Thursday, April 21, 2011

Another Top Summer Destination in the Philippines: Siargao

Fun and adventure is what we have in mind as summer starts. It is treating ourselves to pure pleasure and relaxation after a yearlong of working, studying, or just doing nothing. And there is nothing more fun than exploring with the best nature can provide. Top on the list is Siargao Island.

Considered to be the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”, it is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea, located in the province of Surigao del Norte, North-eastern part of Island Mindanao. It has the best surfing waves and a worldwide reputation for its thick, hollow and heavy right hand barreltubes known as Cloud 9. It is a reasonably affordable destination for surfers and adventure-seekers with inexpensive accommodations, restaurants and bars to choose from. 

People, Food and Beverages

In Siargao, you can be assured that the foods served are fresh! They only prepare the food after ordering. The 30 – 45 minutes waiting time wouldn’t be that long knowing that what is ahead is a fiesta of seafood. We recommend the grilled “tanigue” belly (blue marlin), steamed crabs, “kinilaw na bariles” (raw yellow fin tuna in coconut vinegar, spices and chilli,  known to be the Philippine counterpart of sashimi in Japan), sweet and sour “lapu-lapu” (grouper), and baked mussels with butter and cheese. You may also try the “surfer’s bread”, a bread shaped like a surfing board and can be bought on a local bakery. However, we advise you to bring bottle water because most of drinking water comes from wells. Nightlife usually starts at nine in the evening till you drop. Local strong beer with a red horse on the label is one of the favourite beers of the yuppies and oldies. Like most Filipinos, a warm smile from the locals always assures us that we are always welcome and safe with them. 

 Islands, Beaches and Resorts

The white sand beaches and coral reefs of Daka and Guyam Islands in Siargao are world-class, ideal for surfing, diving and snorkelling. Adventure seekers can go surfing and diving while the family enjoys swimming and snorkelling in pristine blue water and diversity of corals that sheltered variety of fishes. Room rates on comfortable non-air-conditioned rooms to cosy and elegant cottages ranges from USD 12.00 – 20.00 per night only. The window view of the cottages facing the Pacific Ocean is truly an awe-inspiring experience. A walk in the beach at night under the serine dark back draft of sky and lone dim light from the moon will set the mood for couples to fall in love.

From Manila, you can reach Siargao via Surigao City in a 2 hours flight time and take a 2-hour ferry to Dapa, the main port in Siargao. Direct flight from Cebu City to Siargao is also available five times a week. But before going there, be sure to have enough cash with you, there is no ATM in the island. Bring also some first-aid kit; the nearest hospitals are in Surigao City and have stock loads for prepaid phone subscribers, it is hard to get a load during peak months.

Know the places before you travel. Check out my blogs at http://www.gelstaph.wordpress.com. Be informed!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6187489

Saturday, February 5, 2011

confession

I have a confession to make.

I had been keeping this to my family and loved ones, though I think they had already noticed my new behavior.

I cannot resist this addiction and had been doing this for a while now. Its side-effects are slowly manifesting and I need help. I know this is not good for my health and most of the people I know are also hooked into this bad lifestyle. And I should know better how to get out of this addiction because I am good at this field.

Every day is a struggle every time I sit on the chair, stare on the plate and hold the two paraphernalia. My inner consciousness and sane mind would fight the temptation yet most of the time defeated by the drive to go for more. It is a constant fight between good and bad and oftentimes, bad prevails.

I HAVE AN ADDICTION, AN ADDICTION TO FOOD. I AM A CERTIFIED FOOD ADDICT AND I WANT TO BE OUT.

I am a food technologist. I can count calories in each serving, determine the physic-chemical characteristics of it, and yet every time I eat, I cannot control my cravings to fill up my stomach to its full capacity! I have a good sense of smell, sight and taste and every time I make use of it, something really good and delicious comes out of my kitchen. I do think and plan what to cook in the next meal even I just finished the last one. I am obviously overweight now and I want to change.

We had a pact and a competition with my friends (Doc Jay, Doc Jojo and Doc Nolan) on who’s gonna be the BIGGEST LOSER (Biggest loss in body weight and fat) on June 2011. I am hoping to win so I need your support. Join me in this fight! I am setting myself on diet mode, starting tomorrow.

Pray for me. I need to go now. I’M HUNGRY!

Favorite Dessert: Black Forrest Cake

Favorite Food: Ox-Tongue in Cream and Mushroom Sauce

Favorite Drinks: San Mig Strong Ice and Red Horse Beer






Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Surigao del Sur, Philippines Hidden Treasures

I was born in Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. It is located in the Eastern Part on Mindanao. It is known for the dusty, poor roads. I never thought that it would be improved in my lifetime! But not until two years ago, when construction of the Surigao del Sur highway started.

On August 5, 2010,I had a chance to have a week-long vacation with my family and the whole Mojica Clan for our first grand reunion. I could not believe that the once considered highway to nowhere is now a first class, well-constructed and maintained highway. It not only improve business and commerce, but also opens the hidden treasures of the province to the whole world.

Matho, Cortes, Villa Crestita

Villa Crestita during low-tide.
Britannia Island's White Beach


Hinatuan's Enchanted River


Bislig's Tinuy-an Falls

I once cursed our leaders every time I pass our province and promised myself that I will not be coming back. But that changed now! I am now proud of my province and definitely be shouting to the whole world that Surigao del Sur is truly a paradise worth exploring!

Click Here and read more of Surigao del Sur Hidden Treasures and gelstaph blogs. You can also experience the beauty and harm hospitality of the people of Surigao del Sur by availing our exclusive tour packages to a minimum of 5 persons. Email to emgeli@hotmail.com for more information.

Monday, July 12, 2010

paksiw-paksiw (fish in vinegar sauce with milk and curry)

Paksiw (fish in vinegar sauce) is one of the famous Philippine dish that every Filipino had in every table at least once a week. The good thing about paksiw is you can you use almost any kind of fish and had many variations but the common thing is that vinegar, ginger, garlic and onion should always be present in this recipe.

I made a few tweaks in the recipe to make it more flavorful and attractive.

Ingredients:

2 pieces medium-size Milkfish (Chanos chanos) (scaled and sliced 3-4 times diagonally), 2 cloves garlic (crushed), 1 bulb onion (sliced), 1 medium-size ginger (peeled and crushed), 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper.

In a casserole, arrange garlic, onion and ginger alternately at the bottom. Place on top of the spices the sliced milkfish, add salt, vinegar and water. Bring to boil in a low flame until half of the liquid is evaporated. Add pepper and evaporated milk with dissolved curry powder. Simmer for 1 minute. Serve while hot!

Milkfish is preferred in this recipe because it is packed with omega 3 fatty acids. Arranging the spices in the bottom assures equal distribution of flavor and if you are using commercially-available vinegar, it is suggested that it should be diluted with water to lessen the acidity of the dish. After adding the milk, it should be stirred and simmered for 1 minute and taken out of the flame right away to prevent lumping of protein in milk.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

breakfast in a flash!

I learned this recipe in college where you do not have luxury of time to prepare your breakfast because you woke up late, had to beat the traffic and pass the exam on thermodynamics. Simple yet packed with energy to fuel you in your morning activities!

Ingredients:

4 pieces regular size hotdog (sliced thinly), 2 pieces tomatoes (chopped), 3 pieces medium sized eggs, salt, pepper, vegetable oil.

Beat eggs, add chopped tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. Heat pan with oil, add sliced hotdogs. Cook for 2 minutes, add beaten eggs with tomatoes, mix for 3 minutes and serve.

This saves time, instead of having an omelette and hotdogs cooked separately. In less than 10 minutes of preparation, you can have your nutritious breakfast in a flash.