The MIMAROPA Festival was launched three years ago, in line with the region’s vision of being “The Destination of Choice.” The festival was hosted by Romblon this year and it was held in Odiongan, the festivities duration will be from Nov. 20 to November 25.  The town wasn’t adorned well when this is a big festival, bigger than the town festival, the aura wasn’t too festive maybe if they add the colorful flag lets that was used last town fiesta together with the MIMAROPA festival banner/tarpaulin around the town of Odiongan it will be a bit more festive, but the question was where are those flag lets already? Are they being kept or the locals took them at home already as keepsake?

[Tribu de ESTI]

Anyway, the MIMAROPA festival brought excitement to Odionganons but I think sad to say many are not aware of the schedule of festivities and wasn’t able to go to town.

[Koron Festival – Ferrol, Romblon]

Well, in the morning after the conducting the opening program and lightning the torch of Unity there was a parade for  Romblon Drum and Lyre competition which I wasn’t able to witness because I am bit lazy to go to town as early as 7 o’clock in the morning followed by the Ribbon Cutting of DOT MIMAROPA Photo exhibit at Odiongan Legislative Building and the Ribbon Cutting of the Romblon Marble Festival at Odiongan’s Children Park and so on.

[Biniray Festival – Romblon, Romblon]

We have decided to go to town in the afternoon to watch the Romblon Festival Parade with MIMAROPA Festival Contigents, it took us a long time to find a good spot for the parade that started at two o’clock in the afternoon.  There were about six tribe who joined the festival parade which are as follow ESTI (Erhard System Techological Institute), the Koron Festival of Ferrol, Romblon, the Biniray Festival of Romblon, Romblon, the Kanidugan Festival of Odiongan, Romblon, the Talabukon Festival of Looc, Romblon, the Carabao Festival of San Jose, Romblon. The latter wowed the on lookers and by standers with their uniformed kinky hair (curly) like of an Aeta, one of the aboriginal people in the Philippines.

[Kanidugan Festival – Odiongan, Romblon]

The contigents from Palawan, Mindoro and Marinduque were present too. Sad to say, tribes from Palawan was the only tribe I’ve seen performed a bit in the street. It was such an experience watching the parade of all the Romblon Festival in one, but seeing them in competing in a ground demonstration is the real deal.  You don’t need to go to Romblon, Romblon to see the Biniray Festival and to San Jose, Romblon to witness their Carabao Festival.

[Talabukon Festival – Looc, Romblon]

The ground demonstration followed at the Provincial Sports Complex popularly known as Oval to many Odionganons.

[Carabao Festival – San Jose, Romblon]

When my mother and I arrived it was already full of people. The ground demonstration started around 6 o’clock in the evening, the first contigent almost lost it chance to perform because of broken sound recording, they have to stop dancing because their background music isn’t working properly, it looks like they have used mobile phone as storage device for their background music.  When, things were put to order they are able to show what they’ve got which made the audience laugh with the antics of a dancer who lost his costume while dancing.

Well, I will blog about the Romblon Festivals Ground Demonstration and Fireworks display soon, separately.

Celebrating my birthday is out of my plan, there was a part of me who would like too but there was part of me who doesn’t like too.  Anyway, instead of cooking something for my birthday we decided to went out for dinner tagging along our grandmother.

Eating out is economical and a wise decision than cooking at home, it will not just saves time but it will also save money because when celebrating it at home we couldn’t just eat alone without inviting or bringing food to my relatives, I could not just bring food to a neighbor’s house without bringing food to another and so on, typical Filipino culture.

Well, I have thought of eating at Harbour Chateau since I have not been there yet and I believed food wasn’t that expensive. We stopped their first to inquire but after finding out that their restaurant doesn’t suit, we went to Greenfields Garden Resto-Cafe situated at the back of a popular gas station. If I was not mistaken it was a snacks cafe first before it became a restaurant as well.

[Photo taken after we vacated our table]

When we arrived we are directed to a vacant table but someone suggested we could used the air-conditioned room so we did, there was three tables inside one is vacant, the other one was occupied by young students and the smaller one was just been vacated by the family we met outside.

We sat and look at their menu, it was bit expensive than Laszaji Grill and Mac’s Chicken & Barbeque Haus but since we are already there and we would like to try their food we ordered the food we like.  I have ordered three baby back ribs for myself, my sister and our father and fish nuggets for our grandma. My mother cannot choose what meal to get, she like barbecue chicken but she would like try their fish nuggets, she end up with barbecue chicken on her disappointment complaining it was small compare to our orders and salty, she started showing dis-likeness (tantrums as J calls it) so I have ordered a fish nuggets for her so we could eat peacefully. I have asked myself if I was like this with J, if I was, I was indeed very childish.

We have red ice tea for our drinks and their complimentary cold water. While waiting for our order, I shared how J and I enjoyed our baby back ribs meal in Brussels, Belgium. It was classic especially the beverage we have ordered wasn’t included in our bill (maybe it was free with the meal) and we literally sneaked out not paying for it, we have to traveled six months around Eastern Europe and Eastern Africa that time so we did a little mischief.

The food was served shortly, it took them less than twenty minutes to serve it compare to other restaurants in town that took a life time before they could served our food. Well, maybe because we are the only one eating at that time that’s why the service is fast. Anyway the food was great, the baby back ribs was tender and juicy. The fish nuggets were good as well as the bulalo soup, it was superb to my mother who is a very picky eater and their carbonara was a steal for me, I finally found a restaurant that could served my favorite pasta. We ordered extra rice to satisfy ourselves and as requested my sister’s dessert was served last.

Well, if you are looking for a good place to eat withand would like to try other food other than grilled chicken Greenfields Garden Resto-Cafe is a must try, their servers were very accommodating too, it was located at Brgy. Tulay, Odiongan Romblon, at the back of Petron Gas station which is just a little bit far beyond the Brgy. Liwanag bridge, beside the petrol station is a rice field.

Greenfields Garden Resto-Cafe
Barangay Tulay (near Petron), Odiongan, Romblon
OPENING HOURS: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
CONTACT: 567-6258

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

For so many years, J and I have eaten to fast food restaurants especially when travelling.  We are so tired eating burgers and fried chicken, that we always look for Subway Cafe in every city we went too, we prefer their sandwich than eating burgers.  So, I have never eaten burger for so long when I came home, it was only when I got tired of eating local food.

Anyway, nothing special to dine out, a relative came home from abroad but my grandmother looks like a bankrupt Chinese all looking sad with matching teary eyes, so I guess she didn’t received any present and now she is seeking for attention because she only hang-out outside the compound looking blankly at people with her very sad face when she needs it.

With this, I decided to bring her to Jollibee Odiongan she was never been there since it was built and opened, so imagine how wide the smile on her face when she was told we are eating dinner at Jollibee. It was around seven in the evening when my family and grandmother went to Jollibee, and it was a bit busy and there was no vacant table to accommodate five people so I have asked if it is possible to eat upstairs but I was told just to use downstairs to my initial disappointment because the table that was given was a small round table for four people and the fifth chair will be positioned along the way blocking other people.  It wasn’t the first time Jollibee Odiongan made me feel bad, when we first dine in I was given a meal in a box when every body else was eating on their plate, dunno what is this fast food against me (lol). Honestly, I was asked that time if possible they could just served me a meal in the box because it was already available, I was surprised and because I don’t want to create a scene for being picky and stalling the line up, I just said ok but deep inside I felt bad (lol).

Since, they disappointment me for the second time I dine in, I just mentioned what to order and let my sister order it for us.  Gladly, a more spacious table was vacated so we moved.  We ordered five of their chicken joy super meals and pineapple juice as drink since cola isn’t allowed for my mother, five halo-halo Sundaes and extra order of Jolly spaghetti for me.

My grandmother was very happy being able to see and eat at Jollibee Odiongan, her smile is priceless. While eating I realized I am acting out and being childish, I am eating in a fast food restaurant and not in a fine dining so I should not expect a better table and maybe they have already clean and sanitized the second floor so it wasn’t allowed to use, but it is a way too early to clean isn’t it? Oh, well maybe they’re saving operational cost. I let my disappointment go and just enjoy the quality time with my family.  I was given a survey card and I didn’t vent out my disappointment in it, I shaded all positive reviews.

Since eyes is bigger than the stomach my sister and I ordered another set of a meal consisting rice and chicken with free cola which we just brought home after failing to consume it and realizing maybe we are not fair I have also ordered extra burger for my family which they also brought home since they’re all full.

JOLLIBEE ODIONGAN
Barangay Liwayway, Odiongan, Romblon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JollibeeODIONGANbranch/

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

The introverted me went out during the day to meet some old friends and since I felt guilty of eating out with my friends I invited my family to dine out last night, we have eaten already to few noted restaurants in Odiongan and we would like to try something new, a place we have not visited yet.

We end up at Deli Hunter a fast food restaurant in town which has opened on 2012.  We ordered and pay in the counter and waited for our food to be served, I ordered their blowout meals which consist 6 pieces fried chicken, 4 cups of rice, 2 mashed potatoes with gravy and 4 drinks for ₱555,  lumpiang shanghai ₱90, extra fried rice and Mie Goreng ₱90 to try.

The food was served in twenty minutes, the food was okay but oily especially the Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles), yes it is a fried noodles but it is way too oily and looks over cooked since it is mushy. I have forgot to take photo of the Lumpiang Shanghai and I only remember about it when it was already half-eaten.

We ordered their milk tea to go ₱60 for the small ones and ₱80 for the large glass. Well, if you are getting tired of eating at Jollibee you can visit Deli Hunter they have more food in their menu aside from fried chickens for affordable price, they have menu for breakfast, choices of sandwiches, rice and noodles combo meals. Their restaurant is spacious and you can let your kids play and have some entertainment while waiting for your orders and if you prefer to eat in the comfort of your home they do delivery just dial the number below.

Deli Hunter
Brgy. Ligaya, Odiongan, Romblon
Restaurant · Cafeteria · Cafe
Hours Open: 7:00AM – 10:00PM
Contact: 567-6293

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

Growing up we doesn’t really celebrate birthdays and holidays because it was a luxury we can’t afford. Well, to celebrate my father and sister’s birthday we decided to have a dinner at Orient’s Cuisine, it was perfect because it was also Father’s Day so it was triple celebration in one shot.

The restaurant wasn’t that spacious, when we arrived the only vacant table was the table in the corner facing the wall,  we are told they have also table upstairs, we choose to eat downstairs after one larger table was vacated by the other diners who already finishes their meal.

The owner was very friendly and accommodating, when the food we would like to order isn’t available she will suggest food that she thinks we are going to love and enjoy. While waiting for our order, we did numerous selfies to entertain ourselves. My father was given a pen with father’s day card/note as well as a complimentary mango pudding that were just eaten by us, instead of him.

We ordered their chow fan meals, pork tonkatsu for us and breaded fish for my mother, I have also ordered their birthday noodles which is just perfect for the occasion we are celebrating, a bowl of soup, two sets of pork siomai, buttered chicken and a shake which I have only remember to take a photo when it is already half-empty. Their chow fan meals has unlimited chow fan rice in celebration of father’s day.

Our orders were served after 40 minutes, we are informed instantly how long our food to be cooked unlike in few restaurant we have eaten at already, they will let us wait until our eyeballs turned white in hunger (lol).

The food at Orient’s Cuisine is undoubtedly fresh, tasty at a cheaper price, we have ordered and eaten a lot but we only have to pay less amount that we are able to order fish cracker as take-out and bring home the food that we couldn’t finished since our tummy were full already.

If you are looking for an Asian Fusion Restaurant, Orient’s Cuisine is what you need. You don’t need to burn your pockets just to eat Filipino, Singaporean, Japanese and Vietnamese style dishes.  The restaurant was just beside Never Naked Laundry Shop across the old internet shop “Blue Dimension”.

Orient’s Cuisine
Brgy. Liwanag, Odiongan, Romblon
Phone: 0915 225 6877

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

Holy week, after watching the holy procession in town, we have decided to dine in at BAIP’s Coffee Yard located in the nearby barangay. The coffee yard is famous with their appetizing food and colorful milk shakes.

When we came in at the front area where there are about two-three tables, there was no server around and it seems the place is a bit full (they still have room at their inner side, but you can’t fully see it from the hallway),  someone who knew my father offer their table since he said they are about to finish. We don’t  know if we should just barge in without the servers knowing, because we might not be seen right away when the place is busy.

In most restaurants I have been too locally and abroad, most restaurant has an usherette who welcome and guide their customers where to sit (which is very helpful for first time customers who doesn’t know how the restaurant works like), and even if they doesn’t have one there is someone from the counter/servers who will do the job or very smarty to do so but I guess everyone is busy. Gladly, one server tending/bringing food into a customer’s table went out and she saw us stalling, she guided us to a vacant table which is just vacated at the back yard.  There are other two other families waiting for their meal when we arrived, we are given their huge menu board, when my mother saw the prices she feels like walking out (hahaha).

We ordered the BAIP’s Group Meal which consists of six rices, six pieces fried chicken, one sisig platter, one pancit and a mason drink for ₱795 (this group meal is actually good for six persons) and three jars of milkshakes (Chocoloco, Rocky Road and Oreo) for ₱145 each and since sweet drinks isn’t allowed for my mother she got Cherry Frozen Iced Tea ₱90 for herself.

The food was served in about thirty minutes right after our neighbor table got their food, as we can hear from them, they have been there for so long and their food wasn’t served yet too. Anyway, their food was great, the chicken were juicy and the pancit was flavorful, but their sisig is just in between and their milkshakes were worth trying for, they’re very stylish and decorative. We are quite full on our meal that my mother has to takeout out the leftover chicken, I guess the milkshakes made us full.

If you are looking for a good place which is out of Odiongan town, BAIP’s Coffee Yard is must visit. It is  located at Brgy. Poctoy, Odiongan Romblon just beside Poctoy Elementary School and Bracelli School. It started as a simple coffee shop in a yard, but as of today their coffee shop/restaurant  has been upgraded to bigger and larger food place that can accommodate more people, when we visited the second floor wasn’t in used.

BAIP’s Coffee Yard
Coffee Shop · Restaurant
Brgy. Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeeyardpoctoy/
Call 0936 968 0409
Hours Open: 2:00PM to 11:30PM

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

The town parade for Kanidugan Festival is one of the must see during Odiongan Town Fiesta and as expected many Odionganons flocked to town to see it. When we arrived in town there were already many people waiting for the parade and the main road wasn’t passable anymore. The parade have already started so we decided to see it where we are rather than finding a new spot.

Anyway, instead of watching the ground demonstration we have decided to eat lunch first because our grandma who is with us to watch the festival was already feeling dizzy, I think she was overwhelmed by the noise and the number of people around her.

Compare to last year where we ate at Laszaji Grill on Town Fiesta we decided to try the food at Mac’s Chicken & Barbecue Haus. This Barbecue house wasn’t a new one in town, it was been here for a few years already but we never tried their restaurant thinking their food is expensive just by looking how the place looks like.

When we came in, there were not many people around there are many vacant tables. The servers who are standing welcoming the group ahead of us just looked at us as we enter, and since maybe we are adamant where to sit someone finally asked if we are not included the group, we replied no and that was the only time we are given attention.

We seated on the table at the front corner near the bar since there was fan in there and it is spacious for us. We are given their menu and contrary to our belief that food is expensive on this restaurant it was actually cheaper than we could imagine.  We ordered their five orders of their chicken barbecue, a bowl of shrimp sour soup, a platter of chopsuey and fruit salads for dessert. The service is a bit slow, it took forty five minutes before our food was served, well at least the bottled water I have ordered were given first.

As we are waiting for our order, one server asked us to move to a new table (we are currently seated in a six or eight person table) saying that there might be other people who will come in. I was very disappointed, we are five people and she moved us to four person table when there are plenty of vacant table around since the place was spacious.

As what was expected when our orders arrived after waiting it for so long the table was too small to hold our food, our movement when eating is limited.  What’s more ironic there was only two group who came until we finishes eating our food and the table we are asked to be vacated has been empty until we finished eating and left the restaurant, so imagine how bad I feel being kicked out to a smaller table (lol).

Anyway, it was a good thing that their food wasn’t bad at all just  a little burn because if it was bad I’ll be sulking until we went out and I will never come back at this restaurant again. Their chicken barbecue was only for ₱99 with rice, coleslaw, sauce and with a bottle of small coke.

Unlike, many other restaurants you have to pay at the counter when you asked for your bill.  My sister pointed out the tip jar since she knew I have the habit of doing it but since I was disappointed I didn’t bother at all.

Well, if you are looking for a silent and spacious place to dine in with your family you can try Mac’s Chicken & Barbecue Haus and yes they have wide selection of food other than the chicken barbecue.  They also have “Eat all You Can” event during Sunday evening for only ₱199.

Mac’s Chicken & Barbecue Haus
Barangay Liwayway, Odiongan, Romblon
Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/MACSHaus
Mobile No. – 0920 925 7284

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and might be different from yours.

It was my cousin’s wedding yesterday, my parents were one of the principal sponsors and my younger sister was one of the bridesmaids and me was one of the visitors. I dress nicely so I won’t be under-dress like the previous weddings of my relatives but I think I over dress because my dress blend with the bridesmaids.

Below are some of the disappointments, problems they face before and after the wedding.

Unforeseen Event

My cousin’s wedding brought a lot of stress to them, days before the wedding the mother of the groom died so the groom family wasn’t able to attend the wedding, then there was a typhoon so there was a lot of passengers that has been stranded, so some of their visitors and part of the entourage were not able to attend my cousin’s wedding.

Gown Rental

The dresses of the bridesmaid were not done on time and the dress of the matron of honor was a disaster that she wasn’t able to wear it on the wedding day. A few months before the wedding day, my cousin’s family informed the couturier about the bridesmaid dresses, the color and etc., The bridesmaid even went to their house/shop for the measurement, everything went well but not as the wedding day is coming. A few weeks before the wedding the dresses weren’t ready yet, it was told that they were still in Manila as they were sewn in the city, days before the wedding the dresses were still out of sight, the bridesmaid had to be measured again just in case the dresses needs to be repaired for their new measurement.  A day before the wedding the dresses arrives to their house and it is coming from out of town contrary to what is told that is coming from Manila, and since the dresses were not yet fully finished, minor details were not added yet my aunt and the bride has to wait for them until early mornight. Instead of relaxing for the wedding tomorrow they are stressed waiting for the bridesmaid dress to be done.

Catering

The reception was a disappointment too. There are still photos taking photos at the church but the groom and bride’s cut-outs name has to be removed because it has to be used at the reception held at the bride’s residence. The program proper didn’t start until the bride and grooms place was not set-up (re: adding the cut-outs). Then the secondary sponsors were not given a presidential table they have to fall inline in a buffet so they could eat. And according to the family, the food that they choose with the caterer were not the food that was served and the vegetable menu was lacking, their utensils went missing after the wedding (dunno who took them it is either the visitors or the caterer) and even some of the food were gone quickly when there are only a few visitors. In the end, the caterer refunded an amount brought by unpleasing service.

Film and Video

Added to the fiasco was the video and camera persons hurrying to finish the wedding reception ceremony because they have another engagement in the afternoon but they took their time eating at the reception.

Over-all, it was a successful event despite the mishaps and blunders of people they trust on the dresses, reception and documentation of their wedding.

Update:

After a month, they are able to claim the photos and video taken on my cousins wedding day.  Disappointment of all disappointment the video was of low quality, a pirated DVD is far more clearer than their wedding video.  It looks like the  videographer  doesn’t know his craft,  the video was either zoomed out or the people were cut,  the sound and movements were not sync too. They returned it to the studio but the quality was still the same darker and blurry but it sync now, the video was not just a remembrance of their wedding but also for the groom’s family to see because they were not able to attend their wedding. Maybe they could just day “that’s how its done in Odiongan!”

It was been a month since I have an update over here, it just came to the point I felt tired writing. Anyway, I will probably post backdated post for Sundays I’ve missed to post. My sister and I went to the town market today, we bought a kilo of fish at the wet market and pieces of bread at the bakery, for our father’s snacks at work.  Nearby the wet market there are two carts of street food, we usually buy to go street food when my sister and I have extra shackles for it.

Tonight they have plenty of lumpiang gulay (vegetable rolls), isaw (chicken’s intestine) and what they called dynamite, a stuffed green chilli peppers like the street food in Korea (gochu twikim) and since it is mouth watering I can’t let it passed. These street foods are always sold out every day and it is rare that they are still available.

Street foods are very popular in the street of Philippines and aside from the food I mentioned above fishballs, kikiam,  siomai, calamares, chicken and meat barbecue were very popular street food too among Filipinos.

With the scorching heat of the sun, humidity,  limited supply of water and without rain for a longer period of time it is definitely summer time. Some of our relatives went home when my aunt dies and my older cousin’s and her kids stays for short vacation and last Saturday it was agreed by many to have a dip to ease the warm weather.

The clan decided to do family outing at SATO Beach Resort which is just in a neighboring barangay, initially I am not attending since my family doesn’t want to go because my father isn’t in a good mood and he is at work, my mother thought if we tagged along he will not like it. My family offered to drop me at the beach resort but I declined since it feel awkward to be alone without them but when an older cousin came to our house and asked if we are not tagging along, my family pushed me to go and since I would like to visit the place that I have been only hearing from other people I went with them.

SATO Beach Resort was located in Brgy. Batiano, the resort was just a few meters away from Odiongan port it is overlooking the port and a beach shore but the main attraction was the large pool and slides. There are plenty of people on their family outing and there was also a wedding reception taking place at the main hall.  SATO Beach Resort has a pool for adult and a pool for kids to enjoy, the large pool was huge, the water is salty and the chlorine is very strong to the extent that it smells like Zonrox bleach for clothes,  the moment that my cousins dip in the pool they complaint that they felt itchy and keep scratching their skin same with the kids with us, I didn’t feel itchiness so I have told them maybe skin is thick like carabao skin and wasn’t so sensitive like theirs. I didn’t dip longer in the pool and just dip when it is cloudy, I just dip three times in short period of time but turn very dark easily like everyone, wasn’t sure if it was because of the salty water, the sun or is it a chemical burn from strong smelly water?

Browsing online here’s what I found from ask.com – According to clorox.com, chlorine levels in the water should not exceed 3ppm (parts per million) as measured by a pool testing kit. To reach these levels, very little chlorine is needed. For example, if a circular pool has water 3 feet deep and is 15 feet in diameter, only 5 cups are needed to reach the appropriate chlorine levels. Although liquid bleach and chlorine tablets both contain the same chemical, it is extremely important to know what other chemicals are contained in both products. Do not ever put chemicals in the pool that are not recommended for use in pools, and do not substitute products such as cleaners with bleach for plain, liquid bleach. Know the type of filtration system in the pool, and be sure to avoid chemicals that can react with other cleaning chemicals and cleaning systems. Always test the pool water with a pool testing kit before entering, and do not enter the pool if chlorine levels are above 3ppm. Wait until the sunlight breaks the chlorine down, and test the water again.

My aunts rented two cottage but was given a free one for renting two, I have forgot to ask how much does it cost for each cottage but the entrance fee cost ₱50 per head (adult) and ₱30 per head (kids) and ₱40 for senior citizen. The cottage was good but since the resort doesn’t have too many trees and it is overlooking the beach it was very open and not shady like it should be.

Anyway, I didn’t take long and went home early with our grandmother leaving everyone to enjoy on their own. I have informed our distant cousin that everybody went to SATO beach resort and I have informed the salty and strong smelly water, he seconded about it and says it was the reason why they didn’t went in the outing because they had a batch reunion less than a month ago in the said resort so they knew how the pool was like.

SATO beach resort is very spacious, good location since it is overlooking the beach, the downside not enough shade to enjoy and the water has a strong smell of bleach not sure if it is because the pool is using salty water unlike other pool around.

SATO BEACH RESORT
Pier, Batiano, Odiongan, Romblon
Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/satobeachresort/
Mobile No. – (042) 567-6279 / 09473421701 / 09353574631

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Above written post was my own personal experience and opinion and might be different from yours.