Feature Friday: Puesto

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Photo Grabbed from Maria Suzanne Saulong

Puesto is the Spanish word for post.  Since we have been under the Spaniards for more than 300 years, we had adopted their words into our language.  So puwesto in Tagalog and Cebuano means post, position, rank, seat, or place.  And Puesto in Ozamiz is the newest place in town which opened last month as a restobar.

Located at the 2nd floor of the de Barras building near the City Hall Grounds of Ozamiz, Puesto offers a beautiful view of the sunset at its left side.  I just found that out yesterday afternoon as I looked up the sky and was surprised by the glorious sight I just witnessed.  Behind the clouds were the radiant rays of the setting sun, making me imagine that God was residing there at the other side.  So no need to go to the roof deck of Temples Bar in Cambodia just to witness a beautiful sunset (might as well tell Atsi Ann this).  It is actually here in our very own city that we can experience one and let me insert, watching nature in awe also depends on a person's state of mind and heart.  Now go out and smell the flowers, all you who are stressed!

Anyway, aside from the wonderful sunset, Puesto had turned the place inviting with its bright lights.  Its newly furbished interior gives it a cozy ambiance.  Rustic in design, I love its laidback style.  It just suits my personality of simplicity and minimalist lifestyle.  In addition, they also have their placemats customized and mason jars for the utensils.  With only these minor details, I can say that Puesto can be at par with posh restos we visit in big cities.

Now with the food!  The food is really good and not commercialized.  It reflects the design of the place which is homey in attitude.  In our language, lutong bahay.  Cashew Waldorf Salad for starter opens up your appetite.  It's a mix of apples, celery, and I could see that they were not using cashew but walnuts instead.  It was such a delish!  So light and low in calories.  Then the Sinigang Tuna followed which Papa loved so much.  It's asim-kilig as a TV ad goes.  For the main course, Crispy Tadyang is the specialty of the house.  It is fried beef ribs that is sarap to the bones.  And though calamares, sisig, and chicken buffalo wings are classified as beer match or pulotan, we had 'em as viands because we are Filipinos and anything will do for viands for us Filipinos.  Hehe.....  Moreover, I loved the chicken wings which tasted almost the same as Chef Lau's.  It's sweet, spicy, and flavorful with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.  By the way, the portion of their servings is just right to the price for each entrée.   

So for a relaxing aftie for yourself, a bountiful dinner with your family, or just a quick drink with your friends, head on to Puesto!  My apologies for not getting its exact address but it's just at the right side of Ozamiz City Hall.  The former Gat's Bar and Across actually.  Get the picture?  Now tag along your friends for another food tripping adventure!  #tosomeats

With Kuya Rio de Barras

For questions, invites, and collaborations, direct message me on Facebook.  For updates on my whereabouts and whatabouts, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! :)

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The Foodtruck at Big J Ranch

With Chef Jong and His Foodtruck Crew

I'm always, always a big fan of Travel and Living Channel even before it rebranded as TLC and was still Discovery Travel and Living.  So now you know where I got influenced with my travel, DIY, food, and more and more food frenzy!  Too much TV-ing, huh?  Anyway, one of the reality TV shows that was aired in TLC from Food Network is The Great Food Truck Race hosted by Tyler Florence.  It is a showcase of various food trucks in the US, each competing with the other in coming up with a new twist from the usual recipe of American staple food.  Food trucks have always been a big hit in the US, bringing in comfort food to people anywhere.  It got its roots from Texas' chuck wagon which was used as a mobile kitchen for cowboys in the olden days.

In the local scene, we have a Texan-style resto that has been serving the big OZ with its grilled goodies, the Big J Grill House.  As I've featured here, I always come back to Big J for their Hungarian sausage and fish skewers.  They serve really good food, super delish yet affordable and word of mouth has it!  People flock to the place especially the boarding students for their unli rice.  The place is always packed so they moved to a bigger field, the Big J Ranch at Maningcol Highway, Ozamiz City about a couple of years ago.  And just last year, they added up their Foodtruck for another "something new" in the city!

The Foodtruck serves on-the-go American food but in Filipino-style of Chef Jong's original recipe like the Big J Burger, Fish and Chips, Chicken Wings, Roast Beef Sandwich, etc.  Fish and Chips and the Chicken Wings became my instant favorites!  The cream dory is perfectly coated and fried, crispy on the outside and soft and creamy in the inside.  The potato wedges that come with it is distinctly flavored that I wish they also have a serving of only potato wedges alone.  Oh, I'm just a sucker of potatoes!  And what I love most of their Chicken Wings is that it comes in different flavors and sauces.  You have three of each to choose from.  Cheese, sour cream, and barbecue for the flavors and another barbecue, hot garlic, and teriyaki for the sauces.  All you have to do is pick as you please the same as their iced dessert, halo-halo.  This is another new experience 'coz you'll also get to choose what condiments and ice cream flavor you want in your sweet mix!  This is so awesome 'coz you'll also have the chance to experiment with your very own food.  As an adventurous foodie, this gimmick works very well for me! 

          
So aside from Big J's original dishes, there are now new varieties to drool over as well as other Big Catch's specialties that they are also serving.  A trip to the ranch is always worth it not only for the more than good food but also for the very festive ambiance every night.  They have different fun activities to entertain their customers and the atmosphere is just so homey.  They have the most accommodating staff in town spearheaded by Chef Jong's mom, Mrs. Helen Tang.  The place is always too crowded and always too busy. They have too many diners to serve but the food. Oh, the food. Then and again, the food is still the best!  Moreover, you know when you're really a lumad of Ozamiz if you bump into friends from 3-5 tables in only one setting at the ranch.  So for movie date night, jammin' with the band night, or stand-up comedy night, visit Big J Ranch!

Now I'm gonna flood you with more photos of my various Big J Ranch check-ins with family and friends for this is my favorite hang-out in the big OZ!

Familia Olandesca

Familia De La Torre

JCI-Ozamiz Red Rose Family

Justice '99 Family

Pamilat Agency Family

With my LSU Engineering Students

With my Not-So-Baby-Anymore EJ

Take-Out for my Other Kids

Our Family Always Enjoy Dining at Our Second Kusina

     

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Oak and Beans

Oh, how I miss my most favorite couch in town!  With all honesty, I had a hard time accepting that Café Eduardo has changed into Oak and Beans.  I felt like I was being robbed out of my fave hang-out, my fortress, my place of solace.  I so miss my best friend and where is she now?  She's gone in just a blink of an eye, carrying all my secrets away with her.  My couch!  I haven't even said good bye to you, my friend.  So as a protest, I never checked Oak and Beans until I had the courage to face the newly refurbished Time Square complex months ago.

From a cutie patotie and pa-tweetums 60's-themed café, the place turned into a sophisticated  La Vie Parisienne-inspired winery/café.  The whole rendezvous got a total make-over, an overhaul as I might say 'coz there's never a remnant of  Café Eduardo left.  However, I was glad that my first visit was with my Junior Jaguars+Kring2x+Myki so things were still light as I faced my letting-go process.  We just had quick drinks before rushing back to school last special term after goofing 'round at Fascino.  I tried their health drink, an energy booster which I forgot the name that's made of pechay and pineapple juice.  It was such a nice mix that I couldn't tell that there's green leafy vegetable added into it.  I gulped down the whole big glass in only 3-4 minutes 'coz I was already running late for my 5 PM class.  The drink was refreshing, giving me another dose of energy for my night class.

My second visit was also having quick drinks after a very heavy dinner at Big Catch for Ruth's birthday.  This time, we had nightcaps to digest the gluttonous feast we unguiltily devoured.  Though our time was limited, it was still quality.  I always look forward for quality time filled with laughter with these quality friends I rarely bond with.

So there was the follow-up bonding and this time with my chogs, Ruth and Cherry Ann!  A year end catch up with my most favorite people is always my most wonderful time of the year though I was feeling sick at that moment.  Just physically sick of very long days, short sleeping hours, and having too much to do 'coz I always have plenty on my plate every December.  Thank God for always making ways for me to occupy myself though.  Hehe.....

  
Anyway, we had some wine and 'twas my first time to try Oak and Beans' food.  I instantly fell in love with Aglio Olio, a spicy pasta in olive oil which according to them, tasted like pancit canton.  But pancit canton no way for me!  It's foreign to my taste buds, Italian that is.  Delizioso!  On the other hand, the second love I had was the Paratha with Pineapple Chutney.  As with any other Indian food, the paratha is filled with spices that I'm not able to name each one of 'em.  But for sure, there's cumin, paprika, and oregano which make up a chili-con-carne-flavorlike masterpiece that I always go gaga over with.    

    
And what a surprise when Mr. Pastillas, Richard dropped by just to say "hi"!  Thank you so much, Aido dear for bringing your cousin over.  And thanks, Chard for always being accommodating for photo ops! :)  The ladies went even more gaga over you!  Haha!!!

Sideways, I also had the opportunity to make kumusta my babies no more, another set of chi school kids.  Then and again, they've grown up soooo fast.  College kids already, making and not breaking into big universities which makes a proud momma here!

From one check-in to another, I'm getting accustomed with hanging-out at Oak and Beans.  Bringing friends over just like old times during Café Eduardo days is now back to life.  When partner in crime, MM and I dated here last month with Tita Lilibeth and Tita Maricar, we had a blast welcoming the new year!  

We had a pasta feast with wine for dinner and stayed late until midnight having tea as our nightcap.  This time, I was surprised by Oak and Beans' servings 'coz it's more ample, fancier, and tastier.  Their Pasta in Tomato Sauce with Sardines is heaven!  It really is Italian-style like puttanesca.  Their Carbonara is so creamy but just too sweet for me up a notch.  Aside from the pasta, we also had Mozzarella Sticks that were crunchy and chewy.  I never had mozzarella this good my entire life.  Oh, that was glorious!

Another sideways, I also had strong wine with Sandy and company in the other table for he was absent during our "sort-of" batch reunion.  I couldn't miss catching up with him 'coz laughter with this guy is also unlimited!  I'm always happy hanging-out with you, geng! :)

Then checking-in at Oak and Beans is slowly getting into my system.  Just like outgrowing toys during tween years, I have to grow up with changes.  Truly, change is the only constant in this world and to accept change is to embrace reality and learn to love it wholeheartedly.  As the famous quote in Oak and Beans says,

so wine please!

Oak and Beans is the only wine shop in the whole province.  They have wine of any variety, hard liquors, and beer of famous brands aside from their frappes, coffee, and tea.  Name it and you'll have it.  So come and visit them at Time Square, Juan Luna Cor. J. Sanciangco Jr. Sts., Brgy. Aguada, Ozamiz City when good talk and good times happen everyday!

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Yammynamnam at Yammy's Seafood Grill

Up for anything seafood?  Yammy's Seafood Grill has been here in Ozamiz for quite some time now and it was only last month that we got to visit the place.  Since it was December, we had enough of lechon and other pork dishes from parties here, there, and everywhere.  So to get rid of the over satiated taste and the cholesterol, we longed for seafood and tried Yammy's!

The first time we hit the place was before doing our groceries for our family reunion gift-giving.  As a tinola-lover, Papa ordered the fish kitong which was really really good!  The fish was so fresh and I rank this next to the tinola we fell in love with at The Original AA BBQ in Cebu.  We also ordered sizzling mixed seafood and sizzling squid which have almost the same flavor and tasted super yummylicious!  In fact and in truth, we ordered three extra cups of rice just for this lunch which is already a kalabisan in our case and it was the first time that my tummy went really full despite of all the parties I've been to.  So with this, we had the energy to get on to our mission for the day!    

Since we were satisfied with our first visit, we came back for more, bringing the whole troop!  This time, we already hinted to order unlimited rice for we already know that mapapasubo ulit kami sa sarap!  Ella came next to Papa in her love for tinola but it is the chicken tinola she loves most.  Yammy's also serve native chicken tinola and I really wonder how they make the bisayang manok so tender.  It is even more tender than Alnetivs' bisayang manok inasal in Pagadian.

Aside from the tinola, Ep2x ordered her fave sinigang na hipon which was asim-kilig or was it only Jezreel who made her kilig?  I wonder!  Haha!  Anyway, what I loved best in our table was the seafood bicol express!!!!!  Oh, how I truly miss Albay!  I've always loved gata, sili, and when combined, it is just super dooper perfect!  Yammy's seafood bicol express is not that hot and spicy for me so anyone who's not a fan of anything spicy, this is just right for your "hotness" level.  Hehe.....  And oops, for the calamares, Mama loved it all the way!     

!

Sinigang na Hipon and Fish Tinola

Sizzling Mixed Seafood and Sizzling Squid

Calamares and Seafood Bicol Express

Native Chicken Tinola and Sizzling Mixed Seafood Platter

Then we were not dismayed!  Our seafood craving was satisfied to the max!  The secret to yummylicious seafood is to cook it fresh and Yammy's didn't fail 'coz they really do cook it fresh!  With that, it's gonna be more than a two thumbs-up for Yammy's Seafood Grill!  Visit, visit, visit them now at Gaizano Southwing, Ozamiz City!  They also have merienda sets of lomi + sliced bread, pancit canton + sliced bread, and bihon guisado + sliced bread that is so affordable good for 4-5 persons.  So come and enjoy Yammy's yammynamnam dishes!  

Thank you to the very kind staff of Yammy's Seafood Grill!  We really enjoyed our lunches here and many more lunches to come!  :)  #tosomeats #tosomendorses

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JuChoRi Craft Café

New, new, new hang-out in the big OZ!  Here's now a version of Café Noriter and Café Tiala Princess Room of Cebu in Ozamiz - the JuChoRi Craft Café.  At first, you might think that the name is something Korean but it's not.  It's actually a combination of names of the three children of Sir Warren Tan's business partner.  Ju for Julian, Cho for Jericho, and Ri for Jomari.  A unique name beautifully crafted for a unique hang-out.  Finally, we now have a dainty, pretty, and charming big doll house here in our city where we can play and make pretend that we are Barbie dolls or Precious Moments dolls.

  

JuChoRi Craft Café is located just a few meters away from our store which is along Gomez Street, still the same building of Sir Warren's former Warben Photolab and Honeybee Chick and Ribs Grill House (Oh, how I miss the baby back ribs!).  When we got stressed one very busy afternoon last December at Fascino, we checked into the café as a breather before going home.  Truly, we were relieved with the cozy ambiance of the place.  The pastel colors all over relaxed our minds and artsy things are also strewn around bringing in delight to our eyes.  

Since they were still in their soft opening last December, we only had their specialty of the house which is the burger and the fried chicken in barbecue sauce.  The burger is so delectable with its savory sauce and the patty is really thick.  I just suggest that they'll also have some fries alongside with it for these two are always a perfect tandem.  Anyway, the chicken is also delish but the serving is quiet small.  I hope that they can get bigger cuts in the market for customers' greater satisfaction.  In addition, the coolers are also good and mason jars or taller glasses for these can do the trick for more IG hearts.  Again, they were still in soft opening at the time so I guess the next time I'll visit the place, it's gonna be at par with cafés in big cities.  'Coz the food is already good as is that'll keep you coming back.  So not just our eyes got busog but also our tummies!

On the other hand, the place is two-story so it's also a nice venue for little parties, get-togethers, or after-parties.  I'm actually eyeing the place for a dream blog launching or book reading if I'm already capable or fit to be a true blue blogger or writer.  Wahaha!!!!  Sarap mangarap!  Though I haven't realized one dream yet which is hosting an afternoon tea party for my friends, still I'm having another dream this big.  Haha!!!  That's just how I fell in love with the interiors of JuChoRi that inspires me to dream again.  Photos here might not give justice to the place so I promise to bring a real camera the next time I'll visit.

   

So for a feast for the eyes and feast for the stomach, visit JuChoRi Craft Café and get a wow to your afternoon! #tosomeats  

    

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Weekend Market Around OSROX Park

OSROX or Osmeña-Roxas (two of the Republic of the Philippines' past presidents) Park has been serving the city of Ozamiz as a seat of assemblage.  As I can recall, miting de avances were often held here when I was little.  In fact, my late Tatay Toto had brought me into one many years ago.  I can also remember that there was a detention cell inside the park where police officers converge every afternoon for coffee.  To mention, me and my Gomez St. neighborhood kids-playmates stole aftie nap times just to play at the park, too.  Then growing up during grade school and high school entailed me to go to the park every fiesta for the civic parade assembly.  Well, that's how OSROX plays a big role to every laid-back Ozamiznon like me!

Nowadays, OSROX is still the assembly place for Ozamiz City fiesta parades.  I don't know if it still has the detention cell or if it is still used as a place for election campaigns, but what I've come to know since March is that, it had become a taboan every weekend for the farmers to bring their fresh produce for the not-so-big-city dwellers.  And thanks to my friend Pen2x for sharing this to me!

The taboan reminds me of Old Quarter, Vietnam.   It is a flea market in what seems like endless streets where prices are lower compared with the actual market that we have, the Public Mall.  Farmers from the province of Lanao and nearby towns of Misamis Occidental flock every Saturday after lunch around OSROX and camp overnight before their pack-up on Sunday before lunch.  For only 24 hours, Ozamiznons are given the chance to hoard fresh veggies and fruits consumable for the whole week.

Since March, I come to OSROX to market every Saturday afternoon.  I only bring P200 with me and with that small amount, I can already bring home a fully-loaded bag of veggies and fruits that I'm having a hard time carrying.  It was always a solo quest for me and I was glad that last weekend, Pen2x picked me up at the house so we could do the market together as per request by yours truly.  Hehe.....  So I had the chance to take photos so I can also share to you our OSROX market adventure!

As a newly-convert vegan, Pen2x taught me to eat healthy.  We are now in our 30's and it's about time to go back to the basics and take good care of our health.  She influenced me to detoxify by eating vegetables and fruits.  (In fact, she lost weight through that!)  That's why going to OSROX since March has been my weekly habit.  And last Saturday, Pen2x's assistant, Ate Tata also taught me some recipes to experiment on.  It was also my first time to know that sayote and pechay can be eaten raw!  Hehe.....  Can you imagine that?  Well, here's how:

1.  Chop pechay and cut sayote into strips.

2.  Mix honey, olive oil, calamansi, garlic, and a little soy sauce.

3.  Toss veggies and honey-garlic dressing together with chopped onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

4.  Top with sesame seeds.

That's how easy it is!  You can have this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  But for me, this can't do for brekky 'coz I'm such a big breakfast eater!  Hehe.....  Anyway, thanks to Ate Tata for this recipe and Pen2x for sending me other quick and easy healthy recipes for the go!  Thanks also for the both of you for helping me out with this blog post! :)

So Ozamiznons, you already know where to go on weekends for healthy shopping!  See you around OSROX Park, Mayor Jesus E. Sanciangco, Jr. St., CM Recto St., and Abanil St.!  Eat healthy, everyone! :)

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Feature Friday: Natalie Salon Ozamiz

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Super bad hair days!  That's one of the problems I'm facing these past few weeks aside from the random ramblings I have 'coz of my students.  Due to annual rebonding, my hair got so rough, unmanageable, frizzy, dry, and super damaged!  I couldn't even continue to comb it to the tips 'coz it gets tangled so I just let it be.  In fact, one of my students caught my attention and said, "Ma'am, are you too busy not to have time to comb your hair?"  Well, that's a way too embarrassing for a "model" teacher like me, right?  So, I tried a way to solve this problem and thanks to Natalie Salon Ozamiz for coming to the rescue!

Natalie opened March of last year and rumors had it that the salon charges higher compared with the other salons already in town.  For a not-so-into-splurging-on-vanity person like me, I didn't bother to try the services of the salon.  But my peers also said that the money you'll spend would be very worth it since the salon uses imported high-quality products.  Plus, the hairdressers will also advise you on what to do to take good care of your hair.  If you go to the salon and request for a rebond and if they see that your hair is already damaged, they will not do the rebonding but treat your hair instead.  In that way, you can prevent further damage and get healthy hair!

Excuse Me for Checking Test Booklets.  I Was Trying to Save Time Then.

As for the case of my already ridiculous hair, Don the hairdresser did treatment with argan oil.  Argan oil is the latest trend in hair treatment that promises to revitalize dead hair.  Hehe....  (For I already considered my hair dead!)  Anyway, it brings back natural smoothness of hair and eases split ends.  It's the best way to solve my problem and apart from getting treatment, Don also retouched the color of my hair.  People always say that black hair makes me look fiercer, resulting for them not to approach me.  So I had it browned.  With my new hair color, I saw some light on my face!  Haha!  I'm not that bad old maid teacher anymore as you think!  Just badass!  Hahaha!

Finally, my hair breathes again!  That's how I felt after the session.  It already has volume and bounce.  Salon gorgeous hair is what I have now, also bringing back self-confidence somehow.  And for the money issue?  It certainly was worth it as also a treat to myself!  Thanks Don for the help! :)

Visit Natalie Salon Ozamiz along Don Anselmo Bernad Avenue and also try their TruGel nail polish for your mani and pedi.  TruGel doesn't easily wear off from your nails and it's only Natalie that has this miracle polish in the city.

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Revisiting the Bell Tower of Bukagan Hill

"I was so excited on the day we’ll be going to Malaubang!  It was my first time to go to a distant place with only my classmates as my company. It was really an adventure since Susie only left us a sketch of her house.  Meaning, we have to go to a place unknown by ourselves and I was so thrilled by the idea of getting lost!

Bukagan Hill?!  I’ve heard of it already!  I haven’t been there and I definitely wanna go there!  At that instant, I asked Susie to get us there!  But she insisted ‘coz it is dangerous for only kids to go.

However as I look back now, I don’t have any regret of getting to Bukagan Hill because until now I never had the chance to be in that place again."

- Excerpt from Bukagan Hill of My Adventures, 2011

And after so many years, a chance to visit Bukagan Hill came my way!  However, it was not an adventure as what I had in grade school.  Today, the road to the hill is very easy.  Vehicles can now get you on top with the newly-constructed cement road though the start and the end are not yet finished.  Sadly, that makes me think that Filipino government projects are always half-baked.  Anyway, it's good that there is an improvement.  But it was more exciting before when we just walked our way to the top without the paved road.

Then the ancient bell tower was still standing on top of the hill.  It was not as majestic to my eyes as it seemed before.  The bells are not as gigantic as what I also saw before.  Well, maybe I just grew up.  The magic of being mesmerized by something tall and big suddenly ebbed its way from me.      

  

And the vandalism worsened!  I know it's graffiti and I know it's art but can we put art in the right way?  Sadly, our Lasallian students' names who were under me are the ones written there.  I don't know if they themselves wrote it or some other people who have interest in them wrote it so to express their love to them.  OK, let's just understand.  Youngsters these days have their own way of expressing themselves.

Honestly, I was quite disappointed with what I saw 'coz aside from the vandalism, piles of garbage are on the ground.  Wrappers of chichiria, bottles of beer, and jebs of stray animals were scattered around.  There's nobody maintaining the cleanliness of the place.  I wish the city tourism office of Ozamiz will be reminded of Bukagan Hill's forgotten splendor because the place just have a great potential for tourism.  And if there are tourists visiting our place, local livelihood can be developed too.

But despite of my disappointment, I couldn't do without a mini pictorial.  That was a Sunday morning after church so it was a Lacy Sunday post!

Thanks to Sissy Ep2x for the Photos

Though I could never hear the bells' big ding-dong, I hope that this post's little ding-dong can be heard by my students and other Ozamiznons to take care of our environment and local treasure.  The bells of Bukagan Hill are a great part of our history so let's stop vandalizing and littering around.

To end, maybe sometimes we need not go back to a place we already considered marvelous and magical.  For the beautiful childhood memory I once had with Bukagan Hill was replaced with a disheartened feeling for the place.  Let's not just take for granted the heir from our ancestors.

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