Unique Finds at the Legazpi Sunday Market, Makati City, Philippines

The Legazpi Sunday Market has grown to become one of my favorite markets to visit, each time I go to the Philippines. I first discovered this market when it was just made up of a few stalls, set up at the parking space between the Corinthian Plaza and the park on Gamboa Street, Legazpi Village, Makati. That was in 2005. 

Today, the market which is more than four times the original size is not only bigger but better, with ample parking space. It's set up in a much bigger parking lot bound by Legaspi St., Rufino St., and Gamboa St. I would certainly rate this place with  very high marks, along with the other European open and temporary markets. I can even say that this market has other unique things to offer.

Thanks to Mara Pardo de Tavera who translated her fond experiences in European markets to creating one in Makati. Although it is widely known now as the Legazpi Sunday Market, the sign that welcomes all the shoppers is "MOM Mara's Organic Market."

Only on a Sunday can you find this market, from 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m. It's an all-in-one sort of a place. You will see why that is so.

This is one place where you can get your supply of fresh, organic vegetables directly from the local farmers. I have been getting a fill of my favorite vegetables I learned to eat when I was still a kid, among which are  okra, the local eggplant, calamansi for my calamansi lemonade, and the nutrient-rich bitter melon.

There is a good variety of local fruits. What perfect timing it is that my favorite tropical fruits are in season, like rambutan, guyabano, and atis. I even had some durian - that smelly but very nutritious fruit.

Add to the available variety of fruits some imports from Bangkok, Thailand. Those lansones are so sweet, and so was the sour sap - the giant and succulent sister of atis. 

Just like it is in other markets, fresh seafood is available, while meat products are mostly marinated, seasoned,  packaged and ready to cook.

With tables and chairs set up for the shoppers to have their Sunday breakfast, lunch, or merienda on site, this has become like a mini food court, with a myriad of choices.The food lines have grown to include packaged foods, local delicacies, and cooked foods to be eaten right then and there, or, later. I like that they are not store brands but products made by local foodies.

"Kesong Puti" (white cheese made from carabao's milk) is my favorite breakfast cheese, along with some glutinous-rice based goodies like suman, puto, and biko. These products come from Marilao, Bulacan.

CONTACT Arlyn Reyes TEL. +63(0)910 429 6065

The popular items here are the Malunggay Pesto, Milk Fish Paté, and Dulong in Olive Oil. Pinoy Or-dürvz, by using local ingredients have come up with Filipino versions of our favorite European tapenades and spreads. 

EMAIL: pinoy.ordurvz@gmail.com

Some French pastries,  baked delicacies, and more...

Healthy breads

Fruit wines, organic honey, and cosmetics (on the other side)

Imang Salud is known for their giant-size Classic Ensaimada - a rich, tasty, spongy sweet bread with lots of butter, queso de bola (Dutch cheese), and sugar, made from a family recipe inherited by Salud Dayrit-Santos from her grandmother, of San Fernando, Pampanga. You have to try this - it is so yummylicious! They have other Kapampangan delicacies that are also very good. 

For orders, Telephone: +63 920 947 8819, +632 837 0842

The prepared and cooked foods make it easy for the market regular shoppers to bring home something to make a Sunday feast in the comforts of their homes.

Spanish cuisine is well represented. Casa Goñi display their continental cuisine made from "traditional family recipes brought to perfection through the years." I love their paella varieties.

For orders or catering services, please call Macille 

Tel. 348-0492, 517-8776, 0917-627-8809, 0922-827-8809 

You will be drawn by different aromatic flavors from all the cooking that goes on, on the spot. I was drawn by the smoky scent of grilled, fish, meats, and poultry. Healthy, for the most part! The pork barbecue was so delicious, priced at 3 sticks for a 100 pesos.

My favorite addition to the market is the arts and crafts section, with Filipino artisans crafting the many functional and decorative items. Here are my interesting and unique finds:

I really liked the coconut-shell covered rice bowls and "palayoks" and I bought some. These products are from ZENtiments. Then I listened to the kapis-shell wind chimes that played sweet harmonies when the wind blew. How functionally innovative these items are!

CONTACT Ding T. Perez for more information or orders:

Tel. +632 506 2360; Cell +63(0)917 810 7442

Original paintings and prints by local artists

Aside from their jewelry line, these bejeweled utensils with matching wall clock pieces are the  creations of husband-and-wife team, Joey and Mylyne Casimiro of Patika Bead & Wire Works. The serving pieces make for a lovely, decorative addition to a table setting.

CONTACT: Joey Casimiro FAX - +632 986 8649, Cell +63(0)918 922 0728

EMAIL: jacasimiro@hotmail.com

Decorio Egg Crafts (Philippines) comes up with a pretty range of egg designs for decorative use all-year round. The egg collection consists of "traditional Ukrainian designs, as well as Easter, Christmas, Filipiniana, and a variety of religious, floral, animal, and geometric designs." 

EMAIL: mercy_florencio@yahoo.com 
Contact number: (+632) 707 4745

Elm's Accessoria de casa's Evelyn L. Monroy designs household items, hair accessories, jewelry, tableware and flat ware from materials discarded from livestock. The recycled materials are crafted and embellished with other indigenous materials to create the these decorative and functional products.

EMAIL: elmsaccessoria@yahoo.com

Creative Definitions showcase picture frames and accessories with laser cut "calado" designs, which are so dainty and lacey.  

EMAIL: Banj T. Claparols creativedefinitions@gmail.com

Therese Arciga of A.G. Crafts uses recycled glass for ornamentations, indoors and outdoors. 

EMAIL: therese.arciga@yahoo.com

Another set of products using recycled materials - juice packaging - to make bags, belts and clutches. Kamay Krafts Multi-Purpose Coop brings together the livelihood projects, to provide a source of income for the urban poor women of Manila.

EMAIL: office@kamay-krafts.org; kamaykrafts@yahoo.com

From the drawings of a child who was 3years old at the time, and now eight, a mother was inspired to start a clothing line using her gifted son's drawings. Thus, was born a parent's desire "to raise healthy, creative, loving children." Happy Starchild designs are meant to "bring love to the world" via handpainted shirts and other fashion items, and note cards.

EMAIL: happystarchild@yahoo.com

The most innovative item to me was this chest of shelves (not drawers) with movable covers. Made from recycled wood - tangile, From the Islands Inc., a whole line of furniture goes on display every Sunday.

Contact Evelina C. Perdrix FAX: +632-823-4851; Cell +63(0)947-217-7839

And for a moment, you will be transported to Japan as you shop in this section.

Going green is what this market is about.

Oils, soaps, and lotions from natural and organic sources come in a wide array of products.

Ritual Local & Organic Products' laundry granules, herbal laundry bars, citronella dishwashing liquid, essential oils, massage oils, natural insect repellent, day and night facial cream are just a few of their chemical-free products. 

CONTACT: Tel +632 400 4326

Messy Bessy has created a line of environmental-friendly cleaning agents.

CONTACT: Tel. +632 502 7176 | Mobile +63(0) 0917 5607871 

EMAIL: messybessyinfo@gmail.com

Do visit the nursery man who brings fruit and flowering plants and succulents...

and tropical and ornamental plants for your gardenscapes.

I did say that this is an all-in-one sort of a place where you can take care of the body's cravings, retail therapy, and the spirit.

There is a mass service held at 9:00 a.m. for the retailers and shoppers, alike.

You will be impressed, as I was, with Filipino craftsmanship that executes the design ideas to actual products. From them, you may get a business inspiration. Please contact the fabricators for your personal or business orders. 


I almost forgot to tell you - don't forget to bring your shopping trolleys.  Take your time and make it a leisurely shopping trip. Have an enjoyable Sunday at the market. 

Japanese Cuisine in Paris: Orient Extrême Montaigne

Paris is a cosmopolitan city, complete with many gastronomic delights.  When you want Asian cuisine, you can easily find a place to suit your cravings. My family and I love Japanese food, and we discovered a medium-sized restaurant on a street off of Avenue Montaigne,...

on 21 Rue Bayard, in the 8eme arrondisement.

Nestled between a Thai restaurant and a French bar and restaurant, across from the RTL radio station which is next to another Japanese restaurant, the Orient Extrême Montaigne is accesible by Metro - and the nearest one is line 9 (Franklin Roosevelt exit), plus a few minutes of walking on Avenue Montaigne, then left into rue Bayard. With a Vélib' (bike) station right in front of it, you can enjoy a bike ride to the place from wherever you find another bike station - just be sure to know where to pass.

Welcomed in French, instead of the customary welcome greeting in Japanese, this was a hint that there was going to be an added touch to what we were looking forward to. We were not disappointed by chef Toyofumi Ozuru's creations.

It's a simply chic place, like some French restaurants, and patronized mostly by  the locals. 

I thought it was interesting that we ordered the same items on the menu.

 Carpaccio de Saumon 

This Italian dish, with the raw beef replaced with raw slices of salmon, came with a distinct Japanese sauce like Ponzu Sauce, with fresh shallots, black sesame seeds, and little sweet nuggets that were crunchy. That was a burst of flavor.

 

 Ebi Tempura California Rolls


A very popular choice as a starter course - this is Tempura Shrimp rolled into the California Roll.

 

Ebiten Salade

This was a tasty salad with a mound of lightly battered and quick fried shrimps, over a melange of colored salad leaves, and garnished with chopped spring onions. SImply delicious with a creamy sauce. We had seconds of this one.

We kept our main courses light to make room for dessert.

 Fondant de Chocolat au glace vanille

A version of a lava cake - the chocolate fondant (means melting) was still warm, complimented by a petit serving of fresh fruit salad and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Decadent!

Fondant de Chocolat au sorbet mangue

A request was granted for a lactose-intolerant chocolate addict who asked for a mango sorbet to replace the ice cream, was willingly granted.

Macha Cake 

A cake roll with a creamy green-tea flavored filling and sweetened Azuki (red beans) paste, served with vanilla ice cream and sweetened red beans, on the side. The cake roll was not very sweet and it did have a discernible green-tea flavor, that went so well with the side accompaniments.

To cleanse the palate, a scoop, each, of vanilla and green tea ice cream did the trick.

 Except for a table or two, the restaurant was packed by 10:00 p.m. 
For reservations: +33 (0)1 47 20 91 58

The Most Beautiful Bridge in Paris - Pont Alexandre lll

Judged to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris, this bridge - Pont Alexandre lll, is the only one of it's kind. Designed in the Art Nouveau style, it was built by engineers Resal and Alby...

at about the same time as the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, for the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair). Using stone and metal, this bridge is lavishly decorated with ornate lamp posts,

sculptures of cherubs,

 nymphs,

 and gilded statues of winged horses on four granite pillars that are 17 meters high, on each corner of the bridge. 

Though the construction was started in 1897, the first foundation stone was laid by Russian Tsar Nicolas II in October of 1896. This bridge was to symbolize the friendship between Russia and France and was named after Tsar Alexander lll, Nicolas ll's father. It was opened to the public, in time for the 1900 universal exposition.

With the sidewalks almost as wide as the street on the bridge, its a picturesque background for the the tourists to have their I-was-here pictures taken.

It's a favorite spot for post-wedding pictures to be taken. This time, it looked like cinderella came to town with her prince-charming husband.

This pair, surely, got the attention of the passersby. 

The staircases leading down to the level of the Seine River are well guarded by the king of the jungle - the lion. There are four to descend on, two from each end of the bridge, from both sides of the street. 

On one occasion, there was a fashion shoot going on.


This bridge is used quite often as a venue for other events, I found out.

One Saturday, while walking on the street level by the Seine, I heard something - my kind of music - Batucada - a Brazilian music genre with African influence. 

The association of houseboat owners on the Seine River organized this event for an afternoon of entertainment. There was a small exhibition of designs - about life on the Seine.  But for the most part, the people stopped above on the sidewalk, to listen, or came down to the river level because of the performers.

We were dancing the samba to the rhythm of the drums, the sounds of the tambourine, cowbells, rain makers, and other noisemakers. What fun! Here's a sample of the Batucada sound. You might as well get up and dance.

Down on the level of the Seine River, a close-up look at the decorative details of the  bridge shows the intricacies of the designs.

As I was walking by, I noticed these stair-like contraption made up of a floating-cube system. They were being dismantled after a triathlon event that had just been completed, earlier in the day. This was used as the dive-off platform by the participants. 

Continuing my  walk along this path and it brought me close to some of the houseboats docked along the river.

At dusk, the sculptures come alive with the shadows cast.

The bridge takes on more special effects when the lights are turned on. 

And on the weekend, there's added action going on when you go through that tunnel under the street, next to the bridge - the pathway used by vehicles and pedestrians.

Right next to one of the the descending stairs is the  entrance to LE SHOWCASE BAR.

This bar, which was originally the boat hangers below the bridge and now converted, comes alive on the weekends. It's one of the newer venues where the night life for the young and hip takes place, where one can discover up-and-coming bands playing their music, with guests dancing 'til the wee hours of the morning. As this is always packed, calling in to make a reservation would be a smart thing to do.

Le Showcase Bar

Underneath the Pont Alexandre lll

Port Des Champs-Elysées 75008 Paris

Tel. no. 01 45 61 25 43

METRO: Lines 1 & 13 (Champs

When looking under the bridge...

  

one can appreciate the engineering design of steel columns - criss-crossed bars, pillars, and arc-shaped metal, designed to support...

this arched bridge.



It's been rainy weather in the last couple of weeks. But even on a gloomy day, it is still a sight to behold.

Pont Alexandre lll served it's main purpose during the 1900 Universal Exposition of bridging the two sides of the Seine River, where 50 million people traversed from each side to the other, as they went around the exposition sites. For the last century, it has been a major thoroughfare connecting the Left Bank - where the Esplanade des Invalides is, to the right bank, passing the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais on avenue Winston Churchill, and ending on the Champs-Elysées. That golden dome is the Cathédrale de Saint Louis des Invalides, where Napoleon's tomb is located.


When you come to walk and admire this bridge, make it a romantic one on your memorable visit to Paris.  Linger awhile and take in the beauty around you. Let it be a passage to your next stop to the left or right bank. 

Not too far is another lovely sight - the Eiffel Tower.