Michi Photostory: Market

Showing posts with label Market. Show all posts

July 10, 2026

Where to Buy Pasalubong in Daet, Camarines Norte: Pili Delicacies and More

When people think of Bicol, pili nuts are usually the first thing that comes to mind. We've also received pili nuts as pasalubong from friends, relatives, and even my husband's colleagues whenever they visited the region.

During our trip to Daet, Camarines Norte, I discovered that there's more to bring home than just pili nuts. Since it was my first time visiting the area, I made sure to set aside time for souvenir shopping before heading home. From fresh pili nuts in their shells to delicious Pili Tarts and Pili Rolls, I found plenty of local treats that were worth bringing back for family and friends.

If you're visiting Daet, Camarines Norte, don't miss the chance to bring home some of the best Bicol pasalubong, especially the famous pili delicacies.

Graceland

After breakfast at One Platinum Hotel, we walked to Jannah's Pasalubong. Unfortunately, it was still closed, so we explored the nearby stores to see what we could buy while waiting.

We came across Graceland, which reminded me of Goldilocks because it offers meals, bread, and pastries. I bought a box of brownies (PHP 210) and a banana loaf (PHP 90) so we'd have something to snack on during our bus trip.

Buying Pili at the Public Market

Next, we visited the public market to look for pili nuts in their shells. Our experience wasn't exactly pleasant because the vendor didn't seem to be in the mood to sell that morning. When I asked how much the pili cost, her first response was, "Mahirap buksan 'yan" (sungit tone). I asked again, "Magkano po?" before she finally gave me the price.

Despite that, I still bought: ·

Pili with Shells – PHP 300 per kilo

Pili Tart – PHP 75

I bought the Pili Tart from the public market just to compare it with the one from Jannah's Pasalubong. After trying both, we liked Jannah's Pili Tart better. It had a richer flavor and a softer, more enjoyable texture than the one I bought at the public market.

If you're planning to buy Pili Tart as pasalubong, I highly recommend getting it from Jannah's.

Jannah's Pasalubong

After our quick stop at the market, we returned to Jannah's Pasalubong. When we saw the line outside, we decided to wait. I was actually thankful they opened a little past 7:30 AM because I initially thought they wouldn't open until 8:00 AM.

I was surprised by how many people were shopping. Some customers were filling several baskets with pasalubong, and the line at the cashier was quite long. Since they compute purchases manually instead of using a cash register, checkout took a bit longer. They also accept cash payments only, so make sure to bring enough cash when shopping here.

Here's what I bought:

· Pili Roll – PHP 150

· Pili Tart – PHP 120

· Pili in Bottle – PHP 265

· Pili Polvoron – PHP 120

· Pili Mazapan – PHP 80

· Pili Pouch – PHP 100

· Ginataang Santol – PHP 160

· Masa Podrida

Of everything we bought, our absolute favorites were the Pili Roll and the Pili Tart.

I only bought one box of Pili Roll because I was worried it might get spoiled during the trip. Looking back, I wish I had bought more! Thankfully, I bought seven packs of Pili Tart, although they still disappeared faster than expected. There are 15 pieces of pili tart per pack.

My husband also bought a few packs as pasalubong for his colleagues, and they all had the same feedback: they loved the Pili Tart.

I even told my family that the Pili Tart and Pili Roll alone would be enough reason for me to visit Daet again.

Last-Minute Pasalubong

As I mentioned in my previous post, there's a pasalubong store near the DLTB Bus Terminal, making it a convenient stop for last-minute shopping.

I also bought a cassava cake (PHP 150). At first, I hesitated because I thought it might spoil during the trip. Surprisingly, it didn't even make it home because we finished it on the bus! Even my son, who isn't usually a fan of kakanin, really enjoyed it.

Writing this blog post is making me crave Pili Tart, Pili Roll, and cassava cake all over again. Our trip to Daet, Camarines Norte, may have been short, but it introduced us to some of the best pasalubong we've ever brought home.

Kung malapit lang ang Daet, babalik talaga kami agad. But with a 12-hour bus ride, parang ang hirap balikan.

Where to Buy Pasalubong in Daet

If you're looking for the best places to buy pasalubong in Daet, here are my recommendations:

Jannah's Pasalubong – My top recommendation for Pili Tart, Pili Roll, and a wide variety of Bicol delicacies. Their Pili Tart was our favorite among all the ones we tried. Note that they accept cash payments only.

Daet Public Market – A good place to buy fresh pili nuts in their shells and other local products at reasonable prices.

Store near the DLTB Bus Terminal – Perfect for last-minute pasalubong before your trip home. I bought a cassava cake here, and it turned out to be one of our favorite purchases.

If I ever visit Daet again, I'll definitely go back to Jannah's Pasalubong for their Pili Tart and Pili Roll.

March 27, 2026

First Night in Taipei: Exploring Ningxia Night Market

After a long day of travel, we finally arrived in Taipei with only a few hours to explore. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, one of the best things to do at night is visit a night market and that’s exactly how we spent our first evening.

Why We Chose Ningxia Night Market

Taipei is known for its famous night markets, including Raohe Night Market, Shilin Night Market, and Ningxia Night Market. Since we were staying at CityInn Hotel, we chose Ningxia Night Market because it was the nearest and most convenient option.

Before our trip, I considered booking a food walking tour in Taipei. However, I don’t usually eat heavy meals in the evening, and I prefer sleeping early, so the usual 6:45 PM start time didn’t suit my schedule. Instead, we decided to explore the Ningxia Night Market on our own.

If you’re someone who wants to try more dishes and learn about Taiwanese street food, a guided food tour can still be a great option.

Taipei Ningxia Night Market Food Walking Tour (Incl. 10 Foods)

How to Get to Ningxia Night Market

Ningxia Night Market is centrally located in Taipei and is easy to reach using public transportation.

The most convenient way is by MRT:

Zhongshan Station (Red Line, R11) – about a 7–10 minute walk
Shuanglian Station (Red Line, R12) – about an 8–10 minute walk

From either station, you can walk Ningxia Road, where the night market is located.

If you’re coming from Taipei Main Station, you can walk for about 10–15 minutes or take a short taxi ride. This makes it a great option if you’re staying nearby.

Other options include:

Bus routes that stop near Ningxia Street
Taxi or ride-hailing apps for direct access

Best Time to Visit Ningxia Night Market

Ningxia Night Market is typically open from around 5:30 PM to midnight, although some stalls may open earlier or close later.

Best time to visit (fewer crowds): 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM or after 10:00 PM
Peak hours: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, especially on weekends

Since the market is relatively small and narrow, it can get very crowded during peak hours.

Our Ningxia Night Market Food Experience

We weren’t very hungry when we arrived because we had already eaten snacks at KFC and McDonald’s earlier that day (you can check my previous post for more details). So this visit was more about experiencing the famous atmosphere of the Taipei night market than doing a full food crawl.

The market was lively and packed with people, which made it a bit challenging to move around and order food. Still, we managed to try some popular street food:

Cube Steak – NTD 150
Chicken BBQ – NTD 100
Grilled Mushrooms – NTD 120
Peanut Ice Cream Roll – NTD 60
Grilled Squid – (price unknown because my mom paid for it)

Prices & Payment Tips

Most food stalls at Ningxia Night Market only accept cash, so make sure to bring enough Taiwanese dollars with you. Prices are generally affordable, making it a great place to try different kinds of Taipei street food.

How Long to Spend at Ningxia Night Market

We stayed for less than two hours, which was enough to walk through the market, try a few snacks, and enjoy the atmosphere. If you plan to eat more or explore every stall, you may want to stay longer.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Ningxia Night Market is a must-visit if you’re looking for an authentic Taipei night market experience. From the delicious street food to the vibrant local atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to spend your first night in the city.

Even though our visit was short, it was a fun and memorable introduction to Taiwan’s street food culture. Next time, I’d definitely come back with a bigger appetite and try more of the best food in Ningxia Night Market.

January 22, 2018

Tienda Sa Ayala Malls at Solenad

Last year, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about TienDA sa Ayala Malls but it is too far from where I live. When I saw the Alabang Town Center event, I have a get-together on that date naman so hindi rin ko nakapunta. So when I saw a new post that there will be TienDA in Solenad, I immediately marked the date on my calendar. This will be the last leg of the weekend traveling market.

Nov 18-19, 2017 Abreeza Mall
Nov. 25-26 Ayala Center Cebu
Dec. 2-3 at UP Town Center
Dec. 9-10 Alabang Town Center
Dec 16-17 at Ayala Malls The 30th
Jan 20-21 Ayala Malls Solenad

TienDA sa Ayala Malls is a partnership between the Ayala Malls and Department Agriculture where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local products from farmers and fishermen across the Philippines.

I was really curious if they are selling goods at farmgate prices, meaning mura di ba because there are no middlemen involved. So last Saturday, we were there as early as 10:30AM, according to the flyers, the event will start at 11AM but we’re glad that they are already selling their products.

So we checked the different booths, and I asked my husband if mura ba? To be honest, I don’t go to the wet market so I’m not really aware of the SRP. Yes, ever since I got married, si hubby namamalengke sa amin for practical reasons and of course, mabigat para sa akin ang mamalengke ng 1 week meal, baka mas lalo pa ko lumiit. Bilang lang sa daliri yung sumama kami ng anak ko sa palengke.

Anyway, since sabi ni hubby mas mura sa mga suki niya and yung iba pareho lang sa palengke. Konti lang nabili namin, we bought pomelo from Davao, salted egg, corn, longganisang Lucban, and of course, we ate binatog and corn with butter and cheese. I was looking for the suman, pero wala ko nakita. Maybe, iba-iba yung seller per event.

We cooked the longganisang Lucban and surprisingly, we liked it. I knew that we tried longganisang Lucban (pasalubong) before and okay lang lasa pero yung nabili namin sa TienDA masarap so my two boys went back to TienDA just to buy the longa para makapaghoard kami at malayo ang Lucban, Quezon but unfortunately, ubos na daw. Marami din naghoard. lol

Before they left, my son ate corn with butter and cheese (new favorite niya) and they tried the Tubo (sugar cane) juice. He even told me “Mommy, sayang, you should come with us so you can taste the Tubo juice, it is good for the teeth, body and anti-aging pa”.

Me: Paano mo naman nalaman na anti-aging yun.
Ethan: I read it, it is in the cup of the juice.

We tried the pomelo and it is really good. I just bought few pieces because my husband told me, he might go to Davao so dun na lang daw siya bibili ng marami.

August 29, 2017

2 Days Trip in Cebu

Hubby went to Cebu last week, I was tempted to book a flight so we can spend our long weekend in Cebu. But I need to practice self-control since I’m saving for our next home project. Anyway, I’m still happy because hubby bought our favorites from Cebu, which are lechon and danggit.

Well, let me reminisce about our 2 Days Trip in Cebu. Six years ago, I celebrated my birthday in Cebu. It was my advance birthday celebration since my husband could only take a one-day leave. We only have two whole days to enjoy our trip.

We stayed in Fuente Oro Business Suites, it is a budget hotel that offers basic accommodation with breakfast. Since we arrived at 6AM, the room is not yet ready so we left our luggage and started our DIY Cebu City Tour.

DIY Cebu City Tour

We took a jeep to Basilica De Sto Niño where we will start our walking tour. From the church, we just walked to Plaza Sugbo, Magellan’s Cross, City Hall, Malacañang sa Sugbo, and Fort San Pedro.

After exploring Fort San Pedro, we went straight to Taoist Temple. We rode a jeep and habal-habal, and from the gate we walked to the temple. It is better to take a taxi and let the driver wait for you. On our way back, we were lucky to get a taxi kasi ang hirap mag-abang. We thought that we were going to walk back to Julie’s Shop. Ang layo talaga nun, naghabal-habal nga kami nung papunta.

Next stop, we ate at Casa Verde so we can taste their famous ribs. Then we went back to the hotel and took a nap. We did not continue our tour anymore because it was raining so we just had a quick trip at Crown Regency. We just watch 4D movie because I’m afraid of heights so I did not try the skywalk or sky ride.

Read: DIY Cebu City Tour

Mactan City Tour

The following day, we woke up early so we can go to Taboan Market. Our trip in Cebu won’t be complete without buying pasalubong like danggit and dried mango.

Then we ate breakfast and off we went to Mactan so we can see Lapu-Lapu Monument, Mactan Shrine and Magellan’s Marker. The famous Sutukil was also there but we did not eat there because we have complimentary buffet lunch at Shangri-la.

Read: DIY Mactan City Tour

Day in Paradise in Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa

We had a day trip at Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa, the day trip package is from 8-9PM which is perfect for our evening flight. We really had a memorable experience in Shangri-la so last year, I inquired about their day trip and overnight package but the day trip was not available at that time. The overnight package was so steep for our budget so we just stayed at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan.

Read: Day Trip in Shangri-la Mactan

Hopefully, we can stay in Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa because I’m sure my son will enjoy their Kid’s Play Area which was not included in our Day Trip Package before. It was a short trip but we enjoyed it.

Read: Things to do in Cebu
Food Trip in Cebu
Cebu's Lechon

June 07, 2016

Things to do in Cebu

Some people say that Cebu is like Manila and there is nothing much to do. Yes, it is like Manila if you stay in the city but just like other places, there are so many interesting places to visit in Cebu. I have just visited this province three times and until now I haven’t explored the Northern and Southern Cebu so I still have reason to go back to Cebu.

Sharing with you the things that you can do in Cebu according to our experience.

Kawasan Falls

I was still in high school when I first visited Cebu with my churchmates, I was there from December 26 till January 1. We’ve visited different hotels, malls, and restaurants which I can hardly remember but one thing that I can’t forget is, we had an overnight stay in Kawasan Falls.

Back then, I don’t have my own camera so I have very limited pictures of the falls but I can say that it is one of the pretty falls that I’ve visited. I’ve read that there is a new adventure that you can do here and it is called Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls.

When my son hit teenage years maybe we can try this, I just hope ganun pa rin energy ko. Baka tumutunog na buto ko. Hahaha!

Read: Amazing Waterfalls in the Philippines

Tops Lookout

Tops Lookout located in Busay Hills is also a must-see if you want to see the Metro Cebu cityscape and its neighboring islands Mactan and Olango. The best time to be here is before sunset so you can see the city lights too. We went here via private vehicle so I’m not sure how to commute.

DIY Cebu City Tour

Since we always stay in the city, we always do the DIY City Tour. I have a son in tow so we can’t finish everything in one day. But I’m pretty sure that you can do this in one go. Walking tour is really possible because we literally walk from one spot to another spot.

We visited Basilica De Sto. Nino, Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independecia, Fort San Pedro and Malacanang sa Sugbo. We went to Taoist Temple but you need a ride here, habal-habal or taxi. 4D movie at Crown Regency since we’re afraid of heights so no Sky Adventure in Cebu.

Read: DIY Cebu City Tour

We visited Casa Gorordo Museum, Yap - San Diego Ancestral House, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Colon St. Basilica De Sto. Nino and Magellan’s Cross. From Magellan’s Cross, we rode a jeep to Taboan Market so we can buy dried mango, dried fish, dried squid and other pasalubong.

Read: Cebu City Tour + Taboan Market

DIY Mactan City Tour

There are tourist spots that you can visit from the airport if you have no luggage with you. You can visit Mactan Shrine, Lapu-Lapu Monument and dine at any Sutukil restaurants.

Read: Mactan City Tour

We dropped by here before going to Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa where we had a day trip. You have to call before going there because Day in Paradise package is not always available. I experienced that when we went to Cebu last summer. I inquired through email and I was advised that day tour is not available until further notice.

Read: Day in Paradise at Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa

Food Trip

Aside from the interesting places, it is also nice to have a food trip in Cebu because the price is cheaper compared to NCR restaurants. If you are a meat lover and like to eat lechon, you will really enjoy your stay in Cebu because there are so many lechon restaurants to choose from.

Read: Food Trip in Cebu
Where to Eat in Cebu
Cebu's Lechon

Accommodation in Cebu

Of course, you need accommodation in Cebu and check the hotels and resorts that we have tried in Cebu from cheap to luxury.

Read: Staycation in Cebu

I hope on our next visit we can go to Bantayan or Sumilon Island, I also want to experience island hopping. Have you been to Cebu? Care to share your experience.

Read: Cebu's Island Hopping Information
Pasalubong from Cebu

May 17, 2016

DIY Cebu City Tour and Taboan Market

We were not able to visit Bantayan Island so we’re thinking if we could just have a day trip in Oslob and swim with the whale shark but since we wanted a relax vacation, we just settled in Cebu City Tour.

Five years ago, we were not able to finish our Cebu City Tour because it rained so I listed again those places that we haven’t visited.

Read: DIY Cebu City Tour
Mactan City Tour and Taboan Market

1. Archbishop’s Palace of Cebu
2. Museo Sugbo
3. Casa Gorordo Museum
4. Yap - San Diego Ancestral House
5. Heritage of Cebu Monument
6. Colon St.
7. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
8. Cebu Cathedral Museum

We rode a taxi from Cebu Parklane International Hotel, our first stop is Casa Gorordo Museum, unfortunately the taxi driver has no idea where is the museum. Waah! Thank God for Waze and internet connection so the driver followed it.

Read: Cebu Parklane International Hotel

We reach our destination and I was surprised to see the tarpaulin, “Casa Gorordo Museum is CLOSED for upgrading”. My friend has just visited this museum and I’ve seen her pictures so I was not expecting that after few days, the museum will be closed.

From the museum, we walked to Yap - Sandiego Ancestral House. The house really looks old, it is over 300 years old already. Entrance Fee is P50. I was thankful for the tour guide because he volunteered to take our photos. Yey, for family pictures.

You can already see the Heritage of Cebu Monument from the ancestral house. The monument presents the highlights of Cebu's history from the time of Rajah Humabon up to the beautification of St. Pedro Calungsod.

After the monument, we’re planning to go to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral but we ended up in Basilica De Sto. Niño church. Toinks! So we took a picture again in front of the church. The church is the oldest church in the country, it was built in year 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray de Urdaneta.

If you remember, three years ago this church is one of the churches that has been damaged by an earthquake. I was happy to see that it was now renovated and restored.

Read: Damaged Heritage Sites

Then we went to Magellan’s Cross at the side of the church (few meters walk). Check our photo, time flies so fast noh, our last visit maliit pa anak ko, next time matangkad na siya sa kin.

The wooden cross marks the spot where the first baptism of Filipinos in year 1521 led by Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana. The cross was planted by Ferdinand Magellan.

We ended our Cebu City Tour because my son wanted to go back to our hotel already. He was complaining na ang init-init and pawis na daw siya. Hehehe! But we did not go back to our hotel yet and we went straight to Taboan Market. We rode 06A jeep and we told the driver that we’re going to Taboan Market. Fare is P7 each.

Read: Pasalubong from Cebu

Then we took taxi to go back to our hotel. I swear, amoy danggit kami. The smell really sticks to our body, hair and clothes. Hehehe!

May 03, 2016

Pasalubong from Cebu

When I started traveling, I always buy fridge magnet, keychain or t-shirt with I love (name of the place) print for pasalubong or as a souvenir but after few years, I stopped buying those stuff because I realized, I don’t need a lot of magnet and keychain. Honestly, nakatambak lang sila.

Now, I’m more into foods, foods that are not usually available in our place. We were in Cebu last week and we did not leave without buying the famous pasalubong in Cebu like dried mango, dried fish and lechon.

You can buy pasalubong in souvenir shops, supermarket, market or even at the airport. Of course, price may vary. If we have time, we will go to Taboan Market just to buy pasalubong, mas mura kasi and mas marami choices. My husband frequently visits Cebu but he is always busy so he usually buys pasalubong at Metro or Airport.

Metro Supermarket

To save money, I went to the grocery to buy drinks and snacks, then I saw dried mango in the supermarket. I know that you can see dried mango in any supermarket in Metro Manila but I still I bought few pieces at P75 each, I’m not sure if it is already cheap, I will compare it kapag nagawi sa supermarket.

My husband buys dried fish, dried mango and Shamrock Otap at Metro Supermarket too. He usually stays at Cebu City Marriott Hotel now Seda Ayala Center Cebu so it is walking distance to shopping mall. You can also buy sylvannas at La Marea Pastry Shop.

Read: Cebu City Marriott Hotel
Seda Ayala Center Cebu Hotel

Taboan Market

Before leaving Cebu City, we went to Taboan Market to buy danggit (2 days before our departure). We visited the market during our last visit (2011). From Magallanes Cross, we rode jeep 06A (P7 fare each) then walk towards to the market.

I bought danggit at P500 per kilo at Nino and Kristy Store, you can ask them to repack your dried fish into 1/2kl, 1/4kl and 100 grams which I did so I have no problem in distributing my pasalubong. They will put your stuff in a box so no need to worry sa luggage space, pwede na icheck-in.

If you are thinking if it is worth the trip to Taboan market, yes, if you will buy a lot but if not, just buy pasalubong at the airport. 1/4kl of danggit is P300 and 1/4 kl of dried pusit is P350 at the airport.

Tip: Make sure that Taboan Market is your last stop because after going there, you need to take a bath. Amoy danggit ka na, good thing di naman kami pinababa ng taxi driver kahit amot danggit kami. Hehehe! P100+ taxi fare from Taboan Market to Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

Mactan International Airport

On our way to the airport, my sister in law asked me to buy dried pusit so I bought 1/4kl P350 at the airport then I saw this dried mango at P300. I did not see this in the Taboan market o di ko lang napansin. Sayang, for sure mas mura dun.

Of course, we will not leave Cebu without buying lechon. Zubuchon are available at the airport. 1kl is P650. Update 2018: Price is P830 for 1kl My husband buys lechon at CnT, Cebu Ayer’s or Zubuchon, it varies depending on his flight schedule and budget.

Read: Cebu’s Lechon

Other Pasalubong

Aside from Cebu’s delicacies and products, we also buy some favorite delicacies like Vjandep pastel (Camiguin) and peanut kisses (Bohol). Peanut Kisses is famous pasalubong in Bohol but it is also available in Taboan so I bought few boxes of it, P80 and P50 per box. For Vjandep pastel, it is P200 - P250 for a box of 6 pieces at Mactan International Airport.

How about you, what is your favorite pasalubong in Cebu?

July 04, 2011

DIY Kota Kinabalu City Tour

As early as 6AM we started our itinerary. We went to Atkinson’s Clock Tower; it is two blocks away from our lodge. In 1903, this clock was built in memory of Francis George Atkinson; it is an all wood and no nails structure which is considered as the oldest standing structure in Sabah. It survived the World War II and until now it keeps the city’s time.

Gaya Sunday Market

Then, we dropped by at Gaya Sunday Market to buy some souvenirs. Every Sunday morning the whole Gaya Street is closed off to give way to Sunday Market. There are different stalls that sell flowers, pets, foods, handicraft, souvenirs, fruits, antiques, plants, herbs, footwear, antiques and many more.

I did not miss the chance of getting here; it is just one block away from our lodge. Gaya Sunday market is open from 6:30AM to 1PM. I bought some souvenirs here, keychain for RM10 (6pcs) and t-shirts for (RM20, RM9 and RM8).

DIY Kota Kinabalu City Tour

City Tour is my last itinerary before we leave Kota Kinabalu, I did not book any City Tour package because the price is too expensive for me, RM90+ per person so I decided to DIY my City Tour.

I contacted few taxi drivers that I’ve got from the internet but no one replied. So we ended up walking and looking for taxi driver that we could hire for 3 hours of City Tour, after forty minutes we found the taxi driver who agreed for RM100 for City Tour.

First stop is Sabah Museum and Heritage Village; 10AM is the opening time so we just took some pictures outside the museum.

Second stop is Menara Tun Mustapha or formerly known as Sabah Foundation Building. The design concept of this building is very unique; it is a 30 storey high circular tower of glass stands and steel. There is also a revolving restaurant at the 18^th floor but again, opening time is 10AM.