Sulyap Gallery Cafe & Restaurant: A Taste of the Past

A few weeks ago, my father, my stepmother, Eliah and I went to San Pablo City, Laguna to visit some old family friends. We stayed at my Ninong's place, a small cafe and bed & breafast called Sulyap. Upon arriving at the driveway, my first words to my father were, "Pops, this is like Villa Estrella. It's so creepy!" However, I love when I visit places that really make me appreciate old Philippine culture. This is especially true in my home province. San Pablo City is a place filled with history, friendly people, art, and culture and there isn’t no better place to find a melting pot of them all than at the Sulyap Gallery Cafe & Restaurant.

I was so surprised when I found out that this place belonged to my Tito. I have never heard of this place and it was my first time visiting after my three-year stay in The Philippines. When you walk in you are greeted by no shortage of old memorabilia from all the past incarnations this place has had. My Ninong said the old building used to be the BIR building for San Pablo (but I researched and it said it used to be an old school?), and they intend on reconstructing it into a hotel. One Spanish-colonial house was restored and turned into cafes, and the other house was also restored and became a bed & breakfast. Sulyap has it all: a museum gallery by day, cafe/restaurant at night, and a fine place for lodging.

Sulyap really provides a taste for all the senses. And as for taste, the food was unbelievably delicious! (It's what inspired me to blog again - because I really wanted to share this place to everyone). With just the building itself, it really stands out. And, the food is not your typical Filipino fare. Foods combining an innovative use of spicy, sweet, and delicious Southern Tagalog delights like suman, tsokolate and Lucban Longanisa. Every inch is preoccupied in these old antique, historical houses (they were actually transported from the Quezon province and were restored piece by piece here in Laguna!). Inside their museum/gallery portion are wood washbasins, baskets, all types of antiques and various handicrafts.

This was really once of my favorite experiences, and it really made me look forward to coming to my home province more often. It's as if I have been transported through time to a different place in history.  it feel as if you have been transported through time to a different place in history. It is certainly "a taste in the past", the kind of taste I hope to have more of in the future.

My First Time in Baguio

People in my family always tell me, "Gi, may balat ka sa pwet." I thought it was a literal statement because I really do have a birthmark above my butt. But, here in the Philippines, it means that you're kind of unlucky, I guess? I don't know! They always tell me that because when it comes to going on vacations, it always gets cancelled for me. The first time my family invited me to Vigan, I started school; then after a few months my family planned it again for me, but I had medical missions; the third time, I was in summer school and I had a debate. I was finally able to go to Vigan just a few months ago. Now, I've finally been Baguio, after just four attempts.

The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway (Wikipedia). It's a very well-known tourist site here in the Philippines, and one of the places I've been dying to go to since I've moved here three years ago. Many foreigners visit the place during February because it's the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival or Flower Festival is held. But it's still a good time to go around November because it's not so crowded, which is good for a first timer. The weather in November is absolutely fantastic! It's a great break from the sunny, hot, humid, and sticky weather in Manila. I guess if I can compare to a place in the US, it could be like San Francisco weather. :) I was so excited to get out of the usual Philippine weather. The only downside was that strawberries weren't in season. 

We stayed at the Baguio Country Club for four days. Man, their banana bread and raisin bread are the best loaves of bread I've ever had! (Not really, but they were REALLY amazingly delicious). We had buffet every breakfast, and my Kuya and Ate (in law) took me out. We went to Burnham Park and rode bicycles and bumper cars; went across the country club and had Batirol's famous hot chocolates then we went to John Hay and ate kebabs and hoagies at Little John's; we drove by and saw the tiangge at the Teacher's Camp; visited Doglass the dog and ate strawberry taho at Mines View; bought Havaianas and shopped for pasalubongs at Session Road; tried Civet-Cat-poop coffee and bought crinkles, ube, and chocoflakes at the Good Shepherd; watched "Breaking Dawn Part 1" at SM Baguio (hahaha); and played bowling and food tripped to the max at the country club. The view of all the mountains and trees was breath-taking, and the smell of fresh cool air was intoxicating, and the food was to die for. I really enjoyed my stay and even asked if we could stay longer!

What Time is It? Adventure Time!

Who ever said you're too old to watch cartoons? I can admit that I still love cartoons and the Disney channel and that I'll always be a Disney baby. But this is one show I really want to share with you guys. If you haven’t heard of “Adventure Time” by now, then I’m surprised to see you even reading this!

“Adventure Time with Finn and Jake” takes place in the mystical Land of Ooo: where some areas are made purely of fire and others places stuck in perpetual winter. Ooo is a vast land where you can find anyone and anything imaginable.  Anthropomorphic nuts? Check. Portals to different dimensions? Check. Princesses of all sorts? Double check. With wide grass plains, deep forests, and tall mountains, the Land of Ooo seems custom-made for a budding adventurer. With so many places to go in their world, Finn and Jake, displaying the true epitome of best friends, always have a place to explore or just have some good old fun.

This show is an instant classic. Adventure Time is one show that kids of all ages will love. It's weird, zanny and non stop hilarious from start to finish. With Finn the young selfless hero and Jake the big brother dog, the action-packed adventures and unique characters they interact with is like no other show. It's not afraid to go to dark places or make adult jokes. Simply put if your not watching this show your really missing out. . It's unlike anything out there, with its surreal yet laid-back humor and simple artwork. It's something you gotta watch to really see it's brilliance.

It really met my expectations and then some. Simply put, Adventure Time is ALGEBRAIC!

Fish Ball Sauce Recipe - "Kalye Style"

It's mine and my Habi Bear's anniversary on October 10. Actually, we have two anniversaries: one is December 23, 2009 (when we first started "officially" dating) and the other is October 10, 2010 (when he asked me to be his girlfriend :D).

Anyway, so the past week he's been craving for fish balls. There's a man with a cart who walks by our street, but that hasn't been around, so it's been driving my love crazy! Some days we literally just wait outside and hope he stops by, but he hasn't lately. Where could Manong Fish Ball have gone? And since October 10 already passed, and I didn't get Eliah a gift or do anything really special for him... it hit me: I'll surprise him with "tusok-tusok" date! :)

So, I went to the grocery store and bought chicken balls and fish balls. But then I thought to myself, "What about the sauce?" My initial plan was to hunt Manong Fish Ball down and buy a jar of his sauce, but that would probably scare him away and he would never pass by the house ever again (it wouldn't be too sanitary for our weak stomachs anyway). I googled some fish ball recipes, and this was THE BEST by far:

Noel Cabacungan's Hungry Husband’s Fishball Sauce Recipe, Streetfood Style!**
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp soy sauce
finely chopped onion and garlic
chopped siling labuyo (optional)

Dissolve brown sugar, cornstarch, flour and soy sauce with water on a sauce pan. Bring to a simmer until the sauce thickens. Transfer on a saucer or sauce jar and add finely chopped garlic, onion and siling labuyo as desired.

**Note: You don’t need to subject the fishball sauce to polluted street air for one whole day. This is what separate street style fishball sauce from Hungry Husband’s fishball sauce – the latter is more sanitary. It’s not the pollution and all dirt that makes the sauce diabolically yummy.

It's really been awhile since I've last blogged. Two months? =/ I've just been so busy... :( I'll add more later and tell you about Eliah's reaction, and I'll post pics too! I am sooo excited! He's always the one who surprises me, but now it's my turn. I hope this date goes well. Wish me luck! :)

UPDATE - October 18, 2011; 3:05 PM

Well, my "tusok-tusok" date surprise was an epic fail. It turns out that my boyfriend his friends are already having fish balls at their house. I hope I'll have more opportunities to surprise Eliah before he leaves for Paris. Anyway, here's pictures of the chicken balls I bought and the sauce I made. Bon apetit for me.

Oh, and on a brighter note... I just received a package from my auntie, my uncle, and my cousin from San Francisco. I guess it's just a little congratulations for graduating, passing the board exam, and all that jazz. It was such a big and wonderful surprise, the perfect gift to make my day do a 180. I don't feel too bad about not being able to surprise my boyfriend. All I can think about is the chocolate I'm going to devour later tonight!

Bon Chon Chicken

Why, hello again! :) It's been almost a month since i haven't blogged! I was very busy studying for the Philippine Licensure Board Exam (PNLE), and I absolutely had no time for blogging. And I've been meaning to blog about a few things for some time now, but I've never had the time to upload pictures! Anyway, I'm back and ready to share!

So yesterday, I was with my family at Greenbelt. We were just looking for a place to hang out before my mom left for Boracay. And we ate at this place called Bon Chon Chicken. Now I'm a real fan of spicy food, especially Korean food. Gosh, writing about Korean cuisine can be a whole 'nother blog! Anyway, this Korean-inspired restaurant originated from South Korea, where this type of fried chicken is as common as our country's lechon manok. It's established in varying states in the US, mainly New York, and has made its way to the Philippines!

Bon Chon Chicken is set up like a fast food where you order and pay at the counter and is later served on your table. Here, the choices are chicken, pork chops and fish, all double fried and served with salads or side dishes (like their famous kimchi coleslaw). The main dishes combines a juicy, lean tasting, and crispy with a secret sauce that will keep you coming back for more.   They claim that their double frying technique and special sauce helps preserve and maintain its flavor. There are only two flavors available: Hot and Spicy or Soy Garlic.

My mom had a hard time eating her fried porkchop. "It was too spicy," she would say, but kept eating until she finished her meal. I, however, loved it! And I truly do wish you all give it a try. Bon Appétit :)

Shoes Shoes Shoes!

So lately I've been shopping a lot, but what I've really been looking for are shoes!!! And I've always loved shoes. I think that shoes and handbags and the accessories are the things worth splurging on :) And for me, price doesn't really matter when it comes to them! The problem is that my feet are really wide, like a duck, and so it's difficult for me to find a nice pair. I've always wanted a pair of red and black shoes that I can wear every day! Soooo I did some online shopping and found my "lucky seven" (wheee! I'm so in love!!):

GEE GEE ($129.00)

As featured in Vogue's "most wanted". Round toe canvas bootie wrapped with a buckle leather strap from the Nine West Vintage America Collection. 3" heel.

PAWLA ($190.00)

Jessica Alba was styling in this raddia spotted wrapped platform sandal from Boutique 9! 5" heels with 2" platforms on luxe leather sole and buckle closures at the ankles.

Halogen® 'Nora' Pump (PHP 4,625.49)

A stacked heel and platform elevate a timeless almond-toe pump fashioned in rich leather.  4" heels with a 1/2" platform. The perfect pair of black heels fit for any occasion.

Betsey Johnson 'Maggi' Pump (PHP 4,625.49)

A thick stacked heel and a jute-wrapped platform provide lofty height to a charming bow-decked leather pump. 4.5" heels with a 1" platform. I love Betsey Johnson, especially her perfume collection :) and I don't understand my strange desire for bows and polka dots. And I love the neutral color.

Steve Madden's Mattea ($89.95)

4.5" heels and a 1.75" platform. Suede and a synthetic sole. Once again, I gotta say that I love the nude color!

Steve Madden's Basque ($149.95)

4.5" heels with a 1" platform. Leather and synthetic sole; a Steven by STEVE MADDEN design.

Steve Madden's Sarrina ($99.95)

70s-inspired heels. A great chunky heel and the classic suede material brings a now-a-days twist on an awesome classic look. 4.5" heels with a 1.25" platform. Suede and a synthetic sole.

4.5" heels with a 1" platform. Leather and synthetic sole; a Steven by STEVE MADDEN design.

Anyway, I'll be going to Boracay for like a month to help with my mom and the new spa. I'll also be using the time to study like hardcore before my final coaching for the local boards. I'll keep you posted and I'll post pictures :) Tata for now!

Message in a Bottle

So yesterday during my review, I had a small soupy argument with my boyfriend, Eliah, which later turned into a huge fight. I was so upset that I left my review. My lack of concentration and overwhelmed feelings of mixed emotions led me to a store where they sell recycled paper and other cute little trinkets. I was exploring and saw the cutest vintage jewelry, and that's when I came across the cutest little elephant photo-holders and a small glass bottle, and I was inspired! I decided that as a "sacrificial offering" to my darling Eliphant, I'll write him a message in a bottle and give him the two elephants with pictures of us from before.

Here are the two elephants. Aren't they cute? I chose the elephants because that's what I call mi amor --- eliphant :)

 And here they are with the two pictures I'll use:

And this is the message in the bottle (with the message inside). Hahahaha sorry for the ugly background. I didn't notice :)

Oh, and here's the project I've been working on for almost a year (it's difficult because I'm always so busy and it's so hard to find the scrapbooking things I want). Enjoy!

Once upon a time....

... there lived a princess...

... and a prince!

They met through his cousin, and spent their first day together on the prince's 21st birthday.

And they have been inseparable ever since.

*     *     *

I googled about messages in a bottle for some inspiration, and this came from "As the Spirit Moves Me" and I thought it was very helpful: If you have ever thought of doing this, I suggest you ask yourself these same questions: How would you represent yourself and your life? Would it suffice to just let people know you had lived—and died—or would you want people to know more? What would that “more” be? Better yet, go through the exercise of actually writing a message you would consider putting in a bottle or time capsule. By doing so you might discover some important things about yourself and your life.

#1. You might discover that you are a pretty neat person who has contributed significantly in a number of ways. Or you may discover the opposite, in which case you might want to think about how you might like to change how you are living and expressing yourself.

#2. You might discover that you have a lot to say, because your life has been so filled with interesting things and events and experiences, making you an well-rounded and dynamic person. Or, you may find you don’t have much to say in your note. In other words, you haven’t done as many things with your life as you wish you had done. This may feel a bit like looking over your “bucket list,” (If you don’t know what this is, watch the movie by the same name.) You may need to begin doing the things you want to do to feel your life has been a bit more significant or filled with the experiences you desire.

#3. You may feel very satisfied with your simple existence and the simple way you have been a part of this world. Or not…in which case, again, you will need to take a good look at yourself and reassess your life and how you choose to live it.

So, if you were going to write

a message in a bottle,

what would you write?