Marikeño's April Filipino Food Month

 

In celebration of April Filipino Food Month, Marikeño is inviting you all to embark on a culinary journey that will showcase the vivid colors and flavors, rich heritage of Filipino culture and cuisine scene in Marikina. With a big help from Eats Marikina, we've come up with this very interesting yet challenging food crawl that would begin where Marikina food gastronomy all started, in Lilac Street down to the very trendy and up-and-coming scene of Gil Fernando. So without further ado, let's get started.

Dapo at Tisa: • Bangus ala Pobre never fails to delight. Dapo and Tisa's rendition to this classic Filipino dish is like music to the eyes, the ears and tongues.

• Okoy in Kamote, a true Filipino masterpiece that honors the harmony of flavors and textures. 

• Ginataang Adobong Baka is a delectable local dish that mixes the beauty and richness of adobo and the creamy goodness of coconut milk.

 

Kabigting's Halo Halo: • Kabigting's is known for their signature halo-halo, a bright-colored concoction of shaved ice mixed with an assortment of sweet treats. Enjoy the musicality of its flavors and textures as you mix the sweet beans, fruits, jellies and creamy leche flan, topped with a generous amount of evaporated milk and concluded with a big scoop of velvety ube ice cream. 

• Their pancit palabok completements the beloved lumpia sariwa, a Filipino spring roll filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, crunchy vegetables and others.

Rocha's Puto and Kutsinta: • Rocha's is known for their mouthwatering puto, a very popular steamed rice cake with a soft and fluffy texture, slightly sweetned and topped with a generous amount of cheese.

• Their kutsinta is a perfect accompaniment to their puto as the former is chewy while the latter is soft and fluffy. 

Mang Ding's Pinoy BBQ: • Eveybody loves to eat barbecue especially if it is Filipino style as it has everything from chicken inasal, isaw, puwet, tenga, hotgods, bituka, etc. Every bite is message sent from heaven. 

• Also try their ensaladang talong and salted egg with tomato and onion.

Mama Ting's Rellenong Bangus: • They are known for their deliciously fried and deboned rellenong bangus, a milkfish dish stuffed with meat and ground vegetables.

• Their everlasting is equally delicious. It is the epitome of Marikeño culinary. It is known to llanera.

Salud Panciteria: • It is a household name that was established back in 1968 that has become a true Marikeño icon, specifically for their pancit pinagulong. It got its name from the way it was being cooked.

• Be sure to also try out their super crispy lumpiang shanghai and lechon kawali. They make their special sauces that is uniquely theirs.

BoyNita Ihaw Ihaw:  • The BoyNita bilao bangus is a large round bilao that is usually filled with bangus inihaw (milkfish) cooked in a flavorful and aromatic manner. It also comes with vegetables, pork barbecue and others. You may also try their bilao tilapia which also hot and freshly cooked. 

Again, we would like to thank Eats Marikina for taking the initiatives and for encouraging us on covering this event.  It was a truly our pleasure and honor to take part in the April Filipino Food Month special. Our cuisine is very rich in flavors and has unique qualities that deserves to be celebrated and recognized. Mabuhay ang pagkaing Pilipino.

Posted By Marikeño4:46:00 AM

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Farron Cafe Lilac

 

Farron Cafe Lilac is a vibrant and energetic teen café, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fresh shakes meet with the tantalizing scent of sweet freshly baked cakes and pastries. This lively hub is a go-to destination mostly for teenagers and young people seeking a delightful mix of flavors and a cozy ambiance to unwind. 

Their menu boasts a variety of refreshing smoothies, invigorating iced coffees, creamy shakes, and rich delectable cakes, all carefully crafted to satisfy one's youthful cravings. Whether you're in the mood for a tropical burst of fruit in a smoothie, a rich and velvety chocolatey shake, or a slice of moist, decadent cheesecake, this teen café is a haven for taste buds seeking indulgence and fun. 

Enjoy a perfect harmony of a sweet buttery smelling croissant filled with a vibrant medley of fresh leafy vegetables, creating a delightful fusion of flavors that is both light and satisfying. For a wholesome option, savor the mouthwatering combination of a thin, light and crispy crust pizza or enjoy a fulfilling rice meal topped with the sweetness of savory cured beef.

Come, relax, and savor the delicious offerings that make Farron Cafe Lilac a favorite gathering spot for young hearts and discerning palates alike. Click here to view their menu. Visit them at the 2nd Floor of #41 Lilac St. Legaspi Building, Concepcion Dos. Open daily, 10AM - 10PM. Call them at 0939 2784305.

Posted By Marikeño12:59:00 AM

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Onsen by BoyNita

 

Onsen by BoyNita is your newest stylish resort located right in the very center of Marikina City.   It has that fresh industrial-like design that is perfect for both the young and the old. Inspired by the Japanese word, onsen, which means a hot spring. It is a heated jacuzzi pool that can help you eliminate stress and promotes well-being. They also have regular pool to those who want to escape the summer heat. 

Pros:

• The pool and common area is huge. It can accommodate up to 25 people at the same time. 
• It has 3 big bedrooms.  Each bedroom can accommodate 4 (to 5) people.
• It has one private bathroom and toilet in the master bedroom upstairs.  One shared toilet and one shared bathroom for the other two rooms. Also a full bathroom and a shower room downstairs.
• It is a very quiet neighborhood. Super relaxing. 
• It has a spacious kitchen with an induction cooker, an induction pan, a fridge, sink and free purified drinking water. 
• An entertainment area for watching Netflix and Youtube shows.
• Safe parking for two cars. 
• Place is equipped with monitoring CCTV cameras 24/7.
• Fast fiber internet (200mbps).
• A regular pool and a heated jacuzzi pool. 
• Staff are friendly and very attentive.
• You may order your favorite BoyNita ihaw ihaw favorites or from Food Panda and Grabfood.
• They offer massage from their exclusive partner. 
• They have free board games to play with. 

Cons: 

• Karaoke sessions are highly discouraged as it is a residential area.
• Hot shower was not working in the master bedroom's bathroom (Update: It had been fixed). 
• You need to enter your own Netflix account to their smart television's app. 

Onsen by BoyNita is your perfect summer getaway if you are searching for relaxation and tranquility. We highly recommend them not just for their heated jacuzzi pools but for the serenity of the place. I assure to you that by the time that you leave the place, your mind, body and soul will be fully rejuvenated, your energy restored. They are located at 18 Jersey Street, Rancho 4 West, Concepcion Dos.  For your questions on their current rate and availability, you may call them at 0966-6144476 or email them at onsenbyboynita@gmail.com.

Posted By Marikeño3:51:00 AM

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Keila's Bike Shop Marikina Bodega

Keila's Bike Shop Marikina Bodega is the biggest and the grandest bike store in Marikina City. Period. For Ella and April who started this colossal business, it was not always a beautiful story and it was surely not a walk in the park. But let me tell one thing. this story had a really bad beginning and a triumphant ending. This is their inspirational story that started with just one bike. 

April worked in a bank while she supported her siblings with their school tuition. Life was not easy for April as she was working so hard as a sister and as mother to her husband and kid. Not too long, Ella got out of prison under DSWD from a 3-year imprisonment. Her case was dismissed and legal action was terminated. She was just 20 years old at the time. Trying to make things right, she started to sell small items online, things like fishball and kikiam. This was her own way of coping to improve the quality of her life and its livability.  She wanted to prove to her family that she was dead serious in becoming a changed woman.  She was not earning enough and she needed great help.

Undecidedly, on August 2020, she borrowed money from the person she trusted most, her older sister, April. She promised April that she would use the money to run an online bike store and that she would give her her cut of the profit by simply becoming her financer. Without any hesitation, April lent her the money through the help of her partner and started the business.  When I asked April how she lent such big amount of money to her sister so easily, she told me that she knew that Ella was ready. Little did they know that it was just the start of something really big. April decided to quit working in the bank and eventually helped with the business' finance, marketing and networking while Ella did the selling. 

Business was doing quite well for both of them They switched from an online store and turned their home into a bike bodega. They were selling 25 bikes a day and they had to buy more because they sold out quickly. Ella and April managed to pay the money back sooner than what they expected.  On May 2021, they opened their very first bike bodega shop in Lilac Street, Concepcion Dos. It was literally just a bodega to store their bike items so they would not have to crowd their house with bicycles. Fortune was so good to them that on December of the same year, they've fixed their shabby bodega and turned it into a decent store warehouse.

Photo courtesy of Keila's Bike Shop Marikina Bodega.

It may be a quick road to success for them but it was never easy. All those sleepless nights, hard work, stress and afflictions were paid off with immeasurable achievement and contentment. From a hunble beginning of a bike store with just one mechanic, it is now a bike business empire with many mechanics and staff. It is a company built with love and trust as their foundation. As Ella and April would say: "Oo, inaamin namin, mahirap ang buhay pero kinaya namin. Hindi kami sumuko."

Keila's Bike Shop Marikina Bodega is located at 3 Lilac Street Concepcion Dos Marikina City, Marikina City. You may call them on their business mobile number at 0945 729 9706. They offer delivery, online booking and in-store pickup.

Posted By Marikeño2:14:00 AM

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La Casa Paletta

 

La Casa Paletta has that warm homey vibe that everyone will surely love. It is heavily accentuated by paletta wood, thus the smell and feel were earthy.  Light brown, dark brown, white, some pale shade of yellow and blue amplified the space and made it feel more livable. Let us share to you some of our personal comments with this Airbnb space:

Pros: 

• It was very easy to communicate with the owners. They are quite responsive and polite. 
• The caretakers were well trained and prompt with their responses. 
• The entire place was really spotless, from the kitchen, living room, bedroom, study room and to their bathroom.  It was sparkle clean. There was no scent or hint of cigarette. 
• Their internet was very fast (200mbps). 
• The total room area which includes the kitchen, living room, bed room and bathroom is big and quite spacious. You will never feel claustrophobic.
• Their kitchen was complete with utensils from spoon and fork, cooking ware and glassware. 
• Very quiet neighborhood.
• Purified drinking water was provided for free. 
• They have free entertainment like free access to Netflix, board games and even karaoke microphones.
• You are allowed to use their massage chair as long as you want. 
• Aircon was working quite well.
• It has a stunning view of the Marikina valley from the top floor.

Cons:

• The room was at the 4th floor so it was a little hike up. It's a good exercise though.
• Street parking but it was a safe neighborhood.
• The bathroom has no exhaust fan so you will need to turn on the air-conditioner all the time. 

Overall, our staycation at the La Casa Paletta was very pleasant. We highly recommend them. It was a very relaxing stay and we had a great time to spend time with our family. It is recommended to a couple and one baby or a third adult. You can order food via Grabfood or Food Panda if you feel lazy to go out. Click here to check their Airbnb listing and to know their actual rate and room availability.  La Casa Paletta is located in Goodrich Village, Concepcion Uno. 

Posted By Marikeño11:57:00 AM

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