Business Executives Alliance in Tourism (B.E.A.T.) Induction (Manila)

Mr. Balsamo inducting BEAT's new set of officers

Past BEAT president Mr. Sandy 
M. Clamor

Mr. Rene Jose delivering the 
welcome address

My Visit Valenzuela tour just early this year brought me into contact with the upcoming tours and travel organization Business Executives Alliance in Tourism, Inc. (B.E.A.T.) via its members Ms. Violeta Imperial (Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc.), Ms. Rosanna C. Kho (Kho Travel and Tours), Ms. Bingbing Rubio (of Pogi Travels) and Mr. Sandy Mella Clamor (Emmaus Travel and Tours), its president, who also joined the tour.  

New BEAT president Ms. Rosanna Kho

I got to know B.E.A.T. better when I attended its Induction and General Membership meeting, as a guest of honor, held at the 8th floor of the Manila Grand Opera Hotel.   Rossana was to be inducted as its third president, taking over the reins of the organization from Sandy.  However, Violeta and Bingbing were not around as they were on out-of-town tours.  The day of induction was, incidentally, a Friday and a salary day to boot and heavy traffic extended my travel time from home to the Gil Puyat LRT Station, where I parked my car, by over an hour.   

Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Balsamo

My traffic woes were eased by my swift travel, via LRT, from Gil Puyat all the way to Doroteo Jose.  The hotel. site of the old Manila Opera House, was just across the station.

The proceedings began, 30 mins. after my arrival, with a prayer, rendered in a different way via the Gary Valenciano staple song "Lead Me Lord," by incoming BEAT Auditor Mr. Gerry A. Del Rosario (proprietor  of Ger-Jaz Tours).  

After the singing of the National Anthem, Mr. Rene Jose (3 Lions International) delivered the welcome address.  With me at the table was Ms. Luchie Consolacion (Gen. Manager of Travelease, Inc.), B.E.A.T. fellow founder and its first president, and another guest of honor, historian and friend Mr. Jonathan Capullas Balsamo of Museo Valenzuela who delivered the prepared message of past Valenzuela City mayor, and now congressman, Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian who couldn't make it due to a previous engagement.

Visatrust CEO Thelam F. Luna makes her presentation

Mr. Balsamo, in lieu of Mayor Gatchalian, also inducted the new set of officers which included, aside from Ms. Kho and Mr. Del Rosario, Mr. Antonio Santos (of San Antonio Travel and Tours) as Vice-President; Ms. Liza Marie E. Delfino (Gen. Manager of Lizmar Tours and Travel) as Secretary; Ms. Erlie R. Dumayag (of Moments Travel and Tours) as Treasurer; and Nigerian national Mr. Sunday Olatoye (of Pogi Travels) as Public Relations Officer (PRO). 

After the acceptance speech of Ms. Kho and a filling buffet dinner, there were also presentations by Standard Insurance Co., Inc. (one of 3 companies that offer travel insurance), 2 Go Travel (who also raffled off travel gift certificates to guests) and incoming B.E.A.T. member Visatrust Consultancy and Travel Services who specialize on Visa processing for New Zealand.  Ms. Luchie delivered the closing remarks. 

B.E.A.T. had its beginnings in December 2008. According to Sandy and Luchie, the organization, now on its fifth year, started with just a few members, all small players in the travel and tours industry. Today, this closely-knit organization has 30 plus members, all united in their aim to support its mandate to continue its campaign to promote and enhance travel and tourism in our country. After congratulating the new officers, I left the hotel by 10 PM, in time to make the last LRT trip back to Gil Puyat Station. 

The beautiful ladies of BEAT

Manila Grand Opera Hotel: 925 Rizal Ave. cor. Doroteo Jose St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. Tel: (632)  314-0090 to 99.  Fax: (632) 711-1073.  

Launch of SMX Convention Center (Taguig City)

SMX Convention Center

The presson at Meeting Rm. 8

Last Friday, I was invited by Ms. Grace Victoria Aquino, Marketing Communications Manager of SMX, to attend a presscon during the launch of the new, 6,358 sq. m. SMX Convention Center Taguig, the third property under the SMX Brand (the others are in Lanang in Davao City, finished in 2012, and at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, finished in 2007).  

This was to be held in conjunction with the opening of SM Aura Premier, SM's first foray into the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  For company (and to take photographs), I brought along my daughter Cheska who is also a blogger (www.themodernfilipinamom.com). 

Buffet setup by LJC Catering Group 

It seem all roads lead to SM Aura as heavy traffic met us as we entered Fort Bonifacio.  It became worst as we neared SM.  Thinking I was already late, Cheska took the wheel of the car and dropped me off near the mall entrance. She would follow upon parking the car.  

The mall was unusually packed with people, it being just a Friday and not a weekend.  The presscon was held at the 154 sq. m. Meeting Room 8 at the 3rd Level.  About 20 mins. later, Cheska joined us.   Aside from Grace, also on hand to welcome us was Mr.Dexter Deyto, SMX Convention Specialist Corp. ( a subsidiary managed by the SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.) Vice-President and General Manager.

Cheska with Grace Aquino

The delicious Filipino food served, which included crispy lechon, manok sa luyang dilaw, pakbet Capampangan and binukadkad na pla pla (plus dessert of canonigo with mango balls, chocolate profiteroles and cassava cake), was catered by the LJC Group Catering Service.

Their menus are drawn from celebrated and acclaimed LJC brands such as Abe’s Farm, Bistro Remedios, Lorenzo’s Way, Café Havana, Larry’s Café and Bar, Café Adriatico and Fely J’s Kitchen.  Cheska and I have dined out at the last two mentioned.

After lunch, Grace invited us to look around the center’s 3 function rooms (which can accommodate 250 to 2,250 people depending on the client’s requirements), each with its own kitchen, as well as 8 meeting rooms (which can accommodate anywhere from 36 to 255 people). 

Corporate meeting setup by Tjioe The Caterer

Another corporate setup by Josiah's Catering

Flower arrangement by 
Josiah's Catering

Flower arrangement by 
Tamayo's Catering

Each room was set up for a special event (meetings, debuts, weddings, cocktails, conventions, etc.) by some of the country’s top caterers.

Aside from the LJC Group, they include Bizu Catering Studio; Josiah’s Catering, Inc.; Tjioe The Caterer;  Tamayo’s Catering and Via Mare Catering.

Cheska was especially delighted with the wedding banquet setups especially the elegant table settings and flower arrangements, all done in different color schemes such as pastel green, fiery red and lavender (her favorite color). 

Table setup by Via Mare Catering

Table setup by Tamayo's Catering

Lounge setup by Bizu Catering Studio

Buffet setup by Tamayo's Catering

Cocktail setup by Josiah's Catering

SMX Convention Center Taguig: 3rd and 4th Level, SM Aura Premier, 36th  St. cor. McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.  Tel: 556-8888 loc. 124.

Bizu Catering Studio: First Midland Bldg., 109 Gamboa St., 1223 Makati City. Tel: (632) 845-0590, 845-0591, 845-05-92 and 845-0293. Email: catering-concierge@bizugroupe.com. Website: www.bizupatisserie.com.

LJC Group Catering Service: Tel: (632) 506-8140 to 41.  Mobile number: (0917) 552-2733

Josiah’s Catering: 34 East Drive, Marikina Heights, Marikina City.  Tel: (632) 475-2703 (trunkline), 941-7032, 934-2163, 934-5134 and 934-9252. Fax: (632) 934.6734. Website: www.josiahcatering.com.     

Tjioe The Caterer: Tel: (632) 854-6600 and 851-0226. E-mail: inquiries@tjioethecaterer.ph. Website: www.tjioethecaterer.ph. 

Tamayo’s Catering: G/F, Plaza San Luis, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. Tel: (632) 526-2222 (hotline).  Fax: (632) 536-7682. E-mail: info@tamayos.com.ph.  Website:  www.tamayos.com.ph. 

Via Mare Catering: 7503 Bagtikan St., San Antonio Village, Makati City. Tel: (632) 890-8090 and 890-8023. Fax: (632) 890-8001. E-mail: info@viamare.com.ph. Website: www.viamare.com.ph. 

Hotel and Inn Review: Alapo's View Inn & Cafe (Sagada, Mountain Province)

Date of Stay: March 28-30, 2016

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ****

Condition and Cleanliness: ****

Staff Performance: ****

Room Comfort: ****

Food and Beverage: *****

Other Amenities: ***

Value for Money: *****

Alapo's View Inn & Cafe

A spartan room

The 2-storey Alapo's View Inn & Cafe is located about 300 m. from the municipal road, along the now concreted road leading to the next town of Besao.  Like most inns in Sagada, Alapo's is also a no-frills place to stay.  

Their simple, spartan room has 2 beds, a table, a monobloc chair and a small wall-hung mirror.  Evening lighting was provided by a dim, low-wattage energy-saving light bulb.  Truly, no place for the luxury-minded tourist.  

The coffee shop

However, unlike many inns in Banaue, it had a power outlet where we could charge our electronic gadgets.  Bathrooms are shared and showers have no water heaters. Bring a portable water heater.  

The inn has a coffee shop, where you could watch cable TV, and a grocery where we could buy some of your basic necessities.  Their balcony which has great views of the town and the surrounding pine-clad mountains.   These views, plus its central location, made it ideal as a base for exploring Sagada's natural and man-made wonders.  

Check out "Bontoc to Sagada"

View of the town from the balcony

Alapo's View Inn & Cafe: Ato, Patay, Sagada, Mountain Province.  Mobile number (Ms. Juliet B. Medina): (0921) 327-9055 and (0918) 332-3331.

Restaurant Review: Sagada Lemon Pie House (Mountain Province)

Sagada Lemon Pie House

The Japanese-style dining set-up

Sagada Lemon Pie House, first opened on March 21, 2008), is home of the delicious lemon meringue pie.  

Upon entry, you are first enthralled by its cozy, Bohemian-inspired ambiance.  On the right are low wooden tables with woven mats and throw pillows for seats, a set-up that reminded me of the Japanese dining style.  They also have regular tables and chairs.

Check out "Bontoc to Sagada"

We, however, preferred the regular tables and seats

The must try lemon pie

Their prices are quite reasonable - lemon pie and egg pies go for PhP30/slice, same with a cup of Sagada's famous brewed Arabica coffee (PhP30/cup).  

You can also placed an order for a whole lemon pie (PhP200) which you can pick up before you return to Manila.  

The super fluffy lemon pie, though you could distinctly taste the mild sourness and tanginess of the lemon curd, was somehow sweetened by the meringue on top.  

For those who don't like strong, sour tastes, the soft and light-flavored egg pie would be more to your liking.  They also serve the seasonal, not-too-sweet blueberry pie (available in early summer).

Sagada Lemon Pie House: South Rd., Atey, Daoangan, Sagada, Mountain Province.  Mobile number: (0907) 782-0360 (Mr. Joseph Daoas). Website: www.sagadalemonpiehouse.blogspot.com.

Restaurant Review: Cafe St. Joe (Sagada, Mountain Province)

Cafe St. Joe

Sweet and sour pork

The 2-storey Cafe St. Joe, just within the compound of the Episcopalian-owned St. Joseph Resthouse, the largest guesthouse in scenic Sagada (it has 27 rooms and cottages), is a popular hangout for both local and foreign tourists and is a short walk from the jeepney terminal. 

Probably one of the biggest restaurants in the town, the place is usually packed with tourists.  Open all day, the cafe is set within a beautiful garden and, being located on a hill, also has great views of the town.  It also has a lovely second floor verandah, and outdoor seating.  Their extensive menu features generally good Filipino dishes with generous servings of fresh vegetables.  Their delicious, sweet and savory bread, baked by the local French chef, can be bought by the loaf. 

Check out "Bontoc to Sagada"

Lemon Chicken

Cafe St. Joe: St. Joseph Resthouse, Sagada, Mountain Province.  Mobile number: (0928) 951-7156 (Ms. Julia Abad).

Restaurant Review: Tchayapan Restaurant (Bontoc, Mountain Province)

Tchayapan Restaurant

Tchayapan Rice

Tchayapan Beef Rice

Tchayapan Restaurant, near the Bontoc municipal, is said to be Bontoc's biggest and best restaurant.  Here, I ordered the restaurant's signature best seller Tchayapan Rice, Bontoc's version of lechon kawali.  

It is served with buttered fresh and crunchy vegetables on the side. Jandy, on the other hand, preferred the Tchayapan Beef Rice with the same sidings.  Both cost PhP80. 

For the same price, they also offer beef ampalaya rice, chicken rice, sweet and sour pork rice, sweet and sour pork/fish, pinapaitan, beef/pork steak, cheese burgers, pancit canton/bihon and chopsuey. Chopsuey rice costs PhP70.  They also offer chicken spaghetti (PhP100), spaghetti (PhP40), sandwiches (ham and egg, ham and cheese, tuna, PhP35; cheese, egg, PhP30).

Pinikpikan

Tchayapan also offers budget travelers 7 single/double rooms (PhP150/head)with common bath (2 male and 2 female) and 4 double bedrooms with private bath and TV (PhP300-800).On our return to Banaue, Jocie, our tour coordinator, tried out the local delicacy called pinikpikan. Here, the chicken is bloodlessly killed by slowly pummeling its body with a stick or reed so that the blood remains inside. After the feathers are singed off in an open fire, the chicken is then chopped and boiled with dried salted pork called etag and simmered with vegetables.

Tchayapan Inn & Restaurant: Bontoc, Ifugao.  Mobile number: (0929) 683-9607 (Ms. Florence N. Taguiba).  Restaurant open daily, 8 AM-8 PM.

Restaurant Review: Tchayapan Restaurant (Bontoc, Mountain Province)

Tchayapan Inn & Restaurant

Tchayapan Restaurant near the Bontoc municipal hall, is said to be the town's biggest and best restaurant.  

The restaurant's signature best seller is Tchayapan Rice, Bontoc's version of lechon kawali. 

It is served with buttered fresh and crunchy vegetables on the side. The Tchayapan Beef Rice also has the same sidings.  Both cost PhP80.   

For the same price, they also offer beef ampalaya rice, chicken rice, sweet and sour pork rice, sweet and sour pork/fish, pinapaitan, beef/pork steak, cheese burgers, pancit canton/bihon and chopsuey. Chopsuey rice costs PhP70.  

They also offer chicken spaghetti (PhP100), spaghetti (PhP40), sandwiches (ham and egg, ham and cheese, tuna, PhP35; cheese, egg, PhP30)

Tchayapan Rice

Tchayapan Beef Rice

Pinikpikan

Another of their local delicacies is the pinikpikan. Here, the chicken is bloodlessly killed by slowly pummeling its body with a stick or reed so that the blood remains inside. 

After the feathers are singed off in an open fire, the chicken is then chopped and boiled with dried salted pork called etag and simmered with vegetables.  

Tchayapan also offers budget travelers 7 single/double rooms (PhP150/head)with common bath (2 male and 2 female) and 4 double bedrooms with private bath and TV (PhP300-800). 

Tchayapan Inn & Restaurant: Bontoc, Ifugao.  Mobile number: (0929) 683-9607 (Ms. Florence N. Taguiba).  Restaurant open daily, 8 AM-8 PM.