Jan 5th, Sunday. We gathered with the family—Mama Lucy, Papa Sony, Ate Arlene, Kuya Jojo, and Bradzen— and set off for the Antipolo Cathedral, also known as the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. It was the perfect way to start our day, attending mass together and reflecting in the serene atmosphere of the church. It’s always nice to take a little time to appreciate our blessings and be with the people who matter most.
After mass, we decided to grab some pasalubongs to take home. You know, the usual sweet treats and snacks that remind you of a place. But what we were really looking forward to was lunch! We headed over to Robinsons Antipolo, and after a bit of browsing, we finally decided to satisfy our cravings for some comforting Filipino food. The clock had ticked well into 2 p.m., so it was a pretty late lunch, but better late than never, right? We chose Manam Comfort Filipino for the experience, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It was our first time there, and here’s what we ordered!
We started with a classic Filipino favorite: Crispy Pata with Garlic Chili Bits. This one came served already off the bone (very convenient!) but sadly, by the time it arrived, I was already too full from everything else to fully appreciate it. Still, everyone else seemed to enjoy it, so I’ll take their word for it! The crispy skin and juicy meat combo always hits the spot.
Next up was Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampaloc (₱665). I absolutely loved this one! Made with pork shoulder, it was lean, so there wasn’t much fat. The flavor of the broth was just chef’s kiss—perfectly tangy, savory, and comforting. It was definitely a hit for me.
Then, we dug into a big plate of Kare-Kare with Ox Tail (₱985). Oh man, if you’ve never had this, you need to. It’s a rich, thick peanut-based sauce filled with ox tail, tripe, and vegetables. Served with a side of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), it’s just everything you could want in a dish—tender meat, silky sauce, and that salty kick from the bagoong. Honestly, I could eat this every day!
For the veggie lovers in the group, we had Pinakbet (₱375), a stir-fried mix of okra, eggplant, squash, ampalaya (bitter melon), and sitaw (string beans) in bagoong. It’s that classic Filipino veggie medley that never gets old. But, I must say, the real winner for me was the House Crispy Sisig (₱398). It was perfectly crispy, full of flavor, and just the right amount of seasoning. The only one who didn’t quite enjoy it was Daddydoodledoo. He’s a fan of the creamy sisig, and this one was on the crispy side—definitely more for those who love the crunch!
There was also the Overloaded Garlicky Chicken and Pork Belly Adobo (₱675). The dish was loaded with garlic, but honestly, I felt like the garlic overpowered the classic adobo flavor. It was still good, but I’d probably skip it next time in favor of other dishes..
After filling up on all that delicious food, the kids—Twinkle and Bradzen—were ready for some fun, so we let them loose in the arcade. Watching them play, laugh, and enjoy their time together was the perfect end to our lunch outing.
It was truly a great meal and an even better Sunday. We all agreed that when we return to Manam, I’m definitely trying the Crispy Pancit Palabok and the Sinigang na Short Rib and Watermelon. Next time, I’m going to make sure to save room for those two! What a lovely day of family bonding, food, and fun. Can’t wait to do it all again soon!
