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Soul Cafe

Stopping over again at S.O.U.L. (Spice of Urban Life) Cafe in Sison Pangasinan to eat.

As always, though it is a bit pricey, the food is tasty, in big proportions, well presented, and waiting time is only about 5-15 minutes to get all orders of six dining guests cooked.

Salivate to these dishes (price included):

Pumpkin Soup - free with most dishes

Yummy and creamy pumpkin soup.

Chicken Classic - Php 165.00

crispy chicken, with plain rice, buttered veggies and pumpkin soup

Lamb Chop - Php 250.00

lamb chop with plain rice, herbed mushrooms and pumpkin soup

Tuna Sandwich - Php 60.00

in wheat bread with lettuce, cucumber and tomato slices on the side

Rib Eye Steak - Php 200.00

with plain rice, buttered veggies and pumpkin soup

Smoked Bangus - Php 170.00

smoked bangus breakfast meal with garlic rice, egg, veggie sidings and cafe Americano

Salpicao Rice - Php 200.00

beef cubes with plain rice, salad sidings and pumpkin soup

Their iced tea is really good and refreshing. It’s got a generous slice of lemon too! But if you’re used to the usual powdered ice tea mix, you may not appreciate it much. The service is pretty ok, and when I asked for soy sauce and calamansi, the waitress said they did not have calamansi, so she gave me soy sauce and lemon slices. Sweet. :) Overall it was a very hearty meal, which is a staple in all Filipino dishes. That’s just how it is here in the Philippines. That’s why visiting our shores is one of best investments you’ll make outside trying to learn investools.

Iced Tea

our bill

Related Posts:

S.O.U.L. Cafe, Sison Pangasinan
Discovering S.O.U.L. Cafe in Sison Pangasinan

I booked a room for six on the night of Maundy Thursday. I said that we would be checking in at 12 noon on Black Saturday.

CSI Warehouse Club Alaminos

We rented a van from Alaminos town to take us to Bolinao. We passed by CSI Warehouse Club Alaminos to buy canned food, chips and drinks. Then at a flea market in Brgy. Balingasay get some food to cook.

flea market at Brgy. Balingasay

We got to Bing’s Beach Resort (which is actually the last resort in the stretch, together with Hans-Min Beach Garden) at around 11 am and my contact person informed me that there were still guests in the room that I booked and they would leave after eating lunch, and we could get the room after they clean it.

bing's beach resort

main building

We did not want to waste time so we hired a tricycle to take us to other resorts so we could canvass for more rooms. Unfortunately, Bing’s Beach Resort had the best deal compared to Hans-Min and Dutch Beach Resort.

The room was not yet ready when we came back so we started cooking our food. The staff at the resort were nice enough to lend us one of their grills at the back kitchen, and let us stayed in the air-con function room in the reception hall. They let us keep our food in their ref too, wash our food in their sink and gave us glasses with ice on the house.

function room

relyenong bangus!

sauce for the grilled stuffed milkfish

We passed the time cooking, eating, playing PSP and cards. So much time wasted. And when we finally got our room at 3PM, yeah, we waited that long, the staff still made me wait when I asked for an extra mattress. Generally, they were nice and apologetic, but they still need to learn more about client servicing. Especially that most guests on peak seasons, like this lent, were from Manila, and went there to enjoy the beach. And waiting wasted us precious time and left us with only two to three hours of sun in the beach.

Here is the room that we rented for Php 2000 and P100 for an extra mattress:

Kubo unit 6

Kubo unit 8

dining area outside the room

The water in the bathroom is definitely stronger than the water in Lucap Point.

clean w/ strong water

Bing’s Beach Resort has units on both sides of the road. What we got was not on the side of the beach. Here are some photos of the units that are on the beach front:

bungalows in front of the beach (shot from the road)

bungalow-type units

This is in the middle of everything. I don’t know if it’s an elevated cottage, or just a view deck.

elevated cottage

Bing’s Beach Resort
09282477501
09212807142
Look for Grace

Related Posts:

Hundred Islands, Alaminos Pangasinan

We took the first bus to Alaminos last Good Friday. 4:30 AM is the earliest trip from Victory Liner Cubao at Php 350. We got to the town of Alaminos at around 9:30 AM and rode a tricycle (P100) to Lucap Point in Barangay Lucap to check in at The Last Resort. Lucap Point/Lucap Wharf is where you hire outrigger canoe to go to the The Hundred Islands National Park. Boats are in small (6 pax, Php 1000), medium (12 pax, Php 1500), large (16 pax, Php 2000) and extra large (can occupy up to 20 pax, price can be arranged).

There are only three developed islands in the Hundred Islands (123 islands, to be exact). These are Children’s Island, Quezon Island, and Governor’s Island. A support staff from The Hundred Island’s official website said that Quezon Island is the best island to go to for first timers.

Our boat took us around the islands so we can choose an island to stay in. The first Island to see is the Governor’s Island where there’s a house for rent. The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house, in particular.

We passed by Children’s Island that looks really fun. With hanging bridges, kayaks and other water activities.

We would have stayed there if there weren’t too many people. Same with Quezon Island.

So we went to the smaller islands and docked at the Old Scout’s Island. We would have stayed in this little island but then we saw a lot of jelly fish floating in the shore.

We saw another island that has a longer shoreline and we told the boatmen to take us there. It was Marcos Island. It’s got a view deck on the top right of the island, and a bat cave on the top left. I heard that visitors can actually jump to the water below the batcave. But be warned, it must be full of guano (bat dung).

The beach is good. The sand is creamy and the tide’s a bit strong. And in between 11AM and 4PM, the sun is really high. You can stay under the overhang of the island and enjoy the waves.

Extra:
Guess who’s sunbathing when we came to the Marcos Island.

Visiting the Enchanted Cave in Bolinao last January, the caretaker of the cave, who’s a local, told us that there’s a white sand beach below Cape Bolinao. He said the locals call it their own “Little Boracay”. Coming back two months later, me and my friends did not settle for Bolinao’s calm beach, where we were lodged. After 15 minutes of walking in the shallow Bolinao beach (that stretches from Brgy. Ilog Malino where Puerto del Sol is, and Brgy. Patar where Bing’s Beach Resort is), we decided to go back to the road and wait for a tricycle and go down to this so-called Little Boracay.

Bolinao's Little Boracay

Tricycles were pretty scarce, good thing there’s someone from Bing’s Beach Resort who has a trike and was willing to drive us. The fare (two way) is Php 250.00 per trike. There were six of us so that’s only around Php 42.00 per head. Which was pretty cheap, considering that the white beach is around 15-20 minutes away, by up and down hills of dirt road.

It is Patar White Beach. It is a public beach just like Saud and Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud. Patar White Beach was full of people that Black Saturday afternoon. I think it’s the “happening” place in the area. It’s got Videoke stations, sari-sari (mini convenience) stores that sell chips, sodas and alcohol, eateries, and open cottages one after the other. There’s even a tricycle line waiting for guests leaving the area. It looked like there was no available lodging in the area. But it’s okay to camp in by tent.

the sea

The beach is not visible from the entrance (no entrance fee, by the way). And just like Saud and Blue Lagoon, the beach has a steep slope (unlike Boracay), so once the view of the beach huts and stores clear, you will see the beach. It’s pretty good, actually. Sand’s texture is like that of Station 3, cream/yellowish in color, and really soft. I am hoping that it’s soft because the beach has low foot traffic that compacts the sand. The water is ok, but we were there around 530 PM, so I think it’s clearer under brighter sunlight. There are few rocks under water, but over all, you can walk and swim on it barefoot.

my feet in my pink aqua shoes

The 500ml Red Horse beer goes for only Php 30.00. Tortang talong (eggplant cooked with egg), that we ate for our Bolinao dinner, goes for Php 10.00.

looking for a spot

Since we started beach bumming late, we stayed in the beach until around 8PM. It gets kinda breezy and cold while the night fell, and it got really dark on some parts of the beach, because there’s only light around the area with open cottages. But it’s amazing watching the stars appear in the sky. And the sunset’s even more breathtaking. One of Lingayen Gulf’s claims is its beautiful sunset.

sunset

Kuya Arman, our driver, left us on the beach and fetched us again at 8PM. Globe Telecom’s signal in the area is weak, so better bring a Smart sim card. Or make sure that your service will be there on the time that you will be leaving. I asked the lady in the eatery if she could lend me her phone so I can send Kuya Arman a text message. Though she only had Php 6.00 worth of load, she was kind enough to let me use her phone. I offered to pay her for the text message that I sent, but she refused. There’s a stronger signal for Globe near the gate.

Kuya Arman (tricycle service): 09197806217

We went to Pangasinan for The Hundred Islands National Park for the long weekend and our first stop was well, the Last Resort. The Last Resort is in Lucap Point, Alaminos Pangsinan. The resort is just in front of the pier where outrigger boats bound for The Hundred Islands dock.

We got a big closed cottage with an air conditioned room, good for 10 single beds, a spacious room with kitchen lavatory for cooking, two bathrooms (showers of both not working, but faucet water was ok, water’s not too strong) and a long dining table with matching benches on the porch. It’s originally priced at Php 3000 for 10 beds. But we got it for Php 2500 since we were only six.

our bed room

REALLY big kitchen

dining outside

room number 7 - good for 10

The Last Resort do not sell food so we ate brunch at the Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant which is just in front of it, right beside the wharf.

Lodging at The Last Resort is generaly comfortable since visitors need not share a bed, and a big space for cooking is advisable for families. Market is in town, 10-15 minutes by tricycle. Tricycle from the town (where Alaminos-bound buses from Manila arrive) to Lucap Point is P100.  Manila to Alaminos is P350 via Victory Liner. First trip from Cubao is 430 AM.

The Last Resort said they don’t sell food, and referred us to Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant. Walking across the road to go to Maxine by the Sea, a kindly old boatman approached us and asked what we were looking for. He pointed us to the opposite direction for an eatery, saying it’s a bit expensive to eat at Maxine by the Sea. He then noted that he’s a boat man, if we ever need to rent a boat. Too bad he was not there when we were about to leave (by boat) for the Hundred Islands National Park.

Maxine by the Sea signage

the sea

stores in front of Maxine by the Sea

Maxine by the Sea is not only a restaurant, it is also a resort. There are stores in front of the resort that sell colorful beach clothes, hats and souvenir items but the entrance to the main building is pale and gray, because of the concrete walls. The restaurant is really big, and looks ok. There’s even a more intimate al fresco set up at one wing of the resort.

al fresco wing

al fresco close up

Other areas of the resort:

Dining on the first floor

waiting area

dining on the second floor

Mr. Boatman was right, price of the food in the resort is a bit steep if you’re on a budget. This was what we had for lunch:

rice platter (good for 3-4 people)

dinaing na bangus

seafood kare kare

menu card

Seafood Kare Kare was good. I did not try the bagoong (shrimp paste) because it looked salty. The Dinaing na Bangus (milkfish) was ok, but not really as yummy as I was expecting, since Pangasinan is famous for Bangus. Mango shake tasted like over-riped mango. It could be good, or bad, depending on your preference.

I paid P 105.00 for my share of food, and P 65.00 for my mango shake.

bill

Before going to Pangasinan, I got the resorts rates from the online support staff of the Hundred Islands’ official website. But the waiter in the restaurant said that their room rate is Php 2500.00 per room for 2 people, plus 5% at peak seasons. Here’s the rate that I got from the The Hundred Island’s official website’s staff:

- Php 1,288.00/day for 3 pax
- Php 600.00/3 hrs.
rooms with aircon & CR

Maxine by the Sea

MAXINE BY THE SEA
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel: (075)551-2537

cape bolinao pangasinan

Cape Bolinao is another side trip from Puerto Del Sol in Barangay Patar. It’s roughly 20 minutes away from the resort.

Cape Bolinao: worm's eye view

It is said to be the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines, next to Cape Bojeador in Ilocos Norte. It is at 351 feet above sea level.

the commanding Cape Bolinao

It has a spectacular view of the sun and the Lingayen Gulf.

view of the Lingayen Gulf

Extra photos of in the area:

the light tower

The compound:

compound

Related Articles:

Puerto del Sol, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Enchanted Cave, Bolinao Pangasinan
Puerto del Sol, Extra Photos

Enchanted Cave is a side trip from Puerto del Sol Hotel Club and Resort. It is 5-10 minutes away by car or tricycle.

It has a Php 40 entrance fee for swimming. There’s a washroom in the area where you can change clothes.

It’s a spring water cave that has a very clean and clear water. It’s very, very peaceful and relaxing inside. So do take time to pass by :)

Related Articles:

Cape Bolinao, Pangasinan
Puerto del Sol, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Puerto del Sol, Extra Photos

I’m throwing in some extra photos of Puerto Del Sol so you can see what else it has to offer :)

Related Article:

Cape Bolinao, Pangasinan
Puerto del Sol, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Enchanted Cave, Bolinao Pangasinan

On our way to Puerto del Sol, Bolinao Pangasinan, we dropped by at the Platowraps Dine In in Dagupan City and met with its owners, Mr. Tony and Ms. Kamela Seen. They told our van’s driver to meet them at Suratos Eatery and Ihaw-Ihaw in Binmaley, Pangasinan. A few kilometers outside of Dagupan and Lingayen.

Suratos Eatery and Ihaw Ihaw

Suratos Eatery and Ihaw-Ihaw is obviously a popular food joint in the area because there was a wedding reception happening on one side of the restaurant when we came. And the other side is still full of travelers, passers by, locals and tourists. No wonder because the food is really delicious! Ms. Kamela said that all the food that the eatery serves are lutong Pinoy (cooked Filipino Style), and that could only mean good things — fresh seasoning, prepared by hand, and cooked thoughtfully.

What we had was a real feast. There were six of us, plus Mr. and Ms. Seen and their son. But we had nine grilled fish (so one for each?), papaitan, pinakbet, barbeque, clam soup and inihaw na relyenong pusit (grilled stuffed squid).

inihaw na bangus, hito etc. grilled fish (milkfish, mudfish etc)

grilled stuffed squid

pinakbet

Pinakbet – a dish of Ilokano origin, of ampalaya, okra, eggplants, and tomatoes steamed with fish bagoong (definition)

barbeque

kinilaw na bangus (milkfish)

A dish of sihe, seafood, meat or vegetables dressed with vinegar or lime juice, but not cooked over fire (definition)

clam soup

Papaitan

Our table full of really good food! Yummy!

fiesta!

We met the Owner of Suratos eatery because Ms. Kamela knows her, so we had our picture taken with them :)

happy visitors :)

I have to mention that the dining was really an experience — the eatery is made of bamboo and sawali (nipa - kubo style), along the road, beside fish ponds. Farm and farm animals from afar, natural fresh air, sun light and the smell of inihaw na isda (grilled fish) in the province famous for its bangus (milk fish).

Puerto Del Sol is said to be one of the premier resorts in the Philippines. A friend that’s been to the place said that it was really relaxing to stay there. And I have proven all of these to be true.

Pangasinan has a natural beauty because of the fisheries or palaisdaan (in Filipino). And bougainvilla species seem to thrive in the atmosphere very well. On the way to the resort, a colorful line of flowers ushers you to this wonderful place called Puerto Del Sol.

main entrance - under renovation

As a hobby, before going some place, I would check websites to see photos to get me excited, and of course, to see the place’s accessibility and side trips. But the only references I checked before getting there were its website, and the music video of Nina “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend”, because my friend edited that video. Haha.

Normally, a resort’s website could either make or break your appetite to go there. Some websites look so good, it’s better than the real thing. This time, Puerto Del Sol’s website is just enough to get you going, it only features its rooms and swimming pool apart from its numerous facilities, and I don’t wonder why. See for yourself:

the swimming pool -- the main attraction

A Mansion Villa unit -- lodgings by the pool

And a Kubo unit -- lodgings by the beach

inside the Kubo unit -- a very cozy and welcoming space

A view of the beach, from the Kubo

We were planning to go boating/snorkeling because it’s included in their suggested activities but we were advised that it’d be really windy on that day (Jan 24) and the next day. I was hoping for the peaceful, shallow waters that the Puerto del Sol beach is famous for, but that day was an exception. Because of the winds, there’s been a very strong line of waves too. So we just took photos of ourselves and the setting sun in the beach.

a view of the setting sun

We then headed back to the swimming pool. There were very few guests staying in, most of them foreigners and families.  So the pool at night’s peaceful too. The jacuzzi opens at around 6:30/7:00 PM. We weren’t able to try it because a family of seven occupied it, and we were shy to share it with them. There were six of us.

the pool at night (pardon the quality)

After cavorting in the pool, we had dinner and some drinks and retired to our cozy bedroom. The next day was another adventure.

Side Trips:

Cape Bolinao, Pangasinan
Enchanted Cave, Bolinao Pangasinan
Puerto del Sol, Extra Photos