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Rodic’s Diner: A Review

As a High School Senior who lives in a boardinghouse, I often find myself alone during dinner time. Some days, when I muster the strength to go beyond the local 7/11 for dinner, I walk along to the big, main streets looking for a place to eat. That’s how I ended up eating at Rodic’s that one February night.

I look up at the Rolex Place, a new building of restaurants and other commercial establishments. I look around and see that many of the places were out of my student budget- Starbucks, Papa John’s, Mister Kabab- that’s until I spot the Rodic’s on the second floor. As a child of two UP alumnae, I had heard stories about Rodic’s growing up. Mostly about it being cheap for students and a solid place to eat. And so I headed up there.

This branch of Rodic’s diner was brightly-lit with a simple white color scheme for it walls. Being a chain, the ambiance wasn’t particularly unique. But its not like I was expecting to, you know?

I order my food and ask for a plate of their tapsilog, the house specialty. For the unaware, tapsilog is a dish that consists of cured beef (TAPa), fried rice (SInangag) and a sunny side up egg (itLOG). Considering my options and my budget, this wasn’t a particularly odd choice of dinner meal; even though tapsilog is normally eaten as a breakfast food and not a dinner one.

I get my food around five minutes later. Now, I had eaten at a Rodic’s before this, but I had never eaten their tapsilog, mainly due to my aversion to the dish. I was very picky in the past; a little less so now. As I eat, I’m pleasantly surprised. The meat is sweet and flavorful, and goes great with the rice and egg. It had certainly lived up to the hype my parents always told me about.

I bought another serving for takeout and ate it the next morning for breakfast. 

Verdict: I refer you to the previous sentence.

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The Insider’s Guide to Sorsogon: 5 Great Place to Eat

What’s the point of taking a trip anywhere if there isn’t anything good to munch on? In this list, I count down some of the must-eat establishments in the province of Sorsogon. I might reveal a few of my secrets as well.

Casa Dominga

By no means a hidden gem, Casa Dominga is known as a local legend among Sorsoganons. The place is a very casual dining experience; the decor is quaint and simple, with wooden tables and picnic style table cloths. There’s even a karaoke machine they bust out on certain days.

Casa Dominga is locally famous because of their baby back ribs (pictured above), which several other restaurants around town have attempted to replicate. The ribs are the place’s main selling point, evidenced by a big sign out front that proclaims that the dish is “world famous.” Hyperbole aside, the ribs are actually pretty good if you like your meat on the sweeter side. Locals also suggest the mixed seafood platter if you’re looking for something else to eat.

Fair warning though, the service and cooking time at many restaurants in Sorsogon is very slow. The employess are in no rush to get the food to you. This can be infuriating if you’re in a rush, but all you have to do to avoid headache is to plan around this. If you aren’t hungry yet, then go to a resturant in Sorsogon. By the time the food gets to you, you will be.

Casa Dominga is open from 11 AM to 10 PM every day of the week and is located at 8 Alegre St. Maharlika Highway, AH26, Sorsogon City, 4700.

Source: UNA Pizzeria Sorsogon Facebook Page

UNA Pizzeria

Tucked away in a side street called Pareja is UNA Pizzeria; the only other place in Sorsogon City to buy a pizza apart from the local Greenwhich. Offering a unique take on the  Italian dining experience, UNA boasts a selection of various pizzas and pastas. Picture above is their Spicy Tofu and Shrimp Pizza, one of their newer additions to the menu. Other menu items to consider include “The Mexican” (a pizza with barbecued chicken strips on cream cheese, tomato sauce, and tomato salsa) and Roasted Spare Ribs in Cajun Barbecue Sauce.

UNA Pizzeria is another establishment with long waiting times for food to arrive. Consider arriving and ordering early if you plan to stop by.

UNA Pizzeria is open from 10 AM to 10 PM at 3257 Pareja Street, Bitan-o, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

Source: Balai Sugbahan nan Pahuwayan Facebook Page

Balai Sugbahan

A relative newcomer to the restaurant scene is Balai Sugbahan nan Pahuwayan, which translated from Bicolano means “House of Grilling and Rest.” Despite having its own Facebook page, Balai isn’t very well known amongst locals. This can mostly be attributed to its out-of-the way location, being situated on Sorsogon’s diversion road; which is a route which bypasses the city for trucks and buses bound for the port town of Matnog.

The restaurant has some great ambience. It feels cozy and has the general laid back provincial feeling, thanks to the decor and the building being a bungalow. The food is also excellent, mostly being broiled or grilled food. The Balai menu also includes Sizzling Beef Steak, Beef Tapa, and Broiled Chicken (pictured above). And the best part? The wait for food isn’t agonizing- nothing longer than 10 minutes.

Balai Sinugbahan can be found on Magsaysay II-C Diversion Road Brgy. Bibincahan, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

Iraya Bed and Breakfast

Iraya Bed and Breakfast also offers some fantastic views, a hiking trail, a swimming pool, and cottages and huts for people to stay in. The hostel can be found in Cagpacol Casiguran, Sorsogon, along the Maharlika Highway; just before the arch that borders between the towns of Casiguran and Juban.

Outside of Sorsogon City, in the small town of Casiguran lies the Iraya Bed and Breakfast, an up and coming hostel and inn. Not many people know about it, so let’s keep this secret between you and I, yeah?

Visitors in need of a meal can stop by the Birdcage Cafe, Iraya’s new dining hall and restaurant. Currently, with the establishment being so new, the Birdcage only serves one meal on a regular basis: its steamy Bulalo. Made from local ingredients, this stew is made from beef shanks and marrow and is the Cafe’s specialty. The cafe’s lunchtime menu changes from day to day depending on the availability of ingredients. The owners are currently planning to add Musells in Spring Rolls and Beef Adobo with Coconut Milk to their roster of regular items.

Iraya Bed and Breakfast also offers some fantastic views, a hiking trail, a swimming pool, and cottages and huts for people to stay in. The hostel can be found in Cagpacol Casiguran, Sorsogon, along the Maharlika Highway; just before the arch that borders between the towns of Casiguran and Juban.

Source: Rio Kaye Jalmanzar

Calle Nueva

During summertime in Sorsogon City, on particularly hot days, the locals all share the same knee-jerk solution: a generous serving of Calle Nueva Halo-Halo! Calle Nueva shares the distinction of local legend status along with Casa Dominga. Often when a Sorsoganon thinks of a place to eat their mind goes to either of these two locations.

Calle Nueva isn’t a restaurant, it’s actually a street famed for its sweet Halo-Halo. While several establishments along the road sell the dish, people regard Susan’s Halo-Halo as the place to go. With not much in the way of ambience, Susan’s is a simple Filipino eatery: with monoblocks seated at plastic tables in house rooms converted to dining halls. Susan’s doesn’t sell much beyond Halo-Halo, which is fine because all people really care about is the cool dessert. The popularity of Halo-Halo along Calle Nueva has even gotten the local business owners to start selling their desserts as takeout!

Susan’s Halo-Halo and many other Halo-Halo establishments can be found along Calle Nueva, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

And there you have it, five great places to eat in Sorsogon. Have any other suggestions? Think I missed anything? Then comment down below!   

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The Insider’s Guide to Sorsogon: Pagol Beach

Reading the average travel blog or guide about the province of Sorsogon will usually give you the following ideas: there’s whale-shark diving in the town of Donsol and the white sandy shores of Calintaan Island (more popularly known as Subic Beach) are simply to die for. Beyond that? Not much else.

The Many Sights of Sorsogon (Source: Wikipedia User Jeo525)

The truth is though that Sorsogon is chock full of remote natural wonders and fantastic secret corners; many of which even the locals don’t know about. Abandoned lighthouses, faraway beaches, and majestic country roads and landscapes- all these and more await you on your next trip to the southernmost tip of Luzon. Which is why I’m here- to give you the lay of the land and reveal to you all that Sorsogon truly has to offer. Welcome to the Insider’s Guide to Sorsogon. In today’s blog, we take a visit to Pagol Beach.

Orok Waterfall (Source: Nhel Banayad)

If you ask any of the locals where the best watering holes are, they’d probably point you to either Bacon beach (pronounced Bah-con, sorry pork lovers), the San Benon Hot Springs, or the Orok Waterfall. And while there’s nothing wrong with those suggestions, if you’re looking for a nice and peaceful afternoon, you definitely shouldn’t go to any of those places. For one, Bacon beach has lost most of its coastline due to the waves eating up all of the sand in recent years, and the other two places are prime tourist destinations and are busy and crowded almost year round. So where to go? Allow me to submit to you Pagol beach.

Located one hour north of Sorsogon City and past the sleepy of town of Bacon lies Pagol Beach. This little-known gem is one of the locations that this guide was meant meant for: it’s remote, not well-known, and absolutely stunning. By car, just go north on Magsaysay street, and eventually take a right on the Bacon - Sawanga- Prieto Diaz road. The entire journey should take an hour, and the only tricky bit is knowing where to stop, since there aren’t any big flashy signs telling you where to go. There are a few small signs however, so just keep your eyes peeled or ask locals for direction.

After paying Php 20 for entrance, and Php 100 if you want a cottage, you’re greeted to some of the clearest waters in Sorsogon, and quite possibly the entire region. The place is quiet and serene, since not many people know about it. The beach’s waters are lined with corals and white sand; you can even spot small schools of fish in the water- that’s how clear they are!

But by far the best part of any visit to Pagol beach is the view. On a clear day, visitors can spot the Mayon Volcano in Albay, all the way from another province! The perfect cone and slow curves of the Mayon are a beautiful sight to behold, especially at sunset; which is when I went to Pagol beach.

My first and last visit to Pagol beach was in 2014; and I’ve recommended it to anyone who’s ever asked me about places to swim in Sorsogon. During my visit, I went with my family, and the relaxing atmosphere and the beautiful view made the day a memorable one. Despite going there only once, Pagol beach has been firmly affixed in my mind all these years; and is one of my favorite places. I hope to return here one of these days, and I hope you can visit the beach too whenever you get the chance.

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A Doughnut Review but the Reviewer is a Snob Who Overanalyzes Everything

Legends say of a doughnut weaved from the fabric of creation itself; resplendent in its appearance, perfection in its taste, and joyous in its experience.

This is not that doughnut.

Good morrow, sirs and madams! I see you are men and women of good taste, for you have sought the insight of a connoisseur such as myself. Welcome to my most grand and splendid corner of the interwebs, today I offer you- my review of the Chocolate Boston Cream by Dunkin’ Donuts.

Packaging. Of the packaging, there is little to be said. The pastry in question was placed within a paper dodecahedron emblazoned with the Dunkin’ Donuts coat of arms. The coat depicts the name of the already named purveyor of baked goods, as well as a simplistic illustration of a cup of a beverage derived from roasted and ground coffee beans; I believe this beverage is called koffie by the Dutch.

The Pastry. The doughnut itself looks pleasing in its aesthetics. The chocolate-flavored band is coated with a sweeter layer of chocolate at its top and is lined with three lines of what appears to be solidified sugar. 

However whatever praise I give to this pastry stops here. Upon consumption, the bread was dry and flavorless. Rather unexpected, considering I was expecting it to possess a taste reminiscent of chocolate. As I trudged on, my taste buds came across the dougnuts’ cream filling, which was suitable but not by any means spectacular. The chocolate layer on top and the three sugar lines did little to help the situation. Overall, it left a lot to be desired, and I found myself wishing I had just bought a regular Boston Cream instead. Truly this purchase was a tragedy- a waste of hard-earned 2500 centavos. 

My Verdict. I urge anyone who reads this to skip over this particular variety from Dunkin’ Donuts current selection. Warn your collegues, your friends- I would not wish for even my worst enemy, of which I have many, to taste this confection. I personally plan to write a letter to Sir David Hoffman himself regarding this matter, as I think this pastry a blight upon the honorable name and legacy of House Dunkin’. Now I shall be off, for I have other, hopefully better, products to sample.

A Review by Lord Harrison Khaspere Von Iver Wulfricitus dela Oro XVIII.

Disclaimer: I used to write eviews in my spare time back in the day. Mostly toys. However as time has passed and I myself have grown, I’ve found the whole writing style for product reviews just seems so repetitive and similar. It takes a truly unique writer to keep a product review fresh and interesting. And since I didn’t think I possessed the unique writing voice to do such a feat, I decided to take a more satirical, even farcical, approach to my food review. The doughtnut was okay. It was really dry though, and frankly I did want a regular old Boston Cream by the end of it.

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For the Man Who Almost Made History

Gather ‘round, gather ‘round,

Let me spin you a yarn,

Of a man whose story,

Is of misfortune and smarm

A farmer’s son, this boy was,

But a tinker he grew to be,

Hold fast, let us pause,

His name was Elisha, you see

Elisha Gray, the inventor,

Was how he was known,

Brilliant though he was,

To unluckiness he was prone

His achievements include,

Unique telegraphs and such,

But of his telephone prototype,

He was proud of very much

He worked on it in secret,

His clandestine telephone,

He worked on it secret,

Due to some friend’s opposition

At last when it was ready,

He submitted his own patent

But alas, it was too late,

For another application, had just been sent

A few hours before Elisha,

An application came in

From a man named Graham Bell,

You may have heard of him

When it comes to inventions,

The first to patent is remembered,

And so it was that Graham Bell,

Was known as the telephone’s inventor

Elisha was enraged,

And a court case then ensued,

But sadly for poor Elisha,

Graham Bell won that too. 

Perhaps you will ask,

Why tell this sad awful tale

For you see dear readers, I am Elisha,

And you must learn from how I failed

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Anecdotes (Episode Eleven)

ALRIGHT MOTHERFUCKERS:

HERE.

WE.

GO.

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Anecdotes (Episode Ten)

Today I had soggy banana bread at 1 AM.

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My Magnum Opus

Here I stand,

At the precipice,

Arm raised,

My hand poised,

Ready to strike.

My silver tongue,

Forms the words,

Above, 

Inspiration strikes like lightning.

And so I write:

Shet writer’s block. Wala akong masulat.

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“I think we both can see what could be better I'll own when I was wrong With all we've had to go through We'll end up twice as strong And so we'll start again this weekend And just keep rolling along”

- Jason Robert Brown

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Anecdotes (Episode Nine)

Head on shoulders.

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Anecdotes (Episode Eight)

Life is pretty amazing sometimes.

I’m not talking about acing a test, or kissing a girl, or winning the lottery.

I’m talking about waking up late on Sunday, procrastinating till 2 PM, then the minute you get hungry, your mother suddenly calls you to say that she’s bringing you some food to eat and that she’ll be arriving at your dorm in 12 minutes.

Now THAT is amazing.

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A Walk

In the rain

He walked alone

But in his hand

The fresh memory 

Of another’s 

Lingered

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A Beginning

The man sat on the park bench in a drunken stupor. It was dark, but luckily a lamp illuminated the otherwise dark night.

His vision was hazy, and he was tired. His eyes felt heavy, and he was almost ready to pass out, but then, he heard footsteps.

A man in a brown trench coat was walking towards him. In his right hand he held a sleek black umbrella. He looked old, with facial hair as gray as cigarette ash. His face was grim and serious. Finally, he stood in front of the drunk woman.

“Tell me, are you...Stephen?” inquired the old man.

In his inebriated state, the man on the bench’s words were less like human speech and more like a slurry of words and phrases. The old man couldn’t discern an answer from his mumblings.

“Tsk...can’t have that now,” quipped the old man. He clicked his fingers. Suddenly the man’s posture straightened. The old man seemed satisfied. “Now tell me, is your name Stephen?”

The man on the bench nodded, his eyes widening at the realization that he was now sober. His mouth was agape.

“Come,” quipped the old man. “We have much to discuss.” The old man opened his umbrella, and raised it towards the sky. Two seconds later, it began to rain.

The man, Stephen, was too astonished to stand up, and let the rain pour over him. After a few moments, he finally asked, “Who- who are you?”

And so the old man told him.

Welcome to the Harmony writing challenge. The are only four rules: 

If you are tagged, you have been tasked to write the next chapter. 

The writer before you gets to impose one requirement. The requirement must either apply to JUST the one chapter or the ENTIRE rest of the story.

You may choose to end the story whenever. 

When you tag the next person, include these four rules.

I challenge @theonehopefuldreamer​​ to continue this story. My requirement applies for the entire rest of story: the story ends at dawn.

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Well...

That was nice.

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Blog Update

The Six-Headed Hydra’s remains sank into the depths of the Aegean sea. I sat on a piece of driftwood floating on the, now, calm waves; basking in the Mediterranean sunlight and the afterglow of my victory. I smiled as I looked up heavenward.

“Having fun?” asked a voice behind me.

I whirled my head around.

Before me floated a man in a dark cloak, his face shrouded in a dark hood. He floated several inches from the water.

The Last Quest Giver had appeared, I assumed to congratulate me on my victory.

“I’m not here to congratulate you on your victory,” he said.

“Why are you here then, I asked?”

“Because you have a thesis to write, and you better get your ass back to writing,” he said.

Then suddenly I woke up and it’s 1:04 AM on a Wendesday and I am screaming because GOD THERE IS MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

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To All My Adoring Readers...

Sorry for the absence, I’m afraid that I had to go on a dangerous top-secret mission these past few days. Luckily, I managed to save the world from the machinations of the evil Doctor Neist once again (what a fool, he thought he could take over the world by brainwashing people using cat videos, guess they don’t call them mad scientists for nothing). The President even gave me a medal for it. None of this was televised of course. 

Sadly for you, my life continues to be busy. This week, I embark on a dangerous quest to slay a six-headed hydra who has plagued the Aegean Sea for quite some time now. The Prime Minister of Greece (who is secretly the world’s Last Quest-Giver) has personally booked my flight and subsequent voyage. Going to be a very busy next two weeks, don’t know when I’ll have the time to write in this blog again.

So until I return, you’re all going to have to go on with the rest of your boring lives without my extremely entertaining blog updates. 

TL;DR: I’m awesome. No blog updates for a week or two. Ciao.

I have midterms this week. 

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A Poem I Wrote on Sunday

Today I daydreamed,

You, me, cafe in the rain,

You laughed, and I smiled.