Food: Marikina Burrito Brothers and Crepeman

January 19, 2015

When I blogged about eating at Tamagoya's here, Patrick shared it on Facebook and my friend, Lily, saw it.  It was the trigger which caused us to set a date to meet up in Marikina when we come to get Stanley back from his parking in Stevie's house.  Lily mentioned so many food choices through text messages as we were trying to figure out where to meet.  She also told me to Google "Marikina Food Tour/Trip" to get an idea of what I want to eat.  The results were enough to make me drool hahha Finally, we limited our choices to Lilac street since we're already familiar with the location of Tamagoya.  Lilac Street is where you'll end up if you follow the B. Soliven Avenue where Tamagoya is.  Well, the date came and we first met up at Burrito Brothers at #69 Lilac Street, Marikina.   

I didn't know what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised when we got to the location because the place seemed cozy.  Patrick was a bit worried because there was really no parking space in front of the location though.  Anyway, we got inside and saw Mother (we call her that because of a movie producer called Mother Lily) and it was like we just saw each other yesterday and not years ago.  It was a great feeling!!

We moved to a bigger table and we browsed the menu while chatting and catching up.  There were a number of choices of Mexican fare: Steak/Chicken burritos, Chicken Flautas, Tacos and Taco salads, Nachos, Chicken Fajitas, Quesadillas and more.  Patrick, Dana and Mother ordered steak burritos, I ordered the chicken flautas, Dylan had the Quesadillas and we ordered Nachos and Grilled Chicken Fajitas to share.  While we were waiting for our order, Patrick got up, took the poncho and hat from the hanger on the mall and put them on.  It was hilarious.  Since I wasn't sure if it was allowed, we asked the gyuys at the corner if we can fiddle with the costume and they said it was okay. :)  Patrick took the smaller set and put it on Dylan.  What do you think? hahaha

Mother and I have been friends for more than 20+ years and this was such a heartwarming reunion.  It was perfect timing that it was the holiday because of Pope Francis' visit otherwise we probably wouldn't have the time.  We picked a great spot to eat too because the food was great, it was reasonably priced, the place was clean and airy, and at that time there weren't too many people around yet.  

Our next stop was at Crepeman because the kids wanted something sweet for dessert.  Since Mother already told me about it, I said "Why not?" since we're already in the vicinity.  So we drove down to Crepeman which was about 5 minutes away on the left side of Lilac street (if you're coming from Burrito Brothers).  We were the only people at the store probably because it was still off-peak hours.  The kids watched Kuya make and assemble the crepe.  They were quite excited about it.

If I remember correctly, the kids ordered the Ferrero which was crepe with Nutella and Nuts (P90).  Patrick ordered Mango which was crepe with sliced mango, chocolate spread, whipped cream and kisses (P90).  I ordered Peaches which was crepe with peaches, choco spread, whipped cream and kisses (P90).  Lily only had coffee.

Here are the pictures of their menu:

Peaches

I really liked the crepes because they're crispy ! Of course when you have something like peaches or mangoes, they will naturally soften the crepe so you have to eat it fast.  But the texture of the crepe complements well with the sweetness of the chocolate and the tangy taste of the peaches.  It was big enough to satisfy sugar cravings too :)  I liked the setup because it was small but practical and they have a clean bathroom too :)

I don't think this will be the last time we'll visit Marikina for a Marikina Food trip.  I think the trick is to go on the off-hours to appreciate the food without worrying about parking. AND, you have to be hungry when you start out :D

Christmas Day 2010 - Tadeo Family

December 25, 2010

Christmas Day - Part 2

Our Christmas Day journal continues with a visit to Patrick's brother Stevie and his family in Marikina.  We had a couple of hours to rest after my sister left and that was a relief hahaha Stevie and his family were also doing rounds among their relatives so we promised to meet up in the afternoon to early evening when they got back.  It was around 4PM when we went to their house.

When we got there, we were surprised to see Stevie, a little bit sweaty, considering that the temperature was rather cold outside.  Turns out he was putting together an Optimus Prime robot and it has taken a better part of the hour to complete ;)  Lance was getting impatient but was still able to find new toys to play with.  Hannah is becoming such a big girl already and she and her Ate Dana were bonding really well.

It was a good time to be with family.  I believe it's important for these cousins to bond, to stay close because they're the next generation of Tadeos.  Too bad that Dimples and Rhys wanted no part in the festivities.

The aftermath of the storms

You've all probably heard by now the destruction that the Philippines experienced in the wake of Typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma). Ondoy hit Metro Manila last September 26, rained for 6 hours and delivered a month's worth of rain. The result: Metro Manila was totally flooded, especially in the areas of Marikina, Rizal and Pasig, all of which were along the path of the Marikina and Pasig Rivers which both overflowed during the height of the storm. Many people were stranded, my niece included and she spent the night at the University. It's funny because though the school was only a 15-minute walk home I told her not to risk the floods because the water was thigh to chest deep in some areas. You'll see a lot of videos and pictures of cars one on top of the other, filled with mud and cascading down streets. Most houses in Provident Village were submerged in mud and flood waters. Patrick's brother Stevie and his family had to evacuate from their house in Marikina because the water rose up to about 12 feet. We went to help them with the cleanup last Sunday and we hardly recognized the subdivision because it looked like a battleground of sorts. As you can see, it's not just debris from their own house that they have to clear up. There are lots of debris brought by the floods that end up in their home and mud is so hard to clean.


We also heard from friends about other friends that lost most of their belongings and we pitched in to help by donating clothes and food. Den also volunteered in their school drive to pack relief goods.

Patrick's sister, Dimples also felt the brunt of the storm. Their house in Quezon City was totally flooded up to the 2nd floor. They thought that they will be safe because the water level has never risen past the ground floor and they were caught unaware by the deluge. They had to evacuate for their own safety. When they came back, their house was a wreck. Furniture overturned, the ref floating in the water and even their cellphones and gadgets were waterlogged.

This was certainly a trying time for everyone. More so for those who lost everything but their lives. Seeing all that they've worked so hard to build reduced to a pile of debris is heartbreaking. Losing their loved ones to the raging waters, cascading mud is even more traumatic. Having to spend the night on your roof without water, without food and without any hope of rescue is mind-shattering.

Thank goodness for the kind-hearted souls who have generously donated their extras to help their brothers in need. Thank goodness for the many organizations who work nonstop to get the relief goods to people still unreachable by regular means. Thank goodness for the indomitable spirit of the search and rescue workers who have continuously been working to get people to safety.

You can look at this tragedy and be hopeless and wallow in self-pity. Or you can take the higher path and feel emboldened by the generosity of others and move forward, value the life of your loved ones and strive to learn from this experience.

Swimming in Marikina, April 9, 2009

Okay, it's probably not what you were thinking but it still speaks of what happened hahahha


We went to Stevie's house in Marikina last Holy Thursday to bring their share of the balikbayan box that Tita Flor brought with her when she came to Manila last March 5. Yes, it took a month for the goodies to reach Stevie and Dimples but it's only because we can't find matching schedules to see each other's families. Since it's Holy Thursday, most offices are on holiday which was the perfect time to go for a visit. Unfortunately, since Dimples works in a call center, she didn't have any vacation time on this day.


It turned out that Stevie and Toni bought a huge inflatable pool for the summer and we were told to bring the kids' suits so that they can have fun in the pool. So that's what the kids did.. they had fun! Dylan was tired and bored faster than Dana because he was preoccupied with the bike and wanted to ride that more than he wanted to swim LOL

Dana had a boo-boo because she accidentally swallowed the water and she ended throwing up in the pool! LOL

The kids stopped playing and swimming when it was snack time ;) wchich gave the adults enough time to catch up on each other's news as well.

Tadeo Triple Birthday Celebration

So Saturday finally came. The kids were both excited because they knew that they'll get to play with their cousins Lance and Rhys and Baby Hannah when we go to Marikina for a Tadeo Triple Birthday Celebration!!

Since Dimples, Patrick and their mom shared February as their birth month, we thought it would be best if we just celebrated it together. The plan was to go directly to Loyola Memorial Park to visit their Mom and then on to Stevie's house for food and fun :)

Everything became hectic because Patrick also attended a Press Event for Top Gear Philippines (Digital) in UP. When we were getting ready to leave, the balikbayan boxes that Tita Flor sent arrived LOL Then we called Dimples if she can just come by and pick up some of the stuff that she likes so that we won't have to ask her to come back, saves her on a trip :) Since most of the stuff were their Dad's, it was a poignant feeling to go through them. Especially when we came across the shirt that he wore when he went to the airport. It was the last time they saw him, alive and well.

Then we decided that it would also be best if we took some of the stuff to Stevie's house so that he can go through them and maybe find something for himself as well. There were some shoes that haven't been worn so he might want some of them. Good thing that Jericho was driving the Innova van so we can fit in it LOL

On the way, we also decided to pass by Stevie's house first so that we can drop the stuff there and then pick them up in the process so we can go to Loyola together. Good idea right? LOL On the way, we stopped at a 7-11 because none of us has had a bite to eat and we were getting famished because it was already 3pm LOL

Finally, got to Stevie's house, then on to Loyola.. The kids immediately ran around the place.. It was so much fun to watch :) The fun went on when we arrived at Stevie's house. Patrick and I left the kids in their care so that we can buy some more food from the mall across their place. When we got there, we all ate together :) It was a happy time..

Visiting Loyola

After so many attempts at visiting Patrick's Mom at the Loyola Memorial, we finally made it. We always intended to visit it's just that money matters sometimes interfere or even the weather isn't cooperating. Well, we're glad that the situation's improved and we were finally able to visit her.

In a way, it was also cathartic for me as it was like visiting my mom's grave as well. It was painful but it helped.

It was also nice that the grave was still in well-kept condition and that we met the caretaker to give him his due.

After that, we went to the nearby Marikina River banks Mall and were able to take advantage of the sale they were holding. Bought some shoes for the kids and pajama sets (which were long overdue) and Triumph bras for myself (hahahaha). Patrick was supposed to buy new jeans but he didn't find something that he liked. Oh well.. there's always the next sale! :)

Lance's 2nd Birthday

September 27, 2008


Today, we went to Stevie and Toni's house in Marikina to celebrate Lance's 2nd birthday :) At first, we weren't sure if it will push through because it ws getting very close to Toni's due date. But, she had her check-up earlier in the week and the doctor told her that Hannah may be coming the week after. But, for once we were on time for a celebration coz we just took the LRT train to get there hahahaha

Unfortunately, Dimples, Jericho and Rhys weren't there.

The cousins just played around while we were waiting for Ate Rose to finish cooking :) Toni did cook the hotdogs! LOL The food was so yummy!! Ate Rose, Toni thank you! hahaha and to think we even had take-out LOL

Thanks goes out to Sharon, Toni's sister for the cake !! Ang sarap!! Delicious!!!

Tadeo Get Together

Last Saturday, September 06, the Tadeo family had a small get together in Stevie and Toni's house in Marikina. Patrick, the kids and I went and so with Dimples, Jeric and Rhys. It was a good time for the kids/cousins to bond and for the grown-ups to catch up on things. For one, Stevie and Toni are expecting their 2nd child, Hannah Sofia within the month so that's pretty exciting for everyone.

The reason why we're all there was because their Dad and stepmother, Tita Flor, have sent a balikbayan box so we were getting our share from it. Dana got a ViewMaster, a Disney Princess Flashlight, lots of clothes, pencils, stickers, a book. Dylan got a ball gun and a toy car. They both got their share of chocolates and lollipops too. Of course, Dana is limited to one lollipop a day and she should drink water afterward. That's the rule hehehe But it seems that her Ate Den likes the lollipops as well ! LOL

There were a lot of diapers but they were too small to fit any of the kids. Dana doesn't wear diapers anymore so that leaves only the three boys. Lance, Stevie and Toni's eldest, wears XXL diapers, while Rhys (Dimples' son) and Dylan, wear XL. The diapers ended up going to Stevie and Toni for Hannah :) I did ask for one pack of diapers for my sister Sharon who also happened to give birth last September 4. In the end, Rhys and Dylan shared with the pull-ups that were also in the box. Dylan doesn't wear diapers anymore, except during the night. It really saves us on the cost of diapers LOL

There were also a lot of T-shirts, Den and I got some of them :) And of course, Patrick's favorite, lots of Spam canned goods :)

Patrick was also happy with the three pairs of shoes he got. It was also the right timing because his other rubber shoes were falling apart LOL

Anyway, I'll update the pics as soon as I consolidate them :) For the meantime, enjoy the pics that Dimples took with her camera phone :)

To Dad and Tita Flor, Maraming, Maraming Salamat Po!