Bellarocca, The White Island Paradise

Last October, I got a very sweet surprise from my husband. For weeks, he was giving me some hints where we were exactly be going but as expected he revealed to me the night before our trip. His eyes were glowing as he handed me a travel magazine and on the cover was a small island in Marinduque, Bellarocca Island Resort. I was speechless for seconds, still cannot believe and still gathered some words, “For real? Sweetheart, ang mahal doon!” Then he just whispered, “Ok lang mahal naman kita eh”.

Flight was delayed for 2 hours

We woke up early the next day, we took the MRT going to the airport to avoid the traffic but it took almost an hour to line up just to get our tickets. Oww dear sometimes things never changed. Long lines going up the station, bag check, then long lines in getting ticket and crowded train coaches. Good thing, we Filipinos were born to have great patience. And even in the midst of this complicated ordeal some men still offers their seat to women.

In the airport same scenario, long lines, bag check, and there was the 2-hour flight delay so we waited patiently. And when our flight was called I saw the plane and if I have the choice I will not board that plane I hate planes with propellers on the side it gave me weird feelings. As we entered the plane we got a very odd seat number, the lucky 13 hahaha. And this seat don’t even exist! My heart pounded I was thinking, “OMG is this a sign Not today Lord!” hahaha! I was so scared! I reached for my rosary and prayed! And the flight attendant said, “Ay Sir, Ma’am baka seat 14 po kayo.” The noise of the propellers made me more nervous good thing the plane ride was just short, 20 minutes only!

And this van picked us up in the airport

After 40 minutes land trip... A paradise started to reveal itself.

And a 5 minute boat ride

And this beautiful view just blew us away, "Greece in the Philippines"

The staff giving us a warm welcome

Our gorgeous bedroom, the sheets and pillows were so soft

Our priceless veranda view

The pool

Upon seeing this you'll think you are somewhere else

And to seal our second honeymoon, I got another surprise, a romantic dinner. My husband arranged a private dinner for us with our very own battler. Another speechless moment! I'm so blessed to have him and be his wife!

Romantic setup by our battler with romantic music in the background

A paradise with great people, sumptuous food, and breathtaking view! We went home with memories that will last us a lifetime. 

Visit Bellarocca!

Sunday Morning at Tagaytay

Last November, our friend Ja came home to the Philippines from Dubai and just out of the blue we all decided to go to Tagaytay on a Sunday morning to eat their famous Bulalo. It's been a while since the last time I myself visited this place since I moved to California.

At 6 in the morning, we headed south for that craving. Since it was a Sunday and has no sign of traffic the trip from QC to Tagaytay City was just an hour and a half. Not to mention we were lost along the way because we tried the Greenfield exit. hahaha I put the blame on my sister TR she said she knew the way. Though she always say that and get lost! hahaha 

First Stop: Angels' Hills Chapel and Pink Sisters' Convent

All smiles yet all hungry

We used to visit here when my mom was still alive she just love the serenity of this place

Second Stop: Mahogany Market to satisfy our Cravings for Bulalo

BULALO

Yes we had lunch at 9:30 in the morning!!!

Third Stop: Roadside Flower stands

Poinsettia P250 per pot, the vendor said the flowers will last until February

Fourth Stop: Bag of Beans for a great coffee, yummy pastries, and priceless view

Fifth Stop: Roadside Fruit stands

Last Stop: Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Tagaytay will always be that place close to my heart for many cherished memories. It was just a short trip to Tagaytay just to eat Bulalo but the time I spent with my long time friends after a while because of our busy schedules made this trip so fun and memorable. 

How to cook Kare-Kare

The Secret of a Lazy Cook
Kare-Kare is one of the most famous Filipino traditional dish that I always have loved since childhood. Though I remember this dish as something special. "Special", meaning we have it on the table during fiestas, Christmas, New Year, birthdays, baptisms, house blessings, and so on. As I grew up, I realized why it is not an ordinary every day typical home dish. The pig's leg or pata as they call it wasn't that easy to soften to become chewable. The ultimate Pressure Cooker comes to the rescue to shorten the boiling time though the sad part is I don't have this here in Sg. 

But moving abroad makes me a bit frustrated it is just so hard to cook this dish for the very reason that I don't have the luxury of time to cook this. But will it deprived me from wanting to impress my husband that I can cook this fiesta dish in a snap? No right? And so let me share with you how I solved this dilemma.  Cooking Kare-Kare the easiest and the fastest possible. 

Cooking time: 1 hour 
Here are the ingredients:

Half kilo of pork belly cut into cubes (better than how I sliced the meat here). 

8 cups of water

2 tsp of minced garlic

1 pc of sliced onion

7 pcs of pechay (bok choy leaves or can also use sio pek chye)

6 pcs sitaw (long green beans) - cut into atleast 2" in lengths

1 pc eggplant sliced into 1/2" lengths, ( if you have enough time you may also fry the sliced 
eggplant in a separate skillet to bring out the sweetness)

2 tbsp cooking oil

1 pouch of Mama Sita's Peanut sauce  (Kare-Kare mix) OR you may also use 1 pouch Del Monte Quick N Easy Kare-Kare Mix (these 2 mixes taste really good) dissolved in 1 cup broth.

2 tbsp Skippy peanut butter

bagoong on the side

Directions:

1. Boil the pork belly in water for 30 minutes lower the heat and wait until the meat is tender. Cut in cubes.

2. Set aside the broth.

3. In a heavy saucepan, pour the oil, saute the garlic and the onion.  

Add in the pork belly and stir fry.

Then add the broth. Let it simmer. Then add the dissolved Kare-Kare mix. 

4. Wait until the sauce thickens add in the eggplant and long green beans and then wait for 3 minutes to simmer.  But if you already fry the eggplant, just put first the long green beans then after 3 minutes you may add the eggplant to avoid overcooking it. Stir occasionally. Add the 2 tbsp of Skippy. 

5. Turn off the heat then on top placed the pechay (bok choy leaves) let the heat cook it, this way you can preserve its freshness and crunchiness. Wait for 3 to 5 more minutes. Serve hot with bagoong and rice.

Tip: Don't cover the pan let it stay uncovered until it gets cold in this way your Kare Kare will have a longer storage time. I have proven this my Kare Kare has a 5 day fridge life, no bubbles  (an indicator of spoiled sauce) when being reheated. 


Enjoy eating! By the way, my husband was impressed with my cooking hahaha!