Finding a Home Loan

I am an investor but not the type that jump at every opportunity. If I was the type, I believe I would be raking in all the money I have invested years ago. 

Recently I have decided to try investing in real estate since it really is promising and who knows it might be long term as well. The problem with this though is not being able to evaluate all possible options for financing. Pag-ibig fund for me is no option since our house in iloilo is under that loan (thanks Pa). Bank Home loans might just kill me. Based on how I understood it earlier when I inquired, they will only finance it for 10 years and I need to have a gross income of 50,000PHP... yeah like I have that kind of money. In house financing is off since the interest rates are just sky high.

I'm still wondering what other options I can have. There's no way to back out either since I already paid the reservation fee. This is getting stressful.

Back again at Charlie's

My mom will really kill me if she finds out that I went on a beef craze on a friday during lenten season. All that scolding will be worth it though since I have been craving for Charlie's black angus burger.

On a rainy hot friday morning (yes the weather was ironic that day), I headed to Kapitolyo Pasig with Shai, Anj and Sans to eat at Charlie's grind and grill. The last time I said I will eat wings and vowed to come back...so this is the time.

Anj ordered fries for all of us. 

We also have a dozen of buffalo wings (320 PHP) with veggie sticks and blue cheese dip. The spiciness of the wings was just right but you also have an option to order the really hot version. The wings were fried to perfection with crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. The blue cheese dip was perfect to complement this. I also loved munching on the veggie sticks. Best alternative to keep the flab away. The celery, carrots and singkamas was fresh and crisp.

We also had the spaghetti and meatballs (180 PHP). The meatballs were slightly sweet and tender. The girls were raving about this.

Of course I must have the black angus burger (165 PHP), without the fries this time. Every bite was being in beef heaven.

To cap off our meal, we had the frozen brazos de mercedes (170 PHP). It may not be the best one I had but it was still so good. I liked how the frozen graham crust became really crunchy. It wasn't too sweet but just as sinful.

It's best to have a car to get here I think since we had a hard time going to work afterward. Or better yet, I should go here on a weekend to have a bottle of imported beer.


Charlie's is located at East Capitol Drive, Brgy. Kapitolyo Pasig.


Thank you Sans for the pictures.

Hotel Del Rio

Coming from a recent trip home to Iloilo, I decided to treat my Mom at Hotel Del Rio for her birthday. The Hotel is now under new management but this is one of the places I would remember having dinner on Saturday nights with my family.

We ordered our usual Ceasar sald (180 PHP) Iceberg lettuce, bacon bits, croutons in classic ceasar dressing. Some may find nothing special about this salad but it's something I look for whenever I'm home. I'm pretty sure they made the mayo by hand as well.

My mom and I ordered one of my favorites, Chateaubriand steak (270 PHP) cooked medium well as how I liked it with veggies, baked potato and garlic rice. The steak was also topped with Bearnaise sauce and you can request for gravy on the side.

 My dad had the fillet mignon (270 PHP). I wasn't able to get a picture. I was pretty sure he was quite hungry already.

Marlon got the Sibingan or Blue Marlin (180 PHP) which comes with garlic rice also. He said it was good.

 If only possible I would have ordered the frozen iced tea as well. I'll come back for it next time.

They have newly refurbished rooms if you would want to stay in Iloilo. The location makes it accessible and you could also have a great view of the iloilo river.  

Taqueria Mia

I ended up in Rockwell during one of my Mexican cravings. I had to go to the Urban Bazaar but I keep thinking that I want a burrito. I ended up getting one at the Cinema. I ordered a Chicken Burrito with chips on the side (245 PHP) from Taqueria Mia. 

I was surprised that it was quite big. I could barely eat the whole thing. I wish the tortilla was more toasted though. There were also a lot of chicken slices and I find it really rich since they have a lot of sour cream on it. You also hav an option if you want to have the salsa, sour cream and hot sauce placed on your burrito or separate. I hope they provide dip for the chips though.


Overall, this is one good way to satisfy a Mexican craving. I want to try their soft tacos next time.

Jony's Beach Resort

What does a good vacation mean to you? Many would say adventure, endless shopping sprees, new kinds of food to eat or just to relax and unwind. I had just experienced the relax and unwind kind of vacation thanks to Jony's beach resort.

During my recent trip to Boracay with Shai and Sans who were first timers, we got the package from Jony's for a 4 days 3 nights stay. the package for this year's peak season cost 6,980 PHPper person and inclusive of the following:

-4 days 3 nights accomodation
-daily set breakfast (these were good)
-formal candle light dinner by the beach (this was really great!)
-1 hour in room massage (best way to start your vacation)
-welcome drinks (it wasn't instant ice tea but real fresh fruit shakes and also quesadillas)
-island hopping with picnic lunch (courtesy of Allan Fun Tours)
-transfers to and from Kalibo

When we landed in Kalibo, my name wasn't with Southwest tours who was supposed to bring us to Boracay. They were able to clarify right away that we should have been included so problem solved and we were seated comfortably in the coaster on our way to Caticlan.

There was an annoying girl who was with us on the boat though. Good think we never got to see her again because she has the words "bad vibes" across her forehead.

Once we were in the Boracay Jetty port, the guy from Jony's was there right away the moment we stepped out of the pump boat to assist us with our bags and take us to the resort. Once we got there, the welcome drinks (fresh fruit shakes) was already in front of me once I stepped out of our shuttle service. It was really refreshing and very fruity. They also let us sample their quesadillas, it was ok. Check in was a breeze and the receptionist was all smiles. 

I really liked our room. It has warm lighting and the beds would let us sleep comfortably since it was really designed for 3. We had a private veranda that one could view the beach in the morning. The bathroom was spacious with a bathtub as well. They made sure we were know about the exact number of items in the mini bar and showed us how to work the air con as well. 

We had our massage after dinner. I requested mine to be hard and I can feel all the air from my back all gone.

We tried different sets of breakfast the whole time we were there. The portions were just right for each person and comes with either juice, coffee or tea. I liked the Pork Adobo which was really tasty and the breakfast burrito with Eggs, Chorizo, sour cream and cheese.

The dinner was the best part. We tried all three offerings they had. First we were served with ceasar salad. It was ok.

I liked the frozen iced tea. It was well blended and not too sweet.

The main course was just fantastic. Each dish is something you would look for eventually. Seasoned just right and cooked to perfection. Here was our main course:

Seared Aklan prawns with pumpkin seeds

Norwegian salmon with Mexican couscous

Roasted rack of lamb with mashed potatoes

The dinner was capped with Crème brûlée for dessert. It was ok.

We always watched the sunset in Jony's beachfront. We also tried their shakes. Unlike their neighbor Jonah's who served really thick and milky shakes, Jony's had a more fruity version. It was really refreshing. Prices range from 85-160 PHP.

Over all my stay at Jony's was the best I have ever tried. They had really good rooms and made packages that are worth spending every peso. Their edge among other resorts in Boracay is their staff. I have never seen hotel staff as friendly and as efficient as theirs. 

It was a really great experience especially for my friends who went to Boracay for the first time. For sure it was something that they would be looking forward to. I regret that I haven't tried staying here before. I highly recommend this resort especially if you want a stress free vacation.

Real Coffee

There are so many things that can be associated with Real Coffee Boracay. The most popular however is when people refer to it as the small cafe in a hut where Aga Mulach and Anne Curtis often stayed in the movie When Love Begins. 

I associated it with something else. I always think about the calamansi muffins and the great breakfasts they serve.



During my last trip to Boracay, I made sure both Sans and Shai will be able to try to this place since it was their first time. We were quite full from lunch so we can only manage coffee. I ordered the ice mocha (120 PHP), perfect for a hot summer day. I like the blend of the coffee that they serve. I wasn't too strong but has a distinct flavor to it.

I still ordered my favorite calamansi muffins (45 PHP). I just wanted to make sure that they try it. I can barely describe it since it's just so good every time. I usually take a box home with me. The box of 6 will cost 285 PHP.

I was able to try their breakfast omelet last year (160 PHP). Best breakfast I ever had in Boracay. It was a tomato, onion and cheese omelet but I ordered it with pesto. It was just so good. The flavors of each are a great combination and fuse well together in every bite.

Make sure to visit Real Coffee whenever you're in Boracay. Nadine, the owner is so friendly as well and may just do a little chitchat with you as well. You'll never know...your picture might end up in the ceiling probably side by side with the local celebrities like Marc Nelson, Anne Curtis and Aga Mulach.

Jonah's Shakes

I still remember the first time I tried Jonah's shakes in Boracay. I was 17 and on a trip with my cousins in between Christmas and New Year. I ordered the Mango Milk Shake and my first sip simply just meant heaven.

Every time I'm in Boracay, I make sure I get a shake at Jonah's.  The flavors I have tried and highly recommend are: Mango Milk, Melon Milk, Banana Choco Peanut, Banana Peanut Vanilla and Strawberry Banana. 

Shai and Sans tried other flavors as well which are just as good. Mango Banana and Mango Pineapple. The shakes are really rich, fruity and thick--perfect for a hot summer day at the beach. Shakes range from 80-160 PHP.

What's your favorite Jonah's shake? 

Mañana

After what felt like a really long drive to Caticlan and then crossing the water to Boracay, one can really be rewarded with the Mexican food served at Mañana. 

We ordered the Chicken Burritos (375) for dinner. At first I thought that we won't get full with it but I was surprised that we could barely finished what we ordered. The chicken was well marinated and I love everything that goes with it from the cheese to the veggies. There was melted cheese on top which I loved since it's not one of the artificial cheese sauces one can find so common with Mexican dishes these days. 

We also ordered the Assorted Enchiladas (375). We were served three types in this platter: chicken, beef and vegetarian.  This was quite similar to the Burritos except it's in a smaller tortilla.

Along with our order, we were served salsa and three other sauces: hot sauce, green pepper sauce and another one with onions.

Every bite to the Burritos and Enchiladas just made everything worth it.

The Wannabe chef

I have always liked to eat good food and at the same time make them when I'm in the mood. The ultimate test for me was cooking for Marlon. Of course it matters that he will like it. Hopefully it's what he's going to eat for the rest of his life.

To test my "cullinary" skills, I decided to make him dinner to celebrate this cheesyness called monthsary. I don't know what he really likes and I'm thinking of something I can make that will not fail. 


I decided to make him steak. I cooked a seared Australian Rump steak wrapped in bacon in Worcestershire mushroom gravy with cheesy garlic smashed potatoes and pan fried asparagus. 

I totally failed the presentation part. The steak slid off to the other side before I was able to top it with the asparagus and the sauce. 


It seemed to have passed the taste test though since I have a happy little boy eating his steak.

I must think of something else to cook next time.

Charlie's: Best Burger in Town

I have always wanted to eat at Charlie's Grind and Grill for several months now. For some reason though, fate seems to be keeping me away from sinking my teeth into the juiciest burgers ever. I finally had my chance last Saturday after watching the Backstreet Boys concert when Anj texted me and ask if we wanted to follow. Tina just agreed.

It was so hard to get to Pasig from Cubao on a concert Saturday. There were no cabs around and the ATMs seemed out of reach. It was a good thing I saw my cousin Bibay and she agreed to drop us off at Shaw. Of course I was stupid enough not to ask what jeep we were supposed to take to get to the street where a trike can take us to Kapitolyo. So Tina and I ended walking several blocks. At least we will not feel guilty eating though because of the 20 minutes or so walk we had. 

We finally found a trike to take us to Charlie's. When we got there we both felt so hungry that we ordered burger and fries each. Anj was insisting that we try the wings but I only had my eyes set on the Black Angus Burger with hand cut fries (195 PHP). 

I was so happy there was no kecthup on the burger and yes it's a big deal because I hate ketchup on bread. I had to squish the bread a bit since I found the quarter pounder burger quite big for me. The burger was seasoned and grilled perfectly. The beef was tender and juicy and I loved the fact that they have a lot of veggies on the burger. There were crisp lolo rossa lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and a slice of cheddar cheese. I liked the fries also. It tasted natural and fresh and I liked it that it was seasoned with salt and pepper.

They were serving imported beer as well although I was not in the mood. I was glad to see that they have Corona though. 

This is just located beside a car wash in East Capitol Drive Pasig. And the ambiance is just casual and I find it perfect to hang out with friends.

I will definitely go back to this place. I will try the wings or Philly cheese steak next time.