A Glimpse of Quiapo

I buy my photobooth supplies in Quiapo. From Divisoria, sumakay kami ng jeep na byaheng Quiapo. Then, sa Isetan pa lang, sabi ng driver "Hanggang dito na lang at sarado ang daan. Lakad na lang po kayo" Tanghaling tapat at maglalakad daw kami! Naku! galit ang mga kasabay namin sa jeep dahil alam naman pala ng driver na sarado ang daan, di sana ang karatula sa jeep ay Iseatan lang. As if we have a choice, we walked!

Quiapo, like Divisoria is known as one of the notorious area in Manila. But then, once you see and understand the way of life going around here, you can see its beauty. 

Quiapo is shoppers paradise. You can practically buy anything here. Most street are known for what they sell.

The most iconic landmark of Quiapo is the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene or the Saint John the Baptist Parish Church commonly known as Quiapo Church. Daily hourly masses are celebrated and devotees come from all walks of life. January 9 is the feast day of the Black Nazarene where millions of devotees participate in the translacion.

Just in front of the church is the famous Plaza Miranda. Sa may gilid ng plaza makikita ang mga fortune tellers.

Do you want to know your future? Php 50.00 lang.

There are also stalls that sells various herbal medicines and religious images. Meron ding nagbebenta ng agimat o anting-anting.

Along Quezon Blvd, you can buy motorcycle helmets and military uniforms.

You can buy electronics in G. Puyat Street, also known as Raon. Dito din makikita ang tanyag na Globe Lumpia House.

Evangelista St. is known for heavy equipment supplies like generators, motors, and water pumps.

 You can also buy fresh flowers and vegetables.

And Quiapo is the photographers haven. In Hidalgo St., you can buy cameras and other photography paraphernalia in a very low price compare to malls.

Quiapo has many things, from handycrafts, pirated DVD's, bicycle parts, bags, shoes and other novelty items. It's indeed a shoppers paradise. I heard that the first SM is the one in Quiapo. 

Just be careful with your belongings while roaming around.

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Globe Lumpia House, Quiapo Manila

As I'm searching for a place to eat in Quiapo area, I found out about the lumpia house that bloggers were raving.... The Globe Lumpia House.

The Globe Lumpia House started in 1956. It's a small eatery along Raon St. If you passed by Raon, kung hindi mo titignan mabuti, malamang na malalampasan mo.  Pero kung ayaw mo namang maghanap, pagtanong mo lang at alam halos ng lahat kung nasaan ito.

The store is so famous that it was featured on various tv shows.

This is where they prepare the lumpia.

 

Walang menu dito.... Lumpia lang at softdrinks. As you can see in the picture, they do not have a branch anywhere. Only in Quiapo!

They only sell Sarsi (Root Beer) and Pop cola here. You can also order bottled water.

When my lumpia arrived and start to eat, I saw the utensils. They have holes. I asked the server about it and he told me that it's their trademark since 1956. Kinda unique!

And this is my lumpia. I got 2 orders. It's crunchy and you can taste the garlic and peanut. It's yummy but I can't find something special about it. Siguro dahil sanay ako sa lumpiang sariwa na niluluto sa bahay dito sa Pampanga na mas masarap kaysa dito. But for the price (Php 16.00) it's not that bad. Nagulat nga kami sa dami ng kumakain sa maliit na store. Mas marami pa ang nag te-take-out! Sabi ng iba, hindi daw nagbago ang lasa ng Globe lumpia mula noong 1956. I will definitely come back and taste it again if I happen to go in Quiapo.

Globe Lumpia House 740 G. Puyat Street (Raon), Corner Quezon Avenue, Manila
(632) 733-2918

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Walking Along Recto

10 years after graduating from college at CEU Mendiola, I found myself walking along C. M. Recto Avenue in Manila. I'm going to Quiapo to buy some stuffs for photobooth. We rode Victory Liner from Santa Rita Pampanga to Sampaloc Manila. When I woke up sa bus, I am not familiar to the surroundings. Ng mahimasmasan ako, nasa Bustillos pala kami. Nakita ko yung dalawang magkatapat na simbahan. I didn't know na nasa Bustillos na pala ang terminal ng Victory (sa tabi ng Lianas Supermarket).

Ang dami ng pagbabago. Its been a long time na pala.

C.M. Recto Avenue, also known as Calle Azcarraga was named after Supreme Court Associate Justice Claro M. Recto. The street (along University Belt) is famous for stores selling brand new and second-hand textbooks, invitations and diploma and even thesis.

 This is the Ever Gotesco Supermarket building along Recto.I remember I used to buy my supplies here. But now looks like it's condemn now.

Ever Gotesco Mall condemned building

One of the famous establishment along Recto is the Orient Pearl Shopping Arcade na katabi ng National Bookstore. Enter and you will find selections of brand new and second-hand books. You can even get rare titles. Of course, mas mura kesa sa mga bookstore.

And the famous Mang Vic. Dito nakumpleto ang collection ko ng Sydney Sheldon pocketbooks. Brand new at second hand meron siya. Meron ding Precious Hearts Pocketbooks.

Sa kahabaan din ng recto makikita ang mga pagawaan ng invitations at give-aways. Pati na rin diploma at medical certificates.

At sa Recto din makikita ang pinakapaborito ng lahat...ang pambansang pamilihan ng bayan...ang Divisoria.

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Where to Eat in Quezon City: Chinatown's Best Food

We were supposed to eat in Buffet 101 or Vikings but when I called them, fully booked na. So we ended eating here at Chinatown's Best Food, The Buffet Specialist in Banawe, Quezon City.

The busy street of Banawe in Quezon City is known in array of stores selling car parts and accessories. Ngayon, marami ng nagsulputang mga restaurants and tea houses dito. 

I first heard this buffet restaurant while watching Poptalk. They had good reviews. Then i saw it again on Ang Pinaka. Hmmm? Being a buffet lover..... we chose to eat here.

I called the day before to make a reservation. Good thing I did. See the people waiting...

After 5 minutes of waiting, we were given the go signal to go upstairs for the buffet. 

Chinatown's Best Foods has 3 floors. The ground floor is designated for dining customers who wish to order set meals and ala carte.

                                                                                                                                                                                                

The buffet is located at the second floor and the third floor is their function hall for private events and parties.

Unfortunately, picture taking of the buffet is prohibited.

My first round:

They also offer catering services.

We were so busog. Overall, the food is great and for the price, we will surely come back.

The price:

All Day Buffet (Monday to Sunday)

Adult - Php 548.00
4.5 ft and below - Php 298.00
3.5 ft and below - Php 198.00
Senior Citizens - Php 391.43


As of the moment, they do not accept credit card for payment. They also have the birthday celebrant promo. If it's your birthday, just provide a valid ID showing your birthday and you will get yourself a free buffet provided na may kasama kang isang paying adult.

Address
589 Banawe Street,
Corner Don Manuel Street,
Quezon City, 1100 Philippines

Telephone Numbers
+63(2) 7124249
+63(2) 7111444
+63(2) 7408649
+63(2) 7417942

Email
orders@chinatownsbestfood.com
www.chinatownsbestfood.com

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Where to Eat in MOA: Vikings, Luxury Buffet Restaurant

last month, we tried Buffet 101 (see post here), now because of Ninoy Aquino holiday and the Citibank credit card promo... i immediately called Vikings to make a reservation. Vikings is located at the opposite side of Buffet 101.

dumating kami sa place ng 15 minutes before mag open... as we were only commuters, we walked from MOA to vikings para marami kaming makain! ang layo! malayo pa lang, we can see the crown flocking sa labas... andaming tao...waiting for the opening.... we don't know what to do...kung pipila ba kami or maghihintay....then one of the staff announce over the megaphone na yung may reservation ay pumila lang sa may left side at yung mga walk-in sa sa right... good thing na may reservation kami kung hindi ay sayang ang effort na pumunta. 

maganda ang ambiance sa loob..nakaka relax... parang hotel lobby. but i like the ambiance of Buffet 101 more because of the chandelier.

viking ship buffet table

viking helmet

there are many food choices at Vikings...from European, American, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino dishes. malulula ka! di nga alam kung saan ako magsisimula...

since our table is near the Japanese section... dito ako nagsimula.. napakaraming variety ng sushi at maki... meron ding salmon at tuna.

hotpot and shabu-shabu

 after exploring the Japanese section...hinanap ko kaagad yung paborito kong tempura... mahaba ang pila sa tempura... ang maganda dito sa vikings ay niluluto ang tempura sa harap mo...

 and then...nagkagulo na...hehe... please bear with me dahil hindi ko alam i clasify ang mga dishes. here are the pictures...

may caviar pa...

and for the desserts...

one good thing about vikings is that they installed washing area sa may dining hall... no need to go to the washroom to wash our hands.

Vikings: Luxury Buffet Restaurant
Bldg B, By The Bay, Seaside Blvd. SM Mall of Asia Complex, 1234 Pasay City, Philippines

For Reservations, pls call: 846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888 and 0917-565-3888.
Vikings: The Best Eat and Drink Buffet In Manila.
Opens daily 11:00am- 2:30pm,5:30pm-10:00pm.
Weekday Lunch is 688+
Weekday Dinner is 888+
Weekend Lunch and Dinner is 1088+. 

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