Ka Popoy’s Bakery: Home of Famous Kalabasha Rolls and Pan de Popoy

Ka Popoy’s Bakery recently opened their store for business within the heart of Villa Florencia Subdivision in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches in Quezon City.

The bakery name was derived from Ka Popoy, The homegrown bakery attracts several customers, Some are from as far as University of the Philippines , Diliman, Marikina, Novaliches, North Caloocan and even residents of Valenzuela City.

sales clerk with Ka Popoy’s signature pan de popoy and kalabasha rolls

The logo’s color is quite modern and catchy . It had a simple black and orange background. Orange being the color of kalabasa or squash.

Ka Popoy’s Bakery

portion of the bakery

Ka Popoy’s Bakery logo had some similarities with Ka Tunying Coffee and Bakeshop, The sales clerk told me that the proprietor was one of the business partner of Mr. Anthony Taberna.

pan de popoy or squash pan de sal

They had a soft opening held last January 18, 2021, Among the instant favorites were their Spanish bread,kalabasha rolls ( squash rolls) , banana cake, pan de popoy, pianono rolls, ensyamada, monggo rolls, monggo pan de sal, ham and cheese stuffed bread, cheese bread, brownies, crinkles, caramel bars among others.

Aside from pastries, They also have sandwich spread, canned goods,peanut butter, coffee, bottled water for sale.

kalabasha roll or squash rolls

Kalabasha rolls have vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, magnesium,riboflavin, phosphorus, and potassium which is healthy and goof for one’s health.

Their pianono rolls is also good but not baked in pugon style unlike those in Concepcion Bakery in Malabon.

banana bread or banana loaf

One can also pre- order cakes or other pastries. We tried their banana bread for Php 75, pan de popy for Php 29 per pack and their well -loved kalabasha roll for just Php 39.00.

We also have tried their ensaymada, pianono rolls and caramel bars a couple of weeks ago.

Celebrity Customers

Some of the celebrities and well-known personalities who have bought pastries included Coach Misfune Kuribayashi, DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose B. Patalinjug III, sir Voltron “The Barefoot Rock Star” among others.

They can also deliver within a specific vicinity ( usually within 4 to 6 kilometers radius) Kingspoint Subdivision, Goodwill Homes 1, Goodwill Homes 2, Kasiyahan Townhomes, El Pueblo One condominium, San Pedro IX Subdivision, Jem 7, Saint Charbel Subdivision, Congressional Avenue areas and within Barangay Talipapa, Quezon City for a minimum order of just Php 200.00

Note: All price quoted in this blog are subject to change without prior notification.

Ka Popoy’s Bakery

Address: # 3 Lukaria Street, Villa Florencia Subdivision, Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Business hours: Mondays to Sundays. 6am-8pm.Dine in, Take away or if you like it delivered right at your doorstep.

Contact : 0921-3812912 / Landline :7092-1578

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Soft Opening of Arid and Aroids Living Gallery in Cavite

It was sunny day on May 29 when we visited the soft opening of Arid and Aroids ( AA) Living gallery in Cavite. Traffic was moderate along Mindanao Avenue exit within Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City.

It took us a little over 2 hours traversing the newly opened Metro Manila skyway en route to the province.

This is one of the three known farm location of Arid and Aroids, San Rafael in Bulacan and in Quezon province.

l-r Dr. Jae Silvestre, Mr. Boyet Ganigan and Mayor Socorro ” Corie” Rosario Poblete of Silang , Cavite province

Arid and Aroids Living Gallery

Arid and Aroid Living Gallery entrance

Arid and Aroids Living Gallery is like a living botanic collection of over 30 years by the dynamic tandem of Mr. Boyet Ganigan, Dr. Jae Silvestre and their families. The rare plants is collected from all over the world and meticulously propagated under their farms.

A lot of their plants are award winning collection and highly coveted by many collectors not just in the country but the rest of the world.

The last time we have visited the farm was for the Christmas salu-salo way back in 2019. The 1 hectare location is slowly being developed into world class attraction ideal venue location for pre-wedding nuptial photo, wedding location, intimate parties, outdoor garden setting, corporate events, product launching, debut among others.

The natural contour and landscape setting makes it different from other venue places in the province.

One of the invited guest suggested at they can also open a bar or an art gallery of paintings. There are also in house promo and raffle draw for those guests and buyers. The overall mood was festive but subtle due to the covid 2019 restrictions under general community quarantine with restrictions at National Capital Region plus Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna area.

Celebrity Guests

Mr. Troy Montero and Ms. Aubrey Miles

Mayor Socorro ” Corrie” Rosario Poblete, Vice Mayor Aidel Paul G. Belamide, some councilors and barangay officials were the special guests of honor.

We also happen to see the well known social media and fellow blogger Plant Chaser ( Atty. Bom Gomez) who went together with his daughter.

Mr. Troy Montero and Ms. Aubrey Santos Sandel, Ms. Gretchen Fullido, Mr. Emilio Yap III of Manila Bulletin were among the special guests during the soft opening.

Mr. Boyet Ganigan along with Mr. Emil Yap III and companion during the soft opening

Since strict protocol and health guidelines were in place, there were few on the guest lists. But this is very promising, The place is located within 20 kilometers from Tagaytay City.

La Dexie’s Catering Services

The guests, buyers and friends of Arid and Aroid were treated to a whole day of fun, camaraderie and food. The lunch meal were catered by La Dexie’s Catering Service from Cainta, Rizal province.

#10 Corona Street, Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal province

Contact : 0920-919-2033 / Landline 8655-5867 or 8656-3894

AA Living Gallery – Address Barangay Tartaria , Silang Cavite

Operations : Everyday 8:00am to 5:00pm by appointment

Finger Licking Good at Korips Fried Chicken in Ilang-Ilang Street, San Pedro IX Subdivision

Have you ever tried home-made and crispy fried chicken within your neighborhood? A couple of months ago, A restaurateur and friend Sir Alex of Amritsari Biryani told me that there is a neighborhood fried chicken within San Pedro IX subdivision that is usually sold out.

He told me that the fried chicken had a small stall along one of the major street within their area. It number 6 along Ilang-Ilang street.

Korips Fried Chicken

Korips Fried Chicken was the combination of Korean and Filipino name, The recipe and batter mixture is also a combination of Korean and Filipino spices, ingredients and batter mixture. The recipe was the original concept idea of husband and wife tandem of Mr. Charles and Mrs. Glyz Villafor.

They start selling their crispy fried chicken at past 4:30 pm and until past 8:00 pm or until supplies last. Some of the neighbors would order 30 to 50 fried chickens when there are family occasion or just simple viand ( ulam ) for the night.

The gravy sauce is not thick compared to Jollibee, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Mc Donalds. It is light and not salty which complements the fried chicken well. The batter mixture is light and the deep fried to perfection.

For those living within San Pedro IX subdivision within Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City– one must try their fried chicken. They offer FREE delivery within San Pedro IX subdivision, Grand Monaco Villas, Kasiyahan Townhomes for just a minimum order of 6 fried chicken. While those living within Kingspoint Subdivision, El Pueblo One condominium or even Goodwill Homes 1 in Barangay San Bartolome, One must order at least 10 fried chicken in order to avail of the FREE delivery services.

However in other parts of Novaliches and Metro Manila, there is a minimum number of purchase and small amount of delivery fees.

Price is quite reasonable and they also have fried chicken skin, chicken nuggets too. For bulk orders, there they can delivery within Metro Manila with starting order of 30 pieces of fried chicken. Some of their fried chicken made its way to Pasig, Pampanga and even in Fairview.

The price range is just Php 30 per Korips fried chicken and Php 20 for their crispy chicken skin.

Flavors

Aside from their original flavor, They also have salted egg, snow cheese and spicy flavored fried chicken.

Do not forget to message them at their official FB page.

Note : prices quoted are subject to change without prior notification. Delivery time is depending on the stall operation.

Korips Fried Chicken FB page: https://www.facebook.com/koripschicken

Korips Fried Chicken

Address: #6 Ilang-Ilang Street, San Pedro IX subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches 1116, Novaliches, Quezon City

Contact : (0956-300-9902 or 0955-5225669)

Operations: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 4:30pm to 8:00pm or depending until the supply last

One Stop Snacks at Juz Tea and Octobites

Summer or Dry season is still lingering in many parts of Metro Manila. If you are craving for milk teas, morning breakfast meal, light snacks there is a food corner at the heart of the Goodwill Homes 1 community.

One can choose from over two dozen flavored milk teas and takoyakis which these stall are offering.

Foodicted stall with Ms. Joi and staff

One Stop Snack Center

Octobites

Juz Tea and Octobites are just two of the three known stalls within the center, there is Foodnatics which offers Korean rice dishes.

staff prepares takoyaki

takoyaki from Octobites

The takoyaki with lots of toppings and had a creamy sauce, This cost Php 60.00

Winter Melon Tea with pearl tapioca

Juz Tea, Octobites and Foodicted had a soft opening last February 23, 2021. The stall used to be the famed Carlito’s Grill and Kitchen in Goodwill Homes 1, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

customer buying at the juz tea

They also deliver within a limited area within the community. For the past few weeks, they had in-house promo for just Php 120 for two milk tea.

Address: 1 Benevolence Street corner Katipunan Avenue, Goodwill Homes 1, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

Contact Number: 0927 155 8587

Operational Hours: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Peak Summer Blooms of Cymbidium finlaysonianum with 6 spikes in our backyard

Cymbidium finalysonianum or also called as boat orchid is again in bloom, But for the first time we were rewarded with 6 spikes and its blooming season spanned mid- March 2021 to past May 13, 2021.

Cymbidium Finlaysonianum Peak Summer Bloom

Cymbidium finlaysonianum orchid flowering season tend to peak during the hot and dry season from early March to early June in the western part of the country. But it can vary in some regions of provinces where rainy season would gradually tapers off.

There is not secret, This once a year bloom is much awaited and anticipated by many growers. Its yellowish flowers are long and quite impressive when grown en masse. The flowers had also some color shades and some variations.

This is also the hottest recorded heat index and peak high temperature in many parts of the country.

3rd inflorescence

The orchid started showing its inflorescence during second week of March and gradually its flowers began to develop. This one is mounted on Manila palm ( Adonidia merrillii) for a number of years. The first inflorescence grew 54 inches with 23 flowers, then 1 week later another one which grew 56 inches with 30 flowers, 3rd inflorescence grew with 27 flowers, then 4th inflorescence grew 32 inches and with 18 flowers, the 5th inflorescence grew 40 inches with 24 flowers, the 6th and last inflorescence is 60 inches long with 32 flowers.

4th inflorescence

Since it is very hot in Metro Manila with average day time temperature hitting between 33 to 36 degrees C, The flowers usually wilt within two or three days after it bloomed. But having over 150 flowers in indeed spectacular.

Cymbidium Finlaysonianum Care and Fertilization

small pieces of cloth with slow release fertilizer are mounted on top of the roots of Cymbidium finlaysonianum 1st inflorescence

During its growing season which coincide with the onset of the rainy season in western part of the country. We would put several slow release fertilizer ( ratio is 20 to 30 pieces per small cloth) and mount them on top of the root this orchid.

Since the orchid is quite big and over 25 years-old, we would put between 5 to 6 small cloth then mount them near the roots of the specimen orchid.

4th and 5th inflorescence

Then alternate every week with weak doze of water soluble fertilizer 20-N, 20P, 20K diluted into 1/4 to 1/2 strength, normally after watering the orchid. Then, try to apply some trace elements, calcium nitrate and epsom salt in small quantities once every two weeks intervals.

Try to spray the diluted water soluble fertilizer in the underside of the leaves and leaves too, whenever possible. In some instances having a companion plant like ferns particularly Asplenium nidus or Asplenium musifolium ( pakpak lawin/ dapo, paipaimo, dapong lalaki, dapong babae, manalo/ manalu) Davallia ( rabbit foot fern) would increase humidity around its roots and helps in retaining water.

3th which withered off , 4th, 5th and 6th inflorescences

The slow release fertilizer, water soluble diluted fertilizers and other trace elements would help fertilize the ferns hence maintaining a symbiotic relationship between the orchid and other plants. In some cases, insects like bugs, cockroaches, moths, garden spiders and geckos are observe making a small ecosystem or micro- climate.

Repeat the procedure of putting slow release fertilizer sewn in small pieces of cloth after 3 to 4 month intervals after all its content were flush out, This would be around late July or early August ( same formula balance) when the rainy season is on its peak. By the end of September or early October when the small cloth bags have leached out the nutrients. We would change the formulation to 10N-13P-13K for the slow release fertilizer and at the same time the formulation of water soluble fertilizer, 10N-30P-30K in preparation for its blooming season. By mid-November or early December, most of the nutrients coming from the slow release fertilizer have already leached out completely.

This is also the time that we try to reduce watering and completely stopping any form of fertilization for this orchid species. Drying is important for this species to induce its blooming season from early March to early part of June. This will depend on your respective local climatology chart posted by the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration ( PAG-ASA ).

Metro Manila and western part of the country is usually classified under type 1- with Two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

But thru years of growing and observation, Majority of our Cymbidium finlaysonianum blooms between mid- March to early June. The orchid species is commonly grown in Novaliches, Fairview, White Plains, Corinthian Gardens, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City and in many parts of Metro Manila.

Cymbidium finlaysonianum orchid is sold in Eaton Centris (Sidcor) sunday market, Baclaran Plant Bazaar , garden centers and sometimes peddled by ambulant orchid/ plant sellers.

The larger specimen Cymbidium finalysonianum can have dozens of inflorescence during the duration of its blooming season. Hope that this small practical care and fertilization will inspire new growers of this wonderful species.

The smaller and more compact type Cymbidium finlaysonianum had also started to bloom. Happy Growing to all !

Note: all photos are taken by the author