For some people, bibingka is a seasonal food. It's best enjoyed after Simbang Gabi during Christmas…read moreseason. But my love affair with bibingka does not end when the holidays are over. It's of my my favorite Filipino delicacies. Thank goodness for Bibingkinitan, I can enjoy my hot bibingka all year round. Of course, it seems too indulgent to finish one plate of bibingka all by myself. But Bibingkinitan serve freshly baked mini bibingkas, just the right size for one person, though I can finish a whole box (6 mini bibingkas inside) in one sitting if I don't control myself. I recently learned that they also have ube, pastillas, macapuno and even peanut butter bibingkas, but those are just seasonal. It's okay, I'm more than happy with my original bibingka, more butter and no sugar, please. I like bringing home a box of Bibingkinitan for an afternoon snack, but I also like eating it at their stall, with their special calamansi juice.

When I was young my mom used to give me polvoron all the time. They were often from Goldilocks…read morebakeshop. Back then polvoron was polvoron. They all tasted the same and all of them had the same flavor. In fact, I recall my mom making some of them herself. Then came a time when people started experimenting, and rightfully so, with their recipes. Different varieties of polvoron started to appear. I for one began to love chocolate coated polvoron, cookies n cream polvoron, and even chocolate coated cookies n cream polvoron. The list goes on. House of Polvoron basically sells different flavored polvoron in a pretty package. I bought one the other day and found myself a little bit underwhelmed. It wasn't bad mind you, but it was far from spectacular. I mean, considering the packaging and the presentation I really expected a whole lot more. The upside is that it's not expensive, I'd even go so far as to say that it was relatively cheap.

I had been looking forward to this as I remember the wonderful taste and crunchy pinipig when I…read moretasted it a few years ago. So disappointed that the size has been halved and the pinipig on each is almost inexistant

I've always been a fan of puns. In fact, I would totally go to a shop or restaurant if the name was…read morecompletely witty (it makes me think that the owner and I can be good friends). Establishments like Merci Buko or Libing Things always seem to crack my interest. I consider it an achievement to find places like these and even more if it has something that is remarkably note-worthy. And because I live in the South, there is no way I would miss Maechibog. The name comes from Mae (the chef's wife) and the Pinoy slang for food chibog which put together means may chibog or there's food. It is a little gem in Alabang frequented by southerners such as myself. I make it a point to buy their Angus beef tapa whenever I'm in South Supermarket. It's perfect for those Sundays where you want to just stay at home and treat yourself to some tapsilog and afternoon chismis shows with the family.

I actually don't have much of a sweet tooth myself, and I had no idea if their sweets were suitable…read morefor vegans, but I've always been fascinated by how they make their candy here. If you've seen their candy, they're so intricately designed and so colorful that they actually look like things you can eat. Or toys. I was converted to a fan when someone bought me a pack of green tea rock candies. I'm not sure about the other flavors, as I don't know what kind of red food coloring they use (Trivia: Did you know that some red food coloring are actually made of crushed ants? It's called Carmine). But these green tea candies are amazing and SO ADDICTIVE. And I don't find their sweets overwhelmingly sweet either. It's juuuuuuust right. You're in for a treat if you do happen to drop by while they're making their candies, as they're sure to put on a good (and free!) show.

Alabang Town Center has a lot of food stalls here and there. Some of them are one of a kind small…read moreenterprises that's trying to make a name for themselves. Others are established names just trying to earn a little extra by renting a small space. Local Loca (translated it means Local crazy) is one of the specialty food stalls that you'll find in Alabang Town Center. To be more precise, you'll find it near the Makati Supermarket. It's basically a small store that sells local specialties like Otap. I never actually thought that I'd find something like this in Alabang Town Center. Most people have this idea that Alabang Town Center only has posh stores in it. Guess this more or less proves them wrong. So if you're looking for locally made treats, this place should be one of your destinations. The price is the same as almost any other store like it. It may not be cheaper, but at least it's not more expensive.

Ever since I was a child I was a big fan of soy without even knowing it. That's because I often had…read moretaho when the taho vendor would pass by my house. This one time, I found myself at Alabang Town Center and I saw this stall that sold taho and soy drinks. I thought to myself, hey, maybe a taho drink wouldn't be so bad? Man was I in for a shock. Little did I know that the taho that I ate had little to nothing to do with soy drinks. The taste was radically different. I honestly found the taste to be disgusting at first. Although, later on I found myself liking it. Every now and then I would drop by to give it another go. The drink aint that expensive. I like drinking this cause I feel a little bit guilt free considering that this drink is not only low on calories, but also high in protein. You get a lot for what you pay for so go ahead and give it a try.

I have recently embraced healthy eating as a way to manage my weight and it has been working to my…read moreadvantage. I try to stick to a mainly plant-based diet so that I can snack on junk food without any guilt. What I love about Kitchen Revolution's tempting sweets and desserts is the fact that they are not just healthy, they are sinfully addictive and good too! Kitchen Revolution focuses on vegetarian and vegan snacks, dishes, and desserts, and on many occasions, I have sampled their vegan cakes and ice creams. Marie, the owner is a visionary in bringing vegetarian and vegan consciousness in the Philippines. I love that she studied abroad to be better informed about her green and healthy food, and that she has garnered an impressive expereince working for gourmet health food brands in the US before coming back to offer her goodies to the Filipinos. I have sampled her flourless and gluten free dark chocolate cake, which was so rich and indulgent I forgot I was actually eating a healthy alternative to fatty and sugar-loaded cakes. I particularly love her Vice Cream, a vegan ice cream susbstitute that will make you a vegan food convert in no time. The rich and scrumptious dark chocolate vice cream is simply divine, and I couldn't stop at a few spoonfuls. No. I need an entire tub to myself. The creamy mangoes and creme vice cream is also tempting. How she gets her vice cream so creamy and dense eludes me. At P350 for a tub of fairly-sized vice cream, you can expereince how it is to indulge while being mindful of the healthful ingredients of your guilty pleasure.

If you're looking for premium quality meats and cuts head to my favorite butchers at Green Farm…read moreMeat shop where you can buy not just meats, but ingredients, seasoning, sauces, beverages and even uncooked rice. What's amazing is that their products are more affordable than local markets, mini marts or supermarkets. I like buying here for the reason that; there are no lines, no hassle and very fast service. It's already my routine in the morning that I stop by Green Farm to acquire the freshest meats to cook for my family's meal. I appreciate that the store is always squeaky clean and spotless; and doesn't smell like stored cold meat. Meats are kept in large hygienic refrigerators and other merchandise is placed on shelves with clear sliding glass, so no need to dust off the dirt off of the product. 13.