Weird Stuff

          There are many weird things that I did this week. I don't know why I did those things. Maybe, they were just results of burning creative desires starting to flame like an active volcano.
          First, my little cousin and I cooked pancakes that turned out to be like "tikoy" (a Chinese delicacy) because we didn't include baking soda to the flour and egg (or am i correct with this recipe?). The pancakes turned out to be so shiny and sticky and as far as I'm concerned, they should be dry and fluffy.
          Second, My brother and I perspired to the hip-hop abs instructional video that my sister downloaded. My lola thought we were jerks as we danced like hyperactive chickens in our sala. My sister even filmed us with the digital camera and we all laughed as we played it because we saw how awkward we did the steps.
          Third, I would spend half of the day exhausting my vocal chords on the karaoke songs in my laptop. I just love I'm Yours by Jason Mraz and Heaven by Bryan Adams. I just hope my neighbors were not irritated with my crazy singing.
           Lastly, I was proud of myself for cleaning my room after how many decades (Of course, I'm exaggerating!) but yes, sometimes it's weird of me to fix my pad (pad talaga?). At least, it's starting to sink in me that to have a clear, peaceful mind, I should also learn to organize my room and that goes with our environment too. We have to take care of our surroundings so that we, the people benefiting from it, will benefit more.
            Weird is cool!

A Treat at Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood

            If you haven’t gone in this place, then you might be missing the full blast of your eating experience in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. This restaurant, popular to almost every resident of the town, is your quick stop to a fulfilling meal for your rumbling tummies. No wonder, the resto’s name – Short Stop Bakery and Fastfood, fittingly speak for itelf.

            The simple pang-masa refreshment is strategically located right in a corner where jeepneys and tricycles stop over to get or send off passengers. As a result, many recharge their hungry systems in this very accessible food stop. The place is spacious enough to accommodate customers. When meal time comes,  the venue gets a bit rowdy as diners rush to order their share of delicious pinoy dishes.

            As a celebration for my little cousin’s graduation, we treated her in the said familiar eatery.She just ordered a cheeseburger and a mais con yelo, both of which she tastefully loved. My sister had a similar order as my cousin. They may not be that hungry because during the graduation ceremony, they had been munching on waffles and nuts  and slurping on cheap shakes that were all sold by the food carts present in the occasion.

            Meanwhile, the rest of us ordered La Paz batchoy which easily got me full, a plastic of medium-sized pandesal bought from its bread shop, and bottles of softdrinks to quench our thirst. We dined at the separate airconditioned room.

            They also sell Pansit Lomi which I think is one of its must-tries. For 95 Php, it’s already good for you and your barkada.

            Short Stop has already been a household name in the town when it comes to food tripping. One thing’s for sure, it has served its residents the affordable meal that their bubbling stomachs deserve.

Summer Fun at Fleur De Liz Swimming Pool

          Who says living in the relaxed town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo would deprive you with the thrill of swimming this summer?
          Fleur de Liz Complex, located at the heart of the municipality, does not only comprise of karinderyas, boutiques, and internet stations but it also has a swimming pool that will surely cool you up this hot season.
          My younger sister celebrated her birthday here and we completely had a blast. Its rectangular pool is large enough for swimmers to have a fun splash and to do as many laps as they want. It also has a circular kiddie pool wherein my cousins and I played "ura ura kamansi (pool version)". The "it" chases us but is only allowed to move along the edges of the pool and at the assumed line that crosses at the middle.
          A videoke machine is also ready to use for those chilling by the tables so those who do not feel like swimming may just enjoy singing their hearts out.
          Swimming fee costs 50 Php, same as the price when you like to get a table for you and your company.

         

Chillin' at Shake Hauz

           Summer is starting to steam the air, and what better way to cool our condensing bodies than a glass of sweet-tasting, creamy shake. Surely, I want one that is pretty chilled.

            Shake Hauz, located at the main town of Sta. Barbara Iloilo, offers its residents and other customers with mouth-watering, palatable shakes coming in different likeable flavors: Choco Fudge, Cookies and Cream, Buko, Strawberry, Mango, etc.

            My cousins and I went here one hungry day and we were indeed satisfied with the taste. It seems like your thirst will vanish in a sec with a single sip. Their shakes looked simple yet presentable since flavored syrups were squeezed on top. These quenchers cost 20 php. Not bad  for an ordinary laid-back guy like me that strolls its town. I can even make “libre” if I have enough moolah to spend.

            Aside from the chillers, they also sell siomais (3 for 20php), hotdogs, spaghetti, fried chickens, bake macaroni, and other foods perfect for meryenda. One can just stop by its cute yet airconditioned space for a quick hunger fix after a reflective day of visiting the municipality’s historic church or to take a break from the sweaty time of bargaining in its wet market.

Time to order!

The entrance.

Cookies and Cream flavored shake with a heart-shaped syrup for 20 Php only.

Strawberry Shake for 20 Php only.

Good Time at Dexter's Pizza

          Dexter has a new invention. No, it's not a new gadget. It's pizza!
          Dexter's Pizza is doing a great job in making a name for itself as one of the growing pizza houses in Iloilo City. My friends and I dined here once and we absolutely liked the pizza. Its crustiness and cheesiness will leave your tummy satisfied. Its preparation has a home-made feel in it yet the taste is close to that of leading pizza restaurants that I know.
          The price is not that painful in the pocket especially if you and your barkada will chip in individually. Yes. Totally worth the money. We ordered the "cheesy bacon burger pizza" (If I'm not mistaken with what they call it) which, as its name suggests, was oozing with melted cheese, topped with chunky bacons and an ample amount of meat. We also treated ourselves with another pizza generously sprinkled with ground beef.  My friend took home the "shawarma pizza", a best-seller I heard. The pies under the "healthy cravings" category will surely attract those who don't want their blood pressure to spike up.
          With its location at Mission Road Extension, La Paz, Iloilo City, people from the nearby schools and hospitals can easily come together to bond over their specialty that comes in different  yummy flavors. I believe they accept deliveries too (For more info, just search for their facebook page).
          My ka-berks and I completely downed the pizza as we went along with our fun conversation. Good food. Good company. And a nice laugh. What else am I looking for?