The Universe spoils me rotten. When I want something, it conspires to make it happen – most of the time.
A few weeks ago, I had mentioned to no one in particular that I want to go to the beach. A couple of days later… tadah! An invitation to Matabungkay Beach Hotel appeared in my mail box. Lo and behold, I couldn’t make it on the day of the event.
I could hear the Universe going tsk tsk tsk as I was sending out my reply to the email.
But the folks at Stram Events were kind enough (or mean, depends on how you look at it, hehe) to give me a glimpse of what I had missed.
They sent me photos of some of the dishes that are part of the Batangas Food Festival running until December 31 at the Matabungkay Beach Hotel.
The special menu is a collaboration of Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen (also known as the Adobo Queen), chefs Jaja Andal and Popit De Leon. It includes traditional fare of Batangas as well as innovative versions.
Matabungkay Beach Hotel Executive Chef Hipolito “Poli”Politico, Chef Jaja Andal, blogger guest Chuck Dreyfus, MBH Head Bartender Michael Galang, MBH assistant sous chef Mario Adrias, Adobo Queen Nancy Reyes-Lumen, and MBH Managing Director Charley Leviste – Antonio
The list includes Native Chicken Adobo in Coffee and Tablea Sauce, a medley of saccharine and savory flavor with a kick of their signature coffee; Sinaing na Bangus, a rebellious take from the Sinaing na Tulingan – still cooked in a palayok, slow cooked to flakiness and gently soured with kamias both fresh and dried; Paella Ala Eh, Kaldereta cooked with paella consistency but with more flavor highlights; and Suam Mushi, something like the Japanese egg and custard-based hot appetizer but infused with corn bits.
Paella Ala Eh
Among the photos sent to me is the famous Rodrigo’s Roast, its recipe a treasure of the Reyes family for generations. I got to try it some weeks back and couldn’t stop raving — tender, flavorful, the best! They sell it at Commissary Kitchen, look up @CommissaryKitchenManila on Facebook.
Rodrigo’s Roast
Other items on the Batangas Food Festival menu are the Pancit Aschuete with Longganiza Balayan, Suman ala Churros with Tablea Chocolate and those in the photos below.
Pistang Pate – salted egg pate (white), salted egg pate (yolk), kalabasa pate, malunggay pate, atsuete pate, talangka pate, paminta pate, labuyo & cheese pate.
Talbos ng Kangkong with Sesame and Garlic
Inihaw na Pakbet Salad
Salad Dressings – Patis Calamansi, Creamy Bagoong Balayan, Guyabano Balsamic, and Guava Kamias
What caught my attention was the biko. I am a big fan of kakanin but don’t get to eat it often enough. Where can you get good kakanin in Metro Manila? Parang wala.
Bikong Batangas
I don’t mind going out of town for good biko. Maybe (hopefully!), I’ll get the chance to head to Matabungkay Beach Hotel before the year ends. Their Batangas Food Festival Package is a steal! For P4,300net, you can get a deluxe room for two, breakfast, and lunch or dinner. Plus pasalubong goodies. Not bad, huh? It’s only available until the end of the year.
I’m not so worried about overeating at the Matabungkay Beach Hotel because I know I can burn the calories through aqua sports. I am not athletic at all but I love the water. I wanna snorkel! I wanna kayak! I wanna ride the balsa! I wanna paddle board! Lahat na! Most of all, I wanna drive a jet ski – oh the things I can do on that machine! You can enjoy all these at Matabungkay Beach Hotel. They also offer banana boat rides but that’s not really my thing so it’s not on my want-to-do list. Hehe.
Matabungkay Beach Hotel is a haven for aqua sports lovers.
The literature sent to me mentioned outdoor courts for basketball and beach volleyball as well as facilities for billiards and darts. If you just want to take it easy, they have a spa and salon which offers reflexology, aromatherapy, and sauna therapy.
Matabungkay Beach Hotel is in Lian, Batangas – a 3 to 4-hour drive from Manila. For inquiries and bookings (they offer corporate packages too), you may call (02) 751 6685 or email salesexec.matabungkay@gmail.com. You can get more information from their website, www.matabungkaybeachhotel.com
Matabungkay Beach Hotel Executive Chef Hipolito “Poli”Politico, Adobo Queen Nancy Reyes-Lumen, blogger guest Chuck Dreyfus, and Chef Jaja Andal
