Top It Off With a Bag of Beans

A trip to the Philippines' coffee country, the city of Tagaytay, would not be complete without a visit to Bag of Beans.

Bag of Beans started as a small coffee shop whose specialties were freshly baked products, English pies, and Coffee Alamid (excuse my French, it's coffee made from the beans that has passed through the wild civet cat's digestive system – yes, it's basically "harvested" from its poop).                                                                

                                                     Bag of Beans' Coffee Alamid, also known as Civet Coffee (or Kape Alamid in Tagalog), is similar to Indonesia's Kape Luwak and Timor's Kafe Laku. For certain, Bag of Beans' Coffee Alamid is clean and safe for human consumption – but I just don't have the guts to try it though.

However, for those who have, they have this to say: Coffee Alamid's strong, creamy, and a hint of dark chocolatey taste makes it the best coffee in the world – and quite expensive too.                                          
Well, that sounds good… But perhaps, next time.

So for my Bag of Beans coffee experience, I simply went for a cup of warm white mocha, my sister went for their iced caramel macchiato, hubby had coffee choco banana frost, and my aunt had their bottomless iced tea. We opted to try the famous Bag of Beans farm house white bread which is said to be so fresh that you can't stop eating it. It came with jam and literally a slab of butter too.

                                                                             Often, in restaurants, when their simplest dish is good, then everything else is most likely to be too.

The verdict: Bag of Beans DID NOT disappoint us. The coffee, the bread – it was undeniably fresh and warm upon serving, and the ambience was wonderful.

Aside from the usual restaurant at Bag of Beans, they have their garden and small little nooks that make your time much more relaxing too.

When in Tagaytay, don't forget to drop by Bag of Beans. Their food and drinks are affordable. Basically, our total bill was less than 500 pesos for that afternoon (that's for the 4 of us already).

So basically, your great trip to Tagaytay will just be topped off with a Bag of Beans!




           Contact Details:

Bag of Beans Coffee Shop & Bakery
115 Aguinaldo Highway
Mendez Crossing West, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Landline: +63-46-4134356/+63-46-4132724
Mobile: +639234544797/+639209546370

Sights & Sounds: Tierra de Maria

The 50-foot tall statue of the Lady of Manaoag that towers over the Tierra de Maria Home of Meditation and Enrichment in Tagaytay City

It is at about 2:00 in the afternoon when the sun shines directly at the statue's crown that makes it shine, giving you an awesome sight to behold.                                                                     
The Lady is known as the patroness of the sick, the helpless and the needy. Thus, many flock to pray and visit, seeking (instant) healing of physical, emotional, spiritual, or even financial problems.

It is located at Tagaytay-Calamba road, just after the Japanese Garden, but before the Picnic Grove. :)

Bonista Beach Resort (Escalante City)

This is a haven for beach lovers or for someone who simply craves for some R&R. :)

 As for me, I think a crowded beach is just as bad as a crowded mall. I'd rather have the entire beach to myself than share it with thousands, or hundreds of strangers. 

Bonista Beach Resort is what I can describe as clean, safe, and has good amenities and facilities. It is very obvious that the owner of the place keeps it well maintained and has improvements every now and then.                                        

Bonsita Resort is owned by Johnny Caroll, a Korean who grew up in America. He married his lovely Filipina wife and have settled in Escalante City ever since.

 Current Rates

The rooms are very spacious, with two queen-sized beds, a clean bathroom, and a little veranda.

All rooms are situated on an elevated part of the resort where you can sit on your veranda and have a breathtaking view of the ocean.                                  

The elevated portion where the rooms are is accessible by car, or if you are from the pool area, you can use the stairs which isn't stressful at all.                                         
Rooms are at P1,640 per night, good for 4 people. Affordable, isn't it?

 What to Do
You can have your own little group or family barbeque by the beach where grillers are readily available for you to use.                                              
                                                                                                                                                           You can either just relax under the shade of their really big trees (some are even said to be a hundred years old already), you can go skim boarding, or you can take a dip in the clear blue waters which can be really fun (especially during high tide).

If you're not into the whole salt water thing, you can always swim in their pool – a great place to cool off during a hot day.                                                        
For those who love to take pictures, you can go around the place and take pictures – there are lots of picturesque views, if you look carefully.

It's simply a nice get away from your usual routine. During the rainy season when it's drizzling and all, I still love the place. :)

Don Salvador Benedicto – The Little Baguio of Negros

It does sound like a person's name... but it's actually the name of a town.

photo courtesy of http://1.bp.blogspot.com/

The town of Don Salvador Benedicto, also known as DSB, or just Salvador Benedicto has been named as the Summer Capital of Negros. Don Salvador Benedicto is also known as the "Little Baguio" of Negros because of its cool weather, it is absolutely abundant in flowers, vegetables, and fruits that thrive in cool climate.

How the Town Got Its Name?
Don Salvador Benedicto was founded in February 9 (which is also the same date as their Kali-kalihan Harvest Festival), in the year 1983 and acquired its name in honor of the late Vice Governor Don Salvador Benedicto who took part in settling the Revolutionary Government of Negros Island in the area during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
A monument was made in his honor and is one of the historical tourist attractions of Don Salvador Benedicto that you can visit.                                                                                                                                         

How to Get there?
Don Salvador Benedicto is an easy town to get to.

photo courtesy of http://4.bp.blogspot.com/

Here's a tip: ride the bus bound for San Carlos City via Don Salvador Benedicto early in the morning, around 6 or 7am and you'll love the cool air and fresh pine scent as you pass along the pine tree-lined main road Don Salvador Benedicto's town proper.

a view of Mt. Canlandog on the way to DSB

If you have your own car, you can drive going to Don Salvador Benedicto. Along the way you can enjoy the scenic views of Mt. Canlaon, Mt. Canlandog, and Mt. Mandalagan, as well as other views of nature that could awe you.

                                                                                                         Don Salvador Benedicto is usually an hour and a half drive up to there, but for us, who always go there and are familiar with the zigzag roads and all, it takes us about 45 minutes to an hour.

What Does Don Salvador Benedicto Have to Offer?

                                                

If you'd ask me, I'd say serenity, nature, and relaxation.
I, myself, am guilty of frequenting the serene town of Don Salvador Benedicto.  Abundant in the area are lots of plants and flowers, including the famous Mickey Mouse plants, million flowers, and anthuriums.                                                                                                              

Don Salvador Benedicto locals have stalls selling different vegetables                                                                                     like tomatoes, eggplants, corn, and fruits such as bananas, Indian mangoes, oranges, and so on. Which by the way, you can purchase at really low prices. 
In Don Salvador Benedicto, the "Lantawan" (viewing deck) is a well landscaped small area at the side of the road, usually a common stop over for buses headed for the city of San Carlos passing by the area.

photo courtesy of http://ic2.pbase.com/

"Lantawan"  in Don Salvador Benedicto, with its landscape, is picturesque by itself, but the scenic view of Malatan-og Falls (known as Cigarette Falls, because of its long, thin appearance resembling a cigarette) in the background makes it a popular stop for tourists to take some pictures.

photo courtesy of http://i62.photobucket.com/It

Going further from Don Salvador Benedicto, there are rice terraces similar to those in Banaue and Chocolate Hills similar to those in Bohol, but of course the lesser-quantity version. If you are a nature lover, trekking is one of the activities that Don Salvador Benedicto offers. There are several caves, lakes, and waterfalls in the area that you can visit and commune with nature.

photo courtesy of http://i34.photobucket.com/

If you simply want to check out the town's landmarks, you can visit the Don Salvador Benedicto Municipal Hall, the monument of Don Salvador Benedicto, the Stone House of the De la Cruz family, the famous retreat house, the market place (during market days: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays), etc...

However, if you ask me, the best thing that the town of Don Salvador Benedicto has to offer is simply those breathtaking views that go very well with a relaxing afternoon with a warm cup of brewed coffee (or a steaming cup of hot tea).

Experience Don Salvador Benedicto for yourself... It's both, serene and exciting, fun and relaxing. :)

Visiting the Organic Market

I have heard of the advantages of going for organic products for quite some time now.

In malls, there are stalls selling organic vegetables, fruits, rice, and even beauty products all from organic stuff. However, it has only been recently that I kept on coming back to the Organic Market.

The Organic Market is a humble place located at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building, right in the center of Bacolod City. Upon going in the little gates, you'll see a number of stalls lining up to your left selling organic produce such as bananas, papayas, eggplants, squash, etc... And to your right, a simple structure with screen windows and about 3 umbrellas that look like a parasol but is made of nipa.                                                                                                    
Inside, that simple structure they sell healthy foods!

photo courtesy of http://37581/photos/view/7/19

If you want a place that sells healthy foods, it is here! They have several viands such as bitter gourd with egg, squash with some greens, chicken tinola, and so on.

But what I always go there for is their fresh fruit mix.

In the afternoon, when I crave for something sweet for a snack, that is what I get. It is a mix of different fruits they have during that time, such as papayas, avocado, ube, and bananas, all mixed together with crushed ice, their organic pasteurized milk (which they also sell if you wish to buy), and just a bit of organic sugar. On a hot day, it is the perfect – healthy – snack. One glass or small bowl costs 25 pesos – not a bad price for a healthy snack.

They also have other products for sale that you might enjoy such as mascobado sugar, salabat (ginger tea), herbal soap, and organic wine, among others. These would make great souvenir ideas too.

photo courtesy of http://37581/photos/view/7/19

Pizzeria Makes It Big!

The latest in joining the fad of selling "gigantic" pizzas is Greenoz.

Greenoz started as a small hut selling pizzas with sizes ranging from 9 to 30 inches (in diameter). Competing against well-known and established pizza places such as Mamma Maria's who has had a number of branches around Bacolod City already, it has an edge over flavor and taste.

I must admit that I once fondly bought pizzas from Mamma Maria's. However, their pizzas weren't consistent. Sometimes it was nice, sometimes it was simply okay, other times it was just not nice. To this date, a number of branches of Mamma Maria's have closed, leaving only one, big branch open near the downtown area. Greenoz Pizzeria, on the other hand, is busy expanding and opening branches in the different areas of the city.

                                                                                 Starting somewhere in the south area of the city, near the Goldenfields Commercial Complex, they soon took a step up by opening one in the center area of the city at 6^th street, a mere walking distance from the Capital Lagoon.                         And now, they have another one, recently opened near the Bacolod Government Center (which is the location of the newest call center Panasiatic Solutions as well).

we barely finished this 
(and we had heavy eaters with us!)

Greenoz pizzas taste good, and for a really, really good price too. We ordered a 30-inch pizza, half of which was their "greenoz special" flavor, and the other half, their "bern" flavor. It cost us only 825 pesos. J Greenoz is a Swiss-Italian pizza place, so they serve food other than pizza. But it is their pizzas that get people coming back. Ask anyone in Bacolod where to get the greatest pizza and they'll instantly say "Greenoz" – at least everyone I know have said that.

Bascon Café: Your Own Little Place

When I was younger, I used to dream about cafes in Europe, small and cozy with some outdoor chairs and tables for some who'd like to stay out there. :) There has always been such a romantic and homey feel to it.

they've got a high chair for your baby too! :)

The closest one to this, that I have found, is Bascon Cafe (along C. L. Montelibano Street, which is their original branch). The moment you step inside the glass door, everything is about 3 to 5 steps away from each other. This is what I like about the place. It is a quaint little place where I can have my pasta, salad, and iced tea without the noise and the stress.

I've always been picky when it comes to pesto pasta, and this is one of the two places that I would like to have some. They also have many desserts ranging from bite size ones such as cupcakes and muffins, to mini cakes, and regular sized cakes. My favorites are still their lemon meringue pie and their natilla. They make excellent cinnamon rolls too – my favorite is the orginial one and blueberry – it goes very well with coffee!

Their other branch (the one along Lacson Street) opens at 6:00am in time for breakfast. They serve traditional Filipino breakfast and international ones as well. From time to time, they have new additions to their menu and it makes it something to look forward to. Bascon Café has really nice staff – very friendly and accommodating. It's not for anything, but I still love going to their original branch. It has a homier feel for me.
Plus, the staff there is always very pleasant. Looking from the sidelines, you can see them smile and serve as though they just want to do it. It adds to the nice ambience of the place.