Back in Tagaytay - Buon Giorno

A few of weeks ago, we were back in Tagaytay. We made sure this time to have a meal at one of our favorite restaurants there where we haven't eaten in years (since before the pandemic). Previously, when we frequented Tagaytay, we regularly at there. We tried to eat at Buon Giorno in a previous trip but it was full and we had to settle for dinner at another restaurant near it. This time we were lucky and got a nice table to enjoy our pasta and pizza. 

Quattro Formaggi Pizza the way we like it

Our daughter was amused of the mug for her iced tea. It featured a flexed arm for its handle.

The wife and I had our favorite Spinaci e funghi ravioli

Close up of the ravioli 

Our daughter had risotto while our niece had vongole. I didn't take photos of these as they immediately dived into their food the moment these were served. Needless to say that we had a great dinner at Buon Giorno.

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Snacks: Meiji Kinoko no Yama

I spotted these snacks on sale at one of the Japanese themed stores inspired by 100 yen and similar shops in Japan. These are chocolate-tipped, mushroom shaped biscuits.

These were on buy one, take one sale so I got a couple of packs. Unfortunately, removing the tape ripped off some of the box.

Inside the box is not just a pack of biscuits. The foil is actually nicely printed. This preserved the biscuits.

What the biscuits look like with the chocolates forming the top of the mushroom.

While these may be regarded as children's snacks, they are actually delightful to eat. I wouldn't mind snacking on these from time to time. The biscuits are crunchy so you enjoy chewing on them. 

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A sort of pilgrimage to the relic of St. Francis of Assisi at the Sta. Clara Monastery

My siblings had already visited the relic of St. Francis of Assisi when it was still as the St. Francis of Assisi Church at Lourdes Mandaluyong. I wasn't able to get a chance to go there but my brother sent me the schedule and saw that this week, the relic will be at the Monasterio de Sta. Clara in Katipunan, Quezon City. 

Sta. Clara was transferred to its current location back in the 1990s prior to the construction of the Aurora Flyover and the Line 2 Katipunan Station. The lot where it was previously is unoccupied.

 

The relic is located at the right when facing the altar. It will be here until June 26th.

Sta. Clara when I visited before noontime had few people. One vendor mentioned that this time of the year, the church usually had the most visitors on Sundays. There are no licensure exams or entrance exams coming up soon so I guess many who come here to say a prayer and ask for help in their exams are elsewhere or maybe visiting other churches or shrines for the same purpose. I wonder how many come back for thanksgiving after their desired results are granted. 

I think Sta. Clara remains a place for quiet reflection and prayer. It is not as crowded as Quiapo or Antipolo or Baclaran. You can actually come and sit or kneel away from the other people in the church so you can immerse yourself in prayer or meditation. The nuns pray and sing solemnly at a section separated from visitors so you will probably hear their humming voices while you are there. They only increase the volume when they sing and respond during the regular Masses held at the monastery church. 

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