Cinemalaya Movies and Chocolate Kiss Cafe

I went to see Cinemalaya, our country's most celebrated independent film festival that featured original and creative Filipino stories, in the UP Film Center. Each year, Cinemalaya grants Php 500,000 to ten independent film makers, chosen from hundreds of entries from all over the country. I was fortunate enough to catch the entries Limbunan, Rekrut, and the winning entries Two Funerals and Donor.

Both movies could have done with tighter scripts and better cameras, but otherwise I love creative original stories

The theatre was packed!

Across the Film Center is UP's Bahay ng Alumni, which housed the university's famous restaurant, Chocolate Kiss.

Serenaded on a Thursday evening

Gamberi - Sauteed shrimps with garlic, lemon juice, green chili, and olive oil. Served with spaghetti and topped with Parmesan cheese. Php 248

Shrimp Pasta Aligue - Shrimps sauteed with crab fat, black olives and chopped cilantro. Served with spaghett. Php 260

The Chocolate Kiss

Ang Bahay ng Alumni

R Magsaysay Street

UP Diliman, Quezon City

Tel: 632 434 7430

Marta's Cupcakes in Serenda, Manila

I took Matthew to Marta's Cakes to try out their DIY cupcakes.

Do-it-yourself cupcakes for Php 110

Centuries ago, before muffin tins were available, cakes were baked in individual pottery cups, ramekins, or molds. The practice has persisted, so now "cupcake" is the name of any small cake that is about the size of a teacup. Cupcakes are also known as fairy cakes, to describe the size of cakes that may be shared by a group of small fairies. (Source)

Marta's cupcakes were too sweet for my buds, but it tasted just right for Matthew's under developed sense of taste. Read more about children's taste here.

Marta's Cakes

Serendra, Bonifacio High Street

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634

Philippines

Tel: 632 8561791

Breadworks Bakeshop in Binondo, Manila

In the middle of Binondo, the fort of Southern Chinese influences, we saw a Western themed bake shop! To cap off our trip, we had some sylvannas as our panghimagas.

To end my first food trip to Binondo, I revisited some history of the place:

The word Binondo came from the word binundok which means mountain or boondocks.

Binondo is the center of commerce and trade for all types of businesses run by Chinese merchants. While Binondo was officially declared by a Spanish Governor in 1954 as a permanent settlement for converted Chinese immigrants, it is said that this district was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spaniards came in 1571.

Prior to Makati, Binondo was the main center for business and finance in Manila for the Chinese, Chinese mestizos and Spanish Filipinos. Before World War II, the banking and financial community which included financial institutions from Britain and the United States were located mostly in Escolta which used to be called the "Wall Street of the Philippines". After the war most of these businesses began to relocate to the newly developing area of Makati.

During the financial crisis of the early 80s, Binondo earned the nickname "Binondo Central Bank" as Chinese businessmen in the district engaged in massive black marketing of US dollars, often dictating the actual Peso-Dollar exchange rate. The term has survived to this day.

Given its rich history and financial significance, Binondo is said to have one of the highest land values in the entire country. (Source)

Sylvannas for Php 28 a piece

Their sylvannas had just the right sweetness, and the meringue is not too hard.

Breadworks

817 Salazar Street

Binondo, Manila

Philippines

Masuki Mami Restaurant in Binondo, Manila

Masuki was established in 1930 - Chinatown's first mami house. It was previously called Ma Mon Luk, but labour problems forced it to change its name. According to this (props to the researcher!), Ma Mon Luk was a Cantonese teacher who arrived in Manila in the 1920s. He set up a kitchen that served mami and siopao. The Filipino word "mami" was allegedly attributed to him. Mi means noodles, and mami means "noodles of Mr Ma."

We tasted their top two finds, but we found it lacking. We were later informed that we are supposed to mix the sauce for the food to taste better.

Original Mami for Php 90 - this is the original "Gupit" noodles

Special Siopao - Pork Asado for Php 70

Masuki Mami Restaurant Corporation

931 Benavidez Street

Binondo, Manila

Philippines

Tel: 632 243 26

Dong Bei Dumplings in Binondo, Manila

I love discovering great holes in the wall, and Dong Bei Dumpling is such. It was in a nondescript area of the street, with a nondescript sign, with its chairs and menu at the verge of dilapidation, the whole fascade almost uninviting and unappetizing. But the bite-size dumplings are juicy and tasty, their xiao long bao bursts with flavor, and their pancake stuffing - I've never tasted anything like it!

Dong Bei means North East. Northern Chinese flavors are less complex and made with lesser ingredients. Chinese food in the Philippines is mostly of Southern influence (geography makes sense), mostly of Cantonese origin (The Pancit Canton is a staple Filipino product)

Dumplings (stuffing: chives, celery, cabbage, pork) 14 pieces for Php 100

Steamed Xiao Long Pao for Php 60

Friend stuffing pancake for Php 100

Stuffing - garlic, pork and chives

Dong Bei Dumplings

642 Yuchengco Street (formerly Nueva)

corner Tytana St

Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Gecko Lizard tea from Ban Shiong Thay Chinese Drug Store

We dropped by Ban Shiong Thay Chinese Drug to check out the Gecko Lizard that is made famous by Ivan Man-Dy's Binondo food trip. Ma'am Rose, owner of the store, explained to us that if we boil the female and male gecko lizard together with ginger, it is proven to increase sperm count and improve sperm motility. The tail is most potent part of the lizard.

Php 45 a pair if I am not mistaken?

Obviously this is not for me, but one day perhaps I can muster the courage to drink some lizard tea of sorts.

Ban Shiong Thay Chinese Drug Store

633 Yuchengco Street

Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Binondo Church and Cafe Mezzanine, Binondo, Manila

The main Binondo Church is only 32 years old (note the clean marble pillars and white cement ceilings in photo below) but the land mark is 400 years old. The bell tower (photo below) is the only structure that stood amid the bombings and natural disasters slapped by time. The reconstruction of the present church was funded by the Catholic Chinese community, many of whom reside or operate businesses in the area. *

The church is now a national shrine and a basilica minore for San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint who was born in Binondo.*

The new and the old

Gatekeeper

Marble pillars and white ceilings (painted ceilings, actually, ala Michelangelo)

Our first stop was Cafe Mezzanine, the only themed cafe in the area. It was designed with the volunteer firemen in mind. After the war, Chinatown was victim to devastating fires. The government was slow to respond to these fires forcing the Chinese Filipinos to form groups of volunteer fire brigades. Today, these brigades are not only located in Chinatown but also in other parts of Metro Manila. Patronizing Mezzanine Cafe means donating to these volunteer fire brigades.*

Notice the hats on the right hand side. I love how they renovated the place.

Special Kikiam for Php 65

Special kiampong for Php 48 - I loved this!! Not too salty but uber sticky.

Spicy pork in Ube Pao for Php 45 - I loved this! The pao was warm and soft, the spicy pork was spicy at the right ante! I brought extra ones for home

Café Mezzanine

650 Ongpin cor. Yuchengco Street,

Binondo, Manila

Philippines

*Source

Pasig Ferry Ride and Lumpia from New-Po Heng, Binondo, Manila

The Pasig River was an important transport route in Spanish Manila (before 1898), as well as a source of livelihood for small time fishers, and venue for leisure for swimming children. After the World War 2, massive population growth, infrastructure construction, negligence and industrial development plagued the river, so when the 90s rolled along, the river was declared ecologically dead. Increasing pollution was noticed when the fish migration from Laguna de Bay (another major body of water connected to Pasig River) diminished. In 1989, a rehab commission was set up to restore the river.

We spent the better part of Saturday morning in the Pasig Ferry enroute from Guadalupe to Escolta. We entered a simple yet functional ferry station (no space wasted!), was serviced by efficient staff, and was led into the boat that arrived on time (10:06 and not a minute more - helps that there is no traffic!). The boat had comfortable seats, was airconditioned, and had a flat screen tv that featured a Thai film (Nurturing culture in Filipinos! Good job.). I was surprised that a lot of people still used the ferry as mode of transport.

The comfortable ride lulled me to sleep but I woke up in time to see the landmark sites like the Malacanang and the Quiapo bridge.

Guadalupe to Escolta one way ride for Php 45

It was another big surprise seeing the original Manila Post Office right across the dock. I truly believe that Old Manila has beautiful architecture, it's only a matter of maintaining cleanliness and order around it.

We went to the New-Po Lumpia House inside the beautiful Art Deco Building to try out some of the famous fresh lumpia.

Lumpia for Php 45

I could taste the freshness of the ingredients, through is juicy chunks.

Other items in their menu come in huge servings:

Misuo Guisado for Php 60

Misuo Soup for Php 40

Maki Soup for Php 55

Nobody designs like this anymore! Evokes 70s architechture.

New-Po Heng Lumpia House

Uy Su Bin Building

(inside art deco building)

531 Quintin Paredes St.

Binondo, Manila

Philippines

Balducci Ristorante in Serenda, Taguig, Manila

Merriam-Webster says that Tiramisu was invented in 1982. The term tirami su means pick me up, in reference to the espresso used to dip the lady fingers in. Tiramisu had no trace of alcohol, because it was originally made for children and elderly.

Below is Balducci's Tiramisu. The whip cream is full and not too sweet, but the lady fingers felt too dry. Probably because we dined at 11 pm. I just finished the cream and put aside the lady fingers.

Tiramisu for Php 220

Balducci Ristorante & Deli, Serendra

G/F Serendra, Bonifacio High Street

Fort Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel: 632 856 0676

Abe in Serendra, Taguig, Manila

I have always LOVED Kapampangan cuisine but eat it sparingly because their RICH food take a toll on one's health. The Kapampangan themselves have a saying: Mate ya ing barag keng batal na, which translates to The monitor lizard will die by its own neck. The voracious monitor lizard grabs the bait even if it knows it will be trapped from it. Same with the Kapampangan!

The fraile (Spanish priest) was the first taste tester of the Kapampangan culinary genuis. His kusinero blended local ingredients to the priest's European recipes, mutated some of the Spanish dishes, and resulted to the unique cuisine. Common substitutions were coconut milk, more garlic, and the like.

While Kapampangan cuisine offers interesting variations of Kare-kare, balo balo and other staple Filipino dishes, it also turns unconventional when it offers dishes featuring field frogs, field mice from rice fields and sugarcane plantations, locusts, monitor lizard and crickets (!!). These unconventional

selections were born from the need to eat during the 18th century famine and pestilence.

My favourite Kapampangan restaurant (thus far) in Manila is Abe. Great food, reasonable prices. All in a relaxing environment like Serendra.

Green mango and Bagoong salad for Php 95

Binuklad na Pla Pla - overgrown tilapia butterflied and fried to delightful crispiness, served with balo balo relish and mustasa leaves - for Php 365

Sinuteng Baby Squid - small squid sauteed in olive oil and seasonings for Php 168. This is my favourite. The taste is salty just right and the squid is very soft.

Kare kare a la Bistro Burgos for Php 475. Very good when paired with bagoong.

Abe

G/F Serendra,

Global City, Taguig City

Manila, Philippines

Tel: 632 8560526

Leche Flan Cake from Tsoko.Nut, SM Mall, Makati

Leche flan had its beginnings from Creme Caramel, which is of French origin. Creme Caramel was very popular in dessert menus in Europe, large because of their convenience - restauranteurs are able to prepare a lot in advance and refrigerate them until they are needed.

In the Philippines, our Leche Flan (literally, milk flan) is a Spanish version that placed emphasis on more egg yolks (12 egg yolks in one batch!). It is a staple in all celebrations.

I found another version of the Leche Flan from Tsoko.Nut. They took the caramel top and put it over the (a bit dry) sponge cake.

Leche Flan cake from Tsoko.Nut, Php 55 per slice

Tsoko.Nut Batirol

2/F SM Makati, Ayala Center, EDSA

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel: 632 816 4305

Kimpura in Greenhills, San Juan, Manila

I finally got my wish to have a lonesome and quiet Japanese meal in an almost empty restaurant. Kimpura was about to close for the afternoon, but they let me in as their last customer. I loved sipping the very hot green tea and feasting on my favourites.

Agedashi Tofu for Php 80. Cheap and warmed up just right.

I read somewhere that for one to remain healthy for the rest of one's life, they only have to eat tofu and molasses. Until you die. If you were trapped in an island and only had to eat two things, it will have to be tofu and molasses. That will guarantee a long and healthy life in the island. I love tofu, but I will not die healthy.

Super California roll for Php 395. The winning pick - it has all my favourite ingredients.

This says that European and American eels and born and are wired to die in Saragasso Sea. The larvae is hatched in the sea, use Saragasso as cover from predation, move to freshwater to mature, return to Saragasso to lay eggs, and then die there. It is humbling to realize that thus far, I have prevented too many eels from travelling back to Saragasso.

Kimpura Japanese Restaurant

Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Ave.

San Juan, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel: 632 721 8816

Ziplining and Chocolate Cake from Cookbook Kitchen

I have a bit of acrophobia in me. It is normal to have that fear because evolved adaptation programmed us to associated fall with significant danger. The symptoms of an adrenaline rush kick in: clammy hands, increased heart rate, palpitations, anxiety and digestion on shutdown. But in all my cases of flight or fight, I always choose to fight. The highest I’ve gone so far is over 200 meters high in Macau Tower. The fear never fades, but the resolution to jump becomes stronger.

Ziplining in Circulo Verde places you 30 meters above ground in Superman style for Php 400.

10 second high pitched scream, then I fell silent - It would be really nice if they can landscape the ground beneath us. Murals would be equally ideal. Too many condos and retail shops may destroy the premier city garden positioning. Can they possibly get rid of the factories around area so they can jack up the prices? 30 meters above ground, and my fear of heights was trumped by the vision of the development. I felt the ride was too quick though.

After the ten second adrenaline rush, we had a quiet chat in Cookbook Kitchen with Kittin's Scarlet Cake and a slice of decadent. I love how the caramel tastes with the decadent sponge.

Helen's Chocolate Cake for Php 140

Circulo Verde

Calle Industria, Bagumbayan

Quezon City, Philippines

Cookbook Kitchen

1880-A Building

Eastwood City

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 709 3593

(Main - and better! - branch is in Mandaluyong)

Mille Fuille from Dexter's Bakeshop

Mille Fuille is a French-originating pastry with a name that literally translated to “thousand sheets.” It is made up of three layers of puff pastry, alternating with two layers of creme (or jam, or whip cream). It probably got its name from the traditional method of preparing puff pastry: it was made in six stages of folding into three. The milfoil (English: a thousand fold) actually comprises of 729 pairs of layers. (Source)

Mille Fuille for Php 50 per slice

Dexter's Bakeshop and Coffeeshop

146 Katipunan Road

St. Ignatius Village

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 912 0311

Carrot Cake by Homemade Carrot Cake

When I was 11, I spotted a yummy looking carrot cake, and asked my mom if she could buy me a slice. I was a chubby kid, so she told me that I should just skip the slice and opt for real carrots instead.

“The nutrients of the carrot come out when they are cooked, so this cake is healthier than the regular carrots,” I told her with pomp. I got my carrot cake, but considering the sugar and fat used in baking the cake, it was unlikely that the cake was healthier than real carrots.

Homemade Carrot Cake was near my old uni, so it was easy to drive over and grab a slice. It was not a creation that would make my heart melt, but it was just right enough for me to always come back to. The cream thinly enveloped the cake, while the cake was not too sweet. There were better, creamier cakes, but this was one that I always went back to on good, bad, and random days.

Carrot cake slice for Php 55

Homemade Carrot Cake

290 Santolan Road

West Crame, San Juan

(in front of Metrobank and Avida Tower)

Manila, Philippines

Tel: 632 7256246

Deep Dark Classic (!!!) Chocolate Cake

I loved how Chocolat narrated the discovery cacao beans in Native America and how they tied it up with Juliet Binoche's arrival to the town. In Native American cultures, cacao beans were actually used as money, and dark chocolate was consumed as a drink - no milk or creamer! (Source)

Deep Dark Classic Chocolate Cake. Super moist chocolate cake generously draped with satin fudge frosting. Yummmm. Php 65 per slice, Php 265 for 6 inch diameter, and Php 475 for a whole cake.

Chocolat - Deep Dark Chocolate Cakes

Llanar Building

#77 Xavierville Avenue

cor B Gonzales St

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 928 9304

Death by Tablea Cake

Tablea is a Spanish word-meaning tablet, and tsokolate is a Filipino word-meaning chocolate.Tsokolate is usually associated with a thick hot chocolate specially made from cacao balls.

It is believed that the Spanish persuaded the growing of cacao trees and the developing of the beans into cacao tablets during the mid 17th century. Chocolate was introduced to the Philippines by Spain via the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade. Cultivation and consumption was encouraged by the demand for hot chocolate drinks during breakfast on special occasions. -Source

I loved how they stayed true to the Tablea aesthetics by placing cacao shavings as garnish for the cake. Very moist, not too sweet, perfect with brewed coffee.

Death by Tablea Cake. Chocolate cake with bittersweet icing made with native cacao and condensed milk. Php 75 for a slice, Php 345 for 6 inches, Php 620 for 8 inches.

Chocolat - Deep Dark Chocolate Cakes

Llanar Building

#77 Xavierville Avenue

cor B Gonzales St

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: 632 928 9304