Cafe Ma'mita: Retro Dinning in Boac, Marinduque

Crispy Pata


What day is it?...And in what month? 

I think my clock never seemed so alive since I started posting my food journey in Bellarocca. Our "good time" moments are still strong in my memory after six months and made me think that I want to leave there for a billion years if given a chance.




After the short escape in the Greek-inspired island, we stayed at The Boac Hotel in Marinque's Capital. It was way past lunch time when we arrived in the first class town and hungrily looking for some place to eat. The smiling staff told us that they have a restaurant in the hotel. We checked-in quickly, left our luggage in our room and went to the hotel's restaurant downstairs to have our super late lunch.

Ampalaya con Carne


The 'ol Filipino-inspired restaurant, Cafe Ma'Mita, is fashioned in bright colors and decorated with vintage paraphernalia: framed comics advertisement, old jar, classic record discs, bottles,lamps, and posters of Filipino stars, the late Nida Blanca and the Philippine movie icon of all time, Gloria Romero.We admired how quaint the washing area was. It is adorned with old kitchen equipments and the sink is made of battered old wok.


Sizzling Fish


'Twas almost two months since we deprived ourselves from pork and fatty food in preparation for the Bellaroca vacation. We let our self-controls vanished  and we all agreed to order Crispy Pata when we saw it from the menu. It was crispy from the outside and juicy and tender inside... tasted real good good. But still, nothing beats Judy Anne's Crispy Pata in Malabon yet.


Fried Chicken


The sizzling fish, I knew from its taste, was fresh catch. Shrimp Sinigang with natural sweet vegetables was steaming when served. We also ordered Ampalaya con Carne to contrast the fatty dishes and lighten our guilt (lol).  The breaded and fried chicken was for the princess,  Ykaie.


Shrimp Sinigang


The whole spread wasn't expensive at all for the total of Php 835.00. It was indeed a retro dinning, serving old Filipino appeal not only from its vintage walls but from its kitchen.






Blown Away: Windsurfing onto Bellaroccan Sea



What they did in Bellarocca was not just kayaking. On their third day, they headed straight off to the shore after breakfast to experience more thrill and action in the warm Bellarocan waters. They've decided to try windsurfing and jet-skiing to spend the rest of the Php 20,000.00 welcome value credit from the package they've availed.

Although Rome tried surfing in Baler last November, it was his first taste of windsurfing. Their patient and enthusiastic instructor taught and demonstrated them the basics – how the wind works the sail, how to stand, steer and turn the sailboard. For Rome, it was all sounded simple when explained.




The moment of truth came, he slides his feet on the board against the mast and one towards the rear. He placed his both hands onto the boom, his left, next to the mast and will be used for steering, while his right was positioned halfway along the sail to control the wind acting as an accelerator, employing his shoulders, forearms and lower back to control the force of the sail. He bent his legs, and signaled the instructor to release the board onto the crystal clear sea. 

He struggled at first to remember which hand to use and which leg to keep straight. After a few painless falls he soon began to get the hang of it, managed to stand on the board and he began to really enjoy himself.




A strong wind blew and forced him at top speed to the deep end of the water. He started to panic when he can't maneuver the sailboat to turn around. He tried different maneuvering, pushing his hips in and lean backwards, using his weight to get the board up on its edges and pushed to do a return to no avail. His instructor shouted at him to change the position of his feet if he wanted to return and he obeyed. Thankfully, he managed to shift the direction of the boat back to shore. Once again, he headed across Bellarocca bay beneath a sail full of wind blowing against his face.

His windsurfing experience was elemental: feeling the monstrous and warm Pacific wind while managing to keep him standing and sailing. He felt proud of himself and sailed one more round. For him, windsurfing is more fun than surfing.



Welcome to The Boac Hotel!


Not just a glass of refreshing iced tea welcomed us in the hotel, colorful hand fans were also given to us.