Raintree Teapresso Blends: Not just tea

Address: 141 Katipunan Ave., St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City

I would always pass by this place and I would always gaze at how nice the shop looks like. It was never crowded which made me more curious as to who their customers might be.

Side story*: (this is something personal that I just want to write here but if you're not interested, you can skip ahead to the actual review)

The first time I actually tried to visit the shop, it was unusually crowded. Customers filled the tables up to the outside tables. I was with my boyfriend and we have just parked the car when I suddenly demanded to back-away immediately. I spotted my ex-boyfriend with his group of friends at one of the outdoor tables two steps from our parking slot. We were still friends but I hated the idea of seeing him laughing his heart out with his group. Not that I have anything against him or his friends, I just don't like seeing them all together.

As we were backing out of the tight parking slot we were previously eager to slip into, I tried to duck my head and cover my face, afraid they would see me escaping their presence. Having them see us leave without even going into the shop would only make the situation more awkward. And thankfully they didn't because they were too pre-occupied chilling out.

Actual Review: (this is the part you want to read)

Before visiting the place, I was confused at what they really sell. I have no idea what a "Teapresso" was (Could it have been Tea + Espresso? But that's too much caffeine!) and I didn't think it looked like a Milk Tea place. It turned out that the place was a fusion of a coffee shop and a milk tea shop.

The core product of the shop are tea-based drinks which the shop claims are always freshly brewed. Jars of dried tea leaves alongside other tea paraphernalia are displayed on one side of the shop while a big exquisite espresso machine sits behind a counter in front. Different seating options are available according to one's mood and need. Serious workers can opt for the counter with numerous electric outlets while chilling friends can go for one of the red sofas. The shop is designed to resemble the cozy and laid-back ambiance of a coffee shop and is made more approachable with the friendliness and childishness of milk tea.

As for their product, I wasn't really in to their teapresso blends. I prefer my milk tea light and simple and theirs was more sophisticated and flavorful. I didn't know espresso machines can be used to extract tea since tea leaves are much less dense than ground coffee beans and might produce either a too bitter or a too bland shot. But that's just me and I really don't know anything about tea.

If you don't enjoy tea, then there's still more for you in this shop. What I come back here for are their French Macaroons. They're the best and they have the widest selection of flavors I've seen. I've tasted 5 out of the 18 here and although a few really stood out, all of them were really good. The macaroons were soft and chewy but still firm enough to not crumble with every bite. The varied colors are fun to look at too. I think the ESPRESSO one had real ground coffee in it which adds texture but not bitterness. For starters, you can never go wrong with NUTELLA. And STRAWBERRY is a good intro too.

And if you end up loving their French Macaroons enough to want it everyday, why not take home three more or a dozen, even. They have a confectionery dedicated to their macaroons right beside the main shop. Its for macaroon lovers who don't want to be disturbed by non-macaroon customers.

Aside from their lovable macaroons, they also have other pastries that are equally lovable. I've tried their Red Velvet Cheesecake and it definitely stands out from all other cheesecakes that I've had. For one, it has a different texture. I think it's softer and creamier than a regular cheesecake. It doesn't have the crunchy rigid crust that I usually love but it's okay 'cause I don't think that would work on this one anyway. The cream cheese frosting is also divine. It doesn't feel like cream either but its pronounced taste and perfect level of sourness perfectly matches the red velvet cheesecake below it. With this unusual combination of texture and flavor, you wouldn't actually remember you're eating a cheesecake, just some cake of awesomeness.

I just had one complain about this piece though, it wasn't cold enough! The display freezer doors were left open for some reason. The staff might have been putting something in it or I don't know. Either way, it decreased the level of awesome-cheesecake by one level.

All in all, I think Raintree is a nice place to hang out at whatever time of the day. On mornings, you can get your daily perk with the teapresso blends. At lunch, have some cake for dessert. Or a macaroon as a snack before finally calling it a day. Nearby residents usually come by to pick up their teapresso blends or to spend some quality time with a different vibe.

How to get there:
There are no public utility vehicles that pass by the place but I guess you can get off at the Katipunan-Santolan intersection and walk back to White Plains. Its just a 5-minute walk.

What to do when you get a REGISTRY NOTICE from the Post Office (Philippines)

If you just received a registry notice such as the one below, then this post should help you know what to do.

Registry Notice from the Philippine Postal Corporation

As you already know, that little piece of paper is one hell of a vague object. You know it might refer to something important but it just doesn't give any clues as to what it is or what to do about it. Yes, it's got your name and your address and a "Claim at Window" but, where is that window? and why didn't they just deliver that thing to your address? They certainly know where you live! And the PhilPost website doesn't help either. It's "temporarily" down.

A few days ago, I received one just like that (though I should mention that this picture belongs to Cheftonio) and I was utterly confused. I tried to make sense of that little piece of paper but there's just nothing on it that I could understand. And so, I turned to Google, and after a few websites here is what I found out:

1. International packages are delivered to the Philippine Post Office and not to your address so these can be checked by the Philippine Customs.

Some items such as firearms and narcotics are prohibited entry to our country. In order to do this, Customs checks all incoming international deliveries. This is fine and rightly so but I've already received two shipments from Amazon.com that landed directly to my address. These were books and the package I personally picked up was a cosmetics kit so I don't know if they check by sender or by the look of the package. Are they allowed to actually open it?

2. They hold the package in the Post Office of the city indicated in the address, the main branch that is.

Because I indicated Quezon City, I had to get my package in the Philippine Central Post Office. And because Quezon City is such a large city, getting to their office posed another challenge.

As much as I wanted to just go to the branch 15 mins away from me, I didn't want to risk the hassle and disappointment. So I made sure which branch I should really go to. Thankfully, I got a number in one of the non-government websites and the lady who answered kindly referred me to the Central Post Office (for parcels). In case you need to call them, here is the number:

(02) 928-6443

Philippine Central Post Office

Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm

3. At the Post Office, they will take your Registry Notice so take a picture of it while you still can.

This is the reason I don't have a picture of my Registry Notice. The lady at the counter didn't give it back. Damn!

Anyway, if your address is in Quezon City, you should go to Window 37, the Parcel Section. This is at the left-most part of the Central Post Office in Quezon City. There, they will ask for your Registry Notice, a valid I.D. (a list can be found at the back of the Registry Notice) and a P50 Postal Fee. I don't know what the Postal Fee is for when I already spent time and money to pick up the parcel that they won't post to me.

It's a really simple process made difficult by the lack of information on that little piece of paper. If it was informative enough, I wouldn't be writing this post. I hope someone in authority realizes this.

Anyhow, I hope I helped you, reader, in some way.

Cheers!

What to do in Marikina

Date of Travel: 31 August 2013

I basically spend half of my weeks in Marikina and although I rarely go around, I have been to a lot of places that even real residents have never heard of. I've been wanting to make a food map about it but until then, I'll just write it all down here.

1. Interact with science for less at the Philippine Science Centrum.

This place is the "original Mind Museum", as I want to call it. It has similar exhibits as its BGC version but located in a smaller and simple space. As all museums, it is great for school field trips although adults could also definitely enjoy themselves here.

Location: E-com Bldg., Riverbanks Center

Admission Fee*:  Adult                               P120

                          Student

                                Private School           P120

                                Public School            P95

                          Children below 2y/o        FREE

                          Teacher with ID              FREE

                          Senior Citizen with ID     50% off on regular

Exhibit Hours: Mon - Sat 8am to 5pm

* Maximum of 1.5 hours per visit. Additional P60 for every hour thereafter. Reservation is required for group of 30 persons or more.

Check out their solar system mock-up

2. Visit the World's Largest Pair of Shoes*

Being the shoe capital of a country where anything is made super-sized just for heck of it, Marikina houses the world's largest pair of shoes, size 753 to be exact. I don't know how many feet could fit into that thing but it's amazing that the pair is still and intact and well-maintained (it was made in 2002).

Unfortunately, its record has recently been snatched by Hong Kong 

"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe"
This must be that shoe

Location: Riverbanks Mall
Admission Fee: Free
Exhibit Hours: Mall hours
* Unfortunately, as of 12 April 2013, the record was transferred to Hong Kong for making a 6.40m shoe, according to http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1000/largest-shoe/.

3. Pass time at the Marikina Riverbanks

Although the Marikina River is known to overflow at least once every year, its banks is still one of the best places in Marikina to hang out and see some greens. On one side of the riverbanks  is a big amphitheater where people either sit on the grass or at the steps.

The amphitheater

What to do in Bacolod

Date of Travel: 23-24 February 2013

For me, Bacolod is one of those hidden gems that you need to spend more time with for you to appreciate. It is an underrated destination that better appeals to the more adventurous type for lack of the usual and established tourist spots. I've only been here once and it was one of my most appreciated trips (great food, few tourists, no traffic, lots of space, everything cheap). I don't know much about Bacolod yet but I'll update this entry as I discover more about this laidback city.

PS: This post would include nearby areas such as Talisay City and Silay City.

1. Get drunk on Chicken Inasal at Manukan Country.

Located in front of SM Bacolod, Manukan Country looks like a wet market ("palengke") for Chicken Inasal. Eateries sit side by side, occupying a long strip of open air stalls with varying decorations and customer traffic. Because all of them basically sell the same thing and a first-timer won't know the taste difference, you may base your preferences on the number of electric fans blowing inside or the amount of noise created by the customers. Once you've chosen an eatery and claimed a table, you may opt to eat with your hands not only to achieve the real experience of eating an Chicken Inasal but also because it's easier. Don't worry, sinks are usually available.

Budget: P100 per stick

How to get there: Ride a jeep to SM (P7) and get off just before you get there. You can stroll to SM after to burn out the Inasal).

Note: "Inasal" is actually synonymous to "barbeque".

2. Learn about the Sugar Capital at the Negros Museum.

Aside from portraits of past Governors and accounts of the Sugar Industry, the museum also houses non-Negros related collections such as Japanese dolls and artifacts and architectural displays. It also has an old train car at the back which was used to transport sugar cane harvests.

Budget: P60

How to get there: Ride a jeep to the Bacolod North Terminal and get off by the Provincial Hall. The museum is at the street behind it. If you don't mind walking, you can take a leisure walk from SM/Manukan Country.

3. Have a gourmet snack at the Negros Museum Cafe.

This little posh cafe is right beside the Negros Museum. There was no one when we visited and it looked like they were arranging an area for an event. The Cafe served gourmet pieces at close-to-Manila prices. Being the budget travellers that we are, we just took a quick look and left.

Budget: P150+

How to get there: From the museum exit, walk to your right and you'll quickly spot the cafe.

4. Pass time at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.

If you want to see the locals in action, then you definitely have to be where the locals are. This park/lagoon which is just in front of the Provincial Capitol building is home to skateboarders and high school students. Some bring their picnic baskets, some their skateboards while some practice their dance routines or just watch other people do their thing. The place is grassy and benches are present.

5. Visit The Ruins.

Located in Talisay City, this destination is probably the most (or only) touristy destination around the city. Well-versed and well-practiced tour guides gleefully recite the history of the mansion to awed and amused guests. There were 3-5 guides around who take turns entertaining visitors and who say exactly the same things, including jokes. The area around the mansion is well-developed and well-maintained. It sits inside a manicured garden beside a small cafe-slash-souvenir shop. For added entertainment, you can play mini-golf at the back.

Budget: P60

How to get there: From the Bacolod North Terminal, walk back south to the Pepsi bottling plant, just under the fly-over. It's a short walk but be careful because it's at the side of the hi-way. In front of the bottling plant is a tricylce terminal. Ask for one that goes to The Ruins (P40). The site is inside several subdivisions so you might share the ride with a resident.

Note: They say that it's best to visit the mansion at sunset when the structure turns golden from the reflection of the sun.

6. Visit the Art District and have some more Chicken Inasal (or maybe a taste of art).

The Art District is where night life meets art. It is a developing area populated by restaurants (local and modern), bars, and art exhibits. If you want a more established and commercial Chicken Inasal taste, there's a Chicken House branch here you can go to. Otherwise, look for an artsy place and actually let the place live up to its name.

Budget: P100 (Chicken House)

How to get there: The site is just along Lacson St. so you can basically ride any jeep from the North Terminal. The closest district though would be Mandalagan. Watch out for Shell and Convergys when you get off.

7. Eat Dessert at Calea.

Calea is very popular in Bacolod and it already has several branches. The one we went to was the smaller one along Lacson St. It was inside a building, beside a hotel, and it is the one I recommend you to visit. There's a surprise to that place ;). 

Budget: P150+

How to get there: It's along Lacson St. and you can easily spot it from any jeep.

8. Get into a spa and a sauna for less at Bacolod Spa.

It was a long day and I wanted a massage so we went to Bacolod Spa which was the nearest to our hotel. It was housed in a boutique, well-designed hotel but it was unbelievably cheap. For P350, I get to steam off in a small sauna, take a hotel-level shower, and get a full-service massage. Although the massage wasn't great and it was done in a big room with 5 other beds (all women I assume), the price was more than worth it. I was just happy I got to take a hot shower and have oil spread all over my body.

Budget: P350

How to get there: The spa is along Lacson St.

9. Eat the freshest of oysters in Barangay. Balaring, Silay City.

We recognize the scarcity and pretentiousness of "oysters" in the Metro and so we were very excited to find fresh ones in the province. We weren't disappointed and what we experienced was even better.

We finished two buckets of oysters, one order of shrimp and one cup of rice each in a bahay kubo

on stilts. The oysters were the freshest I've tasted and the most authentic I've seen. Before this, all I know were buttered oysters that tasted nothing more than toasted butter.

Aside from the fresh seafood, you can also get a taste of wildlife.

Behind us is a lagoon where a number of birds were hunting. They repeatedly swooped down the water, trying to scoop up some fish. Nearby, you can see crabs coming out of their holes or walking along the bank. Add to that the fresh sea wind blowing our faces and filling us to another level.

Budget: Didn't take note. It was cheap and it was worth it.

How to get there: From Bacolod City, take a jeep to the Bacolod North Terminal (P7), transfer to a Ceres bus going to Silay (P15) and get off at the town proper. Look for a tricycle driver who could take you to Brgy. Balaring (P60/ride). To go back, walk along the road until you spot a tricycle (P10 shared) going to the town proper (I don't think they have a terminal here so locals usually walk until a tricycle passes by).

Note: Ask your driver to take you to Edgewater Restaurant at the far-end of the Barangay.

10. Get coffee at the local "Starbucks".

Kapehan sang Silay, as the worn-out sign still desperately indicates, is a very popular place among the locals who usually pops in for a few minutes for a hot cup of native Kape. The coffee (may be heard as 'ne-tib') is a curious mix of black coffee, sugar, and evaporated milk. The taste of the coffee was super strong so sugar and milk was inevitable and fortunately, since we were in sugar country, it wasn't weird to dump in a ton of sugar to our cup. Aside from the "netib" coffee, we also ordered Butong, a rice cake paired with brown sugar.

Budget: P30 would go a long way

How to get there: From the airport, ask to get off at Silay City and walk a block to your right to the Church. From Bacolod City,  take a jeep to the Bacolod North Terminal (P7), transfer to a Ceres bus going to Silay (P15) and get off in front of the Church. The site is across the Church.

Note: Don't expect too much from the place aside from culture and simplicity. If you're on an early flight, you can go here to get you're caffeine fix.

11. Eat meryenda and buy pasalubong at El Ideal Bakery.

Just across the Kapehan is El Ideal Bakery, a popular pasalubong stop for locals and residents alike. It sells the most wonderful meringue I have ever tasted and some other pastries that are to die for. They have a wide variety of baked goods and packaged pasalubongs for you to try.

12. Eat Piaya right off the grill.

On mornings, in Silay, one restaurant sells and cooks ube piaya just along the street. I've only seen piaya as a packaged pasalubong and I never knew it could be eaten like this.