Coffee Re-PUB-lic, In the premier province of the North.

Still in Pangasinan, before hitting the bed, we had a quick stop at this relaxed looking coffee shop. We passed by this earlier in the morning but it was still closed. A coffee shop closed in the morning? I was intrigued.

So after having dinner, we stepped out of the hotel and strolled towards the coffee shop. It only took us about 80 steps, not that I counted but it was only a few feet away.

We took snaps from across the street, at that time of the night there I'm pretty sure we looked suspicious. LOL!

Okay, so we went in. I really liked the ambiance, as if we were in the beach, the walls are decked with bamboo, plants on the sides, picture frames on the wall, it was just a small space but it felt cool and relaxing considering their location. They are situated along the main road which is the busiest street of Mangaldan.

View outside the shop

On to the menu, since we just had dinner we were hoping to have some dessert. Unfortunately they don't have pastries, they have sandwiches tho. But, I just think COFFEE SHOP=pastries. Anyway, we were so full from the meal that we just had so you'd think we would have tea or hot coffee but it was just super hot so we ordered shakes.

I had Toffee Banoffee, I originally wanted Hazel Nut but it wasn't available. Maries had Choco Fudge. The shakes were good, if you are into sweets like I am. My friend thought it was just too sweet for her.

We stayed for a bit, took some snaps and even posed for some pic with the owner. Talked to her for a minute for a little interview.

Ms. Shay, the owner.

The Coffee Republic has been around for 4 years, they open at 4 or 5PM if I remember correctly and closes at 2 or 3AM.


The place is more like a resto-bar, a pub rather than a coffee shop. Considering the lack of pastries which I am crazy about, and the name itself. But don't let that remark disappoint any of you. I still like the place, and would definitely try out the other food next time and will surely update this write-up.

Since we didn't order any food, just to give you an idea of what kind of food they serve here are some pics I grabbed from fellow bloggers.

Clubhouse

Sizzling Tofu Sisig

Till next!


Photo credits to:

Reginald Agsalon - pangasinantour.blogspot.com

EJ Dangla - http://tastylifebits.blogspot.com/2014/04/fly-to-coffee-republic.html

If you feel I have violated you in anyway, you are welcome to let me know and I'll take down the pics grabbed from your blog.

Cheers!

A day in the Premier Province of the North... PANGASINAN!

It's summer! But no, summer's almost over and we haven't done any summer related activity except eat halo-halo! Gone were the days when my friends and I still have time to go to different beaches, now we don't even have time to plan a quick get away. Gotta think fast!

One lazy afternoon, 2 of my friends and I were trying to chill in this scorching hot weather when a bright idea came to mind. A really quick basking in the sun sun sun of San Fabian, Pangasinan! That was the idea. The plan? A limited budget quick getaway. 

A cousin of mine from Canada is visiting their hometown in Pangasinan, since I was going there to pick him up my best friend decided to come along and yep the plan was to have a quick stop in the fine sand beach of Pangasinan.

We were only going to be there overnight so we decided to dedicate the first day to just have an r&r in the beach. And so we did!

Traveled for about 4 hours and we finally made it!

Fine beautiful weather, the heat of the sun is just about right, brown sand is fine but the beach itself was just way too crowded. What to do? Luckily there were boats for rent just in front of the resort, the boat men will take you on a tour of the ocean. Well, there's not much to see in this area so just ride the boat and then maybe go for a  swim in the open sea. That is not an option so we went to a beach which is just a bit far from where we were, still no good, there were jelly fishes swimming.

The Lazy A.. Just before going for a boat ride.

San Fabian...

We have to live up to our title. Selfie capital of the world! Selfie selfie selfie!

The boat men suggested we go to this part of the beach called Sobol. And so we did and boy were we happy. This part of the beach looks like a pool on the beach it has like an opening coming in from the open sea and in there the water is clear and just a few feet deep. Since it was super hot by that time, it was as if we were in a jacuzzi. So we stayed there for a few minutes, we would've brought lunch if we knew the place would be this nice, peace and quiet. Just what we needed.

This pool only appears during low tide and disappears during high tide...

Sobol beach

Okay, basking in the sun. Check! Now it's time for lunch. We went back to the Lazy A Resort where we had to pay a fee of P100, which was not at all bad. You can use the pool and other amenities with the entrance fee. For lunch we ordered some food of course. We had crispy calamari from the resort and crabs from the locals. Problem solved!

Rested for a bit, then we enjoyed the pool for some afternoon swim. By this time, it suddenly became cloudy with signs of heavy rain about to fall. And yup, it started to rain and I mean heavy, heavy rain! We stayed in the pool for a few more minutes, we were hoping to go back to the beach but the weather just got really bad. Done with the pool, showered and ordered some halo-halo while waiting for the rain to stop.

From bright and sunny to dark and gloomy.

After about an hour or two of non-stop heavy rain it finally came to a halt. Thank God!

Played a bit by the sunset...

Went back to the hotel, we stayed at Hotel Trish in Mangaldan. It's a new hotel, very nice, comfy, clean and all the staff are friendly. So we left our things and went to my cousin's house for some seafood overload dinner. Which I cannot put in words how, how, how delicious the food were. Simple yet scrumptious.

What we had, the famous Dagupan boneless bangus not in pic.

It was around 8:00 PM, everyone sleeps early in the province, this is a known fact. So we went back to the hotel, then poof!

A new day has dawn, we had breakfast at the hotel. I had Bangsilog while Maries had Tapsilog. I forgot to take a snap. Darn it! Anyway, the food tasted yummy as it looked.

We still had a few hours before check out so we went to Mangaldan market, rode their most common mode of transpo the pedicab. At the market we bought the famous puto Calasiao, green mangoes, bagoong alamang, bagoong isda and some vegetables. Also went to Romana's to buy some peanut brittle and malunggay polvoron.

Okay, so we checked out, had lunch at my cousin's house then back on the road again. But before we hit the highway, we just had to say a little prayer in Manaoag church. Lit candles and had a bit of a tour in their museum.

On the way to Manila, the ac suddenly broke down and it was scorching hot outside. At least the sound trip helped a little, but sun burnt, sweaty and all made us stop at Starbucks in Hacienda Luisita to chill for a bit. Then back on the road again.

The trip was well worth it, short but definitely sweet, better to have some sun and tan on the beach than none. 

Till our next trip!

P.S.

Cost of the trip? Below are the details:

If you take the bus, take Dagupan bus in Cubao. Get off at Mangaldan, if you see the second BDO near the Sto. Tomas Church, Hotel Trish is right behind BDO.

Bus - P340 (one way)

Car - P3000 back and forth, this is okay too if you are with a group of friends.

Hotel - P1,100 for 2 persons

Pocket money - P3000 (depends on how you spend)

San Fabian has tons of resort in the beach front, they have affordable rooms that cost from P1,000 up.

Charmed Binondo Girl

It was a sunny Monday morning when I decided to go to Binondo, particularly in Ongpin. What lead me to this short field trip was my cousins Tibetan Mantra bracelet. 

The yellow one is the Tibetan Mantra Bracelet, @ P650

                          

The night before, we were having a chat when I noticed his bracelet, black in color and has gold characters inscribed on it. So I asked what's that? That's when he said that it's a charm bracelet that gives good luck and blocks all the bad vibes, he has experiences to prove that it is indeed lucky.

I strongly believe in the power of prayer, and I hear mass every Sunday. But I guess, it's okay to believe in something, something that is far from the tradition and culture that you grew up in and far from things that you are familiar with. But, I had this strong urge telling me to go get yourself one. So I went to Ongpin! (Ongpin is a long street that stretches from Santa Cruz, Manila to Binondo)

                                       

I guess you'll also get this look on your face if it's your first time here. Amazed by the dragons and gargoyles that can be seen along the streets.

                                                   

Binondo has a rich history, and you can even say that they have their own culture. Well, they have a chinese culture and tradition. Binondo or Chinatown as it is fondly called is believed to be the head of the dragon based on chinese beliefs. 

A lil trivia---Binondo is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594. Binondo was created as a permanent settlement for Chinese immigrants (wiki). So you can just imagine the history, the people and the rich culture that lies in this place.

Feeling turista. Well, it's not very often that I get to walk the streets of Ongpin, although Binondo is just a few steps away from where I live. 

                                              

Okay, back to the trip!

Before I reached the store where my cousin got the bracelet, I had a short but fun trip in Binondo.

First stop, said a lil prayer...

The Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz or most popularly known as Binondo Church. Lighted candles for my prayer intentions.

A sight for sore eyes

                                           

                                                                       

Next stop, Lunch!

There are lots of Chinese restaurants in the area, but what caught my eye was this vegan resto.  New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian, there are so many customers inside, which is a good sign coz it means it's good and affordable.

                                          

Had steamed broccoli, Bicol express (meat magic), shabu-shabu and kiampong rice. Everything there looked so yummy and very affordable. The big bowl of shabu-shabu costs P150, if I'm not mistaken 1 viand+rice costs P50, 2 viands+rice P70 add P10 for kiampong rice and add P20 for fried rice. :)

Next, snack!

A trip to Binondo wouldn't be complete if you didn't go to Eng Bee Tin, the famous hopia store. Also Salazar's one of the oldest bakeshop in that area.

                               

                                         

And after the long walks, the food trips, I have reached the shop where the bracelet was bought. We didn't know the name of the shop, so we had to ask around. The only mark my cousin remembers was the construction building in front and the red building. Glad we found it!

If you see this red establishment, the shop is right in front of it.

               

This is it!

                                              

This is Miss Gina, such a doll. :)

Very accommodating even to Filipino customers, which in my opinion is very rare. She did Feng Shui and suggested mantra bracelets that best suit me. The bracelets will be based on your lucky colors, in my case the colors are red, orange and yellow. The bracelets are blessed, and can not be worn or touched by anyone but you, otherwise your luck will go to the person who tried it on. Some of you might think this is crap, that's okay. I guess it's best to just respect each and everyone's belief. Let's all embrace positivity and release good vibes! ;)

                                             

And finally, this short trip is almost over we reached the end of Ongpin, across the street you can see another church called Santa Cruz Church.

Across the street is the beautiful Santa Cruz Church

Now have to head back to Binondo church, it's my way back home!

               

My son chillin' by the fountain while I have my last photo op in front of Binondo Church. Just a few more steps back home and this trip is over. Feeling lucky with my bracelet, and feeling happy with this trip.

                                          I was about to end this blog.. When my son suddenly wore my bracelet, the most important rule is not to let anyone touch and wear the bracelet or your luck might be transferred to them. So I had to go back to Binondo the following day.

Here's what happened...

It was Tuesday, my first working day of the week. While having breakfast, Madz, one of my team mates noticed my bracelet and asked if she can see it. So I immediately said, sorry but you can't touch it. She knew of these bracelets and asked me if I can buy her one. I said I'm going back there later, you can just come with me. So that afternoon 2 more office mates, Cath and Amilie tagged along including Madz and myself. This will be fun!

Just a quick shot in the street! Thanks for this pic Madz.

We reached Binondo quite fast, passed thru short cuts just to get there right away. We made it just in time, their shop closes at 6:30 P.M.

                                       

Miss Gina wasn't there that day, but the owner was as accommodating as she was so it was all good. The prices of the bracelets may vary, my office mates bracelets cost P800 but both our bracelets included a "Pampaswerte" it's a chinese envelope that has a prayer inside it. You put it inside your wallet, make sure to bring it with you wherever you go.  I got another bracelet, the one with the heart that one costs P300. :) 

Anyway, they had my bracelet blessed again for free, they will give you a calling card and if you have questions you can just send them a txt and they will be happy to txt you back. In case your bracelet gets broken, just bring it back to them so they can fix it and replace the lost beads.

Since it was a little bit late, we have decided to have dinner in the first restaurant that we see. That lucky restaurant was, Four Seasons. LOL!

                   

                            

The food was okay, the only food I can eat was broccoli. According to my friends, their food was good and affordable too. I wasn't able to take note of the prices and names of the food, we were all so tired and hungry then so we just ate right away, chat a little, and drank tea.

This trip was about to come to an end, we took some pictures and went for a short stroll.

             

                                                       Streets of Ongpin by night!

Last stop with my friends, it was getting late and the traffic was becoming heavier so we just had a quick stop at Salazar's bakeshop for some pasalubong.

The mongo hopia is a must-try! But I enjoyed the Lotus cream with red egg a lot!!!

                           

Mission accomplished! That was it, we were planning to go around some more but we still have work the following day. Overall, happy with the food, the purchases and most of all happy that I shared this experience with my friends. We were all tired but definitely enjoyed this short trip!

A positive attitude and good vibes will surely give you good luck!

Extra! 

On my way home, I passed by Lucky Chinatown Mall. I just thought these lanterns looked bright and pretty.

                            

                                          

 Till next time! Cheers!