More than Balamban's Pork Liempo

You didn't think anyone would blog about Balamban's Pork Liempo did you?  What makes this piece of meat taste heavenly is its added spices and seasoning. It just tastes delightfully different than the pork liempo offered in Cebu City.

Succulent cuts of pork liempo are sold in a nondescript stall beside Balamban's new municipal hall. Contrary to expectations, this unpretentious food stall boasts of plenty of loyal customers.

As you can see in the photo, my favorite pork liempo (that's the one to the left inside my tupperware) goes well with vegetable soup or our very own "Utan Bisaya" and a bit of Pipino Salad... really delicious!

It must really be that good since some people in Cebu City would brave the precipitous turns and blind curves of the transcentral highway to get to Balamban town proper to eat pork liempo.

My sister was saying last weekend that I should have my head checked since going all the way to Balamban to have lunch is to her completely insane.  Well, that would include some people I know who go all the way from Manila to Cebu just to eat lechon...ha..ha..ha...

I like the freedom of anonymity in Balamban.  I'm not afraid of bumping on someone who recognizes me. I can arrive there disheveled and wear the most unfashionable clothes or the most unbecoming shoes and nobody takes a photo of me to post on Facebook or someone else's blog like I'm some kind of over-the-hill celebrity. 

Oh yes, if you happen to be my admirer, you would've been disappointed seeing me in that corner of Balamban's carenderia eating pork liempo and dressing like a bag lady with nary a care in the world (So what? A love that hinges on my looks is stressful...ha..ha..ha).

Speaking of celebrity, did you know that when I was in elementary, my bedtime prayer went something like this: "Lord, I'm not asking much. I don't want to be famous nor powerful ..... (pause)... but I definitely want to be very rich so I can buy anything for my baon."  Yes, I know, I wasn't your regular kid. But I knew back them that, with more means, my choices in life widen.

My definition of "rich" these days, however, has stretched to include enjoying the company of friends, having travel opportunities and the simple pleasures of life....like eating pork liempo. So, God, if You are reading this, this was what I really meant years ago.  Thank You for all Your blessings;  I'm still enjoying it... really.  This is what people call LIFE !  Please keep it coming, Lord  :-)

Jose Rizal's Dapitan

I visited Dapitan last weekend and immensely enjoyed the place and its people.

I suggest you read Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere before going to Dapitan or read the English translation called "Social Cancer". You'll be more than ready to appreciate the person that is Rizal and marvel at what he has done for Dapitan.

Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte is a charming, bucolic town at the northern tip of Mindanao.  It is historically significant as being the place where the national hero, Jose Rizal was exiled in 1892 by the Spaniard. There he built a school, a hospital and a water supply system. He taught and engaged in farming and horticulture.

Near the end of his exile he met and courted the stepdaughter of a patient, an Irishwoman named Josephine Bracken. He was unable to obtain an ecclesiastical marriage. He nonetheless considered Josephine to be his wife

Note that the frist photo was taken along Sunset Boulevard, across Fantasyland, a theme park similar to Enchanted Kingdom.  The second photo was taken at the Rizal Shrine, a pocket forest.

Cadi Shack Diner

In a quiet residential neighborhood is a 60's style diner. Part of the fun is knowing that many people have yet to discover this place, an ideal setting for an intimate conversation with close friends.

Cadi Shack serves up western comfort foods such as choco fudge brownie with ice cream and burgers. They also have some delicious surprises like the white fish in tomatoes and basil.

This diner is in Mabolo, Cebu, just before Sarrosa Hotel, a bit off the route of public vehicles.

Strolling through Asiatown IT Park

I went to Durhans White Beach Resort in Tabuelan, Cebu last Sunday. I usually visit the beach during the rainy season when the sun is more merciful. I took the short route on the way back.  That gave me a chance to finally head to Asiatown IT Park in the afternoon for my brisk walk.

Conceived as an integrated special economic zone and modern trading center, Asiatown IT Park now vibrantly brings together top-class talent and technology in a community that was master-planned as a convergence of Asian architectural warmth and efficient Western functionality. Asiatown IT Park strives to preserve its beautiful environment through well-maintained landscape and greenery to complement the high-rise infrastructure of its global locators. It has become a lifestyle destination in Cebu City which integrates dining, recreation, wellness and retail outlets widely accessible to the employees inside the park.

Cebu Regal Pension House

In my quest for better produced news features, I again decided to get myself booked in one of Cebu's many pension houses to give me a fresh perspective 

Located in a nondescript but safe neighborhood, Regal Pension House is probably one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest budget accommodation in Cebu. 

It seems to have gone past its majestic days --- looking old and a bit frayed. But for a minimal amount, it provides the essentials.  You only get what you need. There are different rates for aircon and fan-rooms, as well as rooms with or without television.  At least, you are assured of getting only what you need. I paid only Php 500.00 for an aircon room with TV.

Although there is a bakeshop near the pension house, there are no decent restaurants within the area.  So I do a lot of walking to get to jeepneys going to Ayala or Asiatown IT Park.  I don't mind the hike in the mornings as long as there is not too much heat.

For those interested, Regal Pension House is located at Junquera extension and may be reached through telephone numbers 255-6758 or 255-6759.

Cordova Food Park

In my search for good food options, I stumbled across the Cordova Food Park in Pilipog Cordova.  I tasted their Talaba (baked oyster with butter and cheese), sinigang tangigue, and cucumber salad and these were delicious. In fact, it's a good alternative to the overpriced, hyped-up Sutukil food in Opon.

I know that Sutukil in Opon is in a tourist area so the high food prices aren't really surprising. But for locals looking for value for money, I believe Cordova Food Park is a place that people should check out. 


Cordova Food Park is located right after the bridge in Cordova. 


The restaurant has its own fish pond, so I suggest ordering fresh seafood. They actually have a menu.

For advance orders, you can call tel No. (032) 412-3783

Cinnamon wheat bread and soya milk fresh from the hospital

I've heard patients around the world complain of bad hospital food. But H.W. Miller Memorial Sanitaium and Hospital is an exception. 
 

Miller hospital's cinnamon wheat bread and soya milk is worth the plaudits.  There are not many hospitals in the Philippines that can boast of producing among the best cinnamon wheat bread and soya milk in the country.
 

Not only do they produce bread and milk, they also cook healthy budget meals for guests or non-patients.

This is actually the only hospital I know where non-patients go out of their way to eat lunch or buy bread and milk. Their food is good for vegetarians, hypertensives, adventists (sabadistas), and health conscious.

I recently tried their gluten steak (which is cooked like beef steak for those who can't seem to wean themselves away from meat), chopsuey, egglant and soya milk.

Miller hospital is located at 400 Tres de Abril Street, San Nicholas, Cebu City with contact number 262-2100..