Samuel's Plate: A must in San Pablo!

I'm from San Pablo Laguna but ever since I got married, i rarely go home. These past few months I always see posts from my family that they were always eating at Samuel's Plate and i got curius.

Thus when we celebrated Father's Day I suggested that we all eat there so that Sweets and I can also have a taste and review of what this food haven can offer. 

Outside view is good, they have enough parking space outside their establishment and they are located in a not so crowded area.

On the inside, you will be welcomed by their bar and pastry stand! Hmmm!! You can indulge with some drinks or two (They don't have softdrinks).

 They haven't had their formal opening yet but this place was already a hit! 

From the image below you can see that they can fit around 50-70 pax all in one.

When we went there, there were only 2 floors but we were informed that a 3rd floor is a to be opened soon!

First is some appetizer to kick off the taste buds.. We had Nachos (ultimate favorite of Sweets).

They also gave a free appetizer which was good as well!

White bread dipped to their own mix of oil, soy souce and some herbs.

Another appetizer was the Mozorella Croquettes.

Then on the the main dish.

Sausage and Mash -- you got there three types of American Sausage and mashed potato.

We also had Braised Short Ribs!

Then Tilapia Parmigiana that had mouth watering cheese on top of it.

So deadly!

We had Pan Roasted Salmon Steak.

True to its name -- Krispy Kare Kare!

Then the salmon.

As mentioned earlier, they do not have carbonated drinks and thus we had water!

 Sharing with you as well their menu. So when you go there you have already reviewed their menu and you can odder immediately.

 Nevertheless, you can always ask their friendly staff on their best seller and you can never go wrong!

It will always be a great thing if good food are shared with loved ones!

Super hit as always!

 They serve their own pastry for desserts and you should also try them! 

Another satisfied customer!

Xoxo

Art in Island: You can make them move!

As mentioned in the introductory blog about Art in Island: A Happy Place you can use a lot of imagination once you are there.  Make your mind wonder and see yourself in that particular situation and place and you will definitely see a lot.


Wow this was a wonderful place Mama, is this in Venice?
Nope this is in Art in Island.

Where else can we be? let's see:

What a wonderful falls and YES hanging garden.

Louise and Gboy balancing act!

Louise going in and out of prison.


Love this place :)


Xoxo

When Bored: Have FUN @ Caffe Piansa!

Random moment that when you are bored -- all you have to do is have some FUN!  Nothing beats the time being spent with friends -- super kulit friends!

This is a restaurant in Marikina and it was my first time there.
Another serious post shall be created for that!
For now, let us have some fun!

Are they happy or happy that they have an electric chair? Hehe
Of course this is not the real deal!

The famous! Now who's the real guilty one?

I loved this! Mga walang magawa talaga sa buhay!

Xoxo

Patience is a Virtue: Especially with Mayon

Many people have been to Legazpi to see the  beauty of the famous Mayon Volcano.  It was my first time there (thank you to Sweets for allowing this to happen) and I am happy we went ahead on this trip.

While we were telling our stories and showing our pictures with Mayon, many have told me that we were lucky because we were able to see Mayon up to her tip.  They mentioned that Mayon rarely shows herself -- she was always surrounded by clouds.

Let me tell you that we were not lucky -- we were patient!
From our first day to our last day in Legazpi, this is what Mayon looked like -- she was covered with clouds and the clouds were so thick and it almost covered the entirety of Mayon (see picture below).

I was frustrated because it was our last day there and this is what was given to us.  I almost wanted to cry because I wanted to see this beauty but tried to calm myself because we knew that it rained so hard the previous night and thus these thick clouds.


Just by looking at it I felt hopeless.

This was as early as 5:30 in the morning and according to the person there -- he is not sure whether the clouds will go away because it rained so hard the previous night. 

We still waited there, I told Sweets that we will not leave until Mayon shows herself.  Instead of lingering on the feeling of sadness, I took some pictures of Mayon, the bell tower and the plants (yes the plants!).

A few more minutes and I know the clouds will go away!
This was at around 7am.

                                                                                                                                        
There was one moment where I sat at the rocks there just looking at Mayon and trying to blow the clouds away as if blowing a candle.  I never thought about the minutes that passed because I am so excited to see her.

After almost two hours of waiting, we were able to witness the beauty!

Most of the time being patient gives a lot of benefit -- waiting is a waste of time but if you are waiting for a beautiful moment that can become a great memory then it will all be worth it!

Xoxo

Who wll it be???

Three days to go and we are all about to give our country the leader that we all deserve. I urge everyone to make their voices count by casting your votes -- this is not a simple matter because we are about to entrust the lives of 102million Filipinos to our new leader.


I am not a political analyst, I am not active on social media when it comes to politics and I am not publicly declaring who I will vote for. I am just a simple person with a simple dream of a peaceful election and understanding supporters.


Many have decided and already knows who they will vote for but there are the ones who are still undecided (around 10-15% of the total voters population).


For those who are still undecided, i hope that you will consider the following:


1. In the career track of our presidentiables (or anyone running for public service), have we felt progress?


-- I am not referring progress as "wala ng taong mahirap" but have we seen economic growth both in rural and urban areas. Have we seen jobs being secured or un-employment rates raising their numbers?


2. Are they sincere with the programs that they want to implement? Are they committed in implementing these programs? You can connect this with their track records.


-- do you think that their programs make sense? How are they able to prioritize which programs the Filipino people needed the most? Have we seen programs for education, environment, agriculture and economics?


3. Are you sharing the same morals and values? Would you support everything that your leader will implement?


4. When asked by others, can you provide at least three reasons why you are gunning for your candidate?


If you can answer the questions above and you can attach a candidate to it then you have made your choice. If not, you need to do more readings.


Electing our public leaders is not simply choosing a movie to watch. They will be our leaders for the next 6 years serving 102M Filipinos both here and abroad. 


Our president is the face of the country, our representative to the United Nations and is the head of state. He/She should be someone that we can all be proud of and not someone who will use his power for his own will and benefit.


If you are not decided yet, do your research now and make yourself proud!


Xoxo

Bomod-Ok Falls aka Big Falls in Sagada

Following my Sagada Introduction and our Sumaging Cave Adventure
Let me share to you what happened next!

The following day, we were all up early because we were expecting that we will go to Kiltepan Peak. Unfortunately, we were informed that it's not until the following day.  So what we did after finishing our breakfast, we headed downtown to St Mary and walked all the way down to the village proper then back to our house.

At 8am, we then traveled going to Bomod-Ok falls.

From our house it was approximately 20 minutes travel and then we waited for jeepneys to pick us up.   This is us while waiting for our turn to ride the jeepney.

It was then again another 10 minute ride to the starting point of the trek.
When the jeep arrived, we were all excited to hop in, our friends even tried to ride on top of it (hindi ko na tinry, duwag lang)

After alighting the jeepney, we were briefed on what will happen along the trek and checked who among us has a heart problem or asthma.  The tour guide said that the trek is not a joke and its not your normal walk at the park. 
We were advised to get walking sticks to assist us. Of course we obliged.

At first, it looked easy breezy, until I realized we were walking into 100+ steps of stairs already.  It was easy because we were going down but I can already imagine going back.  

Look at that tiny dot (I encircled it), that is our destination.. see how tiny it was from where we were standing.. it means, we have a looooong way to go!

I was informed by our tour guide, ate Jo, that going back and forth to the falls was approximately 6,500 steps, so one way is already 3,250 steps.  Wow! Can we really do that?

Since there were many groups going to the falls, we were instructed to just keep on walking and don't stop and take selfies if we want to.  There will be areas where we can really stop and take selfies and rest.

This was our first stop.
First stop kaya dapat many pictures!

Then the walking continues.

We then arrived at the small village there (I encircled it again), according to Ate Jo, it was the first village in Sagada and there were about 99 household in there. They have primary school there except for grades 5 & 6 because it was already located up town.  Imagine, the students are walking up and down 6,500 steps (back and forth) to go the their schools.  The determination!

Anyways, going back to walking, walking and walking.  You will not actually feel the heat because of the cold breeze, we even walked along the mini rice Terraces there which were fascinating in close up.

Before arriving to the famous falls, we had another photo opp.

Finally, we arrived at the famous falls.  Even if you are at around 500 meters away from the falls, you will still feel its power and be wet because of its powerful current.

Sweets and I also went near the falls to feel its beauty  (no rock climbing for us)
It was sooo brrr cold but it didn't matter because that is what we came for.  

We stayed there for around 20 minutes.

Now this is what I am scared about!! Going back!
I know its going to be hard! Imagine going up the stairs for 3,250 steps! It's not a joke but after all the aching and heat of the sun, we all managed!! 
Thank God no one was badly injured or hurt.

Sharing with you the video that I made. Ahihihi ^_^




After that 6,500 steps, no one from us mentioned if we want to go back to the falls.  If you will ask me if i would want to go back -- my answer is "No".

Not because I didn't love the falls -- but the journey going back and forth is not my cup of tea!  But if you are the "super" adventurous type then go for it -- you will definitely enjoy it!

Tip: Bring an umbrella or cap (mainit kase)
       Wear a light weight long sleeves and leggings
       One way travel (for first timer living a sedentary lifestyle) will take 45 minutes

Xoxo