I discovered a cheaper alternative to expensive winter melon tea from tea places. Approximately four liters of winter melon drink prepared at home can cost you only 80 pesos, the price of one winter melon tea drink at tea shops.

I was exited to see the fragrant blocks infused with caramelized sugar at Bee Tin Chinese deli store along Ongpin St. in Binondo.

I tried dissolving one cube (one-fourth) in approximately a pitcher of water and let it boil, as instructed by  the cashier at Bee Tin (not the same as the Eng Bee Tin hopia and tikoy store). With lots of ice, you can’t tell the difference between the homemade and the store-bought winter melon tea, promise.

Iced wintermelon drink is very refreshing, most especially during the hotter months.

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Cibo opened at the Lucky Chinatown Mall and the thought of squid ink pasta runs circles in my mind no matter if space was sick. I had to walk around the mall for one hour, go fetch my sis-in-law at the apartment and walk back to the mall and it was a nostalgic reunion with squid ink pasta.

The cruelest food to eat ever! So unforgiving, you can’t say cheese and you have to act dumb until you reach a wash room! But it was so damn good! Cibo’s linguine al nero di seppia  still ecstasizes up to this day!

My sis-in-law had a light pollo tramezzini. We delighted in the palate tickling spinaci zola in between mouthfuls of the entrées.

Service didn’t disappoint. I had a major accident at the first Glorietta branch when Cibo was relatively new. Because the place was spilling over, the waiter tripped and my blouse was stained, but they gave us the best dessert as a consolation. All for the love of good food, I was kind.

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The father of the Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement (LEAD), Reny Tan, presents a sandboard to the Mayor of Laoag City, Hon. Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas. It was in Ilocos Norte’s capital, Laoag City, on its indigenous rolling sand dunes, that the rising culture of sandboarding was born.

The board sport on sand innovated by the LEAD Movement in Barangay La Paz is attracting tourists from all over the country and across the globe. It has since been featured internationally (in shows like NBC’s Today) and was listed in top global travel guide books such as Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and the first edition of Insight Guides.

Ilocos Sand Boarding by the LEAD Movement is turning five on August 2 this year.

Young Ilocano artist MJ Ruiz was commissioned by LEAD Movement to do the artwork.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

A favorite relaxing and pampering place in Laoag, The Nail Lounge, just celebrated its first year. I was sent a yummy almond doughnut in a gold box. Congratulations and warm wishes to the kind owners, Claire and Sheena, and their nice and efficient staff. With thanks.

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The first Sun Soaked on the warm sandy beaches of Cabugao and Magsingal brought both jolt and encouragement to the otherwise serene coastal villages at the northern end of Ilocos Sur. Without much fanfare prior to its staging, the festival of sea, sand and sun challenges that included kiteboarding, surfing, beach volleyball, frisbee and dragon boat racing was able to attract droves of beach sports enthusiasts from the National Capital Region and the capital of beach events, where else but Boracay?

I lingered at the Cabugao Beach Resort to cheer for the PDRT Fireblades, one among the country’s leading dragon boat teams that made the 8 slots for the first ever dragon boat race on the shores of Ilocos. The race was held in cooperation with the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation, headed by Ms. Jonne Go.

As head organizer of Sun Soaked, Congressman Ronald Singson of the 1st District of Ilocos Sur mingled with the participants, and along with brother Gov. Ryan Singson, they hosted an after beach party and concert following the awarding ceremonies.

Cong. Ronald said when asked if Sun Soaked is the start of more sports activities to come in Ilocos Sur, “Yes, this is going to be a yearly thing. With our many beautiful beaches, we see the potentials of fun events in Ilocos Sur.”

Looking back, Ilocos Sur has successfully organized individual sports competitions, particularly motocross and enduro dirt bike challenges.

I crossed paths with the Sports Unlimited team covering the events. Hahah, first, it was Gene, the executive producer. Only until Marc Nelson holds the mic before the camera, he is incognito as always. I was happy the super friendly host remembers me and my family. The last time we hosted him and Dyan Castellejo in Norte was almost a decade ago.

A monk blesses the dragon boats on Pug-os Beach.

With Duch Gamboa-Co and Pinky Co, supportive mom to PDRT Fireblades paddlers Duch and Phil.

Moody winds threatened the races. La Salle’s boat overturned at one point, but made it back to the race.

Manila Wave beat Boracay All Stars at the 300m dragon boat race. PYROS came in close third while Manila Dragons made the 4th top spot.

Being an adventure junkie myself, looking forward to experience more action-packed events in the years to come.

Happy Kannawidan, Ilocos Sur!

Phil Co, an Ilocano paddler.

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The weather’s back to normal in Ilocos, woohoo! A few more weeks and summer starts.

{Mango voile button down, Cotton On pajama shorts, Coach satchel, Saltwater sandals,
Hamptons Heartbreak sunnies}

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

Parabanne Mendoza and Arjuna Saulo, the best coaches in the country’s MTB scene, will be in Laoag on February 8, 2014, to conduct a bike clinic to help you reach your race goals and riding skills. The one-day course will take place on the lofty trails of Lagui-Sail.

Registration fee is P500. For inquiries, contact the Batibols Bikers (Jackie de la Cruz or Edzel Bargas) here.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

Sharing with you photos of Martine and Lourence’s wedding officiated by Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas. I tell you the mayora is so cool…. smiles and laughter in the room.

Congrats to the both of you!
 
Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

In the blog, I’ve been encouraging adventure since its inception. Don’t believe me when I say “stay curious”, but listen to me when I say “stay curious and safe.”

Sometimes we learn safety by accident. Two people close to the family had a brush with death at separate instances. Both loved life. I believe God is the ultimate architect of our lives, yet he gives us options. We can choose to take the safest risk. Or we can choose to say “no” and not feel sorry.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

Cha misua, a traditional light-but-festive Chinese food as the first meal of the day for someone who’s celebrating a birthday, is believed to symbolize long life.

It was my late mother-in-law who, without fail, prepared the birthday noodles whenever someone was turning a year older in the family. This morning, we made cha misua for the hubby and several platters more to share with his friends.

It’s not a simple dish to make, but it turned out fun because I helped Lynne color the eggs and arrange the toppings. The hubby says we should start accepting orders:) Hahah, aging with you. Happy birthday!

Posting the recipe for everyone.

Ingredients per platter (good for 6 servings):

1 liter chicken stock
1 box misua
1 cup fresh shrimps
1/2 cup boiled shrimps, shelled and deveined (for garnishing)
1 cup kidney and liver, sliced
1 cup chicken breast
1/2 cup squid or special fish balls, sliced
2 cups Chinese cabbage
1 cup carrots, julienned
1 cup shiitake mushrooms (washed, soaked in hot water and sliced)
1/2  cup roasted peanuts
3 tbsps fried red onions
2 tbsps fresh garlic
10 pcs quail eggs
red food coloring

Preparation:

Boil chicken breast in water. Add salt to suit your taste. Shred chicken and set aside. Boil misua in the same chicken stock for two minutes, drain and set aside.

Saute garlic in 3 tbsps oil. Add fresh shrimps and cook until color turns pink. Follow with kidney and liver and stir. Throw in squid balls, chicken and mushrooms until cooked.  Stir in vegetables. Add one cup of used chicken stock and leave to boil. Season with salt.

Arrange cooked misua in platter and top with sauteed ingredients, roasted peanuts, cooked shrimps, colored quail eggs and fried red onions.

You may garnish with chopped spring onion leaves if desired.

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Souvenirs are more than the kitschy stuff that they really are. If I like a place, I bring home something to remind me of the awesomeness that is difficult to part with. Just like on my first trip to Cebu in the 90s, I bought a Cebu t-shirt from Islands Souvenirs. It was novel back then ‘coz they had the brand only in Cebu.

Fast forward to the present, the Islands Souvenirs at Robinsons Ilocos in San Nicolas beams at me. They’re still cool! Could you guess what I just bought?

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I thought of posting my beauty and wellness picks that make the cut. I also uncovered my friends’ best-kept secrets. When we delve into the world of beauty, we will realize there is such a thing as “hiyang.” What works for me may not work for you or the other way around.

Hair Salons

Erika Frances

The staff at the newly renovated Erika Frances salon for men and women are nice and pleasant. I like hairstylists who focus on what they are supposed to do which is cut or color hair based on a consultation with the client. After all, it is the customer who will be wearing the look. Jessie Domingo’s good work ethics and training from top Manila professionals are his strengths as senior stylist of the salon. He does fab makeup as well.

Everything is Orly and Essie if you want your nails done, plus they have a nail dryer, which is important when you’re in a hurry.

Ericka Frances is at the Cristina II Building beside Enrico’s supermarket along Gen. Luna Street. Look for Jess or Alpha. Local phone number is 077-6707619 .

David’s Salon

If you like a David’s Salon anywhere else, you will perhaps like the David’s Salon at the SM Hypermart in Laoag.  It is a full service salon with a staff trained by Mr. David Charlton himself. Receiving a mini massage that goes with every service is a perk. To boot, they don’t scrimp on shampoo:)

Another David’s Salon is located at the 2nd level of Robinsons Ilocos, San Nicolas.

Queenie’s

Ms. Mely Tagatac-Lao is the hands on owner of Queenie’s (formerly Queen’s). Over the years, they have built a loyal clientele. Very convenient for people on the go, Queenie’s closes quite late, a nice factor other salons fail to realize.

Quennie’s is on western Rizal St, beside Town Bakery.

Red-G Salon

Reggie is known for edgy cuts and hair tattoo. He has his own salon located along S. Hernando Avenue near the RCJ Lines terminal. A lot of students and young professionals I know go to him for regular cuts.

Star Salon

The old F Salon (on S. Hernando Ave.) is now Star Salon. Adir is back! I like the way he styles pixie hair, short yet feminine. Usually, a stylist who works well with short hair also works well with long hair. Star Salon uses L’oreal color which is a plus. Don’t you love glossy color that is gentler and lasts longer on the hair?

Ramir

This is another shop that closes late, even later like 9 PM.

Ramir trained under the late George Bantolino. From my observation, the professional stylist specializes in layered looks. Well-heeled individuals seek his services, but it doesn’t mean he is expensive.  You’d normally find students and his neighbors in his little shop on Castro Avenue, near the Kids Kollege.

Cut

Jolan is so good with hip boy cuts. He knows his blades well. I go to him when I want buzzed sides. The Cut is on Rizal St., fronting One.O.Five.

Makeup

Mara’s Crib Beauty Center

Mara Manuel is such a celebrity makeup artist in Ilocos. In the biz for 5 years now, she’s done memorable weddings and photo shoots in Ilocos. The young professional has become so adept with the airbrush makeup technique. Women of all ages love her color palette which is far from the wild side. Interestingly, she can do elaborate looks just as good.

She’s also an events planner, a beauty consultant and a personality development trainor.

Find Mara’s Crib in Brgy. 10, along Lagasca St. in front of the Dingras terminal. Save her cellphone numbers, 0908-1200447 / 0908-8626835.

Nail Care

The Nail Lounge

There’s only one salon I go to for professional gel manicure and it’s The Nail Lounge.

On evenings when I want mani/pedi, the salon is there to rely on. They have popular nail polish brands like China Glaze, Zoya, Essie, OPI, Orly, The Face Shop, Revlon and my fave, KleanColor, which usually lasts a good 2-3 weeks. Kids will adore their non-toxic sunny colors.

For those who desire nail art and nail caviar, The Nail Lounge does anything that’s new and fab. Try their velvet tips. I also recommend their milk or peppermint signature foot spa.

The Nail Lounge is on Gen. Luna St., near the Fariñas Caltex Station. Call them: 077-6703631 / 0917-5743362.

Ellitoes Hand and Foot Care Center

If you prefer mani and pedi under dim lights, Ellitoes is consistently quiet and softly lit. I like it pleasant and relaxing. Even without requesting, the staff would readily offer a blanket or cover for the legs. If you need to have body massage, mani-pedi and foot scrub, all in one session, Ellitoes is the place to go. Check them out at 65 Rizal St (near Papa Pau’s Diner), or give them a ring on this number, (077) 670 4281.

Spas

Garry’s Traditional Thai Massage

From afar, you’d think Garry’s Traditional Thai Massage is unreal. But not until you’ve tried one of their signature massage services. I always get a combination of different massages like foot, body and back. Everything is discounted if you go in before 6 PM. They close at midnight. Be forewarned that there are no beds around.

Luis Clinic and MedSpa

Friends swear by their foot spa. I’ve tried it myself and I sank in a dream. The treatment rooms are really nice. The spa offers facial and special body massages and treatments. Prices are a bit on the expensive side because it is a medical spa.

Personal Grooming

Helena Felice Salon and Spa

Helena Felice Salon and Spa offers a plethora of beauty treatments, but I usually go there for waxing. I just had another underarm waxing today. Ericke, when she was based here, also frequented the straightforward salon for waxing treatments. The minty goo they use leaves the skin soothed. I’ve tried other salons before, but I always go back to this one. Visit Helena Felice on P. Acosta Street.

REM’s Beauty Parlor

I heard a lot of good things about the threading and waxing treatments from REM’s. I actually went there today, but they were closed, maybe for a house call. Would you believe it was a guy who tipped me off? The shop is on Gen. Segundo Ave. (Bacarra Rd.).

Skin Care

There are two skin specialists that made the list. First, because they both attract a wide clientele. Second, they are up-to-date when it comes to treatments and services. And let us not discount the fact that both are licensed doctors.

Dr. Merely Naidas
Merely Naidas Skin Clinic
Giron St. (South of Kingdom Hall of Jehojah’s Witnesses), Laoag City
077-771 3497

Dr. Pia Castillo-Luis
Skin Clinic and MedSpa
One.O.Five, Rizal St. (with  a branch on P. Gomez St.,Laoag City)
+63 77 771 3385

Others

To complete this post, here are the other relevant names when it comes to staying physically attractive. But then again, beauty is only skin deep.

Vanity Play at Red Dot

The one and only store in Laoag that carries imported drugstore and high end brands and upcoming quality local beauty brands as well as makeup tools is Vanity Play inside Red Dot. I always get dizzy choosing from the select items on display. Where else can you snatch a Tom Ford lipstick or a Beautyblender?  You have to see for yourself. Red Dot is on F. R. Castro Avenue near the foot of the bridge.

Zumba Class by Nenuca Corpuz

I stay away from gyms in Laoag. Firstly, I’d rather go hike somewhere or just walk around the city. There’s this fitness class, though, that is attracting a lot of ladies in Laoag. I went to check the 3rd floor of the CAP Building and it seems like a well-ventilated space to do a fitness routine.

Have a nice time, everyone!

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True serendipity. If not for my uncle JBoy Abadilla, I wouldn’t have known Banna makes very good otap, a flaky sugared pastry.  He served it at his home when we visited him today and I couldn’t wait to check out the source, right in his own backyard.

A few houses away is Monette’s Bakery which is your typical corner bakery that makes tinapay. You wouldn’t normally find the otap on the shelves but in an “orocan.” Mrs. Imelda Marcos and many Bataquenos are good customers, the owner says.

The Banna otap is made of crispy thin phyllo, which resembles the delicate quality of arguellanas. We all loved the lightness of this otap. Bought an “exagge” of 50 packs . When you head east, try visiting Monette’s Bakery on Zamora Street.

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At 8 AM in the Laoag City Hall, the auditorium was getting filled with more and more boys. I didn’t see any girls except for the guest speaker who was seated right next to me.  What was I doing in a DotA tournament? No one at home plays DotA, so I went to see why the online battle is getting to be the archenemy of a lot of parents and girlfriends.

In  her message, 22 year-old Mikee Fariñas (the President of the Association of Barangay Councils and the youngest member the city council has ever had) said that DotA is “not intended for pastime only, but a test of the agility of the mind.”

I went around the hall. I asked one gamer, what is it about DotA that he likes? “It is a game of strategy and teamwork.”

I asked 13 year-old Alvin Daquioag if his parents knew he was a challenger in the Laoag City Cyber League. “Yes,” he said. But he also said, he plays on his laptop only after school for about two hours as a break before making his homework assignment.”

Ronel Razon, an Information Technology student spends more time on the net than Alvin, four hours of DotA in the morning before going to school. “It’s basically a good balance of both,” he said.

I went back to the hall four times within a span of 13 hours and no two teams yet were in the final defense.

The Potchie Gaming team.

The first ever live DotA tournament in these parts, the Laoag City Cyber League DotA 2 Season One, was hosted by the Laoag City Hall IT division, headed by Mr. Franz Felipe.

Marc Nicolas, head of  the  organizing committee shared that the coveted shield was made by tattoo artist Janer Santos and Alfredo Ronquillo of San Nicolas.

At city level (for the fiesta), it was quite an exhausting battle of battles. The brownout was causing some delays. By 9 PM, the room was half-filled. I didn’t get to see who among the 44 participating teams was handed the Aegis shield.

If there is something I earned at the DotA challenge, it is the first-hand view into DotA — that it is a better way of spending time on the net than, say, stalking, bullying other netizens or simply slacking. But just like any other thing in life, too much of it is trouble.

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I managed to collect a few photos of the Laoag City fiesta in 3 days.

At a provincial event late last year, I received a media pass from the media office at the capitol. I entered with a paid ticket though. I appreciated so much the effort of the organizers to put a sense of orderliness and purpose into public gatherings such as that one.

At the Street Pageantry on Rizal Street today, like last year’s bummer, I witnessed an air of arrogance from at least two city hall employees. One has been notoriously haughty since he assumed office as a division head. On the loud speaker, people who were not official photographers were asked to get out of the way. The other one is a power-tripping CSG who asked me and some students (peacefully squatted on the ground near the stage), “Ada nakem yo?”  Though how much I’d like to put so much positivity into this post, I cannot tolerate such an overbearing bigotry.

Diplomacy is something the city leaders should try to instill into the minds of public servants. These two employees live on taxpayers’ money, what a shame. Laoag is our city too.

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“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and can coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are…” Author Ernest Hemingway couldn’t have said it better.

In downhill racing, it’s a whole new ball game. Speed is as important as balance and focus.

Downhill mountain bike tutorials are a great way of improving riding techniques. Coach Parabanne “Bans” Mendoza, with wife Athena, and Coach Arjuna Saulo love what they do. That is go around the country and teach kids to ride properly. The former Philippine team downhillers were in town recently.  They trained 10 young riders. I think I heard Coach Bans say there is a way to grip the handlebar. But first he checked if they were wearing their helmets right.

Family support was visible in Lagui-Sail, like Niki Domingo’s dad Nelson was there the entire day. I also saw a mom driving her sons to the trail. I left early, failing to see the kids bring their bikes to the hill and pedal down fast with more confidence.

The tiny boys in the barrio were also listening intently.

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Calling all  badminton enthusiasts out there!
In celebration of the Laoag City Fiesta,  the Badminton Bikers Group and City of Laoag invite you to the 2014 Pamulinawen Badminton Tournament on February 22, Saturday, 1 PM at the David’s Sports and Fitness Center, Brgy. Barit, Laoag City.

Check out banner for details.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

For two nights in a row, Eugene was an origami machine. I hope someday he brings his art to another level.

Check out the net for instructional videos on a variety of origami roses.

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If you think you’ve never heard of a Hotel Luna in Vigan before, it is because it officially opened just a few weeks ago. From the outside, you would mistake the newly painted old-and-simple-but-massive-structure for a villa or just another heritage hotel which is regulatory in the city that cares so much about heritage preservation.

A breath of fresh air greets you at the entrance. By Vigan standards, it feels queer in a beautiful way, I mean heritage with a twist — little modernities here and there and yet within the bounds of the city’s mantra.

Built in 1882, the property was a former residence, a gift of Ilocos Sur’s affluent Don Jose Florentino to his daughter.

From the roof deck, a fresh perspective of Vigan’s mansions and the St. Paul Cathedral.

Hotel Luna, named after the celebrated Ilocano painter Juan Luna, is the only luxury hotel in Vigan and the only museum hotel in Northern Luzon. A marriage of both worlds, it is not just a museum of antiquities, but a gallery of contemporary art as well. Artworks by national artists and remarkable painters speak so much about the art leanings of the owners, the same family that own Rembrandt Hotel in Manila and Le Monet in Baguio. You’d find an Amorsolo, Juan Lunas, a painting by Cory Quirino and so much more. Something we were forbidden to see is a roomful of precious art pieces — very private, according to our very engaging tour guide Melvin Martinez.

Rooms are posh. Soft upholstered headboards punctuate loft suites and the deluxe, superior and standard rooms, while a four poster and a porcelain bathtub make the low-key executive suite. A paradigm shift is de riguer in the bar and the outside spaces.

The warmth of the place is inviting. I live next door so to speak, but I’d love to experience an overnight stay in Vigan and it would be my first if ever.

The hotel manager, Robert Ferrer, at the Chula Bar. Btw, he was so accommodating.

The  eye-catching  3D historical mural was done by world-famous artist Rene Robles. Along with the country’s art gliterati, he was at the hotel’s inauguration early this month.

La Mandolinera (The Violin Player) by Juan Luna.

*With special thanks to Mr. Robert Ferrer, Melvin Martinez and the rest of the wonderful staff.

Hotel Luna V. de los Reyes cor. Gem Luna Sts, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines 2700 Tel No.: 632 373 3333 loc 201 email: sales.artstream@gmail.com http://www.hotelluna.ph

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

When life gives you pink flowers, wear them in your heart.

A happy Monday, everyone!

{Cotton On peony print button-down, Plaiins and Prints lace shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Toki tote,
Trunk Show Manila sandals, Mango sunnies}

 © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014