Experiencing Valenzuela City: First Time in San Roque Fiesta 2018

"Doon po sa amin, Bayan ng San Roque

may nagkatuwaang apat na pulubi.

Nagsayaw ang pilay, nakinig ang bingi.

Nanood ang bulag, kumanta ang pipi."

This song,"Awit ng Apat na Pulubi", reminds One Valenzuela of the great experience that she had when she first attended the San Roque Fiesta in Mabolo, Valenzuela City last May 12, 2018. Admittedly, she never had the chance to come over to this well-celebrated feast before because of work and studies. Thus, this makes her visit this year a special one.

Welcome to Barangay Mabolo! Welcome to the San Roque Fiesta in Valenzuela City!

Her long afternoon walks would sometimes lead her in front of the San Roque chapel which on an ordinary day would silently make its towering presence as One Valenzuela pass by Mabolo, on her way to Coloong or Polo (see 2014 post for markers: Beautiful Churches in Valenzuela City: San Roque Chapel). But this time around, the tranquil neighborhood transformed into a lively community full of devotees and visitors coming from within and outside Valenzuela City! She also spotted several foreign tourists along the streets who are taking photos and buying sweet delicacies. 

She was invited to become one of the judges in the  Sayaw-Pasasalamat Street Dance Contest. All the judges were first timers in the fiesta and so they were given a brief tour around the locale by the Valenzuela City Historian and Curator, Jonathan Balsamo. There they learned that Valenzuela City has been observing the feast of San Roque every May 12 since 1763, making 2018 the 256th year of celebration.

If you are looking into being part of the festivities next year, the announcement of activities is commonly posted online (Metro News Central's Post of the Schedule can be found here.) and on the community boards. Yet typically, the height of events (street dance) happens in the morning of May 12, ending at around noon.  Want to know what to do in the feast? Come along and read on.

Eat at Jimmy's Lugawan

First stop, a quick Filipino breakfast of porridge and fried tofu. Jimmy's Lugawan is very near the San Roque Chapel and is a go-to place by many who want to have a fill before the action starts along the streets. 

Quick stop at Jimmy's Lugawan

There are also other places to eat in Barangay Mabolo. A good blogger friend who resides here says that she will show One Valenzuela these spots soon. Hopefully, veeery soon!

Attend the Mass at San Roque Chapel

In Valenzuela City, San Roque is well known as the Patron Saint of the sick and invalid as well as the Patron Saint of the unmarried. One Valenzuela was not able to attend the mass because they arrived at Mabolo an hour after the mass. She still went inside the church to say a simple prayer before lighting white and red candles. The white candle, they say, is for good health while the red one is for family-related prayers. 

San Roque Chapel

Various types of candles which can be found in a stand located near the entrance of the San Roque Chapel

Watch the Sayawan sa Calle (Street Dance) Parade and Contest

The street comes alive and full of people during the Sayawan sa Calle. Just line up along the road together with other spectators and wait for the parade to come. Better bring your camera to capture the excitement!

One Valenzuela also enjoyed watching every entry in the Sayaw-Pasasalamat contest. She just had to tap her pencil to the beat as the dancers do their moves! The group named Green Ox Allstars, hailing from Barangay Maysan, won first place in this year's contest. One Valenzuela later learned that this group also topped last year's competition. Again, congratulations for your back-to-back winning streak!

Green Ox Allstars bagged the top spot in this year's Sayaw-Pasasalamat. #backtobackwin

Check out the Items for Sale on the Street

There are a lot of merchandise which one can purchase on both sides of the street. There were small statues, native hats, clothes...too many to mention! One Valenzuela spotted a lady who is selling cooking sets made of clay. She bought a set for Little One Valenzuela.  

Colorful clothes for children on display in this particular stall

Nostalgia kicks in. One Valenzuela had a set of clay pots when she was younger. She and her childhood friends would cook real rice and other stuff using this. The big set goes for Php60.00.

Meet People, Buy Delicacies, and... Eat Again!
One Valenzuela and her fellow judges were warmly welcomed at a good home in nearby Coloong. There they had a good discussion over lunch about the San Roque Fiesta. She was filled with good food, stories, and memories! 

Salamat po!

Stall after stall of sweet and savory delicacies. One Valenzuela got a plastic full of kakanin  as pasalubong for loved ones.

Feast your eyes and tastebuds on this. Love the latik over these slices of kakanin!

For the sweet tooth, get a cup of bukayo. Bukayo is made out of coconut strips and brown sugar.

Hay, One Valenzuela's heart was full the brim. It was indeed a great experience. She imagines herself coming again in next year's festivities, joining the crowd, and shouting to the top of her lungs, "Mano po, San Roque!".

One Valenzuela would like to thank the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Development Office for making this possible.    

Beyond Valenzuela: Soul Searching & Learning 7 More Things about El Nido

There are moments when you just need some time to unwind and reflect on things. The first few months of 2018 have been a whirlwind for One Valenzuela and she believes that this may have been the case for some of you as well. Life is hard but it’s up to us on how we will face the music, right?

One Valenzuela felt the need to have a brief break after a speaking engagement in Puerto Princesa, Palawan which went quite well (Thank you for the opportunity!). El Nido calls her back the second time around.

El Nido is such an amazing place to be in. One Valenzuela remembers the first time she went here with Little One Valenzuela – they grabbed a couple of blueberry muffins from El Nido Midtown Bakery, walked along the beach, and watched the sunset let out its magic. 

You might have seen a lot of posts about how one can splurge on a grand vacation in El Nido or simply get there on a humble budget (One Valenzuela falls in the latter; simple lang po tayo). Well, this post is not an exhaustive travel guide about El Nido. You will find those in travel-themed blogs which One Valenzuela also read whenever going to places beyond Valenzuela City. Rather, this post will give a few more points which may help you as you do your soul-searching in this gorgeous place through the photos below. Here are a few things that made her solo stay there even more unforgettable.

 1. How to travel better from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

 Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is approximately 5 to 6 hours via land. Be ready for such a long journey. One Valenzuela brings snacks to munch on and water to drink for this trip. There are vans and buses which are cheaper. But for those who want to be a bit more comfortable, Daytripper’s vehicles have ample leg room which makes the travel much bearable. Vans are not allowed to go beyond the terminal and so you have to take the tricycle (Php50) to reach your lodging. This is not the best shot of the van but just focus on the leg room.

2. What tour to take?

Tours A (Blue lagoons - Php1,200) and C (Islands and beaches - Php1,400 as of this writing). Suggestions: If you need to choose one, take Tour A. If you can do both, take tour C first then A. If you can do all tours, why not try all!?! Prices are fixed in El Nido and the tours all come with a sumptious group lunch. She intends to do the Taraw hike (Php700 as of 2018) and go to Nacpan in the future if life permits it again.

Other than the paradise itself, guides do their best to entertain tourists. One Valenzuela has to mention Jerome and his fellow tour guide who showed how to make birds and grasshoppers out of coconut leaves. Jerome said that seasoned tour guides pass this kind of knowledge to them. Ang galing!

3. Where to stay?

One Valenzuela has not experienced staying in a posh place while in El Nido. Again, she is just a simple kid. She highly recommends Biolina Guesthouse, a family-owned accommodation because of its budget-friendliness (Php1,000 for a fan room), the people’s warmth towards guests (saying hi to the Mantoses!), and the location which is literally near everything (beach, food spots, the Canopy walk). And you know what? The bougainvillea plant that they have there has a bird's nest during One Valenzuela's stay meaning that the birds are THAT comfortable to reside with the humans in this place. Well, to say it shortly, learn from the birds.

4. Where to run?

 Want to sweat it out after eating a lot? A Palaweño told her that runners frequent the uphill road near their elementary school. One Valenzuela tried the route! Basang sisiw mode on. It was her first time to run on an inclined path. Along the road are some cashew nut trees where she was able to pick a few fruits (with permission from the owner). By the way, Palawan is known for cashew nuts, so grab a few packs for pasalubong.

5. The best ice cream in El Nido?

 According to One Valenzuela’s taste buds, grab a cone of Gusto Gelato. She personally loves their Dark Chocolate ice cream. The tiramisu flavor is also good - she ate some while simply walking along the streets of El Nido. By the way, they also allow you to have samples of their ice cream (see upper left corner of the photo).

And you know what? The staff of Gusto Gelato(the one near Squidos) mentioned that she loves her job and how the company takes care of employees like them (benefits, etc.). So, yes, buy products from shops like these. 

6. Bread?

Still, still, still, go to El Nido Midtown Bakery. It churns out piping hot pan de sal early in the morning. The blueberry muffin (Php30.00) is something that you should try as well.

7. Where to dine?  

There are a lot of food stops in El Nido already! It's really hard to recommend shops. But...the falafel shop along Calle Hama is good! The owner of this spot is also the one who makes good falafels in the Legaspi Weekend Market. (Falafel - Middle Eastern food made of chickpeas and/or fava beans)

The falafel here in Happiness Bar also tastes good! Did not dine here yet but got the chance to taste their sample along the way. Well, One Valenzuela's advice is to basically eat what you haven't tried before. Like a falafel meal! 

For those Valenzuelanos planning their vacation in this great place, hope this short post helps. Have a happy summer!

Eatsploring Indian Food in Valenzuela City: Incredible India and Vana's at Isabelle de Valenzuela

Okay, One Valenzuela had to be honest about this. Her first eatsploration of the Indian cuisine did not go that well before which led her not to try it again for quite a long while. When she dropped a gown in a laundry shop for dry cleaning near Our Lady of Fatima University, she had to let her happy feet roam the streets. Unwind. It's time to let loose a bit. Find something interesting. Then, of course, eat.

She then looked up and saw the signs near the towering condominium's entrance. Oh, FOOD. Indian Food! Fate has brought you here. Should I...? Yes, you have to at least give it another chance.

And thank goodness, she did. Here are two food spots which offer Indian cuisine at Isabelle de Valenzuela. So come along and read on. 

INCREDIBLE INDIA

Business Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm, daily

The very accommodating lady in the store said that many from the Indian community residing in the area have expressed their happiness on having a grocer which specifically sells items and spices to cook Indian food. True enough, One Valenzuela saw many things displayed in the store which cannot be found in the typical grocery. Rose water, for example. 

Incredible India also has branches in Manila, Makati, Las Pinas, and Alabang.

A number of snacks are lined up and are viewable already from the outside. Incredible India also has a table which has the snack samples for the visitors to taste. Many of these are quite spicy. Other than the snacks, there are also colorful posters that showcase staples which can be bought from the grocer like wheat flour, beer, rice, and ofcourse, their cooked food.    

Snacks which can be bought from Incredible India - Valenzuela Branch.

What's inside? Take a look at their posters.

The very warm people of Incredible India are welcoming for Indian food newbies like One Valenzuela. Mentioning that she does not know much about the Indian cuisine and that she cannot eat super spicy food, the people of Incredible India then suggested the meal sets on the wall. They also gladly went out of their way to explain what's going to be in the plate.

Incredible India's dining area

One Valenzuela ordered the Php99.00 meal set (5 in 1). The menu mentions that one can have a choice of  2 chapati or 1 rice, 1 subzi, 1 dhal, and 1 dessert. Subzi? It means vegetables. Dhal? It refers to lentils/legumes. Yep, tasting new food is accompanied with learning and adding new terms to one's vocabulary too. 

Rather than having the chapati or rice, One Valenzuela opted to get the roti chanai which was recommended to her (additional Php50 for this piece). Incidentally, One Valenzuela was able to watch Seetoh's The Food Suprise where she learned that roti chanai is "extremely popular" in Malaysia.   

The plate above has roti chanai for the bread, potato and cauliflower for the subzi, green peas masala for the dhal, and rasgulla for the dessert. Rasgulla is made of Indian cottage cheese and semolina dough in light sugar syrup. There are other meal sets to choose from. Moreover, they also have different kinds of samosa which you may want to try.

To eat, you simply dip the roti in the subzi or the dhal. One Valenzuela found the roti chanai on the sweet side. Its softness and flakiness pair well with the mildly spicy subzi and dhal. Then, end your meal with the rasgulla for dessert.

...which made One Valenzuela buy a few packs of roti chanai for take home. Yum.

Incredible India's Roti Chanai at Php50 a piece (2 pieces for Php80.00). Simply reheat this in a non-stick pan at home and enjoy!

VANA'S AUTHENTIC NORTH AND SOUTH INDIAN FOOD

Business Hours: 11:30am to 11:00pm, daily

Just a few steps beside Incredible India is Vana's Authentic North & South Indian Food. Since One Valenzuela cannot eat a lot in one go, she had to go back for Vana's when she picked up the gown from the laundry shop.

While ordering some things from the menu, she confirmed that the nearby Flavours food spot is connected to this restaurant. There are also a lot of things to try at Vana's and the staff is also helpful in recommending several items for eatsplorers like One Valenzuela.  

Vana's Authentic North and South Indian Food. Vana's accepts catering services for special occasions.

Order here using their menu. The menu is very customer friendly as it contains brief descriptions of the food items that Vana's offers.

Vana's Authentic North and South Indian Food menu has vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers, tandoori appetizers, soups, vegetarian plates, daal/Indian pulses, paneer/cottage cheese, fish and egg dishes, different types of bread, rice and biryani, yogurt drinks (lassi), and desserts.  There were also a few India / Chinese specials in the menu.

Since it was merienda time, One Valenzuela ordered Vana's vegetable samosa (Php49.00 for 2 pieces; a flaky crust made of maida and filled with spiced potatoes and peas), some naan (Php69; almost like pita bread; cooked in a tandoor), and the staff-recommended paneer tawa masala (Php169; paneer curry made in an onion-tomato-cashew base). Ah, yes, and a glass of yogurt. The yogurt is quite sour which cuts the spiciness of the paneer tawa masala.

Vegetable samosa

Naan and Paneer Tawa Masala. There were chunks of cottage cheese in the bowl. One Valenzuela will more likely order this again in the future. It's good!

Sweet lassi (Php69.00 per glass)

With the tummy full, better be back to Vana's next time for the Chicken Biryani.

On Eatsploring Indian Food. Overall, eating at Incredible India and Vana's Authentic North & South Indian Food served as a new start for One Valenzuela's eatsploration of the Indian cuisine. She believes that other than the food offered, the people behind both establishments serve as significant keys for more guests to better understand and appreciate Indian cuisine which eventually leads us to wanting to know more about the Indian culture. It's like serving a piece of India in one good plate. 

Both Incredible India and Vana's Authentic North & South Indian Food are located on the ground floor of Isabelle de Valenzuela (near its entrance). The condominium is easy to spot along McArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City (across The Original Savory).