Kinamat Resto Bar Silog and Budbod Menu (Angono, Rizal)

"Fi-fi-fo-fum. I smell a hungry customer. Solve this riddle to enter..."

Kinamat Resto Bar in Angono, Rizal is a simple native eatery with a band area for guests to experience a little live music while dining or drinking with friends and family. It has a rustic ambiance with all the natural materials like wood, bamboo, and nipa, used in the building structure. Outside, traditional masks used in festival parades look out to welcome diners. One could easily pass by this restaurant without noticing it. There's just a gravel driveway where guests can park, but apart from the sign hanging from a bamboo post and what's painted on the front wall, one would think that it's not a restaurant at all, but people do frequent the place and word-of-mouth gets around. When kids hear about the shark lamp, they all want to see it with their own eyes, though it's only made of fiberglass, maybe.

Sink your teeth into this crispy Kinamat pork chop.

Kinamat Resto Bar is simple, informal, quaint, and a local favorite, which means tourists have nothing to lose by checking out the place and ordering local food favorites like budbod, which is similar to Spanish tapas but with fried meat that's heartily mixed in with rice and slivers of scrambled egg. There are different kinds of budbod available. There's Shanghai (lumpia or egg roll as it's called by Americans), Pork, Beef, and Mixed, Of course, where there's budbod, there's also likely the silog dishes which are essentially fried rice (sinangag) with ulam, which is the meat you eat with the rice, like fried beef, pork, longanisa, chicken, bangus, hotdog... all served with fried egg, tomatos and your choice of either vinegar (suka) or fish sauce (patis). It's like breakfast at any hour of the day! there's also the popular breaded pork chop that is crunchy on the outside and juicy in the inside. Most of what's in the menu would complement a bottle of cold beer, as the locals would prefer it. But just as the restaurant is simple, so are what's in the menu, but it's all good. Kinamat Resto Bar is located along 1342 Col. Guido St. near the Manila East Rd. Tricycle and jeepney drivers can tell you where it is.

Kinamat Resto Bar's Beef Budbod.

Kinamat Resto Bar's Menu. Click to read.

The Filipino Cookbook: 85 Homestyle Recipes to Delight Your Family and Friends

Pinoy Robust Supplement for Men Secrets Revealed

Many men in the Philippines as well as men from places like the United States and the UK of course, look to enhance their virility and performance by exploring exotic herbal solutions mostly available in Asian countries. In the Philippines, some of the popular male enhancement products are the Lee MF-Rhino and Honey Moon teas, but there's another brand that few men realize actually leave a lasting effect on their manhood. It's Robust Dietary Supplement for Men and its combination of mostly exotic Asian herbal ingredients is guaranteed to uplift men and their special member for hours at a time. If you want to know more about the secret of its ingredients, then read on.

Robust Dietary Supplement for Men is marketed in the Philippines, as the name reveals, as a supplement, but it's no ordinary supplement. It's a supplement with ingredients specially combined and formulated  to enhance male sexual performance. Essentially, it's like herbal Viagra and it's got a lot of oomph to go. It's marketed for men an fondly called locally as pampa gwapo (makes you attractive). Women can even try it.

Robust - gampa gwapo.

Each pack of Robust Dietary Supplement for Men (imported and distributed by ATC Healthcare Corp.) costs less than 200 pesos (P110 as of this writing) and comes with two tablets and a small brochure with a picture of sexy actress Paloma in bikini. The excitement starts even when you first open the box! Pop the two tablets from the foil pack and you immediately get a herbal scent. It's the kind of smell you would normally associate with a Chinese apothecary shop. This is not surprising because most of the ingredients in the tablets are Chinese herbs that you have not likely heard of. It's powerful 500 mg blend.

Robust Supplement for Men main ingredients and their secrets. 

Epimedium Extract (Horny Goat Weed) -
Contains icariin, which works like sildenafil, the active ingredient of Viagra. It has the same effect

L-Arginine -
Reverses erectile dysfunction, so if you're already fully functional, this does a lot more; improves sensations for men and women

Songaria Cynomorium Extract -
Used to treat impotence in men and enhance libido

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid/GABA -
Gives you a relaxed sensual state

Cnidium Monnier Whole Plant Extract -
Natural libido booster

Ginseng Extract -
Effectively treats sexual dysfunction and improves sexual desire of both sexes

Ginko Biloba Extract -
Increases sexual desire and orgasms (women and men)

Dahurian Angelica Root Extract -
Improves sex drive and performance

Dansheng Root Extract -
Herbal libido enhancer used in traditional medicine

Take the two tablets 4 to 5 hours before going into action. In three hours, you will feel a warm fuzzy sensation in your face and extremities. This means you're almost ready. In four to five hours you'll feel solid like a rock and stay that way for a few hours more. You can buy Robust Supplement for Men at Mercury Drug Stores and select convenience stores in the Philippines.

But be careful. As with anything, too much can be dangerous, so follow dosages and consult with your physician if you intend to take dietary supplements especially if your intent is to boost sexual arousal or performance. If you have a heart or blood pressure problem, it's best to get advice from your doctor because your life is more precious than a few hours of excitement.

FEMALE LIBIDO PLUS - 120 Capsules - Horny Goat Weed (1000 mg) + Maca Root (250 mg); Herbal Complex (9 Ingredients) For Women that Helps Increase Sex Drive and Supports Pleasure from Sexual Activity - Natural Aphrodisiac and Libido Enhancer

Batchoy Noodle Soup Is for Tourists to Taste in The Philippines

American and British tourists should get a taste of batchoy in the Philippines.

One of the noodle soup dishes popular in the Philippines as a merienda meal is batchoy, a noodle soup which includes slivers of braised pork meat with crunchy skin, liver, and shrimp steeped in a salt, pepper and egg noodle broth flavored with sauteed garlic and onions. It's simple but flavorful with a perfect blend of ingredients that tease the taste buds with every sip of the hot broth. It's an oriental in style but distinctly Filipino. Batchoy, is a dish that Western tourists (Americans, British, etc.) should taste and experience because it's unlike the usual noodle dishes from other Asian countries.

Batchoy originated in the Visayas region. According to Wikipedia, it was first made in La Paz in the province of Iloilo by someone named Federico Guillergan, Sr. in 1938. Whether he's the sole originator, it's hard to say, but what did happen was batchoy became Iloilo's signature dish and is now popular all over the country. It's particularly more enjoyable during the rainy season when piping hot batchoy can be a warm companion.

Inside the Eskina batchoy restaurant in the Sta. Lucia mall.

Pictured here are bowls of hot batchoy served at the Eskina Ilonggo Manukan Seafoods at Batchoy restaurant at the Sta. Lucia mall along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal. Since opening, this restaurant has become one of the more popular merienda or mid-afternoon snack establishments to go to when people are craving for a fix of batchoy noodle soup. If you're an American or British tourist, looking to experience Filipino cuisine, don't forget to get a taste of batchoy. This is just one of the restaurants that specializes in batchoy.

Lucky Me Supreme Instant Noodles La Paz Batchoy 65g Pack of 8

Balaw Balaw Exotic Food Restaurant Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal

The Balaw Balaw restaurant welcome sign

Welcome to Balaw Balaw

Balaw Balaw is a native specialty restaurant in Angono, Rizal in the Philippines that doubles as an art gallery. Established by local artist and crafstman, Perdigon Vocalan and his wife, Luzvimin in 1982, Balaw Balaw became known for its menu which includes adobo crickets and timber grubs. If you're a tourist looking to experience a new and challenging culinary adventure in the Philippines, then this is the place to go to. You can find Balaw Balaw restaurant along the Manila East Road near the corner of Doña Aurora Street in Doña Justa Village in Angono, 

Looking down from the 2nd floor

There are plenty of the surprises inside the Balaw Balaw restaurant. There are several floors and rooms that are open to guests where they'll find all sorts of wood and paper sculptures and also paintings depicting local culture. The house itself is a wonder to behold with it's winding staircases and local antique charm. You can start your exploration in the dining area where there are already plenty of installation art and sculptures from local festivals on display. The ground floor is bisected by an artificial creek that's obviously been sitting there untended for a very long time. You'll find a little bridge of rocks that you can cross to get to the other side where the art gallery actually begins. The sculptures there appear old and untouched so don't be surprised to find huge cobwebs and a spider or two staring back at you. But it's all part of the thrill of the old house. 

The Balaw Balaw dining area

A roomful of paintings

There are lots of very old things to discover inside Balaw Balaw restaurant and if you go visit when few people are around, like two in the afternoon, it can feel like you're exploring an abandoned house. You might get an eerie feeling when looking at the many sculptures with faces and religious iconography, and at times you might feel like you're being watched from a dark corner. A section of the house is actually occupied and the rooms are connected by obscured passages, so you might get startled when someone suddenly appears when it seems you are alone in a room. Just hide your surprise by pretending to admire your surroundings or by asking if the piece of art you're looking at is for sale.

Head up to Balaw Balaw restaurant

A partly hidden room

At the roof deck, there's a quaint garden of potted plants and a shed where paper mâché masks used in the local Higantes (Giants) festival held in November are displayed. Be careful going in there because there's likely a guard dog in a corner of the room (another one of the little surprises of Balaw Balaw). It's actually where the art workshops are held. 

So, if you love adventure when it comes to eating exotic food and exploring old art houses, why not get a taste of Balaw Balaw restaurant? It might not be the kind of place for a first date, but if you are into art, antiques, strange food, eerie things and a meditative state, this is highly recommended. Go to Balaw Balaw for the experience. The memories will stay with your for a long time and enough for you to take a few friends or tourists along so that they can also experience it with you as their guide. 

What does balaw balaw mean? The term refers to a local delicacy in Rizal made from fermented shrimp paste and rice. 

The grand room of driftwood sculptures

Join the Last Supper of Balaw Balaw Restaurant

The wooden spiral staircase of the Balaw Balaw house

The art workshop

Balaw Balaw Restaurant house facade

The Philippines and International Restaurants Food Recipes

The Mighty Ton Giant Hamburger at The Porch

Giant Hamburger of The Porch.

If you like hamburgers, a normal-size bun might not be enough for you to feel full. So this giant hamburger called The Mighty Ton from The Porch long Anonas Street Extension in Quezon City may just be what you need to be satisfied. Of course, if you're ordering for yourself, you'll likely only finish just an eighth of this monster, so be prepared beforehand to be intimidated by the sight of this hamburger and it's weight! It's called The Mighty Ton for a good reason.

Dig into this giant burger!

Apart from its huge size, it's not your usual hamburger because it does not use a typical patty. Instead of a hefty patty in the middle of those bun slices, you get beef flakes which remind you of tapas. If you choose to take on this burger, make sure you have at least 5 to 10 other people along with you. Otherwise you will have no choice but to ask for a takeout bag when you realize you just can't finish it. As a party burger, it's perfect for some fun eating with friends and family, especially with a hefty dose of French fries! The Porch is a restaurant by Casa Verde.

Wow! Works Hamburger Adult Beanbag chair

Summer Fun at Club Serene Resort in Rizal, Philippines

View of the entrance of Club Serene Resort from the inside.

Club Serene Resort in Taytay, Rizal is one of many basic resorts with pools that are common destinations of local day trippers who are looking for a resort in Rizal for some simple summer fun with family or friends. It has five swimming pools, cottages, and picnic tables.

For only 130 pesos (as of this writing), you can enter and spend an entire day enjoying the pools. For a little extra, you can belt out songs using the videoke machines available for general use. At Club Serene Resort, you cannot expect to experience more than what you'd expect for that amount, which is really for locals who just wish to have a summer diversion in a resort with pools. Resorts that offer affordable rates equates to more local visitors who look beyond quality sought by foreign tourists and actually expect nothing of the sort in favor of spartan facilities that serves their purposes.

Like other resorts in Rizal, Club Serene Resort overlooks the skyline of Metro Manila and is a short distance from SM Mall in Taytay. If you and your family live in the Antipolo, Taytay, or Cainta area, Club Serene is one option if you are looking for an affordable escape even for just one day, just to have fun with family and friends. Based on resort reviews of locals and visitors who've been to Club Serene, in this resort, it's not the ambiance, the facilities, or the scenery that's important or what you'd care to go to; it's really more about the time you spend with the people you care about.

The main patio of Club Serene Resort with a tamarind tree as a centerpiece.

Club Serene Resort with pools is located along Cabrera Road, Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal. You can check out more of the resort on the official Club Serene Resort website.

Bread Looks Like Roasted Pig

Just like real lechon in Cebu, there's Pinoy bread shaped like a suckling pig baked and sold in the Philippines. You can call it Pork Bread or Piggy Bread if you want to. At first glance, you'd think this pork bread is a real honest-to-goodness roasted suckling pig.

A bakery in Cainta, Rizal in the Philippines, Joy Karen bakeshop (near Junction intersection), claims to be the originator of the Pork Bread. The owner says he's been baking such bread, which he simply calls "lechon" (Tagalog for roasted pig) for many years and that other breads shaped like a suckling pig are inspired by his creations. He doesn't use a pig roaster or even a lechon oven. A simple bread oven works well for him.

Learning to make your own recipe for lechon bread that looks like real Cebu lechon only looks easy and takes practice. The owner says he doesn't make his Pork Breads too large because the bigger sizes sacrifice quality. The Pork Bread is a special Pinoy product from Joy Karen and isn't always available. But when it does go on sale, it's always a hit and never fails to amaze people by how the bread looks like a real pig fresh from out from the pig roaster. Some ask the bakery how to make bread shaped like a suckling pig, but it's really best to just buy them, if you're not a fan of baking.

The Pinoy Pork Bread, tasty as it is, doesn't taste like real Filipino lechon as some people would think. It's actually slightly sweet and has chocolate chips inside. It's best eaten while still warm and families just love it as an afternoon snack. If you want to eat pork but can't take the fat, maybe this bread shaped like a pig, is the next best thing. It's the perfect recipe for lechon without the fat. It's an amazing tribute to Philippine lechon cuisine wherein the suckling pig is the star.

Here's a lovable Piglet with Winnie the Pooh Salt and Pepper Shaker Set you can order here.