Mt Naupa - March 12, 2016

Duz Grill - Home Restaurant

Last March 19th of year 2014 marks our 83rd month of leaning on each others arms. We normally celebrate it with just a simple yet memorable dinner. He opted to go to Rodeo's Grill but sad to say the restaurant is still closed by the time we got out of the office and yet the girl scout in me has this certain restaurant going on in mind. Knew about it through this blog I Luv Cebu. According to this blog, Alduz Aizon or Duz started with cooking for his friends on gatherings and wanted to share his cooking with the rest of the Cebuanos. He begun welcoming customers in November 2012 at their residence in San Antonio Village and had been getting good reviews from diners.

Restaurant: Duz Grill

Address: 33A Fourth Street, San Antonio Village, Apas, Lahug, 6000 Cebu City

Mode of Payment: Cash

Contact Number: 0939 9369103 | 401 9012
 

We then took the route hoping to be able to pass by the Camp Lapu-lapu in going there but the guard didn't let us in. We asked a couple of people nearby as to where the 4th street of  San Antonio Village and they led us to a route in relation to the route of the 17B Jeepney. We simply followed the jeepney and from then on we saw the appropriate street. This was the map we had as reference.

 When we arrived, their gate was kind of huge and has this small signage that's why we realized that we're already here.

When we came in, what welcomed us was the romantic setup of their outdoor dining area. And so, we chose to dine outside which has this whole nature thing setup. Also, if you are wondering, you could easily park your car/motorcycle inside. These are some of the pics taken while waiting for our orders.

Finally, our orders arrived! Excited to have a sumptuous meal! HAHA! :)

An iced tea doesn't look like an iced tea. It looked like an orange juice but it's really sparkling and has that lemon feeling of an iced tea. I wonder what this is made of. It's only for P35.00 per glass.

Their one of a kind rice container. HAHA.. simply took a picture of this since it's not common to have a rice on this type of container. This is in bundle with their must-try original pork ribs.

This is their pork ribs. It may not look huge in the picture but it is quite huge. Maybe that's the cause why they separated the rice in another container. This costs Php175.00 together with the rice.

We got also their must-try original meat burger for only P80.00.

Got this icy choco for desert for only P70.00.

Over all we're very full in this awesome dinner. Also, got some photos worth remembering for our 83rd monthsary! Thanks boyfie John Joven for the treat! <3 u! ;)

Enchanted River Hinatuan Surigao del Sur

Lakwatsa Sa Sugbo 2014

Few weeks ago, I was invited by my friend blogger-photographer Roxanne Tamayo (FotografiRox) for this event called Lakwatsa Sa Sugbo 2014 which is organized by a family of tour guides (Saynes Family) and headed by Jingle Mirafuentes Saynes. I was excited to attend the event since even if I'm a Cebuano, I am not familiar with Cebu's history and it's spots. So I immediately grabbed the opportunity and get myself listed for the event.

The event was held last April 27, 2014. The meetup place was near JY Mall at 1pm. When we arrived, there is already a Natalie Bus waiting for us and a couple of freebies and shirts when we came in the bus.

The contents of the bag were loads of stuffs. There's a Lakwatsa sa Sugbo 2014 shirt, a Lakwatsa sa Sugbo 2014 tumbler, a Lakwatsa sa Sugbo 2014 towel and a bottled water which is very useful for the tour.

Around 1:30pm (waited for 30 mins for a couple of guests who arrived late) we started our tour. Our first stop was Taoist Temple.

Britannia Group of Islands (San Agustin)

Britannia Group of Islands is situated in Barangay Britannia of San Agustin in the central region of Surigao Del Sur.

How to get there?
From Butuan City, commercial buses and vans are can be hired going to San Agustin (which is what we took to cover all spots from our itinerary Britannia Group of Islands, Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls). Travel time is 4-5 hours. Then from San Agustin proper, one can take a tricycle. Just inform the driver to drop you at Salvacion Tourism Office. As you hit at Salvacion, hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to reach the Britania port in which adventure to Britania Group of Islands will start.

From the entrance of Brgy. Salvacion, we have been approached by a local "bangkero" (boatman) to take his boat and let him tour us in Britannia Group of Islands which is composed of 24 stunning islands and islets. 6 of which are can be explore by visitors. His initial offer was Php 1,500. This is actually the regular price of the island hopping in Britania. He's very accommodating to tourists like us.

First off is Hagonoy Island. A pear-shaped island found in Bislig Bay that is characterized by white sand and clear blue water. I fell in love with Hagonoy because of its tropical atmosphere and simplicity. Simple that mostly seen on this island is its sand (yet not that white but fine and kind to the feet) and a portion of coconut trees that serves as a shade to visitors when the sun settles high.

Don't be mislead by the name of this island. Naked Island got its name from its looks. No trees nor huge boulders. Its just a plain sand floating at Bislig Bay. If I find Hagonoy Island simple, then this island is bold. Though it doesn't have much in here, it still has a charm for those who sees Naked Island. Even though I am not fond of staying under the sun, I still enjoyed my visit in this island. Just simply look at the photos below on how crazy we are during our stay in Naked Island.

Next in line is Buslon Island. Which is for me, the most beautiful island among the 24 islands in Britania. It has a striking look that I find it very heavenly. It is also characterized by powdery white sand that is comparable to Boracay. A perfect island to chill and stay for a while. 

It has a huge boulder which gives preferable shade to visitors but it still leaves enough portion of the island for the sun can share its heat (This is my kind of island!). Aside from the big boulder, no structures can be found in Buslon island except for the statue of the Virgin Mary.

One can walk around the island to see a 360 degree view of Britania islands. During low tide, one can do island hopping with bare feet. Yup that's right! Walking from Buslon Island to another island - Panlangagan Island. Indeed a new experience!

Boatman Contacts:
Andy: 09302164072
Mang Rudy: 09109258711 

Jollibee

After paying respect to Sto. Nino Shrine we stopped by Jollibee which is just accross Robinson's Place Butuan to have our lunch before going to Delta Discovery Park to have some taste of adventure!

We also stopped by BPI which is just on our way going to the Delta Discovery Park from Jollibee to do some withdrawal. And some of our friends were able to took a picture of Butuan's awesome uniformed tricycle. I wasn't able to take one because I did not leave the car. Too tired to go down I think. LOL

This was taken when I'm still at the back of the car.

The lovers that couldn't leave Butuan without a picture of the trike with them beside it. :)

Delta Discovery Park

Finally, we're on our way to Delta Discovery Park. The road was a bit of rocky. We passed by West Highlands.

 took this one while the car is running.

By the time we arrived, we immediately asked for the ATV and Zipline rates. Too bad the route for the ATV is damaged cause of the recent typhoon that landed in Butuan that's why we're unable to have the ATV ride and decided to take the only the Zipline. They say that the zipline is not really where the adventure part begins. It's the jeepline that leads you to the place where the zip begins made it challenging.

 DISCLAIMER: Only US girls decided to ride the zipline. The boys were only on their way to be our photographers by the time we arrive from the 1.3KM zipline.

 

Thumbs up to their driver for being so good! The road is really challenging it's like riding on a muddy, rocky roller coaster ride. The jeep will drop by the cliff if the driver makes a single wrong move.

The boys being vain while we're on the most bumpy ride of our lives towards the starting point of the zipline.

Here are some of our after zip pictures! Too bad we weren't able to take our own picture on while having the zip. I'm not at all afraid or nervous when I took the zip so I enjoyed the whole view. It's amazingly created by God indeed.

We weren't able to took a picture of their pool since we have to walk to it but our friend said it's not that amazing so we decided not to take a dip. We just stopped by Koi Cafe supposedly to sing some songs cause they have a Karaoke Machine while waiting for our friends to pick us up.

If in case you're curious with the zorb, here are some pictures.

They also have this available for rent if you wish to stay here.

Here are their rates and contact numbers as per asked at the counter for your reference:

Transportation (via Delta’s vehicle)
50.00/head (2-way) from sports complex to the park (minimum of 10 persons)
30.00/head back and fort from Sunrise School to the park (minimum of 5 persons)

Packages
Swimming + Zip Line Package (400m Zip line) = Php 400.00/head
Swimming + Zipline (400m Zip line) + ATV Ride going to Mt. Mayapay = Php 900.00/head
Swimming + Zipline (400m Zip line) + Buggy ride = Php 1,080.00/head

Regular Rates
Entrance Fee = Php 20.00
Horse Back Riding = Php 250.00/hour or 100.00/15 mins
ATV = Php 500.00/head
Buggy = Php 700.00/ 2 persons
Swimming = Php 100.00/head
Zip line = Php 350/head (400 meters), 650/head (1.3 km)

Accommodations
Private Cottage = Php 1,500 (good for 2 persons with free breakfast and use of swimming pool)
Dormitory = Php 350/head (minimum of 5 persons, includes free use of swimming pool and entrance fee)

Contact Information
Address: Purok 7, Brgy. Bonbon, Libertad, Butuan City
Contact Numbers
Landline: (085) 345-8891 / 341-1557 / 816-1875
Mobile: 0918-2845556 / 0906-4728300

Red Mango

Yesterday, we had a meeting with my younger brother's bestfriend, Rueno at Red Mango in Ayala Center Cebu. We had a great talk with a healthy Green Tea Parfait and Green Tea Waffle for each one. We originally planned to have the parfait but we saw an advertisement at the counter that you'll get less 50% off on the next item you buy in a single purchase. So we also decided to get the green tea waffle. Here's what the goodies look like.

Green Tea Parfait - Php 140

Green Tea Waffle - Php 85 less 50% off so that makes it Php 42.50

We left the cafe around 5PM and went home. It's a nice hangout if you're looking for a decent internet connection, healthy food and long chat with friends and since the place is not that crowded, you'll enjoy it.

Sto Niño Shrine

Founded in 1986, the Sto Niño Diocesan Shrine in Butuan is one of the churches found in the historic city where many believed Magellan first landed. It is located in Maharlika Highway, Libertad in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte in the Philippines and widely known today as the Sto Niño Shrine and/or Sto Niño Parish.

Declared a Diocesan Shrine in 2000, the Sto. Niño Church enshrines an image of the Holy Child (Sto. Niño) that Magellan first brought to Butuan before it stayed in Cebu at the Sto Niño de Cebu. And because of the Holy Child’s influence to the Christianity in the country, many establishments today are named after it – such as Sto Niño de Paz in Makati, Sto Niño Cold Spring in Camiguin and many more.

The construction of the current church started in 1995 when His Excellency, Most Reverend Carmelo D.F. Morelos was the Bishop of Butuan. It was finished during the incumbency of the Shepherd of the Diocese, His Excellency, Most Reverend Juan de Dios Pueblos while the parish was under the pastoral care of Reverend Father Juanito Belino in 1997. Notable benefactor of the church development is Mr. Rene Sese and the lot where the Sto Niño Shrine stood today was donated by Mrs. Luz Belen Sese and heirs of the late Colonel Alfredo C. Sese and family.

The Sto Niño Church was blessed and consecrated on September 9, 1997 by His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal together with Bishop Pueblos and Father Belino. On March 8, 2000 (Ash Wednesday), the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco, solemnly dedicated the church into a Shrine during his pastoral visit. 

 

The Sto Niño Diocesan Shrine is along the main road, 200m away from Libertad Public Market. It is 4-kilometers or about 15 minutes away from Butuan’s Bancasi Airport. From the Airport going to Butuan’s City Center, the Church is on the right side of the road before reaching the Sports Complex. Since we're coming from the National Museum Balangay Shrine, it's also on the right side and we just stopped by the church to pray and thank God for the wonderful weather he gave us today. We also lighted some candles and took some pictures.

For more information, you can contact the office at telephone number +63 85 342-8370.
 

Cafe Marcelino

My parents had this seminar at Cebu Business Hotel in Cebu City. They invited me and my sibs to spend time with them. We went to Dimsum break for dinner just before going to the hotel. On our way to their room, we stopped by Cafe Marcelino, a cafe with tasty food and drinks inside the hotel premises and found at the 3rd floor of the hotel to be exact. They're food is very affordable and inviting. They also invited their colleagues to drop by the cafe to chill.

At the cafe they had this karaoke that is of unlimited use as long as you order beer or any alcoholic drinks. Sadly, the cafe closes at 10:00PM. I only ordered Cali Shandy since I'm not really into alcoholic drinks which only costs P45 and you get to sing a lot of songs since they don't have a lot of customers. Actually we are the only ones inside the cafe that time since the guests at the hotel are mostly the only ones that visit the cafe.

Here's the look of the cafe's interior.

I was unable to take a picture of the cafe outside. My apologies. Here are my companions for the night. LOL. My sibs are not found in the picture since they chose to stay at the hotel room last night.