Bentot Tapsilogan in Binondo

Blast from the past by: Mole Antolo


Upon browsing our photos, I was so guilty that I missed to share this simple but rocking restaurant, "Bentot Tapsilogan" located in Tutuban Mall in Binondo Manila. 

The food are perfect for Filipino taste buds. The foods ends with the word silog - Tapsilog, Longsilog, Porksilog, Tocilog and Chicksilog. They offer native desserts like mais con yelo, gulaman and saging con yelo. The place is so classic, they got movie poster way back early 50's upto the late 90's. The glass table is place on the top of old bath tub (look at the picture below).

If you are fan of the old ads like "Eto ang Gusto ko" from the soda commercial of the late king of rap, +francis magalona you will surely enjoy eating here.

          

Great to be here in Tutuban. This is not for Christmas shopping but you can try their classic restaurants. Love to visit here again and again :) ..

From the far away Land of VIGAN CITY - part I (Free to enjoy)

I treat myself in Vigan City by: Mole Antolo

This is not by accident that I happened to celebrate my birthday in +Vigan Ilocos Sur . I planned this for months and this is the best gift I can think of for +Mole Antolo (that's Me!) .

I recommend "Metro Vigan Inn" located in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur. The place is just 10 to 15mins away from the Plaza Salcedo. Superior double room with the price of Php 1500 (with free breakfast) per day is not bad for a budget hotel but not a cheap looking one (as you can see in the photos). The room has a flat screen tv, wifi ready, the bathroom is clean and the bed is so relaxing. The cafeteria is clean and relaxing to take a sip of coffee every morning.

                     
                     

I enjoy my stay in Vigan not only because I was away from work but I am enjoying the moment of my birth date. If you are backpacker like me, just call a tricycle and tell manong driver to take you to Baluarte zoo and pay Php80 only. I commend the tricycle drivers here, they are so accommodating. I visited Baluarte ZOO aside from the entrance is free, I enjoy  the colorful birds and the giant size of Dinosaurs.A bit disappointed because Singson is out of the country so there is no chance that the tiger can get to see the visitors.

Pottery making is one of the main source of living here in Vigan City and we are blessed to find a kind tricycle driver who took us to the place where export pots are made. Visiting this place is free and all you have to do is just give the pot maker a tip (don't be kuripot kasi wala na ngang bayad ang pagtanghod mo habang gumagawa sila ng pots).

I'll pause my story with the "dancing fountain" in Plaza Salcedo. This is one of the daily famous attraction and starts at 6:30 pm during week days and 7:00pm or 7:30pm during weekend and of course this is FREE, so what can you say about Vigan City. Wait for my Part 2 of my Vigan vacation you will really enjoy the restaurants and more.

hey! Did you count how many times did I mention "FREE"? Visit Vigan City and find out!

Pink Chiffon of Marikina - Food Trip

Pink for my Sweet by: Mole Antolo

Pink is not just for dresses but for your taste bud too...

So here I go with my post for this foodtrip..

We actually visit Pink chiffon in Marikina last June of this year.

After we stop at +Qizia cafe for our late lunch we set our feet and look for a place where we can satisfy our sweet sweet tooth. If you are kid at heart and love fancy foods, this is the place for you.

The cupcakes are very affordable for only Php 50, we ordered 4 different type and it was very delicious specially the Blueberry Cheesecake. They also offer pasta but maybe we can try those on our next visit.

The place is like your in a pink dollhouse, their walls are very relaxing (ahmm. i would say pink is my third favorite color.hehehe).

                           

So if you are not from Marikina (just like me) and you want to visit this place, don't missed to stop by at Pink Chiffon and try how their sweetness really taste...

Field trip at Marikina Shoe museum

Gala in Marikina Shoe Museum  (Mole Antolo)

Its been a decade since I've planned to visit Marikina City just to see the famous Giant Shoes. And so I thank my friend Jing Villanueva for touring us around Marikina.. 

outdoor Display of Giant shoes adjacent to Marikina Shoe Museum

So after work that one fine Saturday afternoon, off we went to Marikina. 

We meet Jing's makulit na daughter, Zoe. So while waiting, we make fun of ourselves in front of the camera. hehehehe.

with my friend Jing, believe it or not Mom eto ni Zoe

photo ops while waiting for Zoe

Little Zoe with Roxie

The entrance of the museum is simple but very classic, like a Spanish Era ang peg. 

Before you can start your mini-tour inside the museum, you need to register first.

Marikina Shoe Museum entrance

Ads: Smile and sign before enter

The ambiance inside Marikina Shoe Museum is so Classic.

A giant like pole of shoes made of wood beside a giant shoe first catch my eyes.

There are different brands, styles, shapes and colors of different shoes are all on display.  

 kami lang ng little girl ang wacky. hehehe

 

At the 2nd floor, a large array of shoes display is own by the former First Lady of the Philippines, +Imelda Marcos' shoes is display and well kept here. A huge portrait of Imelda hangs above serving as a mini-shrine for her shoe collection. Sorry no photo available, they forbid us from taking shot of the biggest collection.All different kinds of shoes she owned for different occasions is display there, I am not a straight woman but those shoes, I know, are any woman wishes for. 

getting EXCITED for our Food Trip

I am proud to make a simple and very educational field trip with the girls. 
Our next STOP? FOOD TRIP , wait for my next blog... 

So "BAKIT" I am so eager to visit Marikina? Aside from looking forward (sana) to see 
Mayor Bayani Fernando and ask him what is his plan for next election kaso hindi na pala 
nila hawak ang Marikina , I also don't want to be tagged as "estranghero sa sariling lupa".

 

At least I can share to others, nakarating na ako sa +Marikina Shoe Museum before I grow older than today. Kayo ba kelan? Visit Marikina Shoe Museum then make a side Food trip while the weather is fine (",).

Then I asked God ...

 Then I ask God

Everything in this world came from the ONE 

who created the heaven and earth...

Everything we feel the pain, the happiness, 
the laughter and tears 

He is the one responsible..

When I was younger than today (hehehe)

I care less about the real meaning of life, 
my mother's hand landing on my butt, that is the only time I felt a tears running on  my cheeks..

Never did I imagine that Life would change ..

Never did I imagine that I will cry a million tears..

I never imagine that I will grow up to be a fighter
 on my own battle..

I continue asking myself why it happened 

I thought everything was OK 

Yes, I thought I have a perfect life, a happy family 
any kid could imagine ..

I grow up in a simple world..

Simple joys, simple dreams and simple toys

I never see them fight over each other then suddenly 
I was left alone, leaving in other else house 

Somewhere in my dreamland, came a dark cloud 

I never expected it coming and cover my candy coated life..

Just like any imagination, this have to end 
and wake up to reality..

At my very young age, I learned to STAND

I step out from that dreamland and ready myself for the battle

I don't understand coz I don't know whose to blame
I was very young then, those questions

 just keep jumping in and out off my brain...

And so I saved so much pain, anger and tears.

But because of the goodness of my creator
I realized and learned everything..

I thought those tears I cried was wasted 

    I realized, it only washes my eyes 
from the darkness that I see

I thought those sleepless nights made me weak 

    but then I learned that it just give some ample of time 

       to think and be tough for the next day.

When it happened, it happened because it need to happened..

Why it has to end? it has to end because a new start will begin...

I learned to accept Life and find the beauty of it..

I learned to appreciate and love the Life I have

All the Love I needed is right in front of me..

Then I asked God, Why are you so kind to me? 

So kind enough to help me realized 
the greatness of Life and the beauty of it

I will never be the person I am today 

if Life had been so easy to me..

Pina Colina - Perfect place to relax

Relax at PINA COLINA - Tagaytay Philippines 

(Mole Antolo)

I've been searching for a place to be private for awhile (as if artista), escape for awhile from work and to nosy people hehehe. While browsing the net for a place where I can make a reservation without using credit card (kasi I don't have one and I don't want one), the place catch my attention.The place have a nice scenery and I want to see it myself. 

So I check some reviews and make a reservation right away online then after a month I am off to +Pina Colina Resort . 

The resort is built on the pineapple plantation on top of the hill, so getting there through tricycle is already an adventure. 

Here's my very simple HOW TO GET THERE through commuting:

• Since I don't have a car, i have motorcycle that I cannot use away from home (baka multuhin ako ni Inay), so from +Binan Laguna I take a jeepney to +Target Mall Sta Rosa then take the van going to Lipa just remind the driver to drop you at Olivarez Plaza Tagaytay City. Just be patience because the van will have to wait at least 10 passengers. Then from Olivarez plaza, take a tricycle to +Pina Colina Resort , the fare is only 70php.

• Another commuting route will be from Manila, take a bus to Baclaran via Coastal Mall. Take a bus to Tagaytay -Olivarez via Aguinaldo Highway. Then take a jeepney to Olivarez Plaza or City Market then take a tricycle directly to +Pina Colina Resort . 

+Pina Colina Resort  have a cozy rooms where you can just sleep and relax all day. Just take a look at the room, this is the simplest room they have so just imagine other rooms that you might want to spent your nights.

If your body's in heat and you have nobody but you (hehehehe), well, just take a deep at the pool. You can have a cold drinks at the nipa hut like picnic table at the side of the pool. 

Their dining room is cozy too. We (yes may kasama ako,ano ako loner? Best to come here with someone or by groups) a very simple breakfast then off to make gala to Tagaytay. If you want to go around Tagaytay and you don't have a car, the staffs will call a tricycle for you then you can tell manong driver where you want to go, at least this is legit driver kasi kilala na ng resort staffs. 

I probably come here again, aside from they got a friendly staffs around who are so nice to take some of our photos kahit super kulit nang kasama ko "kuya kuya picture mo naman kami", pi-picture naman si kuya. This is one place you can be private and relax for a while. A very nice ambiance because the scenery, I would say is a breath taking. I would probably spent another vacation here. See you soon +Pina Colina Resort !

Tagaytay will never be the same ...

so what's your story? My recent story starts here in @Tagaytay. 

Tagaytay would be a common place for others to see a palm trees, even +Mole Antolo (ahm.. that's me by the way) is also guilty of this concept before.

If we have relatives from far far away, Tagaytay would be the nearest place for us to bring them and make Pasyal to @picnic grove and visit the famous @Taal Volcano.

Tagaytay is just a place to visit if you want to escape from busy street of the Metro..

Just another place to stay if you can't afford the far away Baguio, don't get me wrong my dear readers because that is only my observation.

I've been through a lot for the last few months and I almost lost my sanity (FYI to those who think they know me well), to where and how to escape the reality. 

I keep bumping here and there, just to find a way out of it. Then I look up, look up, look up...

Tagaytay became one of the my favorite place to stay almost always of my life.

I find and I think this is a God given place for me to see the real meaning of Life.

The smell of the wind .. The breeze of the morning. The feeling of the real chill. 

It tells something that even I don't understand but all I know it gives me freedom and happiness..

An angel of God brought me to this place and my life was never been the same. It took me awhile to appreciate this place until I came to realize the reason why.

Others will find my action a very brave one or probably they will find me "kontrabida" of the story. 

Well I don't care about what they think, this is my story. I may be the "bida" or "kontrabida", well its for them to follow cause I know they will. 

Just remember that the shooting starts here in Tagaytay and more places to visit wherever my busy feet takes me.

Amazing AVILON ZOO

AVILON ZOO, amazing animals to see

by: Mole Antolo

Travelling is one of my favorite relaxation. Every year, my partner and I make sure that our long vacation is something memorable. We consider vacation our precious time away from work. We often visit places and never missed to take photos. The beauty of nature gave me the reason to thank more to life.

So one of our vacations,we decided to make a short trip to AVILON ZOO , located in Barrio San Isidro,Rodriguez,Rizal. Before we started our little adventure, we asked friends how to get there. Unfortunately no one where able to help, because maybe the place is not very accessible to commuters, nobody can give us instruction on how to get there. They advice us, to rent a vehicle to make our trip easier. Hmm.. it is not a good suggestion for a "+kuripot" like me. Instead of paying for the vehicle, it will be more beneficial to add it to my "baon" budget instead.

Since we are so eager to get there through commute, we did a research of our own just to push our plan.

Here are my simple steps on HOW TO REACH +AVILON ZOO:

1. DIY or the DO-IT-YOURSELF Research:  We search the exact location of Avilon zoo then find some landmark along the road through the help of "+Google Map" for our road reference, it is important that you know how to read map. I take notes of the landmark, this is very important a road tripper need to remember , like what store, gasoline station , bank or school near the place you want to visit.

2. Get-up EARLY!!! : We woke up early and left at 4:35 am to be exact.(Hindi naman kami excited no?). We are from Cavite , so we avoid rush hour and wanted to be in Rizal early. We give ourselves a 1 hour buffer for our travel time. Check the "how-to -get there" , it did help us, I hope it will help you too. hehehe.

3. Make friend with Manong driver: Tricycles are the only means of transportation to the zoo and it is always special trip, meaning even if you ride alone you will still pay the fare of 60 to 80 pesos, quite expensive since the tricycle is quite difficult to maneuver because of the rough road, so the fare is fair enough. I suggest make friend to Manong tricycle driver so you can request him to return and fetch you  (for sure) in  your requested time. Tricycle drivers don't stay long there because they can't get a passenger since most of the visitors of Avilon zoo often have their own car or service.

The zoo opens at 8:00 am , so we waited for 30mins in +Noah's park resort , just beside the Avilon , they have a small sort of cafeteria inside so we have a coffee and crackers for breakfast. When the zoo finally open,"Wow! Sulit ang biyahe!", these are the words I utter upon seeing the amazing view and animals inside. +Avilon zoo is a large wildlife facility for both animals and plants, and my eyes just can't get enough of the beauty inside the zoo. From different beautiful birds, reptiles, fresh water fishes to animals that I only see before in Disney channel, now came to life before my very eyes! Probably it would take you 3 to 4 hours to stroll and visit the different animals. 

The kids and the kids at heart would surely love this place. There is also a small souvenir shop if you want to buy +pasalubong. Although the place is not very accessible but I guarantee it is one place where family and friends should bond. I hope my blog  gave you an idea on where to go on your next trip in the city.

Animals are God's gift to human and taking care of those creation of God is our way of saying "thank you Lord. You are really great!"