Marketman is TOTALLY CRAZED. I have seen a newly decapitated chicken run around and the phrase “running around like a headless chicken” is totally and utterly apt at the moment. First work was busy last week and I was out of town. Then a mini-crisis of the good sort at the school that I help out at meant nearly three sleepless nights last week preparing a presentation that could make or break a situation. Then Google for some bizarre reason, totally dropped Marketmanila from its records and its robots were repelled by some bizarre bug in my system that I will never understand — my conspiracy theory has some disgruntled reader or person whose food I wrote about as being horrific sent their techy friends to attack me… But the Google issue seems to have been fixed now but 800 of my old posts will have a tough time crawling their way back to the top 10 of just about every search done on the underlying subject matter. Then I had the dinner last thursday, presentations Friday, 18 hours of sleep recovery Saturday and the realization that BAM! Christmas is just a month away! So let’s just say I am running around like a crazy person, arms flailing above my head, chanting nonsense as I stress out over the holidays…
I am sitting now. I have calmly outlined that I have post materials for 50+ posts in my backlog. But that doesn’t include my planned christmas posts, upcoming parties and dinners, my attempt to answer some of the reader requests for Christmas favorites, etc. etc. Then I have a list of hundreds for presents to be purchased and wrapped (including many of my sukis at the market), plans for a gingerbread house and well… I JUST BRIEFLY THOUGHT OF SHUTTING DOWN THE SITE FOR A MONTH but thought, what about the readers, one in Cork Ireland, several in the Scandinavian countries, a whole barrio in Los Angeles, folks down under, a suki in Davao, and believe it or not, readers that apparently hail from perhaps 300+ different cities on the planet! No, I will not shut down. Just bear with me for minor nervous breakdowns along the month! Visit often and because of my Google issues, I would appreciate it if you would forward my site to friends of yours who might be interested in the run-up to a Pinoy Christmas…
But locals in Manila can be of great help. Here is how. As we all enter the month of December, I am certain I am not the only one feeling swamped. So to help ease the craziness, I am asking that you share one or two places where readers can order some terrific food items for takeout or delivery. Delicacies, special sweets, pancits, hams, fruitcakes, etc… if you have a great source, please share it with Marketmanila’s readers. So let’s create a collective black book that covers items that we all would like to buy and try…particularly if we don’t have time to make it ourselves. Many thanks in advance for all of your suggestions. If you are a vendor yourself and wish to plug your goods, go ahead and leave your contact numbers, the items you are selling and prices…but please, only post it if the stuff will hold up to the high standards of the many readers! Thank you!!!
32 Responses
I was wondering what happened to you. How was your thanksgiving dinner? We celebrated twice, one on Thursday with friends and on Sunday with family. And we had leftover turkey for dinner. I made grilled turkey with basil and apple slices sandwiches for dinner and baked a red velvet cake with cream frosting. Do share what you had.
hi mm, i know what you mean. I’ve been through the same hectic and stressful sched for almost a month. At last up-lae was over. No more sleepless nights of studying for me. whew! Pero tom start n namn. pero k lang its for my son’s christmas activities s school. I’m short of a driver p naman because of my husband’s busy sched. And the traffic! grabe! kung kailan christmas season the dpwh and mmda decided to fix the road. hay naku. Pero nothing can get worst than shutting your site! please dont ever think about that again. I will lead a protest rally! :)
here are the numbers of the pioneers of really good pansit malabon:
Rosy’s Pansit Malabon : 02-2816249 Cuatro Cantos, Mlabon
Norma’s pancit malabon : 02-2821280 Yangco St., Navotas
for the best brazo mercedes, pumpkin roll
Luchie Callanta : 09223013220 for orders
for cakes and pastries
french kiss : 02-5318700
super moist and chocolatey chocolate cake
marygrace’s in sm malls
Hi MM! My tita has a bakery in Marikina ‘Perfect Moments’. She sells an assortment of bread, cakes, and pastries but her specialties include carrot cake cupcakes, potato ensaymadas (yes, made from mashed potatoes!), and sugarfree desserts. To contact her call 941-3266 or 09214811956. Her bakery is located at 338 E. de La Paz St. Sto Nino, Marikina City.
Marketman it would be a tragedy if you stopped posting. I was on the brink of being distraught over the Thanksgiving break when there was not any activity going on. Turkey isn’t exactly my favorite fowl so I kept going back to your blog in case something more palatable was being served!
So do hang in there and take it easy this holiday season. The sanity of your loyal readers rests on yours…Did I just amp the pressure back there? :-) Have a good one Marketman! As always, it’s a delight to visit this blog.
So, that explains your long absence. Google kept coming up with a “server is down” message. It was like going through a Market Manila “withdrawal” phase and I must admit, it was a difficult time — no kidding.
I have no sources to share as I am not in Manila but I will read through the posts just the same. These could come in handy some day.
I was having withdrawal symptoms when I could not find any new posts for last few days.Just imagine what will happen if you SHUT DOWN!!!
Guess we’re being selfish knowing all the things you have to do but just can’t help it.
It’s pointless to say take it easy ’cause it’s a Pinoy thing to run around like mad during the silly season.
So what I’ll say is enjoy!
To relieve any guilt you might feel for being absent, let me tell you that I was actually relieved you didn’t post as often as usual the past few days! I was away from a computer for almost a week and was worried I would miss too many MM posts. So, for this one reader at least, your hiatus came at a good time. ;-)
At the risk of incurring your other readers’ ire, I think it would help lessen your headless chicken feeling if you post a bit less frequently during the holidays. Anyway, many people would probably be out of town or running around like headless chickens themselves, so they might not have time to check MarketManila every day. It’s just a suggestion…though, knowing your OC and energetic nature, MM, I bet even the manic Pinoy Christmas season won’t slow you down!
For my Christmas food suggestion:
Every holiday season, I turn to Pia Lim-Castillo. She makes many delicious items, from spreads to pasta sauces to appetizers to smoked meats. My faves are the Bacalao Crescents, Mini Duck Siopao, and Lemon Cheese. Pia doesn’t join bazaars and doesn’t advertise, so if you give these away, your present will be unique. It’s also quite convenient to order from her, as you can just pick up the food from her house in Forbes. E-mail her at foodtravel@mac.com or call 762-5413 so she can send you her menu/price list.
my tip would be to source from homebakers within your area. save gas and your sanity : )
here’s my favorite supplier. i always get compliments when i give these out as presents— mrs v’s homemade goodies in alabang sells the best macaroons, fudge brownie squares and biscotti. if you give her two days notice you can also order callos, lengua, fresh lumpia ubod and other ulams. her number is 807-0264 or 0917-5352009. i’m a bit biased. she’s my stepmom. ;-)
please…..dont shut down.i missed your blog the past few days.was wondering what happened to you.how was your turkey day?was working that day so we had our celebration last saturday in a friend’s house,pot luck style.there were five families so we had a good time dancing and singing with the karaoke,what else.oh, by the way, i made callos and minatamis na saging ala det.ha,ha.
Marketman, you’re excused to be kinda crazed since I believe most of us are swamped by now. But to shutdown this website, you have no enough excuse. hehe. I’m still waiting for some of your holiday cooking posts though I’ve been stressing out myself since a day before Thanksgiving.
As for some of my recommended food items:
If anyone frequents the Salcedo Saturday Market try the La Cucina de Tita Moning’s Queso de Bola Spread.
If you want to add an appetizer to a Christmas party or dinner then get the Pilo Restaurant’s Famous Chicharon Aleta (made from chicken skin). I have tried re-packing and giving away this chicharon before, got great raves. They don’t usually sell it in bulk but I can order it in advance for anyone since I’ll be purchasing some for myself. Just let me know.
Strawberry Shortcake of Ms. Yulo at Forbes Park call:8124961
There’s this premium leg ham I usually get from a processed meat factory in Kamuning for New Year but I do not have its contact number at the moment. I’ll post it later on. It’s the best locally cured ham I had but you need to buy it whole not by the grams that is usual in Quiapo. But of course it’s a lot cheaper than Jamon Serrano and Iberico.
Lia’s Cakes in Season makes fantastic desserts from fruits in season, and other good quality ingredients as well. Specialty of the house (or, in this case, bakeshop) is the avocado cake, a recipe lovingly passed down by my husband’s lola to her daughters. My Tita Lia, a hands-on, talented, career-woman turned homemaker turned baker runs the show. She also has mango and avocado sansrival, passionfruit cheesecake, orange rum loaf, calamansi tea cakes etc… She can fax the menu and price list if you call. I don’t know if they deliver since I’m based in HK, but this is the address and number:
Lia’s Cakes in Season: 2/F Unit 215, Royale Place, Don Antonio Drive, Diliman QC. In front of Ever Gotesco near Commonwealth Ave. Tel number: 9323134.
I hope you enjoy her products as much as she enjoys creating them.
Looking forward to your holiday postings. I had two thanksgiving dinners, one I made (No-brine turkey) and one at a friends house.
Oh please dont stop posting!
thanks MM for always thinking of us :)
i know what you mean, it’s only 3weeks before we go home, and we haven’t done any preparation yet!!!!…..we’re too busy moving to into our new house, yipeeee! …. but at the same time haven’t had a decent night sleep since acquiring the keys, 3wks ago!, my husband says that probably we can only rest when we’re already in the plane for home ……hope to bump into you soon :)
My sister-i-law makes The best rum cake with beautiful christmas packaging – Sandy’s Rumcake. Call Jeangay Zosa-Viray at 826-0552 or mobile (0917)9526627
Everyone goes on this busy syndrome at this time of the year – Christmas and New’s Year except for people who have different holidays from ours. Hold on tight, we will survive these holidays. I really appreciate your posts and decision to keep it up and running despite your schedule conflicts. You are the live Santa in keeping the tradition of giving – “a list of hundreds for presents to be purchased and wrapped . . . †You are an articulate writer and you can make a tell tale out of lemon drop candies which is so fascinating and exciting. There is always a great momentum on your posts!
I agree with the sentiments posted here. please don’t stop posting. i need my marketmanila fix every morning.
as for my recommended food items:
1. my favorite ham, which we always have during noche buena and media noche: EXCELLENTE HAM, INC. located at 155-157 Palanca St. Quiapo
2. my favorite kakanin is DOLOR’S KAKANIN located at 13 Escanilla St., Concepcion, Malabon
hahaha..doesn’t this hit us every year? but it’s part of the great run-up to christmas, di ba? it would not be exciting if we didn’t have this little bit of panic around this time. one year i was so good, i had everything wrapped and ready by mid-november, and then i had everything cooked and ready by dec. 22, and had only last-minute baking and browning and re-heating to do. let me tell you that i felt so “corny” that year. i was so envious of everyone around me rushing their heads off. somehow, i missed the christmas rush….
Sian Tian Vegetarian Restaurant at Burgos Street, Bacolod City. Turo-turo style counter with 8 choices of Chinese gluten, tofu, and veggie viands at PhP 30.00 per serving. Plump veggie lumpia at PhP 20.00 per piece. The place looks like a hospital cafeteria and is not airconditioned but it is so serene. I love eating alone in this place.
Perfect place to go after a season of porking out to the max.
Even us dayuhan(known as Aliens at Bureau if Immigration!) cannot manage without your website. It helps us appreciate and assimilate and say the right things at social occasions, when we are all accused of being “americanos’. What an insult to a Brit. Impressed you buy shirts from Turnbull and Asser in Jermyn Street.A Chairman of a top British company refused to re-locate his office from that street to the new headquarters in London’s developed docklands on the basis that “Here is convenient for one’s club,one’s taylor and one’s wine merchant’. Presumably a descendant of Bertie Wooster.
Back to food your barbecued king prawns with garlic butter sauce with fresh tossed salad and steamed Thai rice are a firm family favourite now. So will be hunting your site for Christmas nosh.
Hi MM! Hope you can share your Christmas gifts suggestions. Will definitely need all the help to come up with a unique or great gift for our wedding godparents. thanks! :)
Don’t forget to complement those rich food suggestions with wine! My friend Jerome Phillipon of Sommelier Inc (892-9928) has my favorite varietals from Southwest France. His prices are reasonable and he will even deliver. His wines come with tasting notes, which are a cool way to impress friends:-). My favs are the white Columbelle which is great for quaffing. For reds, I prefer them heavier, like Madiran. But for those who prefer beer, I suggest Pivo Praha, a czech-style microbrewed beer, available at Grappas Ristorante. But you can buy by the bottle at P90 each. I have a post on it in my blog.
You gave me a bit of a scare there! Disappearing without notice (that’s not you)..Can’t really understand the Google problem but am so glad everything’s working fine now.
MM, pls continue posting.. Am kinda looking forward to my first Market Manila Christmas and “celebrating” it with you and all MM readers..
don’t quit, MM, in the name of world peace! you wouldn’t want your thousands of readers and fans to go on a collective MM-withdrawal syndrome during the holidays, would you?(any day for that matter!). we’ll give you leads, send you pictures if you say so, we’ll respond to all the online polls you ask us to, and tell you where we found the best whatever, just so you keep up this blog. so, in the interest of peace on earth and goodwill to all men, go for it, MM!
Many of my favorite sources have been featured before. Mrs. Cunanan 631-0798 for ensaimada, Roshan 631-7786 for cakes and cookies, Marta Matute 842-3836 for cakes and cupcakes,Girl Velasquez for rum cake 810-3841, but a great thanksgiving and christmas resource I have is woman who sells Apple Dumplings. I am embarassed that I don’t even know her name! The number is 655-0992. Her dumplings are great. Think of them as an individual apple pie. They are cinnamon and nutmeg flavored baked apples inside a flaky pie crust. Warm them up and serve with vanilla ice cream.. delicious!
Thanks for all the tips…now which one to choose. My hubby and I haven’t gotten over the super delicious chocolate cake with caramel sauce served during the eyeball. I wonder who brought it…if it was home baked and where can we buy?
MM, how about those glass flower vases? Where in Mandaluyong did you buy them?
Thanks everyone for those suggestions…keep em coming. corrine, easier than going to mandaluyong somewhere in the deep recesses near the pasig river, just go to Landmark department store or the home store at the basement of Mega mall. They have the same vases (small, greener glass ones) but perhaps 20% more…
i just tasted a new dessert – frozen brazo de mercedes! its divine. available at 5 zipper st san lorenzo village makati
You can’t go wrong. Believe me.
1. Quezo de Bola Ensaimada – Jammie’s Ensaymada of course
2. Chocolate Truffles/ Cheesecakes New York Style/
Sansrival/Brownies – Jammie’s again!
They have Sugarfree versions.
Jammie’s Ensaymada – 8056001 / 09178148950
Outlets: Market Market / Greenhills Vmall / Tiendesitas / Makati Supermart / BF Paranaque