Feel the Cuban and Latin Vibes at La Bodeguita del Medio Havana Club in Las Piñas

La Bodeguita del Medio -Havana club is a bar , restaurant and event place at the 2nd level Villar Sipag in C5 Extension road Las Piñas City. The bar and restaurant had a soft opening few days ago.The restaurant had a distinct vibe of Havana which is the capital city of Cuba.

The bar and restaurant had several painting bought by the family of Senator Cynthia A Villar few years ago during a trip to the streets of the city from painters. They were hung prominently at the walls of the place.

The interior decoration reflect a gentle era for the this Caribbean country. The lovely neon street lights and decoration are perfect match . The bar and restaurant can comfortably seat between 140 to 160 people at any given occasions and perfect hang-out place for parties, date or even a mini press conference.

There is also a stage area for nightly performance with music and dance. Since the soft opening, countless of office employees, residents of nearby villages and subdivisions have been their clientele.

nachos 

the nachos are crunchy and moderately spiced with generous toppings of meat, chopped olives,  chili pepper, corn and with dipping sauces.

Baked mussels with melted cheese topping 

seafood paella – with mussels , string beans, shrimps and generous toppings of hard boiled eggs.

fried calamares with french fries in dipping sauces

deep fried buttered chicken in special gravy with deep fried saba banana, vegetables and corn cobs.

 crispy fried lumpia rolls is one of its specialties with dipping sauce

The restaurant had also a good selection of shooters, mocktails and juices

group photo with Senator Cynthia A. Villar with group journalists, media, bloggers

*Prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice.

Address: La Bodeguita del Medio -Havana club, 2nd level Villar Sipag in C5 Extension road Pulanglupa Uno, Las Piñas City

Operational Hours : Everyday from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/havanaclubph/

A Visit to Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno

Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno  is a shrine dedicated to Saint Ezekiel Moreno  C-5 Extension Road, Pulanglupa, in honor of the Spanish Agustinian priest who served as parish priest of Las Piñas from 1876 to 1879.

Saint Ezekiel Moreno facade

This was part of the extensive ” Semana Santa” -Visita Iglesia tour of churches in Pasay , Las Piñas and Parañaque cities.  From Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church, One can walk or ride 1 jeep going to the site.

pilgrims from nearby provinces would also visit the church

One would climb the stairs going to the main door which had an elaborate wood carvings .

Architecture 

The modern stylized Spanish Baroque-inspired Santuario de San Ezekiel Moreno is designed by architect Claude Edwin Andrews. There are columbarium units located at the ground floor of the church are managed by Golden Haven Memorial Park. A Villar group of company.

The columbarium units are still on the process of finishing and the landscaping of the surrounding area is still ongoing. While the memorial park is located nearby.

church interior

The church was finished sometime early 2014 and had been one of the most popular churches visited within Las Piñas. There is a small museum dedicated the life and works of the saint. Unfortunately, the museum was closed during our visit .

church organ

The church was finished after more than 3 years, when the initial plans started around late 2010. The sitting capacity of the church is between 720 to 750 people.

Saint Ezekiel Moreno interiors with religious icon covered in purple cloth which symbolizes mourning

Architect Joey Amistoso did the church’s interiors, including an intricate retablo (altar tableau) featuring niches with images of Saint Joseph and Saint Ezekiel.

church dome

It is said that the cost of the church construction was estimated to be between Php 200 million to Php 225 million. There are no concrete columns which would obstruct the view of the public from the main altar of the church.

Since the church architecture is well designed, natural light and air circulation inside  easily flow . There is no need to open the artificial lightning especially during long days.

 

 

Juan Loves Pet Show 2017

Philippine Hamster Owner’s Society ( PHOS) with over 4,800 FB members together with Guinea Pig Lover in partnership with Star Mall-Las Piñas and JuanLovePet will be having their one-day show and exhibit schedule on March 11, 2017 Saturday ( Mall Hour) .

They are still open on participants and the event is open to the public. There will be exciting games , talks and competition . The show is also inviting other pet groups who would like to join in the fun and camaraderie.

Contact Emman : (0917-658-5115 ) for participants 

International Coastal Cleanup with Coke Philippines

Las Piñas and Parañaque Critical  Habitat  & Eco Tourism Area ( LPPCHEA ), Metro Manila -Philippines

Coca-Cola FEMSA- Philippines registration booth

For the last 18 years , Coca Cola executives , family, friends  had teamed -up with the Ocean Conservancy  annual intentional coastal clean-up . The Coca-cola  set up several registration sites within the LPPCHEA grounds and  tarpaulin posters for the tabulation of all the non-biodegradable wastes that the volunteers are collecting.

local government

Hundred of thousand of people , government agencies,  multinational companies, NGO’s , Schools,  individuals have pitched in to help clean up our beaches and waterways as part of the world’s largest  volunteer effort for the marine environment.

L-R Senator Cynthia Villar, Mr. Neric Acosta, Coca Cola Public Affairs and Communications Vice President  Atty. Adel Tamano and Coca-Cola Philippines Corporate Affairs Director Juan Dominquez

This year’s slogan ” Bayanihan Para sa Malinis na Karagatan” .  the slogan aims to create helping hands in all sectors of the society.

Atty. Adel Tamano

Atty. Tamano said ” We take our commitment to sustainability very seriously . We are working to embed sustainability into every aspect of our business and we are committed to making sure our system associates, stakeholders,customer and consumers are part of the process. Our presence today is a simple act of living up to our sustainability. “

During the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup, more than 550,000 volunteers picked up more than 10 million pounds of marine debris in 27 countries and location. Of those volunteers,  more than 24,000 were  volunteer of Coca-cola associates, friends and family who helped remove more than 550,000 pounds of litter and debris from over 1,300 miles of coastline.

US ambassador Harry K. Thomas

The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has devoted almost $2 billion to this effort to support the conservation program. He also praised the Filipinos for their volunteerism making the Philippines second only to  US in terms of participants. Last year over 100,000 Filipinos participated in the cleaning of the coastline.

Coca-Cola FEMSA – Philippines Corporate Affairs Director Juan Dominquez

In the Philippines, one of the key locations for the clean-up was the Freedom Island within Barangay San Dionisio , Parañaque .  LPPCHEA is a 175-hectare protected area that consists of mangroves, lagoons and ponds located in the Manila Bay coastal area in the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque. This mangrove forest and marine habitat also serves as a Bird Sanctuary for endemic and migratory birds.

United States embassy volunteers

 People’s Niche of Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystem
volunteers and members

Ms. Ces Quimpo ( light blue blouse ) and members of the organization

While at the venue, I was greeted by a fellow environmental  advocate and native plant  lover Ms. Ces Quimpo. She is the sister of Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Incorporated-  Vice President Ms. Jo Quimpo.

Atty. Adel Tamano , Mr. Rey Aguinaldo and Mr. Caloy ( Coke ambassador of Happiness)

Senator Cynthia Villar being interviewed by media

According to Senator Cynthia Villar, The area is host to about 70 species of birds some of which are endemic to the Philippines. The island has been declared a part of the Wetland of the International Importance and serves as a sanctuary for avian, terrestrial and marine species.

bloggers also joined the clean-up

L-R Miss Philippines -Air 2013 Kimverlyn Suiza , Miss Philippines-Earth 2013 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes and Miss Philippines- Eco Tourism 2013 Bernadette Mae Aguirre

Organized by Ocean Conservancy, the Cleanup  inspires action to remove trash and debris from our waterways and helps change behaviors that allowed these items to reach the water in the first place.

Saint Paul College of Parañaque

The organization stresses the idea that what falls from human hands can be prevented by human hands — and recorded for the benefit of our planet.

Singapore International School  of Manila students and faculties

Philippine Christian University students

Cleanup volunteers serve as “citizen scientists” by recording  every item collected.

Maynilad Water

Maynilad Company set-up tents and gave FREE potable water to all the volunteers

Coca-Cola  Philippines employees picking trash at the beach front

group picture of Coca- Cola- Philippines

Other officials were present in the event. They included Presidential Adviser for Environmental Concerns Neric Acosta; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio; DENR Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mundita- Lim; Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Vice Admiral Danilo Cabalde, National Director and ICC Philippine Co-coordinator; PCGA Capt. Geronimo Reyes.

Note: I would like to personally ” Thank” Mr. Dust Gaudan , Ms. Bessie Adea Arciga , Atty. Adel Tamano ( Coca-Cola Philippines)  for the invitation and the privilege in joining this yearly coastal clean-up drive.

20th National Trade Fair

9.5 meter tall  giant scarecrow exhibited by the province of Cagayan (photo credit  : from   Mr. Allen Mayor and NTF organizers)

World’s Tallest Scarecrow unvield at the Philippine National Trade Fair – The 2011 National Trade Fair (NTF) unveiled the dual-sided Giant Scarecrow during its opening ceremonies on March 17, 2011. The 9.5 meter-high scarecrow vies for the title “Tallest Scarecrow in the World” as part of the celebration of the 1^st Scarecrow Festival of Cagayan Valley Region, NTF’s first Fiesta Region. NTF is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from March 17-20, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

entrance to the National Trade Fair 2011

The Philippines’s most comprehensive local trade show which features the best products, services, tourism spots from the country’s 17 regions. Now on its 20^th year, the National Trade Fair (NTF) has served as a platform for launching new products, services and has helped over 3,000 small, medium scale business enterprises in brand building, product awareness, increasing their sales and finding new customer base.

Some of the countries biggest export oriented industry started their participation in the National Trade Fair. The show featured about 250 small and medium scale enterprises.

scarecrow greeted the visitors to the event

There is also an individual competition where several scarecrow life sized statutes were judged for their design.

Gawad Ginintuang Yaman honors the extraordinary contributions of individuals or institutions in uplifting the Philippine economy through their own advocates or respective businesses. It is a salute to the outstanding efforts of private or government organizations and individuals in supporting NTF and contributing to its legacy.

The Gawad Ginintuang Yaman sets a new standard for companies and institutions to perennially vie for excellence in the hopes of attaining this illustrious award.

NCAA Exhibit

National Commission for  Culture and the Arts (NCCA) also exhibited ” Banig“. Banig is a handwoven mat usually used in several southeast Asian countries like the Philippines for sleeping , sitting . Depending on the region or province of the country. The mat may be made from buri, pandanus . The leaves are dried, usually dyed, then cut into strips and woven into mats, which may be plain or intricate.

NCCA representative wearing a colorful costume greeted the visitors –  Banig mat and banig woven bags served as background

The Samals of Sulu usually make their mats out of buri leaves. Often, dyed strips of buri are woven to produce a design.

Another region in the Philippines which is famous for intricately designed mats is Samar, where the mats are usually made of pandan leaves. The leaves are dyed green, then different colored buri strips are inserted into the plaits to make the design.

Banig woven mats are also made into Filipiniana items like Philippine terno , sandals, slippers and bags

The artistic works, were exhibited consists of mats, bags, national costume, interior, household items, and art pieces.

Bella’s  Calasiao Puto bagged the ” Best Exhibit Booth ” award

Bella’s different specialties- native puto , bibingka

Adolph Coco Beads from Butuan City

The company specializes in coco beads, coconut by-products , coco shells and started to export in other countries.

Contact : Ms. Amelia Cagorol – Marketing Manager

Address: P5 Lower Doongan, Butuan City

Telephone # 345-94-46

Fax : (085)815-1271 c/o DTI CARAGA Region

REV Fashion exhibit booth at the National Trade Fair

This company  specializes in beads, fashion accessories, beaded jewelry, necklaces, earrings, bracelets,eyeglass holders, dream catchers, patchwork , crosses and other crafts.

Address: Saac I Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015 , Philippines
Contact No:  341-4550/495-8681
Fax No:495-8681

Klub Natur  Photography exhibit booth

For the past 17 years , Klub Natur is a nature photography society in which members explore different parts of the country for nature photography and the organization is also a butterfly club. The members are called kloobers. The club usually participate in several trade fairs and exhibits in different parts of the country.

Contact : Mr. Allen Hipolito – Mayor

Address: 50 Longbeach St. Merville Park, Parañaque,Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact No: 6597536/6976405

A woman in native costume together with admirers

Djaboy’s exhibit booth

Djaboy’s specializes in an array of semi-process products of jewelry components  like shells, coco beads, carabao horn, pig’s bones , mother of pearls, fresh water pearl.

According to the sales person manning the booth , The company is also into retail of their products .

Address  :0178 Enerio St. Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines
Contact No:(032) 4127967 /Mobile: 09189212511
Fax No:929-8403

Product display made from the fronds and fruits of  Manila Palm Veitchia merrilli / Adonidia merrilli ( semi- process materials and process materials like bags, components , frames

Crafters Joy Corn husk Handicraft

The company was formed in 2006. Basista which is located in the province of Pangasinan consists mostly of farmers which engaged in planting various staple crops like rice, corns, mangoes , garlic and fruit trees. The Basistans, young and old alike, have this inept ability in making handcrafted products. This god given gift has made Basista, the cottage industry town of Pangasinan in the 1970’.

artificial flower arrangement made from cornhusk

The company had various products made from corn husks like slippers, bags, ornamental, rope twine, artificial flowers. According to one of the sales executives,   several years ago , their company won several awards in design which was sponsored by DTI and CITEM .

Contact: Ms. Jocelyn Ong-Perez – Owner / Manager

Address: 15 JP compound , Magsaysay Avenue, Poblacion, Basista , Pangasinan

Telephone (075) 505-2095 /  Mobile: (0918)3464417

Website: htp://www.craftersjoy.com

Taguig Water Hyacinth  Livelihood Project exhibit booth

Gathering and processing the plant would greatly benefit not only the unemployed women residents of Taguig, but also help in the clearing up of clogged waterways and prevent floods. The water hyacinth is more popularly called water lily. Similar livelihood project is also being initiated by the local government of Las Piñas .

Company : VDM Waterlily Arts and Crafts

Contact:Ms.Trinidad Aquino- Adminstrator

Address: 12 Andres Bonifacio , Sta. Ana Taguig City , Metro Manila

Telephone (02) 223-7126

The aim of the national trade fair is not just to showcase the regional products , but also protection of the environment thru the usage of indigenous and natural made products . The beautiful products that were showcased in this fair is also a source of livelihood and income for many of the people in the country.