Rene's Saigon: Vietnamese Kitchen Brought Right in the Heart of Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa had been a temporary home for Vietnamese refugees when they landed the Philippines in post-1975. A community called "Viet-ville" (French word for "Viettown" was created. They brought their culture with them and one is Vietnamese cuisine, which they successfully introduced to the local community by putting up Vietnamese restaurants.

Filipinos embraced the flavors of Vietnam. Proof are several Chaolong houses (inspired by Vietnamese Pho) you would see scattered in any part of the city. Some are already owned by Filipinos who used to work for the Vietnamese Refugees. One restaurant that is still owned by a true blooded Vietnamese is Rene's Saigon, owned and managed by Rene Sabio who has a Filipino father a Vietnamese mother. His wife Huynh Thi Van assists him with their family business.

I'm surprised Rene's Saigon seemed not to be a very familiar name  (as compared to Bona's) with tricycle drivers. I asked two of them to kindly bring me to the restaurant but they seemed not to know it. Gladly, the third I asked has an idea although unsure about the location. It helped when I told him, it must be somewhere near the airport and is just along Rizal Ave. (It pays to do a research before heading somewhere) Nevertheless, we arrived at the right restaurant. When you're coming from the airport, Rene's Saigon is about a 5 minute drive towards your left, the opposite direction when you're headed to the city center. They open 8:30 in the morning and closes 8:30 at night.

We went there for brunch and a smiling lady handed us their menu once we have settled in one of their tables. They have wide variety of options. We ordered mostly their different variety of noodles (pho') perfect for the climate that day. A typhoon was currently passing Puerto Princesa that time. My sister and I loved their food. Noodles tasted fresh and chewy. The broth is perfect, there's a slight hint of sweetness and it's not overly sweet as the others I've tried, it was flavorful. Average you would spend here is about 100-150 per meal. This is one place I'd like to go back to when I visit PP again.

While eating, I noticed there's a featured article included on their menu. It was written by Marilen Kahn, I suppose one the customers who visited and tried their food. It was written there that this business started as a turo-turo (a small informal looking restaurant) with a 15 person seating capacity, located at the original Vietnamese Camp where Rene baked his French bread and cooked the dishes his mother and wife taught him. Now, the current restaurant is built on a 800 sq meter land, with a 50 person seating capacity where he continually bakes an average of 3,000 or more pieces of French bread daily and manage a kitchen that continually produces Vietnamese flavors for locals and tourists who came to love what Rene's Saigon offer. :)

Rene's Saigon can be found along Rizal Ave, passing by the Puerto Princesa Airport when coming from the City Center. It is located in Brgy. Bancao-Bancao. Their contact number is 433-5255.

Lombardi Pizza and Pasta plus Unlimited Cakes and Coffee at The Coffee Beanery

It began with a lot of stories to share with my closest friend Eileen. I was thinking where we can probably hang-out for a long time while sipping coffee (other than your usual coffee shop) and exchanging unending chit chats as we usually do when we finally have the time to meet with each other. I made a quick research on the net and found The Coffee Beanery. We both came from Ortigas Center that day so their location is just a short ride away plus they were offering "Unlimited Cake and Coffee" promo. Perfect since I'm kind of also craving for cake and that meant we can stay as long as we want. :D

Coming from Robinson's Galleria, we took an RRCG bus (you may also take the green G-Liner) going to Quiapo. We paid the minimum bus fare. I'm a bit familiar with the area but still asked to bus conductor to kindly tell us when we've reached The Orange Place Hotel along Santolan Rd. corner Jose Abad Santos in San Juan. The Coffee Beanery is located on the ground floor of the hotel and it shared space with Lombardi. In just a few minutes, we arrived.

We we're greeted and guided by Andrew, one of their jolly attendants. We told him we were trying their unlimited coffee and cake promo. We were then asked which cake we would like served first. I believe the cakes they serve vary each day. On that day, they had Honey Mango, Ube Sansrival, Choco Caramel and another flavor when we're about to leave.  We tried everything and we're encouraged to have a taste of the fourth cake, by that time we already had enough of everything and felt so full. I like their cakes, somewhat it resembles the goodness of "grandma's home baked cake". For Php150, you certainly get what you're paying for. Not to mention the freshly brewed coffee. The aroma is addicting. Combined with their creamer and brown sugar, I wanted to have as much cups as I like if only I didn't need a sleep that day. I asked until when their promo would last but maybe, the staff aren't sure as well. Andrew told us they might be rolling a new promotion soon. To check if they still have the promo, you may contact them at 02-726-6712.

Unlike what we did, it maybe better to have dinner first by ordering from Lombardi Pizzeria, a restaurant that I've mentioned earlier. Their menu features more on Italian food. We had Aglio e Olio spaghetti and Quattro Stagionni pizza as recommended by Andrew. The pasta can only serve one but in our case, since we're too full with the cakes, it was more than enough.

The pizza is big and can be shared by four people. I also have the view of one of their staff preparing the pizza dough through the glass panel of their kneading area. This is my friend's belated birthday treat for me and for the pizza and pasta, I think she paid about Php420. We're kind of both stuck with Italian food when we're dining out and this time,we both liked the pizza more than the pasta.

What I love most is the ambiance of the restaurant. It is perfectly cozy. Tables are set just to have enough room from other tables. We were sitting and talking for four hours and felt comfortable. The place is clean even the restroom, there's even a lotion in the restroom not just a hand wash :) Adding to our pleasant experience is the friendliness of the staff. Andrew remained to be cheerful in dealing with us through our entire stay as well as the lady manning the cake station. Food is reasonably priced in Lombardi and for just Php150 for unlimited coffee and cake, it's worth it :)

Dauis Church Complex

Believe it or not, Dauis Church as well as the convent and old bell tower behind it are all made of coral stones. The original church was built in 1697 using light materials by Jesuit missionaries. After the Jesuits left in 1768, they have been replaced by the Recollects who made the church their permanent residence. The present church was started to be built in 1863 and was completed after six years.

This church is an example of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Classic Archiecture. I've been to several old churches both in Iloilo and Manila but Dauis church has it's own beauty that's comparable to nothing else. On the ceiling, dome and altar are delicate painting that resulted from the artistic hands of Ray Francia and Canuto Avila. They worked on these paintings from 1919-1923.

Inside the church, my eyes were fixed to one of the confessionals, it is very intricate. These two confessionals are antique. I also noticed the wooded pulpit near the altar that was used way back in the Spanish times yet it's admirable that it remained functional.

The most surprising feature of the church though is the well that was formed near the altar, on the part of the floor that's opposite to the dome. Early writings note that it is a miraculous well and is the only natural source of fresh water in the whole of Panglao island as water obtained from other sources tasted salty. It is where the nearby town folks freely get their drinking water until it was once featured in a TV show. Our tour guide mentioned to us that since then, the church became more famous and are flocked by more tourists who wanted to fetch water from the well. To control this, the church started bottling the water. Anybody can request for it and they don't ask for payment but donations are accepted.

There is a stair on the side of the altar that leads to the higher end of the altar, where devotees of the Our Lady of the Assumption would have a chance to get near the image. There is a petition box where you can write and drop your prayers. In that sacred area, you'd also have the most beautiful view of the entirety of the church.

Going down, it directed us to the back door of the church where I was surprised by the view - healthy grass, pine and fire trees and the sea nearby is a wonderful sight. I also saw an old belfry on my left which is lower compared to the bell tower attached in the front facade of the church.

Walking on my right, there is an antique building (that I'm guessing is the convent). As mentioned earlier, it is made of coral stones with  stairs and balustrades made out of wood. On the ground floor is Cafe Lawis, with an old-fashioned interior. White cloths hang adorned the wooden ceiling, antique looking tables and chairs stand in the shiny wooden floor. The air is differently cold i that part of the building.  It's just sad that they were still closed when we got there, I wanted to try their Tsokolate Souffle. They open 11:30 AM and closes 10 PM everyday. Adjacent to the cafe is Handumanan, that sells crafts and other items perfect for pasalubong.

The area where the church stands is truly lovely. With the sea and trees surrounding the area, it felt very peaceful and I felt even closer to God. :)

To see more old Catholic Churches in Bohol, please click: The Old Churches of Bohol

Cruising Bohol's Loboc River

With the numerous attractions and activities in Bohol, The Loboc River Cruise is where I experienced a touch of Boholano culture.

Arriving in Loboc River Complex, we chose the kiosk for Riverwatch floating restaurant (as per the recommendation of our tour guide) and paid Php300 for the buffet lunch. There is another fee of Php100 to be paid at the tourist assistance center.

We then boarded the Riverwatch floating restaurant and the buffet lunch had just started. Everyone queued up to the buffet table, where appetizing meals are being served. I filled my plate, everything is Filipino, and began eating with my family while a local singer is serenading us with his Boholano and other English travel songs. In about 30 minutes, the  motorized boat started to cruise.

Loboc is one of the towns in Bohol where this green river flows. The water is brackish, with the sea water coming from the town of Loay and the fresh water coming from the town of Sevilla. I am fascinated when I learned that the sea water remains under the river while the fresh water floats at the surface. It may be because of bouyancy, but I have always thought that brackish water is a mixture of both. Loboc River is very tranquil with calm waters. It is surrounded by towering palms and other plants on both sides. It is very soothing riding this floating restaurant, just observing the surroundings. The backdrop of the mountains still rich in flora adding to exquisite beauty of the place.

I am really happy to finally see a commercialized river in the country that is so clean considering there are some homes built just beside the river. I never saw even just one garbage floating. This shows the discipline of Boholanos as well as the love they have for nature. It is inspiring. :)

The cruise reached Busay Falls,with two small cascades flowing from the elevated part of the landscape. Our boat turned back headed to the dock. Halfway, it stopped at the riverside where a bamboo platform was constructed. There, we were greeted by the local teens, wearing traditional Filipino costume  and are happily singing a lovely Boholano song. I didn't understand it but the emotion their song conveys feels like a warm welcome to us. The performance is so lively, with a lot of synchronized clapping both from the performers and the tourists. They were also playing guitar and ukelele ( a Filipino string musical instrument smaller than a guitar with 4 strings) as accompaniment. Then they started dancing with Filipino folk dances, one is Tinikling (a dance performed using bamboo with the dancers imitating the tikling birds as they walk between grass stems). Tourists are encouraged to join in the fun and even the foreign tourists gladly mingled with the performers. I was very happy with this sight. For me, this is the highlight of the Loboc River Cruise. I noticed everybody had a smile in their faces before we left that station.

The cruise lasted for almost an hour. The serene beauty of the river, the traditional Filipino food served to us and most specially the Boholano performers made the the Php400 so worth it. I may not do it again for a second time but for those who haven't experienced it yet, it is definitely a must try when visiting Bohol. Boholanos captivated my heart. I love Bohol!



The teens of Loboc, Bohol providing river cruise entertainment


Getting to Loboc River Complex

I won't be able to share how to go to this place via commute since this and all the other attractions I've visited in Bohol is a part of the itinerary for the countryside tour I availed from a local tour guide/driver. This is a a family get-away and not my typical backpacking trip so comfort is one of my top priorities arranging this trip.
If you need information on who you can contact for tours, please check this link: Cars/Vans for Hire in Bohol.

A Satisfying Organic Meal at Bohol Bee Farm

When I created the itinerary for the Bohol trip with my family, I made sure we will be hitting Bohol Bee Farm. I know that it is part of the Country tour offered by the driver/tour guide I've contacted but I want to make sure we'll have enough time to have a leisure meal and explore the area without hurrying so what I did is to make a separate day just for Bohol Bee Farm.

Bohol Bee farm is a resort located on the cliffs of Dauis. They have cottages available for night accommodations.     What's probably more famous though is their food. They have three restaurants inside the resort. Each restaurant serves organic food harvested right from their garden. More interestingly, they add honey in all their food choices, harvested directly from their bee farm.

Right from the airport, Kuya Edgar drove us to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch. We headed to the restaurant and chose a table near the edge of the cliff, overlooking the sea. Food attendants approached us right away and provided us their menu. Browsing their menu, it seems they have a lot of interesting and unique food options. We opted for their buffet meal and paid Php500 each so we can have a taste of everything we like without having to pay more if we order each viand separately.  Waiting for our order, I can't help but admire the place. It is lovely, with all the plants and trees, with the tables set in native huts beside  the cliff where we have a spectacular view of the azure sea, not to mention the sounds of the waves it creates.

In about 20 minutes, Joan one of their waitresses, started serving us the food. There's a lot that there was no place left in our table to put the others so they added a folding table next to our table. Everything looked appetizing. I actually couldn't wait to try everything. :D What I'm most excited about is the organic garden salad which has flowers mixed with different lettuce types, some of the flowers I'm familiar with as we have those in the province but didn't know that those were edible. To be honest, with just the leaves and flowers, it may not taste good but the dressing is a real winner! It sure made the salad tastes really delicious. Everything included in the buffet meal is sumptuous. I felt so full, specially they keep on refilling our table with everything until we said not to anymore. I reserved a room for desert though - how could i pass up on malunggay ice cream? It's my first time to try this. Eating in this restaurant is truly a delicious experience.

After meal, we lounged for a while, checking out the other parts of the resort. We walked downwards the stairs leading to the sunbathing area. It is a platform made of sturdy wood built right above the water. There are areas with a roof that looks like a lovely place to read a book or to engage in a light conversation. It also offers a view of the waves caressing the rocks of the cliff. Here's a video of this area.

Walking around, I saw a small indoor pool near the front area of the resort. They have recreational facilities like billiards as well. Their restroom is cute and with bright paint. Everything around has a touch of art. I think that whoever designed the place might be a real art genius and is a lover of nature, anything blends so well with everything . 

Before you leave, they also have a shop where you can buy for organic products produced from  the their farm. The products are perfect for pasalubong.

Bohol Bee farm is definitely a place I'd suggest my friends to visit when in Bohol. It is a wonderful place that's guaranteed to give you a feast, visually and gastronomically. I already miss their food!

Getting Here



I won't be able to share how to go to this place via commute since I arranged for an airport transfer from our hotel resort.  We were fetched from Tagbilaran airport, dropping by Bohol Bee Farm for lunch before proceeding to Whites and Greens Resort in Panglao. We paid Php500 for one way airport transfer and additional Php300 for staying in Bohol bee Farm for abut 2 hours. This is a a family get-away and not my typical backpacking trip so comfort is one of my best priorities arranging this trip.

Wang Hwang So Grill - Good and Affordable Korean Restaurant in Ortigas

Yesterday, I had dinner in a Wang Hwang So, a small Korean Restaurant in Ortigas. It was a surprise treat from my fiance. The restaurant is tucked in a corner of a building located in the not so crowded part of Ortigas Business district.

To be totally honest, I've never tried Korean food before,  so I'm glad Nikko brought me here.

It's just the two of us and Nikko ordered Pork Galbi. It is pork marinated then grilled right in the grill attached to our table. Once grilled, it can be dipped in the sesame oil or doenjang, a traditional Korean fermented soybean. It's an interesting dish since we had to wrap it with lettuce or perilla. Perilla  smells and tastes like mint and is used in various Korean dishes for it is known to help preserve and sterilize other food. Despite it tasting a little bland to me, I really like that the lettuce is crisp and very fresh complimenting to the tender and succulent pork.

With any order in the menu, they serve side dishes. First is Ugeojiguk, a soup made from napa cabbage and two side dishes, Kimchi and Namul. Kimchi is napa cabbage seasoned with chili peppers and salt then fermented. What I like best is the salad they served us. It is  combined lettuce, leeks and mung sprouts made really good by their seasonings. I fell in love with it so obviously, we had to ask for another serving. They replenish the side dishes as soon as the plates are emptied :) I'm no food expert but I definitely know the food in Wang Hwang So is good. When we went there, all tables are occupied and everyone is Korean, proof that they are serving authentic and delicious meals.

Their prices range from Php220 to Php650 but just a serving is enough for two. It's a little restaurant with 8 tables plus a long table on a private room and has male servers who work very swiftly making sure every customers need is tended promptly. They were also accommodating to our requests and never failed to check if we needed something else. I felt like being pampered by a close friend who is hosting a party for me. :)

The restaurant is located in Dispo Philippines Inc. Building in the corner of J. Escriva Dr. and Gold Road in Ortigas. It is across Astoria Plaza. You can contact them at (02)-451-1027.

UPDATE I was just here with friends last Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The menu hasn't changed a bit as well as the prices (amazing!) although if you're not alone dining, they won't allow you to order just one dish. They served us 2 free steamed eggs. It was also my first time to try Soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage. It's gentle to the taste buds but it is said to easily make someone lethargic. Everything is still fresh and affordable and I realized it's more enjoyable to sit on the floor than the chair when eating here, for a more authentic Korean experience. :) They are now open up to 3AM. It's just a walking distance from my current work so I'm sure I'll be a frequent visitor.


Pictures from our recent visit

HOW TO GET TO WANG HWANG SO GRILL

On EDSA coming from Cubao:

From EDSA, take the flyover turning left to Ortigas Ave.
Turn right on Meralco Avenue.
Take the flyover to avoid Dona Julia Varga intersection.
Go straight on Meralco Ave., even past Department of Education (formerly University of Life). Turn right on Shaw Blvd.
Go past the stoplight at the intersection of Shaw and Pioneer-San Antonio Village.
Turn right at the first street (with Metrobank and Red Ribbon at the corner) after the stoplight. This street is J. Escriva St.
Just across Astoria Plaza is Dispo Building. You need to enter the lobby then walk on your left for the restaurant's entrance.

On EDSA coming from Makati

From EDSA, turn right on Pioneer St. and drive to the very end.
At Shaw Blvd, turn left.
Turn right at the first street (with Metrobank and Red Ribbon at the corner). This street is J. Escriva St.
Just across Astoria Plaza is Dispo Building. You need to enter the lobby then walk on your left for the restaurant's entrance.


Along Shaw Blvd coming from Mandaluyong

On Shaw Blvd, take the flyover to avoid the EDSA intersection.
At San Miguel Ave. (with One San Miguel Place and St. Francis Church at the corner), turn left.
Turn right at Lourdes Street, which is the first street turning right (with Richmond Hotel at the corner).
At the end of the street is Pearl Drive. Turn right.
At the end of Pearl Drive is Gold Loop, which is a one-way loop around a huge parking lot. Follow the loop around, until it brings you out to J. Escriva Drive. Exiting out of the loop into J. Escriva, you will practically be facing Astoria Plaza. In front of it is the restaurant.