Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

The Baclaran Redemptorist Church

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine

Last Wednesday, November 10, HB and I completed our 9th Novena at the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help at the Baclaran Redemptorist Church. For 9 straight weeks, we made time and sought solace and intercession. 

Doing the trip itself was no easy task. As we live all the way in Quezon City, it was a 1 1/2 hour trek to Baclaran. We tried EDSA and C5 to see which road had less traffic. We found C5 to be more convenient for us, provided we left the house at 7:20 a.m. so that the mad rush from Xavierville going to Ateneo and Miriam Schools were finished. We traversed C5 all the way to the McKinley Hills and passed by the Fort Bonifacio Road which led all the way up to the Airport Road  and turned right on Roxas Boulevard.

Parking was also a major challenge for us. For the first three weeks, we managed to park inside the church grounds. On the succeeding weeks, we tried our luck and parked on the interior road parallel to Roxas Boulevard which required extreme patience. There were times when I almost gave up because I had my work hours to think about, but HB was determined so we persevered. There were a couple of times when we "befriended" an old parking attendant just so he would favor us and give us a slot. But at one time too, the only "slot" available was at a gutter fronting Roxas Boulevard. Thank goodness, HB's car had a trusty suspension and we made it.

The devotion to the novena itself taught us a lot, as the prayers were quite humbling. In addition, there was something very comforting to be amongst people from all walks of life as we all sang the hymns and recited the prayers. It must be true that there is power in the number of people who pray unanimously.

the altar

Through it all, our patience and perseverance was tested. And we learned quite much in those trials because we never gave up. In all those weeks, HB and I learned so much ... about life and about each other. Our devotion proved that we both needed one another to strengthen each other. 

On our 8th week, in the midst of reciting the prayers, I looked up and glanced at my husband and thought that my prayers have been answered for he is my miracle. And I felt that we have come a long way since. 

Amen.

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 3 - Royal Krua Thai Restaurant

On our second night, HB and I purposely veered away from Filipino food and tried the Royal Krua Thai Restaurant located at the Banilad Town Center.

Royal Krua Thai Restaurant in Banilad Town Center, Cebu

We ordered the Royal Sampler which consisted of breaded fish fillet, fried chicken pandan, Thai spring rolls, and fried beef in sesame seeds and it was served with three different sauces ...

Royal Sampler, Php 220

... and paired it with their crab fried rice ...

crab fried rice

... which was enough to nourish this happy couple below:

HB and I

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 2 - Abuhan Restaurant

For lunch on our second day, we went to Abuhan Dos Restaurant which is touted to serve the best pochero in Cebu.

Abuhan Dos Restaurant on F. Ramos Street in Cebu City

The following photos are shots of Abuhan Dos' menu to give you an idea of the restaurant's various offerings:

We did not think twice and ordered the dish which made this restaurant famous.

Beef Pochero, Medium Php 304

This was just the medium size order and HB and I had much difficulty finishing it. To say that it was sinfully delightful is an understatement. HB and I exercised self control in eating the bone marrow and each of us just took small portions. (pa-healthy kuno ;) ) The broth was very tasteful and it instantly warmed our tummies. In addition, the meat was very tender and easy to take off from the bone. 

And while Cebu's pochero is actually what Manilenos and Batanguenos call bulalo, we had no regrets in taking time to sample the Cebuano version of this classic Filipino comfort food.

Good Eats in Cebu - Part 1 - Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant

On our first night in Cebu, HB and I dined in one of Cebu's finest homegrown restaurant - Hukad sa Golden Cowrie which was located at the Terraces of the Ayala Center Cebu.

Menu board in front of the restaurant

interior dining area

exterior dining area

We chose to sit outside because we wanted to enjoy the view of the Ayala Center gardens.

overlooking the gardens of Ayala Center Cebu

For starters, we ordered the baked scallops

Baked Scallops, Php 123

and it was absolutely divine. As I popped the first scallop meat in my mouth, I felt my eyes open wide as I tasted the lemon butter and garlic and I felt the cheese melt. It was really delicious and baked to perfection. I easily understood why this dish is one of the restaurant's best seller.

Our next dish was a boo-boo of sorts. We ordered atchara (pickled unripe papaya) as a side dish and were surprised to be given this huge serving:

Atchara, Php 29

We couldn't help but laugh at ourselves and exclaimed that for less than 30 bucks, we did not order the  content of a whole bottle.

Our main course was the grilled baby back ribs.

Grilled Back Ribs Regular, Php 209

The meat was tender and succulent and it easily came off the bones. This was just the regular sized back ribs and it proved enough for a couple of not-so-heavy eaters.

We were curious when we saw that they served "blue crab" which was known locally in Cebu as lambay. For 110 bucks, we figured it was worth a try. We chose to have the crab grilled (the other option was steamed) and it was served with lemon butter sauce. 

Blue Crab (Lambay), Php 110

Though the crab was small in size, it was meaty and had plenty of the orange-colored deposits (which we Filipinos call taba or fat) beneath its shell.

Rice was served by a roving waitress who scooped it with a ladle from a wooden bucket to our plates. The restaurant's name, Hukad, was actually derived from this gesture. In addition, diners could ask repeatedly for more and eat all the rice they wanted. 

The service was good and efficient and we barely had trouble communicating with the purely Cebuano staff. Even when all our orders were served on our table, our waiter came up to us several times and asked us if there was anything else we wanted or needed.

It is no wonder then that the local Cebuanos take pride in recommending Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant. The affordable prices and quality of food make the dining experience memorable and worth coming back to.



__________________________

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
Telephone Number:  417.1301




Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant
Salinas Drive, Lahug
Cebu City
Telephone Numbers: 233.4670 ; 233.4243


Lower Ground Level, SM City Cebu
Telephone Number: 231.8530


Level 1, Robinson's Cybergate
Fuente, Cebu City
Telephone Number: 236.5740


Mactan Marina Mall
Lapu-lapu City, Cebu
Telephone Number: 238.1206


Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center
Cagayan de Oro City

Food Outlets at the NAIA Terminal 3

Travel Date: November 4, 2010

Cebu Pacific Check-in Counters at the NAIA Terminal 3

After checking in our luggages, HB and I decided to grab a quick bite at the NAIA Terminal 3 before our flight. We went up to the mezzanine level and checked out the different food stalls:

Yellow Cab Pizza

our country's top food chain: Jollibee

Dimsum and Dumplings

Raku - Japanese Ramen

Grand Kitchen

Le Amoretto Cafe and Bar

Mini Stop for supplies, groceries and other stuff

Mister Donut

KopiRoti

Inside the departure area for domestic flights, there were more food shops to give travelers various choices.

Let's Chow and Chipstead

Chaikofi

Cinnabon

Mrs. Field's Cafe - coffee and a selection of their sweet treats

Espressamente

There were still other food stalls all the way to the end but we had to rush as it was time to board the plane. Will update this post when I get the next chance to roam inside the terminal.


Related Post:
New Shops at the NAIA Terminal 3