Miss Kita Kung Christmas #Christmas

A new find: Bacon-wrapped Double Patty Cheesy Tofu Burger

One very good thing about travelling is that it allows us to explore and discover more about our world and  our life.  As we go from one place to another, we meet new people and make new friends.  We learn more about and appreciate more the people whom we usually travel with.  We hear stories behind old  buildings and odd things, and we get to understand the likes ad dislikes of certain people of different culture . The most exciting of all, we get to savor new flavors in our palates that slowly make us a connoisseur of good food and drinks.

In our recently concluded  WAFP Funlakwatsa in Pampanga, I decided to reward myself with something scramptious and delectable after a long and tiring day.  As I browsed over the menu card of a restaurant owned and managed by a gWAFPo, Kurtz Ortiz,   a very attractive photo of a cheezy beef burger caught my attention.  Of course, burgers are usually considered as comfort food or fast food but Whythaus |Grill in Angeles Pampanga has a way of making this ordinary  beef burger into something exquisite and exciting.

Look at the picture of this |Bacon-wrapped Double Patty Cheesy Tofu Burger, the first of its kind in the whole country ( as claimed by Kurtz ).

Bacon-wrapped Double Patty Cheesy Tofu Burger exclusive at Whythaus Grill in Angeles City, Pampanga
 (Photo by Kurtz Ortiz)        

 Instead of the beef burger and bacon sandwiched in a pair of bread,  these fillings were all sandwiched in a perfectly fried tofu ~ crispy on the outside but soft and creamy on the inside.  Unlike with the other tofu bought from the wet market, it was so fresh and no sourly aftertaste.  Whythaus Grill must have been blessed to be proximate to a tofu factory, hence the abundance of a daily supply of fresh tofu.  Not to mention, of course, the bacon which was excellently fried (it's oh so crispylicious) and the double beef patty which was  so tender and juicy.  The melted cheese all over the sandwich coupled with the fresh and crunchy greens made it extremely appetizing!

With a bottle of ice-cold apple-flavored San Mig Light, I ate my Bacon-wrapped Double Patty Cheesy Tofu Burger with much gusto.  With fancy cut fried potato wedges on the side,  my meal was indeed gastronomically satiating and  heavenly!

Since I love tofu, I have enjoyed Whythaus Grill's  Tokwa't Baboy before with its specially concocted sauce.

Tokwa't Baboy from WhytHaus Grill  (Photo courtesy of Kurtz Ortiz)

 Next time, I want to try another tofu recipe from them.  What would it be?

Come and travel with me and join the We Are Funtastic Philippines (WAFP)  Funlakwatsa! Let's gather and collect our new finds whatever and wherever it may be!

Thank you for visiting my site and I hope to see you again!  Good day!



To join WAFP Funlakwatsa, click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/funtastic-philippines/tagaytay-funlakwatsa-may-5-2018-saturday-cavite-tagaytay-batangas/1612221032189451/

I love coffee . . . scrub and soap!

I love coffee!

For sure, this statement will cause the raising of the eyebrows of those people closest to my heart.  They know pretty well that I do not drink coffee except on a blue or a bloody red moon when I have to order a venti glass of ice-cold coffee jelly from Starbucks with my beautiful sister Eunice.  But like all coffee lovers and fanatics, I so love the addicting aroma of the ground coffee, much more when it is being brewed.  I would admit that I am always tempted to take a sip even if it takes an antacid to counteract my stomach acidity.

Recently, I found another good reason to love coffee!  As we capped our tiring day with a heartwarming dinner from Whythaus Grill in Angeles City, Kurtz Ortiz, the resto owner and manager handed each one of us a sampler of his two latest coffee by-products ~ the coffee scrub and the coffee scrub soap.  After saying "Thank You", I simply kept those items inside my bag.  I am a hypersensitive person when it comes to allergens and am quite very careful in using cleansing soaps, cosmetics, and various beauty products which may cause skin allergy/asthma.

At home and very sleepy, I took out the freebies from my bag and opened it.  The coffee scrub smells so good.  The sweet scent of the cinnamon concocted with the ground coffee, virgin coconut and olive oils tempted me to try it. With a pinch of moistened coffee granules, I rubbed it gently all over my face, my neck up to the nape.  I left it there for a few minutes as I generously scrubbed my whole body with the almost scentless coffee scrub soap.

MY ESSENTIALS  Coffee Scrub Soap  (Photo Credit:  Kurtz)

After a day of exposing myself to dirt and oil, I never felt so clean and refreshed after  exfoliating with the coffee scrub and coffee scrub soap from Kurtz.  My skin felt smoother and looked more radiant than it did just before.  I also felt that all my pores were cleared with all the dirt and oils accumulated during the day and I was left with a cleaner skin ready for my night ahead.

MY ESSENTIALS  Coffee Scrub

Do I look more beautiful now?  Arguably, yes and no for beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. But definitely, with my newer and fresher skin cells left at the top, I FEEL REJUVENATED AND BEAUTIFUL.  Nobody could ever question that feeling and that beautiful feeling is all that matters to me!

As of this writing, I am not very sure if the said products are already out in the market.  But I am one sure client of Kurtz' MY ESSENTIALS coffee scrub and coffee scrub soap and I am very excited to make them an essential part of  my body care must haves to keep a healthy and moisturized skin.

Wouldn't  you dare to try them, too?

As soon as these products are out in the market, I'll let you know.

Thank you for visiting my site.  Good day everyone and see you again, soon!



Note:  This is not a paid advertisment.

VIRTUAL FRIENDS NO MORE

All I can remember is we were high school batch mates.  Whether we became classmates or not, I don't even remember  anymore.  That's how long the time has been since we have seen each other in V. Mapa High School.

But thanks to FACEBOOK.  Despite the distance and time, we became VIRTUAL FRIENDS.  We liked and reacted to each other posts.  We sent private messages and chatted over certain things.  We tried to rekindle the friendship thru the social media and I knew, we succeeded.
 
Yesterday, amidst the teary weather, the batch "72 of VMHS had a great and grand celebration.  My virtual friend Eleanor Silvestre, aka  Stellasophia Arim, was in town.   She gave a lavish treat to her "very important friends" during those "bygone era"   for her third birthday as a SENIORa in a beautiful mansion at Mt. Olympus in Alta Vista, Antipolo City owned by the Ocbena's.  As expected, there was an array of scrumptious food catered by our very own  Puring Go and those who were on diet have forgotten what DIET is all about. The heavy downpour of the rain never barred the unstoppable  singing and dancing  where everyone had a fair share of fun and laughter.

I could hardly believe that, one day, she'll be right there in front of me, swiftly cracking jokes, telling everyone how wonderful life had been despite whopping struggles. She sounded very humorous but I could see a figure of a very firm ,strong and determined woman who wanted to make the best out of what this life has to offer.

A few days from now, she'll be going back to her second home in London.  We will surely miss her and her contagious laughter, her anecdotes, her wisdom! But the mere thought of her leaving gives all of us the hope and joy of seeing her again someday

At last, Eleanor and I are VIRTUAL FRIENDS NO MORE.  We both have felt the warmth of our embraces and we both have heard each other's voice loud and clear.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , Eleanor! May God's blessings be always upon you and your loved ones!  No more tears of sadness.  May your life ahead  be full of joy!

She's Eleanor aka Stellasophia Arim in FB

One of the few birthday cakes she had

Lord, make all here wishes come true!

A cute and sweet treat from Malou Diaz

It's lunchtime!  Wait, just got some few reminders from our very own caterer, Puring Go

Eleanor with some of her friends from  VMHS'72

Video video lang si Emmz pag may time....hahaha

The beautiful Eyie Ocbena ( in printed black and white floral gown) with Puring Go, Zeny Panganiban (partly hidden) Leony Sison, Edhnna Lumbal and Fel Ureta

Eleanor and Emmz singing under that native umbrella.  Sorry for their  blurry faces  because they're

on the other part of the world . .  hehehe.   Just enjoy one of the nice views in the Ocbena mansion.

The pool waited the whole day for any bather.  I guess, there was none!

The best!  You should try this.  Make your orders now!

Somewhere in Time at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

This is my second time in this place and I really would not mind going back for the third, fourth, and the nth time because of its unique character and charm.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is truly a perfect travel destination, It is a romantic get-away for couples and a self-contained place which provide avenues for entertainment, relaxation and recreation for an ultimate group or family bonding . 

In a drop of a hat,  the resort brings you back somewhere in time. As a heritage park and a living museum , it showcases the Filipino history, our age-old customs, traditions and our country's distinctive craftmanship and ingenuity set in a community that was made to resemble those settlements in the 18th century.  Indeed it is a faux town, but it is the  most gorgeous of them all that I have ever seen even from abroad !

The owner, Architect Jose " Gerry" Acuzar, also of the famous San Jose Builders, purchased some old and neglected houses during those bygone days from the different parts of the country based on its historical, cultural and architectural values. These houses were delicately dismantled, precisely numbered and carefully transported to Bagac, Bataan.  In 2003, they were reassembled, reconstructed and restored brick by brick and plank by plank while the missing parts were meticulously replicated to resemble the original structures.    

The park was officially opened to the public in 2010,  with more or less 27 houses  rebuilt and restored.  To date, Las Casas has a total of 55 houses in display, ranging from noble-class mansions to wooden stilt houses of the less-privileged, spread all over the 400-hectare property. The grand main building which is made of stones proudly stands in a village of cobblestone streets. Of these 55 houses, however, there are only a few selected houses , around 5 or 6, which are included in the heritage tour.  Guests, upon removing their shoes, ( this is an old Filipino custom which shows respect to the owner of the house ),  are allowed to enter into these houses and take a closer look at its architectural details  and at all the things, usually antiques, found inside the "casas".

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in giving each visitor a glimpse of the past while providing the luxuries and comfort of the modern times. It boasts of the three restaurants within the park that  satiate the gastronomic desires of the guests both from the Eastern and Western parts of the world.
For the aquatic maniacs, they have a batis-inspired swimming pool facing the beautiful West Philippine Sea and a vast private beach where you can stroll along the fine but not so white sand as you wait for the grand exit of the Sun King! Jet skis and other water sports paraphernalia are available for rent. While waiting for the heritage tour schedules, guests can play with the billiards, chess boards, sungka, and other local indoor games at Casa Lubao.

For the photo enthusiasts, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the right place to be and probably the answer to your antiquated dreams. Every corner looks very 'instagrammy' as what they say.  Every shot will always be a hit and every click can always be a perfect profile pic!


Come and stroll with me along the memory lane of our latest visit in Las Casas with my sisters.  I had a great time capturing these moments and views. I do hope that you will enjoy looking at them too as much as I did when I took them.

Las Casas Filipins de Acuzar is a faux community but the most gorgeous of all that I have seen so far.

Tulay ni Lola Basyang replicates the Old Binondo Bridge

Sanctuario de San Jose Parish Church is one the main architectural highlights in Las Casas

I just so love this fire tree by the Umangol River

Casa Lemery

An early morning photo shoot by the Umangol River....Banjie, Eunice and Ela

Extension of the Umangol River at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

This time, yung balikbayan naman ang pumitik at kinuha ko ang puwesto nya...

I was fascinated by the intricate carvings of this door at the Hotel de Oriente.
Princess Fish, however, made it a bit more complicated....hahaha

Casa Hagonoy

At the azotea of Casa Luna

By the door of Casa Binan, Laguna

Ela at the Casa San Luis Pampanga

By the door of Casa Candaba

Ela with her favorite hat by the Y Bridge

It's Princess' turn

At Casa Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Bring out the child in you as play at The Paseo de Escolta

That famous Hotel de Oriente in Binondo now serves as the Convention Center in Las Casas

La Ribera Houses

The Umangol River and more traditional houses across

These buildings are the so-called La Ribera and as its name suggests, they're found along the canals/extensions

of the Umangol River.  This is one of the highlights of Las Casas where  the traditional houses are  being used

as hotel accommodations for visitors and guests.

Inside our flat, we have this small fountains which made the place more  inviting  and conducive for relaxation. 

This canal found along La Ribera is actually an extension of the Umangol River.  Feeling Venice lang, di ba?

These are the doors leading to the rooms at La Ribera

Eunice a.k.a. Princess Fish by the canal

And of course, I had mine, too!

What about having breakfast by the river?

The Batis-inspired pool

The vast private beach by the West Philippine Sea

I still have a lot of photos to share, if you are still NOT CONVINCED to visit this place anytime soon.  Otherwise, share your photos with me.  Good day and God bless!

Cafe Ysabel ... Shall I Say Goodbye?

Nowadays, there is a profusion of "instagrammy" places and restaurants around Metro Manila and Café Ysabel in San Juan is no exception to this.  Its recent advertisement in the internet, however,  has caught my attention  informing the public that their  more than three decades  of journey in the restaurant industry will soon come to an end on the last day of July, 2017 , hence,  the whole staff encourages their patrons for the past years to enjoy this gastronomic place in its farewell stint.

For 35 long years,  this once a "neighborhood café" in San Juan  has found its place in the Philippine Restaurant history and has made its  laudable presence through the years with Chef Genie Gonzales steering the wheel.  It started from a  bitty restaurant along Wilson Street in Greenhills, San Juan,  in a small section of the family's abode  rented out by no less than Susan Roces and the former King of the Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr.  Like any other business ventures, the first few years has never been easy for Café Ysabel and it took Chef Genie Gonzales  a 14-hour-a-day focus to get the smiles and praises of the restaurant's patrons and guests until it eventually emerged as a foodie mecca in San Juan for visiting tourists who were brought by their expatriate friends in Manila.  Café Ysabel soon became a group of restaurants  and found its home in an authentic 1902 ancestral house along P. Guevarra furnished with turn-of-the-century tables, chairs  and lamps oozing with nostalgic and romantic effects.

We were there last Sunday, July 16,  and the parking lot was full.  Customers waited for vacant tables and chairs and all the food and beverage associates were on their toes. If ever Café Ysabel will close its doors to its clientele for any reason,  one thing is for sure!  Many food enthusiasts will definitely lour  and  pull a face! Café Ysabel will leave a gap especially for the Filipino-Italian-Spanish food connoisseurs and it will take time for somebody else to fill it up!

For me, I just wanted to say " Thank you Café Ysabel. I'd better start looking for a place next to you!"

The front view of Café Ysabel

The door leading to the restaurant

There's something at Café Ysabel that will make you want to chill and  stay longer. 

Most probably, it is the old Spanish-Filipino set up that creates

a nostalgic ambiance coupled with mysticism and romance.

The hallway the leads to one of my favorite rooms.... The Ladies' Room!

The interiors of Café Ysabel will bring you back

somewhere in time.  While sitting on this chair,

I felt like looking for certain characters during

those bygone era!

Crunchy Asparagus with Tagaytay greens Salad in vinaigrette  coupled with

freshly-baked ciabatta bread dipped in balsamic vinegar

with olive oil gave us a real good start!

Our al dente Pasta Putanesca with lots of mushrooms, black olives, capers and sun-dried tomatoes

satiated our cravings for something Italian that day!

The desserts at Café Ysabel are like magnets that will attract you

and will keep you  coming back for more.  The strawberry

shortcake is their best seller.  But don't forget to try

their mango crepe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It's heavenly!

The cake shop for the quick cake orders.

I love this spot in particular at Café Ysabel.  The relaxing view of the garden

through the glass windows and the scrumptious food served before you

truly make a perfect combination to make my day!

It's coffee time but  . . . thank you!  I don't drink coffee!

It's time to go but wait.... allow us to have  this souvenir shot

on the side stairs.

The balcony and the view of the garden

My souvenir shot at the stairs

Could this be my last photo here at Café Ysabel?  If it closes by the end of July, 2017,

definitely, this will be!