Let Mrs. Baker's!!

Mrs. Baker’s Restaurant and Pastry Shop

National Road, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Manager-Chef Jehan Damasco

078-805-3500

Vizcayanos are being treated with superbly delectable dishes as local food enthusiasts and businessmen put their passion and creativity in the food and restaurant industry.

Among the restaurants that have been receiving a buzz is Mrs. Baker's owned by Chef Jehan Damasco. Mrs. Baker's started its operation in September 28, 2010, and since then it has been a favorite dining place for locals and tourists alike.

It was one Sunday afternoon, when I, together with a friend, came to visit Mrs. Bakers for a snack. Though the place was not new to me, since I had been there couple of times ago, I was still in awe to find an artistic dining place in town.

Mrs. Bakers is a two-storey structure with a laid-back, homey feel. The first level is a restaurant, while the upper level I assume housed function rooms reserved for special gatherings.

Customers have the choice to dine inside the air-conditioned restaurant or outside in the patio but I would not much recommend it for the noise coming from passing trikes and jeepneys might distract you from your supposedly enjoyed meal.

Mrs. Bakers are known for their homemade cakes and pastries. During my sister’s birthday, we ordered for their blueberry cheesecake. It is soft, and not too sweet, which is a good thing, iwas-suya!!

Since we had our lunch earlier, we opt for a light snack, I’m not sure if this seems light to you but it is for us. =)

We ordered for a vegetable salad and pasta. There were three veggie salads to choose from; Caesar Salad, Crab Meat and Mango Salad, and another one. We decided to try their Crab Meat and Mango Salad Solo (Php95).

Very lovely presentation. The greens are fresh and crunchy, while the mango used was quite sour, maybe because the fruit isn’t in season, but I enjoyed it anyway.

For our pasta, we were torn between the tried-and-tested Classic Carbonara and Bring Home the Bacon (Php145), but when the served said the latter was one of their bestsellers, then we nodded to it.

The pasta is thin, not as I expected and not as appetizing to me, though it’s sprinkled with generous amount of bacon. The pasta did not thrill me as much as it did to my friend. He finished the entire bowl.

For our drinks, my friend tried Mrs. Baker’s new offer, Hot Swiss Mochaccino (Php90). Sorry for the comparison, but to me it tastes like the instant coffee mocha brand Swiss Miss, and looks to me that they just put a whip cream on top and chocolate syrup.

I, on the other hand, settled for their Ice Blended Caramel Icepresso (Php95). And it was a good choice. I love the right amount of sweetness and bitterness to it.

Mrs. Baker’s was a good treat for our Sunday afternoon. If you come to pass by the town of Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya or if you’re just near the area, drop by and let Mrs. Baker’s make your day.

  

A Restaurant Called Gallerie Cordon

It was the second time I would be passing Gallerie Cordon, more known as Gaddi’s Restaurant, and the hundredth time I would be hearing my sisters’ plea of trying the restaurant out.

But this time, they won.

Gallerie Cordon is located along the National Hi-way of Cordon, Isabela. If you’re coming from Manila, it will be the restaurant on your right, at the back of Total gasoline station. Hmmm, doesn’t seem an enticing fine dining location, I agree, but once you’re inside the Gallerie, you become oblivious of the world outside.

Entering Gallerie Cordon is like coming to an art exhibit. Paintings are hanged around the lavender walls of the restaurant. These works of art are appetizers captivating the interest of the visitors.

We nestled in a long table and seated on our white-wooden chairs. Looking at the entirety of Gallerie Cordon, I felt like I was inside an English mansion or inside a doll’s house, maybe because of the color of the walls.

After a while, the waiter came and handed the menu which complemented the restaurant for its artistry, pictures of paintings were placed alongside the food entries.

I let my sister decide on what food to order, since she’s more of a foodie than me.

While waiting for our food, I went to their restroom, and to my surprise, theirs was not your typical mirror-and-cubicle room.

A table with centerpiece, two chairs and a mirror are set at the entrance of the restroom. The hallway leading to the back of the restroom is furnished with ceramic tiles. It’s so clean that you can see you reflection while walking on it. At the back are the sinks and mirrors creatively mounted on piece of wood.

And yes, even their cubicles are clean and well-lit, and have individual ceiling fans.

It really is a comfort room.

Now, excuse me as I have to lead you back to our table.

After a while, our food arrived; Crispy Pata, Pinakbet, Salmon Sinigang and Beef Stew.

Crispy Pata…more please.

Pinakbet. 

Salmon Sinigang with cocunut  meat…hmmm, something new to me

Beef Stew. A favourite.

Their serving is good for 3-4 persons and priced at Php200 to Php400, quite pricey when you are used to the usual rates in the provinces’ dining places. But for the experience, it’s worth it. 

And yes, I could sense my sisters’ exchange of looks and smiles as if saying, “We told you so”. =)

A Visit to Minerva Farm

As soon as I saw the photos of this restaurant on my friend’s wall page, I knew exactly what my next home visit would be.

Being based in Manila first for school and now for work, I have only limited opportunities to go home in the province. I usually do it on long weekends. Aside from the fare to consider, a seven-hour road trip, one-way, has to be given much thought.

Thus, I make it a point that every trip back home counts.

Minerva Farm is located in Sinsayon, Santiago City, Isabela, an hour and a half drive from my hometown, Solano, passing the province of Quirino.

I initially intended to visit the place with a friend, but my siblings wanted to tag along, and to the very last minute, my parents joined in.

From a supposedly date with a friend, it became a one big family affair.

As what was instructed by the restaurant owner Dr. Minerva Maylem, we turned left through the narrow road after the “Welcome to Santiago” arch and followed the directions to the Wilmer’s Resort, a known spot in Santiago City. After passing a bridge, we turned right, and in less than no time, reached Minerva Farm.

Minerva Farm has both a spa and a restaurant. Minerva’s Our Garden Spa offers different kinds of massage service for a minimum rate of Php350. The ambience of is so relaxing with the creatively-designed massage house complementing the mellow music being played.

Their restaurant called Café Vida is located at the left side fronting the spa. The first thing you would notice about is its structural design. The style is unique and modern. It’s a 3-storey restaurant made up mostly   with wood.

It was near 12nn when we arrived but it seemed that we were early, even if based on the website they open at around 10am during weekdays.

The staffs looked surprised, even, of our visit. In fact, I had to search for them inside the farm and asked if there could be someone to cook and serve us food. Our stomachs started to mumble. Staff turned gazes with each other. Our stomachs started to rumble.

We were told to wait for their cook. And so we stayed in the restaurant. But almost an hour later, there was still no cook around.

I went to ask the staff to what time we could possibly eat. The staff said their restaurant opens at 3pm, their spa earlier. I protested; first because, the website says Minerva Farm Our Garden Spa and Café Vida opens at 10am and closes at 9pm from Monday to Saturday, and 1pm-9pm during Sunday; second, if I am the owner and I offer both restaurant and spa, I would open them at the same time or I would open the restaurant first before the spa and third, they have room accommodations and for overnight stay they offer breakfast, now who would they expect to cook for their guests? What’s this self-service?

We left the restaurant dismayed, and with stomachs complaining.

Nonetheless, if you are on the way to the North or just around the area, I still encourage you to visit Minerva Farm, just make sure you have them informed of your planned visit. It would be better to come at night to see their well-lighted farm.

I felt a little guilty to my family and friends. This was all my idea. They assumed, we assumed, that this would all be a great fun experience, but it failed, I failed. Good thing my family has a good share of patience and optimism, this misfortune led us to another restaurant my family had been long wanting to try, Gaddis Restaurant in Quirino.

Having the family that I have, I know no matter what the circumstances be, I got their backs. And this is the main reason why my every trip back home counts.

  

Minerva Farm

Sinsayon, Santiago City

+63-916-478-6698

+63-919-558-9556

Bacolod Behind the MassKara III Mambukal Mountain Resort, Original Pala-Pala

Day 3

6:00      Sipalay city proper

The following day we woke up around 5:30 in the morning, we planned of taking the only air-conditioned bus trip going to Bacolod which they said depart at around 6:00am.

              

This time, we had made used of the service car provided by the resort to bring us to the city proper.

7:00      Depart from Sipalay

After one hour of waiting, the bus finally arrived.  The air-con bus is equipped with comfortable, reclining seats, overhead luggage rack and television, making a long travel like this easy and relaxed.

11:00    Chicken Deli Restaurant, Bacolod

              

After more than 3 hours of travel, we had reached Bacolod city. From south terminal, we took a taxi and went to the city’s famous Chicken Deli restaurant.

At around 11am, we arrived at Chicken Deli restaurant located at the 8^th street, excited to fill in our hungry stomachs.

              

Born in 1983, Chicken Deli, which means chicken delicious, is known for serving the best flame grilled chicken.

              

They serve pecho/paa, liver, gizzard and other chicken which are grilled to perfection and offered at a very reasonable price.

            

For a Php100, one can already enjoy a rice all you can chicken inasal meal.

The owner’s careful selection and preparation of best quality chicken inasal made Chicken Deli, in less than no time, a favorite restaurant among Bacolod locals and tourists.

              

Chicken Deli has a non-aircon and air-conditioned dining area. We had chosen to dine at the air-conditioned room only to find out later that it’s for a fee.

              

Nonetheless, we had forgotten that we had to pay for extra when the big smoky chicken inasal was started to be served. Just by the look and smell of it, we knew that it would be no ordinary chow time.       

              

I have tried eating chicken inasal a number of times in Manila, but mind you, chicken inasal in Bacolod is way beyond tastier.

12:30     Checked in at Pension House

2:30       Libertad terminal, minibus bound to Mambukal resort

              

After spending two hours in our room beds, we straightened our backs for another escapade. And this time we would be going to a top destination in Negros Occidental, Mambukal Mountain Resort.

             

We took a minibus in Libertad Terminal going to Murcia. Fare is Php35. There were many passengers that time, we had no choice but to stand until someone along the way had to alight and vacate a seat.

3:30       Mambukal Mountain Resort

              

In less than an hour of travelling through farms of sugarcane, we were able to reach Mambukal Mountain Resort.

            

Originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927, Mambukal Mountain Resort started as a bath house and picnic garden.

              

With an entrance fee of Php50, this vast provincial government-managed mountain resort offers hot sulfur springs, a series of seven cascading waterfalls, recreational facilities, room accommodations and activities such as boating, wall climbing and zipline.

Take a dip in this hot sulfur pool

Or enjoy the cold water from the falls

 Or go boating in this lagoon

              

We decided on trying their “slide for life” a 200-meter long zipline, not as heart-pounding and impressive with that of Danao, Bohol, but it was okay.

              

Even though we would want to try on other things offered like climbing up to the 7^th falls or dipping ourselves in sulfur pools, we had only a limited time. And we could do nothing with our little time left than roam a little and watch the fruits bats hanging on the trees.

6:30     SM Bacolod / San Sebastian Church

            

           On our way to SM Bacolod, we had passed Cathedral of San Sebastian which was founded in
           1876.

            Our flight back to Manila would be tomorrow at 8:30am, thus we needed to squeeze in some time

            for buying pasalubong.

We rushed towards Merci Pasalubong Treats in their SM Bacolod branch and bought some piayas, tarts and butterscotch.

8:00      Dinner at Pala-pala

              

This would be our last night in Bacolod and we would like to spend it by having a great dinner. And great would mean shrimps, crabs, scallops…oh yes seafoods!!!

              

From SM Bacolod we took a tricycle to The Original Pala-Pala (Php20). This is Bacolod’s version of Manila’s dampa.

              

My guy friends were the ones to go to the seafood market beside the restaurant and buy the sea foods to be cooked. I gave them my camera for them to take some photos. And when my camera had been given back to me, I regret that I didn’t come along with them, an array of different fresh fishes, big squids and crabs.

              

When the waiter began to serve our dinner, my eyes grew bigger, excited for the mouthwatering food. We had buttered shrimps, scallops and crabs, grilled squids and sinigang na maya-maya at only Php200 per head. What a treat!!!

10:00       Bacolod City Hall

              

After having our sumptuous dinner, we took a jeep going to the city hall of Bacolod. It looks like the White House in Washington.

             

We stayed there for a while, sit on the bench, watched the fountain splashed some water while grasping all in the whole 3-day Bacolod experience and contemplating on the beauty behind the MassKara.

MAMBUKAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

Barangay Minoyan Murcia, Negros Occidental

Contact Nos. (034) 928-2101 / (034) 433-7532 / (034) 929-5671 / (034) 994-1145 / (0921) 655-3672
Website: www.mambukalhaven.com

THE ORIGINAL PALA-PALA
San Juan Street
corner North Capitol Road,
Bacolod City, Bacolod,
Philippines

Bacolod Behind the MassKara II Sipalay Punta Ballo Beach

The week-long PVMA convention had already come to its end, thus, for today I could already be with my veterinarian friends on a trip to Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

If you are planning for a good dive, either you can choose to be in Lakawon Island, Capiz City, an hour from Bacolod city, or head towards south and drive 5 hours to Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

And yes, we chose the latter.

Day 2

4:00       Wake up call

To catch one of the earliest trips available, we woke up around 4am, packed our bags and checked out at the pension house.

5:00       South Terminal

From the pension house, we took a tricycle going to South terminal. The fare costs Php 30, and in a matter of five minutes, we reached the terminal.

As soon as we were dropped off by the tricycle driver, we climbed to the non-airconditioned bus bound to Sipalay, Ceres Liner bus leaves every after 30 minutes from 2:30am to 8:00pm. Fare to Sipalay is Php 170. There is a one air-conditioned bus trip scheduled at 2:00pm.

There was at least one stop-over during the trip. To secure your seats, if you are to go down from a bus to have your breakfast or go to comfort rooms, you might want to leave some of your bags or pillows or anything that has of no much value, because if  not, you might found somebody else owning your seat, and you cannot just shoo them away.

10:00     Sipalay town proper

For what seemed to be an eternity, finally 5 hours later, we reached the town of Sipalay. But the problem was, we did not make prior notice to resort owners and to reach the resorts in Sipalay, one has to travel the narrow road by means of a habal-habal, which is very limited or a service car provided by the resort.

              

Good thing that one of our travel companions who was raised in Negros bumped into an old friend in Sipalay. She got her pick-up and drove us to the nearest resort in Punta Ballo.

11:00     Robinsons Cruise Beach Resort

              

Sipalay city is becoming a popular travel destination especially among divers. There are many beaches in Sipalay, most of which are yet to be discovered by travelers. One of these is Punta Ballo Beach, a kilometer stretch of sugary sand beach. 

Robinsons Cruise Beach Resort is one of the first resorts we had seen in Punta Ballo. The resort offers snorkeling and scuba diving.

After checking on their rooms, we had decided to stay in the resort for a night. The standard air-conditioned rooms are offered at Php 1,500 to Php 1,800 and cottages at Php 800.

12:00     Lunch

              

The resort has a "bamboo-restaurant" serving Filipino and international dishes. We ordered for nilagang baboy, rice and pancit. Foods are priced at Php120 on an average, quite pricey for the taste.

1:30       Snorkeling

Sipalay is known for its rich and undisturbed marine resources, a reason why many divers would list Sipalay in their must-dive sites.

Two of our friends are licensed scuba divers, and majority of us are not, so we settled for snorkeling instead.

            We hired for a boat, Php 1,500, to lead us to the marine sanctuary

. 

After a few minutes, our boat came to a stop, we put on our vest and jumped into the water. It was drizzling that afternoon. We thought that we would not be able to see much of the fishes. Good thing the drizzling stopped. And indeed, Sipalay is a home to diverse marine life.

Puerto Galera and Honda Bay in Palawan are among the best snorkeling sites I've been to, and now Sipalay joins my list.

We swam with the fishes, watched them, saw the beautiful corals, enjoying the whole experience for almost two hours.

4:00       Back to the resort

The resort has a swimming pool, and since we were the only ones in the resort at that time, my friends took advantage of it.

Punta Ballo at dusk

7:00       Dinner

              

We had our dinner at a nearby store. We had asked the store owner earlier if they could cook for us. We gave them a fund enough to buy fresh crabs and fish and an additional fee for the cooking service.

            They had prepared us grilled fish and crabs. It's the most "sulit" dinner I ever had.

9:00       Time for a drink

And to end our day, after dinner, we assembled table and chairs in front of the resort, bought some beers, and shared some stories, most of which were about college life, while our feet our soaked in a powdery Sipalay sand.

              

Lakawon Island Beach Resort

Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental

Facilities: Non-Aircon and Aircon Cottages, Tables and four chairs, Nipa Hut w/ Papag

Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 433-0808 / 434-7737

Robinson Cruse Beach Resort

Punta Ballo, Barangay 4

Sipalay City, Philippines

E-Mail: robinsoncruse@sipalay.com

Tel.: 0063 920 3318508 / (0063 920 8890139) Day

Bacolod Behind the MassKara I The Ruins and El Ideal Bakery

Bacolod is known for its much celebrated “MassKara Festival” happening annually during the month of October.

It is one of the most anticipated festive events in the country. MassKara came from two words; “Mass” which means “many” and “Kara” which is the Spanish translation of “face”.

MassKara Festival started in the 1980s. It rose during the period of economic depression and tragedy. It was when the prices of sugar were as its lowest, and it was also the time when Don Juan, a passenger vessel sank, losing the lives of 700 Negrenses.

For Bacolones, this festival of smiles, is a celebration of gratitude for the abundance that life has brought them and a declaration that they can get through anything, no matter how hard the situation can be.

But this doesn’t mean that there is nothing more the province can offer on other months of the year. In fact, being the progressive province that it is, Bacolod is a home for food lovers, history enthusiasts and beach bums.

True enough to its brand as the City of Smiles, Bacolod did not fail to put a sweet curve on my face during my recent 3-day stay.

Day 1

2:45       ETD Domestic Airport

The day of my flight fell on a Friday. My travel companions were already in Bacolod since Monday, attending the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, an annual seminar for veterinarians, of which I had no business, I am a no-vet, thus leaving me with no other option than to fly solo. This would be my first time to travel on air alone. I must admit this scared me a little bit, but I was more thrilled with the thought of being alone, going to places I want to go, deciding on the things I want to do, the food I want to eat, the time I want to leave, experience the totality of it for at least one afternoon, while my friends were still inside L’Fishers Hotel’s function rooms listening to well known speakers like Francis Kong.

No offense meant to my travel buddies, they were a great a company, but I’ve been daring myself on travelling alone, and somehow this experience gave me a taste of it.

3:45       ETA Silay Airport

It took just an hour to reach Silay airport. The terminal was big and beautiful, giving a feel on what to expect of the region.

There were vans outside the airport offering direct ride to Bacolod. But I didn’t want to go there just yet. I made an exit on the main gates of terminal, walked towards the row of tricycle and asked for El Ideal Bakery.

4:15       El Ideal Bakery

Tricycle fare from airport to El Ideal is Php 100, that is if you are to ride alone, but if you are patient to wait for some commuters, like what I did, you could have it for Php 20.

And in less than 5 minutes, I was in the oldest bakery of Negros. 

El Ideal doesn’t have the feel of a grand restaurant, it’s just simple dining place located along Rizal Street in Silay. Built in the 1920s by Cesar Lacson Locsin, and serving their first recipes up to this day,  El Ideal has been more than a bakery, it is an institution, a cultural heritage in itself.

To spare me from much thinking and not to feel sorry about the wrong choice I could make after, I asked the waiter what’s the specialty of the house is. And yes, it is La Paz Batchoy.

The sight of the hot La Paz Batchoy got me more excited, as it was served on my table. El Ideal offers a big serving with load of “sahog”, making it hard for me to finish the whole bowl.

Running for almost a century now, El Ideal has sustained its reputation on serving sumptuous yet affordable food, classic Ilonggo cookies, accommodating servers and well-maintained restaurant. Still it is one of the favorite dining places among the locals and tourists alike.

              

5:00       The Ruins

After spending some minutes in El Ideal, I took a jeep going to Pepsi Bottling Company, as advised by a local. I was planning to see the beauty of The Ruins, considered as the Taj Mahal of Negros.

It was a-15-peso-15-minute ride to Pepsi, from there, across the street, was a tricycle terminal. They charged Php 30 fare to the Ruins.

From the busy commercial area, to a residential subdivision, down to a vast sugar plantation in Talisay city rests the fascinating historical structure known as The Ruins.

I was captivated by the beauty before me. It took my breath away. Seeing The Ruins in all its splendor brought me to a different dimension.

The Ruins was the largest structure ever built in Negros on that time. It is said that, “The structure of The Ruins is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns”.  It was built in the 1900s by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a sugar baron, in memory of his beloved first wife, Dona Maria Braga, a Portuguese from Macau.

Every column of the mansion had the initials of Don Mariano and Don Maria.

So as not to be used as the headquarters by the Japanese during the World War II, the mansion was burned down by the United Stated Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and Filipino guerillas.

It was 2008 when this architectural structure was opened to the public, and for more than 100 years after it was built, The Ruins stands elegant and proud, a timeless beauty.

There was an entrance fee of Php 60. It is open daily from 8am to 8pm. There’s also a café, store and a mini golf course. The place can also be rented for special occasions like weddings.

              

8:00       Checked in at Pension house

I did not notice right away the text messages and incoming calls from my friend due to my fascination over The Ruins. It was already dark when I left the complex taking a trike (Php30) and a jeepney (Php7) going to L’ Fisher Hotel where the PVMA convention was being held. I just met with my friends for a while then headed to a pension house.

There are lots of cheap accommodations in Bacolod. Good thing about the place I stayed in is that they have a 12-hour rate, which was ideal for me that time, since we were planning to start our next day at 4 am.

                             

9:00       Dinner at BLC Chicken Inasal

After checking in, I just put my baggage down, took a taxi, and went ahead to my client’s restaurant, BLC Chicken Inasal. Yes, what a small world right. I have a client in Bacolod, and she’s a client owning a restaurant in Bacolod with 3 branches.

What could be better than to end the day with a live band, a good chat with a client and a delectable chicken inasal for free.

And by the way, when Ilonggos say their Inasal is by far different, believe them.

THE RUINS

Contact No. 0917-832-6003

E-mail: lacson_mansion@yahoo.com.ph

EL IDEAL BAKERY

118 Rizal Street
Silay City, Negros Occidental

Contact No. (6334) 495 4430

L’FISHERS HOTEL
14th Lacson St., Bacolod City
Negros Occidental

Contact No. +6334-4333731-39 

CIRCLE INN

Lopez Jaena – Malaspina Streets, Capitol Shopping Center Bacolod City

Contact Nos. +63-34-709-9111 / +63-34-709-9009

+63-917-445-9972

E-Mail: bacolod@circleinnph.com