Thanks to the never-ending price increases at the time of Bongbong Marcos, sa panahon ngayon, ano nga ba ang halaga ng ₱1,000 kung ang kilo ng kamatis pa lang ay lampas ₱200 na? And so when we see what we think are good deals, like steaks for around ₱500, lumalaki yung mata natin.

And this is how we discovered Sky Seafoods, known for offering pretty-looking affordable steaks and seafood in Caloocan City.

So… how was our experience of it?

Una: The place is over an hour away from the City of Manila, where we came from. And this is also already using the expressways. Meaning, allocate extra time as well as extra budget for the tolls just to check this place.

Ikalawa: No, they don’t accept credit cards. And at least when we went there, GCash wasn’t working, either. Bring cash when you visit; else be troubled by searching for ATM or whatever.

Ikatlo: Some of the staff couldn’t care less if you’re there or not. As an example, we had a hard time asking for information about the nearest ATM so we could get cash. Once the orders were served, the waiters were, at least, attentive. Truth: We wanted to walk out na, yeah… but since we spent time driving there, we’re stuck into thinking that we may as well just give the place a try na lang.

Ika-apat: Located at the corner of two streets, the place itself was… not bad. High-ceilinged, the place was well-ventilated, properly laid out, and have good AC (a few tables actually requested for from air-conditioners to be turned off because it was getting too cold). Just be warned about the toilet – i.e. it’s clean, yes, but it looked like this was just added as an afterthought (complete with those blue tubo/pipes, et cetera).

Finally: How was the food? We ordered Surf & Turf (ribeye steak with creamy garlic shrimp, ₱788); Steak & Pasta (₱395); regular fries (₱65); and kilawing tuna with rice (₱229). So…

1. At least the fries here were not bad, since they didn’t get soggy as Jollibee’s fries could get.
2. The creamy garlic shrimp was also okay; not overcooked and so not rubbery at all.
3. The tuna was okay for Arthur. But for me – who came from Mindanao, not too far from General Santos City, the tuna capital of the country – it needed more asim/sourness. But the rice that came with it was really good.
4. The steaks were the big disappointment, though. We got thin slabs of meat that were not well-seasoned, and seemed like they were pounded too much. Add to that the buttery fats na natutulog so that – by the end of the meal – they made what we were eating undesirable.

Lots of people came and went to Sky Seafoods while we were there (some even reserved tables). Which should tell you of how popular this place is/has become… perhaps particularly for those in the area. I say: Good for them.

Alas, it’s always to each his/her own.

And nope… this one isn’t in our list of babalikan anytime soon.

With Marcos leading the country, more affordable places like Sky Seafoods will gain more traction, for sure. Let that not define what’s good, though.

Sky Seafoods is located at Magat Salamat corner Lapu-lapu St., Urduja Village, Barangay 172, Caloocan City. Contact 0945 182 3990 for more information.

Siquijor Island has emerged as the fastest growing destination for attracting international travelers visiting the Philippines, according to digital travel platform Agoda. The travel platform’s New Horizons list further reveals Bohol to be the top trending destination for Filipino domestic travelers and Hanoi, Vietnam to be emerging among Filipinos traveling abroad.

Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in both domestic and international travel.

Siquijor Island is a hidden gem located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines with growing appeal for international travelers, particularly from China, South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Germany. Known for its mystical reputation, pristine beaches and lush natural beauty, the island sets itself apart from its more widely known counterparts like Boracay, Siargao and Palawan. Travelers can experience the island’s unique healing therapies and local shamanic practices, including during the annual Healing Festival held during Holy Week, or enjoy its many white sand beaches, dramatic sunset views, enchanting caves and waterfalls, and breathtaking coral reefs and marine life.

Meanwhile Bohol, also located in the Central Visayas region, is gaining popularity among domestic travelers. Known for its stunning natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife, Bohol offers a blend of adventure and relaxation. Travelers can marvel at the iconic landscape of the Chocolate Hills, enjoy the beaches in Panglao, cruise along the Loboc River, and encounter the island’s tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primates.

For Filipino travelers traveling abroad, Hanoi is rising in popularity. With the first direct air route between Vietnam and Philippines launched earlier this year as well as increased flight routes between Manila and Hanoi, Filipinos can enjoy increased connectivity when traveling to Vietnam. Hanoi’s historic landmarks, colonial architecture and thriving food scene offers a unique blend of the traditional and modern. Rising interest from Filipino travelers offers a positive uptick for tourism in Hanoi following the floods and typhoons in Northern Vietnam this year.

Michael Hwang, Country Director Philippines at Agoda said, “The rising popularity of Siquijor and Bohol opens up new horizons for travelers to experience the charm of the Philippines’ lesser-known destinations. Agoda is proud to support efforts to promote these secondary destinations. It’s exciting to also see Filipino travelers showing more interest in Hanoi, especially with the increased flight connectivity in Vietnam. Wherever their journey takes them in 2025, Agoda is committed to helping travelers see the world for less.”

Looking at the top emerging destinations for Asian travelers combined, it is Shanghai that tops the New Horizons list. The Chinese metropolis is followed by Jeju (South Korea), Paris (France), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Fukuoka (Japan).   Travelers preparing for their travel plans for 2025 are encouraged to check out Agoda’s great value deals on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform.

We have cows, yes, but steak isn’t a Pinoy staple food. We’re more bound to use those beef cuts for nilaga (boil), or kaldereta or menudo than grill/pan-fry/broil them. And so yeah… grabbing steaks isn’t a “usual” activity of many, and so it’s also not that easy for many of us to discern not-bad yet not-too-expensive steak houses.

@outragemag Out on an #LGBT date? @escobarsphilippines means pila and waiting = affordable #steak ♬ original sound – outragemag

Here’s a kicker: Too many vloggers recommend this or that place, claiming this or that’s the best (in the Philippines, or the world, or… ever). And yet they end up obfuscating our choice because too many of them were fed for free, or were paid to say good things even if what they ate is s.h.i.t.

And so here we are, checking Escobar’s in Quezon City.

And let’s be blunt here.

1. The branch we went to was small (after checking another one that was similarly small). So expect a queue… a long queue when you get there, particularly during peak hours (which would be basically when you need to eat). You can actually pre-order stuff, but anything ordered will still only be prepared when you’re already seated.
2. Ambiance? This is a busy place – e.g. singing a “happy birthday” for a client in one table actually ends up as a singalong for the entire venue. And so this place isn’t ideal for romantic dates or something… more for families (that’s if you can get a table for a big party), or tropa, or to eat out with someone you’ve already been involved with for some time (that is, not necessarily in need to pa-cute in a private space anymore).
3. The staff’s “present”. I dropped a fork, and before I can say “ate”, a replacement was provided. But then again this is to be expected since the place is quite small; meaning, too, that while the staff do not mean to be intrusive, they’re everywhere all the time.
4. The food, the food… is not bad. Salad sells for ₱210, but you really just get pepino, kamatis, olives, and carrots. At least fresh. And the vinaigrette is tasty. The pasta is similarly malasa, and you can tell na di tinipid sa sahog. As for the steaks, they’re well-seasoned (thankfully). And considering that some of them sell for around ₱500 lang, they’re actually not (too) thin. If you don’t want to be served with pre-slices steak pala, inform the staff when you order (I personally abhor when the mantika of sliced steak starts to ‘sleep’ na since grasa isn’t yummy for me).

Babalikan? Yeah, why not. But for those who’d visit, habaan ang pasensiya. Muni-muni rin: Is this steak worth wasting my time in the queue? Only you can answer that after assessing if tiis-pila is worth at Escobar’s.

Escobar’s – with the bar visited located at 42 Sgt. Esguerra Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila – is open from 10AM to 12AM. For more information, visit their website (https://escobarsphilippines.com/).