Tutubi checked in to a "beach resort in Pampanga" inside a sprawling export processing zone and found a sport where you can play beach volleyball on white sand. Can you guess where this is?

More details to follow




coconut trees, white sand beach and a lake


beach volleyball, anyone?

As of this time, Tutubi is still in transition phase. He's been very busy these past two years at work and just recently transferred from Makati to Pasig City to cut his travel time in half.

He'll post more as his backlog is quite long already!

he'll also celebrate nine years of travel blogging (he's been blogging for more than ten years now actually)

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Hotels and Resorts, Pampanga

A project of the Department of Tourism and the national Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP, formerly the National Historical Institute (NHI)) in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the country's national hero, Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail Project (Lakbay Jose Rizal) requires "amazing race" participants to secure Lakbay Rizal passport, visit all 27 places Jose Rizal visited and have "visas" stamped on the Rizal@150 passport. The first 100 people to complete the list of 27 sites shall receive a token from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Herewith is the list of places Jose Rizal visited required you too visit to complete the Lakbay Rizal heritage trail. Note that Tutubi has been to all Rizal Shrines except 4 on the list. If only there's crediting of previous visits to the various Jose Rizal Shrines, Tutubi would have almost completed the list by now :(

Please read the individual blog posts provided to see information about the Rizal site's historical significance, how to get there, and other information e.g. entrance fees and museum hours. (Note all of these sites are present on OpenStreetMap, where you can browse the map to get an idea on how to get there (or download it to your PC then install to your Garmin GPS Navigators)

Destinations and Stamp Sites

National Capital Region

1. Prison Cell and Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago, Manila

on the floor of Rizal Shrine narrates the last day of the hero, Tutubi's freedom loving French friends "fell in love" with Rizal when he took them there after a brief tour of Luneta and the National Museum

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 40.3 E120 58 11.0
How to Get to Fort Santiago

2. Chapel Cell of Rizal, Fort Santiago, Manila

just outside Rizal Shrine but without a roof

How to Get to Fort Santiago

3. Site of the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, Anda cor. Sta. Lucia St., Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros which included the previous location of Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now the Clamshell building) where Rizal started formal schooling

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 22.0 E120 58 23.7

WARNING: If you have an SLR/DSLR, be prepared to be harassed by the "Guardia Civil" of the Intramuros Administration (IA) who still have the medieval thinking that SLR cameras are for professional photographers only thus require you apply for a "permit to shoot" for a fee. A tourist spot promoted by the DOT and yet you can't take a souvenir picture with an SLR to share with friends for the world to "like." The rule is applied inconsitently where Tutubi was harrased by security guards for taking pictures of Manila Catheral and yet left a foreign tourist alone taking photos of the same Intramuros landmark. Such is the shame here, Jose Rizal would have cried out loud for such archaic and discriminatory practice against the indios of today.

The NHCP, however, through the forward mindset of Prof. Ambeth Ocampo, now allow photography at their shrines, thus the various pictures of Rizal Shrines on this post.

4. Site of the University of Santo Tomas, Banco Filipino Building., A. Soriano cor. Solana Sts., Intramuros, Manila

Everybody knows Rizal didn't get straight "sobresaliente" grades here in Medical school, one subject even had a passing grade

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 36.4 E120 58 27.1

5. Site of Trial of Rizal, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Gen. Luna cor. Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila

The current site of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila was where Jose Rizal was first tried in a court martial.

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 11.7 E120 58 39.1

6. Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd, Burgos, Kalaw and Taft Avenues, Manila

7. Rizal Monument, Roxas Blvd, Manila

Do you still need a picture of this one? :P

Coordinates: N14 34 54.6 E120 58 37.5

8. Rizal Execution Site (Light and Sound Museum), Roxas Blvd, Manila

the actual site of Rizal's execution is inside the present Light and Sound Museum at the Luneta Park

GPS Coordinates: N14 34 58.2 E120 58 35.4

9. Rizal Fountain, Roxas Blvd, Manila

this is the Wilhemsfeld Fountain transferred from Germany to Luneta, where Rizal drank water while he stayed there

GPS Coordinates: N14 34 50.7 E120 58 39.5

10. Paco Park, San Marcelino and Gen. Luna Sts., Paco, Manila

the cemetery where Rizal was buried in an unmarked grave. click the link above to get directions on how to get there

Coordinates: N14 34 54.0 E120 59 19.5

Region III – Central Luzon

11. San Fernando Train Station, Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Fernando, Pampanga

In a few weeks, expect a picture of this historic train station that played a vital part during the Bataan Death March of WW II

Coordinates: N15 01 36.6 E120 41 12.4

12. Kamestisuhan District (Women of Malolos Marker/ Bautista House), Sto. Niño St., Malolos, Bulacan

Tutubi may have to re-visit a lot he acquired in Malolos (Woodlands of Grand Royale) and probably Barasoain Church to justify visiting this one. Read more about Kamestisuhan by Traveler on Foot


Region IV – Calabarzon

13. Rizal Shrine, J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

Tutubi's been here twice but he has no picture good enough for posting here. This How to Get to Rizal Shrine Calamba can be of help though.

Coordinates: N14 12 49.1 E121 09 59.9

14. Calamba Church (San Juan Bautista Church), J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

The church in Calamba (St. John the Baptist Parish) where the young Jose Rizal was baptized a Catholic

Coordinates: N14 12 49.7 E121 10 01.7

15. National Shrine of our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church), Oliveros St., Antipolo City

Just in time, Tutubi is scheduled to buy a new car, and may have to have it blessed here like his dear Sakura :P

Waypoints/GPS Coordinates: N14 35 15.6 E121 10 35.2

Region V – Bicol Region

16. Rizal Monument, Magallanes and Justo Lukban Streets, Daet, Camarines Norte

Visited twice already by Tutubi, this is the first Jose Rizal monument, erected in 1898. A third visit coming in a month or two

Region VI – Western Visayas

17. Molo Church (St. Anne’s Parish) and Escolta, Jocson and San Marcos Sts., Molo District, Iloilo City

Tutubi's been to Iloilo where he stayed at Sarabia Manor Hotel during the early fight of Pacquio at the Fort. Was only able to visit Jaro Cathedral, went to Roxas City (Capiz) then flew to Cebu the following day.

Coordinates: N10 41 51.0 E122 32 40.9


Region VII – Central Visayas

18. Dumaguete City

Been here in 2003 (or 2004) in very limited time but only explored nearby Siquijor Island. Wonder where to have the Rizal passport stamped in this city

19. Fort San Pedro, Pier Area, Cebu City

visited by Tutubi in 2003 but no "bloggable" pictures still even if he's been to Cebu countless times already.


Coordinates: N10 17 33.0 E123 54 20.2

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

20. Rizal Shrine and Waterworks of Rizal, Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City

photo of Rizal's house in Dapitan (yeah, NHI chairman Ambeth Ocampo should be informed that those NHI markers obstruct the view). The woman in white, not a nun but a member of a Rizalist sect worshiping Rizal as a God doing, does volunteer work in maintaining the shrine.

A pool of water that comprise Jose Rizal's aqueduct that supplied potable water to Dapitan, a feat of water works engineering well ahead of his time according to modern day enngineers

21. Dapitan Plaza, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

a drive-by picture of Dapitan Plaza, thus slightly blurred. note the Rizal Monument on the background

22. Site of the Casa Real, Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

The historical marker reads: "This is the site of the Casa Real, official residence and administration building of the politico-military governor of the district. Here, Jose Rizal lived as an exile from July 17, 1892 to March 1893 when he was transferred to Talisay, now the Rizal Dapitan Shrine."

23. Dapitan Church, City Hall Drive, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Dapitan Church with a partial view of Jose Rizal's map of Mindanao
Dapitan Church

24. Relief Map of Mindanao, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Relief Map of Mindanao was built by Rizal just in front of Dapitan Church. (Tutubi tried to take an aerial picture of this map but the stairs to the Dapitan Church belfry were closed)

25. Santa Cruz Beach, Punto del Disembarko de Rizal en Dapitan, Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City

the fiery sunset on Sta. cruz Beach on Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City. A dilapidated marker (at the time of Tutubi's visit) is just along the road

26. Dipolog Cathedral, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Dipolog Cathedral visited by Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. Church altar said to be designed by Jose Rizal. The building facade recently had a facelift that Jose Rizal himself would not recognize as it's very much different from the original

Coordinates: N8 35 9 E123 20 44

27. Rizal Farm, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte

Of all the 27 sites, this may be the hardest one to reach. Katipunan town is south of Dapitan and Dipolog, the twin cities of Zamboanga del Norte. No information yet on the interwebs on how to get there or how it actually looks like

Lastly, did you know that Tutubi was able to visit two sites related to Jose Rizal in Hong Kong, the first one's the site of clinic (on D'Aguilar Street) and the second one's his home where he stayed on Rednaxela Terrace (the long escalator).

Probably next year, he'll also explore the places Jose Rizal visited in Singapore.

Labels: Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cebu, Cebu City, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Jose Rizal, Laguna, Manila, Negros Oriental, Pampanga, Zamboanga del Norte

Live crucifixion re-enactments in the Philippines are always sensationalized by foreign media in the Philippines making foreigners believe the practice is prevalent in the Philippines. This coming Good Friday, throngs of curious people, tourists and foreign media will once again troop to a place in Pampanga called San Pedro Cutud to witness people flagellating themselves before being crucified on an improvised Golgotha complete with wooden crosses and stainless-steel nails driven on their palms and feet.

Note that the people submit to crucifixion for decades now as a form of penitence. The practice though is not really sanctioned by the Catholic Church.

Photo of actual crucified man in San Pedro Cutud (photo by Sidney Snoeck, used with permission)

For more pictures of the live crucifixions, check out Sidney Snoeck's blog about it here (Sidney is a Belgian who now calls the Philippines his second home)

For those wishing to personally witness the bloody event, herewith is the schedule and instructions on how to get to the crucifixion sites.

Live crucifixion Schedule April 10, 2009 Good Friday Holy Week 2009:

Barangay San Juan: 9am to 12nn
Barangay Sta. Lucia: 10am to 12nn
Barangay San Pedro Cutud: 12nn to 3pm

How to get to Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga:

Driving directions to Cutud: take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) exiting via San Fernando going left towards San Fernando city proper. Turn left under the San Fernando flyover to MacArthur Highway. When you reach a fork on the right with a statue (the so called rotonda), choose the right road (Gen Hizon) that leads to Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando (Coordinates: 15°1'42"N 120°41'34"E), and San Fernando City Hall on Consunji St.. Turn left on Sta. Lucia St then follow the road map to Cutud below (map provided by the Government of San Fernando City):



It takes time to figure out the map, to aid in deciphering it, you may refer to the road map via Wikimapia(centered on San fernando City Hall), click here. Should you get lost, ask people for directions (The local government of San Fernando should install street signs and assign traffic aides to guide people to the place).

How to commute to Cutud:

Commuting to Cutud on Good Friday may be a hassle as bus trips are mostly erratic due to lack of passengers in Metro Manila. Nevertheless, you may board a bus of Victory Liner (on EDSA Pasay or Cubao). Get off the Victory Liner Terminal in San Fernando then transfer to a jeep, tricycle to San Pedro Cutud.

Related Posts:

Holy Week in Paete, Laguna
Manila Visita Iglesia

Labels: Central Luzon, Holy Week, Pampanga

In World History, people remember the fateful day of October 20, 1944 synonymous with the well-rehearsed and publicized landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the beach of Palo, Leyte and the great Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history between the Imperial Japanese Navy against the massive US fleet and some Australian vessels.

Lesser known than the much-publicized landing of the megalomaniacal general, together with the diminutive Carlos P. Romulo ,wading on the beach, was the birth of the flying human bombs, dubbed the Kamikaze, meaning divine wind in Japanese, that was very successful, at first, in hitting their targets, until the Americans found ways to neutralize them later in the war.

On a recent trip to Pampanga, Tutubi, aided by a map from Wikimapia, searched for a former airstrip constructed by the Americans during "peace time" and used by the Japanese during World War II. The old runway is now gone, nearby however is the toll gate of the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. To commemorate the historic significance of the place, the Kamikaze Peace Shrine and Memorial was constructed on the site of the former airstrip.

the sign at the gate of memorial shrine. there are also two huge markers ont the entrance walls, one in Japanese, the other in English, with the words in full below.

the monument of the Kamikaze airman with fresh flowers probably laid by Japanese tourists
the memorial shrine with the Philippine flag and the old flag rising sun of imperian Japan. (Notice the drop of water on the lens that Tutubi didn't remove by Photoshop :P )

The entrance of the shrine is "guarded" by a torii gate, traditional Japanese gates of Shinto Shrines. After 4 "classic" shots, rain fell and Tutubi had to scamper back to his car to save his camera from getting drenched.

the torii gate of the shrine taken from inside the car.

Lt. Seki, the first confirmed Kamikaze pilot, before his historic suicide mission wrote: "Japan's future is bleak if it is forced to kill one of its best pilots. I am not going on this mission for the Emperor or for the Empire... I am going because I was ordered to!" He was also heard say "It is better to die, rather than to live as a coward."

Such is the spirit of the Kamikaze, death before dishonor, the way of the ancient Samurai and the Bushido Code...

For Tutubi, all he can say of the Kamikaze are these two words: NEVER AGAIN!

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The historical marker reads:

"Kamikaze East Airfield Peace Memorial

This spot is the central frontage of the very first Japanese Kamikaze Airfield during World War II, the Mabalacat East Airfield. On 20 October 1944, Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi founded the Kamikaze at Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island. The first to volunteer were 23 fliers of the 201st Air Fleet, Imperial Nippon Naval Air Force under Capt. Sakae Yamamoto, then stationed at Mabalacat. This first Kamikaze group was called the Shinpu Special Attack Corp under Lt. Yukio Seki. The corps was divided into four units: the Shikishima Unit, the Yamato Unit; the Asahi Unit, and the Yamazakura Unit. At 0725 hrs. on 25 October 1944, the Shikishima unit took off from Mabalacat led by Lt. Yukio Seki. His men were Sgt. Iwao Nakano, Sgt. Nobuotami, Em 1/C Hajime Nagamine and Em 2/C Shigeo Oguro At 1045 hrs., on the said date, the unit hit enemy targets near the Gulf of Leyte. Lt. Seki's plane hit first, blowing up the U.S. Carrier St. Lo which sank 20 minutes later. Lt. Seki's men also hit and heavily damaged the U.S. Carriers: Kalinin Bay, Kitkun Bay, Sangamon, Santee, Suwanee and White Plains. This first successful Kamikaze Mission was witnessed, then reported by C/WO Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, Japan's greatest pilot, to Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Nakajima in Cebu Air Base of the 201st Airgroup. War Historians considered Lt. Yukio Seki as the "The World's First Official Human Bomb!"

N.B.

The Mabalacat Tourism Office (MTO) supports the establishment of the Kamikaze Peace Memorial not for the glorification of the Kamikaze but rather for the promotion of goodwill, peace, and friendship among nations. The Memorial serves as a reminder that the Kamikaze phenomenon should never happen again.

Whereas, the once dusty and serene town of Mabalacat is recorded in the annals of war in the Pacific theater during the Second World War as the birthplace of the Kamikaze phenomenon;

Whereas, the people of Mabalacat were innocent victims caught in a senseless war between foreign powers for world supremacy;

Whereas, the cause and demise of of the Kamikaze pilots is an important part of liberative struggle of the Mabalaquenos and the entire Filipino nation to unchain the fetters that bind them;

Whereas, the establishment of the Kamikaze monument which would not only serve as a cruel reminder of the horrors and senselessness of war, but is likely to boost tourism and sense of history in the area; and

Wherefore, the declaration of Clarkfield-Mabalacat, Pampanga on October 1998 as "A City of World Peace" is a continuing effort to secure lasting and enduring peace for all mankind thorughout the world, irrespective of nations and races.

Signed: Guy "Indra" Hilbero
Mabalacat Tourism Office
WWII Researcher"

Note:
There is a so-called Kamikaze Museum maintained by the Kamikaze Memorial Society of the Philippines (KAMESO), in nearby Angeles City but Tutubi has yet to visit the place. Various World War II mementos of the Kamikaze pilots of Japan and different helmets used by the Axis and Allied powers of World War II are said to be on display.

How to get there:

Driving Directions: From NLEX, exit at Dau, but do not cross the bridge going to Tarlac, instead drive towards the Mabalacat arch until you see the end of road leading to a public market then turn right. It's just along MacArthur Highway and a few meters after the exit gates of SCTEx.

Commute: There are buses going to Mabalacat Pampanga or Angeles City. In Mabalacat, transfer to a Capas-bound jeepney where you will pass by the shrine near the boundary of Bamban, Tarlac.

There are two other events on the 20th of October very significant to this blog. Can anyone guess what they are?

神風 第二次世界大戦

Labels: Central Luzon, Luzon, Pampanga, World War II

After all the hot air balloons were no longer visible on the horizon, Tutubi didn't bother to watch the skydiving, helicopter maneuvers and aerial acrobatics for they're already hungry and Tutubi's camera battery lost juice earlier than usual. Decided instead to go for an impromptu food trip of the city of Angels i.e. Angeles City.

First stop: Razon's Halo-halo, not the original branch in Guagua and Angeles City, but a stall inside the grounds of the fiesta. Ordered the usual halo-halo, dinuguan and puto. The halo-halo was its usual sweet sensation but the dinuguan was disappointing.

Next stop: Zapata's Cantina Mexicano, an authentic Mexican restaurant near Field's avenue, the (in)famous red light district of Angeles City. Ordered a simple nachos, a simple one sprinkled with jalapeno and black olives with cheese dip (it's simple and lacks the hot punch Tutubi is always looking for). The burrito filled with shredded beef and beans was great however. Didn't order pizza and pasta for there's a long list of other restaurants to "conquer."

Third detour: the visit to Susie's Cuisine at Nepo Mart was interrupted by the magnetic charm of Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) where delectable desserts of mango and pistachio ice cream.

Near FIC and beside Nepo Mall, the ice cream was further "pushed" down by a sampler of Armando's Pizza at the Historic Old Camalig Restaurant, an old grains depot converted to a quiant restaurant with "old world" feel. The pizza, unique to Pampanga, features Kapampangan longganiza, salted duck eggs (ebun buru), onions and pickle relish and proclaims it as the "pambansang pizza (national pizza)." The pizza, when ordered for take use a native bilao which good for their environment advocacy.

The pitstop: Susie's Cuisine, famous for the best kakanin of Pampanga particularly mochi (looks like japanese gyoza), tibok-tibok (akin to maja blanca). Tutubi also found out Aling Susie's embotido passed his exacting standard on this steamed pork delicacy. (You may also visit Colour Orange's take on Pampanga Food Trip: Susie's Cuisine for kakanin/pasalubong photos)

At around 12noon and with tummies full of the samplings, headed home to chaotic Manila.

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Other Notable Angeles City Restaurants and Food Trip destinations:

Near Nepo Mart is a branch of Everybody's Cafe, Halo-Halo sa Corazon (whose version of halo-halo consists of sweetened saba (a banana variety), macapuno (mutant coconut), halaya (purple yam jam), beans and cream corn. Also in Angeles City is the home of original sisig: Aling Lucing's Sisig who's branches now in Makati.

Other Information:

Historic Camalig Restaurant
292 Sto. Rosario Street, Angeles City
Website: http://www.camalig.com
Location: Beside Nepo Mall

You will not find information on girlie bars and hookers and stuff (like those on Fields Avenue, Barangay Balibago) for Tutubi doesn't advocate sex tourism-- please respect the Filipina and women in general.


How to get to Angeles City, Pampanga:

Commute by Bus to Angeles City by Philippine Rabbit with terminal on Rizal Avenue (near corner Recto Avenue). Nearest LRT station is Doroteo Jose and LRT 2's last station. Victory Liner buses bound for Dagupan can also be taken to get to Angeles City (alight at the terminal then board a jeep or tricylcle to your destination). You may refer to the bus companies' official websites for fares and updated schedules.

Related Links:

Razon's Halo-Halo

Labels: Angeles City, Pampanga, Pampanga Restaurant, Restaurants

Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont

Up, up, and away...


Tutubi didn't turn German, he just remembered the 80's song by German group Nena, "99 Luftballoons" and The Fifth Dimension's "Up, Up And Away" when he made a trip to Clark Field (formerly Clark Air Base and now Clark Economic Processing Zone (CEPZ)), Pampanga.

12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Pictures:

The fiesta saw 21 hot air balloons fly to the sky in the early morning and last day of the 12th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Participating ballooners from 12 countries came with their colorful propane-powered flying machines.

the flag raising (or was it flag-descending ceremony where a skydiver delivered the Philippine flag from the sky

the propane gas-powered balloons and a "wicker basket" for the pilots

Wish you were blue, but "The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey" --10000 Maniacs, The Color of the Sky
It's just bad that the weather didn't cooperate. 'Twas cloudy and quite windy, good thing Tutubi can stand the chilly wind due to his spending long hours inside the datacenter, typical of people in the IT industry
the hot air balloon that looks like an octopus reminds Tutubi of the robot of Little John, member of the Voltes V quintet :P
One of the last balloons to fly. (wanted to take pictures of all hot air balloons in flight but limited by the kitlens' ability to zoom in closer. This will change, however, in a few weeks) :P

Photographing the Photographer: look at how photographers try to find the perfect shot

After the balloons disappeared on the horizon, kites by fiesta goers filled the sky, skydiving, helicopter flights and airplane acrobatics ensued but Tutubi and band of bloggers (catchlyts, orange and yam) just went to some restaurants at 10:30 for something like an Angeles City food trip to again sample the famed Kapampangan cuisine and pasalubong.

More on that next time...

Looking forward to the 13th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta!

Links:

Angeles City Food Trip
Orange's Hot air balloon post

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Notes:

Tutubi was able to secure a VIP pass to the area reserved for organizers, media and photographers (made to cough up P350 each), courtesy of J's friend manning the entrance (a DOT employee). He was also able to spot several bloggers and photographers up close.

How to get to Clark, Pampanga:

Directions by car: the best way to go there from Manila is via the NLEX (north luzon expressway), DAU exit. turn right, cross the bridge then left at the end of the street (MacArthur Highway). On reaching Caltex gasoline station, turn right. You will see SM City Clark and directions to the place so it's easy to find. Travel time is around one and a half hours from Quezon City.

Commute: Philtranco Bus to Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga is available at SM Megamall Bldg A, Fare is around P300 and P350 from Pasay City terminal. For trip schedules, visit Philtranco official website. Philtranco is also the same bus company ferrying passengers to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) that budget carriers Air Asia and Tiger Airways use.

Labels: Angeles City, Central Luzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Pampanga

It's really hot here in the big city when most people head out to the beaches scattered all over this sun-drenched archipelago.

Being stuck here in Manila and looking for a different kind of high, I looked for a branch of Razons at Robinsons Galleria foodcourt that I later found out has a rather long queue (right photo furtively taken with my phone cam)attesting to the popularity of this ice concoction from Guagua, Pampanga. Other branches I know are SM Megamall Foodcourt, SM Mall of Asia (MOA) and the Shell complex on NLEX southbound.

Halo-halo is a concoction of shaved ice, milk, sugar and various other sweet ingredients e.g. beans, purple yam, nata de coco, kaong (sugar palm) et al mixed together and sometimes topped with ice cream. The name itself literally means mix-mix in the vernacular.

For a bit of trivia, halo-halo is not an original Filipino invention but was introduced by the Japanese and also influenced by the Chinese. Many people from the Land of the Rising Sun, settled in Mindanao particularly in Davao that’s why many residents there have Japanese-sounding names. The Japanese were also the ones who built the roads of Baguio particularly Kennon road where many Nihonjin migrant workers died during construction of that torturous road leading to the summer capital.



Razon's version of the Filipino cooler is a simple one with only three main ingredients: macapuno (a sweet variety of coconut), sun-ripened handpicked saba (a certain variety of banana) and topped with syrupy, saccharine leche flan (steamed milk custard with caramel glaze) added together with finely-shaved ice, milk and a dash of dayap (lime) to complete the recipe.
The halo-halo this time is paired with dinuguan (pork blood stew. hey, even the british have black pudding, the germans with their blutwurst and Americans with blood sausage, so Filipinos are not the only ones guilty of breaking the kosher laws), puto (Filipino rice cake) and pancit luglug.



The pancit luglug, a close cousin of the palabok, is a common Pinoy comfort food made from round rice noodles smothered with special sauce, topped with boiled eggs and ground chicharon (an "evil" cholesterol-rich Pinoy food made of deep-fried pork fat that you may opt to avoid for those health-conscious. The Chicharon is what made foreigners think Philippine food is unhealthy, rather generalizing, isn't it?) and sprinkled with calamansi (Philippine lemon) for added zest.

Razon's halo-halo, sinfully sweet and delectably creamy that you can enjoy without having to make a beeline to Pampanga to enjoy, together with dinuguan, puto and pancit luglug make a hearty meal

I always love the halo-halo of my hometown for its creamyness but Razon's halo-halo is a rare gem that makes the more visually-enticing Icebergs and Chowking's versions less gustatory appealing.


Razon's branches:

Robinsons Galleria foodcourt
SM Megamall foodcourt
Trinoma Food Choices
Alabang Town Center Food Court
Jupiter St. Makati
lastly, their original Guagua branch, of course!

wonder how much a razon's franchise is

Labels: Central Luzon, Filipino Cuisine, Food Trip, Pampanga, Pampanga Restaurant

Kudos to this Kapampangan production shwocasing their province's must-see places, must-taste phood and must-experience culture and festivals!




kinda made me hungry though I wish there are english subtitles at least. I can only understand a few words (i'm Tagalog so I'm a bit disadvantaged but i can understand Cebuano/Bisaya)

how i wish DOT people make good their marketing to bring in lots of tourists here while also develop tourism infrastructure.

wake up people!

am also looking for the video of Antique I always see on Living Asia Channel

Labels: Central Luzon, Pampanga