Media Tour: New Valenzuela City Hall

Valenzuela City Hall

Mayor Sherwin "Win" T. Gatchalian

At Valenzuela City's newly-constructed PhP90 million, Mediterranean-inspired Legislative and People’s Center Building, at the New City Government Complex,  we all had lunch with Mayor Sherwin "Win" T. Gatchalian and other city officials. Also within the complex is the Social Hall and the Valenzuela City Police Headquarters. 

Our sumptuous buffet lunch (kare-kare, lumpiang shanghai, pansit, buko pandan, etc.) included, for dessert, the city's trademark putong polo. After lunch, Mayor Gatchalian delivered a speech, followed by a question session and photo ops with media guests and students.  Later, we were given free rein to tour the 4,200-sq. m., 3-storey building which is integrated to the Executive Building which was inaugurated in 2009.  

Jandy tries out the gavel at the Vice-Mayor's desk

We all visited several key frontline services offices such as the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Special Projects Office (SPO), the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), the City Health Department (CHD), the City Accounting Office, the City Internal Audit, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and the Public Information Office (PIO). 

The building also houses the offices of the Vice-Mayor, the Liga ng mga Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan, the City Councilors and the new session hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.At the Session Hall, where laws of the city are being drafted, we took turns for photo ops at the Vice-Mayor Eric M. Martinez' desk (with its gavel) and the desk of Councilor Shalani Soledad-Romulo. We also visited the office of Mayor Gatchalian. 

In front of the building is the sculpture "Triumvirate" Monument, designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva and unveiled on July 11, 2008 (Dr. Pio Valenzuela's 139th birth anniversary).  It depicts the 3 core members of the Katipunan - Emilio Jacinto (the "Brains of the Katipunan"), Andres Bonifacio (founder of the Katipunan) and Dr. Pio Valenzuela (the Katipunan's first fiscal).

Triumvirate Monument

City Mayor's Office: Executive Bldg., City Hall, MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 352-1000 local 1144 to 45.  Fax: (632) 291-3069.  

Restaurant Review: Romulo's Cafe (Makati City)

The main dining area viewed from the mezzanine

A collection of Romulo photos above the stair landing

My family frequently dine out at restaurants along the busy Jupiter Street food haven.  However, one restaurant stands out above the rest - the unique and refreshing Romulo Cafe. 

Named after the late Carlos P. Romulo, journalist (the first Asian to win the Pulitzer Prize in Correspondence in 1942), diplomat and the first Asian to serve as president of the UN General Assembly.

This swanky cafe is the actually the second branch to carry that name, the first being located along Tomas Morato Ave. in Quezon City.  

The black-and-white interior

Grace has dined at the former and liked it so much she brought us here upon finding out it had a second branch in Makati.  The place is normally packed every time we eat there.

Owned by Ms. Liana Romulo and Ms. Sandie Squillantini (and husband Enzo Squillantini), the granddaughters of the famed diplomat, the stylish interiors of this restaurant cum museum  were designed by sisters Ivy and Cecile Almario who fashioned it after Kasiyahan, Gen. Romulo's house whose dining room was black and white.  

They used made-to-order light fixtures, bigger than usual dining tables and upholstered chairs and couches.  Along the restaurant walls are large, framed black-and-white photos chronicling events in Carlos P. Romulo’s life as well as depicting him with his family, friends and other world leaders.

Lolo Greg's kare-kare

The interiors, with its relaxed and sophisticated vibe, are only half of its allure. The Filipino menu, which made Grace as well as other patrons as fans, is the other half.  

Most of the dishes in the menu are Virginia Llamas Romulo's (the wife of CPR) heirloom, homey recipes. Romulo, a world-class gastronome who liked to dine out a lot, and his family enjoyed Filipino food.   

Among its best-selling dishes include boneless crispy pata binagoongan (crispy pork skin and tender meat served with not-too-salty bagoong paste sautéed with tomatoes and onions, PhP650); flying tilapia (flavored with sweet chili garlic, honey bagoong and pickled ampalaya sauces, it is served with soy vinegar, PhP350); the splendid Lola Virginia's chicken relleno (roasted chicken stuffed with ground pork, raisins, chorizo and peas, PhP615) and the perfectly seasoned and grilled crispy tadyang (PhP450) and grilled squid (PhP450).  

Bistek Tagalog

Gambas

Gising-gising

Laing with adobo flakes

Dessert include the suman sa latik (PhP60) and tocino del cielo (made from baked egg yolks and sweetened with a nice light citrus flavor, PhP85).

The list of our favorite dishes include the hearty and satisfying, bright orange and extra viscous Tito Greg's kare-kare (using fresh vegetables, PhP450), gambas (baby shrimp sauteed in roasted garlic, PhP235); callos (served with jamon serrano, chorizo bilbao and garbanzos, PhP245); tenderloin bistek tagalog (PhP360);  gising-gising (chopped string beans cooked in coconut milk, with chili added, PhP150) and laing with adobo flakes (taro leaves cooked with coconut milk, PhP160).

Romulo Cafe: 148 Jupiter cor. Comet Sts., Bel-Air. Makati City. Tel: (632) 822-0286 and 478-6406. Open daily, 11 AM-3 PM and 6-11 PM.  Calling for a reservation is a must.

Resort Feature: Pulilan Butterfly Haven & Resort (Bulacan)

Pulilan Butterfly Haven

The Pulilan Butterfly Haven, a popular ecological and swimming resort, is a haven for butterfly enthusiasts and nature lovers with its collection of breeding and flight area for 8 species of colorful butterflies (tree nymph, lacewings, etc.).

It also has an ornamental garden, orchidarium (including the famous vanda sanderiana) and a 1,600 sq. m., butterfly-inspired swimming pool (admission: PhP100/pax), all creating a refreshing and cool atmosphere, plus a museum (Bulacan Doll Museum, admission: PhP50 ) and overnight cottages (PhP1,500). 

Located within the unassuming old ancestral house of owner Ms. Estelita A, Caleon-Aguirre (poetess, CPA and deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue), this museum houses a 17-diorama doll collection that pays tribute to Filipino craftsmanship. 

Check out "Bulacan Doll Museum"

Pulilan Butterfly Haven: San Francisco St., Poblacion, Pulilan, Bulacan.  Tel: (044) 676-1377 and 910-1388.  E-mail:  pulilanbutterfly@yahoo.com.  Website: www.pililanbutterfly.ph. 

Launch of "A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums"

Front cover

During the Philippine International Bookfair, my fifth book (and fourth with New Day Publishers), "A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums" was launched at the New Day Publishers booth at the SMX in Pasay City.

Museums play a big role in molding a modern community; its purpose and importance based on the nature of its collections.  Generally every museum “makes objects accessible to the public, to researchers, and to other institutions; and ensures the long-term safety and preservation of the collections.

In the Philippines, museums are found in just about every region and province in the country as well as in many universities, colleges and even private corporations.   A convenient practice, then and now, is to house museums in converted old palaces, old monasteries, seminaries or convents, old churches, old mansions, archaeological sites, old schools, old city halls and historically significant buildings.  Others are unusually housed in an eighteenth century water tank and a tobacco storage house.

Museums also range in size from huge and medium-size ultramodern glass and concrete structures to small, old Spanish-era stone houses with antique furniture, and vary in architectural styles from the Spanish-era bahay na bato, the American-era Neo-Classical and the modern. Many museums display the memorabilia of the many of the country’s famous and historic personalities, religious artifacts, local and international art and war memorabilia.

Museums also exhibit just about anything under the sun and many display specific items such as shoes, stamps, coins and paper money, photos, pianos, church bells  and costumes and dolls as well as natural subjects such as shells, butterflies and rice, our country’s staple food, and even the subject of disease.  Many also tackle the world of science and technology and political history.  A number cater to children while other museums highlight the influence of other races in the development of our country.

The book is available at select National Bookstores and Powerbook outlets. You can also email New Day Publishers at sales@newdaypublishers.com and newday@pworld.com.ph for details, or call telephone numbers 928-8046 and 927-5982.  You can also order, via the internet, at www.newdaypublishers.com.

Hotel and Inn Review: Villa Isabel Hotel & Resort (Sorsogon City)

Date of Stay: June 26-27, 2012

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ******

Rooms: ******

Condition and Cleanliness: *******

Staff Performance: ******

Room Comfort: *****

Food and Beverage: *****

Other Amenities: *****

Value for Money: ******

Villa Isabel Hotel & Resort

Two bed suite room

The Villa Isabel Hotel and Resort, a DOT-accredited, Class “A” resort  in SorsogonCity, has airconditioned, 2-bed  suite rooms (PhP3,000), single standard rooms (PhP1,200), double rooms (PhP1,400), family rooms (PhP1,600), twin rooms (PhP1,800), single suite rooms (PhP2,000), suite rooms with king-size beds (PhP3,000) and a penthouse (PhP4,500). 

All have flat screen LCD cable TVs, private baths with hot and cold showers, and free wi-fi access.

The hotel's restaurant

The hotel also has restaurant (free buffet breakfast until 8 AM), a free form swimming pool (free use until 9 PM) with jacuzzi and water slide, and a banquet hall with the latest audio and lighting facilities.  They also offer laundry and catering service.  

For those who want to bond with whale sharks (butanding), the hotel also offers tour packages to the laid back town of Donsol (van, banca, entrance fee, food and equipment, PhP3,900/pax).

The swimming pool with water slide and jacuzzi

Villa Isabel Hotel and Resort: Flores St., Burabod, Sorsogon City.  Telefax: (056) 211-4050 and 211-5422.  Mobile numbers: (0920) 903-5314 and (0920) 720-6477. E-mail: villa_isabel_hotelresort@yahoo.com. Website: www.villaisabelhotel.com. 

Interview: Philip Bartilet of AGAP-Bulusan (Bulusan, Sorsogon)

The author with AGAP-Bulusan president Mr. Philip Bartilet 

Entrance to Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP)

At Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP), I met up and interviewed, over a cup of brewed coffee and pili snacks, environment activist Philip G. Bartilet, the president of Aggrupation for Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP)-Bulusan, Inc. and past president (2010-2011) of the Philippine Ecotourism Guides Association.  

He is also the Municipal Tourism Officer of Bulusan town. 

AGAP-Bulusan, working hand-in-hand with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), protects and conserves biodiversity of the BVNP through Project PRESERVE (Participate Reforestation with Ecological Support, Education and Research to Validate the Ecosystems) which was launched in Lake Bulusan last October 31, 2011. Philip explained that the project was approved and funded by the Global Environmental Facility, Small Grants Program Philippines, United Nations Development Program (GEF SGP) of the UNDP. 

Its initial goal is to organized and mobilize communities within the BVNP as a participatory mechanism to mainstream biodiversity conservation in the local policies and resource-based management plans of people's organizations (POs) and government institutions. 

Second, it aims to harness the efforts of multi-sectoral representation from the 6 barangays within the BVNP to organize themselves into environmental biodiversity para-legal protection units focusing on research, monitoring teams and organizing illegal fishers as eco-guides and rangers promoting alternative sustainable livelihood.  It also aims to rehabilitate, within 2 years, the denuded, 50-hectare biodiversity habitat and maintain the surrounding ecosystems and eco-tourism attractions within the BVNP-Bulusan area via seedling propagation.  At least 20,450 agro-forestry seedling (pili, cacao, coffee, etc.) and 6,000 endemic hardwoods and watershed seedlings were planted in 6 identified barangay nurseries within the park area. 

Philip, the author and Bernard.  Behind are watercraft
(kayaks, water trikes) acquired by AGAP-Bulusan, Inc.  

Third, it aims to establish poverty alleviation mechanisms through the provision of eco-livelihood support.

This project, according to Philip, will provide an alternative source of livelihood to persons who have been continuously conducting illegal activities within the area, to totally refrain from such activities and eventually become the first persons to take care of the rich biodiversity of the BVNP as they will be trained to become eco-tourism guides (who will later become accredited guides of the Department of Tourism) or be deputized by the Department of Environment & Natural Resource (DENR) as forest rangers and Wildlife Environmental Officers (WEOs) with monthly compensation benefits.  

In a plan presented by Philip, sustainable para-technical training will be provided, both on agriculture and aquaculture development, with 42 participants coming from the 6 barangays within the area. 

Fourth, it aims to heighten the level of environment awareness of the primary stakeholders, particularly biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the BVNP-Bulusan area.  The PRESERVE group will conduct a Dalaw Turo, with 8 courses that will focus on the environmental biodiversity richness of the BVNP, how it should be conserved and the bright prospects of the BVNP as a prime tourism destination.  It will also provide an impact study to heighten environmental initiatives so that stakeholders will become more value-driven rather than economy-driven.  They will also publish biodiversity conservation materials, manuals and learning guides as information education materials. 

The end goal of the project is to conduct comprehensive research on biodiversity and other environmental management-related studies and establish a data repository of the BVNP-Bulusan area.  This will include a monthly monitoring and inventory of flora and fauna of the BVNP, with the help of the academe who will provide an ecological profile of the resources of the 6 barangays within the BVNP. 

AGAP-Bulusan is also working on their proposal for a Canopy Walk and the Zip Tour (a variant of the zip line), a more affordable alternative while a feasibility study for cable cars is being considered.  Aside from these, wall climbing, rappelling and adventure rope courses are also being considered.  Together with the DOT Region V Office, LGU Bulusan and Wild BOARS (Bulusan Outdoors Adventures and Recreational Sports) Philippines, they are also organizing the 2012 Bulusan Triple Loop Eco Trail (Team Relay) Running Challenge Cup this July, a 3, 5 and 10-km. run along the periphery of Lake Bulusan and newer, challenging trails on the regular 21-km. Bulusan Eco Trail Running Cup.

AGAP-Bulusan, Inc.: Bulusan Social Development Center (BSDC) Bldg., 262 Sesbreno St., Brgy. Dapdap, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number: (0918) 457-8767 and (0908) 896-8826 (Mr. Philip Bartilet).  E-mail: agapbulusan@yahoo.com.ph. 

Resort Review: Nature Hot Spring Resort & Inn (Irosin, Sorsogon)

Date of Stay: June 25-26, 2012

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ******

Rooms: ****

Condition and Cleanliness: *****

Staff Performance: *****

Room Comfort: ****

Food and Beverage: *****

Other Amenities: *****

Value for Money: *****

Nature Spring Resort & Inn

The spartan room

The mini-pool inside the bathroom

Irosin, sitting at the foot of the still active Mt. Bulusan, has a number of cold and hot springs located in Brgys. Batang, Bulawan, Liang, Monbon and Tongdol.  

Waters originating from these natural springs, flowing down through the creeks and streams and secondary rivers, integrates at the Cadac-an River, the primary river.  

The adult swimming pool

The children's pool

Nature Spring Resort & Inn, owned and managed by Mr. Reojun Y. Gabito, was opened in May 2007. It has airconditioned cottages with cable TV and skylighted bathroom with a unique, private mini-pool.  

Overnight rates are PhP800 (12 noon to 12 midnight) and PhP600 (6 PM-8 AM). 

The resort also has 3 steaming, free-form swimming pools of different sizes and depths (one exclusively for children), around which are changing and shower rooms; a canteen; grilling stations (for those who love to barbecue their own food); and picnic cottages. 

The clear, naturally-heated waters of the swimming pools, said to have sulfuric healing properties, are relaxing and soothing to the nerves, working wonders on aching muscles and tired bodies.  

Nature Spring Resort & Inn: Brgy. Monbon, Irosin 4707, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (0908) 279-9556. E-mail: reojun.gabito@yahoo.com. Entrance fee: PhP35. 

Resort Feature: Viento de Mar Beach Resort (Bagacay, Albay)

Viento de Mar Beach Resort

The black sand Sogod Beach

Fronting Roca Baluarte and along the highway is the volcanic, jet-black sand Sogod Beach, home to a number of Bacacay's beach resorts. One such resort is the sprawling DOT-accredited, Class “A” Viento de Mar (Spanish for “sea breeze”) Beach Resort, set in well-manicured grounds.   

Owned by Mr. Martin “Marti” A. Calleja of Bicol Adventure Philippines, the resort is divided into 2, one fronting the beach and the other located inland.  The one facing the beach has a house, good for 15 people, with 6 beds, a toilet and bath, kitchen and a hall.  There are also a 50-pax hall and 28 day huts for picnickers; 5 big (35-pax) and 23 small (20-pax). 

Day huts along the beach

The interior part of the resort, along the highway, has two 2-4-pax rooms with bath, two 4-6-pax airconditioned cabanas with common bath and two 5-8 pax small and three 10-15-pax big cabanas with toilet and bath.  All cabanas have anahaw roofing, attic balconies, refrigerator and cooking facilities. 

Mr. Calleja, a certified divemaster and PADI instructor, maintains a dive shop in the resort, said to be the only one in Albay.  The resort offers scuba diving at San Miguel Island and, further way, to Ticao Island (Masbate) where Martin’s brother also operates a dive shop at Ticao Island Resort.  Aside from scuba diving, the resort also offers horseback riding, billiards, biking, volleyball, kayaking, island hopping and hand line fishing.

The resort's cabanas

Viento de Mar Beach Resort: 1 Beach Rd., Brgy. Sogod, 4509 Bacacay, Albay.  Tel: (052) 820-1483. Mobile number (0918) 924-1842.  Legaspi City booking office: Bicol Adventure and Tours: 2/F V&O Bldg., Quezon Ave.. Tel: (052) 480-2266.  E-mail: bicol_adventure@yahoo.com. Website: www.bicoladventure.com.

Restaurant Review: Small Talk Cafe (Legaspi City, Albay)

The entrance hallway

The famous Small Talk Cafe, home to Filipino and Bicolano  cuisine with a touch of fusion, infuses local flavor into otherwise staple fare.  It is noted for its pasta pinangat/laing, the spicy and appetizing Bicol Express pasta and its delicious pili pie.  

The pasta pinangat/laing, the cafe's first Bicol fusion dish, is ravioli infused with pinangat, a local delicacy made from gabi (taro) leaves and gata (coconut cream), and covered in white sauce.  The Bicol Express pasta consists of alamang, sili (local  pepper) and gata sauteed with garlic and pasta. 

A local favorite since 1995, this old ancestral house turned into a restaurant, owned by chef Ms. Bernadette Peralta Factora, has a quaint and laid-back atmosphere accented by old Albay memorabilia, paintings and pre-World War II photos of the city and Mayon Volcano.  

Its narrow but cozy entrance hallway cum waiting area opens into a spacious dining area.    As we arrived there early, the place was only half filled with patrons.  

Combination pizza

Tuna carbonara

I am not fond of spicy Bicolano cuisine, so I opted, from its interesting menu, for the combination pizza (2 flavors in 1 pizza crust: caprichosa and pizza Bicolana), Mayon pasta and the tuna carbonara (sauteed tuna blended with milk and cheese, a must try, PhP105).  The pasta dishes were served with 2 slices of garlic bread.

Mayon pasta

One half of the combination pizza had generous toppings of pepperoni, black olives, bacon, mushrooms and capers, while the other half had laing with mushroom, mozzarella, green pepper and pineapple chunks.  

To prepare myself for any extreme spice emergency, I ordered a mango smoothie.  The Mayon pasta is similar to the pasta pinangat/laing except the former uses red tuna sauce. 

By the time I was done with my delicious meal, the restaurant was already filled to the rafters with diners, truly an indication that I had dined in one of the best watering holes Legaspi City has to offer.  

Small Talk Cafe: 051 Dona Aurora St., Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 480-1393 and 437-8708. Open 11 AM-10 PM.