DAKAK ADVENTURE ZONE

Whenever I go on a getaway trip, I would always imagine myself lounging by the pool, bathing under the sun, and drinking a tall glass of ripe mango shake. Activities would usually consist of walking along the beach, piling my plate during buffet breakfast, and just snoozing in the hotel bed until whatever time we desire.

However, all changed when my officemates and I went to DAKAK BEACH RESORT!!

I don't think I could never stress how much I could be SO lazy during the weekends. My point is that from Monday to Friday, I would get up early for the boys, work the whole day till night, and sleep very late. As a result, come Saturday and Sunday, I just want to turn into a sloth.

Such was my expectation during our supposed to be weekend vacation but I never expected that it was going to be an adventurous 2 days! I already get tired just thinking about it! Our DAKAK weekend was really unforgettable for us because I was able to do things that I have never thought of doing in my lazy lifetime.

And one of them was during our afternoon in DAKAK ADVENTURE ZONE!!!!

VILLAGE TAVERN ONCE MORE!!!

Ever since BGP Mariane and Manong Fred returned from the US, we would always meet. Yup! Sometimes everyday! You might say that we are just "making up for lost time" from our 3 month separation. To be honest though, I'm sure we are just making excuses to hang out whenever we can. After we meet up, our last question would always be "When uli tayo magkikita ah???"

Of course, that's just the way we wanted it. There's really no limit to the enjoyment of hanging out with true friends who will also give the same time and effort to be with us. So for this Friday night, even if we were already together on Thursday, we will be meeting up for dinner again. And since it has been ages since we've been there last, the venue was naturally one of our new favorites...

THE VILLAGE TAVERN!

 Yup! AGAIN!

We were first to get a table. And upon taking our seats, we were immediately served with Crusty Bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

Loved that the bread is still warm and crunchy on the outside.

A little later, BGP Marian and Manong Fred arrives!

HEY HANDSOME

Restaurants are popping up here and there that it's so easy to get lost in the "What's what" and the "Who's who". But if you've been going online these days searching for the "next big thing" in the Metro, one name always sprouts up:

HEY HANDSOME!

Noooo, I was not calling the Chinese Dimpol over. Eeewwness. But I am just stating the restaurant that you should be trying out.

Like RIGHT NOW.

HEY HANDSOME only opened last August 2016 and the reviews are just scandalous, but in a good way! There just seems to be a lot of noise about this new hub in the Fort that serves a mix of Malaysian, Indonesian, and Chinese dishes. It is always packed and almost all of the foodies I know are just delirious with the food served.

So with that, it is just high time for me to try it out.

And yes, with a handsome Chinese guy in tow!

HEY HANDSOME!!!!

If you think the restaurant owners are just too full of themselves, overly confident, OR thinking about the Chinese Dimpol when they conceptualized this, you are soooo wrong.

This is actually a play on how hawker style restaurants would call potential customers -- sorta like "Hey Joe!" or "Hey Mister!!!". But of course, the way they do it, they put something to make the customers feel good about themselves or "kilig". He he he he he! Hence, the handsome!

If you still don't get it, the concept is like "Teh, teh bili na kayoooo" in markets or the familiar "Dibidi dibidi" if somebody is offering you, pirated movies. He he he he he he he he!

THE ULTIMATE TASTE TEST 2016

For the past 4 years, ERICJAZ FOODIES has been going to the ULTIMATE TASTE TEST and there is NO stopping us. EVER.

We feel that it's already an annual tradition for the foodie in us that's why we'll forever attend the ULTIMATE TASTE TEST as long as they hold it!

LE BAMBOO CAFE BREAKFAST (DAKAK BEACH RESORT)

It's our first morning in DAKAK BEACH RESORT and we were all so excited to begin our day!

But of course, to successfully jump start our Saturday, we needed to be "properly nourished". And LE BAMBOO CAFE definitely gave us what we deliciously needed for an energized day of fun ahead!!!!

LE BAMBOO CAFE at DAKAK BEACH RESORT!

It already seemed like a fiesta this morning!

HISTORICAL RIZAL TOUR (DAKAK WEEKEND 2016)

Whenever I make a trip, be it an out-of-town or out-of-the-country destination, I make it a point to eat the local foods AND visit the popular sites of the place. Shopping? That's a big NADAH. If I do shop it's just to buy gifts for my family at home. My point is, I could always shop in the Philippines. Though the price may be a bit higher, I would not exchange saving a few pesos than having a trip to, let's say, The Stonehenge (WHICH is still on my must-go-to list).

Of course, beaches, resorts, restaurants, are all fine. But going on a trip where there is a lot of history behind it, is another. That is why I really (as in SUPERKADUPER REALLY ) appreciated AND enjoyed our trip to DAKAK in DIPOLOG. Because not only were we able to have fun in the sand and sun, but we were also able to go on a historical tour that was so near our hearts. Yup. We were able to explore the sites and stories of Jose Rizal, our National Hero, while he was in exile in Dapitan.

During this tour with my TAPE Inc. family, I can't help but wish how the boys were with me on the trip. Sure they would enjoy swimming in the resort, but I could just imagine Andrei's wide and curious eyes when he sees the significant places and hears stories about his favorite hero Jose Rizal.

So if you're planning to book a trip somewhere and want something more than just the usual beach resort, check out Dipolog and go on a Jose Rizal historical tour. Believe me, you'll appreciate the vacation more when you see the sites and learn about our National Hero.

Personally it brings a weekend to another kind of enjoyment level, don't you think? It's actually my dealmaker now when choosing between vacation sites!

Check out the ultra fun I had going around Dapitan in our recent DAKAK trip!!!!

We officially started our HISTORICAL RIZAL TOUR by going to Jose Rizal's Landing Site in Dapitan upon our arrival!

The landing site is the shrine to commemorate the exact place where Jose Rizal arrived on the shores of Sta. Cruz, Dapitan on July 17, 1892. 

LE BAMBOO CAFE (DAKAK BEACH RESORT)

My TAPE Inc friends and I were in DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT and we all know that we'll have an awesome and unforgettable weekend! However, our flight going to Dipolog via Cebu Pacific was delayed for several hours so needless to say, we were tired AND hungry. When we finally got to the resort, it was very reassuring AND exciting that hot seafood were waiting for us...

... in LE BAMBOO CAFE!!!

LE BAMBOO CAFE is the restaurant in DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT that specializes in seafoods plus more!

The place is vibrant and festive with the bright colors from the banderitas and decors.

MAMA ROSA RESTAURANT

Last week during the Monday holiday, ERICJAZ FOODIES drove on over to Pasig City to try out this new hotspot that's serving up mean plates of Filipino food!

MAMA ROSA RESTAURANT!

MAMA ROSA RESTAURANT is located along the foodie hub of Barrio Kapitolyo and it has been "rubbing elbows" with neighboring restaurants such as Charlie's Burger and Ramen Cool!