Cafe Ysabel ... Shall I Say Goodbye?

Nowadays, there is a profusion of "instagrammy" places and restaurants around Metro Manila and Café Ysabel in San Juan is no exception to this.  Its recent advertisement in the internet, however,  has caught my attention  informing the public that their  more than three decades  of journey in the restaurant industry will soon come to an end on the last day of July, 2017 , hence,  the whole staff encourages their patrons for the past years to enjoy this gastronomic place in its farewell stint.

For 35 long years,  this once a "neighborhood café" in San Juan  has found its place in the Philippine Restaurant history and has made its  laudable presence through the years with Chef Genie Gonzales steering the wheel.  It started from a  bitty restaurant along Wilson Street in Greenhills, San Juan,  in a small section of the family's abode  rented out by no less than Susan Roces and the former King of the Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr.  Like any other business ventures, the first few years has never been easy for Café Ysabel and it took Chef Genie Gonzales  a 14-hour-a-day focus to get the smiles and praises of the restaurant's patrons and guests until it eventually emerged as a foodie mecca in San Juan for visiting tourists who were brought by their expatriate friends in Manila.  Café Ysabel soon became a group of restaurants  and found its home in an authentic 1902 ancestral house along P. Guevarra furnished with turn-of-the-century tables, chairs  and lamps oozing with nostalgic and romantic effects.

We were there last Sunday, July 16,  and the parking lot was full.  Customers waited for vacant tables and chairs and all the food and beverage associates were on their toes. If ever Café Ysabel will close its doors to its clientele for any reason,  one thing is for sure!  Many food enthusiasts will definitely lour  and  pull a face! Café Ysabel will leave a gap especially for the Filipino-Italian-Spanish food connoisseurs and it will take time for somebody else to fill it up!

For me, I just wanted to say " Thank you Café Ysabel. I'd better start looking for a place next to you!"

The front view of Café Ysabel

The door leading to the restaurant

There's something at Café Ysabel that will make you want to chill and  stay longer. 

Most probably, it is the old Spanish-Filipino set up that creates

a nostalgic ambiance coupled with mysticism and romance.

The hallway the leads to one of my favorite rooms.... The Ladies' Room!

The interiors of Café Ysabel will bring you back

somewhere in time.  While sitting on this chair,

I felt like looking for certain characters during

those bygone era!

Crunchy Asparagus with Tagaytay greens Salad in vinaigrette  coupled with

freshly-baked ciabatta bread dipped in balsamic vinegar

with olive oil gave us a real good start!

Our al dente Pasta Putanesca with lots of mushrooms, black olives, capers and sun-dried tomatoes

satiated our cravings for something Italian that day!

The desserts at Café Ysabel are like magnets that will attract you

and will keep you  coming back for more.  The strawberry

shortcake is their best seller.  But don't forget to try

their mango crepe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It's heavenly!

The cake shop for the quick cake orders.

I love this spot in particular at Café Ysabel.  The relaxing view of the garden

through the glass windows and the scrumptious food served before you

truly make a perfect combination to make my day!

It's coffee time but  . . . thank you!  I don't drink coffee!

It's time to go but wait.... allow us to have  this souvenir shot

on the side stairs.

The balcony and the view of the garden

My souvenir shot at the stairs

Could this be my last photo here at Café Ysabel?  If it closes by the end of July, 2017,

definitely, this will be!

THE BEST: An Open Letter to Angeli

Dear Angeli,

Congratulations!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

When I saw this certificate in FB, ( please see attached photos below ), I simply cannot help but shed a tear of joy for you and your family, especially for your Mom.  I am a living witness to how difficult life has been for you since you were a child. Your younger years have been besieged by all sorts of storms and your school life has never been that smooth and pleasant.  Maybe that's one of the reasons why you grew up to be a quiet type lad, reserved, someone who will never speak up unless you're asked to do so.

Despite of what you have and mostly, of what you do not have, YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED because God has provided you with everything that you needed . More than the unstoppable material blessings that you have received from all possible channels,  He has given you a big brain in your head and a pair of long flat shoes in your feet to steer yourself into the direction that you have decided to choose.

A few days from now, you will don your cap and gown and arm yourself with a big grin as you march towards and across the stage to get your diploma.  On that very special and memorable occasion shout out to the Lord, thank Him and praise Him for His love and for  all HIS goodness and mercies.  Hug and kiss your MOM and thank her for all her sacrifices.  Hers is an unconditional love for you and SHE HAS DONE EVERYTHING for you to enjoy life amidst scarcity and abundance, joy and sorrow, tears and  laughter.  Do not forget to thank your father as well  though you may have found him wanting in loving you and taking care of your very basic needs.  He is the man that God has chosen to be your father and that's one fact that you cannot change.   Without him, you won't exist.  Take time to tightly embrace your big brothers and whisper THANK YOU for they all gave way for you.

For all those sleepless nights of studying with belts tightened to its very last hole, you deserve more than just a congratulatory greeting.  You deserve the brightest future.  You deserve the best job with the highest pay commensurate to your qualifications.  You deserve to be the happiest woman in town with the best man for you. You simply deserve the best in everything.  After all, you have done your very best to be where you are now.

As you live your dream life in the future, do not forget to give your best to the Lord.  HE HAS GIVEN HIS LIFE FOR YOU to enjoy an eternal life with Him. Also, as HE has promised, HE will give you more than what you have given HIM.

I am very proud of you, Angeli, not because of what you have achieved but because of what you have become.  You're an obedient and a loving daughter to your parents and a source of joy to all your brothers and even to your relatives ( especially to your titas and cousins, being the youngest and their baby ) and friends.  As you start to face the real corporate world, I hope and pray that you will change to become even more obedient to your bosses and the authorities, lovelier to your peers and colleagues and a channel of joy and blessings to even more people not only in your office but including your other countrymen.

GOD BLESS YOU, Angeli, and your family, too! 

GOD BLESS US ALL! 

Tita Day

Angeli, the youngest among the brood of four and the youngest among my 16 nephews and nieces

After years of long sleepless nights with tightened belt to the last hole, Angeli proudly wears her sablay and shows her diploma

A hard, well-earned certificate of recognition!  Good job, Angeli!

Angeli with her Mommy Banjie

Angeli with her family

(From L-R:  Ivan, Noel, Mommy Banjie, Marc, Daddy Manny)

UP, UP AND AWAY (The Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival )

Have you had the chance to be a spectator in a hot air balloon fiesta? 

In my whole life, it was only last Saturday, April 16,  that I had the chance to  witness such a festival and I simply felt " blessed " to be a member of WE ARE FUNTASTIC PHILIPPINES ( WAFP ), an advocate of Philippine tourism.  It created  a one-day FUNLAKWATSA to the Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival which was held in Pradera Verde, Barangay Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga from April 15-17, 2016.   It was said to be the biggest hot air balloon festival in Southeast Asia so far.  The event also featured local bands and musical acts like Eli Buendia and the Sabado Boys,  bazaars, food trips, fireworks display and many more.  But the main draw, of course, was the  hot air balloon show manned by aviators from the Philippines and from other countries all over the world.

We were at the site by 5 o'clock in the morning to make sure that we won't miss anything about the giant balloons airshow, though the gates were opened as early as 4 o'clock at dawn to welcome the early birds.   ( Thanks to Ms. Ameh Zamora Samano , our WAFP President, who took  charge of our entrance tickets and of course to Ms. Gladys Francisco and company who provided us with the transportation.)  The air was filled with loud and  lively music and the mood was very festive .  There were lots of stalls for food and drinks , t-shirts and caps and other souvenir items.  We have spotted some celebrities too.   The place was big enough to accommodate the big crowd  and everything seemed to be in full control.

As the sun prepared  for its glorious rising,  so were  the giant  and  multi-colored balloons of various shapes and sizes  prepared  for their spectacular flying. 

As soon as the members of the crew started inflating the hot air balloons, I joined with my WAFP group inside the FLYING ZONE to take  a closer look at the stars of the show...

There were many WAFP members inside the Flying Zone but we were scattered all over the place.  With me was AJ C Susalta,  the most available gWAFPo hunk in the group

and the tall, dark and sexy Roan  ( Photo credit to AJ C Susalta )

A souvenir photo with the Aviators of  Hot Air Balloon No. 15  (Photo credit to AJ C Susalta)

A souvenir photo of the WAFP Stars with a real screen idol  Juan Rodrigo ( Photo credit to AJ C Susalta )

The assistants started spreading the uninflated balloons on the ground as this cute little boy in blue looked with so much curiosity.  Hmmm.... a prospective aviator someday?

It seemed so easy . . .

but it took them quite sometime to spread the whole thing on the ground...

Little by little the giant balloons were inflated as the sun started to come up...

                                        " When the sun was up in the sky so blue

                                            One by one, in their magical turns,

                                            Up, up and away, they flew "

They were all set to fly up, up  and away....

As the time drew nearer for all the balloons to fly high, the people got excited, too!  They ran from one balloon to another, trying   to catch a glimpse  of the balloon at a very near distance  and take a photo ....

Picture . . .picture here, there and everywhere... as the Beatles song goes...

Then... one by one, they  flew!

Truly the Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival has beaten the country's summer heat!

The Hot Air Balloon Crew members . . .

It was indeed lovely to look at as each balloon slowly made its way up in the deep blue sky.....

Fly high little man . . . and inspire a lot of people!

A little prayer for peace from this blue hot air balloon....

The monkey had his wings . . .  Wasn't it amazing?

As they waited  for their turn . . . picture picture lang!

The Lubao skyline was  filled with giant colorful hot air balloons of varied sizes and shapes and it was indeed  a beautiful and fantastic sight to behold!

The PCSO hot air balloon from the Philippines was among those who took off the last . . .

And so with the hot air balloon representing Lubao, Pampanga, the host province!

By seven o'clock in the morning, they're all up!   Bye bye for now hot air balloons.  I hope to see you again next year !
Chase crew members . . . good luck!  



More importantly than the beauty we have seen and the  joy that we have felt, the event MUST  have accomplished what it was ought to accomplish ~ most probably to promote peace and friendship among participating nations; to introduce some of the latest technology in aviation  and  to boost the country's tourism industry!

To my WAFP family, thank you!

BEYOND THE SUNSET

Sunsets always captivate me.  Though not a rare commodity, its beauty and sheer magnificence speak to me and expand my soul in worship and thanksgiving of our Creator.  In all honesty, the older I get the more I appreciate each day and the more I enjoy each sunset.   I am always amazed of this daily phenomenon that whenever I travel or wherever I may be and have the chance to chase the sun with whatever camera  on hand, I always do so. 

As of to date, here are some of my favorite sunset photos.  Take a look at each and  read each caption and find out some  pieces of gems  I got from the sunsets!

Every night, sunsets just come and go.  Like childhood, they must be viewed with wonder and awe not simply because they are beautiful and amazing but because they're fleeting!

( Chasing the sun along Sunset View Boulevard,  Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

   

Sunsets never failed to amaze me.  How I wish I could be as amazing as the sunset and so do the other people!  The world perhaps  would be a much  better place to live in ! 

( Touring the Floating Village at the  Big Lake,  Cambodia )

Even the most beautiful days in our lives eventually have their sunsets.  Let us savor  the special moments as we view every sunset we see.   For when the sun has set, not even the most expensive light bulb  nor a custom-made candle can ever replace it.  Not even the moon!

( Mount Olympus, Alta Vista, Antipolo City )

According to Camille Pissaro, blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. 

( One traffic afternoon at the Coastal Road, Paranaque City )

The skies proclaim the works of His hands.  Truly, God makes the best art  displayed  in the biggest museum with no entrance fees!  It's a very special offer that so many people simply ignore .  Please don't  miss many of it!

( Along Sunset View Boulevard, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

In one of the legends, the sun loved the moon so much he died every night to let her breathe...  Couldn't it be one  of the reasons why the sunset is more colorful that a sunrise?  Love shows its true colors !  Also, it depicts an irony in life when good things happen not when you say  "Hello" but when you bid   "Goodbye!"   

(Along Sunset View Boulevard, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Always cap the day with  something beautiful and something good.    You may have shed  the tears all day long   but  in the end,  be sure to smile and rejoice and thank God for everything that you have received from Him, including all your pains and your sorrows.

( At Gloria de Dapitan, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

What a great joy to see an endlessly changing horizon!  Do not waste any amount of time doing anything unimportant when there's a sunset that you should be sitting under and enjoy!  

( Along Dapitan Bay, Dapitan City Zamboanga del Norte )

Let the warm glow of the setting sun kiss away all the hurts in life !   As  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, every sunset brings the promise of a new day !   Look at  the sunset , hope and dream . HOPE MORE and  DREAM BIG!

(Along Sunset View Avenue, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Every sunset has its own story to tell about the whole day that has passed. But no matter how worse a day has been, it keeps its inner fire burning  and  always make sure of a beautiful and dramatic exit.

(Along Sunset View Blvd., Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Sunsets are like the promises of God.  Their beauty and truth  speak  loud and clear and are not empty.  They help you regain your perspective and find renewed strength no matter how  disorganized and chaotic the surroundings may be. 

( Across the Moonwalk Market along Zapote-Alabang Road, Las Pinas City )

They say that beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies.  But too much cloud  will not permit a glorious  exit for the sun.  May there be just enough clouds in your life to create a breath-taking sunset that will inspire everyone  who will see it . . .

(At SM Southmall  Parking Area, Las Pinas City )

How I wish I could look at people as marvelous just like the way I look at a sunset.  There's no intent to control or to change  but to simply watch it with awe as it unfolds. 

( By the window at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas )

While we are enjoying the promise of a new dawn a sunset brings,  the other part of the world is enjoying their hopeful sunrise!  Truly GOD is awesome!

( Sunset in Manila Bay )

What is the best thing about the sunset?  Nothing beats the joy of watching the sunset and spending its magical moments with your FOREVER!

(Joe and Rein  in Manila Bay, Mall of Asia side ) 

Every sunset is ONE DAY LESS to live by and brings us nearer to our ultimate goal.  However, it also gives us ONE DAY MORE to hope for another amazing sunrise.

(By the beach at Nasugbu, Batangas )

But what is our ultimate goal?  What really lies beyond the sunset?

A BLISSFUL MORNING.... with our Saviour . . . as the song goes!

I hope you enjoyed chasing the sun with me.  Have a nice day and thank you for visiting my site !