To reach the province of Virac, Catanduanes,it’s a choice of either air or land/sea transportation. The plane usually takes less than an hour from Manila via Cebu Pacific. By land, it takes about 10-12 hours and another 3 – 3 1/2 hours in a ferry boat depending where it dock at the port of Virac or port of Calolbon.
drying rice on the road is a usual sight during harvest season
While waiting for my brother to arrive at the port of Calolbon, we decided to visit Batong Paluway.
batong paluway church
Batong Paluway is a “mysterious miracle stone” bearing the image of Immaculate Virgin Mary. It was told that the previous size of the stone is 3/4 cm x 1cm and grew to 6cm x8cm. On Good Friday of Holy week,the youth usually organised “alay lakad” as an offer of sacrifice, the walk starts from Virac town proper to Calolbon where the Batong Paluway Church is located.
the image grew bigger and clearer as the years passes by
A candle light and prayer offering can be seen at the sides of the church.
After two days trip from Saudi Arabia to Manila, Philippines to the island of Virac, Catanduanes, we decided to chilled out the afternoon at the white beach of Mamangal Beach resort.
the afternoon was breezy, there was a little shower of rain, but the kids and young adult enjoyed the short trip. The pictures were taken by my niece and nephew. Where was I ? sleeping Zzzzzz!
My ideal man…best husband,best father,good provider,a man of few words, strict disciplinarian,best grandfather, super handsome and a lot more! Happy Happy birthday. We wish you good health, WE love you so much!
A week or two before his birthday, my father had suffered a mild stroke. I immediately decided to visit him. Before the announcement of an outbreak of MERS in Saudi Arabia, I already purchased an economy ticket going to Philippines via Etihad Airways.
MERS – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome is a viral respiratory illness caused by Coronavirus. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.It has been said that it likely came from animal sources like camel in Qatar and a bat in Saudi Arabia.It can be spread from one infected person to another person.
April 7, 2014 my flight From Jeddah to Abu Dhabi (Economy Class) and From Abu Dhabi to Manila (Business Class). For all OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) who have had experienced travelling in economy class, with different nationalities, different cultures, different hygiene practice…people who spit in public, sneeze /cough with gusto without covering their mouth without even considering they can spread the microbes (bacteria) to other people, this in particular is the menace of travelling.
To make the story short, I had the chance to experience travelling in business class when they offered me(via e-mail) to bid on the seat. It was a relief not to hassle, to wait in VIP lounge, a choice of complimentary delectable cuisine and even a free 15 minutes massage is available.
6 ft 1 inch Flat bed
I apologize for the not so clear pictures but one thing I can surely say, the pictures in their websites and its functions are all true.
the seat
massage and recline buttons
foot rest, privacy shell, comforter
15 inch screen
mood lighting
I had the same opportunity in coming back, scared of the MERS cases escalating in Saudi Arabia,I braced myself of some precautions because I was already feeling tired from travelling, my body were aching and just to have a comfortable flight will add some relaxation and will at least minimise my contacts to other passengers.
individual bag compartment
noise cancelling headphone
individual utility bag
my selfie shot
vip lounge
So after 12 hours and the plane had touchdown in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia, I noticed redness and warmness in my face and neck. I also have difficulty of swallowing due to sore throat. After I reached home, I immediately freshened and concluded that I might be having allergy so I took antihistamine tablet. I felt asleep for maybe an hour and when I woke up, the redness and swelling were more than usual, my eyes were puffy and half closed. I went to Emergency room(ER) , history was taken while taking the vital signs and Allerfin intramuscular injection STAT!
no diarrhoea, no difficulty of breathing and slightly elevated body temperature (37.9 C) definitely no MERS!!
I went home but after 12 hours I am back again in the ER, this time my whole body, extremities were all red, my face and neck were more swollen and red, so another injection was given, CBC (complete blood count) and antibiotic treatment was started right away.
After 4 days, the rashes and swelling started to disappear, my sore throat is less and I started to enjoy my meal. The CBC result is with in normal limits and I am back to work. 🙂
Thank you Lord, it wasn’t MERS!
Did the business class seat helps? I guess it minimises the contact to other passengers, did I mentioned Sarah Geronimo (popular Filipina singer) and her mother was a just a seat away? 🙂 If I was in the economy seat, with my low resistance to infection, it might have been worse.
Overall, the upgraded seat, the additional cost is worth having. Thank you Etihad Airways!
Oh well, instead of starting off with a title of ” home-baked cheesecake challenge”, I rather share to you my afternoon with my friends and of course, what else did I prepare? Cheesecakes!
Flavour no. 23 Lemon Cheesecake
Lemon Cheesecake
Made of Kiri Cheese and real lemon puree. Not so sweet not so sour, just right and a favourite of all the cheesecakes I did for the afternoon.
Cheesecake no. 24 Double Chocolate Cheesecake
Double chocolate cheesecake
This is a combination of milk and white chocolate with pistachio and almond meal as crust. Not much of a surprise though, we all know we love chocolates!
Cheesecake no. 25 Mini Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake
Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake
A combination of pistachio and chocolate cheesecake, I also used Kiri Cheesecake, cocoa powder and dipped it into melted dark chocolate. Hmmm so forbidden for those who are on diet 🙂
We were so excited to taste all what’s on the table including my Rose tea concoction and our pictures were not really in focused plus our photographer forgot his reading glass hahaha, anyhow we enjoyed the afternoon as much as our tummies did! All my friends survived with the cheesecakes torture and I just hope the next time, they won’t make any excuses to come and taste my cheesecakes try outs! hahaha Feels good to have friends like you, Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Cheers,
Jamilamimi
PS.
25 cheesecakes in two months, another 25 coming, oh, i need suggestions pls!!!
In this flavour I tried Labneh (greek yogurt) and Kiri cheese for a simple reason that Philadelphia cream cheese was not available. Surprisingly I went to two supermarket and none of them has stocks! I wonder why? Does everyone trying to bake cheesecake at home? 🙂 Well, my best friend is coming over and I can’t back out now, She will just be here for a week and this is the only free day I can be with her (talking about how hectic schedule we have ;-( )..so be it! And?
Oh yes! another surprise, this cheesecake # 22 is super yummy! Blueberry-strawberry cheesecake
Blueberry -Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients:
Crust:
12 crushed digestive cookies
1/4 cup crushed pistachio nuts
1/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake filling:
300 g labneh (greek yogurt)
250 g Kiri Cheese
250 oz thick cream
3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/8 tsp sweet vanilla powder
1 tbsp flour
1/2 cup strawberry puree
1/2 cup blueberry puree
Topping:
fresh strawberry and blueberry
strawberry/blueberry pie filling (optional)
fresh strawberries and blueberries
Pre heat oven Gas mark # 3
Combine crushed cookies and pistachio nuts with melted butter. Press into sightly greased pan. Set aside
Mix Labneh,kiri cheese and sugar together, beat in medium speed. Add a pinch of salt,vanilla powder, flour and add the eggs one at a time.Add thick cream and mix thoroughly until smooth. Divide the mixture into three (3) parts. One part has no fruit, the second part add blueberry puree and the 3rd part add strawberry puree.I opted not to add food colour but I think it is more deliciously pleasing to the eye if I added. Well, there’s always another time :-).
Pour the 1st part mixture (without fruit) into the prepared pan. Slowly add the 2nd part, flattened with a metal spatula then the 3rd part. Actually, with the mini pan, I did differently as you can see the colour combinations are all mixed.
Baked for one hour in a water bath, leave for another 30 minutes with the oven door closed. Then another 30 minutes slightly opened and another 2 hours to chill before topping and serving.
Serving suggestions:
I tried to make the strawberry looks like a roseI topped it with blueberry mixed with real fresh fruit pureeI added a little of fresh fruits inside the cheese fillingI also use the blueberry pie filling on top of this mini cheesecakeI love the colour combination
another way of presenting itclose up viewmy friends and I enjoying an afternoon tea with my cheesecakes .
Ladies, you may also try my tea concoction (a combination of organic rose tea, rose syrup and fruits (lemon,strawberry and blueberry) so refreshing!
Cheesecake no. 21 so pretty,sweet and yummy ” Rose Tea Cheesecake”.
#20 Rose Tea Cheesecake
From a mixture of organic rose tea with rose syrup
organic rose teamy favourite cup of tea
Ingredients:
Crust:
12 pcs of digestive cookies (crushed with rolling pin)
1/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake filling:
2 pkg of Philadelphia cream cheese (300g +200g)
250 g thick cream
3 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
2 tbsp rose syrup and 3 rose petals soaked in 3 tbsp hot water for 30 minutes
1/4 cup caster sugar
a pinch of salt
Pink food colour (optional)
Topping:
dried rose tea
sugar art
Pre heat oven Gas mark # 3
Combine crushed cookies and melted butter,press it into slightly greased springform pan. ( I choose mini pan, so I can distribute it to my friends). Set aside.
The mixture will fit into 8 inches springform pan or 24 muffin baking tin.
Cream the cheese, add sugar and salt, beat until smooth, add rose syrup and liquid from rose tea. I also added some crumble dried petal roses. Add eggs one at a time. Combine the thick cream and mix it thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
Pour into the prepared pan. Bake into water bath for 1 hour, if using 9 inches increase baking time to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Turn off the oven without opening the door, leave it for another 30 minutes, then slightly open the oven door and leave it for another 30 minutes. Sudden change of temperature will cause cracking at the middle which happens to me many times! 🙂 Patience my dear!
Chill for another one hour before topping or cover with a foil and leave it overnight in the refrigerator. Anyway, the pink colour stretches my patience not to indulge immediately. It’s so pretty to even cut it or eat it lol!
Serving Suggestions:
I’m so in love with the pink colourthe burnt sugar serves a nice topping and decor with dried rosewhipping cream with rose syruptrying to create a sugar art with red backgroundI like the candle as background too!another sugar formanother angulationa close up viewanother oneand more 🙂
Ladies, I always got carried away decorating and taking photographs, can’t help it! 🙂
Dr. Myriam- The Dental Aesthetic Clinic 
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