Unlimited Rice

My friend and I were starving one night, we don't have food to eat in our house so my friend suggested to eat somewhere in Marikina. While walking, we saw Tin-tin and  and Albert Sizzling House which is located in Concepcion.   That was my first to to eat there because they are only new in the location.My friend told me that back then, they are located at Anonas near St.Joseph Church. The place offers 16 inexpensive sizzling dishes on its menu and a friendly environment. If you’re a girl scout or a cowboy who’s not too sophisticated, then you’ll love this place. Make sure to try liempo steak . This dish has delicious taste.

We ordered first before we choose where we will be seated.I chose Liempo steak and my friend chose chicken b-b-q. It was really worth the price because for only 50 pesos you'll already satisfied and it is all served with unlimited rice! But they have a policy that if you didn't eat your extra rice or there is still a rice on your plate you must pay 15 pesos for a rice.  Even though the sizzling house were surrounded by different fast food chain, There’s a lot of people want to eat there because of their cheap price and yummy food! Also, the person who are serving the food was very approachable and friendly. They will  ask you all the time what you need  or want. 

Pilgrimage

Just like many other churches in the Philippines, Manaoag is full of vendors selling candles, rosaries, novena booklets and other religious paraphernalia as well as fruits and other local delicacies. Each of them would then narrate their own sad stories to lure you into buying their products. My tip would be for you not to buy from any of them. If you do buy from one of them, then you have to buy from all of them as they would crowd you and surround you. The only way to get away from them is to run to the church. If you’re looking to buy some religious items though, don’t worry as there are some parish-operated shops within the church grounds.

The church is very simple and old. At the altar, you will see the statue of  Our Lady of Manaoag at the center. She is in between the statues of San Francisco and Sto. Domingo. On top, you will see the statues of the Holy Family.

You have to check out as well the four paintings on the right and left wings of the church. You will see on the paintings how the image of the Blessed Virgin was saved from the fire, her apparition on the tree, and finally, her veneration at the shrine. 

Entering the church even though I'm not a Catholic, I feel the presence of God and I particularly enjoyed observing the varying emotions and facial expressions inside the church at the  mass, as well as the ones in deep prayer. It was overwhelmed on what I see and what I feel inside the Church. I highly respect the beliefs of the Catholic though I'm Iglesia Ni Cristo . I participated on the mass and and I also prayed. To the Catholic People, Ourv Lady of  the Holy Rosary of Manaog was the best  for a holy place. 

Ma Mon Luk

Together with my blockmate Chesca, we sat down and actually ordered something at Ma Mon Luk, the restaurant that claims to have invented the first mami noodles in the country. R. Ma Mon Luk is located on a seedy part of Recto and Quiapo, but don’t let that detract you from going there. The place is pretty safe as long as you’re street smart. I mean, keep your cell phones in your pockets, guard your backpack zippers and do not look lost.

It was not my first time to enter the restaurant. But everytime I went inside, I suddenly had a feeling that I was back in the early era. The marble tables, wooden chairs, tenured waiters, old picture frames on the wall and the smell of that Special Mami whiff just kept me in that bizarre mood.  The floors are made of scrubbed white-washed tiles similar to my Lolo's house at Zambales, the walls are bare except for newspaper and magazine clippings singing praises about Ma Mon Luk, and the furniture are as legit as my grandma’s, wooden chairs paired with marble-topped tables.

   

I tried the legendary Ma Mon Luk's Original Special Mami in a large bowl, I first took a sip of the mami soup (that I regularly do whenever I encounter mami), and the savory taste of the soup crossed my taste buds. The noodles were medium thick, the soup was really tasty (tasty like you'll never need to add fishsauce or pepper!), the chicken/pork toppings were so well done, the chinese noodles was so satisfying, it filled my stomach like it was my last lunch. 

Until now, I still have that little hangover whenever I remember how good the Ma Mon Luk dishes were. I am planning to come back to this restaurant for another round of satisfying goodness, but now with my cousin who will be celebrating her birthday! Let's see if she will enjoy our future food trip in MML and if she will also get this immortal craving for Ma Mon Luk like me! Look! I am definitely hooked by the taste of Ma Mon Luk! :)

How about you? Have you tried eating at Ma Mon Luk? Maybe you can share your experience too! 

MOA Eye Experience

I’d like to say  that Mall of Asia has always been one of those places that people love going to, whether hanging out with friends, relatives or just you. When you get there, you get the feeling of being highly enthusiastic and energized because the place never seem to get old. As the second largest mall in Asia, located in Pasay City, Philippines near Central SM Business Park, one day is not enough to take a view of the entire place as it is extremely large. The moment you step in, the crowd and the music will eventually turn your mood up, without you knowing it.

The ferris wheel has a charm that appeals to the young and the old. It’s not only another tourist attraction, but in a way, it’s quite historical as well. It is now the tallest ferris wheel in the country.  MOA Eye has 36 air-conditioned gondolas,So exciting for all ages, so cozy and romantic for lovers.

It’s just so amazing to be up there and look at all the things your eyes can see. Everything seems to be so peaceful up there, everything is silent, you can even look at the clouds above the sky, and grab the opportunity to perceive with your eyes, every wonderful things beneath as you take the view from the top. Let me tell you this fact, words are not enough to sustain the excitement you’d feel when you get there.

When you’re already standing there in front of the biggest Ferris wheel your eyes can ever see in Philippines, you can never explain that kind of thrill. There are lots of things in this world, relevant to adventures, that are too terrific and we just can’t turn them into words, you know what I mean? And remember, it’s not always about fun, safety is essential. It’s just like riding an airplane, passenger needs to buckle up their seat belts in order for them to be safe on their flight, same thing that happens on your Ferris wheel ride. It’s a good idea to share, especially to those tourist, to try it now. You don’t ever want to miss this adventure.

Honestly, I think I can find more value for P150 in other things. I can buy a movie ticket .  I can buy a lot of arcade tokens and play Terminator or bet on frog racing. Although I think P150 is a bit pricey, I would recommend riding the MOA EYE just for the heck of it. If you’re having a vacation in Manila or sick of the usual attractions in MOA, it’s definitely worth a try. It’s an awesome 10-minute bonding with friends and family.