First 24-Hour Convenient Store In Ibaan

WALK N' GO Convenient Store now open to serve Ibaan.

Ibaan night's will have reason to be awake with the coming of WALK N' GO Convenient Store.

The store just had it's soft opening today, August 19, and will operate on a 24-hour basis. Although there are some sari-sari store in town, it's presence will most probably change the sleeping habits of Ibaenos (not to mention how it will directly affect our drinking habits).

The convenient store is owned by business partners Leobert C. Alea and Joy Cathlyn V. Ng, both from Batangas City.

Leobert is actually the Vice President of Philippine Action Group for Social Responsibility, Inc. and also a member of Batangas Chamber of Commerce. Joy, on the other hand, owns GENASCO in Batangas City and the computer shop beside the convenient store.

WALK N' GO is located at the ground floor of the building in front of Ibaan Municipal Hall.

More photos.

A Lead To Plastic-Free Ibaan

This photo has stirred interest among our friends. Even Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin was also enticed to post his comment. According to him, he, together with Mayor Toreja and all municipal councilors has started drafting Ibaan's Environment Code which include the prohibition in using plastics and styro. Initial public hearing was already conducted to be followed with another. Vice Sixto, with the Mayor, municipal councilors, admin, DILG and 3 representatives from Ibaan Market Vendors Association are set to go on a "Lakbay Aral" on May 25 to Paete and Nagcarla, Laguna to learn more on how the project can be implemented. We're crossing our fingers that we be invited to join the group on said trip.

Thanks also to Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin for letting us know of the municipality's plan regarding plastics and styro. Such Environment Code will be of great help to keep Ibaan clean and refreshing.

Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin Turned Helper Boy

Vice Mayor Yabyabin with his daughter. 

Back in the old days, servants were already in place among households. We have "aliping sagigilid" and "aliping namamahay". These days, "alipin" has evolved into houseboy or helper. Funny thing is, regardless of social status, when it comes to public service, Ibaan Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin turned "boy helper" during Mutya  Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates' pictorials held at Himamawo Spring located at Brgy. Malainin last May 1.

Unfortunately, we were not able to take photo of Vice Mayor Yabyabin doing the photo ops chores, but everyone in the location, specifically the candidates, can attest to that.

While spectators and others have their eyes burning staring at the candidates, Vice Mayor Yabyabin went down the spring's stairs to provide a hand and acted like the candidates' Personal Assistant (PA) while they're busy posing for the camera. Not much get to notice it since all eyes were on candidates. But standing next to him, I got a bag of appreciation for what he has done.

Since Himamawao Spring is covered with lush trees around, sun light hardly passes through were the pictorial is being held. And in any photo shoots, light is very important. To augment that, a reflector is needed to catch the sun light and have it directed towards the subject of the photo shoot.

Vice Mayor Sixto and Mayor Toreja on their way
down to Himamawo Spring.

The camera man came to shoot without anyone with him. So he's left with no option to ask somebody to hold the reflector for, to help him out, and to make things easy for him and for the candidates as well. At first, a youngster did the job. The boy had difficulty capturing the sun light with arms shaking out of fatigue. But he was able to finish the first three sets of the shoot. After which, the group changed location and decided to have more sets of the shoot at the water falls just adjacent to the spring.

The youngster who have been holding the reflector went gone with the crowd. And guess what, Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin volunteered to do the reflector stuff. And there it went on, Vice Mayor Yabyabin also got himself a shaking and dead beaten arms running after the sunlight and directing the latter to the candidates.

Vice Mayor Sixto sharing light moments
with Mayor Toreja before the start of
the pictorials.

The Vice Mayor came with his wife and daughter. But instead of attending to them, he acted more like a father to the candidates and stripped himself off of his public office title just to make things run as smooth as they can be.

For almost an hour, he was the camera man's boy helper and the candidates' PA at the same time. Although standing next to refreshing spring water with cool nature's breeze, doing the job can still be a stubborn one when you can't move your arms around. The light should remain still or the candidates photos will turn into a bizarre canvas with half-baked lighting effects. And for sure, the candidates won't like it, much more for those waiting for their photos.
Now, had his phone not rang, he would not have asked anyone to replace him. Luckily, Mun. Coun. Rodel de Castro extended his kindness and did the job a little more before the end of the photo shoot.

The pictorials ended well. Everyone was exhausted. And at this juncture, giving credits of appreciation to Vice Mayor turned "boy helper" is commendable. Respect for the Vice Mayor is appropriate.

Catandala Street Mavens

Catandala's responsible youth street mavens.

The problem with Ibaan, as everyone would attest to that, it sleeps too early at night. The thing is, just as when the lights begin to fade, there are still more wide awake beautiful creatures to paint the town red. Now, admittedly, Ibaan is just a small town. But the down town by itself bursts with life even in wee hours of the night. Things sometimes get weary at night with hooligans tainting the night's serenity. However, despite it all, there are those who still can define  what is meant by  "good evening", and prove that Ibaan is still, and will always be, the safest place to trod at night. Thanks to Brgy. Catandala's youth street mavens who took the risk, not to paint the town red, but to make sense of the Ibaan's serene evening.

The night is not enough for them.

Late night, after a handful of table stories with some of old friends after the way of the cross Tuesday late afternoon went into conclusion, I decided to zip arroz caldo at Buwik's tables at "paradahan ng van" (van's terminal). Me and my friend's bowl were already half empty when a group of young blood from Brgy. Catandala broke the night's silence with their arrival.

Now, the thing is, despite their number, these young guns  kept their barrels mum and went on to respect the night's calmness. They were on classic and cheerful mood. And yet, they didn't burst into something that would catch every cop's or tanod's attention. They we're professional in a sense like they were in San Miguel Corporation's stockholders' meeting.

Tricycle will never be too small for Catandala's youth.

In a way, they displayed high level of professionalism even at the simplest place where they found themselves. There were number of Buwik's patrons in the place ordering arroz caldo and lugaw with egg.  But not a single table went disarray. Catandala's youth proved to be respectable and refused to display arrogance.

It's just a "lugawan", as people may call the place. However, it appears like they perfectly know where they are. Yes, it's a public place like Rome's forum where things are free for all to express their thoughts. This group from Catandala didn't cross the line. They acted flawlessly like some real respected diplomats who knows how to handle themselves without being reminded what and how to act in public. and the middle of the night.

Ready for take-off back home.

Anyone may call on everyone's tooth fairy to watch over them at night's sleep. But, with good sense of humor and great character, they stormed Ibaan's hapless night close to respectfulness. No one were awaken nor jumped out of their beds out of irritation. Night life need not to be rude. That's what  these kids  have shown. I for myself have to commend them for a behavior job well done.

Most of all, these group of beautiful people simply proved how safe Ibaan is, even in the middle of the night. Ambassadors of goodwill, as my crystal ball would tell me, is how they should be considered.

Thanks guys. This is my turf, but you deserves it. Kudos!

Oh, thanks also to Buwik. He drove them home back to Catandala braving almost uncharted dark roads safe and sound.

Ibaan's Top 6 Dating Places

Compared to Batangas City and Lipa City, Ibaan does not enjoy the luxury of having sky scrappers  that house malls, upscale restaurants, theaters, bowling alleys, Starbucks and other fast food chains. These places top every lovers' choice for dating place. However, despite the absence of those amenities, it doesn't mean the town sleeps  over Ibaan's romantic couples. Love is alive and is evident in the area. For there are still far more better places in Ibaan that stand witness to Ibaenos whispering sweet nothings to their partner's ears.

Here are Ibaan's top six (6) dating places.

Mister Donut

6. Mister Donut

Almost three years ago when it first opened, Mister Donut was a big hit to Ibaenos. Before the day ends with sun slowly setting on the other end of the earth and after office hours, people would line up on the counter to get a box of donuts both for pasalubong and for finger foods while watching telenovelas at night.

While Ibaan comes into rush late afternoon, and when no one seem to care about the place at midday, that's when lovers slip into the store.

With Mister Donut's limited space available for customers, it offers greater degree of intimacy since lovers can sit close enough to hear each other's heart beatings. Although it hardly provides tables where people could dine, its lengthy table attached on its wall is perfectly suitable for sweet flirtings, not to mention the store's sweet donuts that can put more flavors and flares to one's relationship.

Down town People's Park

5. People's Park

The People's Park is very much popular among high school students. Minutes after the school's bell has rang, herds of students storm the place where they hangout both with friends and partners. And since they often go in group, the People's Park  appears to be the safest place for lovers so as not to get other's attention. They can easily defend themselves from their parents' inquiry being in the Park with classmates and deny being there with their lovers.

Sometimes love hurts at the Park.

At night, with glooming lights scattered on poles, lovers can still be found at benches set under Iba trees and others. With its quite surrounding and cold atmosphere, romantic moments can easily sink in among lovers. But one thing that is highly appreciable about Ibaenos, the place is kept sacred and not being abused compared to nearby cities where parks are used for some lewd and undermining activities.

4. Andok's


The coming of Andok's has literally changed the night and drinking habits of some Ibaenos, including lovers and partners.

Andok's located at former Ilustre residence.

Before, by night fall, the street goes empty with yellow street lights watching over Ibaan. Today, yellow lights just gotten brighter than ever with the restaurant's motif. Street lights no longer feel alone on top with chicken head at their level.

Andok's provides two options for its clients. Half of the store boxed in/with transparent glass panels where dating couples can sit and dine. Tables and cozy couches are in place at the comfort of Ibaeno lovers. The place is almost sound proof from the outside. And the words they utter to each other will be kept inside and will not be subjected to scrutiny by malicious ears. However, there's one problem. The glass panels are transparent. Lovers are in jeopardy of being seen by other people from the outside. There's hardly a place inside where they can hide from public view.

Andok's at night.

On the other hand, the other half of Andok's provides an open area to accommodate clients coming in a group for drinking purposes. After long years of supremacy as drinkers' hub, Barkadahan seems to have met its match. However, the latter still holds popularity among middle-aged drinkers. Andok's on the other hand takes on yuppies and some professionals. Anyway, dating, dining and drinking at Andok's still falls short of popularity among the masses which can spell its survival in years to come.

The Street Food Plaza.

3. Street Food Plaza (Isawan Sa Paradahan)


What used to be a children's playground and a momentary fighting cocks' empire now has bloomed into Ibaan's famous street food plaza where people converge after being grilled on their office and school seats throughout the day. The plaza has blown into one great melting pot of Ibaenos just like a place always ready to explode with heavy volume and traffic of people dropping by to satisfy their cravings for street foods.

Lately, prices of commodities have been skyrocketing beyond ordinary men's financial capability. With "gun-poking-pockets" trend, everyone is left with no option but to tighten their belts and squeeze one's legs beneath a shrinking blanket. Even Ibaan itself can't escape from this. And lovers are among the casualties of this country's deteriorating economy. And a shift from an expensive dating place to a more practical one has to be made.

Lovers playing around with each other while waiting for their
isaw and rice.

The Plaza, popularly known as "paradahan ng van" (van's terminal), began smoking some 6 years ago. That time, only a handful of occasional vendors were grilling. Then few more years later, private van owners began to realize the possibility of business opportunity in private vehicles providing transport services to the riding public. They then changed their plate color from green to yellow and applied for a franchise and permit to operate. Eventually, their newly created association lobbied for municipal hall to allow them to use the children's playground as their terminal. Their prayers were heard by Eastern Orthodox Church venerated Saint Christopher of motorists and drivers, and the rest was food tripping history.

Taking it easy before sharing a platter.

Currently, the Plaza boasts a commoner's favorites that include pre-cooked chicken feet (adidas), head (helmet), young intestine (IUD), chicken wings,  hog's liver (atay), skin (taba), barbecue, and others. They are to be further grilled for 3 minutes or more before being served to customers. It was only lately that tables and chairs were set up with pre-mixed souring and seasoning agents on top. Rice were also included so as to provide a complete set of meal.

It's popularity blew big time like firecrackers because of the cheapness of food's price offered by vendors. Compared to fast food chains and fine dining restaurants where one has to spend a hefty P300 to P500 for a date, the Plaza will only take a decent P80.00 or less for a complete and tummy-satisfying set of meal, plus softdrinks for two.With this, it's no surprise to find your friends on a date at the said place. And since the place is often times crowded, and with smoke all over, dating partners can get away from paparazzi since tables are always filled with group patrons.

The only surviving and sole classic fine dining
restaurant Father's Nook.

2. Father's Nook

The only surviving and sole fine dining restaurant in Ibaan, Father's Nook provides the most romantic mood and atmosphere for lovers. Accented with Mediterranean interior design, the restaurant is able to maintain its simple yet classic style of customer service and food presentations which dating lovers enjoy the most.

Starting out as under rated cafeteria with one two tables 31 years ago, Father's Nook has outlived every other restaurant's attempt to down play its fully established reputation among fine dining patrons. Throughout its operation, no restaurant has ever come any closer to where it stands now. Father's Nook is able to position itself in the minds of every Ibaeno as the perfect place for romantic moments with great tasting food on their menu.

The prevailing Mediterranean interior design at Father's Nook.

At the entrance, you will be introduced to signature clothes, apparels and accessories lined up at glass display rack. The furnitures blend well with the restaurants floor at dark maroon and brown temperature. At the middle, there lays two long tables that can accommodate numbers of guests. At the left side, individual tables bounded by wooden beads and lights are in place. And with those tables, a world of closeness and intimacy can be created between lovers while being serenaded by smooth classic and contemporary jazz music that fills the air.

FN's nightingale. 

Since the only source of daylight comes from the entrance and from the left side with open space, the lovers' nest is always dimly lit. There exists a strong fusion of green and yellow lights at very low tone that dominates the whole area -making it more relaxing and blissful.

Indigenous and ethnic wooden
bids and drop light shade that
separate individual tables at
the left side of the restaurant.

And the food? Owner Don Luansing has perfected all of his kitchen creations which are mostly Oriental in nature and origin. For such, it has attracted business men and other popular personalities filling every column of the restaurant's guests' list.Such is being reinforced by the presence of different antique articles collected by the owner from his travels local and abroad.

A combination of mouth-watering foods and Mediterranean mood are all there is what dating couples will get once they decide to take on the Father's Nook dating experience.

Dating at Father's Nook might be a bit expensive compared to ordinary restaurants, much more compared to Street Food Plaza. But every amount of penny that dating couples will shell out of their pockets are all worth it. They'll get a good return on the value of money and time they'll spend at the restaurant.  

A spoon-full-of-lomi at a time fills a lover's heart with smile. 

1. Lomi Houses

Who would ever fail to recognize the might of Lomi Houses in attracting dating couples in Ibaan. If one would refuse to embrace them, then, as others would say it, you can't be called an Ibaeno.

Lomi, aside from tamales and kulambo, has agreeably sketched Ibaan's place on food maps around Batangas Province. A fast food chain contemporary, lomi houses are being visited by diners and lovers alike from different walks of life. Lomi and other pancit-based delicacies like pansit guisado, pansit bihon, miki bihon and others are served in less than 10 minutes. After placing their orders, the couples can sweeten their relationship while waiting at their chosen table. And for appetizer, kaldo will be served which can set the mood for the partners' conversation.

Lomi at its best.

Year after year, lomi houses in Ibaan sprouts like mushrooms in open field. Others would perish. Some would  survive over time. This is a concrete proof that people do take pride with this Ibaan's food industry. And just like any other places, lomi houses have played a very important role in the lives of Ibaan couples.

Not far from Street Food Plaza, dating at lomi houses will cost the partners at the very least amount. Lomi is a total meal with ingredients complementing each other all mixed up into one heavy meal. In fast food restaurants, one will often have the tendency to order for "extra rice" with strictly proportioned meal. At lomi houses, I doubt one can still order for another after emptying a bowl of regular, special, or jumbo lomi. Savings are in place if that's the case.

Diversity is rich at lomi houses.

Lomi has almost overtaken tamales and suman as Ibaenos' all time favorite. Well it's no surprise since this sticky menu can be done in so many ways with varied flavors. In one of my trips out of town, certain restaurant offers chicken lomi and vegetable lomi. Strange they may seem, but they still represent nothing but lomi. And if there's anything in the world that one will ask for a practical meal, lomi will definitely come in first. Dating couples? Well, lomi won't hack much of their money deposits. We've mentioned the reasons why.

People may not agree for choosing lomi houses as the number one dating place in Ibaan. But I'm quite certain that everyone will agree that this is a better to go for a date, specially in Ibaan.

Ibaenos are natural born romantic lovers. And part of it is going out on a date. Same reason why we tried identifying top dating places in Ibaan where they can be usually found. Although Ibaan couples go out on a date, there's one thing we can appreciate the most. They maintain and keep certain distance from each other. Public display of affection is hardly shown. Well, that's expected. Because Ibaenos are decent and respecful lovers.

Brgy. Tulay SB And Volunteers To Offer Free Computer Education

Brgy. Chairman Reuther Endaya of Brgy. Tulay,
Ibaan, Batangas 

Taga Ibaan Ako

Still believing and holding on the belief of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's dictum "Kabataan Ang Pag-asa Ng Bayan", the Sangguniang Barangay headed by Brgy. Chairman Reuther Endaya and Brgy. Tulay Volunteers' founder Crish Arellano will open a computer shop to provide free computer education to their youth, dubbed as "Teknolohiyang Abot-kamay Ng Batang Tulay", particularly the newly graduated Grade VI students, in preparation for secondary education.

According to Brgy. Chairman Endaya, the projects intends to enhance their youth at least with basic knowledge in computer operation this summer. "Instead of seeing them wasting time with unproductive activities this vacation, the Sangguniang Barangay believes it's better to give them something that will keep them busy, and at the same time, prepare them for the future", he said.

Moreover, elementary students are usually not given attention every summer. This is evident when, most of the time, the Sangguniang Kabataan's budget are usually spent with basketball league which benefits only those belonging to college student age bracket.

"It's about time that we do something for them. Newly graduated Grade VI students must be given priority as well. I'm confident the community will support this project", Brgy. Chairman Endaya said.

Mr. Crish Arellano. Founder, Brgy. Tulay Volunteers.

Meanwhile, such project will hardly be pushed and materialize if not for Mr. Crish Arellano's suggestion and insistence that such project be considered by the Sangguniang Barangay. Mr. Arellano, working as an Executive in one of IT companies in Makati, recognized the needs of the youth to be introduced to computers at young age. To provide more support to the project, Brgy. Tulay Volunteers, which he founded, will provide the program with volunteers who will serve as mentors for the participants.

"The world is fast changing. Everything works at the tip one's finger through internet. It's hard to imagine how our youth's future will be if they will not given this free computer education. It is essential that we do this", Mr. Arellano mentioned during one of our conversations.

The group hopes to attract their target participants and solicit
support from the community to make the program a success.

He also said, "Out project may prove to be an informal one when it comes to computer education. However, with our volunteers' guidance and tutelage throughout the program duration, majority of them are well-verse in different computer and internet operations, I believe this can make a difference for our youth. We're from this barangay, so it's our duty to shepherd our youth for a good cause".

With high sense of cooperation and sprit de corp prevailing in the community, Brgy. Chairman Endaya and Mr. Arellano will initially start with at least five (5) computer units for the program. They have also identified the venue where it will be conducted. As per initial plans, the registration for interested participants will be on April 1 - 30. Classes on the said program are slated to start on June 2011, every Sunday. In four Sundays each month, the program will accommodate ten (10) participants, with new set of participants the following month.

Currently, they are in process of developing modules for the said program. Unconsciously, the group has been doing their part already in implementing DILGs pet project E-Barangay.