Suman Festival at SM City Masinag

 

Do you love "native kakanin" as much as I do?

Well then feast your eyes on this 350 meters long Suman Sa Ibos. 

 

 

 

Yes, you read it right, this string of Antipolo's most popular pasalubong, "Suman sa Ibos" is really 350 meters long. It took 100 kilos of sticky rice to produce this 2500 pieces of individually wrapped Suman sa Ibos. 


SM City Masinag literally transformed into a  Suman Haven.  

This  latest  partership program between the City Government of Antipolo and  SM City Masinag is aptly named "Suman Festival". 


The Suman Festival to kickstart the month-long Antipolo Maytime ~ SUMAKAH (which is actually an acronym for Antipolo's finest products: Suman, Mangga and Kasoy and the Hamaka) Festival.

 

With Antipolo City,  Vice Governor Frisco San Juan Jr. and Board Member Enrico De Guzman, who were obviously enjoying their share of the Longest Suman sa Ibos.

The month of May has always been special to the hearts of the locals and tourists of the City of Antipolo as it celebrates a month long fiesta in commemoration to the centuries old tradition of Filipinos' pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

 

 

Approximately 12,000 bites of the Suman Sa Ibos centerpiece were shared by excited mall shoppers, whose kakanin experience became truly unique with a wide selection of dips and sauces that pair well with their favorite suman.

Along with the launch of the Suman Sa Ibos centerpiece is a culinary contest modernizing the traditional taste and presentation of Antipolo's popular delicacy. Selected Antipolenos vie for the title in making the Most Innovative Suman in the City.

 

 

Everything is delicious.  My personal favorite is the Manggo flavored Suman sa Ibos, although I still prefer the classic recipe. 

 

 

 

The Suman Festival at SM City Masinag, which hopefully will become a traditional event, was indeed a moment of celebration of Antipolo's rich heritage and culinary background. 

 

 

Movie Star Cafe just like in the MOVIES

I have heard quite a lot about one of the newest family restaurants in town - Movie Stars Café.  

 

It is a special kind of restaurant that runs hourly performances for the entire family entertainment.

 

So on my youngest son's 6th birthday, I pre-booked seats for us to check out and see for ourselves what the rave is all about.

 

 

 Movie Stars Café (here we are)

  

My boys gamely posed next to the King (himself) Kong (LOL!)

 

 

We came at about 6pm and found the place already half-packed.  There were still plenty of seats upfront, but to my dismay, we were given seats at the back. 

 

Although the place is small, and the back seats are only about 3-5 feet away from the  small runway stage,  I have been wanting to get front seats to amp my kids enjoyment in watching the shows.
 

I tried to use my charm to be moved upfront, but nah!

 

People started pouring in at 630pm and by 645 it was already jam-packed, so it was good we came in a little early.
 

We got eat-all-you buffet for four (2 adults and 2 kids), which cost P699 for adults and extra P100 for drinks.
 
There is not much to say about the food. It was plain and simple - much like a birthday party sort of spread.  
I honestly recommend you just do an a la carte.  That would be much cheaper and you get to choose what you like.  
 

 

There are plenty of MSC cast in famous movie character costume around to keep your kiddos busy in between performances that starts at 7pm.

 

If you did not get your money's worth from the food, don't fret since the shows are truly worth your every centavo.

 

(Performances photos courtesy of MSC FB page)

 

My boys had so much fun - my youngest son's jaw dropped seeing Spidey dance.

 

 Our choice pictures. L-R/T-B: Papa with Atom; Raj with Spider Man; Kuya with Jabbawockeez and Me with Bubblebee!

 

TIPS:

1. Reserve early.  Don't take chances, especially during weekends as it gets really crowded.
2. Do a la carte instead of buffet. 
3. Enjoy and don't hesitate to approach the performers.  They are very accommodating and will gladly pose with you!
4. Enjoy and have fun.

 

Movie Stars Café

Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City

Tel. No. 550-1234

 

 

OMJ (Oh my JONAH's)

Oh, I was so excited to see the well reviewed "Jonah's" fruitshake.  I was so thrilled when I walked in to get my first famous Banana-Peanut Shake.

 

I was a little worried to see, that they serve their shakes in take-out plastic bottles.  Hmm, so much for going green...

 

 

My order was a little too sweet for my taste. 

Maybe I should have just ordered a less fancy fruit shake, maybe then I would have enjoyed it more.

 

VERDICT: Just average!

 

I have honestly tasted better shakes... elsewhere... (Red Coconut's Banana-Peanut was way so much better. We also tried their Strawberry, worth every penny.)

 

Haiz, I passed on my half-finished bottle to my hubby and went our way.

 

 

 

 

 

Giligiligan Beach

 

 

We reached Giligiligan Beach via an Island Hopping tour we

commissioned.  There were very few people in Giligiligan in contrast to the White Beach and Puca Beach, which were loaded with tourists (locals and foreigners). 

 

We were happy we were the only ones around.  Sand was a little bit rough, but that was okay in exchange for some peace and quiet.

 

Now this is paradise - serene, calm and peaceful!

 

water was warm and very inviting

 

 

There were about 2-3 restaurants in Giligiligan where you can feast on seafoods by "paluto".  We just had our breakfast and were not really hungry so we just had fruit shakes...

see nobody is here...

just our banca - all alone :D

my son enjoying the feel of warm sand under his feet

We love Giligiligan!

This beach was all ours!

Crazy Crepes D'Mall Boracay

Hot humid night, tired aching feet and hungry boys:  Conditions were perfect for some mouth-watering delicious crepes! 

For special crepes in Boracay island, Crazy Crepe is a must try. It sells specially made crepes with ice cream and fruits fillings - YUMMY!!! 

Crazy Crepe store

Waiting for our order!

Finally my crazy crepe! 

Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) - Brrrr!!!!

 

Crazy peeps would go to Baguio and order ice cream for an early morning dessert!!!

 

Yup!  We went a little crazy, forgot we were in Baguio and that it was freezing cold - when we ordered two ice cream pints FIC's (2 pints for 2 adults and 2 kids - so silly, what were we thinking?) . 

 

Oh we ordered mango and strawberry flavors and they were so creamy, we were liking it until we started shivering a little...and getting brain freeze... then finally decided to stop!

 

 

 

Note to self: Ice cream in Baguio - bad idea!!!

 

Incase you don't believe me: 

FIC is located in Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay