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Monday, August 31, 2015

Peñafrancia Festival 2015 Dog Show


Penafrancia Festival 2015 Dog Show
September 13, 2015
People's Hall at the Naga City Hall

CLICK HERE for the Peñafrancia Festival Schedul of Events

"The 4th Year Peñarancia Fiesta Dogshow will be brought to you by Superman Kennel Petshop in partnership with the Mayon Kennel Club, Inc. With the cooperation of Naga Dog Lovers Club. We are all inviting those who would want to be a part of the said event to Sponsor us (dog foods, show vet Fee, hotel accommodation and airfare of our judge, trophies, tarps and man power.) To all individuals, groups, business establishments who are dog lovers and willing to help you can PM me and send me your logo .. the final layout will be posted last week of Aug. 2015 Hurry!!! If you can help, do it now and once again make this event a success. Thank You. " For inquiries please message Joemari Dizon on Facebook.

Cafes in Naga: Don Rodolfo's Cafe


Naga City - Themed and artsy coffee shops dominate our city at this point in time. Yet another coffee shop here in Naga has recently opened along Liboton Street now called M.T. Villanueva Avenue in the name of Don Rodolfo's Cafe (DRC). The cafe, was named in memory of the owner's father. This coffee shop is perhaps a small and quaint place but it looks spacious on the inside.
Located in front of Jimmy & Tang's Restaurant

THE ART 

Minimalist and blossoming art. The cafe is L-shaped with at least 5  dominant spaces for a specific artwork. The art in is a combination of minimalist type, modern calligraphy, doodle artworks, an allotted space for throwback of events and future events plus a freedom wall at the back of the cafe. No wonder that this cafe will also be evolving through time. 

Time for Naga. Because I am passionate about Naga and everything in between. This will be my favorite corner. To name a few of the landmarks on frame are: The big three churches Basilica Minore, Peñafrancia Shrine, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral,  plus the Rotunda and Plaza Quince Martires. 

Framed artworks by @yvetteducut showcasing mostly of the landmarks of Naga City.

Up close of the Quince Martires
A very unique framed and drawn hairstyles by the same artist @yvetteducut. There's no other cafe or restaurant in Naga City with this kind of art. This actually comes in eight frames, I'll leave the next four for you to discover. The huge wall art with quotable quotes and motivational lines were also hand painted by Ms. Yvette. Strike a pose on the couch and have it as your background. (See photo above).

Photo by @rodolfoscafe

Just a few weeks ago, Lei Melendres and girlfriend Marso Ya, both famous doodle artists came to Rodolfo's for a live doodle art session and these are the finished artworks. On the left is by Marso Ya which somehow looks like a "Beanie" (instead of a genie in a bottle) having a coffee break. On the right is Lei Melendres' awesomely detailed artwork that you have to see for yourself. So do visit the cafe. 
Photo by @rodolfoscafe
Freedom wall, can be erased but not forgotten. This part of the cafe is hidden, not unless you need to go to the comfort room, then you'll pass by this board full of expressions. Once the board is full, then it will be erased. But don't you worry, because the owner sees to it that it is document. Aside from this board, Rodolfo's Cafe has a guestbook for you to scribble and doodle on. Just follow Rodolfo's on Instagram @rodolfoscafe because they regularly post and feature your contributions. 
Photo by @rodolfoscafe

THE FOOD 


Smores, Sisig Pasta, Burger, Fries, Cinamon Roll, and Choco Heat for the Frap. These would be personal favorites at Rodolfo's Cafe. Just a few weeks ago, DRC introduced a new product, a Black Burger. Very intriguing right? As of writing DRC is the only cafe serving Smores and Black Burger. Another first in Naga City. The Choco Heat is actually sooo Bicol, it kicks in a little spice on your palate. You can always request for level of spiciness if you're not much of sili person. I still have to try a few more dishes from DRC, so come on join me as I discover more about this cafe. 

Follow Rodolfo's Cafe on Instagram @rodolfoscafe

Burger with Iced Tea and Fries for P179. The cheese sauce will make it even more delicious!
Conquered my fear and ate the BLACK BURGER of Rodolfo's Cafe
Read more about HERE in my latest DRC post.

DRC also serves other pasta like: Tuna Carbonara, Rodolfo's Pasta (DRC's signature pasta) and Burnt Butter. For the fraps, DRC serves fruit based and coffee based. Iced tea and hot cappuccino is also available. Budget for this cafe would cost around P100 to P200 per person depending on the pairings you will do. 
The Fraps are in mason jars, but not just a mason jar, it's actually bigger than the usual. So serving size is good.
Photo by @kimpahati
Conquered my fear and ate the BLACK BURGER of Rodolfo's Cafe
Read more about HERE in my latest DRC post.


Cheese Sticks are not really sticks like the ones wrapped in lumpia wrapper. These are for the win!
Photo by @kimpahati

And of course a cup of coffee will not be complete. Rodolfo's Cafe also serve hot coffee. 



Don Rodolfo's Cafe
M.T. Villanueva Avenue Former Liboton Street
Naga City
Facebook Page: Rodolfo's Cafe
Instagram: @rodolfoscafe
Contact No.: 0999 994 4042

Dig Some Dimsums at The Crown Park Restaurant


Naga City - The Crown Park Restaurant favorites just keeps adding and adding more Asian cuisines to their menu. Just looking back at my previous post about Cafe Federico and The Park makes me admire how the food industry in Naga is flourishing. Naga may have passed by the stage of being a growing food destination. I think Naga has arrived to be a food destination here in Bicol because of the wide selection of restaurants catering to different palates of customers, local or foreign.  






Crown Park Restaurant Located at the New Crown Hotel fronting Plaza Quince Martires
Photo by nickastig.me

Buchi Buchi and Bola Bola Siopao for P100.
Ball game. The Buchi-Buchi is surprisingly competitive with other Buchis out in the market. Even our Social Media Influencer @yvetteducut was able to taste one and surprisingly she liked it. According to Yvette she doesn't really eat Buchi even though it's readily sold in a fast food chain.

Empress Siomai (left) at P90 and Japanese Siomai (right) at P140.
Not your regular siomai but definitely it is worth your every cent. 

This Empress Siomai is MUST TRY. I absolutely love the sauce that comes along with it when served. 

Spring Roll Vegetable for only P150. The slices are actually big and it comes in six. The roll is dense with vegetables and herb. Not bad for P150 for sharing. 

Another MUST TRY, the Crown Fried Dumpling for P180 and comes in twelves. I must say this is very distinctive from the other regular siomais. 

Together with the Bicol Bloggers, we all had these dimsums for snack but it felt like it was dinner. As of writing, these new dishes are only available at the Crown Park's branch at the New Crown Hotel in downtown Naga. Hopefully they can also serve this at the SM City Naga branch. These new goodies are really affordable. So what are you waiting for dig some dimsums at the Crown Park Restaurant now!

Oops! Wait! I just had to post this because this is an all time favorite of the restaurant, Beef Brisket partnered with Hung Ma Bread. For other delectable Chinese cuisines, visit my previous blog post HERE.


Crown Park Restaurant
New Crown Hotel
Elias Angeles corner P. Burgos Sts.,
Phone Number
(+63 54) 473-1845

The Park Restaurant
Ground Level SM City Naga
(+63 054) 472-7600

Friday, August 28, 2015

Style Hub Boutique by Variety Love Shop




Naga City - Style Hub Boutique by Variety Love Shop, the nth fashion and lifestyle boutique is now open to serve you. Style Hub is located at JP 2 Atrium just at the back of the Vincentian Heritage Park so students near the area are so lucky to have this shopping haven.

Fashionable and affordable clothes plus shoes, sandals, bags, crafts, stuffed toys and authentic make ups for the youthful from your favorite and online trusted sellers.



Style Hub Boutique Partners
Bonita y Elegante by Carla Dy
Phi n Piks by Ruth D. Ng
The Basiq Clothing by Jan Yao
Variety Shop Love by Angela Imperial
Ode to Her by Nathalie Florendo
Tumblr Shirts by Chino Lozada; I’m gonna get that BarBitch top.
B-boy Apparel by Jasper Ong
Poppy Blush Korean Cosmetics


Authentic Korean Cosmetics
Photo by: BWS

Photo by: BWS

Now it's not only the ladies who can get a knack of these goodies, Style Hub does not leave out the good looking guys of Naga. Check out B-boy Apparel, Tumblr Shirts and The Basiq Clothing
Tumblr Shirts will let you do the talking
Variety Shop Love off shoulder tops and skirts are so sassy even if you're on a tight budget. The Basiq Clothing also has stylish pants for the groovy.

Cute 3D pouches of doggies and kitties.
Oh, the butingtings! I hope Phi N Piks can also have a minimalist type of watch in the future. 

My eyes just can't get off the reds. But I'm also a black and white person when it comes to clothes.
Top from Ode to Her. Thinking of pairing this with my red long skirt with side slit. 
Red, my fave color.
I also have an addiction over stripes. Yey for this top from Pink Chamomile's Closet. I have my jumper shorts from Pink Chamomile too that I absolutely love for my on the go road trips CLICK HERE for photos. 
HW Shorts from Pink Chamomile's Closet


Sa wakas! My kimono na ako! This is from Phi n Piks Boutique

Since I have a no sleeveless policy at work, this Kimono will surely be very helpful. It's not that I can't wear sleeveless, but I have to practice what I preach since I am in the academe. Seems like I am really getting old and the conservative side of me keeps kicking in. 
Apologies for not making it to the grand opening, got caught up with work. Since, I visited the shop on a Monday, I thought I would be able to take photos with less people. I was wrong, it was so fun to see many customers coming in empty handed and going out with a blue bag.

Style Hub Boutique team sees to it there are fresh stocks. So you just have to keep coming back for new items. If you have a specific style in mind don't hesitate to message the owners on their accounts and I'm sure they will be able to accommodate your queries. Style your days with Style Hub Boutique.

Thank you and more power to Style Hub Boutique Team especially to Ms. Angela.  
Dios Mabalos for stylin' the youthful Nagueños and Bicolanos!

Style Hub Boutique
JP2 Atrium, Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City
Instagram: @stylehubboutique
Contact No.: 0917 575 7099
Store Hours:
Monday- Saturday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-8:00 pm



Peñafrancia Traslacion Procession 2015 Live Streaming


For live updates during the procession please like Naga City Deck on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/nagacitydeck

Live streaming link will be posted on this page. There is a possibility that GNN TV may air the Peñafrancia Festival Major Festivities.

Live Stream VIA IMJINTERACTIVE http://www.imjinteractive.net/live/



Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream



Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream



Order of Traslacion Procession 2015
click on the photo to enlarge


Monday, August 24, 2015

Bicol Instagram Festival 2015





WHAT IS #BiGFEST2015?

Bicol Instagram Festival (#BiGFest2015) aimed to gather the most savvy social media and mobile internet users  in Bicol Region for the first ever Instagram Meet- up during the Penafrancia Festival here in Naga City

It was a fun day filled with games and interaction with instagrammers, digital influencers and bloggers.



#BiGFest2015 was intended for all Bicolano youth and young professionals to visually share the best of Penafrancia Festival, Metro Naga and Bicol Tourism on their social media accounts particularly on Instagram during the whole month of September.

 For more pics during the event CLICK HERE
  For more pics during the event CLICK HERE
 For more pics during the event CLICK HERE

The persons behind BicolBloggers are also the organizers of various interactive activities like Date in DaetSSSstaycationTumblr Meet-ups and other online advocacies. To date, #BiGFest2015 is our boldest and biggest activity for the most active netizens in Bicol. This is inline with our group’s mission of “nurturing professional blogging in Bicol by equipping Bicolano social media users with skills and network through special events.”

Online sensation, comedian and book author LLOYD CADENA of the very famous Llyod Cafe Cadena showed his enthusiasm to be part of #BiGFest2015. LC has 35,000 followers on Instagram, 88,000+ on Twitter, 729,000+ Facebook Fans, 250,000+ subscribers and almost 28 million views on YouTube. The whole venue was filled with laughter and smiles as Lloyd cracked a lot of jokes and stories. He was all out in meeting all the participants and having a selfie with him was no problem at all. 

IG online sellers bazaar also paved its way to showcasing their goodies to the participants. Participants had their tickets stamped and booths were ensured of visits from them. Participants who bought items from the IG sellers had their chance to win items too. Indeed that afternoon was filled with a lot of prizes from our partners. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS AND SPONSORS.
#BigFest2015 Co-Presented by Bigg's Diner Inc.
Venue Partner: Avenue Plaza Hotel
Printing Partner: Willprint Graphics Center
Sponsors: Que Pasa Naga, Havaianas, Pinoy Tech Blog, Francis Padua Papica Foundation and Atlantic Bakery. Special thanks to Provincial Government of Albay for touring Lloyd Cadena around Albay.

http://bicolbloggers.com/post/126937648470/bigfest2015-announcement-bicol-instagram-festival-naga



Saturday, August 22, 2015

Cafes in Naga: The Coffee Table



Naga City - Having lost count of the number of coffee shops in our city, this feature post is one of my personal favorites. Three years ago, I have blogged about this shop's former brand, The Pro Chef's Office Culinary Essentials. Memorable as it can be, it was April of 2012 in time for NagaCityDeck's 3rd year anniversary when I first visited the place.  It was then the first culinary cafe and studio in Naga City and even in the Bicol Region. The coffee shop as a concept was similar like the others but the culinary cafe and studio was special about it. Time passed and perhaps Naga still lacks enough orientation towards the concept of having a culinary cafe (where guests could observe the chef cooking the meals and at the same time learn how to cook them). The kitchen/studio was high-end and beautiful but still it wasn't enough to attract the locals. Having the "culinary" concept makes it look a little bit expensive considering that Naga still has the provincial feels. Last year, was a troubled year for the owners, contemplating if they would close down or sell the business. With enough patience and faith in God, the shop was re-branded as The Coffee Table (TCT), retaining the coffee shop and making the kitchen/studio an extension of the coffee shop suited for meetings and other functions.

Related post: NCD at The Pro Chef's Office

 

Casual industrial type of ambiance. This is how I can describe The Coffee Table. Books to read, high chairs, comfy couch, artistic frames dwelling on admirable coffee quotes and soothing light bulbs that reflect on the clear window panes overlooking a part of Naga's entertainment district, Magsaysay Avenue. I will still stood up to what I said before about the Pro Chef's, that if you want a quiet coffee time whether with friends or alone, this is the place to be.


Crepe capital of Naga. TCT retained many of the dishes from the original menu. Famous for their pasta and sandwiches, but to top it all, TCT serves savory and sweet crepes. Crepe is a French cuisine, very thin pancakes made of wheat flour. What's fun about crepes is that it can be served as an appetizer, a main course, a side dish or even a dessert. My personal favorite would be the Crepedilla from the savory crepes and the Fruity French for the sweet crepes.





"Procaffeinating". Many can relate to this, it is the tendency to not start anything until you've had a cup of coffee. Find that wall inside the coffee shop for this is one of the most photographed corner of TCT. TCT has a Brew Bar, wherein you can choose the method on how your coffee will be prepared. Ask for Barista Gj and you can even watch him demo it. Chemex, French Press, Pour Over and Siphon are the methods you can choose from plus you can also choose the coffee beans (arabica, benguet blend, doc's blend and tct blend).
  • Espresso Bar starts at P45 to P105
  • Specials starts at P80 to P135
  • Iced Coffee at P90 to P110, Coffee Blends at P120 to P150
  • Shakes and other drinks at P45 to P135. 
TCT also serves All Day Breakfast Platters like pancake, french toast and hash brown served with 2 eggs, bacon and sausage for  P120 to P150. Savory Crepes starts at P145 to P175. Sweet Crepes at P95 to P155. Sandwiches starts at P55 only to P185. Pasta starts at P80 to P185. Service size? TCT is one of the coffee shops in Naga with ample serving size. To be honest, everything that I have tasted in TCT is delicious. While the shop may be a "no rice" kind of food place, everything that they are serving complements the coffee they have. Most of the food are good for sharing, but by all means you can also eat them on your own.


The baristas of TCT are as kind and accommodating as the owners. They will make sure you are well attended to and being knowledgeable about the food they are serving is a plus point. Old and new recipes combined with the perfect ambiance, what more can I say? From The Pro Chef's Office to The Coffee Table, I am proud to have witnessed this change. The shop grew for the better along with the dining culture and demands of Naguenos and Bicolanos. More power and God bless The Coffee Table especially to Doc Steve and Ma'am Lei.   

Aglio e Olio and Seafood Sundried Pasta with Iced Caramel Macchiato, Iced Mocha and Watermelon Shake

Aglio E Olio Pasta and Watermelon Shake

A dessert coffee called Cocochino, if you will order this, couple it with pasta or anything from the Savory Crepes.

Verdure Pasta

The Cocochino is coffee with desiccated coconut.

Fruity French Crepe, yummy!!

Chorizo and Egg Crepe, make sure you include the yolk together with the chorizo bits

MUST-TRY. CREPEDILLA

Cakes, pies and cupcakes



My favorite part of The Coffee Table overlooking Magsaysay Avenue lights.




The Coffee Table
Facebook Page: The Coffee Table
Instagram: @the_coffeetable 
2/F ADC Hotel
Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
(054) 472 3470