Burgers & Brewskies

by lakwatserong tatay

Eating is one of my favorite past time, dine in, take out, street foods and/or anywhere where i could eat. Luckily i'm in a group of people who also loves to eat anywhere so just last month, payday time, we had another food tripping near at our office. This restaurant is known to different burger's delicacies and really have good reviews so we give it a try and give it a justification.

Burgers & Brewskies

Their Bar Area

B&B's Menu

B&B's S.P.F. and Red Tea

Lunch Set (php80 add-on your burger order)
S.P.F. - Sweet Potato Fries dusted with secret spice mix.

B&B's Kandi

Kandi (php265)
Roasted garlic aioli, B&B Cheese sauce, onion confit and Spiced Candied Bacon.

B&B's Hector Salamanca

Hector Salamanca (php240)
B&B Chili oil, B&B cheese sauce, Jalapeño crema, tomato salsa & crisp nacho strips (warning: contents are spicy).

B&B's Call the Nurse

Call The Nurse (php280)
Spiced mustard aioli, B&B cheese sauce, seared Mac & Cheese and Honey Sriracha Bacon.

#happy team food tripping

In the end, we are all satisfied, and definitely will comeback... ^_^
So watch for our next food trip sessions.....

Burger & Brewskies
Bellagio 2, Forbes Town Center,
Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City
Phone no: 02-403-4038

The Hidden Gem of Nueva Ecija: Minalungao National Park

by lakwatserong tatay

So right after the christening we had attended at Gapan. Next on our itinerary was to visit the hidden gem of Nueva Ecija. Who could have thought that the province of Nueva Ecija, that is known to be as the rice paddies of our country, holds one of a kind secret of our mother nature. A great sculpture of nature that can be found in center of Peñaranda River. Has marvelous limestone that is towering 16 meters high and has calm rivers waters within Sierra Mountain Range, known as Minalungao National Park.

Pristine Calm Water of Peñaranda River

Having heard about this place to my co-bloggers last year. Seeing their shared stories about this park makes me excited to see it up close. However i'm having hard time to schedule a trip on this place, then opportunity comes because of an invite to attend christening. Seeing the chance to have additional side trip and had the chance to first set foot in Nueva Ecija makes me more excited because i'll be seeing the park at last.

The Crowded Park

Crowded Parking Area within rented nipa huts

The park covers 2018 hectares and was recognized as a protected area around 1967. Located in Brgy. Minalungao at General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.

Huge limestone within Peñaranda River

Tourists along the river

A local guide is available to guide you within the park, to the grotto, and to the cave. Our was kid named Felix. Since we have only limited time, we opted to visit the cave and experience the cool waters of Peñaranda river.

a very calm river water..

It is advisable to get a local guide because they know more about the park likewise as you help them too. In touring the park you choose between two options by foot or by boat. So if you want relaxation trip within the park, it is better to choose by boat by renting bamboo raft (please rental fees below). Or you may choose the newly cemented trail path to tour the park. Both trails will lead you to the shallow swimming area with refreshing and cool waters of the river.

the bamboo raft that cruise along the river

awesome rock formations...

our guide felix....

that's how you enjoy its cool waters....

There are so many activities available within the park, that you can choose from. There are ziplines for adventurers, bamboo rafting ride, trekking to limestone to get to the cave, trek to grotto and of course having a picnic with your families and friends.

rocky trail going to cave

one of the shallow part of the river....

As of writing, the local government is promoting this place as one of its eco-tourism destination. Rehabilitation of the road going to the park is on going. The rocky trail before is now established and already cemented path for the tourist which is younger and older ones much enjoy the scenery. The fees was different from last year as i've seen from my co-bloggers.

What i wish on this place is that hopefully when i had again the chance to visit again this place. It will be a pleasant as we've visited it. I know the park will attract more tourist and as the tourist may arise the garbage within the area may also arise. I just hope the local government, locals and tourist alike are more responsible with their own trashes. As i've seen there were actually scattered around the area from foils, plastic and even bottles. Hope that in next years to come the park will stay as is right now or few years before when it was explored and be opened to the public. Moreover, let us help the Minalungao National Park, be placed in map as one of the tourist attraction, be beautiful and as charmed right now, thus it will help more locals to their livelihood, specially to those kids like Felix, it will help them alot with schooling and families financies.

Me with our guide Felix..^_^

XB's - Melvin, Me & Joel

Nature Park Trippin is more fun in the Philippines

Minalungao National Park Rates (as of April, 2015):

Entrance Fee - php 30.00
Minulangao Cave - php 10.00
Cottage - php 200.00
Bamboo raft (small) - php 250.00
Bambbo raft (big) - php 500.00
Comfort room - php 10.00
Parking fee - php 50.00

How to get to Minalungao National Park:

By commute: 
Ride a bus bound Gapan/Cabanatuan. Available bus companies from Cubao/Pasay like Five Star, ES Transport. Travel time may take from 2-3 hours.

From Gapan, you have two options, (1) ride a jeep bound to General Tinio formerly known as Papaya (not sure of the jeepney fare) and then from city proper ride a trike going to park (php50 each as per my conversation with the tricycles around the park) / (2) rent a trike from Gapan to Minalungao National Park. Estimate travel time is 1-1.5 hours (php500-600 per tricycle). This option is hassle free because you knew that there will be a tricycle waiting for you if you want to go back to city in anytime you want.

Barneys Burger @ Angono

by lakwatserong tatay

The town of Angono is not quite as big as other towns of Rizal. However, Angono is known to our country as "Art Capital of the Philippines" and also famous with its exotic restaurant. Now there's a new food chain that offers burger on its finest...one of Pampanga's Pride known as Barneys Burger....^_^

Barneys Burger

This food chain has its soft opening for 2 weeks and every night before we enter the streets towards to our house, me and wife found it interesting because there were so many diners, even though it is not big as several food chains that can be found in Angono. Two nights ago, my curiosity had ended and had the chance to savor and taste its burger patties...^_^

Barney's Burger Angono Branch

As i ask the owner, she is the one who takes the order, this branch was only a franchise and now on its soft opening, however it shows that many likes their burger, dine in or even take out orders. Based from her, Barneys Burger originated in Pampanga, and been to industry for more 20 years. Started as a local business in Guagua and heard by nearby towns and then the rest was history and now Angono was lucky to have one their branches.

Burger's all you can....^_^

Barneys Burger has a wide array of burger selection, from barneys burger to fully loaded burger, you could choose between two types of patties which is classic and supreme (this is the best & must try....^_^).

Burger prep...^_^

What i like with this burgers, it is cook while you wait. Every patties where being scooped, topped, and grilled to perfection not like the well known food chains that serves burgers. Burgers are pre-cooked, placed under heat lamps. So all of their burgers has its owns juices while you bite and you can savor its beef aroma...#saraptalaga...^_^

1/4 pound beef patties...^_^

So what we have tried and ordered are....
For me, the Bacon BBQ Burger Supreme (1/4 pound beef patty, bacon, bbq sauce, and pickles)

Barneys Bacon BBQ Burger

My wife tries their Fully Loaded Burger Supreme (1/4 pound beed patty, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce, cucumber)

Barneys Fully Loaded

So the final verdict, we both certainly love it. The juice that extracts while you bite is one of my most favorite part and savoring the smell of the beef is also an highlight on our burger dinner experience...^_^. So if you ask me if i will go back.....yap i would certainly do and try their other burger variance....^_^

So if your in Angono, give it a chance to visit this burger chain and maybe you could experience what me and my wife had...^_^

For more information about Barneys Burger. Visit their webisite: www.barneysburger.ph or maybe like their facebook page & to know their upcoming promos: www.facebook.com/barneysburger

Barneys Burger
(near 7-eleven branch)
Manila East Road Brgy. San Roque,
Angono, Rizal

This is not a sponsored post and it all comes with our food trip experience and all photos where taken from my phone.

My First Visit in the Town of Gapan

by lakwatserong tatay

lakwatserong tatay @ Nueva Ecija

This is the first time i've visited the province of Nueva Ecija and had a day tour to two of its town, Gapan & General Tinio. I usually passed by on this province on my way to other provinces. Lucky for me, last April 4, i had the chance to visit it due to an invitation to attend a christening. Since i've heard a lot about Minalungao National Park of General Tinio (formerly known as Papaya) and it is locations was just two towns away from Gapan, where we will be attending christening. I agreed to go with my co-xplorerboyz joel and melvin...^_^.

Our first plan was supposed to go to ecopark first, however due to traffic that we've encountered going to Gapan. We decided to do our side trip after the christening & reception, which came out a right decision..#busogmunch #tipididity...^_^

Three Kings Parish Church

Church's center aisle

Arriving to church, hour earlier the christening, giving us the chance to tour the Gapan Church, known as Three Kings Parish Church, the biggest and oldest church in the Province of Nueva Ecija.

One of the church brick post with Angel's

Church was built in the 1800's by Augustinian friars with Gapanense forced labor, the brick church was once a witness, had been tested and stands the natural and man-made calamities including the 1896 Philippine Revolution, World War II and the Great 1990 earthquake.

Mural Painting at Church Cupola's Ceiling

Gapan Church is a pilgrimage site for two miraculous patron saints, the three kings which is celebrated every January 6 and the Divina Pastora every May 1. Gapan Church was also declared as the National Shrine of the Divina Pastora.

Gapan Church's Main Altar

Gapan Church has a belfry that have four huge bells, (however we wasn't able to check it). These bells where also been part of our history and was made and casted during 1890's. The church interior seen above on my 2nd and 3rd pictures, was renovated during 1980's The stucco coating of walls was stripped out to show the bricks underneath. The church's main altar was also renovated during 1970's and was change to marble and concrete with it's huge crucifix, that is known to be as the second biggest crucifix in the Philippines. Beside the church was also a convento that was converted as Divina Pastora College that was founded in the late 1950's.

Gapan City Public Market

So after giving you a brief history and background about Gapan's Church. We had another tour around on its public market. It's summertime and the heat of the sun was really striking us that time. So we looked for a halo-halo which is best refreshment for summer season. While looking for that, we had the chance see and tour it's public market which has different sections, dry and wet, and way backward was a Divisoria feeling because of wholesaling transaction of its fresh vegetables...^_^

Gapan City Wet Market

So at last, after walking few hundred meters away to Gapan Church and Gapan Public Market, we managed to see a local stall that sells a halo-halo.....^_^ #sarapnghalohalosasummer....^_^

Halo-halo is the best for summer...^_^

So moving forward, after having halo-halo near the public market of Gapan and our tour inside Gapan's Church. The christening started and right after the reception followed which held near the church's vicinity, the church's parish center was used for their reception.

X-plorerboyz @ Gapan Church

And after having photo opps, christening celebration and eating session at the reception. Our most awaited side trip follows. But before that, we will not missed the photo opps on its church facade. ^_^

Me @ Gapan Church

Three King Parish Church (Gapan Church)
"National Shrine of Virgen La Divina Pastora"
Address: Delos Reyes St., Gapan City, Nueva Ecija

next stop: Minalungao National Park, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija

Pancit Center: Pancit All You Can !!!!!!

by lakwatserong tatay

Your 1st and only Pancit Specialist

Ever since i've heard of this restaurant, that is known with famous tag line "Your 1st and only Pancit Specialist". And knowing few of co-travel bloggers have experience to eat and dine in on this place. I really wanted to try it, however i'm really having a hard time to go and experience it. Luckily, something happened yesterday, and my wife given me a go signal that we could go and eat to this famous restaurant known with its different Pancit delicacies.


Pancit Center caters more than 20 pancit variants from all over the Philippines and other noodle dishes. From Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, now you can taste their respective pancit's in a very affordable price. So lucky for me, now i will have the chance to taste few of its best seller's pancit and hopefully to go back for more...^_^

Restaurant facade

Yours truly loves to eat pancit and luckily i had the chance to really taste some of the authentic pancit's that this restaurant offers. Like from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley's Pancit Batil Patong, Quezon's Tamis Anghang Chami and Ceb's Bam-i. So me and my decided to try it since i have already tried the authentic once....so let me start with....^_^

Pancit Batil Patong

Pancit Batil Patong from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley
ingredients: Batil (egg soup) & Patong, mixed vegetables, poached egg yolk, liver, ground beef and chicaron

Tamis Anghang Chami

Next was Chami from Lucena, Quezon Province known with its tamis anghang (sweet & chilly) taste
ingredients: miki noodles, chicken, cabbage and quail egg

Bam-i

Last Pancit on our table was Cebu's Bam-i
ingredients: combination of canton (egg noodles) and sotanghon (bean thread noodles), mixed vegetables and topped with shrimp

Pancit's all over the Philippines and All time favorite Pancit's

My final verdict, with those three dishes, Chami, stands out not because i like chilly dishes but it feels like i'm in Lucena while eating it and now i really miss and wanted to go back to Lucena for another trip...^_^. Second was Batil Patong, the taste was really good and somehow got the resemblance of famous Jomar's Panciteria in Tuguegarao where i had my first taste of Pancit Batil Patong and our least favorite is Cebu Bam-i, it was just like a local sotanghon pancit that could be buy on local carinderia's, as per wife says.

The happy couples at Pancit Center Pioneer Branch

So this is it, our Pancit Center series will be back for round 2 or more to try their other pancits and soups...^_^

For more information about Pancit Center. Visit their website: www.pancitcenter.com or maybe like their facebook page & upcoming promos: www.facebook.com/pancitcenter

This is not a sponsored post and it all comes with our food trip experience and all photos where taken from my phone.

2015: First Quarter Travels

by lakwatserong tatay

First three months of 2015 is done and summer period has already started. I'm just so lucky that i have been to different places in just three months specially together with my family and friends...

So let me start with my first travel stop....

An early trek near on our house in Angono, Rizal. I've named the place as Mt. Perlita named after the restaurant that can be seen on the peak together with old tower....^_^

With my wife, kuya gab & ate gayle trekking to bushes...^_^

Next stop was a traverse dayhike in Mt. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal to Tinipak River, General Nakar, Quezon Province. Together with xplorerboyz Carlo, Melvin, Johari, Joel and Ekoy. It was another memorable dayhike because of its memorable road trip, almost all assault hike and a very refreshing dip at Tinipak river. Although our adventures was not complete, we promise to ourselves that we will comeback for its cave and waterfalls.....^_^

Xplorerboyz @ Mt. Daraitan Summit

X-plorerboyz enjoying Tinipak River

Summertime is almost started. So better to start the summer with a beacheenering trip and our next stop was a family beacheenering trip at Laiya, San Juan, Batangas in Sigayan Bay Beach Resort. This is the first time that Macoy family had an beach adventure for our yearly summer trip. My kids really enjoyed the beach and all of us had also a great time spending the shores of Laiya..^_^

Me with my family at Sigayan Bay Beach Resort

Next stop was another road trip travel up north. The province of my mother-in-law. Together with my wife, kids and the rest of Macoy family, we travelled to Bauang, La Union. To enjoy another weekend of beacheenering, visiting relatives and a little get together gathering. However it was really hard for me travelling with an upset stomach, but this will not stop me to enjoy another family vacation...^_^

Me @ Baccuit Sur, Bauang Beach

My kids are really enjoying....^_^

Me with Gab at St Peter Parish Church of Bauang, La Union

Weekend Getaway Group Shot @ Tito Senyong's Place....

After our weekend stay at La Union, it's time to go back to reality, however we had another stop prior in going back to Manila.We visited, toured and pray for our safety trip back home at the Church of Manaoag also known as The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag....^_^

Family photo opps at Manaoag Church

My kids @ Historical Church marker

So for the meantime, this is all of my travels and family getaways !!!!! Just check me on all of my social media sites as im always posting where i have been...#lakwatserongtatay....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay will be back !!!!!!