Daranak Falls

Not too far from the busy metro, Daranak Falls is located in the heart of Tanay Rizal a 2 to 3 hours drive (of course depending on the traffic) from Metro Manila. One of the closest falls that you could visit anytime since it is open daily from Mondays to Sundays 8AM until 5PM only. They do not cater overnight which is really good to maintain the place out of garbage and nature abuse.

What I also liked in the place is that they do not allow liquor or any alcoholic beverages to be brought inside and too much noise from a radio is being discouraged. Well, it is really unreasonable that you go to this lovely place just to listen to your music and not appreciate the natural sound of your environment like the sound of the falling waters, chirping of the birds, sound of the wind blowing on the tree leaves- those are so lovely to hear.  

This place is normally jammed-packed with people every day during summer and during weekends on normal school days. Like any other falls, it has a pool area where you could take a dip and do diving.  or just chill around. There is also a lifebuoy for rent in every corner that you could avail of for only Php 50.00 small and Php 100.00 large.

I love this as a summer getaway close from home and budget-friendly place another thing is that this is an IG-worthy background if you don't wanna go for a swim. The entrance fee is only Php 50.00 Adult/Kids. Picnic shed is Php 300.00 Picnic table is Php 200.00, pictorial is Php 1,500.00.

No Pets allowed | No Plastic and Styro should be left in the place.

We came here via car and took the road from Las Piñas city via EDSA-Whiteplains Avenue-Antipolo-Tanay Sampaloc Road then the Daranak falls road. You could see all possible ways to reach these falls from the Tanay.gov.ph page. 

You may also want to visit the links below for my other Tanay Adventures;

I Love Tanay Rizal
Tanay Parola
Tanay Church

Let me share some of the photos that I took while visiting this wonderful place.

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#waterfalls,

#DaranakFalls,

#Tanay,

#TanayRizal,

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Malate Manila

Strolled Malate, Manila the other night and my photo enthusiast character kicks right in. Sharing some of my photos of Malate church and fountain. Too bad, the church is close on our visit so only the façade of the church is all I can share right now...

#Manila,

#Malate,

#MalateChurch,

#MalateManila,

#RajaSulaymanPark,

#istariray23Laboy,

#istariray23Travel,

#istariray23photography,

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Ensaladang Talong

Since I will be staying at home for a few more days after I got out of the hospital, doctors advised me to eat healthy foods. Like plenty of greens, leafy vegetables, and fruits for good health.

I start out with this another favorite veggie menu of mine- the Ensaladang Talong or Eggplant Salad. This is also one of the many veggie menu dishes that I grew up with and passed on with my kiddos. So easy to prepare and the preparations varies from one region to another. 

Some others put onions, pepper, mango, tomatoes however these varies base on the available ingredients from the area. I put calamansi juice instead of cane/sweet vinegar/white vinegar. I did not add onions on this menu however the primary  main ingredients were there like the eggplant and the tomatoes will do for me and of course not to forget the bagoong alamang or the shrimp paste.

Let's go with my simple ingredients and preparations below;

Ingredients

3 pieces local eggplant/talong

2 medium-sized tomatoes

3 pieces calamansi

2 tablespoons shrimp paste (bagoong)

Preparations

Boil the eggplant until it cooked

Put the cooked eggplant in a serving dish and mash it using a fork.

Cut the tomatoes on your desirable slices and place them on top of your eggplant.

Top it with Bagoong/Shrimp paste.

Then pour the calamansi juice

Serve and enjoy

This is best with white plain rice.

Some others grill the eggplant and peel off their skin and only serve the inside portion. I found it more economical if you could eat what exactly the veggies could offer and also grilling and peeling off is time-consuming in meal preparation. 

I could actually live eating this with added ingredients <wink><wink>

#food,

#foodie,

#Talong,

#veggies,

#Vegetables,

#EggPlant,

#EnsaladangTalong,

#EnsaladangTalongAtBagoong,

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Veggies for Lunch

Mommy Mode On!

Prepared some healthy foodies today for my kiddos. 

I grew up with this viand at our table and indeed liked it so much. There are many variations on how to prepare this food- some make this as Pinakbet, some other's replaces the Bagoong with dried fish or fried fish, some others replace it with pork or beef, while others use tinapang galungong or bangus. Some other uses inihaw na isda with this green and colorful veggies however for today I used ground lean pork.

Ingredients:

1⁄4 kilo ground lean pork

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion, chopped

1⁄2 calabaza (squash), cubed

2 okra fingers, sliced

2 cups long beans, chopped

2 eggplants, sliced

1 bitter melon, sliced (optional)

pinch of salt/pepper

1 -1 1⁄2 cup water

Directions:

Heat oil over medium heat large, deep skillet (or casserole),

Sauté pork until it turns slightly brown.

Add garlic and onions. Sauté for a few minutes until garlic and onions are wilted.

Add the other veggies squash and okra, stir-fry for a minute or two, and then add the rest of the vegetables.

Gently stir to combine.

Pour in water add salt and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat and simmer covered over low heat until vegetables are tender.

Do not overcook the vegetables.  Taste by adding a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Gently stir to blend.

Best when you serve hot alongside steamed rice and enjoy :)

#food,

#foodie,

#veggies,

#DinengDeng,

#Vegetables,

#EggPlant,

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Makati Skyline

Makati skyline from the other side of Pasig River

The view of the Makati skyline from the other side of the Pasig River is a sight to behold. As you stand on the riverbank and gaze across the water, you'll be treated to a stunning panorama of towering skyscrapers that make up the vibrant business district of Makati City.

The Makati skyline is known for its modern and sleek architecture, with buildings such as the Philippine Stock Exchange Tower, GT Tower International, and Ayala Triangle Gardens standing tall and proud. The mix of glass-paneled high-rises and elegant structures creates a striking contrast against the clear blue sky or the vibrant hues of dusk or dawn.

Panoramic view of the Makati skyline

One of the fascinating aspects of this view is the way the city lights illuminate the skyline at night. The twinkling lights create a magical and mesmerizing scene, giving Makati an almost ethereal presence. It's a testament to the dynamism and vitality of the city, showcasing its status as a major business and financial hub in the Philippines.

The Makati skyline, when viewed from the other side of the Pasig River, captures the energy and progress of the city. It's a reminder of the urban development and economic growth that Makati has experienced over the years, making it not just a commercial center but also a visual spectacle worth appreciating.

#myviewtoday,
#MakatiSkyline,
#MakatiCitySkyline,
#istariray23laboy,
#istariray23travel,
#istariray23photography,

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