Gel Jose

Satisfying Japanese fare at Ariake

Japanese cuisine is characterized by fresh ingredients prepared in accordance to the season as well as simple yet artistic plating. Both are present in Ariake such that it’s among our group’s go-to lunch places for a Japanese meal.

Among its dishes that I recommend are:

Crunchy Tuna Sashimi (Php255) – raw tuna mixed with tempura flakes and a special dressing
Ebi Tempura (Php180 for 3 pieces)
Beef Teppan (Php355) – cubed tenderloin steak with sauteed vegetables
Tokyo Style Ramen (Php250) – shoyu-based soup, pork slices, boiled egg, leeks and cabbage

Ariake is located at Unit C Barretto Building, 284 Tomas Morato Corner Scout Rallos, Sacred Heart, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ever since Hubby got me a convection oven, I have been scouring the net for baking and roasting recipes so I can maximize my new toy. This weekend, I decided to bake my family’s all-time favorite: chocolate chip cookies. I tweaked some items in the recipe I found (I added walnuts and tweaked the ratio of brown to white sugar).

Ingredients:

2 cups softened unsalted butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Procedure:

Pre-heat oven to 190-deg C.
In a large bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well-combined.
Mix in eggs and vanilla.
Fold in flour and baking soda until mixture forms a smooth dough.
Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts until evenly distributed.
Scoop the dough into balls into a baking tray lined with butterred wax paper. Bake for 12 minutes.

Yields 96 4-inch cookies.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age at the Leon Gallery

I’m the proud mom of a self-proclaimed art freak. My baby girl, Mica, has been going on and on about this art exhibit in Makati. Since I found myself with a bit of free time, I decided to indulge her new interest and together, we checked out the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit at the Leon Gallery.

Walking into the gallery is like being transported back in time. The gallery was dressed up as a well-appointed colonial room, making it feel like we were stepping into a 19th-century Filipino home. Mica’s eyes lit up as she eagerly pulled me towards the paintings, her excitement contagious.

The exhibit features artworks of Filipino artists during the 19th century, showcasing the oeuvre of illustrious ilustrados such as Juan Luna, Damian Domingo, Jose Taviel de Andrade, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, among others. These pieces depict scenes of colonial Philippines as well as the faces and views encountered by these artist-ilustrados in their European travels.

Mica waxed poetic about Hidalgo’s sweeping seascape and Luna’s brooding portrait of a Spanish noblewoman, her eyes wide with admiration and her words tumbling out in an enthusiastic rush. I found myself particularly drawn to Hidalgo’s impressionistic depictions of women in natural settings, their ethereal beauty captured with delicate brushstrokes. Equally captivating were the anito-ish renditions of religious icons, blending indigenous spirituality with colonial influences.

The exhibit raised intriguing questions about identity and artistic expression. It highlighted how these Filipino artists, inspired by the Hapsburg imagination and the beauty of the Baroque and Rococo styles, managed to blend Western techniques with their own cultural narratives. This fusion of influences is a testament to their resilience and creativity, forging a unique Filipino identity in the face of colonial domination.

As I stood before these masterpieces, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey of our ancestors—how they adapted, resisted, and ultimately created something profoundly their own. The exhibit seeks to provide this generation’s new breed of artists a glimpse into the legacy of past masters and a peek into the struggles of Filipino artists in forging an identity amidst colonial rule.

On the 155th birthyear of José Rizal, the consummate and quintessential ilustrado, we salute all his comrades in the arts. The exhibit beautifully honors their contributions and the rich cultural heritage they helped to shape.

Our visit to the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit was a deeply enriching experience. It not only allowed me to bond with Mica over our shared appreciation of art but also offered us both a profound connection to our history and heritage. As we left the gallery, Mica’s excitement was palpable, her mind buzzing with new ideas and inspirations.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age is on show at the Leon Gallery located at G/F Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City until July 20. Entrance is free. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious about our nation’s past, this exhibit is a must-see.

A Quick Walk Around the Picnic Grove Eco-Trail, Tagaytay

I went on a solo adventure by walking along the eco-trail in one of Tagaytay’s most famous tourist spots, Picnic Grove. It’s a 500-meter trail surrounded by lush vegetation and scenic views. I took advantage of the cool early afternoon breezes (unheard-of back in Manila), armed with my comfy rubber shoes and my iPhone to track my steps and to provide me with some tunes (via my Spotify Emo Trip playlist) while I go on my walk.

Entrance fee is only Php50, quite affordable, so there are actually a lot of other tourists taking in the sights and chilling practically anywhere. The were lots of stairs (some quite narrow), stones steps and even a wooden bridge! There are a few wide gaps in between some of the wood slats in the bridge which triggered my acrophobia but I was eventually able to conquer it and walk over to the other side (looking quite pathetic as I was holding on to the railings for dear life). The views were worth it, though.

The trail winds around the grove passing by the cottages and the zipline and cable car stations. When you reach the end of the trail, you can buy souvenirs or plants from the many shops there.

Next time, I swear I will prance across that wooden bridge!

Hungry after wandering? Check out Jaytee’s for some hearty eats with the family or barkada.

Hiking Around Snoqualmie Falls, WA

When my husband and I visited my brother in Seattle last summer, he took us to one of Washington State’s most popular scenic attractions: Snoqualmie Falls. It’s waters cascade down to the Snoqualmie River, most of which are diverted to power plants.

We hiked down to the viewing deck and later down to the river’s stony edge, following the trail that’s really meant for people much more physically fit than me. The view of Snoqualmie Falls from the viewing deck and the adventure trek at the river were well worth it though.

Now, if only the hike back up wasn’t twice as hard.

Snoqualmie Falls is located east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City, Washington.

Mille feuille katsu in Katsu Sora

The katsu, previously known as katsuretsu, is a type of yoshoku – Western-influenced cooking in Japanese cuisine – which, in this case is the Wiener Schnitzel. The term katsuretsu is actually the Japanese pronunciation of “cutlet.”

Restaurants that specialize in katsu have recently grown in popularity. One such restaurant is Katsu Sora. I have dined in its Greenhills and Eastwood branches and I have enjoyed my meals there.

My go-to order in Katsu Sora is the mille-feuille katsu which is made up of layers of thinly sliced pork, breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown. (Mille-Feuille Set – Php325)

Another favorite is the salmon fry which consists of large cuts of Pacific salmon prepared the katsu way. (Salmon Fry Set – Php465)

Both come with all-you-can-eat salad from Katsu Sora’s salad bar (the only one to offer such among the katsu places I’ve tried), unlimited rice and bottomless miso soup which make for very full tummies!

Katsu Sora’s branches are located at the following:

2nd Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
2nd Floor, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
4th Floor, Trinoma Mall, North Triangle, Quezon City
2nd Floor, SM City BF Paranaque, Sucat Road, Paranaque City
Ayala Malls Serin, Barangay Crossing Silang East, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, Tagaytay City

Book Review: The Pharaoh’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews

Mesu Andrews first sparked my interest in biblical fiction with her first novel about the sufferings and redemption of Job and Dinah Love Amid the Ashes which was then offered as a free e-book on Amazon.com. This led me to purchase the next books in the series: Love’s Sacred Song which details the love story of King Solomon and his Shunemite shepherdess bride, and Love in a Broken Vessel which depicts the thorny and complicated relationship between the prophet Hosea and the prostitute Gomer.

With The Pharaoh’s Daughter, the first of her Treasures of the Nile series, Andrews provides an interesting narrative and historical backdrop for Moses’ ascendance as the savior of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. Here, the edict for killing the male Hebrew babies was issued by the boy king Tutankhamen, manipulated by his vizier Ay. Moses’ adoptive mother and the titular Pharaoh’s daughter is Tut’s sister, Merytaten-tasherit, later renamed Anippe.

The novel depicts Anippe’s decision to claim the Hebrew baby Moses (whom she renames Mehy) as her own, and how that decision changed the lives of her family and the Hebrew slaves whose lives depended on the royal family.

Pharaoh’s Daughter also provides sneak peeks into the lives of Hebrew slaves, some of which were named in the Bible:

Shiprah and Puah, the midwives who defied the king’s orders to kill male Hebrew babies at birth
Jochebed, Moses’ birth mom who entrusted her son’s fate to God when she placed him in a basket and set it upon the river
Miriam, Moses’ sister who becomes Anippe’s handmaid but keeps her love for God
Mered, a trusted craftsman in Anippe’s household who would later have a greater role to play.

While comparing and contrasting the lives of Egyptian nobility and Hebrew slaves, The Pharaoh’s Daughter also underscores the need for hope and faith, as well as illustrates how God brings people into His fold.

With this novel, Mesu Andrews further cements her place as one of the leading writers of Biblical fiction.

I look forward to reading the next book in the Treasures of the Nile series which deals with Miriam’s story.

Click here to buy The Pharaoh’s Daughter on Amazon.com.

Image by senivpetro on Freepik

A Quick Getaway to Bahay Bakasyunan

I mentioned in a previous post that during a recent stay in Bahay Bakasyunan, our family caught sight of the Pililla Wind Farm. Bahay Bakasyunan has become a family favorite for hassle-free out-of-town trips as it is more easily accessible to people like us who reside east of Manila.

It is a sprawling resort in Tanay, with amazing views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Laguna de Bay. It has accommodations that can house pairs or large groups. Use of its various swimming pools (3 infinity pools near the main office and 2 near the cottages) is part of the accommodations package but the more adventurous family members can engage in ziplining, ATV rides (like my son!), wall climbing and more.

If you’re planning to stay at Bahay Bakasyunan anytime soon, here are some tips to make your stay even more enjoyable:

Be prepared to be disconnected. Mobile data signals are spotty at best and totally non-existent in some areas.
Provide the waiters in the dining room a list of your preferred meals (refer to their menus) at least 2 hours prior to dining. Use the order slips at the reception. That way, your food will be waiting for you when you get to the dining room.
Try to get up early to see the view in the morning.

Let me know what other places are great for quick getaways near the Metro.

Bahay Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center is located at Sitio Balimbing, Barangay Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal. For reservations, call:

Landline: 02 7064509
Mobile: 0917 5755116, 0998 9942513, 0917 8303438

(We learned that other guests were able to secure discounts from deal sites like Agoda or Expedia but we haven’t tried booking from those yet.)

Know more about Bahay Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center here.

Exploring the Pililla Wind Farm

During our family’s stay in Bahay Bakasyunan in Tanay earlier this year, we were able to catch sight of a row of windmills near the shores of Laguna de Bay. These are some of the 27 windmills of Pililla Wind Farm in Rizal, operated by Alternergy and helps serve the need of Metro Manila for renewable energy.

The family took advantage of the holiday break and headed over to Brgy Halayhayin in Pililla, Rizal to see these structures up close. Aside from the windmills, we also saw the glittering expanse of Laguna de Bay.

There’s a viewing deck which provides great perspectives of the windmills and the lake. It also has a cafe that serves coffee, shakes and pastries.

Despite the heat, nearly non-existent mobile data signal and the long trek going here, the trip here was worth it.

Check out other scenic places nearby:

Christmas Every Day at Casa Santa Museum

In keeping with the holiday season, I took the family to Casa Santa Museum. It is a structure situated inside Jardin de Miramar in Antipolo City.

It houses over 3,000 Santa Clause items, ranging from life-size statues to miniature trinkets (even the washroom has Santa items!), all part of a privately owned collection.

After perusing the Santa collection, we strolled around the gardens and found spaces to enjoy the cool breezes and greenery.

If ever you’re in the Metro, drop by Casa Santa for some holiday cheer. It is open everyday from 8.30am to 5pm. Tickets are Php180 per person (whether adult or child).

Casa Santa is located at 276 San Jose ext. Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City (inside Jardin de Miramar events venue). For inquiries, call +63 917 89122 08 or +63 2 85843199 or email info@casasantamuseum.com. For more details, visit its website.