Big Ben's Kitchen: A tribute to history and good food

All ideas that are great start with good intentions. With the proliferation of fast food and things that are foreign. Many people still long for the good old days and the food they grew up with.

That is the main goal of Big Ben's Kitchen and its owner Mr. Gene Guiterrez. With a recipe he got from his grandmother Teresita Sayoc-Reyes, they started the business in 1950.

World Architecture Day and World Post Day 2017 with the United Architects of the Philippines - Makati

My wish for a clear day didn't happen. It was rainy and I have lots of stuff on my bag. The rain came and went from time to time. But at least it was not raining really hard.

I went on my way to the Manila Central Post office and waited for the rest of the group. We have some bloggers and also the members of the United Architects of the Philippines - Makati Chapter (UAP - Makati Chapter).

The World Architecture Day 2017 fell on October 2nd with the theme "Climate Change Action." While, the World Post Day 2017 is celebrated with no theme falls on October 9th.

The program starts at with the people of the PhilPost meeting with the guests from the UAP - Makati and bloggers.

We are introduced to the long history of the PhilPost and its legacy as well as the wonderful building it is housed in. Ms. Arlene Labao-Project Officer for the Philately Collection & Museum Division started the program with some videos about the PhilPost and even how to write postcards.

Flora de Filipinas 2017

The first edition is the Flora de Filipinas según el sistema de Linneo (1837) or  Flora de Filipinas by  Francisco Manuel Blanco (1778-1845).

Flora de Filipinas
Source: Wikipedia

Other editions of the book exists and are all highly valued. They are:

Visita Iglesia and a wonderful Holy Week vacation (Day 3)

Yesterday we had our breakfast served at the room. This time we take it at the restrant downstairs. The restaurant that serves the hotel and nearby areas is called Mei Wei Chinese Kitchen. It serves good food at good prices. It has food for all kidns of budget and you don't need to worry about the taste. It is good and served by well trained staff.

Visita Iglesia and a wonderful Holy Week vacation (Day 2)

I had a good rest last night. The room is sufficient for a person who just wants to stay locked away from the world. Just like a hermit. You have cable TV and a good internet connection. Just my ideal place maybe if I get too stressed from work.

I was even able to do some knitting during my stay. Hahaha

Visita Iglesia and a wonderful Holy Week vacation (Day 1)

It's Holy Thursday and EDSA has a massive traffic because of another road repair on the south bound lane of EDSA somewhere along the Pasay Area. This is another suffering brought to us by the government. They must be in need of another way to earn more money.

Anyways, I arrived earlier and I just wondered the area of the Baclaran Church. The Church is properly known as the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This is a melting pot on places and of people. There are always people in this area.

I have noticed that jejemons or annoying people are less frequent in the morning. They usually come out at night like evil creatures. My visita iglesia started out well this year.

Somewhere in Nueva Ecija

Here is another adventure with the Lakad Pamana guys.

It starts at this great place to eat, Arki's Tambayan. They have great food, good people and a really nice and cozy environment. With a price that won't make you poor.

Then this ordinary looking house at the front hides something amazing. The owner told us that the house was cut in half in order to give way to a road that was built at the back. By the way, at this part of the tour we have already reach Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

Some pictures are ugly because I was just using my phone camera, which is not so good with certain kinds of lighting.

Then we move to the heart of Gapan. We started with the old abandoned municipal hall. I wish they can do something about it. It was once used as a school and then  abandoned again.

Then we see this house said to be owned by Jay Taruc. Don't you want to tear down those ugly campaign banners? They are such an eyesore to heritage.

Here is a much more wonderful house said to be owned by Eula Valdez. Now that is one fine house with a family with also a name to boast of.

Then we go to the Church. We start at the old convent turned into an event hall. Since this is not a congregation run Church expect a lot of interesting things happen since original plan.

This is the National Shrine of the Divina Pastora. The Church also gives honor to the Three Kings.

The Church's foundation was laid in 1856 by the Agustinians.

There is this wonderful house of the Cuison Family near the Church.

Then we have this monstrosity of a place called Minalungao Park.

The place is overcrowded and badly planned. The parking is crazy and its over crowded. Maybe because it was summer.

The area has signs of destruction due to reasons beyond me. I think its because of mining for its rocks.

But lets for get that for now and enjoy another wonderful meal.

At least the view gets better when you go deeper. The water much clean.

There is also a thousand step climb to a cross nearby. It's a challenge to do for a person like me but if you are determined you can see the top and experience a wonderful view.

Sorry I was too tired to take a picture of the cross. Midway there is also a tomb of a Korean who donated money for such a journey.