Saint Patrick Village, Baguio City

View from the entrance

Saint Patrick Village is a 14-villa compound accommodation in Paterno Street, South Drive. Very near to Camp John Hay, you are surrounded by pine trees which is a rare sight if you book close to town. We were able to check its relaunch during its open house last August 11-16, 2015. It served the same purpose before and has basically just transferred ownership thus the new name and relaunch of the place.

There are 14 contemporary cabin-style villas - 13 villas are available for transient bookings while 1 villa is being used as the reception and houses their restaurant - Cafe de Angelo. It kind of reminded me of the Forest Cabins in Camp John Hay although more compact.

A view of the other villas

Each villa can accommodate 10 guests comfortably. There is an extra room which can accommodate 3 helpers. Additional people can be accommodated however, there is extra cost for additional mattresses and toiletries. 

Villa Features:
-5 bedrooms
-5 bathrooms
-Living room with fireplace
-Kitchen
-Porches and balconies
-Attic
-Helper's quarters
-2 car garage

Garage

Living area

Dining and kitchen areas

Bedroom (Ground Floor)

Bedroom (Second Floor)

Bedroom (Third Floor)

Masters Bedroom (Third Floor)

Bedroom (Fourth Floor)

Attic area (Fourth Floor) - Playroom and/or additional sleeping area

One of the bathrooms in the villa

Common outdoor area

Here are the amenities and services available:

-Cable TV
-DVD player
-24-hour WIFI
-3 LED TV sets
-Village shop for snacks and refreshments
-All-day dining restaurant
-Daily housekeeping by request
-Kitchen equipment and utensils
-Complimentary bathroom supplies
-Home service spa/massage
-Shuttle service
-Butler service

Spa services and rates

A night's stay for the whole villa during low season (March-November) costs Php 18,000.00 while during peak season (December-February, and holidays), it costs Php 24,000.00.

For couples and small groups, you may also book per room. Below are the rates:

-Standard room (good for 2) - Php 3,200.00
-Deluxe, Masters Bedroom (good for 2) - Php 3,600.00
-2-bedroom arrangement, Attic area (2-4pax) - Php 5,800.00

Their restaurant, Cafe de Angelo, serves good food and can also deliver to your villa if requested. I have a separate review of our first food experience in their restaurant here.


*You may directly inquire from Saint Patrick Village thru their Facebook page.
**Rates does not include breakfast.

Cafe de Angelo

Cafe de Angelo at Saint Patrick Village, Baguio

TP and I first tried Cafe de Angelo during the open house of Saint Patrick Village last Sunday. We decided to have lunch here after viewing the model villa within the compound.

I initially ordered Shrimp Pasta but it was not available. Though there were several items in the menu that enticed our curiosity, we ended up ordering the Garden Burger (Php180.00) and Bacon Bundle Sandwich (Php200.00).

We waited around 15 minutes before the order arrived. The plates were full and very filling, with the sandwiches either having wanton crisps or veggie sticks on the side. The Garden Burger is a perfectly seasoned double-decker sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. The Bacon Bundle is a cheese, tomato and basil sandwich wrapped in bacon. It was a sinful yet interesting meal that is worth trying.

Garden Burger

Bacon Bundle Sandwich

Despite the location inside the Saint Patrick Village, you can still eat at the restaurant even if you are not a guest at any of their villas. Cafe de Angelo also has a branch (their first branch) in Chapis Village Road, Marcos Highway, Baguio.

We will surely try to visit their other branch next time to have a taste of their other dishes.


*You can check Cafe de Angelo further thru their Facebook page.
**Cafe de Angelo (Saint Patrick Village) menu below.

A Night For The Kids

 

Helping Hands Healing Hearts is all about the children

 

Last Saturday, we went to a benefit dinner hosted by the Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministries Incorporated (HHM). This is their 3rd year of holding a benefit auction dinner in a mission to raise funds for sick and abused Filipino children.

The dinner was held in the much more spacious CAP in Camp John Hay. The place, which was sponsored by Camp John Hay was nicely lit and set-up. They have taken everything a notch higher this year - the venue, food, auction items and even the entertainment. There's also a raffle now to go alongside the auction.

Event set-up

A ticket costs Php2,000.00 which includes the entrance to the event and a full buffet dinner, desserts and drinks. It is our second time attending this benefit dinner and both times, it is worth it. You get to primarily help the kids but it's a night of pure fun, and you will get your money's worth just by the food and the experience.

Last year when we went there, Chef Alvin of Chef's Home made sure that guests will go home with bellies full with his specialties. This year, aside from Chef's Home, they were able to invite Le Chef of The Manor, Mario's Restaurant, Chaya, Forest House and Canto from the Ketchup Food Community. It's like featuring the very best of Baguio! I filled my tummy with Mario's seafood paella and callos which I don't get to eat everyday. Le Chef's Blackened Norwegian Salmon and Chef's Home Beef Rendang never fails! Canto's Nachos with Chili Dip, Chaya's Maki and Forest House's desserts were oh-so-yummy :). There were a lot more food aside from those mentioned. There were also salad, pasta and dessert stations also courtesy of Le Chef of The Manor.

During dinner, the guests were entertained with the lively song and dance numbers of children from the ministry. They have full smiles and were enjoying the night as well. Thanks to the wonderful hearts and souls of those involved with HHM that these children can have a new life again. <3

The auction/bidding was filled with accommodations sponsored by hotels from Baguio, Subic, Manila and Batangas. Artworks and other items were also available for bidding.

If you are not up for the bidding process, you can try your luck in the raffle items which includes hotel stays, spa treatments and local artworks, among others.

The Auction table loaded with GCs, artworks and other novelty items

The Raffle table is loaded with goodies as well, with people lining up and putting their tickets in.

We also went there to bid for the hotel accommodations. We were able to bid for a 1-night stay in the Forest Lodge for Php2,500.00. Plus we won in the raffle - a 1-night accommodation in Subic Bay Yacht Club! Oh happy day :).

I am happy that this event was successful, which makes a 4th benefit dinner almost a sure thing. I am hoping that there will be more and more guests each year so we can help a lot more children in need.

Dare to know more about Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministries Inc. thru their Facebook page.

Ozark Diner

On a rainy Sunday, we had lunch at Ozark as per TP’s recommendation. This restaurant is located along Bareng Road, at the back of SLU Bakakeng. It is a relatively new place which opened around a year ago.

Ozark offers Southern American food – think southern fried chicken, biscuits and beans.

Just a bit of a background, the restaurant’s name was derived from the Ozark mountains in the United States. It is a mountain range similar to the Sierra Madre of the Philippines, and it covers several states like Missouri and Arkansas.

Ozark’s ambiance is nice and fuss-free. You can get a nice view of pine trees and oval track of SLU Bakakeng.

We ordered the BBQ Plate (pulled pork) and Chicken Fried Steak (cornmeal breaded beef sirloin) for the main dishes. Each main course is served with dinner rolls (or biscuits) and your choice of sides. There are several sides to choose from - we chose Hoppin’ John (black eyed peas with smoked ham) and Mac & Cheese. We also ordered Ozark iced tea (freshly brewed iced tea).

BBQ Plate with biscuits and Hoppin' John

Chicken Fried Steak with dinner rolls and Mac & Cheese

Ozark iced tea

The servings are big even without the rice. The Chicken Fried Steak with its sidings can feed two people. I loved the chicken fried steak and Hoppin’ John, which can even serve as a viand on its own. Their brewed iced tea is also very refreshing, a must try.

For dessert, we got the Dark Beer Cheesecake and Chocolate Sili Labuyo Cheesecake – for free! Coincidentally, they have a promo – order a main dish and get a free slice of cheesecake. The cheesecakes are just okay for my taste though TP liked the Dark Beer cheesecake. The promo runs for the entire month of July 2015.

Dark Beer Cheesecake

Chocolate Sili Labuyo Cheesecake

They are soon coming up with bed and breakfast accommodations. It is currently under construction. 

We are definitely going back to try their other food offerings.

 

*Ozark is open daily from 10am to 930pm. You may contact them at 0939 8818125 or 0905 AT OZARK. You may also visit their website here.

**I took snapshots of the menu below. They also have student meals available for around a hundred pesos.

 *****

 

 

*****

Arca's Yard

I have heard of Arca’s Yard before from a friend. I never had the chance to visit it until TP brought me there for late lunch after our Sunday mass. Arca’s Yard is situated along Ambuklao Road, a 5 minute drive or less from the Pacdal Rotunda. It is located right after the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS).

Arca’s Yard has a normal house façade along a road turn, with wooden totem poles and a simple painted built-up signage. Going inside, you will see a grand view of the mountains. The place is quaint and homey. There are two floors for the dining area, with a selection of normal dining seats and floor seating. It reminded me of former Gayuma restaurant in Katipunan and Likha Diwa in Krus na Ligas because of the feel of the interiors and the floor seating.

View from the balcony

Floor seating

A part of the second floor dining area

An abundant display of local wood works

Local wood utensils on display

It was a good thing that we arrived around 1pm because the restaurant was almost full. When we arrived, customers were halfway done with their meals. We initially sat at the balcony with the amazing mountain view, but transferred to one of the floor seatings inside after some customers left.

TP ordered the Pork Steak while I tried the Pesto Carbonara Pasta. We also ordered Tortilla de Patata (potato omelette), Arca's Sweet Potato ala mode (camote pie) and Cacao Hot Choco. We loved the pork steak, it has a simple marinade and gravy but you can definitely taste the marinade flavor.

Pork Steak

Pesto Carbonara Pasta

Tortilla de Patata

Arca's Sweet Potato ala mode

Cacao Hot Choco

Servings are good for sharing, especially the pasta. The others are just okay for my taste.

The place can benefit from more parking spaces and some directional signages.

Arca’s Yard also offers transient rooms for P2,500.00 a night. The daily rate is good for 3 people. The place is open from 9am – 8pm daily.

*Cash basis only

Of Baguio Massages

To say that TP and I likes relaxation would be an understatement. We LOVE it – from taking long vacations and traveling to short respites like lazy weekends and one hour massages.

We are addicts for massages. It’s an equally good and ‘bad’ thing that massages and spa treatments in the Philippines are affordable. Mostly because competition is tight, each massage center offers their own wellness package or loyalty card.

This is to share with you where we usually get massages in Baguio City:

Bellfrei Spa, SM City Baguio
Upper Session Road
Aside from the convenient location, we often go here because their masseurs are no-fail excellent in massages. I love the small detail of peppermint scent once you step inside their store; they even place a bowl of peppermint-scented water under the bed so you can smell it at the start of your massage. I also like that they wash your feet before the massage - it can be dirty from walking around the entire day.
They have another branch in Ayala Technohub in Camp John Hay, which we have yet to try.

*1hour Combination massage at P350.00
Store hours: 10am-9pm daily
You may contact Bellfrei Spa SM Baguio at 0933 1442204

Thai Massage, Summer Place Hotel
Marcos Highway
We just discovered this place 2 months ago. We thought it was Nuat Thai and wanted to try their branch here because we love the Nuat Thai branch along Matalino St. in Quezon City.
From our 2 visits in Thai Massage, their masseurs were great – though it can be a bit too oily afterwards. Services are worth repeating. The place is quite huge and can accommodate a lot of people. The restriction would be the number of masseurs at a given time.
They also offer other services such as body bleaching and ear candling.

*1.5hours Swedish massage at P350.00
Store hours: 3pm-1am
You may contact Thai Massage at 0999 8083337


Hard and Light, MMC
Camp7, Kennon Road
This also has a convenient location, nearest to our home. It’s a humble place and quality of massage vary depending on the masseuse (or your luck?). It has been mostly good for me. It can also be a bit too oily afterwards.
I appreciate their extra effort of texting you every now and then about their offers and that they accept home service massages. If you have a good bed (or massage bed) in your house, I will recommend their home service massage.

*1hour Combination massage at P250.00
Store hours: 2pm-11pm daily
You may contact Hard and Light at 0923 2594133


*Massage services that we availed for price reference. For other services, kindly contact the numbers stated above. Always ask the receptionists to book you the good masseurs. Feel free to add tip :)

Chef’s Home: A Taste of Asia

Owned by the very nice and warm couple Chef Alvin and Gina Emuang, Chef’s Home is by far our favorite restaurant in Baguio. A bite of their food and I am transported to another part of Asia. I am fond of Thailand and have never been to Malaysia, but the fusion of Thai and Malaysian cuisine makes me forget the Philippines for a while.

Others may find it a bit expensive but for me it’s worth every penny. I do not mind the humble ambiance because the food is great. Servings are for sharing. Locals and foreigners that we have brought there loved it. Not your normal everyday food but should be visited regularly – let’s say once or twice a month.

Here are our staples:

Crispy Papaya Salad

Crispy Papaya Salad. A plate of crunchy, tangy goodness. A great appetizer to start your meal.

Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng. Malaysian fried rice with everything on it. It can stand on its own, without the other dishes. But it’s also great paired with their viands.

Beef Murtabak

Beef Murtabak. This is ground beef with potatoes wrapped in roti. You must eat this with the pickled onions – it complements it perfectly.

Pickled Onions

Pickled onions. Usually a side for the other dishes but can serve as an appetizer as well. They also sell other pickled items such as chili and cucumber in jars.

Black Peppered Squid

Black Peppered Squid. My favorite! I tried learning how to make this but so far have not succeeded. Lol. The squid is perfectly cooked and the sauce is just divine.

Beef Rendang. TP’s favorite. It is beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices. (no photo)

Chicken with Dried Chili

Chicken with Dried Chili. It was the first time we tried it and it was delicious, a revelation!

Roti Chef's Home

Roti Chef’s Home. You will think that you are full from what you just ate but order this dessert anyway. It is a totally different experience, it will cleanse your palate. A serving can feed 3-4 people. Best if everyone eats from the serving plate ala Pinoy style. Food just tastes better when you’re sharing or with competition ;).

During Valentines Day, they offer candlelight set dinner for couples. You get to be serenaded by Gina who is a wonderful singer. One time when we celebrated TP’s birthday dinner, Gina sang Happy Birthday while bringing the Roti dessert. Her voice was enchanting.

Chef’s Home is located along Outlook Drive. You may find it full during weekends and peak seasons so make sure to reserve. Do come on time to avoid being bumped off. 

Contact Gina Emuang at +63916 4445756 for reservations, or you can visit their Facebook site.