Konted's Make My Day: August 2011

Anvaya Cove Is Paradise

It is perhaps, in my book, the best beach resort in the island of Luzon. With the Zambales mountain range providing a scenic view, Anvaya Cove is tucked somewhere in the vast forested Bataan side of SBMA. Though not a part of SBMA, you pass through its Morong gate. A good 2 1/2 hour drive from Manila via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

Anvaya Cove is paradise. You see and appreciate the beauty of nature. You get to understand the true meaning of tranquility. Sun, sea and sand plus the thick greens make it the ultimate getaway. You don't complain of space as it is part of an approximately 320 hectares of land area. And the coastline is 3.5 kilometers. Bamboo groves, narra and mango trees abound in the area.

When my Melbourne-based eldest son Alexander and his family spent a one month-vacation here in P.I.some months back, there was this standing invitation from my brother Rene for a 3-day stay at Anvaya. Setting aside prior commitments, we left on a Friday with great expectations of an exciting and fulfilling weekend. We got more !!!

Anvaya Cove's structural design is not the usual layout you see in most commercial beach resorts. The rooms are situated far from the infinity-edged swimming pools and also some distance away from the coast. To get there, you call the main office and an electric cart is sent to fetch your group. And you pass through narrow cart and bicycle paths with small bridges and lagoons in sight.

Anvaya really is an invitation to relaxation. There is so much peace and quiet that all you want to do is read, read and read. In case you forget your Amazon Kindle, there is an air-conditioned library near the pools. And if it is stretching your muscles that you want, you can choose from an array of mountain bikes that will take you to ecological trails.

Do I now sound like a drumbeater for Anvaya? You can't blame me as the place is truly one of a kind. It was worth my time as I was able to bond with my grandchildren Maximus, Phoenix, Andre and Ashley. That 3-day stay in Anvaya was a short, short time.

Main Entrance

Infinity pools

Infinity pools w/ viewing deck in background

Wooden walkway to pools

Electric Cart

Lagoon Suite

Narrow road leading to Main Pavillion

Recreational Lagoon Area

Photo taken on board an electric cart

Electric cart fetching our group

Choosing a mountain bike

Room for 2

Library Lounge

Hanging out at the air-conditioned library

Early morning shot

Good backdrop

Resto at the Main Pavillion

Breakfast time

Self service at the resto

Lunch time

Dinner time

Fresh Catch

Non-stop swimming

Getting ready for a dip

Near the kids' pool

Waiting for the cart's driver

A good view of the Lagoon Suites

A bird's eye view

Beautiful Sunset

*updated*

Marikina River

By The Riverbanks

I do my walking exercise way past 5 pm. Just when the sun is about to set. I don my honda shirt with sleeves pulled up near the elbows, match this with rugged denim pants and put on my China-made Skecher's rubber shoes.

I take my own sweet time. No need to hurry. At my age, I can afford to plentifully waste the time. I grab my belt bag and strap it around the waist. What do I have there? A small bottle of amonia, Swiss knife, mineral water and a billiard ball. What is the billiard ball for? For my false sense of security. And, yes, I don't leave without my Canon digicam. I take shots along the way.

I initially take the paved walkway along the riverbanks. I move casually, but conscious of the force that presses each foot against the ground as I move forward. Bikers pass me by from time to time. I can see the mall across the river. It used to be Utex where Father was company doctor for 27 years.

I hasten my pace, and try to overtake the slow-moving ones. I see young couples embracing in sweet surrender and, in silent whispers, revealing the secrets of their souls. Not yet feeling tired, I sing some lines from Sinatra's September Song. "Oh the days dwindle down to a precious few...September, November....And these precious days, I'll spend with you....these precious days, I'll spend with you."

I take shots when I see a nice image, a good angle. Click, Click, Click. I turn right at a narrow street where a big ancestral house proudly stands. From there, i cross the main road, and after several minutes, I enter the covered public market, looking for dvds of old films. Then I move to a stall selling China made items. For 20 pesos, you can have a long screwdriver.

From afternoon, it is now dusk. I enter the big church and take a seat at the last row. I have personally arrogated that unto myself. I touch my arms and they are wet with perspirations. Same with my back and neck. I pray and the prayer I say is the same prayer I have been saying for the last 20 years. And a quick one with a quick sign of the cross.

After quenching my thirst with cold water, I continue my walking exercise. I take the narrow side streets on my way back. This time holding the billiard ball. I still see some shoe-making shops. They are part of the few ones left. Remnants of the dying shoe industry. American Golden, Jemelie, Jem Brothers, Rempson, Storck, Cardams, Borlani, Lobelle's etc are gone. They are now history.

I now feel tired. My muscles start to ache. I see and cross my self- imposed imaginary finish line. Upon calculating, I have walked for 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 8 kilometers. I am perspiring profusely. Good for my body. I begin taking off my shoes, my Skecher's rubber shoes. Clearly embossed are the words "Made in China". And the longer I look at the pair, the more I realize why Marikina's shoe industry is dying. I throw the black rubber shoes under the long wooden bench. To be used again the next day.

- Konted

World's Biggest Shoes

The world's biggest shoes can be viewed at Riverbanks Mall (formerly Utex)

Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records

1st shoe-shop owner Kapitan Moy's Ancestral House

Well-maintained old house on M. Roxas St.

Another old house near Kapitan Moy's residence

House with a turn-of-the-century style located along the main road near the Big Church

Former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando's ancestral house

Our Lady of the Abandoned Church

Built in 1687

Marikina Shoe Museum where Madame Imelda's shoes are kept

Beautiful majorettes marching through the streets during a barangay fiesta in Marikina City

Marching band adds luster and excitement to fiesta celebration

Drum and Lyre band displays showmanship to the delight of viewers

Colorful banners add to that festive mood

Ati-Atihan tribal group members, painted heavily in black, dance to some rhythmic beat.and to shouts of "Hala Bira, Hala Bira".

Ati-Atihan tribal groups are major crowd drawers during fiestas.

Drum and Lyre Band competition near Ka Tina's store

Ms. Gay Marikina top contender

Another strong favorite to win the Ms. Gay Marikina contest

A fiesta parlor game where participants try to catch a live chicken and with bare hands, pluck out the chicken's heart.

Steamed tilapia with garlic served during fiesta celebration in Marikina City

Shrimps with sweet chili sauce

Crispy Pata

Crispy Pata sauce

Everlasting

Pork Asado

Beef Caldereta

Beef with corn and carrots

Ginataang Suso

Fried Chicken

Molo Soup

Tuna Belly

Pancit Malabon

Lechen Flan for dessert

Ice cream done the old way

Dirty Ice Cream in cones

Marikina City Hall

Teatro Marikina where stage plays and musical concerts are held

Sports Center

Marikina City Public Market

SM Marikina by the riverbanks

Otto Shoes Building

Marikina Shoe Trade Fair

Delivery bikes

A special project of Mayor Del De Guzman

Marikina shoemakers participate in this trade fair.

High quality footwear

At factory prices

Shoe repair shop

About the shoe industry

River Express Train on display at the Riverbanks Mall

A beautiful rainbow appears in the sky at Loyola Memorial Park.

Penitensiya goes to the streets

Roman soldiers

Severe beating of the man they call Jesus Christ

Luyong is the oldest and most popular Chinese Restaurant in Marikina City.

Founded by the late Luyong Fong. Luyong is classmate Tony Tuason's favorite Chinese Resto.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Sweet Corn Soup

Fried Chicken in garlic sauce

Chop Suey

Beef with vegetables

Classic Camaron Rebosado

Lumpiang Shanghai

Goto Garahe snack house near Purefoods

Spacious and clean snack house

Merienda at Goto Garahe

Goto Garahe diehards

Macky's snack house at the town proper

Goto, Tokwa't Baboy, Pancit Palabok, Iced Saging at Macky's

Sally's Goto at San Roque

San Miguel Beer is part and parcel of special occasions in Marikina City.

Bingo is a favorite past time in Marikina City.

Playing Red Dog

Born and raised in Marikina City

Old, almost torn photo of three siblings and their mother who are all bonafide residents of Marikina City. They are known for their humility and simplicity. Hope you'll stay that way, Amigas. Specially the one at rightmost.