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.

 

Tropical Living: Contemporary  Dream Houses in the Philippines

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.

  

Nuts, Peanuts and Soy Allergy Translation Card - 
Translated in Tagalog (The Philippines) or any of 67 languages

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.

 

Philippines - FREE Travel Guide & Offline Map

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.

 

Manila Travel Guide (Philippines Insider Guides Book 3) 

Jeepneys Enter the Green Age in The Philippines

Jeepneys, those crazy-looking public transport vans in the Philippines, appear to be on the threshold of a new age when the engine pollution, the noise, and the undisciplined drivers, will be no more. A band of environmentalists, public servants, and non-government organizations (NGOs) have succeeded in giving the old iconic jeepney (left), more than just a facelift. After some sixty years since they came into existence coming from American jeeps of the second world war, they are now getting a new look and a new engine.

Take a ride in the Philippines' jeepney of the future (top)! It's manufactured by Philippine Utility Vehicle and it's not fueled by diesel but batteries, which allow it to run clean on electricity. It's also ergonomically designed. Before, passengers bump their heads on useless contraptions on the ceiling and whenever they need to see where they are on the road, they have to crank their necks low to look out the window, the opening of which is often below the level of the eyes. Compared to the old jeepney, the new one gives a pleasant ride.

The electric jeepneys can seat up to 12 people and can travel 70 kilometers at 70 kph. The range is not great but it does the job for inner city travels. Charging the batteries take as long as 8 hours, or practically all day, which is perhaps the downside to this novel transportation, but according to Director Red Constantino, of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities in Metro Manila, it's very important to have solutions on the ground "to show people that these types of things are viable."

The electric jeepney is getting a pilot run in routes in Makati that are dubbed "green." Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, says the technology helps reduce the smoke-belching problem. Interestingly, the Clean Air Act is supposed to be the solution to smoke-belchers and other air polluting factors in the country, but so far, the pollution coming from vehicles hasn't changed. With only 15 unites currently serving Makati City, the Philippines still has a long way to go to replace all 60,000 in Metro Manila alone.

 

Jeepney's Set of 4 Miniature Die Cast (Philippines)

Slice 'N Dice Steakhouse Rice and Gravy Meals in Quezon City

Slice 'N Dice is a steakhouse in Metro Manila that's getting to be popular because of it's gravy rice meals. There's one along Kalayaan Ave. in Quezon City. People often pass by it but seldom take the time to check what it has to offer but it has its gravy rice meal that come with sirloin, pork, and chicken sliced and diced toppings mixed with the rice.

The meal comes with a generous helping of gravy, which is something that Filipinos have grown to enjoy with chicken as a dip instead of as a side to rice. The gravy with the rice meals of Slice 'N Dice is to be poured on top of the rice while it's still hot. Then, you eat! The rice meal of your choice is light yet filling and its simplicity makes is a quick meal of choice if you're in a hurry or need a quick fix to get you going. If you wish, you can order one with fried or even scrambled egg. The gravy goes well with the diced and sliced beef, pork or chicken, but some people may simply prefer it with the chicken.

  

Lundberg White Jasmine Rice, 32 Oz

New Species of Giant Tree-Dwelling Philippine "Bayawak" Lizard Confirmed

There's a six-foot-long dragon in the Philippines and Science was only able to identify it as an unnamed species only now. Back in 2001, scientists first saw the skinny but long lizard in photographs. It had brightly-colored skin which differentiated with from a ground-dwelling lizard that's also eaten but less sought-after. People like to hunt it for its delicious meat in the northern part of Luzon island. No one really knows why it tastes so good but it's probably because it likes to eat pandan fruit (left), the leaves of which are used as an aromatic flavor enhancer of steamed rice. Now it's called the forest monitor lizard of Northern Luzon and is of the genus Varanus.

In a quest to find the creature, Rafe Brown of the University of Kansas set out with graduate students to the Philippines where hunters heard of their interest and brought a male that's barely alive. It was then that the team confirmed that it was a new species through genetic testing. Brown commented on how timely the discovery was since the team was already short on money and food.The tests showed the wide genetic gap between the forest monitor lizard and its closest relative, Gray's monitor lizard, which lives in Southern Luzon. This one is what most people there would likely identify as a bayawak (left).

In Southern Luzon, like in Batangas and Quezon provinces, bayawaks are sold by roadsides as a delicacy. The eggs are also cooked. At $4 per egg, this is a meal you can pass. Bayawak eggs are strange in that they will not solidify 100% if you boil them. But those whove tasted boiled bayawak eggs say that it's really delicious. You can also scramble or fry the eggs. For the courageous, other recipes can be tried. But sticking to chicken and duck eggs will probably help save the bayawak lizards from extinction - unless a way is found to farm them or they are already farmed and harvested like chicken eggs. The image at left is from a post in the MacGyver's Kitchen blog which describes one Filipino's experience in boiling the eggs. There are more photos of bayawak eggs being cooked here.

Anyway, back to the forest monitor lizard of North Luzon (top; left). So it lives in trees and is being hunted for food likely made it elusive enough for biologists to realize they've been missing something all these years, or at least that's what Brown concluded. Brown also theorized that the lizard does not grow as large as the Komodo dragon of Indonesia because it likes to live in the trees, which needed it to be light. The locals only see it as food. With the forest habitat of the lizard already shrinking with the encroachment of people, it easy to say that this poor lizard is already in danger of being extinct.

Philippine Lizards of the Family Scincidae