Batanes ARBO flies high with flying fish VLPCEP

Itbud, Uyugan,Batanes – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently launched the Village Level Processing Center Enhancement Project (VLPCEP) for the Milagrosa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, an agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) cooperative engaged in the processing of flying fish into bottled Spanish sardines.

Milagrosa MPC received a grant from the DAR amounting to P180,000.00 for the construction their fish processing center consisting of a 3.33m X 5.0m corrugated GI sheet building under the VLPCEP. The VLPCEP project is designed primarily to enhance the existing processing center with development support initiative for ARB cooperatives and other ARB organizations (ARBO), improve their capability to produce quality processed products that are highly competitive in the mainstream market including services to its members.

Further, it helps develop market-competitive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) products through product development (labelling and packaging designs) and enrich enterprise and livelihood activities at the community level in the selected agrarian reform areas. The VLPCEP is also intended to develop homegrown products for better opportunities and linkage to potential markets.

Aside from processing flying fish into bottled Spanish sardines, the Milagrosa MPC also processes one-day old flying fish, a popular delicacy only found in Batanes, so called because the flying fish is set to dry for one day on hot stones under the sun. Also, they process the flying fish into fish balls and fish lumpia (lumpiang Dibang).

DAR will continue to provide capability building and skills enhancement including monitoring to sustain the project. It has also coordinated with other CARP implementing agencies such as the: Bureau of Food and Drugs for quality assurance and for Milagrosa MPC to be duly registered with BFAD and avail a license; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also conduct trainings for cooperators and assists in the marketing aspect. Other agencies such as DOLE and DOST are likewise involved in the project. 

Congratulations to the all-women officers and members of Milagrosa MPC, may your tribe increase. 

Message from Dir. Homer P. Tobias, CESO III, Regional Director of DAR Region 02. 

Uyugan MARO Flor Come introducing the guests and participants. 

Representatives from DTI, DOST, etc. 

DAREA officers, Coop members and residents of barangay Itbud in Uyugan town, Batanes. 

Guests from other government offices.

Guests from the mainland. 

DARPO-Batanes personnel. 

Director Rene Colocar, CESO IV from DAR Central Office led the ground breaking.

The future fish processing center of Milagrosa MPC. 

Flying fish bottled Spanish sardines (ready to eat). 

Flying fish frozen bola-bola and lumpia (yellow). 

When in Batanes, GOTO the Mahatao Wind Mills

The three wind mills in Mahatao in the island province of Batanes – considered as the first wind farm of Southeast Asia, continue to draw tourists despite their present condition, that is, they have been folded down and not currently used because it is in dire need of major repairs. The spare parts for the same however, are not readily available in the country as they are imported machineries. The site of the three wind mills itself is frequently visited by tourist as one of their must see destinations in their itinerary.

The wind mills are hybrid power source and specially designed for Batanes consisting of three 600-kilowatt wind turbines meant to supply Batanes with 24/7 electricity. Because Batanes is frequently visited by Typhoons, the wind mills bend to avoid being toppled down by strong wilds. The towers were designed to be tilted-down and the turbines can be lowered and then raised again after the typhoon has passed over the island. When the wind is not strong enough to run the turbines, it automatically runs the two 500-kw diesel generators to ensure that the island continues to have electricity.

The renewable wind mill energy project was started in 1997 when electricity in Batanes was provided by the National Power Corporation (subsidized by the government) which provided electricity from six o’clock in the morning up to midnight only.

The power plant was especially designed for Batanes with First Philippine Energy Corporation (FPEC), a subsidiary of contractor First Generation Holdings Corporation which is dedicated to the development of renewable energy projects. FPEC interconnected with a French firm, Vergnet, to design three 600-kilowatt wind turbines and with the Australian company Advanced Energy System for the integration of the whole system. It is the result of a partnership by the private sector with the government. This project is one of its kind because it was never done before. The wind mills have ceased to operate after several strong typhoons passed through the Batanes causing serious damage to the wind mills.

NAPOCOR have since provided electricity on a 24-hour daily basis through large diesel generators. Today, there is 24/7 electricity which have sustained the trade, industry and hospitality sectors, also ushered the increased influx of tourists. 

Two of the three wind mills of Mahatao. 

The wind mills remain tilted down for need of repairs. 

The towers are designed to be tilted-down and the turbines can be lowered during typhoons. 

Site visit and brief history of the wind mills.

Biggest pizza in the city @Fracasso Pizza -Tuguegarao

PIZZA: What is it? Although it is one of the world's simplest and most popular food, pizza is oddly difficult to define. Centuries of evolution have transformed it from the patties made of mashed grains that were its earliest antecedents into a dish that, though related to those early grain cakes, is almost unrecognizable as their descendant. Most significant is the change in the primary ingredient, from various coarse grains to a solely wheat-based dough, and eventually to a dish made almost exclusively with white flour. However, though pizza has taken many forms, and its composition, toppings, seasonings, methods of preparation, and the equipment used to make it have altered radically over the years, it has usually been a flatbread baked at high temperatures (encyclopedia.com).

FRACASSO PIZZA-TUGUEGARAO has a variety of pizza toppings to choose from with special cheese made for the Filipino taste such as: Meat Combo - Ham, Pepperoni, Salami, Mushroom; Hawaiian - Ham & Pineapple; Spicy Tuna - Spicy tuna; also the Fracasso Special – which has everything on it. It also has the biggest pizza pie in the city-up to 30 inches in diameter! 

Fracasso Pizza is located at 2nd Floor. JGL Building, Diversion Road, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. Call for deliveries: Tel No. 846-8356.  How to pronounce PIZZA - http://dictionary.cambridge.org

Fracasso Pizza is popular for its yummy and largest pizza. 

You can watch your pizza being assembled and baked. 

Please pass the hotsauce...

Cant handle a whole pizza? Then take mini pizza.

Up close and personal. 

Feasting on a 30-inch diameter pizza.

Yummy pizza...the Fracasso Special -all toppings present on this one.

Yes...that is true :) 

Bloggers and crew. "And I don't cook, either. Not as long as they still deliver pizza." -Tiger Woods

When in Tuguegarao GOTO Kainang Pilipino Restaurant

Tuguearao City has lots of excellent restaurants serving various asian and continental cuisine. One of the top restaurants in the city is Kainang Pilipino along the Maharlika Highway, barangey Pengu-Ruyu, which is just about 10 minutes from the airport. It is an airconditioned buffet restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. It is spacious with function rooms for parties or meetings. It also has a parking space right outside the front of the resto. 

Buffet dining at the main hall. 

Lumpiang gulay (Right photo).

Baked Caggu and Tortang Ipon.

Kare-kare with vegies and bagoong-alamang.

Pinaupong Manok (Left photo)

A very warm welcome from Kainang Pilipino Restaurant in Tuguegarao City.

Time for some cooking lessons...

Cooked pasta and the Tuguegarao Longganisa

Actual demo on cooking another Ybanag Dish: Tuguegarao Longganisa Pasta.

The Chef with some tips on how to cook the famous Tuguegarao (garlic loaded) Longganisa...

The Tuguegarao Longganisa Pasta, another Ybanag fusion dish. 

We had a taste of the Tuguegarao Longganisa Pasta (not on the menu), which is served upon request on catering occasions. 

Bloogers having a great time.

When in Tuguegarao GOTO Manio's Pampanguena Restaurant

When in Tuguegarao, GOTO Manio's Pampanguena Restaurant. It has been serving the Tuguegarao community since 1958 with a fusion of popular Filipino-Kapampangan dishes. You cannot miss it from the Airport being located along Maharkila Highway in barangay Leonarda, Tuguegarao City. It is also one of Tuguegarao’s favorite catering services due to its exceptional dishes and friendly services which truly reflect Filipino hospitality.

One of the top iconic restaurants in Tuguegarao City.

Great ambience, excellent place for parties, large or small. Pampanguena Restaurant also offers buffet dining...so go ahead and serve yourself to your heart's delight.

You may contact Pampanguena Restaurant thru Ms. Nenita T. Manio (seen at head of the table) at  +63783041829.

Manio's Pampanguena Restaurant is a paradise for foodies, food bloggers and travel bloggers as well.

Started by their Lolo and Lola, management of the restaurant has been passed on to the grandson.

Your choice of Filipino fusion cuisine in Tuguegarao.

Kare-kare (left), another specialty of the house.

Tuguegarao Pancit (Bottom), Pancit Palabok (Middle).

Egg Fuyung (top) and Pinakbet (bottom).

Manio's Pampanguena Restaurant's dedicated staff.

Contact Details
Manio's Pampanguena Restaurant
Ms. Nenita T. Manio
Brgy. Leonarda, Maharlika Highway, 
3500 Tuguegarao City, CagayanTuguegaraoPhilippines
Tel : 630788441829 ; 63783730716; 639267327541
E-mail : pampanguena_resto@yahoo.com

Tuguegarao Coffee you say? Then GOTO 8th Avenue Cafe

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan - There is a new place in Tuguegarao City where you can reset your tired and weary minds from the hustle and bustle of everyday world of stress. It is a rustic and cozy place where you can hangout with your friends or just enjoy solo while sipping your coffee.

Bean there, done that...

The 8th Avenue Cafe is one of the latest addition to Tuguegarao's coziest places to relax and enjoy your coffee. With a variety of amazing coffee preparations to choose from, hot of iced coffee, with cookies, muffins or cupcakes, the place is just superbly cool and comfy.

Pick your coffee...

Coffee shops in general can either provide a sense of social opportunity or anonimity for those seeking time to be alone in peace. Some people like to get out for a coffee for a short portion of their day hoping that no one will talk to them and just totally enjoy briefly their caffeine fix. Still, others enjoy coffee shops to work alone uninterrupted. 

Best pastries and baked treats to go with your coffee

On the contrary, others go there to have their social needs be met like for instance, waiting and meeting somebody, etc. Either way, coffee shops are established social venues. They have become very popular worldwide and costumers have become hooked on their favorite gourmet coffee and expecting a premium social experience. 

“Blank walls are a shared canvas and we're all artists.” -Carla H. Krueger

Do you have a particular favorite gourmet coffee? 8th Avenue Cafe is an experience worth trying if your have not yet seen the place. It is located at Legaspi Street corner Magallanes Street, Tuguegarao City (near Saint Paul University).

Have one of the Tuguegarao's best coffee experience at 8th Avenue Cafe.