The End

 Mass, dinner, then movie with friends is the perfect way to end your Sunday. Together with my sister and some friends, we attended mass at St. Peter Parish in Commonwealth then head to TriNoma to eat dinner and watch the most anticipated movie this month. 

Crispy Pla-Pla with Garlic

We decided to eat at Gerry's Grill. Affordable and yummy Filipino food, perfect combination! :p

Crispy Pata

Deadly-cious! I think it's unfair that this is actually bad for our health! It baffles me how can something taste so yummy and be so deadly at the same time? 

Sugba Kilaw

I always remember my SuTuKil experience whenever I hear the term Sugba. Read it!☺

Crispy Pancit Canton

I'm in love with this! I used to love Chowking's version of this but they do not offer it anymore, thankfully this tastes so good! 

After our appetizing meal, we roam around the mall and tried the overrated J.Co. I don't think I will ever fall in line for 2 hours just for doughnuts. Just sharing.

Crunchy. Forest Glam. Oreo.

Don't get me wrong, I liked their doughnuts but I'm not gonna waste my 2 hours just for it, if you get what I mean. If there's no line, hell I'll buy something! But if there's a gazillion people lining up, I'm not even gonna think about it and I'll surely pass.☺

Cheezy Rich.

I liked this ensaymada-ish doughnut! J.Co doughnuts are less sweet compared to Krispy Kreme's but it's also smaller in term of serving. But I think what's attracting with J.Co doughnuts is it melts in your mouth perfectly. I think that's the reason of the commotion in every J.Co store here in the Philippines.☺ 

As much as I love The Vampire Diaries, I have to admit I'm a Twilight fan first. I read the books, I watched every movie so it's sure thing that I'm watching the last part. I actually love this last part because they stayed true with the book and the alterations were seamless, every fan would surely love it. I'm aware that as much as a lot of people love the saga, there's as much number who hates it. There are a lot of comments like it's hanging at the end and just when you thought they exceeded your expectation, they suddenly went back to being mediocre once again. I kind of disagree with them, first the book ended just like how the movie did. Second, the battle part is so amazing I questioned my knowledge of the book but they can't modify it totally because the fans loved the movie due to its captivating story. It's hard to bid goodbye to a story I love dearly but I have to accept life's cycle, and I hold unto the fact that endings are beginnings.

Toodles!☺

A♥

Song of the Week

I've deleted a lot of songs I used to love from my compilation the other day and I've been downloading amazing tracks from my new found artists. Some of them are popular and some are not but they're so great, they caught my attention. I've been obsessed last year with their song Use Somebody and I just downloaded some other of their songs and loved them. And now, I'm sharing with you a song by Kings of Leon.☺

My music choices pretty much evolved and I'm loving that music transition. Don't get me wrong, I still love some of the songs I used to like before but now I just have a more particular music that I really love to listen to. I hope you also find the music that soothes your personality, just like what happened to me!☺

Toodles!☺

A♥

Hot & Cold

There's nothing I love more than dessert. I live by it! I always look forward to the end of the meal because of it and when I learned about the idea of 'dessert comes first', I've been too happy to try it and loved it. I just don't have a sweet tooth, I have a sweet teeth! Yes, my dear, plural! Haha! :p So when my friend, Dianne, told me about La Marea, I know in my heart that I have to try their desserts!

Freedom. There's always a choice, my dear. And it's always up to us what to choose. ;)

Classic Warm Brownie Cup

The name has it. Classic. You will never regret trying this out. Warm brownie, cold(redundant alert!) ice cream, sweet, chocolate-y flavor. Oh, it will blow your mind!

Triple Chocolate Brownie Cup

Sweetness is my weakness. I just can't say no to this sumptuous treat. I really love and I can't get over the temperature contradiction. Love at first bite! And that love grew deeper as I finish the cup!♥

Yema Brownie Cup

What a sweet surprise! A great break from all the chocolate flavor. Where have been these warm brownie cups all my life?!

I've been preoccupied with the warm brownie cups I forgot the names of these drinks. They're good but not really great for me to remember what they're called. But, the warm brownie cups are enough reason to try La Marea when you're in Cebu! I swear you won't regret it and I bet you'll thank me instead.☺

A + Cebu people!☺ This is my last post about my trip to Cebu and Bohol last month, this is long overdue but so worth a post! Anyway, I'll leave you with this photo message from Tumblr.. Words I'd love to live by.♥

I have another trip super soon and I promise to share it again! 

Toodles!☺

A♥

Green House Effect

This is a long overdue post but I have to post it because this had been the most satisfying and delicious meal I've ever eaten when I was in Cebu. I am not exaggerating nor kidding. Casa Verde is a restaurant in Cebu which have a cozy ambiance and serves good food. Who wouldn't love them, right?

I really wanted to order a red wine to match my steak but I chose this tea instead. Yes, I'm such a lola. :D

The Dax

Round steak drizzled with brown sauce with a couple of shrimp and veggies on the side and their very own harvest rice. I finished everything and what I loved most about my meal was it's affordable. If Casa Verde has a branch here in Manila, I would always eat there and bring my family and friends! I swear!

Brian's Ribs

Baked pork ribs with sweet-tangy sauce and corn and carrots on the side and plain rice. It was called Brian's Ribs because Casa Verde's meals were named after the family members of the owner. This is one of their best sellers because it's cheap and the serving is so big! And it tasted amazing too! I told you, I loved it there!

Buffalo Wings

I've been very particular with buffalo wings because a lot of establishments offer it but not all has the right. Casa Verde's version was yummy, the dip won me over! The first time I tasted bleu cheese, I didn't like it much but as time passed by tasting or eating food with it, I slowly learned to like it. Their bleu cheese dip was the perfect partner for their flavorful wings.

We dined there October 31st and it was so cute that all their staff were dressed as soldiers. I loved it! All in all, the food, the service and the experience were beyond amazing and I can't wait to be back. I will definitely eat there again, if given the chance!☺

Toodles!☺

A♥

Song of the Week

It's the time of the week for my song of choice! I love feel good songs and this track is one of them. It helps that it's so catchy too that when you hear it over the radio, you can't seem to stop chanting it the whole day! I'm not Riri's biggest fan but I love and appreciate most of her songs.☺

Toodles!☺

A♥

Best Pig?

When in Cebu, you should try their Lechon. Lechon is a roasted suckling pig. There are plenty of places that offers lechon around Cebu but Zubuchon is the most popular and commercialized of them all so we chose to eat there for dinner.

Honey Calamansi Shake. Honey Calamansi Juice. Mango Juice.

I wanted to try their famous Kamias shake but I opt for a friendly taste that was Honey Calamansi. Sweet with the right kind of tartness was just what I needed that night.

"The best way to eat lechon is to eat it when there is steam still rising from its rear end!" We ate there at Zubuchon for dinner so the quality of lechon wasn't not at its best, if you get what I mean but nevertheless, I was still so happy I got to taste it and I hope to come back to Cebu to try it again, for breakfast or lunch or just right after the pig was roasted! Haha! 

Lechon Dinuguan or Roasted Pig Blood Stew. I can still clearly remember the taste of this one, I was so shocked to taste gata or coconut milk. I'm just not used to that kind of dinuguan. It may taste different but it also tastes good!

To balance the two pork dishes we ordered, we added Adobong Kangkong or Water Spinach Adobo. It's not so healthy after all because it has bits of chicharon on top but who am I kidding? Who's crazy enough to go to Zubuchon and look for healthy stuff? Hah! :p 

Can you see how happy I am? I was so giddy! Going to Cebu just to eat lechon is not a silly idea, at all. I swear!☺ If you don't believe my words, you can take Anthony Bourdain's. He's a professional Chef, food writer, and tv personality. He's well traveled and has a broad knowledge about food and he exactly said that lechon in Cebu is the "Best Pig...EVER!"

Toodles!☺

A♥

Castle

"There is a universal truth we all have to face whether we want to or not. Everything eventually ends. As much as I've looked forward to this day, I've always disliked endings. The last day of summer, the final chapter of a great book, parting ways with a close friend. But endings are inevitable. Leaves fall, we close the book, you say goodbye. Today is one of those days for us. Today we say goodbye to everything that is familiar, everything that was comfortable. We're moving on. But just because we are leaving, and that hurts, there are some people who are so much a part of us they'll be with us no matter what. They are our solid ground, our North star. And the small clear voices in our hearts that will be with us. Always."

I just wanted to share Alexis Castle's graduation speech because it moved me. It stroke something deep in my heart. I'm never good at goodbyes and changes. But I keep telling myself that change is good, we may not know it for the moment but we'll figure it out after quite a while.

Toodles!☺

A♥

Song of the Week

It's time for my song of the week! I've heard this song being sang on The Voice battle rounds and I've loved it ever since. I have been a silent fan of David Guetta for years now, and I admire his music. He has collaborated with various artists and made great songs. And for me, this is one of them.. The beat, the tempo, the lyrics, and Sia's voice won me over.☺

Toodles!☺

A♥

Burger Queen

I said in my previous publish that I'll be posting about everything my companions and I ate in our Cebu-Bohol trip but my mind's in a whirlpool these past few days that I have been neglecting this outlet of mine. Anyhow, I'm partially back and let me present you the 2nd best meal I've eaten in our entire trip. Dong Juan is a restaurant in Cebu which offers good food within a budget so when you're in Cebu and don't know what to eat, try to find Dong Juan.☺

Lemon Iced Tea

I like their container so much I wanna commend them with that! I only have one problem with the drink, it's not ice cold when served so it easily went to room temperature after a while.

Mozzarella Sticks

Cheese is one of the best food invention, ever. I swear, I'm in love with it! This mozzarella sticks lack something but I can't figure out what but the salsa won me over so I'd still say that this is a good order. :p

Gambas al Ajillo

This is one of their best sellers and I liked it! No one can ever go wrong with shrimp, garlic, and olive oil.☺ 

Baby Back Ribs in BBQ sauce

The meat was so tender you won't need a knife to slice it! I'm obsessed with barbecue flavored anything so their sauce is a hit for me.☺

I can't remember if this is Pork Chop Steak or Burger Steak. Surely, it isn't my order so I forgot about it. :D

Sisig

Nothing special about this dish, just your regular sisig, so you can pass from ordering this one, if I were you. ;)

Red Hot Chilli Burger

If you're up for something spicy and juicy, bring this on your table! As what I've read around world wide web, Dong Juan is the burger haven of Cebu so if you're craving for inexpensive, good tasting burger, hit Dong Juan up!☺

Double "D" Burger

This is a steal! The portion is craaaazy huge! Two people can share for some of their burgers.☺

My Cebu caboodle!☺

Fact about us: We went to Cebu to eat. We realized it at the end of our trip. It's silly yet sooo fun! I would do it all over again if given a chance. If you're wondering what's with the title of this post, I just thought of Queen City of the South and the burger beforehand. ;)

"Man shall not live by bread alone."

Toodles!☺

A♥

Song for the week

I'm watching The Script's #3 world tour live videos on youtube when I suddenly read Danny's tweet that they just released the official music video of one of my favorite song from their new album, #3. I'm still wishing, praying, and hoping to see The Script live next year. And for the mean time, while I'm waiting for the big announcement, I'll settle in watching this..

Toodles!☺

A♥

SuTuKil

We planned something special for lunch on our first day in Cebu because it's our friend, Dianne's birthday. We all thought SuTuKil was some kind of a restaurant in Mactan but we  were so wrong. We should've asked around first before going to Mactan from the city proper of Cebu. It was one hell of a road trip, it took us a couple of hours to arrive. I will never do that to myself ever again! Hah! 

It turned out, SuTuKil is the way the food was cooked, not a place to eat at. We ended up in a place that cooks SuTuKil which is hell of a lot like Dampa here in Manila. 

After our realization, we felt so stupid but anyway we've gotten there safe and sound so we just availed what's in front of us. It's an experience to remember because of all the effort, time, and money we've spent just to be there, it's literally the other side of Cebu!

Sinigang na Hipon or Filipino Shrimp Stew 

Inihaw na Liempo or Grilled Pork Belly 

Buttered Shrimp 

Inihaw na Pusit or Grilled Squid  

Fried Squid or Calamari

The reason why we went there! SuTuKil, abbreviation gotten from Sugba, Tuwa, and Kilawin. The picture shows grilled(su), stewed(tu), and ceviche(kil) lapu-lapu or grouper. ☺

It wasn't the best meal we've eaten but it's fine enough for our grumbling stomachs. The food were under average and I'd choose Dampa here in Manila in a blink of an eye over the place we've eaten but at least we've experienced what we've gone through and we now know better. It wasn't the best birthday lunch for our friend here but I hope our presence filled in with what the food lacked.☺

"It's the company, not the cooking, that makes a meal."

Toodles!☺

A♥

BOHOLiday!

From Cebu, we decided to side trip to Bohol via Ocean Jet ferry. It was a smooth sailing 2 hour ferry ride and the ferry seats were comfy and the a/c were just right cool so I slept like a baby almost the whole ride since I wake up at 6am!

My half smile gave me in that I'm not completely at peace with boats or ferries or ships. I always wonder what the vast water consists. I guess, we will never know.

When we arrived in Tagbilaran, I was so excited to start our 2 days/1 night trip to the island of Bohol! I heard a lot of great things about the town. 

We availed a package tour that will bring us to all the must see places in Bohol or as what they call it, the country-side tour. Just after a couple of minutes when we arrived, we already started our tour.☺

 I'm posing with the sandugo or the blood compact site which I know nothing about but I'm aware with the place because a local movie here in the Philippines shot a scene in the site. I read that it shows the treaty between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the first ever treaty between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. ☺

The Loboc River. I believe that Bohol is very beautiful because of its very own people. They take very good care of their place! They value their place that's why other people values it too. In Bohol, you can really say it's more fun in the Philippines and mean it. 

 What I ate at the Loboc River Cruise. It's buffet lunch but I only ate this, maybe because I'm too excited to enjoy the surroundings. While you're eating and cruising Loboc, someone's singing live in the background. It's a good experience.

 I just love this shot that's why I have to include it here in this post! Haha.☺ 

 The hanging bridge. It's the highest hanging bridge I've passed through but it's sturdy so it's not as scary as I thought it would be.☺

 I'm not as scared as I was the first time. Going back is a lot easier. It's true what they say, the first step is the hardest but if you keep going, you'll get shocked how far you can go.☺

 I already managed to put my arms up while at the middle of the bridge. I told you, it gets easier.☺

 I wouldn't want to have them as a pet because they're scary looking but I learned a lot about them that day! They can't move their eyes so instead they move their head, they're nocturnal, they're very sensitive and in fact, suicidal. They are only available in Indonesia and the Philippines. And lastly, they are already endangered. One of the many things people go to Bohol is this so I wish they reproduce some more!  

 Goofing around. I just love wacky shots! 

 The Man-Made forest as our backdrop. It feels unreal to think it's man-made. It's creepy at night but in the afternoon, it looks amazing! Photo op!!! It's crazy how many Mahogany trees are there. It's environment-friendly and at the same time, tourist catching so it's an ideal project, really. 

 I'm addicted to The Vampire Diaries so I instantly thought of Mystic Falls and I almost wished to see Damon lying on the road waiting for a prey. Or you can also think of Twilight, Edward hunting for animals in the woods. I can go on and on. Hah! :p 

 Hermaphrodite butterfly. It's so cool I just have to include it in this post! I wonder if there are really hermaphrodite human beings in this world. I think it'd be odd but it's God given so acceptance is the key!☺

 That's a real butterfly on my hair! And it's playing dead! It's sooo cute!!!☺

 Camera trick! ♪'Spread your wings and prepare to fly.."

 Our guide was so funny we had a good laugh the whole butterfly garden tour! And when we saw this, we asked him to pose as Ketut Liyer in Eat, Pray, Love. :D I know what you've noticed! I'm so fat and I hate it! Haha!

 The whole Bohol caboodle.♥ 

 If the forest was man-made, these chocolate hills are heaven sent! God does wonder! It's crazy how many hills are there! And it's a breath taking view! It's surreal to even be there at the top of the highest hill.

 It was really exhausting to go up and when you see the view it's exhilarating! That's the reason why we all have to travel, because the world is one hell of a big gift from God and we only get to peek and feel what's inside when we travel. But all the money, effort, and time spent were all worth it! I swear! All worth it!♥

 This is something I'm not excited about. I'm never a pet lover and snakes are way too scary for me. But for the sake of seeing the largest snake in the Philippines, well here is Prony. She eats one whole pig or two goats every month. :s

 Since I didn't enjoyed Prony, at least we got to have a photo with this tarsier. lol! 

We also went to one of the oldest Jesuit churches in the Philippines. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception or very well known as the Baclayon Church. We missed going there our first day because it's already closed when we passed by but before going to the pier for our trip back to Cebu, we stopped by the church and we thanked and prayed our heart's desires.

I really believe in candle lighting. I lighted three candles: violet, blue, and pink. There are meanings for each color and I hope my wishes will be granted.♥

There's always a photo opportunity everywhere! Here I was, at the side of the famous Baclayon church. Spot Padre Pio!☺

If you want to read about our Panglao experience, click on the link below. More photos and stories coming up!☺