Sunday, March 26, 2023
What better way to spend a quiet, sunny Sunday than to visit Iloilo City's national museums. The burgeoning arts and culture scene in the city has paved the way for the restoration of heritage buildings, parks, monuments and the establishment of national and regional museums. Iloilo is a cultured city which lovingly remembers its glorious and gilded past.
After spending a lovely morning and brunch at the Tahum Fair at Iloilo Convention Center, me and my friend trekked to the downtown area to visit the recently opened National Museum of Maritime History at the ground floor of Iloilo Customs House/Aduana Building in front of Sunburst Park. In general, museums in Iloilo City are open from Tuesdays to Sundays and you are assured of peace and quiet as you browse through artifacts and relics that showcase our national heritage. Instead of heading to crowded malls, why not spend some contemplative time, reflecting upon and learning more about our nation's history.
First stop was the National Museum of Maritime History followed by the Museum of Philippine Economic History. The last stop was the National Museum of Western Visayas. In between museum visits, we sauntered in the nearby parks, sat on wrought iron park benches while listening to classical music wafting through the speakers.
The historic Plaza Libertad in front of Iloilo City Hall is a safe and beautiful place to enjoy tropical plants, flowers and native trees. Meanwhile, the newly renovated Graciano Lopez Jaena Park (Jaro Plaza) is an idyllic place to enjoy a late afternoon sunset while gazing at the newly restored Jaro Belfry which is now the official landmark of Jaro District.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
If there is a cafe in Iloilo City that I really love due to the type of cuisine offered, it has to be Healthy Kitchen Cafe-All Things Green located at Q. Abeto Street in Mandurriao District. It's just a few steps away from Megaworld Business District and is nestled in a cozy garden setting away from pedestrian hustle and bustle.
The cafe's menu appeals to vegans, vegetarians and occasional meat eaters since the dishes are mostly meat-free. I have a few favorites from the cafe that I order regularly via Grab Food- there's my fave green smoothie drink (chockful of superfood ingredients), Pad Thai, tofu sisig, seafood and lychee curry as well as tasty roti quesadillas. For dessert they have vegan chocolate mousse cake which is my fave.
The cafe also stocks up on healthy pantry staples like dried berries, nuts, grains and other superfoods which are essential for a homemade oatmeal breakfast. I always buy a few packs of flaxseed and dried cranberry if I get the chance to visit the cafe.
Healthy Kitchen Cafe-All Things Green
Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Contact: 09459786995
Saturday, January 7, 2023
It's a different Christmas dinner this year. With the customary Noche Buena fare consisting of cholesterol laden, greasy Filipino foods that leave you uncomfortably stuffed and sick come Christmas Day, this year I treated my folks to an out of the ordinary vegan Christmas dinner prepared by the amazing people behind Buhay Ermitanyo, a vegan gourmet brand that makes the most delectable range of plant-based, dairy-free cheeses, pasta sauces and deli products. I have tasted their vegan cheese a couple of years back and have been impressed by the quality and integrity of their product.
I'm thrilled that Buhay Ermitanyo has ventured into private vegan dining experience for people who crave and are also curious about plant-based foods. Carnivores will be in for a surprise when they taste Buhay Ermitanyo's tastebud titillating dishes that are pure, clean, fresh and so good for the body and soul.
I promptly reserved the 5-course Christmas dinner weeks beforehand as the owners, Juan and Judy can only accommodate one booking per night to maintain the quality of the food and of course, provide exclusive space for the guests. We were informed that a short meditation would precede the meal, so I was doubly thrilled with the idea of being placed in a meditative mood for a truly mindful dining experience.
We were comfortably seated in the rustic garden shed while a soft wafting of heady floral incense mixed with the cool and tempestuous December breeze. In the background, soft instrumental meditation music placed us in a very relaxed mood and we were ready for the gustatory 5-course delights that were to be served by Juan, our meditation guru and food server of the night. Before serving the meal he would introduce the name of the dish and the ingredients that were in it. Buon appetito!
First to be served was a pitcher of refreshing magenta colored Beetroot Cocktail. It was a perfect drink to accompany the hors d’oeurve, a satisying plate of crostini served with vegan ‘Pate de foie gras’, whipped butter and and lively blueberry date compote. My tastebuds at this point were starting to hum a happy Mozart tune! Thin slices of perfectly toasted crusty bread topped with sweet and savory plant-based spreads garnished with microgreens were surprisingly light and satisfying to the tummy. Next course, please!
Next to be served was the appetizer, a visually delightful "Pear Walnut Rocket Ermitanyo Summer Salad with Bleu Cheese Dressing." The sharp, mildly bitter taste of rocket/arugula was a wonderful contrast to the juicy pear slices and sweetly tender grapes. Topped with crunchy walnuts, and colorful edible flowers, this salad at this point was my favorite course. My salad plate was wiped clean. Delicioso!
The main course was a beautifully prepared "Seven Seas 'Seafood' Risotto with Garlic Aoili", a rich, full-flavored Italian dish made of Arborio or short-grain rice cooked in vegetable stock, white wine and aromatics. As vegan food does not contain seafood, this dish surprisingly tasted like a Mediterranean seaside summer. I loved the oystery flavor and sauteed mushrooms that were enhanced by the garlicky sauce. This meal left me bursting at the seams! Very satisfying dish that I could have devoured completely if only I skipped lunch. (Note to self: Skip lunch for the next Buhay Ermitanyo dining experience.)
A meal is not complete without dessert! To cap the vegan Christmas meal, Chef Judy prepared an indulgent " Dark Chocolate Aquafaba Ice Cream on Dark Chocolate Mud Pie." She made it extra special by adding a dollop of vegan hazelnut sauce. Wow, a totally stunning sweet treat! In vegan cooking, aquafaba is viscous water from which lentils, legumes and pulses are cooked. When whipped, it turns into some kind of foamy 'egg white,' a perfect replacement for egg-free dishes.
All that chocolate goodness in one-guilt free, plant based dessert! We loved it!
Oh, we also had our fortune cookies drawn! Here's mine:
Thank you Buhay Ermitanyo for blowing our minds and wow-ing our tastebuds with innovative vegan cooking and sheer deliciousness. Till our next Buhay Ermitanyo meal!
Buhay Ermitanyo
R. Mapa St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
For bookings, contact:
Mobile no: 0956 627 3118
Email: buhayermitanyo@gmail.com
Friday, December 30, 2022
Located in Sibunag, Guimaras, Nagarao Island is a wonderful weekend hideaway when you want to get off the grid, unplug and recharge. Although the ten-hectare island is no longer as lush as when I first visited decades ago, nevertheless it still offers a soothing, healing vibe for stressed-out city dwellers.
There are now more amenities (love the Karaoke) and there's no corkage fee and free use of pool and kitchen.
To book, contact Nagarao Island on Facebook or message them at 09216605702.
Friday, December 9, 2022
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Sepanx (separation anxiety for non-millennials) no more as the first pet hotel Yukimito Pet Hotel and Boutique in Iloilo City has opened last October 2022 to cater to furkids whose furparents have to go on business or personal travel. Difficult as it is to leave your pet dog or cat at home with no one to look after them, you have to resort to strategies such as paying/bribing family members (that happened to me) and friends to look out for your beloved cats and dogs. It's hard to enjoy a local or overseas vacation when all you can think about are your pets and the worst case scenario that could happen to them like starving or getting into an accident.
I'm really happy Yukimito Pet Hotel has opened their doors to accommodate furkids for errands care (1-4 hours), daycare (5-10 hours) and home care (overnight). I wish they opened earlier though (like years before) because a pet hotel service is really in demand.
The pet boarding rates differ based on the package and size of your pet. I went on an island trip just recently and true to form, I have no one to look after my precious cat Macchiato. Thank God there is Yukimito pet hotel!
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Macky in his hotel room outfitted with a comfy bed, water and food dish, scratch pole and a shelf he can perch on |
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The best part of Yukimito Pet Hotel's service are the thoughtful, caring and attentive staff who regularly provide status updates of their beloved pets |
So take that much needed and well deserved vacation as Yukimito will be there to take care of your precious furkids. Contact them on Facebook for a fast and easy transaction.
Yukimito Pet Hotel and Boutique
Winston Bldg., Q Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Contact number: 09155712695
Email: yukimito@gmail.com
Thursday, December 8, 2022
There are tons of nice Christmas presents you can give to yourself, family and friends from Bakal Lokal, an online and physical store that is the brainchild of Youth First Initiative Philippines in partnership with DOST-VI. If you love to shop in your pajamas, Bakal Lokal's online shop is very navigable and easy to use but for people like myself who enjoy the tactile experience of browsing products, I highly recommend visiting the Bakal Lokal brick and mortar store located at AAMC Barbo Building in Jalandoni Street, Jaro district. The shop is very cozy and the handmade goods are displayed in a very attractive modern rustic style. The goods are mostly manufactured in small batches so everything looks one-of-a-kind. Definitely no soul less, mass produced products at Bakal Lokal. Every product feels handmade and that's why I love it. Your recipients will love it as well.
After you are done with your shopping, you can even grab a favorite brew at the in-store cafe. Hitting two birds with one stone I should say!
Happy holiday shopping! Remember to shop and promote homegrown products made with love in Iloilo.
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| My tabletop bookshelf from Lar Furniture sourced from Bakal Lokal |
Produkto Lokal Hub
AAMC Barbo Bldg., Jalandoni St.,
Jaro, Iloilo City
Email: hello@bakal-lokal.com
Tel no: 328-1898
Lungsod App on Android
Sunday, November 6, 2022
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| Cat near Regional Museum, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City |
"The city of cats and the city of men exists one inside the other, but they are not the same city."
-Italo Calvino
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