Diary Sheets

03/03/2026

The moon absorbed all of the world's sunset today. 🌅

20/02/2026

𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐅 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞́

We went to Reef Cafe in Puerto Princesa late at night for dinner after a massage. We honestly weren’t expecting much. We just wanted to satisfy our hunger and find a decent place to eat and grab some coffee.

To our surprise, the pasta and pizza we ordered were really good. The flavors tasted upscale, similar to what I usually experience at high-end restaurants.

I also noticed that the Lechon Kawali ordered by a customer beside us had generous portions and was beautifully plated. It may sound a bit hyped, but for people with a more Western palate who are craving a well-cooked European and Filipino dish, this is probably one of the best places to go.

We will definitely come back here again.

19/02/2026

𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁

I went out on a date with my daughter on the 14th of February. As expected, almost every restaurant was fully packed. Even Jollibee, which is usually a quick option for families, was swarmed with people on dates. Valentine’s Day has truly become one of those occasions where the city feels more alive, not necessarily because people have more love to give, but because people feel pressured to celebrate it outside. Well, surprisingly despite the economy.

While looking for a place to eat, we discovered a new local café called 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 located at Robinsons Mall.

Unfortunately, their smoked chicken was already sold out, so we ordered the honey garlic chicken instead which was served in large portion. Its flavor reminded me of the Korean restaurant that recently closed across Robinsons Mall. My daughter also enjoyed the pasta. We also tried their Nachos Overload, which came with homemade chips and was generously topped with ground beef, cheese, and salsa.

Island Coffee Club is a good addition to Robinsons Mall. It is not just another coffee shop built for aesthetics. It is a place that serves food properly and offers breakfast meals which pair well with their low-priced coffee. It can easily be a good spot for brunch, especially for families and casual meet-ups. The Boneless Bangus I heard is also a good breakfast choice.

Check them out:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578730347325

07/02/2026

𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐘 👍
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧'𝐬 chicken dish can be appreciated for what it is. It is not really a Biryani Chicken dish per se, but more of a roasted chicken served together with biryani (basmati) rice.

I finally managed to queue at this new food hub in San Miguel. We actually waited for almost three weeks before trying, hoping the long lines would shorten. When we arrived, the place was still packed, but at least the queue was manageable. I ordered the whole chicken with biryani rice and two dips for ₱395.

The roasted chicken tastes fine. Traditionally, biryani chicken or mutton is marinated in yogurt and spices, and that is usually where the deep flavor comes from. In this case, however, I did not find the roasted chicken to be particularly flavorful. It has a distinct aroma, but it is subtle - almost too subtle, especially the middle, fleshy white part. Unlike the roasted chicken sold in those familiar purple plastic bags, which has a stronger and more pronounced taste.

The chicken, however, is redeemed when eaten together with the biryani rice. The rice itself is decent, though the portion looks small because it is spread thinly across the box. The biryani rice has the right look, but flavor-wise, it slightly lacks the strong, deep masala taste with other rich blend of spices that I remember from a local biryani experience in India.

Last year in Bangalore, I had biryani cooked the traditional way using the “dum” (steaming) process, and that one had a deeper and more layered flavor that lingers and makes you understand why biryani is more than just rice and chicken. Compared to that, this version feels lighter and simpler. But as I have said before, this isn't a Biryani Chicken dish.

Still, the food is enjoyable. It may not satisfy someone looking for authentic biryani, but it can satisfy someone looking for a good roasted chicken meal with a biryani-inspired twist.

Anyhow, the best way to know is still to taste it yourself. Go and see why they have been overwhelmed with customers during their first few weeks - then you'll know Why.

Check them out:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585933474802

15/01/2026

An ordinary beach in Palawan.

09/01/2026

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐀𝐌 𝐏𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐇

Mandaue Foam's new branch in Puerto Princesa is a true haven for homeowners and those who believe 'life begins at 40!' I think that it is the most comprehensive furniture store in Palawan for now, that offers wide selection of home and office decor all in one place.

The store is situated on thesame road half a kilometer away from Robinson's Place. It has ample parking space. Inside, the furniture is beautifully curated; while the displays are still being finalized (as they have been open for less than a month), there is already a wide variety to explore. We personally picked up some rugs and swivel chairs, which is nice as they have diversity of styles and sizes available.

The atmosphere was fine; the salespeople are notably relaxed and don't mind customers sitting on the sofas or testing out the beds. It’s great to see them embrace the 'Touch and Try' experiential marketing style, similar to IKEA, which really helps in making a confident purchase.

During our visit, there was a long queue and order fulfillment took some time, which is perfectly understandable as the new team navigates their initial learning curve. We were fortunate to have my mother-in-law with us, as the dedicated senior citizen lane made the process much smoother. There was also a free iced tea drink for customers.

For those planning a visit, note that the building has two floors connected by a landing staircase, with no escalator available.

Mandaue Foam is a great addition to the commercial landscape of Puerto Princesa. It provides a much-needed variety for local shoppers, and I am hopeful that its arrival has generated many new job opportunities for our fellow Palaweños.

01/01/2026

El-Nido kiteboarding

31/12/2025

30/12/2025

𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎 𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 is about an hour’s drive (approximately 45 km) from Corong-Corong, El Nido, accessible via San Fernando or the El Nido–Jct. New Ibahay Road (ref. Google Maps). The entire route is paved with concrete and asphalt. Along the way, we were treated to scenic views of rice fields, open meadows, and a hill pass overlooking Darocotan Bay in northern El Nido.

We initially hesitated to visit since it was our first time and we were unsure about the road conditions and the length of the trip. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that this under-the-radar white beach was just an easy one-hour drive away. At the time, there were only about three or four European families visiting.

We had a wonderful time. While we didn’t have the beach entirely to ourselves, it was absolutely worth it to be away from the crowds and enjoy a more secluded shoreline of El Nido, Palawan.

15/10/2025

𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐐'𝐬 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐋𝐄𝐆 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍 🌴
Del Tacq Hill is a chill spot overlooking Danleg Port in Dumaran. There’s a small resto and a viewing deck which is nice for hanging out and taking photos. 🚤

From 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐋𝐄𝐆 𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓, you can hop on a boat and start your island-hopping adventure! Parang mas maganda dito magsimula kasi mas malapit sa mga island beaches at diving spots. 🌊☀️

14/10/2025

𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍'𝐬 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃?
Not sure if this is an island, an islet, a cay, or a reef, but Kuya Jam says there’s an untouched reef around here that rivals Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Locals call it 𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 Island 🌴✨

13/10/2025

𝐀 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍!🌴
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 is surrounded by various forest trees that provide shade from the sun. There's always a gentle sea breeze that cools the air and keeps the area refreshing even during the day.
Coral reefs are also just a short swim away, waiting to be explored. 🐠🌊