Date: January 5, 2023
After two full days at LiwLiwa beach, it was time to head back home. We went back to Mommy Phoebe’s Place for breakfast.
We then went back to our room, checked out of Cafe de Liwa, and took a trike taxi to San Felipe Public Market. We then boarded a Victory Liner bus to Manila.
We were delayed a bit due to highway traffic closer to Manila. So it was past 4pm when we finally reached the Victory Liner terminal we got down at. We took a taxi, got home, and then went to a restaurant called Fat Cousins’ Diner. It was not good. Just mediocre food at high prices.
Date: January 6, 2023
After doing some work, I decided to step out to check SM City North EDSA, one of the largest malls in Manila.
The main mall has the usual brands you will find in any SM mall. I went to the Annex wing to check out ‘Cyberzone’ — which as the name suggests, is where all the electronics shops are.
Aside from stores selling PlayStation games, you have pretty much every major brand of electronics available here — from laptops, gaming PCs, TVs, appliances, and of course mobile stores. Lots and lots of mobile stores and accessories for mobile phones.
I searched on Google Maps and found a few Indian eateries in the Monumento area, just 5+ kilometres from Trinoma/SM City North EDSA. I thought I’d check it out and grab some dinner from there.
Evening traffic had begun but after nearly 40 minutes on the road, I made it to Monumento. Plenty of smaller shopping malls in and around the area.
Even though their chicken biryani was only ₱150 (₹220/$2.6/€2.4), I just took home some samosas and a chicken curry. But seeing their curry, I was sorely disappointed. It was just one big piece of chicken with a thin layer of gravy with the rest of liquid being cooking oil. So not curry… mostly just oil.
But I kind of understood why they gave very little gravy. Let me explain. Most Indian gravies use lots of onions to form the curry base (besides water, tomatoes, and oil). While I was in the Philippines, onion prices had reached record highs. Maybe things would have been different at Lal’s New Delhi restaurant, which is a regular sit-down family restaurant in the area.
But in general, vegetable prices were much higher in Manila than any Indian is used to.
For example, on the way back home, I dropped by a Robinsons supermarket and here are examples of vegetable prices.
Just for context, back in India, eggplant (brinjal) usually costs ₹40/kg (₱27/$0.48/€0.4). Cabbage costs ₹30 to 40/kg. Small onions ₹80/kg (₱54/$1/€0.80) and big onions are even cheaper! When I got back to Bangalore, this is how much big onions were selling for.
Vegetable prices fluctuate in India during monsoon season and at times of extreme heat, but in general, that’s how affordable vegetables are in India. Now it makes sense why so many Filipinos are fine eating just some pork or beef side-dish with plain rice. Vegetables are needed for a balanced diet but they’re too expensive for the majority of the population.
If I were to live in Manila, I would have to rent a place where I can indulge in some rooftop farming!
Next posts on this series:
Philippines: Checking out Sidcor Local Sunday Market in Quezon City
Philippines: Checking out Mitsukoshi in Bonifacio Global City, Manila
Philippines: Skyscrapers of Bonifacio Global City and Manila’s First 3D Billboard
Philippines: Getting a glimpse of ITZY in Manila, and the shocking cost of fresh food
Previous posts in this series:
Philippines: Strolling around San Felipe town; visiting Subic Bay
Philippines: Getting to Liwliwa Beach, Manila to San Felipe (Zambales) by bus
Philippines: Divisoria’s 168 Shopping Mall and Tutuban Night Market
Philippines: Visiting Manila after a gap of 8 years
