Her name is Encarnacion Alzona.

Remember that lady who’s colonial passport I posted a month ago? If not, you can click here.

Her name is Encarnacion Alzona. More than a lady who was privileged enough to travel at that time, she was one accomplished woman who is certainly a role model for just about anyone. Ms. Encarnacion Alzona was a historian, Rizal scholar, professor, and a suffragist.

She graduated from two Prestigious American Institutions - Radcliffe College and Columbia University where she earned her Master’s Degree in History and Doctorate of History respectively. She then taught at the University of the Philippines, translated Rizal’s many works and letters, and wrote countless of books. The first of which is “A history of Education in the Philippines : 1565-1930”. Published in 1932, Philippines Herald described it as “the most complete and comprehensive work on the subject to date.”

Ms. Alzona died in 2001. She was 106 years old. Her impressive career span for eight long decades and in 1985, she was bestowed the title National Scientist.

Ms. Encarnacion Alzona on the cover of  the monograph, "Pamana". 

Source Material: Pamana by the Ateneo Library of Women's Writings 

FOOD REVIEW: Quiznos along Katipunan Ave.

When I passed by the then newly opened local franchise of Quizons at the BGC (Bonifacio Global City), I knew that I just had to try it. Unfortunately, months passed and I still haven’t managed to drop by.  It has been so long that they eventually opened another branch at the Regis Center along Katipunan which I must say is a good thing. It is way closer to where I live.  So when a friend and I decided to do something catching-up, I suggested we do so at Quiznos. 

RESTAURANT: QUIZNOS

FOOD: I ordered a regular of their signature subs, chicken carbonara – all-natural chicken, smokey bacon, all-natural mozzarella, sautéed mushroom, Parmesan Alfredo sauce. Sounds yum, right? I expected a heaping of all these ingredients where it would be impossible to eat the sub without getting messy. But look at what I got from the counter:

When on their facebook page, they said they'll be serving me this:

Needless to say, I was so disappointed that I wanted to get my money back.

SERVICE: The staff greeted us with warm smiles and were pretty helpful as I was trying to figure out what was I going to have. My order was brought to the counter, pretty quick but they were pretty slow with the cleaning up. I had to clear our table and take the previous diner’s rubbish to the bin.

ATMOSPHERE: Situated in a sliver of a space at the back of the Regis Center Lobby, I must say that there’s much left to be desired in this criteria. I get it that it’s a fast food joint meant to be more splash and dash than wine and dine.  But I don’t think that should be an excuse for this very unappealing space - cramped, bad lighting, and uncomfortable seats.  There were tables at the lobby, just outside Quiznos’ door but who would want to eat there?

PRICE: I hate to say this but based on my experience, it’s not worth it. They’re asking much for such a sad experience. 

Fiesta sa Antipolo!

The city of Antipolo parties during the entire month of May in celebration of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. And this year, I thankfully managed to join in on the celebrations even if it was on its last few days.

Unknown to many, my mother and I used to do the “alay-lakad” during May Day Eve. Though unlike the other devotees who start at the Quiapo Church, my mother and I would cut the pilgrimage short and start at “junction” in Cainta.  During those four hours, we would be walking alongside couples, families, throngs of teenagers and even elders. Most of them would be carrying their own statues of the Nazareno or the virgin, together with water jugs and boom boxes or pedalling their way up the mountain.  Sometimes, a father would pass by us, pushing a stroller where his toddler would be sleeping.

I started walking with my mother as a freshman in high school. She, on the other hand, started going on alay-lakad in the 80s and did so often with her sisters. During those years that we walked together, I’ve seen how commerce slowly rose up to the mountains which I must say was a pretty slow yet steady rise. The sprawling properties and acres of forests gave way to subdivisions and four storey apartments, sticking out from nowhere. (Clearly, these people seem not to understand the concept of zoning. ) And roadside eateries now had to contend with more popular joints originally from the city.

But now that my mother’s gone, I don’t have anyone to walk with and I figured I couldn’t go at it alone. So instead, I try to go up the mountains during the month of May and say hello to Our Lady.

The facade of the Antipolo church clues you in on what it has in store - a lot of clean lines. 

Just like in most old churches, Angels stand near the entrance holding up a bowl of holy water. 

The Antipolo church is as not as huge as it may seem but the dome certainly gives it a certain grandness. 

I love how seemingly modern yet elegant this church is. Too bad they don't build churches like this anymore.

This mall used to be a shed where the pasalubong hawkers and eateries. Now, it's a mall that houses
starbucks, McDonald's, and National Book Store.

Evidently, this Victory Mall is the city's project. 

Startbucks Coffee are now serving their popular brews to both locals and pilgrims.

The mall has depth and has a lot of space for stores. 

Have lunch or merienda at one of the eateries in the plaza. 

The ubiquitous green mangoes. It's cut in such a way so it's easy to eat. 

Hawkers line the street selling all sorts of things from suman to cashew to footwear. 

This guy was hawking Video City membership. Evidently, it's still relevant here in the Antipolo.

Here's a cornucopia of great pasalubong ideas.