Timely Bloom of Dita Trees along N. Domingo Street in Quezon City

Alstonia scholaris (linn.) Br. commonly called Dita/ Bita, Devil’s Tree or Scholar’s Tree is in bloom in many parts of the city.

Dita tree blooming

There were about half a dozen of so dita trees growing along N. Domingo street near Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) convent in Quezon City which were in bloom. Some of them are several decades old.

There is another dita tree within Barangay Valencia near 1950 Restaurant

Etymology

Echites scholaris named by Linnaeus then was renamed Alstonia scholaris by Robert Brown in memory of Professor Charles Alston. The wood is commonly used as boards and wooden slates in many schools from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

another dita tree growing on a private land

The name Devil’s tree is based on a belief in Western India that the tree is an abode of evil spirits. The belief may have been carried  into the country by some Southeast Asian or Indian traders during the pre-Hispanic era. Some people also believe that spirit dwell on the tree, especially on night time. It depends if it is good or bad. Thus one must say “tabi-tabi” po or “excuse me,” when passing to a large tree to request spirits to move to the side.

Dita flowers

The flowers seems to have faint smell during the morning and had a pungent smell during nigh time which attracts pollinators. The blooming season is quite between early September to mid -November depending on the area.

In the Philippines, dita bark is used by some folk healers as remedy for fevers, dysentery , chronic diarrhea,  wrapping wounds and ear aches.

Dita wood is also use in some parts of Bicol, Pampanga and Bulacan as coffin.

Early records during the Spanish colonial regime reported at the dita bark was also used in some hospitals as a quinine substitute.

I have seen a lot of dita trees planted along EDSA near Ayala Vertris mall and Mindanao Avenue NLEX exit.

Bibliographies and Sources:

Madulid, Domingo : A Pictorial Cyclopedia of Philippine Ornamental Plants :Book Mark, 1995.

Ratsch, Christian., The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and its Applications. Rochester: Park Street Press, 1998.

Voogelbreinder, Snu, Garden of Eden: The Shamanic Use of Psychoactive Flora and Fauna, and the Study of Consciousness. Snu Voogelbreinder, 2009.

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Eating Experience at Megawatt Restaurant

41- A N. Domingo Street near corner Gilmore Avenue – San Juan City , Metro Manila -Philippines

Megawatt Restaurant and LG2 Auto Station

We always passed along N. Domingo street on my way to our relatives living in New Manila and San Juan . The place is very accessible by just commuting jeepney from Cubao ( New Arayat Market via N. Domingo street and Robinson’s Place , Magnolia ) a short walk from Light Rail Transit 2 Gilmore station , Jeepney plying via Aurora boulevard routes like Maikina -Stop and Shop, Cubao-Divisoria .

Ms. Anne Valle Purificacion together with an employee of the restaurant

  The restaurant  thematic styles includes anything that had electricity from solar panel tables, electric wires and cables lines, light bulbs, signage and even electric utility costumes for their employees .  The target market of the restaurant are students, yuppies , millennials and young professionals from 17 to 35 , but we saw some older people eating at this restaurant .

restaurant interior

The restaurant is located on the second floor beside LG 2Auto Station . This quaint restaurant can accommodate about 36 to 38 people at any given time .  Its growing clientele includes the residents of New Manila, San Juan, Cubao , Quezon City and even from Mandaluyong area. There is also a display corner where collectible items such as toy figurines,  commemorative items, limited collector’s edition sports shoes and key chains are sold to anyone that is interested .

eye catching signage

The restaurant had started their soft opening last month and is getting a lot of positive reviews and accolades from leading  food and travel review sites like Zomato and Trip Advisor .  The restaurant specializes in a fusion of Texas- Mexican and Asian Fusion blend of food.

Appetizer– Nacho Rizo Php 158 per serving , good for 3 to 4 people

Nacho Rizo is one of the nice fusion type of nachos  that we have tasted . It had a combination of nachos , Pangasinan longganisa bits ( which had a different taste ) and with generous toppings of cheese . For those who wish to add toppings, there is also a choice of different dipping sauces.

signature fried chicken 6 with fries

I prefer their American southern -style fried chicken de-boned and fried in batter mixture   . The fried chicken had 11 spices  . When freshly cooked , One can smell the unique aroma because of the spices , This chicken menu also comes with chips or french fries and its own dipping sauce.  Price range is depending on the number of chicken and combo mix , Price range is from Php 128 to Php 499.00

cheese,cheese cheese pizza

cheese, cheese, cheese pizza is a thin crust type with several kinds of cheese included . It includes feta, sharp, cheddar , guyere cheese, parmigiano and mozzarella cheese.  Php 315,  Ideal for 3 to 5 people sharing.

pizza seafood garlic

 Seafood pizza ingredients includes scallop , squid , shrimp and fish in special sauce . It had a topping of freshly sliced tomatoes and herbs. This is one of the MUST Try at this place.  Php 318 ideal for 3 to 5 people sharing.

29 karat surf and turf burrito

29 Karat Surf and Turf Burrito is also a MUST Try burrito . It had a combination Meltique steak with edible gold cream and foie gras ( fatty liver of goose )  Php 819 per order

vegan pesto burrito

ideal for those vegetarian Php 180 per order

AMP burger

AMP stands for Angus Megawatt Patty , the hamburger bun was custom made and topped with egg and hash brown . Ideal for 1 to 2 person Php 255 per order

crunchy mushroom burger

This is another hit among the patrons of the place , It cost Php 295 per order

Environmental Advocacy and Energy Conservation

solar panels

The restaurant partners decided  to install 2 solar panels which provides all their light requirements during their operation. It reduces as much as 20 to 30% of their energy consumption and saves them electricity bills.

signature ice tea ( black currant tea ) Php 88 and brewed coffee called E=MC2 Php 65

They  also use paper trays for serving dishes  . The restaurant may also be reserve for special occasions , corporate meetings, team building or just a simple get together .

Ms. Joyce Esteban -Marketing Manager

Ms. Joyce Esteban is holding their signature black currant tea- one of the best sellers and natural flavored ice tea. Those who wanted to try Texan-Mexican style of food , must check this out .

Contact : 639325012987 / 5012987

Restaurant Operations- Monday to Sunday

Monday to Saturday – 11:00am until 9:00pm Sunday 9:00am until 9:00pm

Facebook Page : Megawatt