Best of Cebu Food

part 1

Cebu is synonymous to affordable and delicious food.  For where else can you get a 100 peso plate of Baked Scallops in an airconditioned restaurant in a Philippine City?

But Best as a term can be problematic as food and taste is highly subjective, so let's say these are our favorite places to eat in Cebu.

FAVORITE RIBS IN CEBU
Surfin Ribs

image from facebook/surfinribs

 Frustratingly, Casa Verde wavered and the quality of their ribs have started to decline.  We went to their branch at Ayala and at IT Park, and were consistently underwhelmed.  Suddenly, their ribs start to lack flavor and the cuts of the ribs seemed not correctly done.

At the same time, news came out of this new ribs place.  It costs 149 pesos for a full-slab, compared to 208 for Casa Verde.  We just had to try and was really pleased.  Their ribs is very tasty, and meaty.  So at less than 150 pesos, this has to be the most practical slab of ribs one could get.  Another thing we like is that they have the Spicy Ribs variety.  It is moderately spiced, so no need to worry if you want to try but are afraid of spicy.  Their claws, and buffalo wings are also good.

The 2 downsides are 1) the place is not airconditioned.  So going there lunch time would require you to bring a towel 2) not straight forward to go there.  It is along Escario's one-way street.  Very close to Parklane Hotel, but you would have to go around the block if you are bringing a car.  In the vicinity are several spas, and it is the place along Escario where cars are double or even triple parked.  One time, we waited 45 minutes just to get a table.  Go there early (6pm or even before for dinner)

BEST SCALLOPS in CEBU
Kuya J's

Chikaan's and Golden Cowrie's are good, but consider Kuya J's scallops the best.  It seems fresher, more succulent not to mention very generous with the butter.  And at 128 pesos a plate, it becomes the most affordable too.  Only Tsibooom's is cheaper, but this one is just a class above everyone else's.

Incidentally, Kuya J is along Orchid Street, in Capitol right across the very popular STK Ta Bai.  Enjoy STK's ambience but visit the Scallops at Kuya J's.

BEST SANDWICH in CEBU
Dolce

Getting a good sandwich could very tough in Cebu.  In Cebu just like in the whole Philippines, rice is a staple food.  So it will be easier to get an exotic dish (goat, snails, etc) than a good sandwich.  We like the simple sandwiches prepared while you wait at Kate's (Beside Rustans at the Basement of Ayala).  The Turkey Ham sandwich at the Metro Deli is nice, but you have to get it with the Mayo as the sandwiches are already prepared.  Having the mayo removed is an ordeal it seems.

Back in April, we tried this new restaurant at Nivel Hills.  Their specialty - sandwiches, burgers, and quiche. Dolce's Sandwiches allow you to mix and match with their available bread, cheese, and meat.  So you create your own sandwich.  Our favorite is Turkey Bacon with Gruyere cheese on Ciabatta.  Since the sandwich is grilled while you wait, the melting cheese compliments the meat and the bread really well.  Oh, and their condiments are served in a nice 3-d "W-shaped" container.  So you put your own relish, mustard, catsup or mayo.

And their sandwich is 150 pesos.  A little pricey, yes for a sandwich but the place's ambience is quite impressive.  Simple white decor amidst the Nivel Hills overseeing Busay makes dining a pleasant experience.

Dolce is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.

Runner-up with be the semi-private restaurant at Dove street.  At 150 pesos, you get a salad, a sandwich and a dessert.  Food is good.  The only downside, quite difficult to find.  It is inside a subdivision, so you need a god map or googlemaps.

Best of Cebu Food Part 2

Fine Dining Setting at Anzani

BEST MEDITERRANEAN in CEBU
Anzani

There is simply no competition.  A definite must try.  Enough said.

Anzani is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.



FAVORITE BEEF IN CEBU
Olio

Somewhere at the Crossroads in Banilad is a less-popular (at least to tourists and short-term visitors to Cebu) fine dining place called Olio.  It is a 2-storey place just like many at Crossroads.

After frustrations from other Steakhouses in Cebu on the cut of their beef to their questionable definition of Rare and Medium Rare, Finally!  a steakhouse worth mentioning in Cebu.   We were obviously attracted to visit because of their Anniversary Buy-1-Take-1 Steak promo.   And we were just happy.

Major difference of the beef at Olio is that it is not masked.  No extra and  fake flavourings, you get the best beef plain and simple.

Olio is at the Crossroads in Banilad, Cebu City.   It is walking distance from the Cebu Golf Club and a few minutes away from BTC.


BEST PASTA in CEBU
Cafe Elysa

Hidden between the tourist spots in Parian and the barangay basketball courts is a gem of a restaurant in Cebu.   It is very difficult to find for a non-local, so finding it is a like a treasure.

Rather ironic that the Favorite Pasta in Cebu is not from an Italian Restaurant, but your opinion will change once you have tried the Pasta Bolognese with Basil and Grana Padano Cheese.  Consistent with all of the dishes at Cafe Elysa, the pasta is not greasy, seem simple, but exploding with lots of flavour.  And at less than 200Pesos a plate, this is a must try dish.

Another interesting pasta dish is the Bolognara Pasta at Cafe George.  The chef combined Bolognese and Carbonara sauce which conceptually could be trouble but actually blends really well.  For those who like their pasta sauces on the rich side, then this one is for you.  There is beef and tomato from Bolognese and Musrooms, Bacon and Cream from the Carbonara.  A pure delight.

Cafe Elysa is in Parian Cebu.  It is walking distance from the Cebu Heritage Park.
Cafe George is located in Banilad, right after Crossroads and before BTC.  You can also try Oh George, which is a restaurant-cafe on the Marina Exit side of Ayala.

Food Trip with Guest

Buong linggo last week, kasama ko ang Americanong cliente na binebentahan namin ng trabaho.  Gusto raw niyang magdala ng 1,000 trabaho sa loob ng 4 na taon.  Pag ganyan ang usapan, maski saan mo ko gustong papuntahin sasamahan ko siya!  Kaya nga 2 araw sa Manila at 2 araw sa Cebu, sinamahan ko siya.

Pag kasama mo ang cliente, natural para na rin kayong nag-food trip.  Dahil boring naman kung trabaho i-blo-blog natin, e di yung mga kinainan na lang namin =).

1)  Red @ Shangri-la Makati
Dapat lang na pinakamasarap ang steak dito sa buong Pilipinas.  Paano naman ang presyo ng steak dito ay 3,500 pesos.  Exag!  Pero grabe talaga - tender na juicy pa, teka parang hotdog na ito.  Must-try din ang Soup Flambe nila - ang sopas na nag-aapoy.  Kakaiba.  Syempre di ako magbabayad, at siya order ng order so ako na rin.

2)  Crisostomo @ Libis
OK sana ang pagkain dito.  Kasi madalas kami rito sa Resorts World at sa Nuvali papuntang Tagaytay.  Kaso, ang salad na inorder namin merong uod.  Sobrang kadiri!  At nangyari pa ito kasama ang cliente ko.  Anak ng jueteng lord talaga.  Pasalamat sila at may cliente ako - kung hindi nagjuramentado ako dun.   So obviously,  this restaurant is blacklisted - teka malagay nga sa Facebook.  Promise, magsara na sila.  Ang sama nilang tumiming.  Kung kasama ko lang sila Ayo - OK siguro.  May cliente pa ko.

3)  People's Palace @ Greenbelt
Kung gusto nyo ng spicy soup - dito ang the best.  Yung Tom Yung Gung nila ay napakasarap at may sipa ng anghang.  YumYum, patok din ang pomelo salad at ang spiral shrimp.   Kaso mahal siyempre, mga 1,200 per person

4)  Coral @ Imperial Palace sa Cebu
Ito daw ang unang 7-star restaurant sa Pilipinas.  Sumakay pa kami ng Golf Cart papuntang restaurant - sosyal.  Ang Coral Restaurant ay nasa tabing dagat - so umorder kami ng scallops, lobsters, squid at prawns.  Ang presyo ay 2,200 per person (walang drinks), so dapat lang na sobrang sarap

5)  Thai Place @ Ayala Center in Cebu
OK lang ang food.  Nothing spectacular.  Pero ang lemonade nila - the best!  At mura pa.  Isang pitsel ay 220 pesos, puwedeng 8 baso.  Actually dahil sa dami kong nainom na lemonade, nabusog na ko - baka kaya di ko na rin nagustuhan ang pagkain.

6)  Hukad @ Ayala Center in Cebu
Para itong Gerry's Grill, pero better.   Umorder kami ng mga food na special sa Cebu syempre.  OK din ang cliente namin - medyo adventurous sa pagkain.  Pinakain namin ng kuhol, dinuguan, danggit, crablets -carry nyang lahat.  OK din siya sa balot.  Pero di namin siya pinakain ng sisig at pinapaitan - kasi di rin ako kumakain nun heheh - baka pilitin siya, nakakahiya naman.  Dahil di talaga ako kakain nun hahaha.

B

B...Cebu

Had a great time in Cebu. Naisip namin to skip Boracay this time, kasi ang daming tao dun at ang daming scandals recently. Cebu is a city, a beach, a wonderful place with wonderful people.

Here are Top 10 Things about the Cebu trip. Pics are in PB Summer Slide Show on the right.

1. Crown Regency Suites at Mactan island. We decided to stay at Mactan, kasi malapit sa beach. Tapos, we found this nice hotel na sobrang mura compared sa iba. We paid less than 3,000 pesos a night - for 4 people. Our hotel room had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 TVs. Sobrang lapit sa swimming pool at sa restaurant. So everything you need. The breakfast buffet was also good. Medyo malayo lang sa city, pero di naman mahal ang sasakyan. So sulit na rin.

2. Butterfly Sanctuary. 1-hour away from the city, makikita ang first and one of the few butterfly sanctuary and museum sa buong Pilipinas. Pinakita sa amin ang most extensive at oldest butterfly collections. Pati na rin ang Ms. Universe ng mga paru-paro. Most amazing ay ang mga paintings ng may-ari. Di lang siya gawa sa watercolor or oil. Gawa siya sa mga nasirang pak-pak ng paru-paro! Astig.

3. Lechon Cebu. There is lechon but there is Lechon Cebu. Tulad ng nirekomenda ng mga friends namin from Cebu - we had to try CnT Lechon. Unbelievable taste! Di na kelangan ng sauce.

4. Su-To-Kil. Dito nagsimula ang mga paluto restaurants. Since very fresh ang mga seafoods, ang sarap ng pagkain. We had kilawin tanigue. We also had the freshest crabs at siyempre - Scallops na fresh na fresh.

5. Friendly People. Very accomodating and very hospitable people everywhere. We rented a "private chauffeur", para comfortable ang pamamasyal. At ang driver namin na si Ricky ay very efficient(laging on time) at really friendly. Mura pang maningil (syempre tinawaran namin). Pag asa Cebu at kelangan ng driver, puwede nyong i-text si Ricky: 0910-231-8657.

6. The Beach. We went to the Tambuli beach for lunch and the beach. Medyo mahal ang presyo so cannot recommend 100%. Pero the beach is fantastic - white sand & calm waters. The food at Tambuli was not good thoughat mahal pa, so please choose another beach resort.

7. History. You appreciate the country's history seeing the huge golden Lapu-Lapu statue. Nakakalungkot dito, ito pa lang ang napuntahan naming Lapu-Lapu monument. Kasi sobrang konti lang sa Pilipinas at isang monumento lang sa Luzon. Magellan's Cross is nice. The Sto. Nino Shrine is also majestic.

8. Taoist Temple. More on location kaya siya maganda. Asa taas kasi siya ng mountain area so kita mo view ng city.

9. Philippine Airlines. Our trip to and from Manila were on-time, OK one was 5 minutes late. Going back to Manila we only paid 1,200 per person, sobrang sulit.

10. Weather. Sobrang init. Pero kesa naman umulan at bumaha. Pag-gabi na, the best ang Cebu so we also enjoyed the nightlife - dining at Waterfront and then sa Fifties restaurant.

In summary, we had a great time in Cebu. Pag may extrang pera, consider Cebu.

Mixed Emotions about Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu

I purchased a voucher last October 2011 for a 50% discount at an overnight stay at Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu.  I called their reservations last week to book a room over the weekend.

Spoke to a lady who said there was no available room for the price I paid for, if I wanted the give me an Executive room where I need to add 2,500 pesos.  Tempting, but I said I will have to think about it.  I did not want to pay extra because I felt it would defeat the purpose of the discounted voucher.

Not an hour after, I called reservations again.  Lo and behold, they now have available rooms.  According to the new lady I am talking to, there are several available rooms.  I made sure I booked a room first (Father's Day so could be hectic), then lodged my complaint.  Left my mobile number with them and said I will wait for an explanation.  I have not received a call from Shangri-la.  Maybe, miraculously rooms suddenly became available within 40 minutes.

But will be objective in reviewing the overnight experience.

Cleanliness and attention to detail, Shangri-la has consistently mastered.  Even their ash trays are classy.

Their lobby decor for June is elegantly simple.

The Seaview rooms are very simple.  And remember to close the veranda door, I mean really really close it.  Otherwise, the aircon will not work.  Part of their sustainability program.

The simplicity of the rooms are contrasted by the majesty of the CHI spa.  Simply, one of the most luxurious spas in the Philippines.  Balinese-inspired, there is certain feeling of serenity and of course   class.

Main entrance of CHI spa.  Really luxurious.

I learned that Shang-Mactan has a promo for BPO companies for the month of June.  Garden view rooms are available at 6,000 a night, compared to the usual 9,000.  Probably explains why there is unusually many Pinoys at the place.  Hey, Pinoys are practical.  

Surprised to see more than 30% of breakfast goers at Tides are Pinoys.  Usually it is just us, or maybe just ourselves and another table.

The verdict?

RESERVATIONS:  Very bad.  See post above.  If you pay around 15,000pesos for a room, you also expect that pre-arrival services are at least consistent.  I hate the feeling that I am being cheated because I am using a voucher

HOTEL SERVICE:  On the contrary, once you get to the hotel, the service is exceptional.  Hotel staff are polite but friendly.  The complimentary mango juice is a quite tasty for a welcome drink.

Unlike in Imperial Hotel, where I feel everyone is suspecting whether I am a checked-in guest or not, Shangri-la manages to implement this with respect to the guest.  And we appreciated this.

ROOM:  Just OK.  I was really expecting to see something more fancy especially with the price.  But it is OK.  Room is clean, albeit small.  Bathroom amenities are also OK.  Nothing spectacular and nothing stands out.

SPA:  The best!  Definitely one of, if not the best spas in the Philippines.  

BEACH:  Just OK.  A lot of area for improvement but I cannot fully attribute this to Shangri-la.  A beach is a beach.  Maybe their location is bad, or maybe the beach situation has deteriorated over the years beyond their control.  Don't get me wrong, the beach sand area is really good.  But the ocean floor near the beach front leaves too much to be desired.  Too much little corals, and too much stones.  Again, I can't blame the resort for this.  It is what it is.  In the grand raffle of beaches , maybe Shang just got the last pick.  Maybe karma from bad reservation service =).

FOOD:  Tides has to be the worst Shangri-la buffet place in the Philippines.  Breakfast food is too greasy and selection is very limited.  My first breakfast at Tides was in May 2009, and was really surprised to see a lot of people getting apples or mangoes  I thought maybe they just eat healthy.  Until I tasted their sausages, bacon and tocino.  I did not manage to finish the food and starting getting apples and mangoes for myself.  

If breakfast at Circles is a perfect 10.  And at Heat maybe a 6 or a 7.  At Tides, I would score it a 3.  You pay 1,000pesos ++ for that food, come on.  As I was looking at my food I got reminded of our breakfast food at Holiday Inn.  But hey, Holiday Inn charges 250 pesos, so in the end (I could not believe I am saying this)...Holiday Inn is better than Tides at Shangri-la Mactan.  

I often complain about the exorbitant price of breakfast at Marriott Hotel Manila which is closer to 2,000 than 1,000.  But at least, food there is good.  

In summary, Reservations and food at Tides are really really bad at Shangri-la Mactan.  Beach is forgettable, again not totally blaming the resort for it.  Rooms are OK, could be better.  Everything else though is exceptionally well.  That includes the cafe at the lobby, where the show band is also good.

Will I come back there again?  Probably not very soon.  Especially now that I heard Crimson Hotel in Mactan is having a sale - 5,000 a night.  That I will have to try. 

697

Bukas, lilipad na naman ako from Cebu to Manila.  Eto ang aking 697 plane take-off.  Uy 3 na lang pala at 700 na!  I guess matanda na talaga ako, dahil di na ko masyado excited sumakay ng plane.  Unlike syempre nung unang sakay ko ng plane nung 1993.  Yung gusto mong gawing lahat sa plane - kainin lahat ng binibigay na food, panuorin lahat ng sine na pinapalabas, basahin lahat ng magazine at dyaryo na inaabot, isuot ang tsinelas, makinig ng music....haaaay exciting times.

Well, lately kasi sobrang dalas e.  Parang 9 na beses atang nagpabalik-balik in the past 4 weeks.  Ang main problem lang kasi e ang number ng oras sa biyahe, iyong lahat-lahat ha hindi lang yung flight time.

Ex.  Flight from Manila to Cebu is at 9am.  So ganito
gigising ng 6am, ligo bihis, kape
aalis ng bahay ng 7am
darating ng airport between 7:45-8:15. hubad ng sapatos, sinturon etc
boarding ng 8:30a
Pag suwerte aalis ang eroplano ng mga 9:15am
Darating ng Cebu ng 10:30 am
hihintayin ang bag na lumabas sa carousel, pag suwerte mga 11:15 am
galing sa airport sa mactan papuntang office namin sa cebu city mga 12:00noon to 12:30 na rin
tapos trabaho na, mega-meetings

so there you go, door-to-door 6 hours e.  ang 1 hour and 15 mins na flight, sa totoong buhay ay 6 hours.  Minsan nga 3 beses akong bumalik ng Cebu at Manila at sa isang linggo, aba 18 hours na ring total na biyahe.

I guess di naman dapat umaangal, buti nga nakakafly pa.  I know I know I know.  At di naman ako totally umaangal, nagpapaliwanag lang.  hehehe.

Puwede ko sana kayo dalhan ng Cebu Lechon, pero paano nyo kukunin sa akin bukas?  hmmm.  Syempre kelangan yung malutong pa ang balat.  At saka malaking kasalanan daw na paksiwin ang lechong cebu e.  Pano?

3 Tulog na Lang

...PB Outing na!

May comment si Tita Edith about the games.  Di ko siya kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit hindi excited ang PB sa games katulad din ng food.  Puwede kasing ibig sabihin nito e mas gusto nila na mas OK na games at mas OK na food.  Pwede.

Pero pwede rin talagang di tayo excited sa food at games.  Kasi nga busy-busyhan din naman ang lahat sa outing:  nagpo-poker, mahjong, internet games, swimming, chickahan at kung anu-ano pa.    Either way, mukha namang nag-e-enjoy ang karamihan.

So not sure,  ano palagay ninyo?

Ngapala - asa Cebu ako for meetings not sure kung makakablog ako while there.  

Pink Treasure of Cebu - La Maison Rose

Along Gorordo Avenue is a pink gem.  Right beside the enormous Mormon Temple is an authentic French Restaurant called La Maison Rose, with the subtitle The Pinkhouse Restaurant.  It was our first time to be in a restaurant where the primary theme is a color.  So we were very excited.

The menu is in an iPad.   So really impressive, until we realized there were only 3 iPads available.  So ordering can mean waiting for the "menu" to be available.

Nevertheless, the menu is quite impressive.  I had to try a lot.  Knowing the chef is French, and the restaurant is beside Alliance Francaise I felt comforted that we will be savoring real French dishes (not just the names)

For starters, I was intrigued and ordered the Soup Trio.  And then the Foie Gras was beckoning so I ordered one as well.

This is the waiting area.  Obviously very pink.

Apart from Pink, the La Maison Rose also is Indochine inspired.  So the decors were Western European and Asian inspired.  Worked for me.

I was looking for the men's restroom and told it was outside the main hall of the restaurant.  I was uncomfortable to enter first, because well it was too daintily pink.  I had to ask again, if this was really the men's room.  Upon receiving confirmation went in and took pictures.

The door is very French and very pink =)

We were talking and talking about work, about the decors, and about recent comic events at the office for a good 10 minutes....then our orders arrived.

This is the soup trio.  The leftmost is a Spinach & Ham Soup.  I used the spoon at first, but decided to try sipping from the glass itself.  The yellow middle is a Scallop Bacon Soup, one of my favorite dishes of the night.  The Red soup at the right most is Gazpacho.  My least favorite, but the heck I finished them all.

The pictures of the Foie Gras were not visually delightful.  The taste was OK.  Not bad, but not very good either - would not rave over it.

Main dish is the Truffle Pasta.  First bite was overwhelming.  The earthly flavor explodes right away.  I didn't think I could eat half the serving but ended up finishing the whole plate.

A friend order the French Lechon.  It was served with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots on the side.  Very interesting dish.

After the main course, I had to order the cheese platter.  The cheeses were fantastic, but the grapes were overriped.  And I didn't mind the salad that went with the platter. 

For dessert, I ordered their special espresso.  Which later I found out to be quite expensive at 125 pesos.  Taste was just OK.

But the biggest delight of the night was the very rich Chocolat Coulant.  It was everything you wanted in a cake - very moist, chocolatey but not sweet.  

For 1Soup, 1 Starter, 1 Pasta Entree, 1 Cheese Platter, and 1 Dessert I paid 1,500.  A little pricey for Cebu but just about right for the quality of food (not to mention ambience).

La Maison Rose at Gorordo St. Lahug, Cebu CIty is highly-recommended.   Just a tip - reserve ahead.  Friday is packed so we had to simmer at the table outside for 15 minutes, before we were transferred inside.

Breakfast

So, I had been staying at Marriott Hotel for 2 weeks na.  Breakfast is very good.  Di katulad ng Shangri-la, pero wala naman kasing katulad ang Shangri-la =).   For example, ang breakfast sa Marriott ay 800 pesos per person.  Sa Shangri-la ay 1,200++, so halos 50% more expensive.

Pero grabe, nakakasawa naman pala pag buffet breakfast araw-araw.  Nung una, syempre exciting.  Dahil sobrang dami talaga ng pagkain nakakalula.  Pero katulad ng lahat ng bagay pag araw-araw, nakakaumay na.

Masama kaya ang bacon?  kasi araw-araw eto ang kinakain ko.  Waffles and bacon.  French toast and bacon.  Pancake and bacon.  at nung isang araw, Bacon and Bacon.  Gusto ko kasi iyong sunog na bacon, malutong - feeling mo di marami ang taba =).

Marriott Cebu Buffet Selection:

Omelette Station
Cebu/Pinoy selection (suman, puto, pinoy ensymada)
Classic Breakfast (danggit, tocino, longganisa, flayd lays)
Chinese Food Section (spare ribs, tausi fish etc.  di ko masyado alam dahil di ko type ito)
Noodle Station (para sa mga Koreano siguro na nag-a-almusal ng mami)
Bread selection (mga 12 breads to choose from)
Cold Cut Section (ham, bologna, salami)
Cheese Section (konti lang mga 5 cheese variety to choose from)
Fruit Station
Drinks Station (Orange Juice, Mango Juice, Tomato Juice, Milk, Chocolate etc.)
and my favorite the Waffle/Pancake station, dito rin ang bacon, chicken sausage

Ang problema and as you may know.  Hindi ako mahilig mag-breakfast.  Dahil mas gusto ko pang matulog kesa mag-breakfast.  Sobrang sayang talaga sa akin itong bayad na ito. 

Kanina ang kinain ko:  isang pancake, isang bacon, isang egg fritata, isang pirasong pinya, isang pirasong papaya.  That is it - 800 pesos.  Kasama kasi sa room charges e.

Game punta nga kayo dito, at kayo ang kumain ng breakfast ko.  SObrang sayang e =).

Sino nga ba si Charisse?

Medyo matagal ko na ring kinukulit si Charisse na magpadala ng mga pics nya. Matagal na natin siyang nakakasama tuwing Pasko, naisip ko na mas OK na lubusan natin siyang makikila. Para kung may tumututol ay magsalita na or forever hold your peace. hehe

Oo nga po pala, hindi po si Charisse iyong galing sa Cebu ha, baka nalimutan nyo. Taga-US po siya. Dati, tingin ko nahihiya siyang magpadala ng mga pics. Pero hindi pala - mga 50 pictures ang pinadala niya! hahaha.

So, eto na ang ilan sa mga pics ni Charisse from California at kung saan-saan, kasama rin ng mga paliwanag niya.
(Pero...ang PB Blog comments na pang-asar ay yung mga nakalihis)

Tara PB, samahan natin si Charisse sa kanyang pamamasyal sa US.

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Disneyland - Of course, hindi po mwawala ang pagpunta ko sa Disneyland. Actually, hindi ko po talaga nalibot the whole Disneyland sa may Disneyland park lang kami kasi meron pang isang part na merong madaming rides and yun yung sa may Adventure park but hindi na po kami pumasok dun. Pagdating ni Evot dito we will definitely go there.





(Wow! Ang ganda pala talaga! Ang ganda ng kasama nya ah!)

Donner Ski in Lake Tahoe- First time ko po na-try yung snowboarding dito and it was really fun. Kala ko nga po hindi me matuto kasi mahirap po talaga mag balance lalo na sa snow po db just using a board. Pero successful naman po siya and on my first time na mag snowboarding I even tried yung pinaka mataas na part dun sa mountain or yung difficult part. Sana si Evot matuto din nun. hehehe. Kasi gusto ko po talaga sya maging sports ko. hehe.



(Mukha namang madali yang matututunan ni Evot. Sanay yan sa mga biglang liko)

Golden Gate Bridge- Ito po ang symbol ng San Francisco kasi popular po itong bridge na ito. Second Longest Bridge sya sa United States and historical din sya.


(Nice pic. Pang-wallet!)

Walk of fame- nagulat po ako dahil nakita ko po ito sa eastwood din sa pinas mga filipino lang nga.



(Sa Pilipinas din meron nyan!!! Si Keanna Reeves.)

Yosemite Falls- Dito po ako ng celebrate ng bday ko last year. Nag-camping po kami dito and hiking. Akala ko nga po mahihimatay na ako sa pag hike kasi we don't have enough water and hindi din po kami nka-proper clothes. Yung hike po namin is 1400+ ft po taas sya kasi dun kami ngpunta sa Upper Yosemite Fall pra naman po challenging. But in the end after niyo po ma-reach ang top and makita yung falls really worth it po talaga dahil super ganda po talaga. Ito din po talaga yung place na madaming bears sya. Kaya meron mga warning din sa may mga cars not to store food inside the car kasi talaga pong pupuntahan sya ng bears pag nka-smell sila ng any food. Sayang nga po sana nakakita me ng bears.hehehe...



(wala akong masabi e, maganda talaga ang Yosemite falls)

Las Vegas, Nevada- Nag-stay me dyan sa Circus circus hotel. Then, from our hotel naglakad lang po kami para puntahan po yung mga ibang casino kasi every casino may mga shows sya. Like sa Bellagio yung dancing fountain. Pag bumalik po ako dito ksama ko na si Evot and for sure talagang magsasawa po sya sa mga magagandang casino po dito.

(Di ko ata nakuwento sa inyo, nung nakatira si Tito Ido sa California dati, aksidente ba naman silang magkita ni Par sa Las Vegas. Biruin nyo yon! Par balik daw kayo ulit! Sino kasama mo sa pic, Charisse?)

Muli, maraming salamat kay Charisse sa pagsama sa PB sa iyong pamamasyal. Sana nga maging ganap na ang iyong pagiging BANAL. (mukhang ma-pera ka pala talaga e! haha)

Welcome sa PB!

Tita Edith's Bday

As expected, ang daming umattend sa bday party ni Tita Edith.  Marami rin kasing guests from Southville, siguro almost 40 people.  Tapos siyempre ang mga taga-PB came in full-force.

Past 11 na nag-start ang blessing ng bahay.  Pero maikli lang naman ang ceremonya.  Ang daming paagaw na pera!!!  Si Denniel nga at Andrei parehong andaming nakuha, lagpas 100 at lagpas 50 pesos, respectively.

Ayos and decor ng bagong lugar - bonggang bongga nga e, parang may kasal.  Catered ang food - at ang dami!  Merong salad, merong fish, beef, chicken, pork.  And Ate Edith ordered special lechon from Cebu, na talagang sinundo pa sa airport via Cebu Pacific.  At dahil naligaw din isang "baggage", sa PAL airport naman sinundo ang Grilled Tuna and Bihod from Davao.  O di ba sosyal?  Pati mga ulam e sinusundo sa airport. 

Tita Ate prepared an astig macaroni salad, and TIta Eyan prepared leche flan for dessert.

After lunch, naku wala pong katapusang kuwentuhan.  At ang pasimuno?  Huwag pong magulat...si Tiyang!  Gusto na kasi niya na mag-eleksyon na kanina mismo.  Kasi nga raw, baka marami ang wala sa Nov 1, so sana raw mag-meeting na kanina.  Na siyempre nagdulot ng mahabang diskusyon tungkol sa impeachment process, vacancy of presidential position, Role of Sandigambayan, Referendum at kung anu-ano pa.  Sa dulo, wala pong eleksyon naganap =).

Nagsimula ng mag-uwian ng mga bandang 7pm.  Napag-agreehan to meet tomorrow again, because it is Tita Ate's bday naman.

Happy Birthday ulit Tita Edith!

Best Airline at Best Airport

Happy thoughts tungkol sa airplane.

Eto ang personal na listahan ng mga pinaka-OK na airlines at airport.  Kasama na ang mga experiences sa airplane at airport.

1.  Favorite Airlines
(Economy Class) Singapore Airlines.  Ang ganda kasi ng eroplano nila e.  Merong TV sa bawat upuan at puwede kang maglaro ng videogames.   Maluwag ang legroom.  OK ang food. 

(Business Class) Emirates.  1990's pa lang, meron ng on-demand video sa Emirates.  At nung early 2000 sila ang unang nag-introduce ng upuan na talagang nakahiga ka na, so mas masarap matulog. 

On-Time - Lufthansa.  Mga 3 beses lang akong nag-Lufthansa pero never silang na-delay.  OK din ang Singapore Airlines never pa nila ako dinelay sa flight.  Sa local naman, for me PAL is the best.  Marami nagsasabi na PAL = plane always late.  Pero in my experience, once pa lang nila ako dinelay.  Tingin ko sila pa rin ang most reliable airline sa Pinas.

Service - Favorite ko ang Philippine Airlines, iyong sa loob na ng eroplano ha.  (Ibang usapan sa check-in at baggage counter).  Ang babait kasi ng stewards at stewardesses.  Sobrang bait nila sa mga senior citizens.  Grabe din ang service ng Philippine Airlines sa Business Class.  What they lack in terms of amenities they make up in terms of service. 

Airline Food - Cathay Pacific Business Class, especially their US to Asia leg.  Wow!  para kang kumain sa isang gourmet restaurant.  Kung Business Class actually OK rin ang Air France (grabe ang kanilang wine at cheese selection).  Pag economy, gusto ko ang PAL lalo na kung galing kang ibang bansa for a long time  tapos kakain ka ng Bangus o kaya longganisa, sarap!

2.  Interesting Airlines
TAM - nag-fly ako ng Sao Paulo, Brazil papuntang Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Economy lang ang flight namin, tapos binasa ko yung emergency guide namin.  Eto ang sabi:  "in the event of an emergency, your seat acts as flotation device".  Ayos!  Ibig sabihin pag may emergency, tumayo ka kunin ang upuan mo at yakapin ito.  hahaha.  Ang matindi dyan may picture pa sila.  On the way back, business class ako.  Aha!  Meron na silang lifevests - grabe nga naman ang service merong pang-mayaman at pangmahirap.

3.  Celebrity Sightings
First flight ko pa lang sa US, kasabay na namin si Gary Valenciano. May concert sya nun sa US.  Mabait naman siya at nagpapa-picture sa amin

Nakasabay din namin si Moira Kelly sa isang domestic US flight.  Nakita rin namin sa airport sa Leonardo di Caprio (nung di pa sya sobrang sikat), si Tom Hanks.  Nakasabay din namin sa plane si Gustavo Kuerten sa Brazil at si Adriana Lima yung model.

Last flight ko sa Cebu, kahilera namin si Marvin Agustin.  Iyong cliente ko pa nga ang nakapansin, "Darwin, is that guy a celebrity?".  Maporma kasi.

4.  Favorite Airport
Dubai International Airport.  Grabe naman kasi sa laki.  Parang Megamall sa laki.  At grabe ang shoppingan.  Puwede ka ring bumili ng ginto na tinitimbang.  Meron ding shower room at sleeping rooms. Tapos ang mga restaurants, puro Pinoy.  So ang babait nila at dala ng dala ng pagkain.  Kaso 2003 pa ko last andun, di ko alam kung nagbago, sana hindi pa.

OK rin ang Schiphol Airport sa Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Maraming magagawa at may casino pa =)

PB OUTING...BUKAS NA!

Ang bilis ng araw.  Bukas na ang PB Outing.  1 Tulog na Lang.

Mga Paalala ni Tita Edith
- Magdala ng jacket.  Dahil baka umulan sa gabi.  At maginaw sa Tagaytay
- Merong 30 towels na ibibigay.  So magdala na rin tayo para sure
- Pina-reserve na rin pala niya ang jacuzzi Saturday night for a few hours.  Thanks Tita Edith
- Magluto po tayo sa cabin nila Tita Edith.  Kasi di ba pag nagluto - merong dagdag na 10% charge.  So sa kanila na lang tayo magluto.  Pag nagluto kayo sa inyo - sisingilin ko kayo ng additional 10%.  malinaw?

KAKAIBANG FOOD
- So anong dadalhin ninyong kakaibang food?
- Meron kaming Lechong Sisig from Cebu.  Salvaro for snacks.  At Budaw for breakfast. 
- At saka nga Nuclear Bomb Chicken for the challenge.

See you all tomorrow!

Movenpick Cebu will undergo Renovation

Movenpick Resorts and Hotel in Mactan is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Cebu.  The guests here are more international than say Shangri-la Mactan or Imperial Palace.  This is probably because of the Movenpick brand which is recognized in Europe.  So here you would see Koreans of course, and Japanese, Chinese but also Spanish, French and tourists from Mediterranean countries.

Formerly Hilton Hotel, Movenpick is shutting down its operations starting July 15 due to scheduled renovations.  It is scheduled to re-open in time for the Christmas season on December 15, 2012.

I have mixed feelings about Movenpick Hotel.  Hotel rooms are nice, but I feel that the lobby and the swimming area feels crowded.  I do not get a relaxing feeling whenever I am here.  Oddly, big as the area may be, one could get a feeling of too little personal space.  There are so many unnecessary decorations present and the layout did not seem to maximize the shape of the floor area.  You have a feeling of being cramped yet you see there is a vast space, I know it is ironic.  un-Zen.

There are so many things to be liked at Movenpick though.  This includes their eye-catching pink jeepneys, and their food.  So many will be quite happy about the renovations.

Good Luck Movenpick.

in Cebu

forgot to mention asa Cebu nga pala ako - syempre nagbebenta na naman ng trabaho.  Sana makauwi bukas, balita e delayed mga flights sa Manila.

Merong 2 kakaiba sa trip na ito

1) First time kong mag-Business CLass sa Philippine Domestic flight.  Exag naman pala ang mga business class sa domestic daig pa ang International flights sa laki ng space at haba ng legroom.  Puwede kang humiga na parang natutulog ganun kalaki.

Tapos masarap din ang food - pancakes with sausage and fruits.  Sobrang weird lang kasi di ba 50 mins lang ang flight so, di pa tapos ang pagkain kinukuha na. 

Di ko masyado ma-gets kung bakit ka magBusiness Class sa domestic trip lalo na kung less than 1 hour.  Kung di ko lang katabi ang kliyente ko e di, talagang Economy ako.  Di practical.


2)  Medyo star studded naman ang trip na ito.  Sa plane, kahilera namin si Marvin Agustin.  Tapos sa hotel, andito naman si Aljur Abrenica.    Hmmm sino kaya bukas?

Blogging

Hello everyone.  The PB Blog is officially dead.  I mean the old format and coverage.  In the next few weeks you will see the old PB Blog being transformed.  Huwag magulat please.

(Hopefully) very soon, you will see na puno na ang advertisements ang ating dating PB Blog.  Kasi among my blogs, ang PB Blog lang ang ayokong lagyan ng advertising.  Para family talaga ang dating. 

I got encouraged to blog professionally 10 years ago pa.  Yung isang kaibigan ko kasi, ang trabaho niya ay full-time blogger.  May asawa at 2 anak, tapos blogging ang source of income nila.  5 years ago kumikita na siya 60,000 pesos a month. 

When I started blogging hobby lang talaga.  Nilagyan ko ng ads, e kumikita ako ng 0.12 cents a day sa advertisements =).  Since hobby lang naman, ang saya!  Kumikita sa gusto mong gawin.  A few years after, siyempre mas OK na ang kita =). 

Eto nga pala ang salary figures mula sa isang popular blogger's forum. 

3 years ago yan.  Ngayon, iyong mga experienced bloggers earn mga 100$ a day.  Not bad ano?  Blogging can be a lucrative job.

Sabi ko ay papatayin ko na ang PB Blog...until makuha ang isang sulat sa ibaba =).  Interesadong mag-advertise sa PB Blog.  Which made me think, kesa gumawa ako ng sariling blog - why don't just transform the PB Blog into something more economical.  Actually meron ng ganyang sumulat in the past, konti lang mga 3 siguro.  Kaso ayoko nga ng ads sa PB Blog.

Iniisip ko pa kung anong magiging theme ng bagong PB Blog.  Di na puwedeng technology blog, food blog, philosophy blog, social issues blog or Cebu blog.  (Dahil meron na ko mga yon e). 

Probably a family/lifestyle/travel blog.  We will see abangan na lang.

Pagmumuni-muni at kuru-kuro sa mga talu-talumpati

Na-realize kong matapang pala talaga si Tita Edith dahil dun sa speech ni Mr. Espejo.  Yun ang nag-standout para sa akin sa speech niya.  Alam ko namang may katapangan si Tita Edith, pero mas lalo lang na-validate nung cinonfirm nga nung isang mataas na officer galing Insurance Commision. 

Ang dami palang kaibigan ni Tita Edith, despite (?) her position and katapangan.  Tapos parang puros joke at masaya din ang greetings ng mga personnel ng kumpanya nila, so ibig sabihin cool siya.  At di naman sila mukhang napilitan sa paggawa ng video dahil ang iba nga e talagang pinag-isipan at creative.  I guess, eto ang isang hinihingi (o inaasam) ng isang boss, na maging cool siya sa lahat ng empleyado.

Sa mga PB speeches naman naging common theme naman ang pagkamatulungin.  Di ba nga si Tiyong sinabi pa talaga ang presyo ng binigay ni Tita Edith nung na-ospital siya hehe.  Eto rin ang sinabi ni Tito One, at ni Rap at nabanggit din ni Tito Egay.

Speaking of Tito Egay's speech, napulot ko naman dito ang analogy ng bday = fiesta = maraming pagkain.  At naalala ko talaga ang time nung asa compound pa tayo na lagi kong inaasam asam na merong celebration pag merong may bday.  Paguwi ko galing school pupuntahan ko na si Che-Che at tatanungin kung "Janno Gibbs" ba o "Kuh Ledesma"?  Janno Gibbs = gives = ibibigay ang pansit na may puto sa pinggan.  Di masyado masaya.   Kuh Ledesma = kukuha ka ng food at may handaan sa labas.  Yun ang gusto namin, aside from mas maraming pagkain, mas masaya.  Gets?

Teka pala, kelangan ko palang okrayin si Lolipot, dahil pinangako ko.  Lolipot, bawal po magsabi ng "wala akong masabi, nasabi na nilang lahat".  BAWAL NA BAWAL.  Tatampalin ko po ang kamay mo sa susunod natin pagkikita.  Dahil di naman po totoo na wala na kayong masabi, dahil marami-rami din naman kayong nasabi.  hahaha.  Sorry po na-okray ko kayo Lolipot, I love you po very much.  Pero di ko po love ang outfit nyo ng Panagbenga parade, para po kayong pupunta sa Debut ni MM.  Mwa hahaha.  Talagang yari ako kay Lolipot nito.  Pero pupunta na ko ng Cebu e.

Ang nakuha ko namang speech kila Karen, Camae at Kathleen ay "I Love You Mama".

SINGAPORE TRIP Updates

Incl Tita CheChe, 9 na PB na ang nag-confirm 100% na kasama sa Singapore Trip sa August.  Yehey.  Para makamura - i-try na nating i-book ang flights and hotel ngayong May.  Makakamura tayo ng 50% pag maaga.

Para makakuha ng idea sa presyo ng flights:  eto ang sample ng PAL, AirPhilippines at ng sample price ng accomodations.  Ang assumption ang trip ay from Aug 20-23 (Sat to Tue)

PAL: 
- OK na OK ang Schedule
- Kaso lumalabas na 10,000 plus na ang pamasahe.  Dahil na nga sa tax.  Saka PAL nga kasi

Air Philippines
- Lalabas na 3,776P  round-trip.  Dagdagan ng 2,200 na Tax at Terminal Fee.  Bale 6,000.  OK na ito
- Pag binoook natin ito ng June, magiging 2,888 one-way so bale 5,800 na.
- Ang problema ang flight nila papuntang Singapore ay 4:30pm - so dadating ng Singapore ng mga 8pm na.

Discouraged mag-fly ng Cebu Pacific to Singapore.  Dahil nga kasi sa BUdget Terminal ang lapag nun sa Singapore - medyo maraming tanong sa Immigration.   Ang isa pang flight papuntang Singapore ay JetStar - kaso unreliable.  Last time na-delay kami ng 3 oras!  exag.

Hostel
Pag gustong makatipid, sa hostel mag-stay.  Ang presyo sa ibaba ay galing sa Go Emily Hostel.    Maglalakad pa rin papuntang city, medyo malayo ng konti. 

- Pero OK na OK ang presyo.  For example, ang Quintuple room (for 5 people) ay 235SG$.  So lalabas na 47S$/person/night which is 1,550.  OK na ito. 


Eto mga sample ng presyo:

PAL

AIR PHILs

GO EMILY HOSTEL

 
 
So, ang kombinasyon ng Air Phils at GOEmily ay makakabawas ng 3,500 sa estimate.  Kung matutuloy ito - magiging 15,000 na lang (kasama ang Airfare, Hotel, Universal Studios, Night Safari atbp).  Di lang kasama dito ang food.
 
Tara na!