Maxicare new Primary Care Center at SM City Clark, Angeles, Pampanga

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation which is the leading healthcare provider in the country, opens a new Primary Care Center (PCC) at SM City Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga province.

ribbon cutting and blessing of the Maxicare Primary Care Center, Clark

The inauguration of the center will provide better access to top quality, efficient and seamless healthcare services for the members of the health care provider.

It is one stop shop for their clients. For those who were not yet members, They are encourage to visit the online website.

Maxicare officers,invited guests, staff and priest

Primary Care Center in SM Clark

blessing

“The purpose of Maxicare PCCs is to provide convenient healthcare services to our patients. We want to reach out to them as much as as we can.

Mr. Sean Argos

With the opening of our newest PCC, our members in Central Luzon are no longer far from the help that they need,” said Maxicare president and CEO Mr. Sean Argos.

group photo

The new PCC in Pampanga, Maxicare members can experience VIP treatment and quality healthcare through its state- of -the -art medical facility administered by expert medical professionals. It will house certified healthcare professionals.

Primary Care physicians who specialize in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Obstetrics-Gynecology, OB Sonography, ENT ( ear, nose and throat), Dermatology and Ophthalmology.

one of the medical consultation room

Services include consultation, laboratory, tests, X-ray, EGG ( electrocardiogram) and Ultrasound.

Upon entering the center, a patient will immediately be greeted by well-trained customer service associates. The center feature a cozy waiting lounge, free WIFI access, and charging stations to ensure home-like relaxation. Moreover, those who are in a rush don’t need to worry as the average medical visit with top notch doctors spans only 30 minutes.

The company plans to open 8 more Maxicare facilities within the Northern Luzon area in the coming months.

The newest Maxicare Primary Care Center is located at SM City Clark, Tech Hub 6, Manuel A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport, Angeles City, Pampanga.

Do not forget to visit the website: http://www.maxicare.com.ph

Grand Parade at the Santo Niño de Bago Bantay in Quezon City

Santo Niño exhibit within the Diocesan Shrine of Santo Niño in Bago Bantay is one of the highlight of the annual festival.

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There were 486 Santo Niño mostly owned by the residents of the community were on display for 9 days.

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According to the one manning the exhibit, There were a lot of residents who keep the image and statues of the child jesus.

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church facade

The area is just within 1 to 2 kilometers away from SM North EDSA, DEPED -Quezon City and Trinoma Mall.

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early mass

History of Santo Niño in Bago Bantay

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The devotion of the child jesus can coincide with the establishment of Bago Bantay. Bago-Bantay started as a small visita in the early 1930’s under the jurisdiction of San Pedro de Bautista parish in San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City.

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umbrellas at the church yard

After the second world war immigrants from the city of Manila and nearby cities eventually moved in the vicinity.

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After thousands of displaced families moved from war ravaged Manila, Caloocan and nearby cities  due to the destruction from World War II. The migration came from the late 1940’s and early 1960s.

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Sto. Niño de Bago Bantay with new vestment

These new migrants brought more problems to the community, as criminal gangs started carving their territories through the streets of Bago-Bantay and adjacent area.

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colorful ati-atihan costumes

Petty crimes, snatching, criminal activities started creating problems within the surrounding area.  Bago Bantay area is almost synonymous to Tondo in Manila or Bagong Barrio in Caloocan.

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In 1957, the parish became under Santa Rita Parish of Philam Life and in 1961 under the jurisdiction of Christ the King parish in Project 7.

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church facade and belfry

On May 3, 1967, Rufino Cardinal Santos decreed the erection of new parish under the patronage of Santo Niño with 25,625 residents.

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marker

On May 3, 1967, RT Reverend Miguel P. Nuguid was appointed as the first parish priest and vicar forane.

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Santo Niño Parochial School

The local authorities tried their best to remedy the situation, nothing much was achieved until the arrival of Fr. Miguel P. Nuguid as the parish priest in 1967.

Father Miguel Nuguid together with some parishioners started to conduct home visitation.

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marker

He also worked with the retired public school teacher, Mrs. Romana Delos Angeles, the Catholic Women’s League and residents to establish the Santo Niño Parochial School in 1968.

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The priest also spearheaded for the construction of a new church which is now known as Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

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current parish priest

It was in the early 1970’s that a master plan surfaced for construction of a permanent church of the Sto. Niño. On January 14, 1973 the church was consecrated and dedicated to the Holy Infant Jesus. In 1976, the Sto. Niño Church became the seat of the newly created vicariate made up them of seven parishes. This was an important historical event in the life of the parish.

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On March 26, 1978, the devotees of the Sto. Niño witnessed the laying and blessing of the cornerstone of the permanent church where the Silver Sto. Niño would be enshrined.

In January 14, 1983 , finally the new shrine was dedicated by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

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Grand Parade

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The grand parade started early after the early dawn mass by the parish priest, there was a street dancing competition were students of the nearby parochial school participated.

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firecrackers were lighted prior to the street dancing competition

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long lines of well-wishers and residents

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street near the church

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parade route

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mass schedule

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parishioners in ati-atihan costume ( photo courtesy by Mr. Vladimir Estocado)

There were also several residents who brought their cherished and beloved images and statues of the child jesus during the parade.

References and Sources:

Dedication Marker

Santo Niño Parish Church

Historical marker

Personal interview of Bago Bantay residents

Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao website

Photo credits: Vladimir Estocado, Santo Niño Parish and the author

12 Important Activities at the Chinese New Year 2020 Celebration in Quezon City

Quezon City government in joint cooperation with Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc (FFCCCII), Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI), Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation (QCCDF) will usher in the ” Year of the Metal Rat” on January 26, 2020 Sunday.

Chinatown -Quezon City Welcome arch

Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong ( president) Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. ( FFCCCII) together with Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores ( moderator/ columnist ,publicity and promotion chairperson for FFCCCII)

Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation ( QCCDF) and Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI).

12 Important Activities at the Chinese New Year 2020 Celebrations

Banawe corner Quezon Avenue in Quezon City

12.) Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurong,Vice Mayor Gian Sotto together with Chinese ambassador -People Republic of China ( PRC), His Excellency Huang Xi Lian will be the special guests of honor. They will also lead the countdown and celebrations.

Banawe street

11.) Traditional lion and dragon dance performances within Banawe and adjacent streets.

10.) Grand Parade and motorcade will be held in Banawe and within Quezon City’s -Chinatown district on January 26, 2020 Sunday which starts at 3:00 pm.

registration

9.) Chinese music and arts performances by Filipino- Chinese schools based in the city.

Quezon City Symphonic Band

8.) Quezon City’s Symphonic Band will perform various musical rendition.

7.) Wushu and Martial Arts exhibition will be held to highlight the rich Filipino-Chinese culture.

6.) Chinese lanterns will light up major streets in the district.

5.) Filipino-Chinese deli food and trade bazaar will be held.

4.) Traditional Chinese cooking demonstration will be held to highlight the rich culinary heritage.

3.) Grand Concert of the Climax Band and Rico Blanco will cap the celebrations.

2.) Fireworks display will light up the Chinatown district at the end of the program.

1.) Reknown Feng Shui Master Reverend Father Wong Seng Tian will give his predictions for the Chinese New Year 2020.

In 2013, Quezon City’s government installed two Chinatown arches at Banawe street corner Quezon Avenue, designating the area as ” Chinatown of Quezon City” and branding it as a world- class hub for the Filipino- Chinese community.

Furthermore, the government passed City Ordinance 2453-2015, formally designating the QC Chinatown in Banawe street as one of the tourism districts, thus improving its accessibility, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing its infrastructure  and other amenities.

Heirloom Culinary Delights at Bernie’s Kitchenette in Cavite City

Exploring Cavite City is fun and exciting when one visits Bernie’s Kitchenette. The home- cooked style dishes were the specialties of Ms. Bernadita Rojas-Fontanilla, She is called Bernie. She believes that one does not have to be a trained chef or a good cook just to present good food.

Bernie’s Kitchenette dishes

We met Tita Bernadita Rojas- Fontanilla few years ago during an organized tour of the city by Mr. Jhon Gorme in October 2016.  Whenever have a chance to visit the city. We always make a stopover at this place.

She was the granddaughter of Leopoldo Salcedo, who is famous Filipino celebrity and had been cooking traditional dishes for over 30 years.

l-r Mr. Philip Reyes, Ms.Vonnette Fernandez, Mr. Paulo Ortega and Ms. Lin Deres

Most of which are heirloom family recipes and popular dishes. They opened the place in 2015.

Manila Standard article, newspaper clippings and photo gallery

Dishes at Bernie’s Kitchenette

popular tourist spots in Cavite

The restaurant had a sitting capacity of between 100 to 120 people at any given time.

popular meal combination were the TAPSILOG meals, which never fails to satisfy one’s palate.

different kind of dishes

Another plus point were historical photos , batibot chairs and large wooden tables.

The atmosphere is like a fiesta with festive buntings which decorates the dining area.

restaurant interiors

menu board

The restaurant also sells Sukang Cavite ( Cavite vinegar), coffee and other specialties

heritage advocates, culinary walkers, bloggers and friends

Pancit Pusit or sometimes called Pancit Choco en su Tinta, Pancit Negra, Pancit Itim

Among the popular dishes served at the restaurant includes, Pansit (noodle dishes): Pansit Pusit, which includes rice vermicelli / cellophane noodles which incorporates squid ink in its savory sauce. There are bits of squid and it is topped with crushed chicharon (pork rind), kinchay (coriander), diced mangoes and deep fried garlic. (completing the terno-terno [matching] concept of mixing food of the same color). ( Php 250 good for sharing between 3 to 4 people).

deep fried lao-lao

These were complemented with crispy lao-lao (fried fish) best dipped in Cavite vinegar or Sukang Cavite. (Php 80 per order) Morcon (a savory meat roll), Bacalao (sautéed salt cod), a dish that is usually served on Good Friday or during fridays.

Beef Kaldereta with a lot of sauce is only Php 80 per serving . The meat is tender and mildly spiced.

Pork Asado is well seasoned and the meat is tender. It is also best paired with white rice . The serving only cost Php 80.

Bernie’s Kitchenette facade

For large group, it is wise to pre-order some of their well-loved dishes, since the dishes are limited. The place is also an ideal spot of events and venue place.

Bernie’s Kitchenette

Address: 843 Midtown Bldg., Molina Street, Caridad, Cavite City

Contact: (046) 431 2088

10 Pastries and Breads from Dizon Bakery in Cavite City

Cavite City is not only known for its rich heritage churches, religious icons, sprawling plazas, ancestral houses but also its rich culinary heritage.

A visit to the city is incomplete without tasting and bringing home of their well-loved pastries, cookies, cakes and breads.

Dizon Bakery

Dizon Bakery

Dizon Bakery is one such iconic landmark, Its signage is simple and their recipe was handed down to at least three generations.

It was the grandparents of the current proprietor who started the business.

Mr. Jose Aguinaldo-Dizon ( third generation proprietor)

The bakery was one of the few approved supplier of breads and pastry when the United States Naval station from the 1950’s to the early 1970’s.

The baking equipment are heavy duty and they have a large space. We were fortunate that they allowed the group to see the process of making breads and how they still use the traditional furnace for baking.

industrial baking equiptments

a baker making pastries

traditional pugon

They still use pugon fired oven to cooked their breads and because they still use firewood in cooking their breads and pastries, Their breads and pastries had a distinct flavor and taste.

salakot

Ms. Zenith Dizon

10.) Vegan Chocolate Cookies – This are sold for Php 100 per pack, ideal for pasalubongs.

9.) Panderacion -Sold per pack and the soft bun goes well with local spread like mayonnaise , margarine, butter. This is more popularly called “Monay” in many parts of the country, But the owner changed the name to panderacion.

8.) Matsakaw– These toasted bread are ideal for snacks and goes well with hot chocolate, tea or coffee. ( Php 15 per pack)

7.) Kenkoy – The rectangular biscuit was named after a popular comic character Francisco “Kenkoy” Harabas . “Kenkoy” was popular until the late 1960’s. The biscuit goes well with hot chocolate, coffee, tea. (Php 35 per pack).

6.) Polvoron Cookies – These is a perfect combination of polvoron and cookie.

ensaimada special ( queso de bola with salted egg) and Ube flavored ensaimada

Ensaimadas ( ordinary )

5.) Ensaimadas– Comes in salted egg or Ube flavored ones. This taste different from other ensaimadas / ensaymadas.  Ordinary ones cost Php 12.00

Empanadas with cheese and Empanada chicken ( Php 27.00)

4.) Empanadas – The empanadas is not cooked in cooking oil but baked on their pugon.

3.) Malunggay Pandesal – The pandesal is had an extra ingredient which adds more flavor and nutrient to the common bread. It is cooked in pugon which adds flavor and had a distinct taste.

Coconut bun or Pan de Coco ala Dizon

2.) Coconut Bread or Pan de Coco – The coconut bread or Pan de Coco is a soft doughy bread with sweeten grated coconut meat. What makes this bread quite special is the  pandan leaves wrapped around the bun. Php 12.00 per piece.

1.) Salakot – This is a soft dough bread is called “salakot’ due to the shape of the bread. this goes well with Quesillo or Kesong Puti. This bread also goes well with almost any kind of sandwich spread, liver spread, scrambled egg or spam.  ( Php 65 per pack)

chocolate fudee

sansrival

pudding

Aside from these specialties, The bakery had ube and monggo loaf, apas, sampalok, pacencia cookies, coconut cookies,peanut cookies, oatmeal cookies, French bread, wheat bread, butter toast, banana walnut bread, ube halaya, chocolate crinkles, leche flan, bread pudding, hopia, classic pullman bread, chocolate fudee, sansrival, yema cake buko, pineapple, apple and egg pies and others.

The breads,cakes and pastries can be pre-order and can be delivered via lalamove.

Dizon Bakery

Email : dizonbakery@gmail.com

FB and IG: @dizonbakery

Contact : (046) 431 1912/ (0936) 324 7498

Address: 618 P. Burgos Ave, Caridad, Cavite City, 4100 Cavite

Operations : Monday to Saturday

Operational Hours; 6:00 am to 8:30 pm