First impressions of Baler

I should end April with a post on our trip to Baler, Aurora. I think the first image of Baler for me is its being a small town compared with the larger, more urbanized places I've gone to. There is something quaint about it and the downtown being so close to the beaches and the sea. Nevermind that it can be teeming with people during the weekends and the holiday seasons. Here are some of the first photos I took after we arrived and checked-in at the resort we stayed at - Costa Pacifica.

The resort grounds were clean and inviting for a stroll.

The children's pool area seemed to be unoccupied the time we arrived and checked in

The sea beckons - this photo was taken before the beach got crowded with people. The waves are what many come here for. Aside from Siargao and La Union, Baler is another popular destination for surfing.

An island in the distance as seen from the beach

More photos and articles on Baler soon!
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Burby's, Total, NLEX

One of our usual stops along the northbound side of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is the Total Station where we have a dependable place to have breakfast at. Burby's has been operating for many years now and their Filipino breakfast items are among the more consistent in terms of quality and quantity for the hungry traveler.

Classic danggit (dried fish), rice and scrambled egg

Sardines, rice and scrambled egg

Longganisa (sausages), rice and fried egg

These Filipino favorites for breakfast are definitely the ones to order (also try their tapsilog or tocilog). The service is pretty straightforward and the prices are very affordable for a restaurant at an expressway stop. We will definitely be stopping here again the next time we head north.

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A very old art deco Doxa watch

I have what looks like a very old watch. The seller claimed it to be a 100-year old watch but I currently do not have the means to authenticate it. However, I got it for a good price so I have no regrets in purchasing this Doxa.

Art deco is the main element going for this watch. "Doxa" is barely visible in the photo.

This watch has a very unique glass that's triangular in shape.

Case back

 

 

 

Inscription stating this to be gold-plated.

Signed movement - I have yet to identify the movement caliber

Close-up of what appears to be the movement number

 

I have only winded the watch several times and it ran for more than 30 hours every time. I have not used the watch and still thinking whether this is something I would keep. For now, it's part of my collection. Maybe I will be posting the photo of the movement to get help identifying it.

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San Luis Obispo Church (Baler Church)

We usually go to a nearby church on Sundays that we are traveling or staying out of town. Last month, we were in Baler and checked the Mass schedules for Sunday morning before we packed away to return to Antipolo.

Here's a view of the San Luis Obispo Church from the Dona Aurora Quezon House across the street. The church is also a short walk away from Museo de Baler and has an access along the side towards the Municipal Hall compound and plaza.

Here's a close-up photo of the church, whose facade looked newly painted. There are historical markers visible in the photo. I wasn't able to get photos of the markers but there's a story here worth telling including what was supposed to have been the basis for the film "Baler" that was situated during the Revolution in the late 1800's.The original church was constructed in 1611 and the current one was in 1939.

Inside the church, you realize this was really an old structure that had sort of evolved over the years.

I thought the parish priest delivered a very good homily during the Mass we participated in. Also, I liked that during the offertory, instead of passing baskets or ushers going around for offerings, parishioners and others attending the Mass filed towards the altar after the host and wine had been offered. The priest stood there and give his blessings to the people. The church was full but not too crowded. I guess they included tourists like us who still included the Mass as part of our itinerary. We thought this was also thanksgiving for our safe trip and our family's bonding time.

May you have a meaningful celebration of the Holy Week!

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Marvin vintage watch

Another old watch in my collection is this rare model Marvin watch. I've decided to put it up for sale recently but so far there have been no takers. As with the Seiko Actus I posted about recently, I am somewhat relieved that there are no takers (yet).

An uncommonly wide watch with 22mm lugs

Side view of this rectangular piece

Case back doesn't state whether this was originally water resistant or even shock resistant

Signed crown - a much sought after feature for vintage watches, signed crowns are not as common as people think they are with many vintage watches having what seems like generic ones that are unmarked.

The watch can look elegant and appropriate for formal or semi-formal affairs. I just choose not to use its leather straps.

I have yet to identify the movement on this watch.

I think this is a fine model for Marvin. This one runs well though I think it might need some lubrication as adjusting the time gets a bit difficult as there's some resistance when you turn the crown.

 

[Update: I already unloaded the watch and it was acquired by (no surprise) a guy named Marvin.]

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Mad Mark's Creamery, UP Town Center

We had an opportunity to have lunch at the nearby UP Town Center on a Monday, with surprisingly fewer than usual people at the mall. We decided to eat at a restaurant we haven't tried before and proceeded to Mad Mark's Creamery after checking out their menu on display outside the resto. For me, it was the ice cream that tipped the balance considering it was a hot day.

Interiors

Creole chicken

Anchovy fillet

Beef kebab

Menu

A must try is their specialty "Rolling Dutchman", which is ice cream on brioche bread. Call it a version of the "classic" sorbetes in a bun sold by your suking "dirty" ice cream vendor or sorbetero but this one's really good with their home made (artisan?) ice cream and freshly baked brioche bread. Melts in your mouth!

Ice cream specials on the menu

Mad Mark's is perfect for casual dining and definitely good for their very refreshing ice cream. Prices are right on the budget and the staff are attentive and helpful with the menu. We'll come back for more...ice cream!

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Seiko Actus 7019 7060 vintage watch

I acquired this watch through my suki in Fukuoka, Japan. I had it recently serviced and had the crystal buffed as it was full of scratches. My watch guy instead recommended to have it changed because of the deep scratches. The watch came out looking mint.

The watch has day and date features. Days can be in English or Kanji. I fitted it with a rally leather strap that used to be with my Citizen Second Setting (I now use a nato with that watch). The quickset day and date features function well with the date changed by pushing on the crown in this position.

The photo doesn't give justice to the watch. It actually has a light blue to it that's relaxing to the eye and sort of brings a feeling of calmness.

Close-up showing a pristine dial

Case back showing the watch model and its other features. The serial number indicates it to be manufactured in July 1972.

Here's a wrist shot. The photos don't give justice to the watch as the dial is actually light bluish.

Automatic movement

The signed movement states this is a 7019A movement that runs at 21,600 A/h

It's "Araw ng Kagitingan" or "Day of Valor" in the Philippines. My friends and I decided to let go of some of our watches in our respective collections. These are all of Japanese make (Seiko, Citizen and Orient). This one is included in the sale but I am secretly wishing that the watch won't be fancied at this time.

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Note: I gave this away as birthday present to a very close friend. This was his BMBY. For a guy who doesn't usually wear a watch, he now more regularly wears this one especially when we are on trips or in the field.
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Tuna at the market

Last weekend, I chanced upon one of my suking fish vendors at the market as he was carving up a gigantic tuna. Too bad I was beaten to the best parts by a couple of people who got those suitable for sashimi.

The fish has been divided into several large pieces including the head

The head compared to a 5-peso coin.

I instead had some portions for steak (we grilled some for Saturday dinner).

I'm looking forward to the next weekend...
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Casa Soriano, Naga City

A very pleasant experience was our lunch over at Casa Soriano in Naga City. I thought this was somewhat a surprise as we were not expecting something like a home converted into a restaurant as fine as this.

The restaurant is actually a house inconspicuously located behind a car dealership.

There's an entrance to the restaurant at the side of the house that reminded me of the old Casa Verde restaurant in the UP Diliman campus.

Upon entry, one will be greeted by vintage decors along a Vigan tiled floor

Here's a look back before I turned towards the restaurant's doorway

More vintage stuff on display

They have an outdoor eating area, which suggests that they

View of the restaurant from the garden

Image of Our Lady of Penafrancia at the corner of the restaurant - Bicolanos and particularly the people of Naga are very religious and hundreds of thousands if not millions come home to participate in the celebrations during the feast day (every third Sunday of September).

Paintings (I assume from a local artist) hung on a brick floor

Nice lamps made from repurposed cart wheels

Menu cover

Nice vintage lamps adorn the ceiling

Here are some photos of their menu:

Poultry, beef and lamb dishes

Seafood dishes including the famous Bicolano recipes with sili (chili) and gata (coconut milk)

Rice dishes including paella

Photo op corner just before the restaurant door

Here are some outdoor photos. The restaurant is obviously a good venue (pang-instagram!) for parties including wedding receptions.

They converted what used to be a swimming pool into a garden.

The toilets are also well-integrated into the 'landscape'

There's a hanging bridge allowing you to cross the swimming pool

There are strategically placed benches and lighting on the trees

We had chop suey, chicken cordon bleu and adobong pusit (squid).

Chicken cordon bleu

Adobong pusit

Chop suey

Casa Soriano is definitely on top of my list of restaurants in Naga City but for the accessibility (its outside the city center so its sort of out of the way). I thought the prices were also reasonable for a sit-down restaurant (as opposed to fast food) and the service was also good. The staff were efficient and attentive, and knowledgeable about their menu. The restaurant is highly recommended!

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