Captivated by Kabayan's charms

Being a daughter of a researcher sure has its perks. Most especially when it comes to traveling to  places. Just a few weeks ago, my mom had to visit Kabayan for an initial information gathering. It is not really an unfamiliar place as this is the town where Mt. Pulag is located and well-known as the hometown of Apo Anno, the mummy. Kabayan is one of the municipality of Benguet, almost a three-hour drive from Baguio. We started around 7am taking the Ambuclao road passing by Pacdal circle and eventually the Benguet-Nueva Vizacaya road.

Around 8am, we stopped for breakfast at Rancho, a restaurant with a really good view and good coffee. I was grateful for the warm food on that foggy morning. 

The road trip itself is already a treat. Each curve of the road reveals a picturesque scene with the addition of the clouds rolling gently on the mountainsides. We were lucky it did not rain that day although it drizzled early on.

We reached Poblacion, Kabayan by taking the road that diverts from the road to Mt. Pulag. It was around 11am by that time and we had our first stop at Kabayan Weaving. We had a family friend who requested lemon oil which was only sold in Kabayan Weaving shop. At first, we weren't sure if it was the correct place as it looked like a house instead of a shop. Entering the second floor affirmed us that we were at the right place. 

Quite similar to Sagada weaving, their products were mainly bags, cellphone bags and coin purses. Being in the mother store, we knew prices was lower than if sold elsewhere so we immediately bought items. As for the lemon oil, they had ran out of stock. Luckily, Mrs. Pili was bound to Baguio that day and we can get lemon oil from her when we reach home since she still had stock there. We got curious how they were able to make the lemon oil (as it was a weaving shop) and the owner was more than willing to show us their machine.

Mrs. Pili, explained the process from the proper time of gathering the lemon grasses and then the cooking time. It usually takes them around 3 hours to finish 400 kg of grass which could make approximately 2 liters of oil. Aside from that, the water which comes out of the distilling apparatus can be used for bathing. The old women of the community get the water for free which they found effective to cure cough and fever when added to their bath. It really seems to be effective although no  laboratory studies was made.

Our next stop was at the Municipal Hall where my mom was to ask permission from the mayor to conduct her study there. The people we spoke with were super friendly. They smiled a lot and they helped us in what my mom needed. We just missed the mayor by minutes as he was bound to Baguio for a meeting in Makati. Anyhow, my mom was still able to conduct her interviews and got her papers' signed. I was awed by the process they had at the municipal office. They had banners outside explaining the to-dos about the processing of permits, documents, etc and the person in-charge. Also, they had a list of people and their contact numbers posted outside their offices. I saw an award for the mayor of simplifying the business permit process which shows a really good governance. They really wanted to make their transactions convenient for the people.

And the best thing was, the coffee at the waiting area was free. It wasn't 3-in-1 coffee, it was pure, aromatic, bitterless Benguet coffee. One of the best I tasted so far.

mayor's office with friendly staff

free coffee at the municipal hall

Next and final stop of our one-day trip was the National Museum which showcases the Ibaloi culture and the mummification. And yes, they have an actual mummy in the museum. 

an actual mummy

On the road back to Baguio, I was pondering on the place and how charming it was. The Poblacion was surrounded with mountains with a waterfall in one side. It was visible at the school near the Muncipal Hall. Just imagine having a waterfall seemingly at your own backyard. The place was peaceful, so far from the noisy, polluted city.

falls in view from the school's grounds

It was also endearing to me as I get to know more of my roots as a half Ibaloi. Ibalois are usually shy people but not in Kabayan. Hopefully, I'll be able to come back when my mom goes mummy visiting.   

steep road towards kabayan

Good Food in Baguio 2

A lot of local restaurants in Baguio with their bestselling goodies have ceased to exist in the past few years. Some recent ones are Star Cafe and their huge cinammon bread, authentic Chinese food in Mandarin Restaurant ( i love their almond lychee dessert) and the famous streamline cake by Session's Delight. Much to the dismay of Baguio residents, these restaurants which we have grown to love have closed for different reasons. There are still some which remain and two of which we just recently discovered.

Let's start within the city center going out to the borders of the city limits.

1. Ebai's Cafe and Pastry

Location: Upper Session Road, beside Zola and Cathedral
Personally, I love their apple walnut cake. This is best matched with a cup of hot steaming brewed coffee. This probably is one of the best ways to start the a cold day in Baguio. Aside from the pastries, they also serve breakfast and meryenda.

2. Solibao Restaurant

Location: Upper Session Road and in Burnham Park
One of the best place to get puto bumbong all year round. Its mostly served as a dessert and is most delectable when eaten hot with melted butter and muscovado to add sweetness. They have other delicious meals like sinigang, liempo, gising-gising and other Filipino food. Solibao is a constant favorite because of the convenient location and of course, their good food.

Solibao's famous puto bumbong

Liempo

Spicy gising-gising

fish sinigang

pinakbet

 3. Uncle & Auntie Half-Half Eatery

Location: Along Marcos Highway, besides Mamita's Restaurant

Moving outward the city center, this place is not exactly a restaurant but a lot of people eat here because of their half-half viand. Its made up of half pork and half beef in a bowl of pinapaitan soup. Its quite affordable ranging from 90 to 120, with rice and free bulalo soup included.

Pinakbet, beefereta and their famous half-half

4. Marosan's Restaurant

Location: Long-long beside the Puguis Communal Forest

Marosan's is a common name both in Baguio and in La Trinidad. We found this place by accident when we were taking the circumferential road from La Trinidad to Baguio. The place at the time was still having some renovations but just like the other Marosan's they also serve alcohol aside from food. We were there around 4pm and there was a live band playing. We also had a chance to talk to the owner, Sir Johnny and he gave us a free tour of the place. They had a view deck where you can see a large area of La Trinidad. Beneath the restaurant was "resort-like" structures complete with a pool and cottages. It is still under renovation but it is a great place to relax and have some peace and quiet under the pine trees where birds and butterflies abound.

This is the second part of my Good Food blog in Baguio. Here's the first in case you missed it. :)

Foodtrip in UPLB 2

The semester has just ended and finally got some time to write again. Here's another round of UPLB good eats in and out of the campus.

1. Dalcielo

Location: Beside Searca Dorm and Hotel inside UPLB Campus and in Lopez Avenue, beside Vanity Lounge, Los Banos

 In terms of flavor, Dalcielo has it spot on. Every food they serve have a distinct taste, all of them delicious! Their grilled fish was cooked to perfection with the right herbs especially with the vegetables. The crispy dinuguan was also very tasty, the first time I tasted dinuguan with chicharon. Binagoongang Liempo was amazing, tender and juicy covered with just the right amount of bagoong. The salmon had a bit of a tangy taste, but it was also very soft. It added a good mix to all of the salty viands we had. And don't ever leave without having dessert. Their pistachio sansrival is an instant favorite.  

2. Eat-sumo Terihaus

Location: Lopez Avenue, above Serendipitea.

Craving for some Japanese food, Eat-sumo has some to offer. I really like their salad mixture of cucumber, mango, apple and mayo. 

3. Faustina's (2)

I mentioned Faustina's in the first UPLB Foodtrip post, but I had to try some of their dishes again. And it didn't disappoint.

4. Cafe San Antonio

Location: Brgy. Maahas, Los Banos

It was one of the cafe's I have heard so much about. I wanted to try their famed coffee and unfortunately, it was too hot to get hot coffee so I tried their cold capuccino instead. I couldn't appreciate the coffee since I can taste better when hot without the ice. I still have lots to discover about their cuisine but their pasta wasn't so bad. 

5. University Cafeteria

Location: Beside UPLB Post office, behind the Phy-Sci building

It has a great location and they have everyday specials which they change everyday. I particularly like their salad dressing and their quesadillas are quite different. They even have adobo flavored quesadillas which I will have to try on my next visit.

6. Coffee Blends

Location: Lopez Avenue, Los Banos

This is a place to hangout at night since they open at 6pm and close at 12 midnight. They offer the usual hot and cold coffee and pasta too. They also have the cheapest cheesecake I have seen so far. 

That's only part two. There are new places to still discover and only less than a year to explore. :)