My Top Picks in Puerto Princesa City

Here's a list of my TOP PICKS in Puerto Princesa City:

SHRIMP POMODORO at Dang Maria's (Manalo Ext. Bancao-Bancao, PPC): tomato-based spaghetti sauce with shrimps, mushroom and basil leaves. Definitely a treat. MARGHERITA PIZZA best complements this pasta dish. A visit at Dang Maria's must never be at a haste for there's a lot to see and expect. It also is the best venue for long chats with long lost friends.

CHEESECAKE is at its best at McCoy's (San Miguel, PPC). Try their capuccino cheesecake if you're a coffee lover, oreo cheesecake will surely be loved by kids and chocolate lovers. They have other cheesecake toppers like strawberry and the classic blueberry.

COFFEE: for fancy frapuccinos, go to Itoy's (Rizal Avenue). The variety of flavors they offer will surely find a way to your taste. Brewed coffee at Kamarikutan (Rizal Ave. Ext.) is always exceptional, added with the beauty and artistic charm of the place.

UKAY-UKAY: Burgos St. (near Bonoan Rd.) Best find, best price. Never neglect the bargain racks at P35-50/blouse/shirt, you're in for a great surprise.

BULALO: Calvendra's Store (National Hi-Way, Tiniguiban, PPC). A hefty serving (P65 only, served with rice) is more than enough for the hungry tummy. Genuine bulalo. Bulalo runs out fast, so make sure you make it there before 11 a.m. Store opens at 6 a.m. Really worth your money's worth.

VEGETARIAN: Craving for something homey and healthy? Ima's (Fernandez St.) offers a delightful home-cooked vegetarian menu to satisfy even the non-vegetarians. A worthy alternative. I can always vy for the beancurd tempura with Spanish rice and Rojak salad. My friends' favorites include the fajitas, meatless jambalaya and vege-steak.

SEAFOOD DELIGHT: Definitely Ka Lui's.

...to be continued.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

An Invitation To All Concerned

Join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, probably a first in Puerto Princesa, as we unite with the whole world in this advocacy and in commemoration of the International Human Rights Day.

The 16-day calendar will start on November 25 with a motorcade at 8 a.m. commencing from Mendoza Park. The campaign will include a variety of activities to tackle all pertinent issues and hopes to solicit the help of all concerned individuals from all sectors of society. More importantly, this campaign is to inform and educate, and empower women in general.

Click on the link for our local community schedule based on the International 16-Day Calendar:

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dgwdh87r_1hd7pb7

ATI: Saraotan sa Dalan ig Pista 'Ang Cuyo

Katherine Jack's Photo exhibit on the recent town fiest of Cuyo, Palawan is opening on November 24, 2006 at 5 in the afternoon. Exhibit runs until mid-December at Dang Maria's Restaurant, Manalo Ext. Bgy. Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

For more info, click on this link: http://sunlifestyle.wordpress.com/2006/11/20/katherine-jack-a-photo-exhibit/

Where to?

Christmas is in the air. And as they say, it's already the peak season for events and happenings. Without any conscious effort, I realized I, too, am in the 'gimmick mode'. Unfortunately, in several instances in the past two weeks, the question stands: where do we go? Going around Puerto Princesa's city proper is an easy route. Finding a nice place to hang out at night is extremely frustrating.

I have been hearing the same sentiments from my friends months ago. Although back then, I didn't care much. Like the season, I was off-peak. Now I see the problem.

As a singer of a band (SounDoze), my gimmicks have been our gigs. That meant once a weekend, every Saturdays at our regular gig at the We Be Sushi of Hotel Fleuris. Other than that, I stay home and watch television.

And when the urge to go out arises, I end up having coffee at Itoy's (which closes at 12 midnight, ugh) or at Dunkin' Donuts drowning myself with sugar! I also want to enjoy chatting with friends and acquaintances, watch another group's performance and just savour the sights and sounds of the local community. The best gimmick for me would be to go to Dang Maria's (the most feel-good restaurant I have been to), but that would mean pleasure until ten in the evening only. It's really frustrating! Where to?

The places I used to go to, sadly, were forced to close because of the difficulties of doing business here. I remember the carefree nights at the art haven and eclectic Pues2 (Fernandez), where musicians can just jam the night away. The small bar created a magnet for the crowd I feel so comfortable with. My kinda place. Too bad, it didn't last long. There are times when I felt like going to the Capitol Park Square but now the place looks barren with the few food stalls remaining. Seldom do I hear of performances there nowadays. And besides, it's now a meeting place for the younger crowd, younger referring to high school groupies. I was hoping to surrender to the monthly musical treat brought by the Pabilugon (Moon Festival), but that, too, has died away. Too bad.

Aside from the ever-reliable Kinabuch, as far as I know, there are a few bars you could go to here in Puerto Princesa. If you're more of a show band fanatic, you can go to Scenario Bar of Asturias Hotel (with the Addict Note Band playing every Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) or Country Life Circle on Rizal Ave. Ext. (live bands every weekend feat. Freeplay and Patrick & the Blue Balls). Chikababe has bands like Rubber Soul performing regularly, although it's a totally different crowd out there, as far as I know. Alexis Bar on Rizal Ave. Ext. has performers nightly (singer, keyboardist), altough I really haven't checked out the place. I'll tell you about it when I finally do. Folk singers and beer galore at Backyard Grill and Kristala. If you're looking for a quieter place to unwind, the Piano Bar of Hotel Fleuris is open for you Tuesdays to Saturdays. And ofcourse, we play at the We Be Sushi of Hotel Fleuris every Saturday.

This is just how little I know of what's happening in Puerto Princesa City. I am hoping that through this blog, I can help everyone else who, like me, are absolutely clueless. Post your events and favorite places to go to in the comments section of this blog. And with a more conscious effort, I will also do my best to snoop around and get the latest cheese for you. And in the blogs to come, I'll share with you my favorites in Puerto Princesa City.