The Electrolux Discover-E Food Festival

What a food festival it is! With decadents representing different regions of our country, from native to neo-Filipino delicacies, Electrolux Philippines' Discover-E proved that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines!

Last Saturday and Sunday, as the Discover-E Campaign of Electrolux Philippines culminates for its final showcase of amazing and filling Filipino delicacies, the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City was filled with hundred of foodies from the different parts of the country to gather and enjoy this 2-day of food festivity through the Discover-E Food Festival.

Of course, your dear Lafanggero didn't miss the chance to discover more delicious Filipino food that truly speak of our being and worth to make our discriminating palette happier and fulfilled.

San Pablo, Laguna: Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant

The last but certainly not the least food destination that we had for the the Electrolux Discover-E Quezon/Laguna Province leg was another art gallery hiding under the name of Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant. A bed and breakfast style with rural ambiance, Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant is located at the well-kept Cocoland Compound at San Pablo, Laguna.

The compound is consists of three Spanish-era looking houses and one superior establishment that looks like a government office or school in the old days. Lush green is also to be found adding life and color on this once populated place.

It was like entering in a different world when we got there, if not only for the staff who wear their uniforms, I would really think that we were brought back to Spanish period because almost everything here looks so perfect and nice.

The largest establishment there, which is said to be Southern Luzon Colleges and Cocoland Hotel back then is now a museum that holds almost a thousand of fine antique pieces ranging from old religious replicas, home furniture, home decors, metallic utensils and even toys. The caretaker told us that before, the museum covers the whole two-floors of establishment, but when the owners finally decided to keep everyone safe, they all transferred these beautiful stuff on the ground floor. It is also for the ease of everyone who wanna see all of these stuff.

Tiaong, Quezon: Ugu Bigyan Potter's Garden

It was like discovering an amazing gem the moment we stepped inside their garage. With the fiery red bricks calling me, I know that I am in for a great treat in this place. After visiting two other restaurants here in Quezon Province, I somehow have an idea how blessed - how beautiful - this province is, but the time we reached our third restaurant destination, Ugu Bigyan Potter's Garden gave a whole new fun to our food adventure in the humble city of Tiaong, Quezon.

Located at the very heart of Tiaong lays a pottery garden turned restaurant, which is owned by one of  Quezon's greatest potters, Augusto "Ugu" Bigyan. If you love Thailand's artistry, well, you really don't have to go that far to experience that because right here in Quezon, you can recently feel the fusion of the Philippines and Thailand's artistry by simply going in and dining in their most relaxing and most unique dining area.

But before we go in to that part, let me tour you around first by sharing some the interesting items/art pieces around the place. Despite of the very humid weather, I managed to enjoy every brick and every stone around me. I, being a huge castle lover, find the  place really homey probably because of the plants and trees that compliments well with everything in here - such a masterpiece you ought to see in person.

Tayabas, Quezon: Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay

Despite of having a city located at the foot of Mount Makiling, Tayabas, Quezon didn't let the goodness of the Philippines' bodies of water be out of their system just like that. And with a restaurant carrying the name Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay, anyone will surely feel the love of our natural resources may it be from the top of the mountain or from the bottom of a fish pen with their amazing contribution to the rich and delicious Filipino food finds here in Quezon Province.

Located near the boundary of Tayabas and Lucena, after we had that enjoyable and colorful experience at Pahiyas Festival 2013, as we head back to Lucena to check-in to our hotel, our group had our last food stop at this nature-ish place called Kamayan sa Palaisdaan sa Bay - Bay is what I believed a colloquial term for Tayabas.

Blending with the beautiful mountain of Makiling, Kamayan sa Palaidaan boasts a photographic and peaceful ambiance with lots of plants, trees, fountains and of course, fish pens around. You have an option to dine on a top of a tree, or in their cabanas floating on top of their fish pens, as well as plain dining areas, for those who don't to worry about anything.

Lucban, Quezon: Dealo Koffee Klatch

If you thought that Lucban, Quezon is all about Pahiyas Festival, Lucban Longganisa, Pancit Habhab or even the colorful kiping, you are missing a lot from this humble town. Because if you haven't met the Queen Baker of Lucban and her delectable Jardinera and Yema Cake, well, you are missing a lot and I think you should start considering to a pay to visit to one of Lucban's oldest bakeshop - Koffee Klatch.

Located just a few steps from Lucban Church, Koffee Klatch is housed in the one and only neo-classical structure in whole of Lucban, Quezon. Formerly known as La Casa De Dona Ana, owned by husband and wife Pedro Nepomuceno and Ana Maria Herrera, this building is considered one of the historical spots in the town of Lucban. Served as an orphanage during the World War II, the ownership of the house was transferred to husband and wife Marcelo Dealo and Eduviges Veloso after they bought it, and then passed on to their daughter Milada Dealo-Valde, who is behind the famous bakeshop.

We were lucky that when we visited the place, Mrs. Milada Dealo-Valde or Mommy Milada was there estimating their guests and clients. A simple yet very accommodating woman, Mommy Milada offered not only her food to us but as well as their town's and family's colorful stories that we find really humbling and sweet.

One Fine Luncheon at Watami, Glorietta

If there's one thing that I really love about Japanese culture and heritage, that is definitely the simplicity of everything. The meaning of the phrase "what you see is what you get" is embodied by this culture, and the fact that it is so evident on their cuisine, no wonder a lot of people all over the world adore this unique Asian culture. And last week, I had a wonderful taste of that lovely culture when I visited this newly opened Japanese restaurant in Glorietta called Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant.

Watami, which is said to be the number one casual restaurant in Japan, is finally here in Manila and is glad to introduce their new lunch set menu that will whet the appetite of office workers and diners alike who are looking to experience an authentic taste of Japan at the convenience of their hectic schedules.


Propped up with a homey, low-key lighting and booth-style seating, this was my spot for my lunch break last week as I enjoyed their whooping 50% off on these new lunch set menu. The lunch set menus start at Php275.00 (Php137.70 at 50% off), and are served with salad and miso soup. With options that cater to a wide array of gastronomes, from raw foodies to noodle nibblers to rice lovers, it was really a good choice!

Pizza-All-You-Can Tuesday at Papa John's!

The biggest pizza treat is in indeed in town as Papa John's Pizza, where pizza is served with better ingredients at better value, brings back their unlimited pizza day with Pizza-All-You-Can Tuesday!

Pizza lovers, like I do, will definitely have the best Tuesdays of their life this month of June as Papa John's Pizza offers their filling and truly wonderful unlimited pizza treat this month! It's time to unleash your inner pizza fan and take in all of Papa John’s Pizza goodness while you can every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This Pizza-All-You-Can is available for only Php225.00 per person, and diners can have all the Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Garden Special and the Special Pizza of the Week that they can in this 4-hour special. This also includes one serving of Coca Cola drink for a more enjoyable munching of Papa John's delectable pizzas.

Zarzuela: No Dancing, Just Eating

To most of us, when we heard of the term Zarzuela, the first thing that comes to our mind is the stage play brought to us by Spaniards way back when. But today, as EDSA Shangri-La Mall opens its new wing, they are giving Zarzuela a new meaning, something that will take us back to our first love - Filipino food - while treating to us a classy service and ambiance enough to say it's more fun in the Philippines!

A few days back, I was invited by a friend to join her on a lunch in this new place called Zarzuela. It is located at the 6th level of the newly opened wing of Shangri-La Mall in EDSA. And since I haven't been to this so-called posh wing, which is the East Wing, I said yes with my palette ready to do some adventure!

Reminding of that one restaurant scene from the TV show Sex and the City, Zarzuela imbibes this modern, minimalist look that has this sexy and purist appeal that glistens under the morning sun. It you're going to ask me, I think this is a nice place to start your day. With its simple yet beautiful fixture, Zarzuela takes a modern approach to its name making more elegant and chic at the same time.

And despite of it being in a soft opening that time, my overall experience here was good and worth it. The place is more of a fine-dining restaurant, so expect some pricey dishes, but on the other hand, the serving size are mostly good enough for two person, so yeah, its quite fair enough.

Electrolux Philippines' Discover-E Goes to Quezon Province! (Day 2)

Our second day here in Quezon Province was unexpectedly more relaxing but still filling than what we've thought. And if our food discovery from the first day were more homey and comforting, these food finds that we had on the second day of Electrolux Discover-E Quezon Province leg, well, they are more of sophisticated or classy in a way that these are presented in "sossy" way. Hihihi.

After having a hefty breakfast at Queen Margatette Hotel in Lucena City, which is mostly composed of Lucban Longganisa and fried rice, the group pushed to our next destination for this gastronomic adventure worth-sharing! Are you ready for some Discover-E?

A place that at first glance will immediately make your heart skip a beat through its vibrant color that is brought by its bricked walls, UGU Bigyan Pottery Garden is located at the innermost part of the town of Tiaong, peacefully hidden in its sanctuary of amazing art pieces and wonderfully crafted pots.

Electrolux Philippines' Discover-E Goes to Quezon Province! (Day 1)

Last week was definitely the best week I had in Quezon Province - from experiencing one of the most colorful festivals in the land again, the Pahiyas Festival, to indulging on those simple yet remarkable Quezon delicacies that seriously I'm not aware of, Quezon Province is surely a foodie destination worth discovering!

When was the last time you've been to Quezon? Come and join us on this amazing and filling "Discover-E"!

Quezon Province is named after one of the country's greatest president, Manuel Luis Quezon. Settled on the foot of Mt. Banahaw, a mountain known for its spiritual mysticism, no wonder that aside from the religious people from this province, the whole place is also gifted with bountifulness that they celebrate during Pahiyas Festival.