Mann Yann

Mann Yann

            The face and arms of Prof Nong Umali were suntanned.  He spent several days with wife Lina frolicking under the sun on the pristine beaches of Bali, Indonesia. Though tight his schedule was, he managed to set a date for his old classmates Capt. Ronnie C, Francis P, Ted G and Prof Greg C.  The date kept on changing until it was finally fixed on March 9, Sunday.  Venue was Mann Yann in Makati.

Mann Yann in Makati

You will surely enjoy dining at Mann Yann.

             Yes, it is Mann Yann.  You got it right.  Mann Yann is different from Mann Hann.  And different from Mannang. But all three restaurants have the same owners. At Mann Yann, they serve delicious Chinese dishes such as Fish Fillet, Misua, Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs, Beef with Broccoli, Lechon Kawali and many, many more. Prices at Mann Yann are low without compromising quality and quantity.

Lechon Kawali

Tofu with Century Eggs

Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs

KangKong

Misua with oyster soup

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Free unlimited Chinese Tea

             Mann Yann is located at the ground floor of Anson Building which is near Landmark and Shangrila Hotel. There are ample parking slots at Anson Building.  And if you intend to dine at Mann Yann with your friends, try to be there early. The place is almost always filled to the brim.  Proof that food at Mann Yann is really good.

Prof. Nong Umali is based in Houston, Texas and spends his annual vacation in the Philippines.

Francis P. and Ted G.  Francis was patient enough to make adjustments as to date and venue.  Nice work again, Francis.

Ted G. and Prof. Nong U.  Nong was Ted's Math professor at  DLSU.

Lina and Prof Nong Umali.  Like Prof Nong, Lina is a good conversationalist.

The airline pilot and the math wizard:  Capt Ronnie C.(DLSU-Eng71) and Prof Nong 

Friends since 1957.  They are like vintage cars but still in mint condition. All four spent their childhood and teenage days at Santa Mesa Heights in Quezon City. At Mann Yann, they talked about the good old days, when "life was slow and oh, so mellow".

Prof Greg Calixto (DLSU-Eng 71) dropped by Mann Yann to greet Prof Nong.  He stayed briefly.

             Prof Nong is an actuary.  His wife Lina is an actuary, too.  An actuary, as explained by my good professor, is a person who gathers and analyzes statistics and then calculates insurance risks and premiums. Husband and wife, working in tandem, are doing well in Houston, Texas. And they have a happy family.  Both must have done a lot of analysis and calculation before tying the knot many years ago.  It turned out to be a good investment. 

                                                   

The Umali Family

                                                                                              - Konted

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Ongpin Mañosa: Since 1940

Ongpin Mañosa:  Since 1940

         It was getting to be a habit.  We found ourselves disembarking at the LRT train terminal near Avenida Rizal.  We took the same route, passing by the old Vista Theater and turning left at Florentino Torres St. The Sun Wah Restaurant was closed as authorities padlocked the main entrance for business tax issues. Three black pigs were left outside, as if guarding the premises. Ongpin Street was within sight and the signs of the numerous restaurants beckoned. Ongpin Mañosa attracted us the most.

Avenida Rizal in Sta Cruz, Manila.  LRT train passes through it.

What used to be Odeon Theater is now a shopping arcade.  It is connected to the LRT Recto Terminal.

The Old Vista Theater along Recto Avenue, formerly Azcarraga St.

Vista Theater still shows double 2nd run movies.  

Sun Wah Restaurant along Florentino Torres is padlocked by authorities for business tax issues. Take note of two black pigs. 

Another black pig near the main entrance of Sun Wah.  The black pigs are considered the lucky charms of the restaurant.

Another old restaurant across Sun Wah. 

          Ongpin Manosa is a little restaurant in Chinatown that has been in the food business since1940. It is included in the official list of oldest restaurants. It opened even before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and even before the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Manila. Why Manosa when it is a Chinese restaurant?  The owner's surname is Manosa.  It is as simple as that.

Ongpin Street at the heart of Manila Chinatown.

Ongpin Street is one long stretch starting from Binondo Church to Bustos St.

High rise building along Ongpin Street

Another tower block near Ongpin Street

Lucky charms, etc.

Meatshop

Ex-Mayor Fred Lim's favorite restaurant

Shanghai Fried Siopao for P16 each

A bridge at Ongpin Street

          Ongpin Manosa serves the best Maki.  It is their best selling food item. Maki is tender pork chunks mixed with a lot of brown, sticky soup made of starch. You add condiments such as soy sauce and kalamansi, white pepper and spring onions. Another specialty of the restaurant is Siomai. Pancit Canton, Miki Bihon and plain Bihon are also offered. All these items are served hot with free Chinese tea.

Ongpin Manosa is one of the oldest restaurants in Metro Manila.

There is a dining area at the ground floor and another one upstairs.

Maki is Ongpin Manosa's best selling item.

Pancit Bihon

Big Siomai

Ongpin Manosa's delicious Fried Rice

What was supposed to be a light meal or merienda turned out to be a full meal.

Free Chinese Tea

Kikiam, Rellenong Hipon, etc.

Steamed Siomai

A cauldron of Maki

Maki is always served hot.

           Two men were selling pure honey at the sidewalk of Avenida Rizal, several blocks away. I inquired and got an answer: Galing pa po kami ng Candelaria, Quezon. Pagkatapos po ng Sariaya yon. Pukyutan po yan. Sa farm po yan galing. And then another vendor was gesturing.  I approached and listened to what he was saying:  Kailangan po nyo ito. Isang pahid lang, epektibo na. Tatagal po kayo kahit apat na oras. And then we heard the sound of the LRT train.  It was time to go home.

- Konted

I smell Tiger Balm when passing by this drugstore.

Small Chinese New Year's cake or  Tikoy or Nian Gao sells for P60 each.

Special bottled drinks

Dice Hopia, Monggo and Baboy Hopia

Lucky Pick

Mahjong set for sale

Old drugstore on Florentino Torres St.

Pure Honey being sold at Avenida Rizal.  Beehive is proof that honey is pure.

Making rubber stamps and duplicating keys while u wait

The Railway occupies the middle part of Avenida Rizal.

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