Made in Valenzuela: Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates

 #BeyondValenzuela: Ugali ko na talagang icheck ang label kung saan gawa ung binibili ko - literal na binabasa ang ingredients at location kung saan nanggagaling.

Happy to know that Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates is doing really good! These chocolates are manufactured in our home city - Valenzuela. Do support them by buying chocolate bars and more!

Being a chocolate lover (marupok talaga hehe), I would say Theo & Philo has really excellent taste when it comes to chocolate combinations. Their products also come in giftable packaging.

Theo and Philo in SM North EDSA

Very nice packaging! This combination of dark chocolate and calamansi is really good and is a must try.

Check the label, honey: It is made from my home city - Valenzuela.

Theo and Philo has gift sets to choose from.

Will try these ones next time. 

Other than these items on the photo, they also have chocolate barks and other chocolate products.

Always eat local, support local, ka-Valenzuelano!

#SarapSaValenzuela #MadeInValenzuela #EatLocal #SupportLocal

RAMADAN 2020: Fibering up the Vital Suhoor Meal while Staying at Home

One Valenzuela is glad to have known some Muslim Valenzuelanos by visiting a handful of schools that teach Muslim children. Thus, this particular write up may be of interest to the Muslim community in the city and other places as well. This is written in coordination with Australia Harvest, a food brand that the author has been using for several years now.

Ramadan begins today (April 23) and ends on May 23, a month after. It is during this time that our brothers of the Muslim faith once again pause and focus on prayer and fasting. The latter are two of the five pillars of Islam, of which the other three are faith, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

But with the world being affected by COVID-19 and most countries imposing lock-down or stay-at-home regulations, the 2020 Ramadan scales especially highly on isolation and spirituality - each and everyone yearns for protection and comfort. An end to the pandemic.

The overnight oat bowl is a fitting suhoor meal.

One vital preparation for this significant event amongst Muslims is the quality of suhoor food.  This is the pre-dawn meal that one eats before fasting for the day. Suhoor food must be high in fiber and protein to provide long-lasting energy throughout the fast. Because of this, eggs, oatmeal as well as fruits are some of the favored foods.

Oatmeal is rich in carbohydrates and protein, thus it causes the body to feel satiated longer, preventing hunger pangs. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals that the body needs especially during fasting. A well-prepared suhoor meal will more likely include oats, in different forms and recipes.

Oatmeal porridge as a pre-dawn meal.

With Australia Harvest Oatmeal, one can be nourished by suhoor daily during Ramadan. How about a nice bowl of oatmeal porridge? Overnight oats? Some muesli, perhaps? You can also make plates of oat bran pancakes.

Finding Australia Harvest Oatmeal in the grocery is quite easy even with the given circumstances. One Valenzuela was able to get her Whole Rolled-Oats packs yesterday at a local supermarket without fuzz - a product which is a regular in her grocery list. Australia Harvest also offers Instant Oats, Quick-Cooking Oats, and Oat Bran. 

Australia Harvest Oatmeal products are available in all leading supermarkets nationwide. It is exclusively distributed by Ideal Macaroni & Spaghetti Factory, Inc. For product inquiries, do call (02) 8282-2222 or contact 0925-803-4179. Like Australia Harvest Oatmeal on Facebook: Australia Harvest Oats. 

What to do, What to do: Life during the Enhanced Community Quarantine

Plans have been laid out, deadlines are all marked on the calendar. Like everyone else, One Valenzuela has been running the rat race early this 2020. Hay, those were the days when you would wish for a long weekend to come to finally have some rest. Or at least, have more time to deal with the pending tasks.

Then all of a sudden, the Taal eruption happened. Then the news on Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread like wildfire on television and in the newspapers. To control the situation, we are made to stay at home and limit our movements in public - specifically avoiding mass gatherings. Only the most essential establishments remained open such as drugstores, groceries, banks, and hospitals. Social distancing and people wearing masks have been the norm. 

The community quarantine placed life on pause. That's wish granted for some relaxed days - but, to be honest, this is really a very long pause.

Or rather: Ano ang pampa-good vibes na ginagawa ninyo ngayong community quarantine?

So, how are you riding the situation? Here are a few things that One Valenzuela has done to keep the boat sailing:

Be updated with the situation. Stay informed with the latest news by following official sources of information (i.e. TV telecasts, official Facebook pages of your local government unit like the Valenzuela City FB page and national departments like DOH). Avoid sending unconfirmed information and forwarding unverified images and chain letters which may cause panic and anxiety to others.

Clean the house. Time to finally help your Nanay do the cleaning. And we mean, General Cleaning - BIG time! 

Cook. One Valenzuela loves cooking - a lot! Since there is so much time available to prepare meals nowadays, it would be great to cook that food which you miss dearly during your toxic workdays. For example, One Valenzuela baked batches of peach mango pie to her heart's content. And if you still do not know how to cook, well it's high time you learn this skill. But to make sure that no precious food ingredient is wasted, it would be better to have a "knowledgeable other" like your Nanay or Tita in the kitchen to help you out. You know what I mean. 

In Photo: Lucky Me Pancit Canton na ni-level up!

Start that passion project. With so much time in your hands, why not start that long overdue passion project? 

Begin reading. By now you have probably read somewhere on Facebook or Twitter that Valenzuela City is mistakenly identified as the country Venezuela and it was really quite amusing to see the reactions of several people (Read More on Inquirer: Valenzuela mayor: ‘Di ko alam ako na din pala ang pinuno ng Venezuela’). With this, it is highly recommended that you try leisurely reading again (in between movie watching), hoping to keep our reading comprehension at par. 

Some of the books that One Valenzuela is reading. These are from Big Bad Wolf 2020.

Connect and have some quality time with your loved ones. The current scenario can cause anxiety for many and so talking with friends and family will help ease the tension and stress. One Valenzuela would check on her family via Facebook messenger since her sister is also a frontliner. Thank God for video calls!  

Attend online seminars and workshops. There are a lot of online workshops which are offered nowadays and you will find a number of them for free! There's photography, drawing, and cooking! Many of the workshops are conducted via Facebook live or via Zoom.

Time out for a movie marathon or Kdramas. No need to elaborate. Netflix has a P149/month plan. Any film recommendations?

Completed: Run with the Wind. Being a running enthusiast, One Valenzuela just loves watching this. 

Take a bath. Ligo check! Taking a good bath will help you relax and have better sleep. 

Open a Gcash or Paymaya account. Yes, Gcash and Paymaya are two popular e-wallet apps that are very handy during these trying times. Rather than lining up to the bank, learn more about these apps to pay for your bills or to send cash to relatives.

Exercise. Magkaka-abs na yata ako sa pisngi kakakain! Yes, we're developing some mean abs on our cheeks as we kept on overstaying in the kitchen and munching on food. Kidding aside, do not forget to do some cardio and stretching exercises to burn some of those calories.

Do home exercises, para galaw-galaw rin pag may time!

Participate in Online Challenges. TikTok has taken over the Facebook feed and many of One Valenzuela's friends have posted their cute acting and dancing videos. If you are not into it, participate in online challenges which will make you exercise (I challenge ___ to do 20 push-ups until April 30!) or post something creative (Like the #LutongBahayChallenge in the One Valenzuela Facebook page. Thank you to all participants in the Breakfast and Merienda challenges!)

 

The winners of the two #LutongBahayChallenge: Jenna Lhuillier (Sopas) and Toti (Mais Con Yelo)

Listen to music. Relaxing - into Ben and Ben lately. Or ... why not compose a song?

Travel tayo ... using Google Street View. Nakaka-miss gumala! We all have that feels. For people who like to go visit places, One Valenzuela is highly recommending Google Street View. The Google Arts and Culture Facebook page shows a number of great places to visit like museums and other interesting spots all over the world.

Stop and smell the roses. Tend your garden. It is therapeutic to talk to plants. One Valenzuela has been into urban gardening for quite a while now and producing some leafy vegetables and tea leaves for home consumption is very rewarding. Nowadays, she has been into carnivorous plants like Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants which are now part of her small scale urban garden.

One Valenzuela was able to get some wild bittergourd fruits (also known as Ampalayang Ligaw) along NLEX Maysan after a running session. She planted it in February 2020 and now it is ready to produce fruits. Grow your own food!

Check out TESDA's online courses. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reported that almost 20,000 individuals enrolled for free online courses in the last half of March 2020. Registering for online courses makes us more productive while mobility is limited. 

Stargazing. The skies are clear during the summertime. Do you have a balcony? If yes, why not lay out a mat and look for constellations?

Spend some time with your pets. Just recently, One Valenzuela was able to get a betta fish from a pet shop near Malinta Market and having the fish during the ECQ was really engaging. Who would have known that bettas can be trained? Her name is Fishball, by the way. For furparents, it's time to groom, feed, play, and goof around with your furballs!

Be there for others. It is truly heartwarming to see a number of Valenzuelanos preparing food and gathering donations for our fellow Valenzuelanos - specifically our frontliners and the needy. Valenzuelano para sa Valenzuelano. There are many ways to help out. Staying at home is already a good start since you are already making our frontliners' jobs easier.

A post from Twitter where fellow Valenzuelanos help out medical frontliners. Maraming salamat po!

Pray. Do. Wait. And trust. 

One Valenzuela asked friends and they answered these.

Ikaw, what do you plan to do until April 30?

Baking from Valenzuela to Pampanga: Patchi's Oven of Brgy. Balangkas

Patchi's Oven started way back in 2004. Counting it all together, two decades of home baking would really refine one's skill over the years. Eugene Serapio, the owner and home baker, recalls that she began frequenting the kitchen way back in her childhood days where they were given roles in the cooking process as kids. She carried her love for baking until today, sharing her passion through Patchi's Oven. The baking business is named after the owner's daughter, "...term of endearment sa anak ko. Parang patchdoll na naging Patchi," Eugene explains.

Patchi's Oven Egg Pie slice

Other than taking orders of cakes and pastries, Eugene also bakes for their coffee shop located at SM Clark, Angeles, Pampanga named La Nilad Coffee and Tea House. La Nilad refers to the nilad shrub (Yamstick Mangrove) to which the city of Manila is named after. It also serves as their family's patriotic tribute to the country. She mentions that they once had a coffee shop in Fatima before but they had to close it - eventually setting up La Nilad in Pampanga together with another business venture that her better half oversees. 

The bestsellers of Patchi's Oven are their egg pie and sans rival. "Paborito nung mga foreigners yung dalawang yun," Eugene mentioned. "Different nationalities. Especially yung mga Koreans," she added. 

Patchi's Oven Choco Mio will make your heart sing.

Look at that. Luscious.

Unlike the traditional egg pie that one can buy commercially, Patchi's Oven's egg pie (P200) has that hint of lime (dayap) and is truly very creamy. One Valenzuela was also able to sample their homebaked Choco Mio (P310) which is a deep dark chocolate cake that is filled with Patchi's Oven's signature chocolate frosting. Both of these are best partnered with a mug of coffee - a combination that anyone would want to have to start the morning.

Another must-try from Patchi's Oven: their brownies!
Photo Credit: Patchi's Oven

Now that Christmas season is in, One Valenzuela believes that these baked goods are worth giving to your loved ones and would bring that much-needed sweetness on any festive table.

Thank you, Patchi's Oven!

-----
Patchi's Oven
Address: Balangkas, Valenzuela City
Contact Number: 0935-7140261 (Viber)
Follow Patchi's Oven on Facebook here.
Follow La Nilad Coffee and Tea House on Facebook here.

Need to Fuel Your Cravings? Dine at Krave of Brgy. Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City

Craving for something really good to eat? Now, exactly a month old since it opened last July 28, 2019, Krave, a family-owned restaurant, of Brgy. Gen. T. De Leon is quite busy in continuously serving diners with their very own rice meals, pasta, snacks, and sweet treats. 

A part of Krave's dining area. The whole place can be reserved for intimate functions, parties, and gatherings of 20-25 people.

To travel is to love.

Another cozy spot in the restaurant.

 "Lumaki kami sa pamilya na kapag may handaan, lahat ay kasama na mag-prepare ng pagkain. Kaya halos kaming lahat ay inclined sa pagluluto," Cath mentioned. Majority of the dishes on Krave's menu are the crowd favorites during their reunions and gatherings: her ate's carbonara, bunso's embutido, and her partner, Chef Chy's Malunggay Pesto (Admiringly, Chef Chy has won and was awarded a bronze medal in the Chef Wars competition at the World Trade Center back in college for the Filipino Fusion Cuisine category). Meanwhile, the boys of the family were tasked to work on the restaurant's interior. Thus, Krave is the result of everyone's efforts, bringing in their talents on cooking and designing together.

Munch on some crackers while waiting for the food to come.

Or maybe get a basket of nachos for a good start. Krave's nachos can be shared or eaten solo.

Good food is here na. Where na you?

For its rice meal line up, Krave has Breaded Pork, Tapa, Embutido, and Leny's Laing as its bestsellers. The pasta plates are also well received by diners, having adobo flakes, tuna pesto, carbonara, and mac & cheese as their favorites. The chicken wings of Krave is also a crowd drawer which comes in 6-pieces or 12 pieces. To end a good meal, churros, coffee jelly, and waffle may be ordered. "My nieces and nephews love waffles," Cath shared, further explaining that kids will definitely like the mentioned dessert.

Moreover, the meals that are served in Krave are all from scratch so you can be assured that what you are eating are all made with TLC.  For example, their tapa and embutido are all made from raw ingredients, not store-bought.

Leny's Laing is a favorite of One Valenzuela. Mommy Leny, the owners' mother, makes this signature dish out of gabi leaves and coconut milk as its main ingredients.

Adobo Flakes Pasta. An interesting twist where you will enjoy eating Classic Pinoy Adobo served with spaghetti. Adobo is a star among Filipino viands and this fusion dish nailed it so far.

Chicken Wings. The chicken wings come in three flavors: Original, Teriyaki, and Buffalo. The buffalo wings are really good - savory and just a bit spicy. "We adjust the spice level depending on our customer's request," the Krave team mentioned.

Finally ended the meal with a tall glass of Krave's creamy Coffee Jelly.

Look at those coffee jelly cubes! Sarap di ba?

Just like a car which needs some gas after a long drive, dining here will make you happy and all fueled up! So the next time you drop by Gen. T. De Leon, try this new dining spot and fill up that craving tank up to the brim. 

Thank you, Krave! 

----

Krave: Fuel Your Cravings

Location: 3004 Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City (Landmark: across San Roque Supermarket)

Open Hours: 12:00nn-9:00pm, daily

Contact Number: 0927-6045165

Like and follow Krave on Facebook here for updates.

How to Go to Krave:

If you are coming from Valenzuela City Hall in Malinta, ride a jeepney (i.e. Monumento/Pier/Divisoria) which will pass by Karuhatan. Go down Karuhatan Jeepney Market and cross the road via bridge. Pass by the Karuhatan Wet and Dry Market. Go to the Jeepney Terminal which will go to Ugong (P9.00 as of this writing). Ask the jeepney driver to drop you near San Roque Supermarket. Krave is just a few meters across the said supermarket.

Smart Snacking While Support Local: Oh So Healthy! Fruit Crisps of Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City

Who doesn't love a good snack? In between meals, it is really satisfying to reward ourselves with something light and flavorful to munch on. Since many of us religiously have our morning and afternoon (and somethings midnight!) merienda, why not make it healthier? Yes, One Valenzuela is talking about making your snack time guilt-free with Oh So Healthy!

What are the flavors of Oh So Healthy!? One Valenzuela was able to try the five flavors: Kimchi Crisps, Jackfruit Pineapple Banana, Guava Purple Yam Banana, Mango Sweet Potato Banana, and Purple Yam Banana Coconut. 

So how did One Valenzuela found out about this healthy treat? As a habit, One Valenzuela looks at the labels of the food she buys. With this, she eventually discovered that this good looking, well-packed snack displayed at Boulangerie 22 is made from Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City. She intended to buy just one then but eventually ended up getting two -- one for herself and one for her doctor at a hospital in Manila whom she was visiting for a routine check-up. Yes, its packaging really looks great and giftable.

Oh So Healthy! is gluten-free, made with natural fruits, no cholesterol, and yes, definitely vegan-friendly.

Oh So Healthy! was so generous to send a number of samples when One Valenzuela tried to purchase a few packs to bring to Ilocos and Thailand last July. As a way of supporting and promoting local, One Valenzuela brings local products whenever she travels beyond the city (usually for work). For example, she already brought Putong Polo to Palawan when she had a speaking engagement there in the first quarter of 2019. "Bring a piece of Valenzuela wherever you go," is a mantra she follows by heart.

With Oh So Healthy! packs in the bag, she was able to share it with UP co-faculty members, locals, and tourists in Ilocos, as well as a friend in Thailand. Reading more about Oh So Healthy! at Philippine Star Global, it was mentioned that the snack is also distributed in countries like Korea, Japan, Singapore, and China (Read the article, The Oh So Healthy! Success Story here). Now that's an accomplishment we Valenzuelanos should be proud of. 

Closer look at the Guava Purple Yam Banana variant. No added sugar and no added preservatives!
All Oh So Healthy! variants are also Halal, Kosher, ISO, and HACCP certified.  

Oh So Healthy! fruit crisps can be eaten as it is but may also be combined with your well-loved snacks and light meals. For example, One Valenzuela tried topping her usual oatmeal breakfast with some Mango Sweet Potato Banana. Oh So Healthy! gave the meal another dimension of texture, crunch, and flavor. A good suggestion from Oh So Healthy! Instagram account is to combine it with your Filipino snack champorado. So cool! 

Oh So Healthy! can be eaten straight from the bag. You can also combine it with other snack staples. By the way, these crisps are not fried -- another plus point!

Even the bottom part of the bag is well thought of. Really looks great!

Oh So Healthy! Kimchi Crisps available at SM  Hypermarket Valenzuela's Market Street stall.
Price range of a bag is around P85-100, varying slightly from the stores which carry the product.

So, where can you get a bag or two (or more!) of Oh So Healthy!? One Valenzuela found some Kimchi Crisps at SM Hypermarket Valenzuela. You can also buy it from popular online stores like Beauty MNL and  Lazada.  Still want to know more about this local product? You may read more from their website here.

Now,  it's time for the giveaway. 

One Valenzuela will be running two giveaways, one for Facebook followers and another one for Twitter followers.

For Facebook followers, one (1) lucky participant will receive 5 packs of Oh So Healthy! Simply comment the five flavors of Oh So Healthy! on the Facebook post.

For Twitter followers, one (1) lucky participant will receive 3 packs of Oh So Healthy!. Just retweet the Twitter post with the hashtag #OhSoHealthy. 

Winners will be announced by August 31, 2019 as a way of closing August, One Valenzuela's birth month.💕

Special thanks po to Oh So Healthy! Stay awesome.

Your Guide to Cake Artists and Decorators in Valenzuela City

Need some bakes to celebrate something very special?
Browse through the list of our cake artists and decorators in the city.
(Photo was taken during the baking class which One Valenzuela attended.)

There are many significant things in life that call for a celebration - from big milestones such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries to very personal achievements such as being able to accomplish a long-overdue goal. Moreover, events like these are usually observed with cakes and cupcakes for everyone to share and enjoy - a sweet way of making it more special. 

To help you out on having that one cake (plus cupcakes and pastries!) which will grace your event, here's a guide to our local cake artists and decorators in the city (alphabetical order). You will see a sample photo of their work, the contact person/s, contact details, their specialization, and a link to their Facebook page. Let's support our fellow Valenzuelanos who excel in food artistry and baking by getting your goodies from them.

Audrey's Cupcakery

Audrey's Cupcakery

Contact Person: Kristine Joy Uy
Location: Demetillo St., Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 09278875693
Creations:  We customize cakes and cupcakes, salted caramel cake for all occasion. We also bake pastries like cookies, brownies, premium cheesecakes, artisan breads like ensaymadas and cinnamon rolls, banana loaf.
Visit the Facebook page here.

BakeEat

BakeEat

Contact Person: Au Santos
Location: Malinta, Valenzuela City (Near Andoks; across Old City Hall)
Contact Details: 09336229373
Creations: Custom cakes, cupcakes, theme sweets, dessert table, candy buffet. For weddings, birthdays, debut, christening, and other occasions.
Visit the Facebook page here
One Valenzuela has ordered customized cookies from BakeEat several times.

Blessed Blossom Sweet Delicacies and Cafe

Blessed Blossom Sweet Delicacies and Cafe 

Location: Barangay Palasan, Valenzuela City (with Physical Store and Cafe) 
Contact Details: 0926-7009143
Creations: Customed cakes and cupcakes (Pastillas Fondant Cakes), pastries, doughnuts, cakesicles, salted caramel cakes. 
Visit the Facebook page here.
One Valenzuela recommends their donuts, salted egg chips, and salted egg pasta.

Cakes by LES

Cakes by LES

Location: Unit 202 Ibiza Bldg., Chateau Valenzuela, P.Gregorio St., Lingunan, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 0925-7050104
Visit their Facebook page here.

CrownRoyale Cakes

CrownRoyale Cakes

Contact Person: Mary Ann Castro-Chuyaco
Location: Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 0917-972-2425
Visit the Facebook page here.
Read One Valenzuela's blog post here.
Get chocolate crinkles at P5.00 each at their shop!

Baked and Eat by Nina's Kitchen

Czellina's Cakes and Delicacies: Baked and Eat by Nina's Kitchen

Location: Brgy. Marulas, Valenzuela City
Contact Number: 0918-5917110 / 0925-783-7110
Creations: Pastries like artisan ensaimadas, liquor cake, customed cakes and cupcakes
Visit the Facebook page here.

Drakey's Cakes and Pastries

Drakey’s Cakes and Pastries
Location: Barangay Viente Reales, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 0915-4180615
Creations: Customized cakes and cupcakes, cheesecakes, dream cakes, brownies, yema cakes and custaroons
Visit the Facebook page for more cake photos. 

Jeffren Confections

Jeffren Confections

Location: 79 Tamaraw Hills Road, Marulas, Valenzuela City
Contact Person: Jeffrey Marcos
Creations: Homebaked cakes and pastries for all kinds of events
Visit the Facebook account for more information.

Mutya's Kitchen

Mutya’s Kitchen 

Location: Palasan, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 0917-8019155
Creations: Customized cakes and cupcakes, caramel & buttercream cake, cookies, home of the best blueberry cheesecake and fruity milky tres leches, affordable grazing tables.
Visit the Facebook page here. 

Nikita's Pastries

Nikita's Pastries

Location: Kasoy St., Brgy. Balangkas, Valenzuela City
Contact Details: 0917-7888893
Creation: Cheesecakes of different flavors
Visit the Facebook page here.
Web: www.nikitaspastries.com
Delicate cheesecakes! See Facebook post here.

Ninang's Sweetbites

Ninang's Sweetbites

Contact Person: Jennifer Rivera Pascual
Location: 653 General Luis Street, Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City (across Total Gas Station)
Creations: Cakes, pastries, yema cake, and dream cake
Contact Details: 0942-0024079
Visit the Facebook page here.

Patchi's Oven

Patchi's Oven

Contact Person: Eugene Serapio
Location: Valenzuela City
Creations: Cakes, cupcakes, brownies, muffins, cookies, polvoron, and cheesecakes, sans rival, crema de fruta, eggpie
Contact Details: 0935-7140261 (Viber) 
Visit the Facebook page here for more samples.

Pastry Kitten's Bakeshop

Pastry Kitten's Bakeshop

Location: Karuhatan, Mcarthur Highway (beside Arca Yard Food Park)
Creations: We customize all kinds of cakes.
Contact Details: 0995-7140900 / 0929-8099009
Visit the Facebook page here.
Recommending their chocolate dream cake.

Potchie's Cakes

Potchie's Cakes and Events

Location: Malinta, Valenzuela City
Contact Person: Lhen De Castro Tercias
Contact Details: 0977-484-7350 
Visit their Facebook page here.

Sweet Craft Cakes and Cupcakes

Sweet Craft Cakes and Cupcakes 

Contact Person: Irene Cabral
Location: Barangay Maysan 
Contact Details: 0977-3887700 
Creations: Affordable customized cakes and cupcakes, no-bake cheesecakes, yema cakes, candy and dessert buffets.
Visit the Facebook page here.