The Winds Of Sierra Madre

The Winds Of Sierra Madre

          Morning had broken. That early, a Badia trike driver, unmindful of  the strong, swishing sound of the wind, was picking   up a passenger. It was business as usual for him.

 

          With a green jacket on, I was standing near the front door, pressing my cap for it not to be blown away by the strong wind. I could hear, from time to time, acacia twigs, big and small, falling on the roof.

           Strong winds do come every December, lasting till the end of February. They make the tree branches swing and sway. It is cold day and night. Some call this periodic occurence as amihan or northeast monsoon. The winds come from Siberia.

          But there is always a lull or respite. Just like last December when, after four days of ferocious winds accompanied by heavy rainfall, it stopped on the 24th. That made two seniors, spending Christmas eve for the first time at the  Sierra Madre, happy and thankful.

          For dinner, we had ham, fried chicken, sopas and potato salad. And making it more meaningful was the song of a young caroler from a nearby sitio. Her voice was angelic, sending shivers that made me emotional: 

"Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it's the night of our dear savior's birth..Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."

- Konted

Badia Trike is used to transport commuters at the Sierra Madre

For transients only.  Contact Totoy Brown.

A restaurant at the Sierra Madre with a good view of Ipo Dam

Tapsilog Php150, Chicken Inasal Php150

Sierra Madre is home to Ipo Dam

Sierra Madre is also home to another dam, Angat Dam

Closer shot of Ipo Dam

Konted at Angat Dam

Spending their vacation at the Sierra Madre

This young lady is surely enjoying her stay

A store near the Brgy. Hall selling palos, baboy ramo and tapang usa

Our friend from Manitoba, Canada has been staying at the Sierra Madre for more than 25 years.  He speaks fluent Tagalog.

**All places shown above are located in Norzagaray

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Tapsi Ni Vivian: So Good

Tapsi Ni Vivian:  So Good

           Meat that is cured or dried is called tapa. It can be the meat of a cow, deer or lamb. Tapa is popular in the Philippines.  When served with fried egg and fried rice, it is called Tapsilog, a combination of the words tapa, sinangag and itlog.  There are many eateries serving Tapsilog but no other food outlet beats Tapsi Ni Vivian.

The best Tapsilog in town.

Tapsilog comes with free unlimited soup.

Special vinegar to go with the Tapa

            Being in the food business since the early 80's, Tapsi ni Vivian serves delectable tapsilog.  The meat is tender and a little bit sweet. Tapsilog is served generously with free hot soup. Tapa is best eaten with a sprinkling of vinegar. Aside from tapa, one can opt for tocino, longganisa or lechon kawali. There are other food items readily available.

There is a wide variety to choose from.  Lechon Kawali is also a favorite.

Crispy Pata

Breaded Shrimps

Chicharon Bulaklak

            Located along Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina City, Tapsi ni Vivian is housed in a 5-storey building.  The place is clean. Service is good. Diners do not wait for long. There is ample parking space in front of the restaurant. Tapsi ni Vivian is near Sta. Lucia Mall.

Tapsi ni Vivian is open 24 hours a day.

Food preparation is done here.

Other food items are readily available including Soup #5

            Tapsihan or restaurants serving tapsilog have sprouted in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country. They are everywhere. Tapsilog continues to be popular as it is affordable. But, again, nothing comes close to Tapsi ni Vivian.  It is simply the best.

Madam Vivian owns the restaurant.

Tapsi ni  Vivian is housed in a 5-storey building owned by Madam Vivian. It has an elevator.

- Konted

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