Lechon Anyone?

Filipinos love to eat Lechon and we always crave for that different aroma of a roasted meat, right?  So, here is something that will surely make you crave to chow down some lechon after reading this.  So I'll be sharing my experience and my story to you, readers, on what is new in town.

Few weeks ago, I was given a chance to interview the owner Balamban Liempo together with the other bloggers.  They are Jojo and Honey Vergara who came from the town of Balamban.  Both of them were formerly employed in a company but wanted to have a business on their own, so in July 2009 they decided to have a grill station in their own garage and that's where it all started.

Mr. Jojo Vergara, Founder and CEO said that "There are no brand of liempo here in the Philippines, so we named it Balamban Liempo, since we offer Grilled Liempo and Lechon Manok."

Balamban is a small town in Cebu City where both of the owners came from.  With their love to their home town they include its name to their brand. Balamban is a town known for having a native method of grilling liempo (pork belly) using local herbs and secret ingredients.  And with the love of the owners they are now sharing what Balamban can offer when it comes to roasted liempo or pork belly as Balamban Liempo opens its first takeout counter in the country's financial center.

Giving every Filipino in Metro Manila a combined unique taste of Cebu Lechon and its local herbs and spices, Balamban Liempo offers a convenient and affordable gourmet liempo experience for Filipinos.

It emanates an aromatic smell of fresh herbs and spices. Balamban Liempo is a golden brown slab of marbleized pork belly which possesses a tangy taste with a hint of spice.


Another popular take-out item is the Balambanok. This has the same unique herbs and spice found in its liempo stuffed inside, resulting in a distinct taste not found in other brands of lechon manok.

"The opening of the first branch in Makati today is a milestone for Balamban Liempo." said founder and CEO Jojo Vergara. Balamban was located in the busy streets of Guadalupe near the market so it is very much noticeable for the public. 


As far the taste is concern, it is very unique and flavourful, it is very distinct on the usual Lechon that I've tasted here in Metro Manila.  I like it, especially the aroma.  At first I was hesitant to taste it because I don't eat much vegetable and it looks full of greenish leaves around it but I was wrong. I love the taste, I let my parents and my hubby taste it also, they just say, it is really different and they like it very much.

Actually, my hubby and parents wanted me to order it again but unfortunately, the location of Balamban is in Makati, we are here in Quezon City. So imagine the distance.  Hopefully they will put up a take out store also in Quezon City.

"We plan to reach a hundred branches by July of the present year," said Vergara. The homegrown Cebu-based food chain currently boasts of over 80 outlets nationwide.


Balamban Liempo is located at No. 2131 Nuestra Seniora st., Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City
Mobile no. 0932-965-4962 and like their Facebook account here

Maka-Pinoy! Maka-Gerry's!

Yes, our well-loved resto Gerry's Grill opened their 57th branch in the Philippines. Dining their is very satisfying with their line of fresh foods.  I remember hanging out their with my High School and College friends and that was one of the places I enjoyed very much.


Gerry's Grill has been making waves since it opened its doors to the dining public on February 14, 1997.  If you are looking for a dining place to satisfy your food craving and to chill out with your family and friends then Gerry's Grill is the perfect place to go.  It's menu fits right into any occasion and of course budget.

Dining at Gerry's Grill gives everyone a pleasurable experience. Diners are served with only the fresh foods ranging from Filipino Favorites like Sisig, Grilled Pusit, Crispy Pata, Grilled Tuna Belly, Beef Kare Kare, up to exotic cuisine and tastefully prepared beermates and pica-pica.  Every item on the menu goes perfectly well with your favorite beverage; whether it is alcoholic or non alcoholic.












It's founder, Gerry Apolinario, worked on his passion for good foods and his earnest penchant for drink and grilled food.  He yearned for a venue where both may be enjoyed amidst an atmosphere that is fun, fresh and wholesome.  And although the original concept of the business was one where people could unwind with a drink or two, Gerry's Grill inadvertently became a family restaurant too. "Parents who frequented Gerry's Grill during weekdays began bringing their family to us especially on Sundays and then the rest of the week. Apparently, they liked our wide variety of food selection and the clean and fun tropical motif", Mr. Apolinario enthuses.


Geey's Grill continues to reach out to anyone, anywhere. From its first restaurant located along Tomas  Morato corner Eugenio Lopez Avenue in Quezon City, Gerry's Grill has invaded the US having its 2 branches in Union City and Artesis. Gerry's Gril has expanded in asia when 3 branches opened in Singapore located at Marina Bay Sands, Cuppage Road and Makansutra, Singapore. But it didn't stop there they also capture the market of Middle East when Doha, Qatar opened. Gerry's Grill Libis was one of the early branch patronized by the customers but the lease contract expired last 2006. Regular customers were asking on when Gerry's Grill will again open in the area. When Eastwood city offered location in the city walk 2, Gerry's Grill decided to grab the opportunity to be able to serve again the customers in the area.

Now Gerry's Grill is opening its 57th branch in the Philippines.  Gerry's Grill made its brand well known for its exquisite Filipino dishes and the best place to celebrate any occasion with family and friends.

The brand has excitng and well established programs which customers look forward to. One such program is Gerry's Circle of Friends Loyalty program. Aside from getting freebies instantly when you dine at any Gerry's Grill outlet, one can also accumulate points.

They also have catering program that is committed to provide the customers with the highest quality of food and service available. Gerry's Grill caters for vaious events like birthdays, debut, weddings, seminars, baptisms, meeting and conferences, on-the-spot grilling, etx. Packd meals and Cater To Go can be arranged as well as take out (buffet-style) for office affairs.

Indeed, Gerry's Grill remains a favorite and well-loved place to dine-in among Filipinos here and abroad. So for great food and loads of fun, you's still rather be at Gerry's!

It seems that all occasion catered by Gerry's, and in any form you like to serve your food, they will do it just to satisfy their clients. Oh, I guess one of this day I will definitely bring my whole family there to experience the food that they offer.

Numbers of branches is throughly huge already, they surely serve the clients well and with satisfying performance because they are still growing and wherever in the Philippines you'll see their restaurant.