Delightful Primas Pizza in Goodwill Homes 1, Novaliches

Primas Pizza recently had their soft opening last June 8, 2020 . This is the second start-up pizza business, The first one opened about two months ago under a different name near Pag-Asa in Quezon City.

Primas pizza specializes on 7 thin crust pizzas, available in 3 sizes – 10 inches ( solo ) 10 inches: double size ( can be shared between 2 to 4 people) and family size:14 inches ( can be shared between 3 to 6 people). We were among the first customers who have tried some of their signature pizzas just days after their opening.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YofmxjbjetmxWZzFA

Primas Pizza Delivery is just beside Positive Water Refilling station

A delightful treat for the residents living near Goodwill Homes 1 community. As there is another neighborhood pizza stall to crave for. Residents do not need to visit the crowded mall or brave the traffic along Quirino Highway just to buy their favorite pizzas.

Primas Pizza

Menu and Prices

Being a neighborhood pizza stall, had several advantages- They make their pizza and toppings upon orders. This guarantees the quality of their ingredients, pizza dough and freshly baked from the oven.

Another good news is that they also have FREE delivery service within the community without extra cost.

Primas Pizza Delivery specialties includes the popular Ham and Cheese, Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Primas Supremo and Primas Fiesta. Their thin crust pizza had similar in texture and taste comparable to a well-known thin crust pizza chain in the market.

Primas Supremo – This pizza is one of the specialties of this stall. It had a rich toppings of sliced black olives, bell pepper, white onion rings, sauteed meat, mushroom, pineapple, bacon and ham bits, pepperoni, Mozzarella cheese – Php 145 solo, Php 270, Php 360

All Meat – It had a toppings of sliced hotdogs, sauteed meat, ham bits,Mozzarella cheese Php 140-solo, Php 260, Php 340

Primas Fiesta– The pizza had sliced hotdog, sliced black olives, bell pepper, pineapple, onion rings, mushroom and bacon bits, sauteed meat, Mozzarella cheese Php 145-solo, Php 270, Php 360

Hawaiian – It had a generous toppings of slice pineapples, bacon and ham bits, Mozzarella cheese Php 120 solo, Php 220 , Php 300

Pepperoni – The pizza had pepperoni toppings, Mozzarella cheese. Php 140 solo, Php 260, Php 340

Carbonara – The pizza had a rich topping of white carbonara sauce, mushroom bits, ham bits, sauteed meat and Mozzarella cheese Php 140 solo, Php 260, Php 345

Ham and Cheese–  It had deluxe toppings which includes Mozzarella cheese, ham bits and quick melt cheese. Php 90 solo, Php 180, Php 300

They also have LOLA Moomy’s Ube Cream Flan at Php 180 ( by reservation)

Primas Pizza have an in-house promo of Buy 1 Take 1 on all their 10 inches (double size pizzas ) until the first week of July 2020.

Free Delivery service within Kingspoint Subdivsion, Kasiyahan Village, San Pedro IX, Grand Monaco Homes in Barangay Bagbag. Goodwill Homes 1, California Village and Sierra Vista in Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches, Quezon City.

For those planning to buy their family size 14 inch pizza, Plus FREE 2 bottles of coke mismo. They are also offering a thick crust pizza for just few extra bucks Do not forget to drop-by and order.

Note: Prices quoted are subject to change without prior notification. In -House Promo is just until first week of July 2020.

Primas Pizza Stall Delivery

Facebook Page: primaspizzanovaliches

Address: #6 Katipunan Avenue, Goodwill Homes 1, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City ( Beside Positive Water)

Operations: Everyday from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm

Contact : 0926-578-3725

Tales of Caladium in the Philippines

Caladium is a genus of  highly ornamental  plant variety which belongs to Araceae. It is closely related to Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma which originates from Central and South America.

There were at least 1,000 known cultivar hybrids and every year additional plants are named by different plant breeders from all over the world.

Caladium planted in a terracotta pot- some people believed that it brings good luck 

Caladium or Corazon de Maria growing in a pocket garden in Quezon City

Caladium in the Philippines

Caladiums were locally called under different names Gabi-Gabi, Gabi-Gabihan, Corazon de Maria, Puso ni Maria, Corazon de Amor, Puso-Pusoan, Heart of Jesus, Angel Wings or Elephant Ear.

Caladium or Puso ni Maria grown in a pocket garden

Corazon de Amor / Corazon de Maria/ Gabi-Gabihan/ Puso-Pusoan or Caladiums was introduced from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila during the later part of the galleon trade. Some of the early cultivars escaped cultivation, grew in almost semi-wild state in coconut plantations, humid places, vacant lot, cemeteries, near streams and creeks.

old variety of Corazon de Maria, Puso ni Maria or Caladium “Keladi Red Star” growing in almost unattended state in a vacant lot in Quezon City

Caladiums quickly became popular foliage plants for shady or semi-shaded gardens. Each leaf seems to be painted with striking combinations of green, white, pink, red, orange and its color markings are given much importance by collectors.

Economic Importance

Corazon de Maria/ Corazon de Amor/ Puso ni Maria/ Caladium are widely used for potted plants, landscaping purposes and as indoor plant. In the Bicol region, Caladium rhizomes, leaves and stems are sometimes eaten during times famine and calamities were food is scare. Some Bicolanos tend to boil the rhizomes to remove the itchy calcium oxalate crystals. Slowly cooking the rhizomes, leaves and stems in a combination of coconut milk ( gata), chopped chilies, small shrimp or bagoong alamang, similar to ginataang laing.

Some growers believe that these plants bring good luck and invites good chi among growers. Countless of local growers would swear that it bought them some luck.

“ Magaan ang dating ng pera sa aming negosyo noong nagtanim kami niyan malapit sa aming bahay“.

Smooth transaction and money came fast in our business, when we planted Caladiums near the entrance of our house. This was according to Mrs. Piling Marquez of Caloocan City.

Costa Farm is one of the bigger ornamental plants which grew Caladium in big numbers. In the southern parts of the United States and sub-tropical areas, They are sometimes grown in greenhouses or as an indoor plants. K. van Bourgondien Tropical Plants from Netherlands also specializes in selling different varieties.

Caladium plant craze became trendy in the country in several stages from late 1949 to 1950, early 1960’s, mid-1970’s, circa 1987 to 1988, short run in the mid-1990’s, 2009 to 2010, between 2015 to 2018. With newer varieties and colorful hybrids from other countries. There were some nice caladium plants exhibited at the Hortikultura Extravaganza 2016 which won top prizes.

Some local horticulturists like Mr. Lebon Ong, Sir Boyet Ganigan imported some Caladium varieties from foreign nurseries. Well- known farms and backyard growers  from the towns of Guiguinto, Tabang within Bulacan province. Calamba, Bay, Los Baños, Laguna province. Mr. Mac Pagsolingan of Pangasinan had been growing and selling caladium for more than 10 years, Arids and Aroids and Mr. Carlo Cabunilla of Cebu are just few of the local growers.

Caladium Keladi Red Star- old variety which is common in many areas of the country

angeliicloset from Batangas province is an online seller which sells Caladium cultivar varieties ranges from Php 100 to Php 250 per uprooted plant. She had about a dozen or so varieties.

photo courtesy of pixabay user : sarangib-37542

In a recent FB post from MM, a new site selling old variety of Corazon de Amor for Php 2,500 raised some eyebrows among netizens, backyard gardeners and farm owners! This had brought some attention to the lowly and neglected old cultivar variety of the Corazon de Amor.

Care and Fertilization

The most important factors in caladium care are moisture and fertilization. Try to fertilize them with complete fertilizer will help strengthen the plants in order to produce adequate tubers for the following growing season. Caladiums need to be watered on a regular basis, especially during dry conditions.

photo courtesy of pixabay Gaimard

These plants thrive in moist, well-drained sandy soil, slightly acidic and are generally happier in partial shade. When you plant caladiums, you should plant them about 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart.

Caladiums can be purchased as potted plants or dormant tubers. Their size depends on the variety. They are normally in active growth during the onset of the rainy season in the western part of the country and goes dormant during the dry season.

Caladium plants are not typically troubled by insects, but sometimes caladium plant pests  chew the leaves or cell sap.

Caterpillars and aphids can be problems. Your best defense against caladium plant pests is vigilance and constant monitoring.

photo courtesy of  pixabay -gildda-5239161

Caladium grow from tubers and the diseases of caladium plants are those that attack the tubers. Usually these diseases are caused by fungal pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia and Pythium species. Some caladium would require some shelter from monsoon rains and extra care in handling the tender rhizomes.

Bibliography and References:

Personal communications among backyard growers and farm owners.

Special mention to Mrs. Piling Marquez of Caloocan City, Mr. Mac Pagsolingan of Pagsolingan Garden.

Funk, V. A., P. E. Berry, S. Alexander, T. H. Hollowell & C. L. Kelloff. 2007. Checklist of the Plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 55: 1–584

Madulid, Domingo; Winner, National Book Award, Science, 1995. Revised Edition, 2000 with 388 pages. Araceae pages 84 to 85, Bookmark, Makati, A Pictorial Cyclopedia of Philippine Ornamental Plants.

Steiner, Mona Lisa, PHD;Care, M &L Licudine Enterprises, First Edition 1952, Second Edition 1960, Third Edition 1986, Atlag, Malolos , Bulacan. Gabi Family page 144, Philippine Ornamental Plants And Their Care.

Timely Bloom of Tillandsia capitata “Yellow” in Almost Three Years

It had been a while since the last recorded bloom of our Tillandsia capitata “Yellow” variety in our garden.

I got three varieties of Tillandsia capitata, ( one bought at the Manila Seedling Bank sale) another variety bought from Mrs. Doreen Dofitas the last type was from a seller from Davao.  This particular Tillandsia species tend to survive in almost neglected state with minimal watering during the rainy season and fertilization.

Tillandsia capitata ” Yellow”

It is only during the dry months from November to early May that we tend to water heavily at least twice a week.

A lot of the lush growth had some die back due to the infestation of squirrels few years ago, making nest out of the lush growth. It is good that the invasive Finalyson’s squirrels were killed using sling shots by the neighborhood children when they ate their ripening indian mangoes and bananas growing at their backyard.

It is good that there was still a couple of Tillandsia capitata left in our Cavite home. We reintroduced them and remounted them in our Manila Palm.

Fertilization

The weekly-weakly regimen of fertilization of water soluble fertilizer of 1/4 strength or 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, with 20-N20-P20-K alternately switching to 2 or 3 fertilizer brands, apply trace elements, micro nutrients such as epsom salt and calcium in small quantity. After every other week. We would also flush the entire plant with running water once a week, This is to remove excess salts and fertilizer residues.

Since it is mounted on a living palm, withered leaves from plants , palm flowers, dried palm fruits , bird dropping would accumulate at the base of the tillandsia , Hence adding natural compost . It is also a beehive of activities where black ants, millepedes and tree frogs hiding at the base of the leaves.

It is good to see that our Tillandsia capitata again showed sign of blooming and glad  to enjoy its blooms for at least a month. This is one of my favorite Tillandsia along with Tillandsia fasiculata , Tillandsia xerographica, Tillandsia ionantha,Tillandsia schiedeana, Tillandsia intermedia and Tillandsia funckiana.

A Visit to New Po Heng Stall in Ongpin Street

New Po Heng use to be located at 531 Quintin Paredes street ( formerly called Calle Rosario), ground floor of Uy Suy Bin building for more than 30 years.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/V822aDPiGLma51mK8

New Po Heng – ( Amoy ) Chinese -style fresh lumpia

The art deco building stand as a rare jewel within post-modern buildings along Quintin Paredes street. However for the past several years, heritage advocates, concerned citizens and residents of the district were afraid that the building is going to get demolished to pave way for a higher and bigger condominium building.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fbrJdANLD74GSDEg9

Uy Suy Bin building

Carvajal street offers a small dining space compared to the previous location which had a indoor atrium like ambiance.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fs4rGLX7Wyj7WZiw6

lumpia wrapper with toppings of grounded peanuts, seaweed, fried crushed sotanghon noodles, crushed fresh garlic, powdered sugar

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QouSSZfNSgcxmeXBA

fresh lettuce leaves are added

The best-seller is their Chinese-Amoy style fresh “Lumpia” or Run Bing in Mandarin – tofu, chopped cabbage, mustard, shredded carrots, coriander with generous toppings of grounded peanuts, seaweed ( Ho-Ti), fried crushed sotanghon noodles, crushed fresh garlic, powdered sugar. It is cooked along with grounded shrimp heads to add more flavors, fresh lettuce leaves then rolled together in a thin lumpia wrapper made from flour.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gib73cbNZDQB878y9

cooked mix vegetables are added 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zty7znZ5kttZ6g2LA

wrapping the fresh lumpia

It also takes time to wrap the fresh lumpia into rolls.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/w5pESs5rfW1TPTs9A

 I would also suggest to eat first the lumpia without using the sauce. The price of their lumpia is Php 95.00 per order. There is a 20% discount for senior citizens and person’s with disability with valid Id’s presented before ordering.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mE9LoGXtdFhVgbMfA

prices 

New Po Heng / New Pou Heng

New Po Heng / New Pou Heng eventually moved out of the heritage building sometime in the later part of 2018 to a new location along 621 Carvajal  street. The quaint restaurant  along with their famous Chinese-Amoy style lumpia, pork maki, misua soup, kiampung and home-cooked meals are well-loved by the community.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9vqgrjjs9NLC7bvD7

Carvajal street

While a smaller stall opened in 2019 at Ongpin street near corner Tomas Mapua street just beside Mei Sum Tea House or ( Maxim’s Tea House). The Ongpin street had fewer selection and for those interested to try the other dishes, I would recommend to drop-by at the Carvajal street.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/88wmB5oy2hvAYAFGA

New Pou Heng/ New Po Heng stall beside Mei Sum Tea House

We decided to order for take outs and they also accepts bulk order. The lumpia stall had been featured in many blogs, vlogs, newspaper and television station.

Other Lumpia Variations

Lumpiang Ginayat na Papaya and Lumpiang Puso ng Saging had fillings made from shredded young papaya or shredded banana blossom. It is popular in some provinces with plenty of papaya and banana blossom. They are either fried or sauteed along with carrots and other vegetables. Young papaya or shredded banana blossom were used as a substitute for cabbage which is not always available.

Aling Ika’s fresh lumpia from Cavite City is a little bit different and have slightly different taste. Our family also have a different version of the Amoy- Chinese style fresh lumpia.

Note: Prices posted in this blog are subject to change without prior notice

Address: 621 Carvajal st. Binondo, Manila- Contact (7) 753-1891 / 277531891

New Po Heng Stall : Ongpin Street corner Tomas Mapua street, Santa Cruz, Manila

 

 

 

 

9 Important Things to Know about Special Concern Lockdown

King Christian street corner King Alexander street within Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City

Special Concern Lockdown (SCL), is an extreme measure was enforced on a portion of King Christian street near corner King Christopher street in Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City after a COVID-19 carrier infected three persons from the same household and two neighbors from different houses on June 22, 2020. This was reported in several online news, radio and television stations.

Kingspoint Subdivision is a private gated community in Novaliches. The main street serves as a short cut route to General Luis street, Northern Caloocan, Deparo and Velenzuela. The short cut route is commonly referred as SB Road, which starts from Lukaria street and ends in Katipunan corner General Luis street in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Novaliches.

A portion of King Christian street near King David street

The portion of King Christian street which had a lock down had 59 families and a total of 243 residents.

Barangay Bagbag tanods, Quezon City police checkpoint tent along King Christopher corner King Christian street.

A small portion of King Christopher street corner King Christian street had a tent manned by volunteer guards from Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City police and army. The checkpoint created a battle neck thus traffic was heavy for almost one day., the tent was eventually removed a day after and moved further down the road.

According to some insider reports, King Christian patient zero found out he was positive after undergoing rapid testing as required by his employer before he could return to work.

Barangay mobile, Quezon City government ambulance and QCPD manning  King Christopher street corner King Christian street, Kingspoint Subdivision

He was referred by barangay officials to the health department for a confirmatory swab test and the results also came back positive.

King Christian street and King Constantine street

 Almost all the remaining residents within the street are also being tested if they were infected.

This comes after several reported cases of Covid 2019 a little over a month ago in San Pedro IX also in the same barangay were reported.

Compared to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), special concern lock down had more stricter rules and quarantine measures.

9 Important Things to Know about the Special Concern Lockdown

9.) Wearing of face mask is mandatory to all people. Basic delivery of goods will be supervised by the concerned local government unit (LGU).

8.) Local government unit can enforce a special concern lock down in a portion of a street, compound, house or a barangay with a high concentration of active cases.

7.) Quarantine passes issued by the barangay, city, community/ subdivision are waived. Selling of alcoholic beverages or liquor is severely limited or banned. Curfew is also enforced.

6.) Rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) for COVID 2019 are conducted to the vulnerable, senior citizens and suspected people.

5.) Delivery services in or out of the special concern lock down areas are severely limited.

4.) Local barangay officials, volunteers, police and even military manned all possible entry and exit points.

3.) Special lock down period can last anytime from one to two weeks or even more depending on the number of cases found within the community.

2.) The general public, relatives and neighbors are not allowed to visit these special concern lock down areas for health reasons and to avoid spreading the virus.

1.) Stay at home is strictly enforced by the barangay and local government unit.

King Christian street corner King Constantine street

According to an insider report, The covid 2019 positive individuals were already moved to the hospital and quarantine facilities of the city. The lock down period in King Christian street can last until early part of July.