, people have started trooping to Buffet 101, too, so you might want to also call for reservations in advance just to be sure.

The lighting, spaces between tables and the food areas in Buffet 101 seems to be more suited for family gatherings than Vikings. The latter would be better suited for yuppies out with friends.

In general, I’d lean in favor of Vikings because the range is wider and for personal reasons like that strawberry ice cream, dalandan juice and steaks.





VIKINGS
846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888
0917-5653888 & 0923-7303888
Bldg. B, By The Bay, Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

BUFFET 101
556-2888, 556-3888, 556-9888
Bldg K, Seaside Boulevard, San Miguel by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

The difference one square meal can make

As much as I would like to frown upon people who have children without having the means to support them (read: pass the RH Bill!), there’s really no use in merely ranting about the situation. We’ve got more than enough complaints and complainants in this country—and less people who get up and do something about it.

From Monday to Friday, more than 30 undernourished children from our neighborhood troop to our home in Cavite to share a hearty, healthy meal.

Through the sponsorship of our parish, the civil group called I’M US, and good-hearted citizens, these children from age two to seven are enrolled into the feeding program where they are weighed, fed, given vitamins and supplements and monitored to help them get the nutrition they need.

To help feed not only bodies but also their minds, mini-lessons about health and hygiene are conducted, as well as Bible studies. The children’s mothers or guardians, who often also give logistical support, are also encouraged to participate in the lessons and to practice what they’ve learned at home.

Many barangays around Imus and Cavite have also started with their own community-feeding programs. Some have even set-up capacity building trainings and activities for the mothers so that they could generate extra income for their families. This also helps discourage over-dependence on the program.

However, with more than 30 mouths to feed, the program’s sustainability is at risk. Since it cannot ensure how much longer their current funds will last, it hopes to least have this current batch of young minds to graduate from being malnourished.  

Those who would like to help-out and share what they can to the program may contact Ms. Portia Pereña or your local community parish.

  

By donating any amount to the program, you can help us make a difference in the lives of these kids- one square meal at a time.

 

 Photos taken by: JKManda

From Towns to Cities? Things to Consider before Casting Your Vote for the Conversion of Bacoor and Imus into Cities

Last April 10 and 11, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act Nos. 10160 and 10161, which converted Bacoor and Imus towns, respectively, into cities.

To ratify their charters, they will conduct plebiscite votes from the residents on June 23 for Bacoor and June 30 for Imus. Majority of the residents must ratify the charter. Bacoor has a registered voting population of 256,000 while for Imus, it’s 151,720 for Imus.

Requirements to become a city	locally generated income of at least P100 million (based on constant prices in the year 2000) for the last two consecutive years, as certified by the Department of Finance (DoF)
	AND
	a population of 150,000 or more, as certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO)	OR	a contiguous territory of 100 sq. km, as certified by the Land Management Bureau, with contiguity not being a requisite for areas that are on two or more islands
	Congress is the lone legislative entity that can incorporate cities
	The last per-requisite for a municipality to become a city is a plebiscite vote from the residents where a majority must ratify the charter.

What people should keep in mind is that moving from City to Municipality is more than just a change of label. It also doesn't mean an automatic step-up from to a "cooler" status just because you now live in a city. There are important changes in the roles and function of the different branches of your local government that would affect the way you live.

Because I strongly believe in the importance of making informed decisions (and because I am a geek), the table below addresses some of the things the voters and residents of these two towns must consider before casting your votes:

Although there are other differences and changes that should  be considered, the above, I feel are some of the things people would look into the most because this is where they are directly concerned. Either from casting their votes, the laws and policies of their local governments, the taxes they pay and where those taxes should go.

Personally, even though these two towns have met the requirements specified by the law for conversion, I believe that Bacoor is more financially and politically stable to become a city than Imus. The problematic political dynamics in Imus (given the the repetitive questions in the authority of the local chief executives of late) signify its immaturity. This may make its conversion and the political structure that may arise from the its conversion more prone to abuse.

But I am just one vote and one mind hoping that others would consider what THEIR one vote would mean for them and the succeeding generations.

Of sea, sand and – testosterones?

In case one of your reasons for hitting the beach is to go boy-searching, and just in case you want some assurance that you won’t have to compete with most of the boys for the boys you’ve found, maybe you might want to try Warrior’s Beach Resort in Ternate, Cavite.

Found some three to four hours away from Manila, Warrior’s Beach is also known as the General Gregorio Lim Marine Base. Here, you can feast your eyes as a troop of Philippine Marines do their morning trainings on the grounds, on the beach or in the water.

(Photo credit: https://namvietnews.wordpress.com)

But the base isn’t just for objectifying our country’s troops. It’s also been dubbed as the “Bora de Cavite” for its powdery sand and turquoise waters. However, the experience you’ll have here is more like Survivor than Jersey Shore.

Although there are rooms for rent at P700/night, they’re very limited so most overnighters bring their own tents or sleep on the benches under the trees. There is electricity, but you’d have to play nice with the other campers so you can share with them.

Remember to bring your own, hopefully pre-cooked, food unless you’re ok with eating instant noodles and canned goods from the two sari-sari stores in the area.

Getting There
If you're commuting	Projected Cost per person per one-way trip		If you're bring a private vehicle	Projected Cost per person per one-way trip
	(in PhP)			(in PhP)
From Manila, go via LRT/MRT/bus/jeep to Baclaran	(depending on where you're coming from)		From Manila, take coastal road	24 (toll fee)
Take a bus (Saulog Liner) or minibus to the bus terminal in Ternate	75-85		Take the left lanes that say you're on you're way to Noveleta/Kawit - that'll lead you to the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex)	65 (toll fee)
From here, hire a jeepney to take you to Warrior's Beach which they usually refer to as the Marine Base	500*		Take the exit toward Covelandia Road and turn right.
			Continue driving along Centennial Rd., then, Antero Soriano Highway and finally Governor's Drive. This will take you past the towns of Kawit, Naic and Tanza.
* for the whole jeepney			The main gate is located along the road between Puerto Azul and Caylabne Bay.
Or you can check out this map
Entrance Fee		100
Parking Fee		50
Overnight		200
Room		700

Other tips:

• If you’re commuting, don’t forget to get the mobile number of your jeepney driver. In case he’s not staying over at the Marine base, you’d want to be able to contact him when you want to be picked up.
• If you have a chance to go here during weekdays, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to have the beach all to yourselves
• I suggest you spend the night. The beach is a lot more enjoyable during the early mornings (not just because the MArines go out to train) but because the waters are calmer. There aren’t many rocks, seaweeds or sea urchins in the water either. The sand was fairly level and consistent (no sudden dips) that we were actually able to play Frisbee in the water without anyone getting hurt (except maybe my ego)
• Another reason why you might want to spend the night is because you wouldn’t want to be caught on the road when it gets dark, especially if your driver is unfamiliar with the area
• Try to get there early so you can reserve your spot on the beach/cottages/rooms

       Other photo credits go to KLDominguez