September 2010 Food Trips

Rounding up the food trips for September 2010. Please click the links under the pictures should you want to read the full food trip experience written on my food blog, Tara, Let's Eat!




Greenwich
SM City North EDSA, Quezon City
04 September 2010

I was blessed to be a part of NomNom Foodie Club, and today the club celebrated its first anniversary. Apart from the attendees' choice of pasta (I went for the carbonara), we were also served four types of pizza. Omnommomnom!


MXT - Maxim's Tea House
SM City Fairview, Quezon City
11 September 2010

It's grocery time for mom and I, but we went to eat lunch first. We didn't plan to eat at MXT, but when mom and I passed by the restaurant, it brought back memories from the past, and not only did we enjoy the foods, we also enjoyed the stories we exchanged.


Green Mango
SM City Fairview, Quezon City
11 September 2011

After doing the grocery shopping, mom asked if we could have some snacks, but we were still quite full from the lunch, so we just had a small cup of Fro-Yo (Frozen Yogurt) at Green Mango.




Mr. Jones
Greenbelt 5, Makati City
14 September 2010

Mom's birthday was a day ago, but it was this day that the family went to celebrate it, by using the GCs I won from a contest. It felt good eating "rich" food for a change. :)




Mexicali
SM City Fairview, Quezon City
16 September 2011

Mom and I went to the mall again, and we got to see our neighbor Ria, so mom invited her to eat snacks with us. My siblings didn't like Mexican food that much, so it was my time to suggest Mexicali. I was a bit apprehensive letting mom eat Mexican food, but I was thankful she loved it.

The Chapel at the Heart of the City

Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel
Greenbelt - Ayala Center, Makati City
+63 (02)729-8173 / +63 (02)729-8174
14 September 2010

Thankful to the GCs I won a few months back, the family decided to use it for mom's birthday celebration. After the sumptuous lunch at Mr. Jones, we thought it was still very early to travel back home, so we just roamed around Greenbelt so mom could see the place, too. She rarely travels this far (as her office is just 15 minutes away from home), and it was a great time to show mom different parts of the Metro.

Walking around, we saw the chapel from afar, and being Catholics, we decided to enter the chapel to say our prayers of gratitude, especially for another year in mom's life.


Inspired by the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, the chapel was inaugurated in 1983. The structure was designed by The structure was designed by Architect Willie Fernandez, and then enhanced by Jess Dizon, who rendered the circular pattern of the building. Noted glass sculptor, Ramon Orlina, fabricated the ceiling, tabernacle, altar, and the cross at the entrance, the sacristy, and the God the Father image on the dome. (Source)




I worked in Makati City years ago, but I never really had the chance to visit this chapel because of my schedule. Sure, during my day shift (8am - 3pm), I had ample time to visit, but because our house was way too far from here, all I wanted then was to get home as early as possible. It took me about three more years after I resigned before I finally set foot inside the chapel, and it didn't made difference as to how I felt back then and now... I still am in awe of the place.

Aiming to provide a place of worship for the busy office employees / working people as well as residents of Makati City, Eucharistic Celebration is held several times daily:

• Monday to Friday - 7:15am | 12:15nn | 5:45pm | 7:00pm
• Saturdays - 12:15nn | Anticipated Mass - 4:30pm | 7:00pm
• Sundays - 7:15am | 9:00am | 10:30am | 12:00nn | 3:00pm | 4:30pm | 6:00pm | 7:30pm

It was already past 1:00pm when we entered the chapel, but we couldn't wait for the 5:45pm mass, so we just said our own prayers before we continued our roam around.

Our feet took us to Landmark, where we spent the entire afternoon shopping for kitchen wares. Then we headed home. It was a nice change of pace - celebrating mom's birthday like this.

Mt. Pinatubo Trek

*** pausing my posts to make way for this one. ***

When I signed up for the "Akyat Pinatubo" organized by Let's Go Sago, I was so excited that I forgot to read blog posts sharing stories about the whole experience. From what I read on Let's Go Sago's site, the trek "is mostly flat lands," so I didn't feel the need to prepare for it.

When we reached the tourism office in Capas, we were divided into groups of five for the 4x4 ride. Each jeep had its own tour guide, and even if we had so much fun during the ride, I wasn't really prepared for what I will go through for the next hours.

It is true that the trek was mostly "flat lands," but I didn't realize it would be that long and difficult. At first, I was happily trekking with my sister and our other companions, but because of my built (I didn't exercise days prior to the trip...heck, it has been months since I last exercised!), it quickly drained my strength. I told sister to go on ahead and I will just catch up, but one person didn't left my side: our tour guide.

While walking, he asked me to assess myself and think deeply if I could manage the whole trek to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. He further told me that it would be best if I quit now while we were still near the parking area of the 4x4 jeeps, because it might be difficult for me if I had to quit halfway. I told him that I signed up for this and it was a dream of mine to see a volcano's crater, so I will continue, no matter how long it would take me. He admired my focus, and assured me that he will be with me every step of the way.

He told me that the whole trek is more or less 10 kilometers. While many people can finish a 10km marathon in less than 2 hours, what made the trek more difficult were the elements: rains, cold wind... then scorching heat. Aside from that, we had to watch our every step as the rocks were a bit loose and one wrong step might cause one to slip and get injured.

Halfway through the trek, I had a very bad leg cramps (mainly because of the cold water stream). It was so bad that I couldn't make a step anymore, but the tour guide was with me - he even wrapped my leg with bandage and massaged my leg so I could go on.

I stopped every now and then and watching people pass us by made me feel bad (truly, I have abused myself for allowing me to be this big), but the tour guide has showered me with much encouragement.

Along the way, we talked about life, family, and other matters. I learned about his struggles as a Mt. Pinatubo tour guide, and we got to share inspirational stories about life.

Three and a half hours later, we finally reached the crater. As much as my sister applauded me for making it, the tour guide was happy that I didn't give up. This trek, taking aside the picturesque aspect of it, was more of self journey for me. Sure, I got to exchange stories with the tour guide, but I got to talk to myself more, listen to the woes of my heart and be reminded of just how much God loved me.


photo credit - Recycle Bin of a Middle Child
Aside from the tour guide, this trip also allowed me to travel with other bloggers, who I met for the first time. Some of them eventually became online pals, so all in all, this trip covered so much.

We only got to stay an hour at the crater, and because I knew how long it would take me to do the trek, I decided to leave the crater early, so it will give me time to pace myself. However, I still arrived at the 4x4 jeep parking area last.

The trek was a test of faith and endurance (at least for me). But one thing's for sure: I will never, ever forget that during one of life's tests, there was a person who was willing to stay with me and understand me every step of the way.

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This post is my entry for Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for July 2011 with the theme "Unforgettable Human Encounters on the Road" hosted by Marky Ramone Go.

Quezon Memorial Circle

Quezon Memorial Circle

Elliptical Road, Quezon City

12 September 2010

Continuing with the flow of stories here on my blog... after I blogged about the Quezon Museum, let me now show you changes at the park that I am very happy about.

That day, Nathalie and I decided to meet up to take pictures around the park. It had been a while since I last went there, and actually... the last time I was there, the place looked lonely and bare - more like a big chunk of land where a few people go to. Excited about this photo walk, we decided to meet in the morning so we can cover many things.

Underpass. I passed by Commonwealth Avenue going to the park, and from Philcoa, I didn't have to wait for the road to be clear before I could cross... this underpass sure was a great change to prevent road accidents involving pedestrians crossing the road going to the park.

Circle of Joy. One part of the park now have many of these play areas made of hard plastic. They covered the ground with faux grass so that kids won't get wounded should they stumble while running. As a way of protecting the faux grass, kids were asked to take off their shoes.

Personally, I love these play areas made from hard plastic. When I was young, the slides and swings were made from metal, which can really cause a lot of injuries.


Getting Fit. This scene wasn't really that new, as the park has been known for big groups to do their fitness routines, but because of the good changes, more and more groups are now going to the park to dance, do aerobics...or just jog.

Circle of Fun. If the other side of the park had play areas, the other side had a small theme park called Circle of Fun. Entrance to the theme park cost only 20 pesos per person, really cheap... but the downside is that, you have to pay tickets for each of the ride you wish you take. I think one ride also cost 20 pesos per ticket.

At Night. A day in the park continues until night time, because of this attraction. The fountain goes on all day... but as much as it looks pretty during daytime, it sure looked much better come night time. Aside from that, the monument also lights up (it changes colors every minute), attracting people in the park.

It was a weekend when we went there, and the park was flocked with so many people! Well, with these many changes, the park is now starting to feel alive. As of this writing, I know there is also a weekend market in the park, something that I am interested of checking one of these days.