Bulgogi Garden - Korean Restaurant

 Because of the traffic going along North Ave., going to SM North and Trinoma, we decided to take a U-turn to the restos near QC City Hall. We decided on Korean food at Bulgogi Garden (BG) along Kalayaan Ave. And we did not regret our choice. BG's beef barbecue is the best so far. The slices are thick and the marinade was tasty especially when dipped on their special sauces. The hot and spicy soup matches with plain rice. The chap chae noodles, kimchi and the dumplings were perfect. And the ice cream dessert was cool! Happy Daddy's Day was awesome!

Kimchi appetizer

The hot and spicy soup with tofu and veggie

The red bean ice cream sandwich

My dessert

Grilliing the beef barbecue

No smoke grilling!

Art In Island: Interactive Art Museum

Balancing act!

Prepare your cameras and smart phones. Be ready to act in front of a painting. You may act happy, afraid or angry. This is what you do at the Art in Island, an interactive art museum at 15th Avenue, Cubao, QC. The entrance fee (quite expensive but worth it because it's one of a kind in the Philippines) is P500 for adults and P400 for students with ID. Shoes are not allowed inside so you have to deposit your shoes or sandals at the entrance. The fully-airconditioned museum is huge with awesome copied paintings of the masters. You will need about two hours in the museum to be able to capture the various 3D paintings and illusions. Welcome to the Art in Island.

I'm Andres and "undressing an angel" is my hobby!

You want this ball? Take it!

Geof is a cover boy!

Julia applies make-up to Mona Lisa

Surfing is fun!

Snow boarding!

Daddy's an angel!

Little Mermaid, Julia!

Open your mouth!

Feeding the tiger.

Wet and Wild!

Scary!

Banana Leaf

It was our first time to eat at Banana Leaf at Trinoma and we were not disappointed. The flavors were good, the servings were just right and the service is excellent. At Banana Leaf, your plate is a banana leaf, just like eating in the province. After having our lunch there, we promised we will be back to try their other dishes.

You serve you rice and food on a banana leaf.

spicy clams

shrimp and cheese ball

fried fish

The kids enjoyed the food!

Our "Cherry Blossom @ 17" Painting

February 27, 2016 - It's our 17th wedding anniversary! To celebrate this special day, Apple and I engaged in a painting bonding at Sip and Gogh, Ayala Estates, Capitol Hills, QC. The theme of our painting is cherry blossom. It's symbolic since the sakura flowers blooming from the tree represents our memorable experiences both happy and sad which strengthen our relationship. The tree continues to grow and bloom beautiful flowers every year. The cherry blossom also reminds us Japan - we had  trip together in Tokyo and nearby places when we were newly married, although Apple has not yet experience the season of cherry blossom viewing. Apple did most of the painting - she was good with the background , branches and flowers. I drew the big trunk and helped fill-up the canvass with the flowers and green leaves. After a one-and-a-half hour session, we produced our souvenir of our wedding anniversary - "Cherry Blossom @ 17." 

The Making of a Master Piece

Our Katsu Cafe Experience

Our Valentine lunch after biking at the UP Oval ended at the Katsu Cafe. Actually we plan to have lunch at our favorite KEN AFFORD but it's gone - not anymore at its original place at the road intersecting Katipunan Avenue to Miriam College. Katsu Cafe is a small restaurant besides Flowers by Sylvia. The resto is small (like the small restos in Japan) and simple, decorated with walls of wooded planks and tables good for about 12. So I asked what's their specialty - isn't it obvious - KATSU ofcourse. So we ordered fish katsu set ( a set consists of miso soup, unlimited rice, salad and the main dish) - price is about P200+. We also ordered tempura set, tonkotsu ramen and kakiage. While waiting they gave us the seeds to crush. When the food orders were served, we were impressed. The tonkostsu ramen was awesome - good soup, soft meat, noodles just right and one whole boiled egg. The tempura pieces were large. The fish katsu were soft and tasty.  And what is unexpected is that their salad is dressed with the goma sesame seed dressing which is not common in the Japanese restos here. We observed that the orders of pork katsu looks also good. So we promised that we will return to this place. The Katsu Cafe experience was  indeed a good valentine treat for me, Apple and Julia.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Tempura Set

Fish Katsu Set (Tempura not included, there was food sharing!) and the sauce mixed with crushed sesame seeds

Apple enjoys crushing the seeds for her fish katsu sauce

Julia and the background of beer - they have Kirin Beer on display

Paskuhan sa Don Bosco Calauan - 29 Dec 2015

The Kids of Don Bsoco Calauan

The organizers and volunteers

Apple suggested that we do an outreach activity during the Christmas break to expose our kids on sharing our blessings to the poor. There were many possible venues for this kind of acvitiy such as Boy's Town or Home for the Aged.  I suggested Don Bosco Calauan as a possible venue since we have already been visiting this place and I know personally Fr. Salvador "Boy" Pablo, SDB who heads the community. We need the support of some friends to realize this activity. I texted my Don Bosco Pampanga Batchmates and suggested the idea. When I got a positive feedback especially from Alexis "Tetet" Pineda that he will join the event (he has work but he plans to take a leave) and the approval of the date by Fr. Boy, the plan for the "Paskuhan sa Don Bosco Calauan" was conceptualized. Apple even volnteered her OPAPP Policy Office Staff to be the volunteers.  The call for donors and volunteers were posted in social media like facebook and yahoo groups.  There were positive response or "likes" in FB and comments of pledges to support kids. A pledge for a kid was estimated at P200.00 for food and  gifts. Actual cost was P285.00 per kid. The total amount received until Dec 29, 2015 is equivalent to about 190 kids. The event supported 100 kids for lunch and loot bags. The extra funds collected were donated to the Salesian of Saint John Bosco (Bayani Juan Bosco sa Calauan).

Watch the slide show below of the snapshots of the event.

Paskuhan sa Don Bosco Calauan - 29 Dec 2015 from andyoreta

Thank you to all the donors and volunteers: Tetet Pineda and Family, UP Engg AISC'83 Family (Matt Lutao, Vic Macam, Art Fabia, Sammy Hernando), Agnes Lopez Reano, Cynthia Hardy, Sebio Nacpil, Fred Dayrit, Jun Coronel and family, Gettie Sandoval, Tino Tanjuakio, Elmer Cuevas, Dina Maglalang, Pam, Rey Vitug, Cosette Oreta-Aguas, Bong & Aileen Salvador, Arnel Feliciano, Leah, Ellene Dionisio, Maricel Paringit, Kenn Ramirez, OPAPP staff and anonymous donors and volunteers. Kayo ay ang mga BAYANI NI JUAN BOSCO SA CALAUAN!

Taal Heritage Tour

Welcome to Taal Heritage Town

Taal heritage town is one the Philippines undiscovered town that is rich in culture, food and heritage. I just discovered that there is such a place near Metro Manila which compares with Vigan where old and ancestral houses are well maintained and preserved giving the town that heritage and authentic environment.  During our one day visit at Taal we discovered the richness and beauty of our culture.

Our fist stop: Taal's Heritage Basilica

Taal Municipal Hall 1572

Taal's popular lomi is very sticky since it's cooked using casava flour. We love lomi but this version is very different and we're not used to the very sticky version. But the local folks love it!

Taal Imperial Hotel

Taal Imperial Hotel. Quiet & Comfy. A place to relax. But quite far from restos.

Taal's longganiza and tapa are not sweet, not salty - just right! The fried suman with chocolate was superb. We just love the food - so we bought take-home goodies!

The Photo Museum has collections of antique cameras and old photos of the owner who was a classmate of Dr. Jose Rizal. Entrance fee is P100 for adults and P50 for students.

A old photo showing the "SEDAN" of the old days!

Barong tagalog and gowns at Taal Market

House of Teodora Agoncillo - the maker of our National Flag

 "sungka" - a traditional game of luck and strategy

Photo at the back shows the Ninoy Aquino Family

Traditional Bahay na Bato at Taal

The "Balisong" is one of Taal's best product

The "Balisong" - they come in various sizes!