Living Room Furniture Look Like Miniatures in Philippine Mall

Lots of furniture are sold at the lower level of the Sta. Lucia mall in Marikina. If you visit there, you may discover that a lot of them are on sale. There's plenty to choose from and it may take a while to go over the different types and designs available. Compared to other upscale locations, the furniture at the mall are pretty affordable with their comparatively low prices. Of course, there are also high end items on sale, but for the basic needs of the home owner, what's offered can be sufficient.

The pictures here were taken from a couple of floors above the furniture retail center. From the vantage point, the sofas and tables appear like mere miniature playthings for a dollhouse.

 

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Antipolo Church and Cashew Nuts Sold on the Street

This is the famous Antipolo church in Antipolo city in the Philippines. People from different parts of Metro Manila go here to hear mass, which is why it it almost always crowded on Sundays. Because of the number of people who hear mass, the receiving of holy communion is allowed on the church grounds where lay ministers go around with the Sacramental bread for the faithful to accept. It can be hot, especially in summer, but the trip for Catholic worshipers is worthwhile.

In the street that fronts the church, vendors sell all sorts of sweets and fruits. There are lots of cashew nuts being sold and a few vendors even sell fresh cashew apples. Antipolo is one city in the Philippines where you can find cashew nuts and fruits in abundance and . Elsewhere, you may find cashew nuts (which can be expensive), but rarely cashew apple fruits, which do not sell well.

Cashew Trivia

Unknown to many people, the cashew apple is only a pseudo fruit and is essentially just the enlarged portion of the branch that holds the fruiting organ. It can be eaten raw when ripe. It's fruit acid is highly astringent in the mouth but it is high in Vitamin C. It's not usually used for cooking, but by the taste of it, it may be a good substitute for kamias or kalamias as it is called in some parts of the country. The cashew apple may be turned into a sweet preserve or wine, which is popular in Africa. The cashew apple is rich in tannins which cause it to ripen quickly after picking.

The cashew nut is extracted from the bean-shaped shell (which is really the actual fruit) by burning the fruit in hot coals. Be warned that the oil and fumes from the shell of the nut (not the apple) is toxic and can cause allergies in people. The smoke reportedly readily kills fowl. DO NOT INHALE CASHEW SHELL NUT FUME OR ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR SKIN. Also, do not touch the oil from the shell because it can cause skin irritation. Wash your hands thoroughly if this happens.

In spit of the toxicity of the oil in the cashew nut shell, the oil from the edible nut itself can be used to treat warts and other skin growths. If you chew some raw cashew nuts and place the resulting poultice on a pesky wart regularly, you will discover that your wart will dry up and fall away eventually. Do exercise caution when chewing, because if you chew for too long, the inside of your mouth may experience the same drying and exfoliating effect of the cashew nut oil. DO NOT MISTAKE THE CASHEW SHELL FOR THE CASHEW NUT (which is inside the shell). THE CASHEW SHELL IS POISONOUS; THE CASHEW NUT, ON THE OTHER HAND IS THE ONE THAT'S EDIBLE.

If having to deal with the toxic cashew shell is too much for you, then you can just use the sap from the cashew apple on your skin. You can slice the cashew apple thinly and use the slices to massage your face with. The juice will serve as a mild astringent to your skin. But again, exercise caution and do not overdo it. Try the sap on a small patch of skin on your arm first for a few days before trying it out on your face. See if you do not have any allergic reactions.

It's a fact that some people are allergic to cashew sap and you could be one of them! Also see if the sap produces discoloration or darkens your skin as a result of its tannins that darken when exposed to air. Generally, the sap should give a mild tightening and exfoliating effect on your skin. But use it at your own risk! It's always better to consult a dermatologist than to experiment with topical things you know nothing about.

  

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C2 Restaurant's Traditional Filipino Cuisine

There's a restaurant at the SM Megamall called C2 that serves traditional Filipino cuisine. C2 means Classic Cuisine, so don't confuse it with the iced tea product. Anyway, eating here can be a treat with the friendly waiters and colorful seventies-inspired light fixtures (left). The restaurant is all about Filipino food, and they serve their own jazzed up versions of classic dishes like the Philippine chicken adobo (shown below with the crispy tilapia) and hubad na lumpia (top).

If you eat here, you may be pleasantly surprised at how old-time favorite dishes can give a different experience to the Filipino palate with added ingredients in the preparation and presentation. If you're already familiar with the usual taste of traditional Philippine food, you will find the versions served at the C2 a delight, tickling you with new twists to old tastes. Even familiar drinks offer new tastes for your buds. If you're lucky, you may run into a friendly waiter who knows a lot of trivia on food and history.

The C2 restaurant mentioned here is found at the Atrium section of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. It's menu specialties are Ensaladang Prutas at Lato, Guinataang Puso ng Saging, Crispy Squid, Cirspy Tilapia, Prawns in Aligue Sauce, Boneless Crispy Pata, Pork Humba, Tinolang Binakol and Tokwa't Baboy.

UPDATE: This C2 branch at Megamall has closed.

 

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Kubo ni Ka Ipe: A Quaint QC Restaurant with a Creeping Plant Growing on the Nipa Ceiling

There is a quaint and small restaurant in or near Teacher's Village in Quezon City. It's called Kainan sa Kubo ni Ka Ipe. It's near Kalayaan Avenue and Malingap Street - 89 Malumanay st., to be exact, and it's interesting because it's got a creeping vine growing on the ceiling (see pictures on the left and below). It's said that the plant just crept inside and started to grow and it's now the main attraction of the eatery. It's got a nipa roof and wooden furniture which gives it an airy and refreshing nayon ambiance, especially with the wind chimes, seashell chandeliers, and big windows. It definitely has a rustic Filipino charm that's adorable.

The Kubo ni Ka Ipe is run by Nida Najera and was borne from her efforts catering food to her tenants. This led to the establishment, and turned space in her residence into something useful. The standard menu has the usual Filipino toppings like the "silogs" (rice meals with egg), but they also have house specialties like the dinuguan. Lunch "turo-turo" meals are also available. The restaurant caters to nearby offices and bilao pancit orders are popular for corporate events. Once you see the vine on the ceiling (left' below), you will really be impressed. Yes, it's the conversation piece on every table and you'll likely look at it more than the History Channel show on the television set in the corner.

If you're in the area, you might want to check out Kainan sa Kubo ni Ka Ipe with your friends, stay for a while and soak in the Filipino eating experience.You might even be able to identify the plant, if you're into botany or agriculture.

 

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