Gastronomic Adventure at Pino

Little did I know that there are multitudes of resto in Teachers Village, particularly in the long stretch of Maginhawa street. Not the fine dine nor the cheap type, but has the best reviews received and delicious foods served. One them is Pino Bar and Restaurant. Attacked by my curiousity, I invited my friends to come dine with me at Pino. Pino's known for their dooddled walls, flavored beers, oversized margarita and kare-kareng bagnet. I did not let the chance pass not to have these things except for the oversized margarita. I did not even dare pass for the dessert (chocolate tempura) which is really sinfully delicious!

No need for any second thoughts when I've learned (and much to my surprise) that Pino is the brainchild of my idol couple, PJ and Alessandra Lanot (http://www.lifeafterbreakfast.com/) and chef Ed Bugia, along with Pipino and Burger Project.

Marvelling Mt. Maculot

Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.

Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas (02042012)

This famous quote was coined in the post-war era but later on  adopted by most hikers/climbers. There's no greater need to expound what the quote has to say. As a sign of respect to our dear Mother Nature, we aren't suppose to alter it's beauty. We were given the privilege to wander it's beauty at no cost, and I know it's really tempting to bring something home, but it's really better to leave them as it is. :)

I really don't have the head for heights. I easily experience panic attack on high places. And I cry a lot. But I can't resist a friend's invite. I told myself, this an outdoor experience I'll surely won't forget. To go or not to go. I chose to go. 

My minds were filled with countless images of me climbing a mountain. I've watched several videos and read articles of people who've dared climb Mt. Maculot. These added fuel to my enthusiasm to go hiking.

And so the big day came. With a backpack-ful of clothing, foods, toiletries, gadgets and some safety kits, we boarded a JAC bus bound for Lipa. Then a jeepney ride to Cuenca. And tricycle ride up to the foot of the mountain. 

It's already noon and we've decided to get some rest first then eat lunch. Prepped a bit as we prepare to ascend. It rained but it didn't stop us. It's even more fun to trek where the trail is muddy and wet.

Lunch

Trek na!

I thought of hiking as just plain, long hour of walking down a grassy field. Not a sight of tiredness can be seen on each one's faces.. til we no longer see houses and cemented roads. But rocks, grasses then trees. All lined up. All the images pictured in my head suddenly vanished. I'm facing a real mountain. Not the one I've seen from movies where I can picture meadows (Twilight-type) and tall trees, and hear the birds humming. Hahaha..

At the foot, we offered a prayer to God to bless and guide us as we start to walk the trail, climb over rocks and trees, brave the strong winds and rain til we reach the top. And God did take good care of us. No one felt sick nor harmed. Amen!

How will I describe the trail? For a first timer like me, it's definitely H-A-R-D.. I can't picture how I managed to clinged on the roots and branches and pulling myself up from rocks to rocks. Good thing I wore myself a pair of gloves as there was no moment that I didn't see myself grab whatever my eyes has  landed on. 

Regaining strength

Stop over!

Helping hands

 I already thought of collapsing and giving up. But I know there's really no point for turning back. Glad that there were several stop overs and my friends were all willing to heed my request. Some stop overs were manned and they sell fresh buko juice for 10 pesos. We got the chance to meet fellow hikers who were already descending at that time. And it felt great to hear words of encouragement. There's the famous greeting among hikers, "Good morning sir/mam.. Ingat po kayo sa pagakyat/pagbaba.."  The trek took 2-3 hours. Blame it on the stop overs! 

Up above, the view was now clearer. There were no more trees but grassy fields. More difficult to climb as there were no more roots nor branches to hold on to. We didn't actually climb upon reaching that part, but crawl. The trail was somewhat steep and since it's now an open field, it's scarier to look down. One false move and you'll see yourself rolling down the trail, leading to nowhere. 

It's a messy climb!

Grassy fields

Multi-tasking it is!

Upon reaching the camping the camping site, we unpacked our things and started to put up our tents. We cooked for dinner. Shared some drinks and stories. Our friend Jansen told some stories of Mt Maculot like the girl who committed suicide by jumping off the cliff at Rockies and the guy (..if im not mistaken!) who hung himself at the mango tree. The camping site was once burned so setting up a bonfire is no more allowed. Creepy stories.  

Sleeping was a bit of a problem. I'm not namamahay, but the strong gust of wind kept me awake. Katakot! And it's freezing cold outside. I'm already wearing a thick jacket and a blanket but it still sends shivers down the spines.

Pancit and sinigang for dinner

Cold morning

Brekky

After breakfast, we all headed to the Rockies. It ain't that easy to go there. You have to descend a bit then cross a bridge-like formation. Very steep. The climb to Rockies was very challenging. Lots of huge rock formations. I was able to climb but I had to cry first. I haven't climb yet but I am already thinking how are we gonna go down. Again, I felt the urge to give up. But I am already there, few more steps and I will reach the Rockies. And I don't wanna be left behind when all of them are rejoicing reaching the top. With all my strength, I pushed myself up. I didn't dare to look down. 

The gust of winds became stronger. Harder to breathe. But the view is so much magnificent! 360 degrees of Taal lake. Some dared to take their pictures on the cliff but I preferred to stay in just one place. I am already consumed with the beauty of the place. Cried. This is truly an unforgettable experience. I patted myself for showing bravery and determination. I thanked God for making me reach this far. Getting up there made me appreciate the beauty of nature and the beauty of life. Mine is one life worth-living.

The mountain experience surely left everyone with a big smile on their face, with a handful of bravery and with a hope-filled lesson that for as long as you believe in something worth doing, you can do it. Always equip yourself with positivity that no one can stop you unless you let them. Let not fear control you but your faith in God. It might leave you tired and wounded but these can be easily remedied.But the experience you shared with other people and with the nature is so much priceless.

 

Sa Unang Araw ngDisyembre

Parang nung isang araw lang, nag-blog ako tungkol sa month ng November. Ngayon, December na.. Uber bilis ng panahon. Di natin namamalayan ang paglipas ng araw at pag-andar ng oras. Ang daming mga nangyayari sa paligid na minsan nawi-witness pa natin, minsan hindi na.

Less than a month from now, ang lahat ay magdiriwang na ng kapaskuhan. Isa sa pinaka-importanteng okasyon sa buhay ng bawat isa. (Nangunguna pa rin syempre ang ating mga birthday.. ) Lahat ay nagsasaya sa araw ng Pasko. May kakaibang ligayang idinudulot ito. Ligayang kung pwede lang sana madala sa mga susunod pang mga araw, taon at siglo..

Sa amin, nakagawian na ang pagtitipon-tipon ng bawat pamilya. Hindi man lahat ay nakakarating pero sapat pa din ang bilang ng mga bisitang dumadating para maging isang magulo at masayang pamilya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na hindi nila alintana ang pagbyahe ng malayo. At mas nakakapanabik pa na may mga bitbitin pa sila para pasalubong. Nakaka-engganyong panoorin ang bawat isa na kumakain, salo-salo sa napagdamutan lamang, pero kahit gaano pa kaunti o karami yan, pihadong walang matitira. Isang indikasyon na lahat ay nasarapan at naligayahan sa putaheng inihanda. Pagkatapos kumain, ang lahat ay magkukumpulan at magkwe-wentuhan, sa buhay-buhay ng bawat isa at ng bawat pamilya. Di man tumatagal ng pang hanggang kinabukasan ang pagtitipon pero marami na din ang napag-usapan at magtutuloy-tuloy yan hanggang sa muling pagkikita. 

Hindi uso sa amin ang lahat ay magbibigayan ng regalo sa bawat isa. Kadalasan mga bata lamang ang nireregaluhan. Isa ng kadahilanan syempre ay ang kawalan ng pambili. Ngunit hindi naman hadlang kung walang matanggap na regalo. May matanggap man o wala, magpasalamat pa din tayo. Totoo nga yung kasabihan na mas masarap sa pakiramdam ang nagbibigay kaysa sa tumatanggap lamang. Nakikita mo kasi ang mga tunay na ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Mahal man o hindi yung binigay mo, di naman importante yun. Ang mahalaga ay napakita mong mahalaga sa iyo yung tao. 

Isa lang ang Pasko sa mga okasyong inaabangan ko at tunay na pinaghahandaan. Hindi lingid sa akin ang gastos. Ang importante ay maibuhos ko ang pagpapahalaga ko at pagmamahal sa pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng regalo at paghahanda. Mas marami, mas nakakataba ng puso. Ika nga, minsan lang ito ipagdiwang sa loob ng isang taon. Bakit pa ako magdadamot?

Sa pansariling kapakanan, masasabi kong magiging masaya ako sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko. Bukod sa mga regalo, handa at pamilya, andyan din ang mga kaibigan masasabi kong tunay na nagmamahal sa akin. Mga kaibigang subok na sa anumang pagsubok. Mga kaibigang handa akong protektahan at tulungan. Isang malaking pasasalamat na nakilala ko sila. Ayoko ng maghangad pa ng iba. Sapat na kung ano ang meron ako at kung ano ang maibibigay ko sa kanila.

Di ko mapigilan na hindi asamin ang pagdating ng kapaskuhan. Masaya ako. Ngayon pa lang, sa unang araw ng Disyembre, ramdam ko ang pinaghalong init at lamig ng kapaskuhan. Hangad kong maging maligaya ang lahat.

Isang maagang pagbati sa araw ng kapaskuhan!

One Year, One New Me

Been pondering on my so called "new life". It's been a year. A year of just me, spending my new found "me time", discovering my new self and exploring some new journeys all by myself. Definitely not the time for some emo madness. Just looking back on the year that was.

Let me be blunt of saying this: I am celebrating my first year as a single woman. Single. Not in a relationship. 

The first few months were extremely harsh. I've almost reached the verge of giving up. Letting my life go astray. Full of b***s**t! That was me. Second and third quarter went just fine. Diverting my attention, mostly into traveling. Starting to use my "me time". Slowly recuperating. The last quarter was great. I can now face everyone. Accepted the situation I've been to. Forgave myself and the others. Happy.

I just can't imagine that life will be good to me. All along I thought life's always unfair. But I was wrong. Maybe life just realized I didn't do anything bad so he has no reasons to make mine miserable. I did what I just needed to do: Live life as it is. To the fullest. As if it's my last. Live positively. Always smile and be happy.

It really ain't an easy process. But if you have the will to move on and see yourself look good again and try to put back the life that you had way before you had him, there must be no stopping you now. Don't look back. Always look ahead. 

Thanks to my ever supportive friends. I've seen the real definition of the saying, A friend in need is a friend indeed. They may not always be there for me but they always make sure every time we spend together must be well-spent. I love hearing their unconditional advice. I just love to be in my friends' company. Next to my family, they're God's best gift to me. My second loves. 

Let me end this by saying I'm living my life now the way I want it to be. The way I've envisioned it a year ago. I thought it'll will far-fetched. I'd say this wouldn't be possible without my family and friends. But I must say I really owe this life to myself. Because I kept  my promise and pursued my will to live and love my life. Because I believed that no one can stop me from being me and do the things at my own will. Because I relied mostly to God and let Him lead me to the right path where I'm at right now.

Boodle Feast @ Seafood Island

Sobrang gutom ka na ba? Tara at mag-boodle feast na!


Are you a member of a hungry pack with pocket's aching out loud (due to a tight budget) but still looking for a good place to eat? Have you felt the need to eat without kaartehan? No spoon/fork/knives. No plates. Very cowboy way of eating yet still inside a classy resto?


I'd say go to Blackbeard's Seafood Island and try the Boodle feast! Very affordable. Very delicious food. It's a different bonding over eating!