All Tummies are Happy at "Happy Tummy"

The title says it all. 

It was day 2 on our Baguio trip with my friends. We just finished doing tourist-y stuff at Mines View Park and buying strawberry jams at Good Shepherd Convent, it's time to grab some chow on the way to the Mansion House.

Due to miscalculations of our sense of direction coupled with a positive instinct that "it's just around the corner", we ended up walking a long way to Mansion House. Few steps became kilometers, which motivates us to find a good place to eat ASAP.

Upon reaching the corner of Wright Park, we made a left and found the humble abode of Happy Tummy restaurant. 

Welcome to Happy Tummy

A banner standee was propped at the sidewalk to beckon hungry customers

We thought it's just another carenderia (only semi-upgraded), but when we checked out their menu, they're serving Asian Food. A carenderia serving Pad Thai and Som Tam? No way! It reminds me of those hole-in-a-wall restos here in Cebu--but dining in al fresco style.

The place is pretty small for a restaurant but very roomy for a carenderia. We have to wait for a few minutes to be seated as they are currently full. The place could accommodate approximately 20-30 dining guests. Our waiter, who understands Cebuano (he's from Davao) explained that the other side of the place will be converted into a "food court"--hence the canvass (that covers a certain section of the resto).

Happy Tummy patrons

Most of the dishes on the menu are good for 2-3 people which costs around Php 150 per dish. We ordered their delicious fried tilapia, sweet spring rolls, two plates of chicken pandan, two plates Thai fried rice and a plate of mixed vegetables (which we found fresh). We were so hungry from our long walk that we didn't care what they're serving.

Happy Tummy Menu Card

Our group's fave pick: Fried Tilapia - bits of bite-sized tilapia flesh were sliced off, deep-fried and piled on top

Crispy Spring Rolls with sweet and sour sauce

A Filipino touch of Chicken Pandan

Hot Thai Fried Rice

Fresh Mixed Vegetables

After making our tummies happy, we saw a street vendor selling fresh strawberries outside the resto. We still haven't tried the fresh strawberries in Baguio and we don't want to buy a kilo of the fruit without finding out if we really like it. So we asked the lady if she can give us a sample to taste. We ended up dividing the fruit into six parts as our microscopic dessert.

It was a blessing in disguise to walk a long way and tumble upon a good place to eat in the middle of an unknown city. Happy Tummy made another travelers' tummies happy.

Baguio: City of Strawberries

Hating Kapatid

And while you're in Baguio, don't forget to try their strawberry taho.

Strawberry Taho is available almost everywhere in the City

Here's a sketch of some parts of Baguio City. You can also find Happy Tummy scrawled on bold capital letters on the upper right portion of the map.

Happy Tummy

(beside Wright Park) Romulo Drive (right after Pacdal Circle),

2600 Baguio City, Philippines

What’s Your Number?’ Valentine Beach Party at MÖVENPICK Resort

Those looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day to the hilt should check out Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu’s ‘What’s Your Number?’ Grand Valentine’s Beach Party, arguably the only beach party in all of Cebu this coming Valentine’s Day. Touted as a dating game in itself, the party boasts of music from DJ War and open bar fun from when it opens at 8:30 PM till right before the clock strikes midnight.

“As soon as you enter the beach area, whether you’re single or taken, boy or girl, straight or gay, celebrity or not, a number is stamped on your wrist, and that number has a corresponding equivalent that’s given to someone else. The idea is to ask everyone what their number is till you find the same number on someone else, your ‘match,’ and if you’re the first couple to find one another, you get to win a 3 day two night stay here at the resort,” explains Mike Acebedo Lopez, Mövenpick’s Director of Communications. 

“If they turn out to be two  straight guys, then it’s just their luck—though they can still split the prize (if they beat everyone to finding their match) so they can still enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel with their respective sweethearts. The point is to mingle and get to know people. You can even choose to take your eyes off the prize if you already like who you’re talking to. It’ll be fun, with other games at the beach and of course, the booze!”

You could also come as your favorite couple in history and win an overnight stay for two, a dinner / brunch for two, and other exciting prizes if you and your partner’s costume is adjudged the ‘fairest of them all.’ Or choose to send your love notes and wishes to the skies as you and your partner release flying lanterns to the heavens! For the heartbroken, a tradition begins this Valentine’s: bring (non-flammable and non-polluting) gifts from your ex and let’s burn them together in the biggest EX- BF/GF bonfire while toasting to ‘moving on’ and ‘letting go!’

Tickets sold at Php 969. For reservations, you may call Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu at (032) 492 7777 or email at resort.cebu@moevenpick.com.