11th Duman Festival, Sta. Rita Pampanga

"Duman..... atin ng duman... duman... mabanglung duman"

Aside from the 1st class relic of St. Rita de Cascia, the small town of Sta. Rita is well known for its sweet delicacies, the turrones de casoy (local version of nougat), sansrival, yema, suman and duman. Duman is the flat and green rice that I love to mix in tsokolateng batirol or even eat it on its own. This is totally different from the one some vendors are selling in Baguio na pinipig. Those vendors often sells their pinipig Duman Sta. Rita. You will never find Duman Sta. Rita sold outside the town.

The Sta. Rita duman comes from the red malagkit variety, planted during the monsoon season (July), harvested around November. Dahil sa matagal na proseso bago mabuo ang duman...it is the most expensive rice in the Philippines. Ang isang kilo ay Php 2,500 ang halaga.

This 2012 is the 11th year of the Duman Festival. It was organized by the theater group Arti Sta. Rita in cooperation with the local government. It is held every first Saturday of December. Ngayong taon, medyo kakaiba ang location. Noong unang dalawang taon ay sa barangay Sta Monica ginanap, then sa patio ng simbahan sa tabi ng town plaza. Ngayon ito ay naganap sa dike, overlooking the small town.

Maraming mga bisitang turista mula sa ibang bayan. Maging mga culinary students sa isang university sa Manila ay bumisita din. Maraming booths na ang paninda ay pawang produkto ng bayan.Tables and chairs were provided para sa mga kakain. Meron ding namigay ng libre...libreng photobooth at libreng juice.

The sarsuela started around 7pm.

After an almost two hours of brilliant performance, the town mayor announced the good news. An ice cream company included Pampanga in the Best of the Philippines. Duman favored ice cream!

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People's Park in the Sky

People's Park in the Sky is formerly known as Palace in the Sky is situated at the highest point in Tagaytay, Mt. Sungay.  Sabi nila, bakay bakasyunan dapat ito ng mga Marcos, ngunit sa di malamang kadahilanan ay di natapos. Ngayon, it's part of the itinerary of tourists that visits the cool city. After exploring Caleruega, we decided to visit the park for some sightseeing. 

There is 30 pesos entrance fee. After paying, you have the option to ride the jeepney or walk. We decided to walk to feel the cool wind and to take pictures as well.

Then...we saw the first sign of deterioration...

Nasaan na ang apat na letra?

Itinuon na lang namin ang pansin sa kabilang bahagi...

View of Taal Volcano

and view of the place that I want to visit.... Tagytay Highlands.

Pagdating sa taas...madi-disappoint ka lang sa makikita mo. Lumang building na kinakalawang, madamo. May mabilang na tindahan din ng makakain at souvenir. Di na ako nakapag picture dahil sa pagod. Sayang ang lugar. Maganda pa naman sana kaya lang ay kulang sa maintenance. Maganda itong gawing alternatibong pasyalan kung puno na ang picnic grove. Now, I wonder kung para saan yung entrance fee na binayaran ng mga tao. Hindi ko alam kung ang DOT ba o ang local government unit ang responsable sa maintenance ng park.

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Caleruega – A Site Close to God and Nature

One of the most popular wedding venue in the Philippines is the Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega Batulao, Nasugbu Batangas. Malapit sa boundary ng Batangas at Cavite at mga 20 minutes from Tagaytay. Caleruega is our first destination in our Batangas-Cavite-Laguna day trip. Caleruega is a house of prayer and retreat. It is also for team building activities, youth camp and recollection. 

What to see in Caleruega

1.  The Koi Pond
        Under the steel bridge are the man made ponds full of koi fish...

2.  The Hanging Bridge

3.  The Tent Chapel
     After crossing the bridge, you can see an open field that will eventually lead you to the beautiful tent chapel. You just have to climb the slippery steep hill.

4.  The Scenery

5.  The Garden Cafe

6.  Caleruega Retreat Center

 
7.  Transfiguration Chapel

When we arrived...may kasal...ayun...di kami nakapag explore masyado

Maganda siguro pumunta dito ng Holy Week para mag reflect... maganda din siguro mag attend ng retreat dito. Sana magkaroon ng chance na mangyari yun.

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Breakfast at Real Coffee and Tea Cafe in Boracay

On our third day...we ate breakfast at the famous Real Coffee and Tea Cafe. According to the other blogs that I read...they said that the store is hard to find because of its location. Hindi naman pala. Walking along the beach road going to station 1...madali lang itong makita kasi may signage naman.

Dahil excited.... we were the first to arrived. Wala pang tao....pati tao sa store wala... Tao po...Tao po.... Kakain po kami...

Kakaiba ang ambiance. Para kang nasa dirty kitchen ng bahay. Makikita mo ang hindi pares-pares na cups and saucers at iba't-ibang non stick pan.

 You can also see photos of famous people and celebrities.

We ordered coffee (P50.00), jack-a-lean omelet with pesto (P320.00), frank's delight (P250.00) and the famous calamansi muffin.

Real Coffee (P50.00)

Jack-a-Lean Omelet with pesto (P320.00)

Frank's Delight (P250.00)

Calamansi Muffin

 Menu:

We were so full. We didn't even finish eating the Frank's Delight...kaya binaon ko siya at kinain sa airport.

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