Food Finds | Ateneo Rockwell Cafeteria

Makati has a lot of good food places! Ever since, I have been complaining not being able to try out different restaurants which can be found around the Makati area because of its proximity to my residence. But now, I have been interning at a government office located in Makati; and since I started, I have been plotting restaurants which I'll be trying (hopefully sooner than later).

For now, I have been stuck to bringing packed food for lunch. If I do not have any baon, as Filipinos call it, I'm eating in the canteen at our office.



Today was different. My friend Rog brought me to the Ateneo Professional (Rockwell) Schools' Cafeteria or Canteen, as others would like to call it. We ate there. The Cafeteria is being run by Makati Cuisine, which does catering as well.

Surprisingly, the food there is a lot better than the food in our office's canteen (thank goodness!). For around Php 45-60 (US$1.00-1.30) you'll already have a decent meal.



They served Chicken Cacciatore (Php 47), Chinese Beef (Php 55) and Grilled Porkchops (Php 47) earlier. Rog and I had the Chinese Beef and Grilled Porkchop. It's both delicious and flavorful. The beef was soft, the pork chops good for the price. I was fulfilled, and my belly satisfied.

The Ateneo Rockwell Cafeteria is located at 1st Floor, Ateneo Professional Schools Bldg., 130 H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines.

Reviewed by Bong.
Special thanks to Mr. Rogelio Uy.
Photography by Bong.

Food Finds | Japanese Musk Melon

This for all intents and purposes is not a mere melon, nor a fruit for that matter. This for all intents and purposes is a gift. Or it starts being one when a humble fruit like the melon is swaddled in a padded blanket and gently placed in a easily carriable box complete with a pillow inside to help it avoid gentle to moderate jiggles.

But the story of this humble melon begins in a greenhouse, where it's mother plant is pruned to produce only three fruit, then of the three, only our melon will be left when the farmer cuts off the two less attractice candidates. In simple terms, all the nutrients from of the plant go to nourish the remaining melon. After it has reached a optimum size and perfect round shape, and checked to make sure that it's characteristic mesh pattern is as even as possible, it is given a certificate to prove its authenticity, placed in it's vessel of transport, and delivered the next day to a supermarket near you, at a price anywhere from $40-$200 based on the quality of the melon. These are hardly ever bought to be eaten at home, which stems from traditional gift giving culture, where the very best is always saved to be given as a gift.

One of these gifts happens to find its way to our home every Christmas, from an old friend of my father's, and it is always eaten first before breakfast, with the melon being cut into six equal wedges (with a bowl underneath to catch all the liberated juices) with one going to each of us five, and the final one being split into three for my brothers and I. The luscious green flesh yields to your spoon like a hot knife to butter, and there is not one word uttered at the table as we all take in the first bite. Unlike most melons where the sweetness falters nearer the rind, this melon is sweet all the way through. Digging through the flesh to free the juices is has similarities to a young child digging for water near the seashore. Before you know it, its gone, and there is a collective sigh around the table. But with all great things, it is always just enough to savor a small piece than to rush through several servings.

Food Finds | Xavier Seniors' Entrepreneurial Bazaar

Last weekend, I was at Corinthian Gardens to visit the Entrepreneurial Project of the Xavier High 4 guys. The Entrepreneurial Project is an annual event of the Social Sciences (Economics) Department of Xavier School, for its Seniors to be able to apply what they have learned from the subject.

As I remembered, it was always held inside the campus; but this year, it was situated outside school grounds, in Corinthian Gardens Club House (to be specific). I asked Mr. Simoneil Mendoza, High School Social Science teacher, why the change in the venue for this year. He said that it was because they "wanted the students to operate in much more similar conditions and environment to the real thing."

I think that Harrell and Pats would agree with me when I say that it was a bold, encouraging, and the right move for the Department to do such a change because it ups the exposure and the learning experience for the students. I just wish that they did advertise it more effectively to the public.

Anyway, being a Foodista, it was partly an obligation to look for good food to share to you guys. (The other part was because I was really excited what I could find from the students) So, I went and explored the food stalls. To my delight, I found interesting stuff I know you would really love.

H4H's Chilled Taho (Php 20, US$0.40) - This Taho, (soya pudding or tofu dessert or beancurd jelly, as called by others), is very refreshing, especially after you get tired from walking around the bazaar. Notice that it's just chilled Taho plus the syrup (which is made out of water and sugarcane), without the pearl tapioca balls that's usually included when you buy it hot from the street hawkers or vendors. I say that I love it as is, without the tapioca balls, to better taste the freshness of this dessert.

Captain Awesome with their Chilled Taho: (at the back-3rd row) Nathan Ng, Phil Lao (from left to right-2nd row) Jeff Chua, Edric Orense, Ryan Kwa, Avery Wong, Emelito Sison, Joseph Potian; (3rd row) Jason Go (Project Manager), Enzo Orosa and Mr. Simoneil Mendoza

Besides H4H's Chilled Taho, Lemon Gee is aother find that's also refreshing and healthy. The story behind this was that it started as a thesis in Ateneo. Lemon Gee's idea is to infuse your healthy fruit shakes with lemon grass extract. You think it's weird? I was very curious, so I tried it.

Banana Shake (Php 35, US$0.70) The banana shake is your ordinary fresh banana shake, with lemon grass extract. After I tasted this cooler, I fell in love with it. It's definitely a new way for mango and banana shake lovers to have their favorite drinks. It's really yummy, sweet, and healthy! I'll go and try to replicate this at home :)

Reviewed by Bong.
Special thanks to Mr. Simoneil Mendoza.
Photography by Bong.