Old Town Sushi, Dash and Hotaru

By | Foodie, Travel | One Comment

After having two meals in PAL – dinner and breakfast upon arrival,  James is still hungry arriving at 830pm San Francisco time 🙂  Good thing Pepe knows where to take us!  He told us that in Old Town Sushi there is always a line – so of course I am curious and agreed to try it

An extensive menu!

But I am here for the rolls! I love American Japanese rolls.  James doesn’t but I  like trying and having variety

I wish I could try all! 🙂

But Pepe told us that one of the popular rolls here is the Number 1 roll and true enough I saw almost every table order this! So I ordered it

Oh my gosh! This is the highest roll I have ever seen and tasted 🙂  I LOVE IT! 🙂  The mound is made out of kani.  I liked it but maybe next time I will ask them not to put anymore the hot sauce

View from the back!  We were three and we could not finish this 

James on his healthy mode – everything grilled

James likes Japanese because it’s healthy and yummy of course.  There are so many Japanese restaurants in the area! In one street there could be 10 🙂   

We went to Dash in San Mateo as recommended by our friend, Carlo. The place was full so they put us in the Sushi bar which was perfect for us

Anago for me! I love Anago! A bit different from the usual. James said they don’t usually serve you this long a piece, they only serve the prime parts.  But this is okay for me, I still enjoyed it 

Tuna sashimi for James!  Now I know why he lost 30 pounds!

Another recommendation by Carlo also in San Mateo

As usual James orders the most simple with no frills since it is healthier

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 This is mine 🙂  Avocado is something I don’t really eat but it’s almost in every roll, the Americans love it and they say its very healthy.  It’s a good thing when it is together with other ingredients I do not get to really taste it 🙂  I got the Dragon roll which had tempura, unagi, avocado, mani and cucumber  

Close up! Oishi!

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Iloilo Sightings

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In the PAL airport in Manila 🙂

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Nightclub nearby the Esplanade. Cool 🙂

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A tree growing by the Esplanade – another proof of hope for good things to come

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We had a short time to tour and I am sure there are many other beautiful places in Iloilo.  No wonder I love Iloilo, its the Land of Love 🙂  It is the HEART of the Philippines, the Athens of the Philippines.  It is the centre for learning with 7 universities becoming 9 and 4 medical centres.  Iloilo produced 8 senators including Tito Frank 🙂

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 I did not even get a chance to visit Starbucks there 🙂  Yipee, another good reasons to come back.  

Our stay in Iloilo would not have been the same without the group we were with! This is us in our van – we did everything together and it was a lot of fun!!  Part of enjoying a place is having many people to share it with you.  It’s like eating 🙂 It’s more fun when you are not alone or when you are with friends and family.  I am not very very close to these ladies but we will alway shave this bond called Iloilo 🙂 Such a fulfilling trip! 

Our tour guide Erlyn! The best!!! I want to take her with me wherever I go!!!

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 Aside from our three wishes per church, there was a wish per bridge 🙂  We love churches and bridges 🙂  The hard part is when the bridge is so long and you have to hold your breath! 

San Joaquin coastline facing the Panay Gulf.  It is the longest coast line in Iloilo which measures 6.5 kilometres 

 Lots of photos here 🙂

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Paraw Regatta started the day we were leaving Iloilo.  Beautiful sight!! 

Click below for more information on Iloilo

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Tatoys

By | Foodie, Proud to be Pinoy!, Travel | No Comments

Iloilo is the seafood capital of the Philippines.  They entertain in their dining room instead of their living room.  They can spend the entire day eating 🙂  I can blend in easily here I think 🙂 Our lunch was in Tatoy’s this time!

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They have outdoor huts by the beach
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And indoor dining with aircondition 🙂
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That was our table
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Our kind hosts

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Love fresh buko juice
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Everything namit!



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Outside the restaurant is this mango tree
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Each mango is wrapped in newspaper to avoid the insects from eating the skin of the mangoes
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After lunch we walked outside to see the beach.  On the way I saw this guy and I asked him what he was selling – PULOT!  Bambi had told me to try pulot so I bought some
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Just use a stick to eat it – Yum!  Very sweet!  The girls were saying it reminds them of Kulangot from Baguio but in a liquid form.  To me it is like my favourite candy in Bacolod called butong butong
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Church Visits in Iloilo

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We visited 5 churches during our overnight stay in Iloilo.  After checking in the hotel, we went to Ateneo de Iloilo for anticipated mass



After dinner, we went to Molo Church.  It was already almost closed so it was so dark inside.  But its a beautiful church with a beautiful facade and in a really nice plaza in the city 

Oh thank you , they opened the lights in the altar

Very interesting – the saints here are all female 🙂  

Santa Margarita – my name saint
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San Joaquin Church is the National Treasure of the Philippines with its intricate design of the facade made by coral blocks


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Jaro Cathedral
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Our Lady of Candelaria.  The image started out 12 inches and in a span of 200 years, it has grown over 5 feet.  They have to keep building a new casing to make it fit.  Proof also is the crown – they have to change the crown as it grows so it will be proportioned to the head
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Candles being sold outside.  

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Apparently the vendor was telling me – each colour has a different petition – Good luck, success, money, hope, family, good health, happiness, love and career – now I forget if that is from left to right or right to left 🙂

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They say that Iloilo is all seafood and churches – why not?  I can survive with just that 🙂  And the bonus is we got three wishes per church 🙂  Click below to read more    

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Most Photographed Place in Iloilo

By | Photography, Travel | One Comment

On the way to Miagao, we saw this place and I asked our tour guide, Erlyn, to stop the van 🙂  She said it was the most photographed place in Iloilo!  So definitely I want to take a photograph of it too 🙂 

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It’s a cemetery.   San Joaquin Cemetery.  It is a wide stretch!  This is the middle
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Left side
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Right side
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Took a panoramic photo instead 🙂

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 Some did not want to go down – they were scared that they might take back something with them after the visit 🙂  But what the heck – they all went down and we had a photo haha

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Pond’s Gives You The Ultimate Guide To A Prom Perfect Night

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With prom season just around the corner, Pond’s gives you a fun and helpful checklist from selected influencers—Laureen Uy, Elmo Magalona, Ana Victorino, and Marla Miniano—to help you plan your unforgettable prom night. From dating tips to fashion inspiration and beauty must-haves, Pond’s has got it covered for you!

So, you find yourself in a dilemma: How do you become the #PromPerfect date? Teen heartthrob and ultimate cutie Elmo Magalona shares some tips on how to ask a guy out, how to customize your approach based on your date’s personality, and how to have awesome memories while making him feel comfortable even during awkward moments.

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Whether you’re a girl who excitedly looks forward to prom or someone who thinks prom is just another school event, one thing is for sure: you will need an amazing dress. Pond’s helps you find the #PromPerfect dress with It girl and fashion expert Laureen Uy. Laureen’s must-remember advice? Get a dress that will flatter your assets – body type, face and skin tone! And for the best fashion accessory for Laureen? Clear and beautiful skin that makes for every girl’s confidence booster to rock any look.

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Wow the whole school population and steal that prom queen crown with makeup tips from makeup artist, beauty blogger, and YouTube guru Ana Victorino. Watch her share different inspirations to help you achieve that #PromPerfect look that starts with #PromPerfect skin. At least a month before prom, Ana recommends to start a skin care regimen using Pond’s Acne Clear White 10-in-1 Facial Wash to cleanse, Pond’s White Beauty Toner to remove deep seated dirt, and Pond’s White Beauty Cream to moisturize. After all, great makeup begins great skin! Finally, don’t forget to remove your makeup before sleeping. Ana likes using the classic Pond’s Cold Cream because it can clean even the hardest cream and oil based makeup.

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Get some tips on #PromPerfect behavior for a fun night as Candy Magazine’s editor-in-chief and author of Every Girl’s Guide series Marla Miniano shares her checklist of reminders from dinner table etiquette and proper social skills that will help you be in the moment, enjoy, and make the most out of prom.

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Get a chance to win prizes for you and your school by logging on to http://PromPerfect.ponds.com.ph from January 1 to March 31, 2014.

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