Taste Atlas' Top 50 World's Best Soup in 3 Consecutive Years, the Sinigang!

The Philippines' Sinigang made it again this year in the Taste Atlas' Top 50 World's Best Soup! Ranked as the World's Best Soup (Top 1) in 2021, the 7th Best in 2022 and the Top 42 in 2023, just one spot ahead of the equally famous Pinoy Soup, Bulalo that ranked as Top 43!

Halo-Halo De Iloko's Sinigang na Manok sa Sampalok at Buko

The author tasted for the first time the
Sinigang sa Sampalok at Buko in La Union!

There are a lot of versions of the Sinigang such as the Sinigang sa Sampalok (Tamarind), Bayabas (Guava), Mangga (Green Manggo), Kamias (Bilimbi) and what have you. As a popular Filipino dish next to Adobo, one might claim to have tried all the versions, but a unique sort is on the menu of the Halo-Halo de Iloko Restaurant in La union, the Sinigang na Manok sa Sampalok at Buko (Chicken Sinigang in Tamarind and Fresh Coconut Juice with Kernels), served in a big coconut shell as its soup bowl! It is similar to Aklan's Chicken Binakol that also uses coconut juice and meat in the soup but with the tangy twist of sourness from the tamarind that blends well with the sweetness of the coconut! This variation of the Sinigang is definitely a winner to deserve the title, World's Best Soup! 

I enjoyed the dish so much that I cooked my own version at home. It's also a way to celebrate the World's Best Soup, the Philippines' culinary gem and pride, our very own, Sinigang!

Coconut Juice and Kernel

Home cooked Chicken Sinigang sa Sampalok at Buko

Another specialty of the restaurant is the Okoy (Crispy, deep-fried fritters) but instead of the usual mung bean sprout (toge) and squash (kalabasa) as its base, they used sweet potatoes, making the dish a tad bit sweeter than the original recipe.

Okoy (Crispy deep fried fritter)

The Chicharong Bulaklak (Deep fried pork ruffle fat) was not as crispy as expected and the serving portion was a little disappointing. Do not be fooled by the picture below, it's a close-up shot of the dish served in a miniature kawali (wok).

Chicharong Bulaklak (Deep fried pork ruffle fat)

Another must-try when in the North is the Bagnet (Crispy fried pork belly). The Halo-Halo de Iloko's Bagnet is not the best but not bad either. However, the meager serving portion is not commensurate to its price. It should be noted too that the restaurant does not issue official receipts; the bill is only scribbled (illegibly) on a small piece of paper with the orders and corresponding prices. 

Bagnet

To complete the experience at the Halo-Halo de Iloko, one must not forget to order their Special Halo-Halo served in a coconut shell. Afterall, this is their best seller and flagship product. 

Special Halo-Halo in Coconut Shell

The interior design of the al fresco diner has a campy kind of charm with old capiz window panels hanging on one side and some on the ceiling adorned with dangling parols (lanterns). There are wood carvings of masks and carabaos on the walls, old lamps, old furnitures and other odd stuff on display. Nevertheless, the entirety is quite pleasant with a homey atmosphere.

You may also buy food and novelty items for pasalubong at the restaurant. They have T-shirts, bagnet, sukang Iloko, longganisa, chocolate de tablea and bamboo bags.

BONSAI ART EXHIBIT

Award Winning Bonsai Tree

SCULPTED BY NATURE,
A BONSAI ART EXHIBIT BY THE
ART CAPITAL BONSAI CLUB
SEPT 4-9, 2023
G/F SM CITY TAYTAY

Bonsai Art is very much alive in the Philippine Art scene! A Bonsai exhibit, entitled Sculpted by Nature showcasing masterpieces by the local Bonsai Artist-Members of the Art Capital Bonsai Club was held from Sept. 4-9, 2023 at the ground floor of SM City Taytay! The ancient Japanese art which concept is said to have taken roots from China is considered to be an independent art form; a magical living art that is ever changing and growing that could last for over a thousand years! 

The oldest known bonsai is the Ficus Retusa Linn, found in the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Italy. It is estimated to be over 1000 years old.  

The most expensive Bonsai Tree is "A Japanese white pine Bonsai tree sold for $1.3 million at the 2011 International Bonsai Convention that broke all previous records. A well-known Bonsai tree artist named Seiji Morimae sold it to a Japanese private collector. The tree is a ‘Miyajima’ dwarf pine tree cultivar, a majestic specimen with lofted leaves, a strong, curving trunk, and an aged appearance. The age of this Bonsai tree ranges from 300 to 800 years, depending on the source." (Source: a-z-animals.com). However, it is also claimed that a 250-year old Juniper sold for $2 Million in 1981. 

A living thing as an art medium that could last a millenium is like no other art form such as a sculpture or a painting or a photograph. For one, it is ever changing and growing and so it is also never ever finished, unless it withers and dies. One can never own a piece and expect it to stay how it was when bought. Remember, if you purchase a bonsai masterpiece, its beauty and life are now in your hands.

The Blogger posing with
the Award Winning Bonsai Tree.

The blogger posing with one
of her fave Bonsai Trees in the exhibit.

ASSOLUTA

Introducing 'Assoluta', an exquisite quadriptych painting in acrylic, capturing the elegance of a graceful ballerina in each frame. A fine rendering in greyscale accentuated with splashes of bronze. The four-piece paintings preserve the ethereal beauty of the statuesque ballerinas executing delicate movements, as light as a feather.

Add a touch of sophistication to your space, access the fascinating world of beauty and dance, commission your own one-of-a-kind painting set of Prima Ballerinas!

ASSOLUTA
(12" X 18") 4
Quadriptych
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: LAARNI PARAS

ART COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED.

Artist Laarni Paras with Assoluta

WILD FLOWERS 1 & 2

Wild Flowers 2
20" x 30"
Acrylic on Canvas

Wild Flowers 1
20" x 24"
Acrylic on Canvas

Inspired by the colors of the rainbow, we present to you 2 versions of the 8-stripe Pride Flag embellished with wild flowers! It is a rarity in paintings for the background to be the actual focal theme rather than the image, which makes these original acrylic paintings extraordinary. Wild Flowers 1 and 2 boldly showcase the beauty of individuality while highlighting differences. They are stunning representations of the infinite expanse of human diversity that make each individual unique, despite their countless similarities with each other too. Wild Flowers 1 and 2 encourage you to embrace your true colors. To be confident. To be proud. To be authentically you. Always.

"𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁.
𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲.
𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲." 

ART COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED.

The artist, Laarni Paras with Wild Flowers 2 in the background.

LOVE TREE: Infinity

Love Tree: Infinity, a series of surrealism paintings of codominant trees in the shape of humans with intertwined vines and branches in a seemingly loving embrace that support each trunk and secure it from splitting apart. The concept has 3 realized versions with the theme beauty, equality and love.

LOVE TREE: Infinity 1
9" x 12"
Acrylic on Canvas

Infinity 1, the smallest at nine by 12 inches, is glowing in a frenzy of colors! The entwined female figures with dangling aerial roots on its outstretched branches, are giving an illusion of energetic movements, as if enraptured in a climactic trance dance, giving out a vibe of unrestrained indulgence, free of inhibitions.

LOVE TREE: Infinity 2
20" x 30"
Acrylic on Canvas

Infinity 2 is the largest at 20 by 30 inches. The 'Love Tree' stands on a hill with a pond in the foreground where kois swim with lilies floating around and a beach in the background. The painting is bursting with a cornucopia of colors that feature the beautiful figures of a couple in a passionate embrace with musical notes floating in the wind as the sun sets in the horizon. One can visualize a romantic slow dance in perfect harmony with music and nature.

LOVE TREE: Infinity 3
12" x 16"
Mixed Media on Canvas

In contrast, infinity 3 is in bronze on a black background accentuated by a tinge of blue, creating a dramatic, somber effect. The figures are slightly raised from the background to add three-dimentionality.The simplistic approach highlights even the smallest of details of the Love Tree's delicate shape with its visible hairline crevices. The powerful composition persuades the viewers to draw attention to the subject, inciting a feeling, rousing an opinion, drawing a connection.

There may be other versions in the Love Tree Infinity Series in the future, but here's the artist's initial rough draw concept below.

ROUGH DRAW OF LOVE TREE
(8.5" x 11") 2
Graphite on Paper

LOVE TREE SERIES

ARTIST: LAARNI PARAS

COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED.

Infinity 1

9" x 12"

Acrylic on Canvas Board

Infinity 2

20" x 30"

Acrylic on Canvas

Infinity 3

12" x 16"

Mixed Media on Canvas Board

Infinity Rough Sketch/Study

(8.5" x 11") 2

Graphite 2B on 200 GSM Paper

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE COMPLETE SET OF 7 BRAND NEW BOOKS 

The book set comes in a sturdy box.

Comes with a Westeros Map!

Game of Thrones, one of the best TV Series on HBO is an adaptation from the best selling fantasy novel series by George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire. It's a medieval fantasy epic of warring nobilities, of powerful kings and queens, playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The 8-season TV series concluded in 2019 and a prequel series, House of the Dragon premiered in 2022, based on parts of Martin's 2018 book, Fire and Blood, a backstory of the A Song of Ice and Fire.

I have always wanted to own and read the book series but just didn't get around to it (what can I say, so many books, so little time!). Then last month, as I passed by a Book for Less Shop in a mall, I saw on the window display one of George R.R. Martin's books, Blood and Gold (It's the 2nd part of the 3rd Book, A Storm of Swords - which is the longest of the 5 published novels, that it was split into 2 parts).

The Book for Less shop sells 2nd hand books at a supposedly lower price. I was assisted by one of their staff who was accomodating and knowledgeable on best selling titles and its authors too! However, it was the only book they have of the series by Martin so I ended up buying Anne Rice's Violin, a stand-alone ghost story novel which is a deviation from her series of vampires (Chronicles) and witches (Mayfair). Nevertheless, they asked for my number and promised to check with their other branches for the other titles I'm looking for and message me when the complete set arrives. I was a bit skeptic but left a call back number anyway.

Pre-loved Anne Rice Book

True to their word, I got a text message from them probably a month later informing me that they already have the A Song of Ice and Fire Collection, except for the last book in the series, A Dance with Dragons for a total of 5 books, since Book 3, 'A Storm of Swords' comes in 2 parts. I was impressed by their good customer service and glad that they took the extra mile to try to complete the set for me, so I went to the store to check it out even though it's missing one title. To my dismay however, I find the price exorbitant for a set of 2nd-hand paperbacks at P2,240 (P448 x 5 books). So, as much as I appreciate their good customer service and the effort, I don't recommend buying the book series from this store.

The 2nd hand incomplete set of A Song of Ice and Fire for P2,240!

I opted to buy a brand new and complete set of A Song of Ice and Fire paperbacks online for only P1,339, for a total of 7 Books (Books 3 and 7 were both split into 2 parts). I'm very much satisfied with this purchase that was delivered in 3 days time and even came with the Westeros Map and free bookmarks! That's definitely better value for my money. 

Now, I have no more excuse, I must peruse!

"A mind needs books as a sword needs whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister

Comes with free bookmarks!

Old snapshot! Not so obviously a GoT fan! ⚔️🤣

House Targaryen's 3-Headed Red Dragon Sigil.