Jaro Cathedral: An irresistible stopover

It was Dinagyang Festival week when I had to make the stop in Iloilo before I could get home to my Family in Estancia.  That trip was not for pleasure. That was to compensate for not being able to go home to my Family last Christmas - also to check how they had been after Yolanda, the devastating  Typhoon that hit  most of the Visayas region. I knew before getting home that they were all safe. Though they had to start from scratch, after all the material losses. I then,  just wanted to spend time with them.

Before getting to the Terminal at Tagbak Station, the Jeepney I was riding in passed by the Jaro Cathedral as the locals call it also known as  The Parish of Our Lady of Candles.  So I cried out "Lugar lang"  our very own version of "Mama, para".

Upon walking towards the church, from above the trees of Jaro plaza, the bell-tower facing the church stands with might. The Parish of Our Lady of Candles is one of those churches that have bell towers detached from the actual Church building. Here, the belfry is across the street.

Another cool thing about the church is its façade. It has stairs leading up to the statue of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.  This statue, according to Wikipedia, was found floating  by fisherman in the Iloilo river before it was brought to where it is now.

 I was able to walk up the stairs and I took pictures of the belfry across the street, the statue in the altar covered with glass, the intricate wall of the church  and I was left with one dilemma.  I had no picture of my own in this church. So I asked a boy to take my picture. He's one of those kids who stay at church selling candles. I gave him five pesos after he took two shots. I reviewed the pictures and I couldn't complain. It's the downside of travelling alone- no one is there to take your pictures. 

I remember when I was 9 or 10 , my Nanay usually brings me to a Catechism meeting with her friends every Wednesday night. When I grew older, I joined the annual summer youth camp of our church and there I learned so many things. These may be the main reasons why Churches amaze me big time!

Fun Fact: Graciano Lopez Jaena was baptized in this same church. He's one of our national heroes. He's Ilonggo and is famous for his revolutionary news paper, La Solidaridad. At 18, he also wrote the satirical story "Fray Botod".  I knew about this through the funny conversations I had with Drew.  He's a Social Studies teacher . Ask him a question and he would have supporting facts  that would give you a feel of that same Araling Panlipunan nostalgia in grade school.

I went inside the church and said my prayers and I thanked the Lord for keeping my family safe.  I was not able to take pictures inside the church so as not to bother the devout churchgoers praying at that same time. Then, I went out, feeling excited to take that Jeepney ride to Tagbak, then I'm a 3-hour ride away from home.

Sisig Station: A greasy, sinful delight

I am not an avid "putok-batok" fan.  Putok-batok food is  what they call cholesterol-rich food, that can abruptly increase your blood pressure. But if I ever eat food of that sort, which happens very rarely, I would eat it somewhere worth it. This would include considering cost, taste and venue. 

And you know how a conversation of hungry craving tummies would usually start:  "I know a place... " 

 

Krispy Sisig station is a simple, cozy, restaurant that offers their signature Sisig and crispy Lechon Kawali. They also cook Pinoy viands that are best paired with rice, sometimes, extra rice.  But if you ask me why I keep on coming back, it's mainly because of the Sisig and the Lechon Kawali. Both are equally delicious for PhP 50 per serving, and PhP 12 for a cup of rice.  

 

How to get there:  If you're living in the surrounding area of Bulacan, Novaliches, Fairview, Commonwealth , from SM Fairview all you have to do is ride a Jeepney for Eight pesos going to North Olympus and another Eight- peso tricycle ride from the North Olympus gate to the end of Olympus Street. Just advise the trike driver to drop you off at Sisig Station. 

If you are taking a private vehicle that would be a 10-min drive to get there from SM Fairview. 

The screaming banner will greet you from afar with patrons seated outside enjoying their afternoon merienda or early dinner.

 

 

Krispy Sisig station caters bulk orders in different Bilao sizes. They also sell their signature vinegar which is perfect in case you are to make your own Lechon Kawali or if you like it as a condiment for anything fried. This costs PhP 30 per bottle.

I have been there 4-5 times my friends & my workmates. I have never disappointed any of them. It does not need asking, whether they liked it or not. They will say it themselves.  

If you ever decide on visiting Sisig Station, you would see people dropping by for a take-out or some dining in, requesting for extra rice.  That alone is a proof that their Sisig & Lechon Kawali are worth coming back for.

Tous les Jours : tour de appetite

So here is a new place coffee-livers - I mean lovers may find an appetizing venue for their bread & caffeine -craving tummies. On top of the delectable pastries and bread, the ambiance is cozy, the scent of dough and fresh flour will tempt your senses. There are baguette's on boxes just against the walls- ( I just find it so cute) like you are in an old-fashioned French bakery.

Tous les jour's eye-catching display of intricately design cakes.

We ordered their weird something something walnut that ended up so delicious I forgot what they call it.(I looked it up, they call it Cream Cheese Walnut Bread.) It was for 128 pesos and it was really good for sharing.  This was coupled with my all-time favorite Cafe Americano and Mommy Chin's  afternoon Hot Red Ginseng Tea. I t wasn't Earl Grey but it sounded healthy. This was while the blazing 3 o-clock sun outside was busy.

Boxed and on-the-floor Baguettes
 but still look delectable. 

We looked for the possibility of it to extend out just close to the entrance of the SM Fairview Annex- al fresco and this was because they have a separate exit out of the mall.

Strawberry Danish (bottom) and the
Cream Cheese Walnut Bread (top)
 that we ordered for sharing.