Day Trip to Lingayen Church in Pangasinan

For the second weekend in a row, we traversed the northern part of Luzon onto Pangasinan.

Our real destination destination was Bugallon, the ancestral town of my father, for my uncle's homecoming in time for his 60th birthday. The supposed overnighter became a day trip instead as my girls wanted to go home in time for youth org activity the next day.

So there we went and enjoyed the promdi-type celebration of the traditional lechon, kalderetang kambing, and buko pandan with Graham for dessert. There were lots of other Ilocano and Pangasinense delicacies like the famous inihaw na bangus, but the bonus was the rockaoke-type of singing complete with a full band!

To make sure we didn't miss going to church the next day (a Sunday), we decided to catch the 5pm anticipated mass at the Lingayen church which was 30 minutes away by car.

Thinking it to be a regular trip to the old town we have frequented when I was a kid, I was surprised to discover things I overlooked. Here are some things I captured with my old handy SLR:

Lingayen Church with its pagoda-type bell tower

The largest and oldest bell (1872)

Still the best transportation around town

Posing infront of the oldest bell

The marker "Kampana Museum"

That's how big the bell is!

The smallest bell in the museum

Still big in size as compared to my 15-year old

The 6 bells in the Kampana Museum

A view from the right side of the Lingayen Church

Inside the church: Altar view

The old Confessional Box

Sunset in Lingayen

Sunset in a field

Day becomes night

======================================================
HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Beware: Innova-riding Syndicate in South Villages

Two weeks ago, the mom's house of our family friend was a victim of a notorious "akyat-bahay" gang.

This was probably the nth time that a house in Gatchalian Subdivision in Barangay Manuyo Dos, Las Pinas,  in the past few months. Most victims are said to be OFWs or balikbayans.

On January 8, it was reported that 7 men in an Innova held the brother of our friend at gun-point while he was went out to fix his car outside their gate. He was pushed towards the inside of the house and hog-tied everybody inside. The heist was done under 30 minutes. Everything of value was taken like cellphones, money, jewelry and other gadgets. Even a little boy was hog-tied.

The robbery-hold-up was timed on the arrival of our friend's sister from the United States. Other similar incidents wherein either the OFW-Balikbayan just arrived or just left the house were reported in the village.

As of this writing, there seems to have been no solid action from the barangay officials led by Kap. Gil Galvez and Federation president Peping.

It's unfortunate that the residents have to fend for themselves. It's possible to see more residents arming themselves just to keep themselves safe.

What's happening to our country's peace and order situation???

======================================================
HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Bus in EDSA Explodes. At least 2 Dead

A Newman Goldliner bus exploded on the northbound lane of EDSA this afternoon.

Initial reports say that at least 2 people died in the explosion along the corner of Sen. Gil Puyat (Buendia) and EDSA in Makati City. The Vice President, Jojo Binay, arrived at the scene.

ABS-CBN.com reported that at least 17 were injured.

MMDA twitted: "Wounded in EDSA Buendia bus explosion brought to Acute Care Center in Malugay Makati. At least 1 confirmed casualty, multiple injured."

Newman Goldline Bus (c/o Inquirer.net)

======================================================
HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

A Trip Up North: La Trinidad, Benguet

Our annual sojourn takes us to Baguio to attend a yearly conference. It's also usually timed within our wedding anniversary --- this time, our 20th!

So we go 2 days before the conference for some time alone together as we go to different parts of Baguio which we haven't been to for many years. Today, we went to La Trinidad in Benguet. It's about 20 minutes from the city via Magsaysay Avenue. When asking for directions, just say you're going to the Strawberry Farm. Though actually, it's Strawberry Field.

There's a paid parking area (graveled instead of soil) near the entrance to the field. You may park on the street. But don't park on the first big available parking lot you see as they are for buses only. When it rains, like it did last night, the soil becomes muddy.

There are a bunch of souvenir stores lined up the street. Just remember to haggle for the stuff. There are some fresh veggies also though not as many as the market, but definitely fresh and cheap. You can haggle as usual. This is where you can also buy the famous Sagada Orange besides the freshly picked strawberries. The ornages will cost you about 100 pesos for 5 big pieces, and 6 for the smaller ones. The Sagada Orange is famous for its sweet and juicy pulp. The strawberries cost 100 pesos per box (Zesto box size) here but only 80 pesos outside. Well, you pay for the freshness. Buy the strawberries not more than one day before going back to Manila.

Strawberries interspersed with Lettuce in La Trinidad

Freshly picked strawberries in ready-to-bring boxes

The author picking his strawberries together with a farmer

Sagada Oranges

Strawberry Wine

Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Decor

Real Strawberry Fruit

And all other stuff

Etcetera

======================================================
HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net/

Top 10 List of Breakfast Food Joints South of the Metro for 2010

After a year of going around restos, cafes and fastfood joints south of Metro Manila, here are my top 10 personal favorites for the BREAKFAST CATEGORY and why:

No. 10: McDonalds Petron in Sta. Rosa, SLEX

This one's an easy choice for me. As I would hie away with my family to Tagaytay City, travel via the South Luzon expressway (SLEX) in the early hours of the morning, we would choose the last gas station which is the Sta. Rosa exit's Petron station. The farthermost restaurant in the station would be McDonalds. The place is so clean and not crowded -- including the restrooms, which are situated conveniently near the station's main store. A bonus is the Petron's stock-filled convenience store wherein you can buy stuff you need for the trip, most of which are junk foods.

No. 9: McDonalds Philam, Las Pinas

Okay, so it's another McDonalds outlet. C'mon, I love McDonalds' coffee and it's Big Breakfast meal. But what makes this outlet a bit special is it's crowd mix and cozy atmosphere brought about by the McCafe. A value meal upgrade of 50 pesos gives me a Capuccino. Go there on a Saturday morning and you'd see that that McDonalds is some kind of a melting pot. Well, never mind if they charge you 10 pesos extra for strawberry jam for your pancake.

No. 8 Pancake House, Starmall Las Pinas

If you have gone to McDonalds Philam one Saturday morning, try going to the nearby Pancake House in Starmall. Besides the yummy signature Tapsilog, their coffee is superb as well. The place is a bit small though as compared to other Pancake House branches I've been too but they have the same ambiance as that of McDonalds Philam. Breakfast on weekdays also delivers the same ambiance due to the mixed crowd of middle class and middle agers. :)

No. 7: Starbucks, SM Sucat

If you're in for a late breakfast and looking for a healthier alternative plus a gigantic coffee kick, this Starbucks outlet in SM Sucat is the place to be. They open at 8:30 am. Getting there is easy plus parking is definitely not a problem as the mall still opens at 10am. My sweetie and I love their Tuna Dill Sandwhich and Forest Ham Sandwhich. Partner them with hot tea or simply brewed coffee and you're off.

No. 6: Jollibee, Macapagal Avenue

This place is too cool and cozy for a Jollibee outlet for me. Yes, I indeed love their Corned Beef and Longanisa meals! The coffee is so-so but the ambiance is as if you're on a long-trip's stop-over and you're in a mini I-Hop or Denny's Diner.This Jollibee is located right in the Shell Gas Station so there's gas and a convenience store. Really cool if you're on your way to Makati or Manila from Cavite or simply waiting for SM MOA to open.

No. 5: McDonalds, Kabihasnan (Ninoy Aquino Avenue)

Either you're coming from Sucat going to Makati or coming from the NAIA going to the south, this McDonalds outlet is where you should have breakfast. Besides it's central location, you can have a double round egg in place of scrambled egg (others just give you one round egg) and strawberry jam is free with your pancakes.


No. 4: Pancake House Bluewave, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA

This Pancake House is one of the coldest outlets. Yes, not coolest but really --- it's pretty cold in there! It has the same atmosphere as that of Jollibee in Macapagal Avenue, but the food is definitely much better. For some reason, everything there tastes better.

No. 3: McDonalds Southville (Aguilar Avenue/CAA Road, Las Pinas)

With an International School clientele, this outlet is world-class indeed. Cozy atmosphere, great mix of sophisticated people (young and old alike), plus again -- you can have a double round egg in place of scrambled egg and strawberry jam is free with your pancakes! This outlet is at the back of our village and is opposite my way to work buy hey, it's a cool McDonalds outlet! The service crew are so friendly and the restrooms are always clean and spacious.

No. 2: Pancake House, BF Paranaque

What else can I say about a Pancake House? Simply, this place is much bigger and cozier than the others. The staff are more friendly, and the parking is no problem. A bonus is the area where it's located as it's in the middle of practically everything in BF Homes. Besides, there's a barber shop beside it and 10 steps to a Starbucks for a bigger coffee rush. A plus is the deaf-and-dumb parking attendant who is so friendly.

No. 1: Tropical Hut, BF Paranaque

This one's a no-brainer for me and my sweetie. For those who are all too familiar with Tropical Hut, everything there is so good! I love the burger meal with 2 sunny-side up eggs, buttered toast and the oh-so-good brewed coffee. Gosh, it's almost 12 midnight as I write this piece, and I'm raring to there already. Well, why not? It's open 24 hours! Have breakfast from midnight till 10:30am! For only 200 pesos, you can have 2 breakfasts and a bonus of pandesal from the Fortune bakeshop in front. There, that's coffee and pandesal for you.

So the next time you're in the area, drop by these outlets and maybe we can have coffee for breakfast. :)

======================================================
HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net