Exploding like Dynamite: Chili Cheese Sticks

As we all know cheese sticks are our favorite snack both kids and kids at heart. Cheese sticks are elongated cheese wrapped in lumpia wrapper and deep fried. Mostly, it is served as an appetizer to restaurants matched with mayo-ketchup or mustard. Last week I discovered this kind of cheese stick but with a twist, on a cable channel’s cooking show, introducing Chili Cheese Sticks. Cheese sticks wrapped in Green Finger Chilies then wrapped in Lumpia wrapper & deep fried. It looks so yummy and zesty so I decided to create some with my own aioli-ketchup sauce. So here’s how:

Ingredients:

7 pcs.                                   Green Finger Chili

1 pc.                                    Beaten Egg

1 cup                                    bread crumbs or flour seasoned with salt &  

                                            pepper

7 pcs.                                   Lumpia wrapper

1 & ½ (sulit pack)                  block cheddar cheese

1/8 cup                                water for sealing

1 cup                                    Oil for deep frying or pan frying

Aioli sauce:

3 spoonful                            mayonnaise

1 spoonful                            ketchup

1 clove                                 garlic slice into bits

Procedure:

1.       Wash the Finger Chillies.

2.       Using a rubber or plastic hand gloves (to avoid the heat of chilies on your skin), slice the chili vertically from top to the tip, leaving enough space from the head. Then another slice horizontally at the top but not in full cut, enough space to remove the seeds. 

 

3.       Scrape the seeds. If you want milder chilies, remove the vein that line inside the flesh. 

4.       Stuffed the chilies with cheese. 

5.       Dip the stuffed chilies on beaten egg  (I used flat bowl so I can coat the chilies evenly)

6.       Lay flat the stuffed chili on Lumpia wrapper folding one end then roll it over keeping the head on one end. Seal the wide end with small amount of water.

7.       Dip again the wrap in the beaten egg and coat evenly.

8.       Dip the wrap on seasoned bread crumbs.

9.       Heat the oil for frying. You can choose if you want it pan fried or deep fried

10.   Fry the wrap until golden brown.

11.   Set aside and dab it to tissue paper to absorb excess oil.

12.   For the Aioli sauce. Mixed in a bowl, mayonnaise, ketchup and bits of garlic. Season it with salt & pepper.

13.   Serve and enjoy. Happy eating!

>>>>>>>>Admin Aey<<<<<<<<

A day of heritage & culture at Nayong Pilipino Clark

After our joyous experience seeing gigantic balloons soared high in the 17^th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta we decided to take a side trip to Nayong Pilipino Clark, since we finished early at the show. We all know that Nayong Pilipino is in Pasay where we took field trips during our elementary days, but yes you read it right a new Nayong Pilipino was built and re-opened year 2007 in Clark Field Pampanga. Entrance fee is 50 pesos for adults and 30 for children, and if you’re bringing your car 20 pesos is for parking fee. The park is open daily from 8am to 6pm. Shuttle service for park goers are also available at the Clark Freeport Zone main gate near SM Clark.

Nayong Pilipino features replicas of Philippine tourist landmarks, cultural heritage, and museums. It showcases our rich heritage and culture all in one place. Some of the replicas are Emilio Aguinaldo’s house, Jose Rizal’s house, Barasoain church and Spanish type plaza. 

Aguinaldo House

Barasoain Church Replica

Chinese Bridge

There are Aeta Village, Ifugao Hut, kalinga Village, Nipa hut lodges and cottages that can be rented for a picnic spree. We’re lucky that day because we also got the chance to witness the park’s cultural shows and presentations. On first set of performance, we were serenaded by rondalla band tuning up with classical songs followed by folk dances. The Nayong Pilipino Dance Troupe performs traditional Filipino dances accompanied by the live rondalla band. As we saw this group of performers, we reminisced our elementary and high school days during Phil Days performing different folk dances such as Cariñosa, Tinikling, Singkil, Pandanggo sa ilaw, Sayaw sa sombrero, Bulaklakan, and a lot more. The dancers were great on their Baro’t saya and barong costumes while having their great performance. After their set, they invited viewers to try dancing the tinikling and one foreign tourist enjoyed it.

We really enjoyed our visit and it was a fun side trip because we've got the chance to enhance our remembrance of the rich historical traditions & cultures of our motherland. 

 

For reservations, inquiries you can call Nayong Pilipino at these numbers:

Clark office (045) 4361718 / (+63) 916-6850997 (+63) 949-7681893

Pasay Office (02) 832-3767

Or just visit their site at www.nayonsaclark.com

17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta : where everything flies

As we all know February is month of love where people become romantic and spend some extra sweet quality time with their special someone or loved ones. Couple, family and friends hunt for some things to do, places to see or events to witness and festivals are some of the ideal hang-out. Some of these festivals include Pamulinawen in Laoag, Suman festival in Baler Aurora, Candle festival in Jaro Ilo-ilo, Panagbenga in Baguio, and a lot more.  But here is an extraordinary outdoor experience that surely you will loved. It is The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta where “Everything flies”. It is an annual tournament of balloonist from various countries and it features aero sport shows, kite flying, games, exhibitions and many more. It’s a four days event happens every February at Clark Field Angeles Pampanga. 

As our group wanted to celebrate Hearts Month, we decided to have a pre-Valentines date witnessing big balloons soar thousands of feet high. We were able to attend the 3^rd day which is Saturday, February 11. My friends decided to stay at our home a night before and without sleep we left Manila 2 in the morning. (Just a tip, if you wanted to have a convenient parking slot near the entrance and good viewing spot you should be at the venue 4 in the morning and also to avoid long lines in entrance and ticketing booths. But for us, we booked our tickets 1 week ahead in SM TicketNet outlets: Mall of Asia, SM Makati, SM Bicutan, SM Southmall, etc. for only 200 + 20 pesos for the handling fee) We arrived at Clark 4 in the morning and the queue to the parking area, as well as the main entrance of the show area was very long but you’ll feel that everyone’s excited for the show. Around 5:30 in the morning remote controlled AeroLED aircrafts started to fly in the sky, a go signal that the show will start in a few minutes. 

remote-controlled AeroLED

When the clock ticked at exactly 6 in the morning, a sky jumper was seen in the sky carrying a Philippine flag while Philippine National Anthem played in the airways. It was an extraordinary feeling of proudness; and yes this is our homeland! 

Moments later participants started to set-up their balloons on the open ground, and we we’re so amazed on how hot air balloons were unloaded from the trucks, unfolded to the ground, get inflated, burst with fire and finally bloom in the sky. After a few minutes, the beautiful blue sky was filled with multicolor of varied sizes & designs flying big balloons. It was a wonderful and very child-like feeling like we’re back on our childhood days playing and capturing these gigantic balloons. Some of our favorites are the Daisy, Ice cream, Cake and Panda. 

The festival also features a number of events in skydiving, flag jumps, micro light and rocketry demonstrations, helicopter flying exhibitions, freestyle aerobatics, precision maneuvers, light airplane balloon bursting, ultra-light flying formation and bomb dropping, kite-making and choreographed Kite-Flying. After enjoying the balloons, we roam around the field to capture photos of AFP’s armored & military vehicles, weapons, assault rifles, gigantic air/warcrafts, and skydiving outfits.

Sky Diver formation

Since we finished early at the show, we decided to have a side trip at Nayong Pilipino Clark and took our lunch at the famous Aling Lucing’s Sisig and Susie’s pasalubong; tibok-tibok as their specialty which I will blog on my next entry.

Getting the chance to witness this kind of fiesta was really fulfilling and fun-filled not only because of the Big balloons but the chance of spending early Valentines with my friends, no one can replace the memories, experience, and the bonding where everything flies!!! 

Directions to Clark Pampanga:

Getting to the Clark Special Economic Zone by car, take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. Take a left turn towards Angeles City and right turn into Clark. On entering the main gate, proceed along Roxas highway and the Balloon Fiesta will be to your right. Car trips usually take about an hour and a half to two hours from Manila.

Weekend at La Virginia Resort Batangas

Because September is the birth month of three in our group, we always ensure that an outing is already on the list. Last 2009 when I spotted La Virginia resort in the web that truly caught my attention. Who would have not agreed to have a weekend trip to a resort with complete facilities, close to nature and overlooking Taal volcano? Good thing is their website is not deceiving because what you see from their website looks exactly as it is on you actual visit. The resort has five large swimming pools, numerous hotel accommodation and picnic facilities within the resort. More reasons why I loved our stay here were the ambience of the resort surrounded by coconuts, the infinity pool & Hotel rooms that offer breathtaking views of Taal Volcano, can bring with you your food, and every corner is a perfect background for picture-taking. 

Other facilities include:
Infinity Pool

Adult and Kiddie Pool
Picnic Treehouse
Hanging Bridge
Zipline
Pagoda 
Restaurant
Buddha View Deck
Clubhouse
Chapel
Hotel Rooms
Superior Room: P4,500
Hotel Room with Taal view: P4,000
Deluxe Room: P3,500


How to get there:
Take a bus bound to Batangas City via Tanauan-Lipa route. If you’re coming from Alabang there are lot of buses bound to Batangas City from its terminal near Jollibee junction. Get-off at Robinsons Lipa then ride a jeepney bound to Bayorbor or Nangkaan and tell the driver to drop you off at Longos. From Longos, you can just get a tricycle ride to La Virginia Resort & Hotel.


If you have queries this is their contact detail:
La Virginia Resort
Barangay Manggahan
Mataas na Kahoy
Batangas
Philippines
(043) 703-2145 (Voice)
(043) 312-4323 (Fax)
info@lavirginiaresort.com
lavirginiaresort@yahoo.com

view from our room

If you want to be away from hustle bustle of your job, La Virginia is a nice place to visit, to unwind and relax. It’s advisable for those who want to have weekend getaways few hours away from the Metro. It not only provides fun and adventure, it also provides marvelous insights, enlightens our mind, and recharged us to face loads of work after our vacation. So if you want complete relaxation and nature tripping, drop a visit to Batangas where La Virginia resort can offer you fun and tranquility of nature.

>>>>>>Admin Aey<<<<<<

Ways to celebrate Valentines

February is nearly approaching and it only means one thing; Valentines is coming! It’s a celebration of love and affection not only for couples but also applicable to families and friends.  Surely flower shops will be jam-packed for locals buying bouquets, hotels fully-booked with romantic candle light dinner dates and gift shops filled with “Heart” items. Valentine’s Day can be a great time for everyone to relax and unwind just by simply preparing dinner at home with some romantic touch of candles and rose petals. On the other hand we can celebrate this romantic event outdoors with new adventure and feel a new kind of thrill that brought us in listing some ideas on how to celebrate Valentines in extra special ways. Here’s how:

A romantic candle light dinner date is one of the most common ways to celebrate Valentines, but we can add some spice and extra scoops to your preferred romantic date. Why not try Sunset Cruise in Manila Bay. A dinner cruise with your special someone while watching the sun to set with a touch of romantic serenade is so effing romantic, isn’t it! Sunset Cruise package of Sun Cruises includes a romantic serenade on board the M/V Spirit of Manila which docks beside the Jumbo Palace Floating Restaurant at the back of CCP Complex which cost Php550nett per person! There are 3 schedules to choose from: 4:30pm, 6:15pm and 8:00pm. I recommend taking the 6:15pm schedule to be able to enjoy the romantic sunset by the bay. 

But if you want a different level of adventure on your date, you can choose Hot Air balloon festival that is celebrated February of every year at Clark Field Pampanga. This year’s event will be held on February 9-12 and usually starts 5:30 in the morning with Hot Air balloon flight and ends with fireworks at 7 in the evening for the last day. The event also includes paragliding, helicopter flying exhibition, hot air balloon glow in the evening, aerial exhibition, skydiving and many other aerial activities. Admission tickets can be bought at the Clark Field gate or if you want to avoid long lines in you can buy tickets in advance at Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar or in authorized outlets of Ticketnet for 200 pesos only. For more details & schedule you can visit http://www.philballoonfest.net/

photo courtesy of southeastasia.org

Another way of celebrating Valentines with your special someone, families and friends is witnessing month-long annual event in Baguio City, the parade of flowers which commonly known as Panagbenga festival. The festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers and includes street dancing presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes. Grand Flower Parade starts at the upper Session Road and ends at the Athletic Oval in Burnham Park. The program usually starts at 8AM but starting at 6AM lot of spectators were already flocked on both sides of the Session road.  If you want to experience this wonderful event as a Valentines celebration you should reserved your bus tickets and hotel in advance for your convenience and to avoid some hitches. Most hotels in Baguio were fully-booked as early as January. Click here for the complete Panagbenga schedule. For more info about Baguio you can refer to this previous blog. 

photo courtesy of I love Panagbenga

For many people, Valentine's Day is the ultimate day for romance. For others, it is just another day and not a big deal. Single, in a relationship, married, love for family and friends, either way you can celebrate Valentines even with just an ordinary day. Whatever kind of Valentine celebration you want with the one you love and with people so dear to you, the most important thing is spreading love and make them feel loved every day. Even with just a romantic gesture, expressing I love you’s, and with simple things, it becomes meaningful because it shows your loved-one how he or she is valuable to you. Love love love. Advance Happy Love Month everyone. <3<3<3

>>>>>>>>Admin Aey<<<<<<<<

It's more fun in the Philippines! part2

I got so addicted to this fun maker, creating your own fun memes as a contribution to DOT's tourism campaign "It's more fun in the Philippines!" Now. here's another batch of my little contribution, It's more fun in the Philippines?, here's why:

Calaguas Island in Daet Camarines Norte

My Bestfriend chasing the waves of Calaguas Island

Bagasbas beach - surfing capital of Bicol region in Daet Camarines Norte

Calaguas Island Camarines Norte

It's really more fun in the Philippines, isn't it? Now for you, why do you think it's more fun in our country? For me Philippines and its people why we're number one for FUN!

It's More Fun in the Philippines!

Early this year the Department of tourism unveiled its new slogan “IT’S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES.”  Some agreed, some were contented and some said it’s not catchy at all maybe because our fellowmen were much hooked with “WOW Philippines.” After it’s launching some accusations also brought out, that this tagline was merely used by Switzerland on their 1951 tourism campaign. But as DOT Secretary Mon Jimenez said in an interview, “Who bought the word It’s more fun!” and it’s very true. Though there are negative feedbacks, this slogan still catches the heart and mind of Filipinos and I’m one of them. Since it was launched I’m in full support and I can relate to this tagline. Yes it’s absolutely MORE FUN in the PHILIPPINES, and I know the feeling because we’ve been to many places, discovered new paradise, culture, history, foods, white sand beaches, sunsets and of course PEOPLE. Nothing can beat our HOSPITALITY, isn’t it? Some may have accused negative feedbacks, but there is no denying that "It's more fun in the Philippines" has made a positive impact as netizens continue to create their own versions of the country's newest slogan and it goes viral. Some great minds created this customized widget (click here) where you can create your own “Philipp-FUN” memes. And these are my contributions:

It's really FUN and I'm really enjoying it! So instead of bashing negative comments why not let’s help our country and the DOT with their advocacy. Let’s ask ourselves, what little things I can do to promote tourism in our country. How can I tell the world that IT’S REALLY MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!