Where to Eat in San Fernando Pampanga: Ichiban Mix Buffet and Smokeless Grill

It was our year ender dinner when we decided to try the newest buffet in town....Ichiban Mix Buffet and Smokeless Grill. It opened last December 10, 2013.

It is located at the 3rd floor of Kingsborough Building along Jose Abad Santos Avenue (beside S&R and Ford Pampanga). Yes..... 3rd floor. And since the building is new, the elevator is not yet in service so we had no choice but to take the stairs.

Since it's still 5pm and too early for dinner... halos kami pa ang tao and we had the chance to roam/inspect the varieties.

Ichiban serves more on Chinese foods. Medyo kaunti lang ang variety.

I liked the salt and pepper spareribs and the grilled shrimps and tempura. This is basically my first plate.

The dessert station is nothing but store brought "kakanin" from sweet delicacies in Pampanga. Nothing spectacular like the ones in Vikings of Buffet 101. No crepes but they have 2 flavors of ice cream, turon, leche flan and 4 kinds of fruits.

The drinks

No alcoholic beverage and they have melon shake. I forgot to ask if they also serve hot tea.

The raw meat station

As you can see, there are many varieties to grill. But I like the shrimps best.

The price

Upon going out, I asked one of the waiters of their contact number. It appears they don't have landline yet but they gave me a cellphone number to call for reservations.

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4 Days - 4 Provinces: Our Northern Mindanao Adventure (4D/3N Itinerary)

We waited 10 months for our Northern Mindanao adventure. Because of New Year's Piso sale of Cebu Pacific, we immediately booked our flight to Cagayan de Oro City, the gateway to Northern Mindanao.

This is the first time we set foot in Mindanao and we were half scared because we don't know how safe is it to travel in Mindanao due to the insurgencies in Zamboanga. 

We arrived at Laguindingan Airport at 6:00am.

Here is our travel itinerary for our 4 days Northern Mindanao adventure.

Day 1:  BUKIDNON

   Blog posts:

• Camp Phillips and Del Monte Plantation 
• Dahilayan Adventure Park: Asia's Longest Dual Zipline
• Where to Eat in Bukidnon: Del Monte Clubhouse

Day 2:  CAMIGUIN

   Blog posts:

• How to Go to Camiguin: Agora to Balingoan
• Where to Stay: Pabualan Cottage 
• Where to Eat in Camiguin: 4R's Foodhaus Family KTV Bar
• San Nicolas Tolentino Parish Church
• Katibawasan Falls 
• Sunken Cemetery 
• Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross
• Old Church Ruins 
• Bura Soda Water Pool
• Sto. Niño Cold Spring 
• Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring
• White Island 
• Sweet and Tasty Lanzones
• Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin

Day 3:  ILIGAN CITY (LANAO DEL NORTE)

   Blog post:

• Majestic Maria Cristina Falls
• Breathtaking Tinago Falls

Day 4:  CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MISAMIS ORIENTAL)

   Blog posts:

• Our First Taste of Sinuglaw
• Where to Stay in Cagayan de Oro City: Win Min Transient Inn
• Saint Augustine Cathedral
• Butcher's Best
• Braving the Rapids: Whitewater Rafting

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Braving the Rapids: Cagayan de Oro Whitewater Rafting

And on our last day, we saved the best adventure!

The exhilarating white water adventure down the mighty Cagayan de Oro river.

There are 5 whitewater rafting operators in CDO. We chose Kagay. I called them the day before and agreed to pick us up in front of Starbucks in Limketkai Center at 7am. Then we picked up other groups at their hotels in downtown. It took us 45 minutes to reach the jump-off point where the real adventure begins.

At the jump-off point, we signed the waiver and we were given our own paddles, life vest and helmet. There was also an orientation given since we were all first timers (we took the beginner's course).

You can also buy some souvenirs and sunblock creams and water.

Since we were 8, we were divided into 2 groups. We were joined by the couple from CDO who is a friend of our river guide Aries.

We were all nervous when the first rapid came. We were told that there are 14 rapids during the 4-5 hours of the adventure.

During the breaks from rapids, the guide allowed us to dip in the water to swim.

We also jumped from the rock in the middle of the river.

Take a look at these series of photos of our favorite part of the rafting.

High Five for every conquered rapid!

Overall, it was an ultimate experience and must try for everyone who will visit Cagayan de Oro City. On out next trip, we will take the advance 1 course for sure.

PRICE:

Price of Whitewater Rafting adventure is regulated by the city government.

1. Beginners Course P700 / head

• ( 3hrs. Actual River Run ) 14 Rapids
• Class I-II Minimum of 6 pax

2. Advance Course P1000 / head

• ( 4hrs. Actual River Run ) 24 Rapids
• Class II-IV Minimum of 6 pax

3. Experts I Course P1200 / head

• ( 2hrs. Actual River Run ) 14 Rapids
• Class III Minimum of 6 pax

Inclusions:

• Jeepney transfer from City Tourism Showhaus, DV-Soria or at your Hotel within city proper to Put-in
• From Take-out back to the City.
• Helmets, life vests and paddles will be provided.

Optional Add-Ons:

• Pictures 350/CD for Basic or Experts Course, P450/CD for Advance Course. 

Every operator also have other packages that goes with rafting like Dahilayan and caving. They also accepts credit cards for payment.

KAGAY 

Contact details:

Address: Corrales Avenue, Corner Rivera St., Cagayan de Oro City

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Saint Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro City

As early as 5:00am, we were on our way to the cathedral to catch the 5:15am mass. We rode the motorela from Agora to Saint Augustine Cathedral. Fare is Php 7. 

We were just right in time. The mass was in local dialect.

The Saint Augustine Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro  which comprises the civil Provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands. It was built in 1845 but was destroyed and restored in 1945.

After the mass, we bought candles and said our prayers.

Then, we saw this couple who sells something like waffle for P5.00. Of course we bought and ate them for breakfast.

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Where to Eat in Cagayan de Oro City: Butcher's Best Barbeque

 As bloggers were raving for the food at Butcher's Best, we tried it out on our last day in CDO.  From Plaza Divisoria, we just walked 2 blocks and we found it.

Their specialty is the Grilled Angus Beef Belly (Php 80.00). Considering it's beef, it's very cheap. 

And the beef is so yummy! We also ordered other items in their menu.

Butcher's Best Menu

They are open from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.

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