Building a Community of Opportunities

All the while, when I think of Gawad Kalinga it's about building houses in a community. They do build houses but I never thought they are more than just that. And that's what I discovered when I visited GK Enchanted Farm.

The GK Enchanted Farm is Gawad Kalinga’s platform to raise social entrepreneurs, help the local farmers and create wealth in the countryside. The man behind the continuous success of Gawad Kalinga, Tony Meloto mentioned that the road out of poverty is to provide decent homes; then teach them how to become enterpreneurs. And that's the main purpose why GK Enchanted Farm was built.

 

The place is not just a farm but a community. Farm because of the freshly picked greens and fruits; community because of the families and staff that work together to built better opportunities.

Going there was quite a challenge. The time I got the invite, I immediately checked how to get there since Norzagaray is a few kilometers away from where I lived. But with the several rides and turns, I doubted that I could commute. So instead of commuting, I took advantage of the shuttle service. I could, at least familiarize myself on how to get there..

It was an early call time. We left Enchanted Farm Cafe in Quezon City around 7am and arrived at GK Enchanted Farm few minutes before 9am. The place is huge. One thing I noticed at once was the foreigners of different nationalities in the area. They're actually volunteers that came all the way from different parts of world to help out in the farm's advocacy. There we got to meet Clementine, Leslie and Fabien, to name a few among the social entrepreneur mentors in the farm.

Leslie is no stranger in our country, she's a Filipina who has a good life in New York but chose to go back and do what she has been doing now.

Now back to the farm..

The buffet (from breakfast, to lunch and then dinner) are guaranteed fresh. All ingredients came from the farm. Talk about health and nutrition.

During our stay in the farm, we got to know and learn more about the different social entrepreneur opportunities that anyone could willingly have.

PLUSH AND PLAY

Plush and Play's current designs..

One of the staff in action..

GOLDEN DUCK

In the process of making those golden eggs..

The finish product..

 
BET ON HAMLET

Dimsum making..

Finish product.. These taste good!

GOURMET KESO

Yummy!

GK Enchanted Farm is just about learning but there's also exploring.. We were toured around the farm.

The Bamboo Palace

Lifebank Center for Bayanihan Economics

Oasis - Yes! They'll have a spa and wellness center..

Hyundai Center

Some of the houses in the community..

Not to forget a bit of relaxation.. Enchanted Farm has a swimming pool and it's an infinity pool..

On our last day in the farm, we learned a few farming 101.

Learning to transplant a seedling..

Removing weeds and grass from the crops..

The whole experience was like a mini immersion in the community. We stayed and got to interact with the families living in the area. I encourage you to visit GK Enchanted Farm whether it's for relaxing, learning, road trip etc. Drop by and get inspired by their vision to help people help themselves.

Read More

An Adventure Rises from the Ashes

How great it would be that a vast area of volcano ash would become an exciting place to have fun and adventure.

Few months ago, I got a chance to visit yet another adventure park located in Porac, Pampanga, a place unlikely to think of (well, that is for me). But it was a perfect place to have an adventure. 

Welcome to Sandbox!

Sandbox is an outdoor adventure park in Ayala Land’s emerging 1,125-hectar metropolis, Alviera. And it has I may say, the exciting to extreme adventures one can find.

AERIAL WALK

Quite unfortunate for me not to experience it. The line seemed limitless.. People, kids and kids at heart waited for their turn. I will try it some other time.

GIANT SWING

This is one thing I don't want to try again. Last time I experienced same thing in another park, I felt like dying. Heart and stomach left 30-feet high above ground.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate swing of your life..

TIP: Scream!

ADVENTURE TOWER

When I first saw this towering structure, I said to myself, "I got to try this no matter what!" There goes my adrenaline rush. It has wall climbing, rappelling and the free fall.

And there I go! (photo credit: Jinkee Umali)

ATV & UTV

Now here's something extreme! These all-terrain vehicles can take you to Alviera’s 1,125-hectar property that cuts across mountain terrains, Pampanga’s lahar trail, water ways. 

From here...

To the grasslands..

Rocky roads..

Then this! Talk about having a playground..

Joyride!

More joyride!

But here's my ultimate advice before you try one of these.. If in any reason that you feel doubtful of driving, PLEASE don't think of driving. Think of safety first. Either the ATV or UTV are heavy and takes ultimate precaution in driving. I could drive go karts but this one is different and way bigger. I chose to be a passenger with the guide.

ROLLER COASTER ZIPLINE

It was not yet done when we visited Sandbox but to show you how it looks like and somehow see the thrill of trying it; here's a video.

Other attractions of the Sandbox include a huge sandbox playground for kids, picnic areas, the mini-golf with pitching areas, and camping sites. There’s also a gazebo, where food corners are located, and a flexi-use open field behind the Adventure Tower where hobbyists can enjoy other outdoor activities such as Frisbee, RC plane, kite-flying and kite-making workshops. The field can also be used as a concert venue.

The Sandbox is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. They offer several packages depending on which attractions you want to try. For more information and other announcements, visit the Alviera web site at www.alviera.ph or www.facebook.com/AlvieraPH.

Read More

Malabon Food Tour Experience

The City of Malabon is a place famous for its Pancit Malabon. It is also famous for other variety of foods, such as puto sulot, puto bumbong, sapin-sapin, broas, bibingka and camachile. The culinary delights are abundant in its specialty eateries such as Nanay’s Pancit Malabon, Rosy’s Pancit Malabon, the Pescadores Restaurant and the Balsa sa Niugan, a floating restaurant with 350 seats. 

And since we started talking about food, I got the privilege to experience first-hand Malabon City's food tour. What's unique (well, for me) about this tour is that it was initiated by their city mayor; who is somewhat a 'foodie' as he go around places within the city proper and try out various menu in establishments, regardless if it's a cafe, restaurant, stall or eatery. 

Malabon is also the home of the famous Dolor's Kakanin; and it was first stop for the day.

Various delicacies.. Yum! Yum!

Love their pichi-pichi..

First time to eat yema rolls and I loved it!

Other products include bibingkang galapong, kutsinta, maja blanca, biko – pinipig, malagkit, monggo, & bibingkang tinapay (bread pudding). Dolor's Kakanin opens as early as 5am.

SECOND STOP:Aling Mely's Carinderia

Aling Mely's is one of the first eateries in Malabon. Established in the 1950s, we got to meet Aling Mely, herself and told she had not any culinary training. Forget about eating in a fine dining restaurant. Aling Mely's menu would make you say "Iba pa din ang lutong bahay.." 

Aling Mely with her gastronomic menu..

Simple signage outside..

What I had in this stop.. First time taste TAPANG KABAYO and it wasn't bad at all..

THIRD STOP: Cocina Luna

Cocina Luna is not your typical restaurant. Not only that you'll fill up your tummy, you'll also get to feed your mind with the various artworks and quotes displayed on the walls..

Get connected with them right away..

Feed your mind..... and tummy.. :)

Be inspired / motivated..

Two of Cocina Luna's signature dishes - PULLED PORK BURGERS and TAPA..

FOURTH STOP: Cups & Cones

At first you'll think it's an ice cream store but there's more of what they can offer..

Signage inside..

Pasta, sandwiches, crepes, pies and salads..

Shakes, coffee and choco variants..

FIFTH STOP: Cooking demos and lunch..

More dishes welcomed us as we arrived at Malabon's sport center.. But first, we had a few cooking demos - Q-Xin turon and kikiam..

Turon with ube, lakatan and langka dip..

Homemade kikiam..

Now that's what I call a FEAST!

SIXTH STOP: Ozen Japanese Food

Ever tried takoyaki? Those that can be found in malls? They tastes fine but wait until you try those offered by Ozen. Theirs is more filled with flavor..

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.

Japanese food in the house!

Cooking just takes a few minutes..

Aside takoyaki, they also have gyoza and california maki (which I thought would also be served hehehe)..

FINAL STOP:

Read More