Tuesday, April 16Multi-awarded Filipina blogger, ocial media specialist, publicist and content creator
Shadow

Food

Check this out: Bukidnon countryside diner El Paso Lantapan

Check this out: Bukidnon countryside diner El Paso Lantapan

Bukidnon, Features, Food, Leisure, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel
I may be an avid beach lover but sometimes, there's just something about the countryside that we all can't help but love. Laidback. Lovely gentle breeze. Beautiful trees. Glorious landscape. Clean air. Take the case of the Municipality of Lantapan in Bukidnon. Roughly a 3-hour drive from Cagayan de Oro, it's fast becoming home to many quaint cafes and diners like Cafe Sa Bukid, Chukoohills and now, El Paso. Located at Songco, Lantapan, El Paso is a rustic restaurant that also has a spacious al fresco area. And by al fresco I do mean tables and chairs/benches (and tents when it's a rainy day) surrounded by lots of tall falcata trees. There's also an event stage and a bonfire area. It's a great place to hang out with family and friends. I made a quick TikTok video of our most rec...
Real good Japanese food in Bukidnon

Real good Japanese food in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews
I first wrote about them nearly 2 years ago, back when they still had a different name, and when I was on a quick vacation from New York. These days, they're now known as Ukyo Ramen and they're one of my super favorite restaurants in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. New name but definitely still superb quality, delicious Japanese food! Actually, it isn't just their name that changed. Their look, too! From a home-turned-into-rustic-eatery, Ukyo Ramen now sports a spanking brand new look, complete with banners with Japanese characters and all that jazz. But, yes, as I earlier mentioned, they still serve the same delicious Japanese fare - and I daresay it's even better (if that's even possible)! During my most recent visit, I brought along a friend, who happily agreed that, yes, Virginia...
LOOK: Seda Centrio Hotel CDO breakfast buffet

LOOK: Seda Centrio Hotel CDO breakfast buffet

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel
I don't know about you but when it comes to hotels, I'm pretty particular about the food they serve especially during breakfast. I mean, who wouldn't want to wake up to a delicious, glorious breakfast to help kickstart your day? Breakfasts help set the tone for the day! But because we're now living in extraordinary times and we all have to be extra cautious of safety and hygiene measures, we can't help but wonder how hotels adapt and still provide good food and service. For Seda Centrio, a downtown Cagayan de Oro Hotel that features high-quality room and recreational facilities, they're taking a very smart and efficient lead on how hotels can adapt to the new normal. During the relaunch of their breakfast buffet service at Misto, the signature restaurant of Seda Centrio, they made...
LOOK: these savory Mindanao heritage dishes at Cucina Higala

LOOK: these savory Mindanao heritage dishes at Cucina Higala

Advocacy, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update
What better way to reconnect with and celebrate our heritage but through food? With Cucina Higala's help, it's now easier to indulge in good, savory, rich, colorful, absolutely delicious food that's uniquely Mindanao. You see, Cucina Higala now offers another set of Mindanao Heritage dishes, 3 years after the first set's release in 2018. For their 2021 salvo, they have 5 new dishes - all of which I had the opportunity to try. And I must say - you simply should never miss these gastronomic delights! Before I proceed, I would like to sincerely thank the Cucina Higala team for the warm hospitality. Thank you Sir Jan, Miss Maggie, Sir Joe Jake and Miss Donna and staff for taking good care of me, Nicole Abas-Datayan, Narz Moria and Sir Mike Banos. Daghang salamat! Let me give...
Beautiful reunions and a fun cafe hop

Beautiful reunions and a fun cafe hop

Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Tourism, Travel
I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that one of the sad, challenging repercussions of this global health pandemic was that we can’t easily, freely travel and see our family and friends. We had no choice but to be contented with virtual “kamustahans.” Siyempre, it’s still different to physically be with your loved ones, to bond with them and strengthen family ties.  So when the travel restrictions started to get eased out, I hatched a plan: to reunite my Mama with her older sister whom she hasn’t seen in more than a year!  Thankfully, I had a reliable partner in Ford Philippines. They gave me the chance to drive the all-new Ford Territory, currently the most celebrated vehicle in the compact crossover segment. My plan for a beautiful reunion between sisters was off to a great st...

Delicious Thai food at SIAM Krua

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews
One of the "normal" things I miss is dining out. I'm sure you do, too. Actually, it's not just the idea or the act of dining out. It's eating the food you love or the food you've been craving for. And these days, it's authentic Thai food for me! In Cagayan de Oro, I get my Thai cuisine fix at Siam by Krua Thai. It's run by the same Siam by Krua Thai that I go to in Cebu City. From their Gateway Lim Ket Kai location, they've transferred to the 2nd Floor of Lim Ket Kai Mall, just right across Robinson's. Siam Krua Thai CDO had health and safety protocols in place. They had contact tracing forms, alcohol and a temperature check by the door. The server was also pleasant and knew which bestsellers to suggest. Of course, I just had to have Tom Yum Seafood Soup. Don't ...

Head to POPS CDO for the best, sulit buffet in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society
I don't know about you but it seems like buffets in Cagayan de Oro have become a dime in a dozen. So many CDO buffets to choose from! However, when it comes to sulit, absolutely value for money eat AND drink all you can choices, POPS CDO All Filipino Eatery still tops my list. For only Php 250 (US $5) per person, you get to access a wide array of Filipino comfort food - complete from soup to rice (plain or fried...what do you prefer?) to various viands (meat, fish, vegetables etc) to dessert (fruits, kakanin, fruit salad etc) to bottomless drinks! Indulge to your heart's content! For now, two of the POPS CDO branches offer this unbeatable buffet. If you plan to bring a large group of family and friends, their Corrales Avenue branch would be the best choice. It's just be...
POPS CDO Filipino restaurant reopens, adapts to new normal

POPS CDO Filipino restaurant reopens, adapts to new normal

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Restaurant
As the world slowly eases back to its "new normal" amidst this current health scare, restaurants are also slowly but surely adapting to new guidelines and implementing them well so as to protect consumers. Cagayan de Oro's P.O.P.S. All Filipino Eatery, best known as CDO's most popular eat-and-drink-all-you-can place, is nothing different. After nearly 2 months of temporary closure due to quarantine guidelines set by the government, POPS CDO is now back and ready to serve customers. Although dine-in is still not allowed as of this writing, POPS CDO is geared up and ready to offer pickup, takeout and delivery! Moreover, the POPS Cagayan de Oro management is also taking into consideration the possible changes such as reduced capacity of dine-in customers, heightened health and safety pro...
Panagatan Restaurant reopens all branches, offers 30 percent discount

Panagatan Restaurant reopens all branches, offers 30 percent discount

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant
Considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant, Panagatan Restaurant is back in business! Panagatan Restaurant is all geared up to cater to pickup, takeout and delivery orders! Plus, here's an amazing deal - 30 percent off on all seafood meals! This offer lasts until May 31, 2020 so I highly recommend that you visit the Panagatan Restaurant branch nearest you. They have 6 branches, folks! Their main one, my favorite, is in Opol. It's atop the water so you can enjoy the sea breeze. They then have branches in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Valencia City, Bukidnon. PLEASE CALL THESE NUMBERS  Opol - 0917 713 1436Ayala Malls (Centrio) - 0923 087 2418 / landline 323 1390SM Downtown - 0927 851 6711 / landline 859 1376SM City Uptown - 0...
Solon calls on Balik-Scientists, vets to face off African Swine Fever in the Philippines

Solon calls on Balik-Scientists, vets to face off African Swine Fever in the Philippines

Announcements, Food, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Politics
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri urged Malacañang to call on Balik-Scientists, veterans to face off African Swine Fever or ASF in the Philippines. "We have to save the livelihood of our hog raisers, both large-scale and backyard; especially the backyard hog raisers. For many years, we have had the lowest hoof and mouth disease. We controlled Avian Flu and it failed to decimate our poultry industry. We are one of the preferred sources of pork and poultry by countries that had high standards like Japan," the senator from Mindanao said. "That's why I'm aghast at how ASF is destroying our hog raisers. Together with the Agriculture Committee chaired by Sen. Villar,  I have warned that the importation of pork meat, offals, and processed products should stop. Evidently, the...
Try Mardoney’s Bakeshop CDO ube cheese pandesal

Try Mardoney’s Bakeshop CDO ube cheese pandesal

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update
This entire ube cheese pandesal or ube cheese desal craze has got me pretty curious so of course I had to try! Luckily, my friend Miki brought some to a recent meeting and he said he bought them from Mardoney's Bakeshop and Restaurant. They were delicious! I immediately ordered two dozens the very next day. Mardoney's CDO is a brand very familiar to me. They actually started in Davao City, where I was born and raised. Mardoney's is a portmanteau or combination of the names of the owner-siblings --- Mark, Don and Honey. Mardoney's ube cheese pandesal is sold for only Php 8.00 per piece. Absolutely value for money! The freshness of the bread, the quality of the ingredients (they make and use their own ube halaya, people!) and the taste --- definitely 5 stars! Interested to order?...
How to make Gin Calamansi

How to make Gin Calamansi

Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Society
One of the things I've become pretty fascinated with the past few years is preparing cocktails. I like the idea of mixing various ingredients in order to come up with something refreshing and delicious --- very much like cooking! My little dream of becoming a bartender of sorts even for a few minutes came true during the recently concluded Blogafest 2019. There, not only was I taught how to prepare calamansi gin, I even got interviewed by CNN! That was fun! So anyway, YES, I learned how to make gin calamansi. It's budget-friendly, super refreshing, delicious and easy to make. The ingredients for this drink are also very easy to source - starting with the very affordable Ginebra Premium Gin. The Ginebra folks actually call this drink "Calamansi Surprise." WATCH BELOW: Clic...
KABIT now for sale

KABIT now for sale

Announcements, Bukidnon, Features, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update
In Tagalog, kabit means attach, fasten or connect. In Bisaya, kabit is the usual term for mistress, male lover or someone you get entangled in an illicit affair with. The KABIT that's now for sale? It's neither ;) I'm talking about KABIT (tear-jerker) salt and pepper crunchy chili garlic made by Christine, a friendly entrepreneur I met in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon! So, yes, you could say that kabits are being produced right from Bukidnon, considered the food basket of Mindanao ;) I first met Christine a few weeks ago. Apparently she has been following my blogs! A few days later, my mother and I met with her personally. We also met another Bukidnon entrepreneur that day, Paula, who made delicious pineapple jam, pineapple cider vinegar and pineapple filled muffins. They we...
LOOK: GINAMA pasalubong center in Cagayan de Oro

LOOK: GINAMA pasalubong center in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Tourism
I am a big fan of supporting local products. I believe that when you buy from local small and medium enterprises, you don't just help create livelihood. You also help foster peace and development, a sense of responsibility and respect. You help build a community of hardworking citizens. In Cagayan de Oro, we now have the chance to support these local SMEs by visiting GINAMÂ (that's an A with caret at the last or an A-circumflex). Ginama means something made with great care and attention. This is also the name of the pasalubong center in CDO, which is the result of joint cooperation among the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, the Department of Trade and Industry and CDO's local community of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs). Ginama is the stage that this group of tireless ...
Tips from Top Chefs for Cooking Healthy Food

Tips from Top Chefs for Cooking Healthy Food

Food
As consumers try to become more health-conscious, they find it often involves much more than buying organic fruits and vegetable. Home cooks may also fear that recipes for healthy food will taste less satisfying than their comfort foods. If you find yourself struggling to make healthier, better-tasting meals at home, try these nine tips from top chefs. Shop at the Farmer’s Market Not everyone has the ability or space to grow a garden, but shopping at a farmer’s market is nearly as good. You can select seasonal fruits, vegetables, honey, and sometimes home-grown meats from local merchants. As you shop, you may discover different types of produce you have never seen before. Experiment With the Allium Family Chefs claim that one of the most flavorful changes you can make in y...
Popular CDO buffet POPS All Filipino Eatery opens SM CDO Downtown branch

Popular CDO buffet POPS All Filipino Eatery opens SM CDO Downtown branch

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update
The most preferred and arguably the best eat and drink all you can place in Cagayan de Oro has opened its latest branch! POPS All Filipino Eatery has just opened their newest branch at the 2nd floor of SM CDO Downtown Premier. POPS All Filipino Eatery started with their 2-storey restaurant along Corrales Avenue (beside 7/11). Then they opened an Ayala Centrio outlet. This SM CDO Downtown Premier branch is obviously their third and it seems they're not slowing down anytime soon. POPS CDO buffet is available everyday (lunch, merienda and dinner). Rates: Weekdays (Monday to Friday) Adult - Php 250.00, Children - Php 150.00, Senior Citizen - Php 200.00 Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) Adult - Php 299.00, Kids - Php 175.00, Senior Citizen - Php 239.20 Merienda (...
Discover the joy of halal food at Babu Kwan CDO

Discover the joy of halal food at Babu Kwan CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao
I don't remember exactly when I first had it but I do have a fond memory of an encounter with halal food. It was during a political campaign stop in Cotabato City. My political client and the other males were in a separate room and I, being the only female in our political team at the time, was led to a room full of lovely, graceful Muslim ladies and several children all happily playing with each other. I remember they all had smiles for me and the room smelled of absolutely delicious home cooking, spices, goodness and joy. It was a beautiful memory. Since then, I have always made it a point to eat halal food when given the chance. During my travels to Malaysia and Singapore, halal food was always part of my diet. And I'm glad that in Cagayan de Oro, there's now a restaurant where you...
John Lloyd Cruz surprises diners at POPS All Filipino Eatery CDO

John Lloyd Cruz surprises diners at POPS All Filipino Eatery CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Food
Earlier this week, he was spotted at Wao, Lanao del Sur visiting a friend. This time, blockbuster king John Lloyd Cruz was spotted dining at popular Cagayan de Oro buffet place, P.O.P.S. All Filipino Eatery during Good Friday. And based on the photos, Lloydie seemed to have a good time and gamely posed for photos with fellow diners and fans. POPS All Filipino Eatery, located along Corrales Street (beside 7/11) and across Chavez, is one of, if not the most popular and preferred eat-all-you-can restaurants in Cagayan de Oro. This CDO buffet place has surely experienced quite a meteoric rise. Despite the many buffet places, POPS All Filipino Eatery has remained as a force to reckon with --- not only because of its super affordable price (Php 199 is difficult to beat!) but als...
Cafe Sa Bukid – thriving in the middle of nowhere

Cafe Sa Bukid – thriving in the middle of nowhere

Bukidnon, Business, Cafe, Consumer, Features, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Tourism
I think it was just a matter of time. After all, it sits on a verdant plateau between mountain ranges (so you know fo' sho' you see amazing views everywhere!), the weather is nice, life is chill and the people are cool and friendly. I'm talking about Lantapan, Bukidnon, situated between the Kitanglad and Kalatungan mountain ranges, having its first crowd-drawing cafe, Cafe Sa Bukid. This 2-storey hut largely made out of bamboo has become quite a sensation - attracting not only local customers but visitors from just about everywhere. I went home to the Philippines a few weeks ago and Cafe Sa Bukid was one of the places my relatives and I visited. It’s located in Kibangay, Lantapan, about 45 minutes away from the Barangay Aglayan, Malaybalay City junction. You won’t miss it - it’s alon...
5 Coffee Shops in the West Village NYC You Need to Try

5 Coffee Shops in the West Village NYC You Need to Try

America, Cafe, Food, New York
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely latte, quick pick me up or a cafe to grab a coffee and breakfast, there are hundreds of coffee shops to choose from in NYC. Sometimes your local Starbucks just doesn’t cut it, so here are 5 coffee shops in West Village you must try whether you’re a resident or visiting. 1. Rebel Coffee - Location: 19 8th Ave. Rebel Coffee is a specialty coffee shop serving baked goods from local artisan bakers with fresh ingredients. This cozy shop is the perfect place to stop by for a cortado or mocha. You’ll fall in love with the atmosphere just as much as the coffee in your hand. Grab your go-to coffee of choice, take a seat by the windows and enjoy everything Rebel Coffee offers. 2. Birch Coffee - Location: 56 7th Ave. Birch Coffee began as two individ...
The Ultimate Germany Food Guide Bound To Satisfy True Foodies’ Taste Buds

The Ultimate Germany Food Guide Bound To Satisfy True Foodies’ Taste Buds

Food, Restaurant
One of the best parts about traveling is getting to experience foods of a different culture. That said, the more touristy destinations tend to downplay their dishes to meet the palate of the masses. If you're a true foodie, your taste buds are far more mature than most and thereby deserve foods that are rich in German flavors and accents. Use this Germany food guide to help you find establishments that serve up such fare. The Table Kevin Fehling, Hamburg This restaurant has three Michelin stars, each of which it earned in its very first year, a testament to its quality. Named after the 39-year-old Chef Kevin Fehling, this restaurant and its founder may be young but its atmosphere and modern European cuisine are for the mature. Diners can enjoy a night of exclusivity at the single, windin...
The Big S&R Members’ Treat Is Here! September 26 to 30, 2018 (list of sale items here!)

The Big S&R Members’ Treat Is Here! September 26 to 30, 2018 (list of sale items here!)

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society
It's our favorite time of the year! The S&R Members' Treat is always the perfect time to hoard, look for gifts and even prepare for Christmas! The S&R Membership Shopping Members’ Treat means amazing buy 1, take 1 offers as well as up to 50 percent discounts. Lots of great deals guaranteed! ALL S&R branches nationwide will participate. That means that aside from S&R Cagayan de Oro, all these other branches will join the amazing S&R Members' Treat 2018: Alabang • Aseana • BGC • Commonwealth • Congressional • Parañaque • Shaw • Cabanatuan • Imus • Nuvali • Pampanga • Dau • Cebu • Iloilo • CDO • Davao This is truly the perfect time for you to stock up on all your favorite health and beauty products, imported snacks, imported grocery items, imported ice cream, froz...
error: Content is protected !!