Basti's brews

That's a coffee mochacinno on the left, and an oreo shake on the right. Both delish. Yumyum.

Tuna burger

Here's that tuna burger I was talking about. It comes in a boat, 'cause it's, like, tuna, you know? Seriously though, this is the best tuna burger I've ever tasted. It's fresh tuna, and it's grilled and basted with special house sauce. Yummy!

And of course, I had something to drink with this. That'll be my next post.

Basti's Brew

This was taken inside Basti's Brew in Victoria Plaza. I usually go there on Sundays for some errands (buying DVDs). Everytime I'm at Victoria Plaza, I drop by Basti's Brew for their yummy tuna burger.

Friday night jam

Friday nights usually see students and young professionals heading over to Matina Town Square along MacArthur Highway in Matina, Davao City. And the night is usually spent over buckets of beer, light banter or heated discussions (depending on the company's degree of inebriation), and more buckets of beer.

This photo was taken several months back, when I happened to join a group of students celebrating ... passing a difficult exam, graduating, winning something, or the end of just another week of classes.

Ukay-ukay

Every Friday night and up to the weekend, Matina Town Square or simply MTS puts up a bazaar with mostly ukay-ukay or used clothes stalls.

Plush seats

You can seat yourself here, alone with your laptop (they have fast WiFi connection), or with a friend for a chat. Still at Coffee for Peace.

Table for two

Cozy indeed are the interiors at Coffee for Peace. Down to the details, like this table runner and the table deco.

To answer Hilda, Coffee for Peace advocates peace in Mindanao. Put up by the Peacebuilders, Inc. -- an NGO -- the place becomes a hot spot (sorry for the pun, and not just because it has WiFi) where you can also educate yourself how indigenous groups in Mindanao are partners in advocating for peace.

The NGO also provides livelihood self-help projects for indigenous communities. And they brew coffee beans grown in these communities.

Cozy nook

Here's another look at the cozy interiors of Coffee for Peace.

Coffee for Peace

This is my favorite coffeeshop nowadays. Coffee for Peace, a coffeeshop put up by the Peacebuilders Inc., is a cozy place to kill time before heading back for home. It serves delicious snacks (light and heavy) and rejuvenating brews. It is quite accessible from the NCCC Mall and Matina Town Square along MacArthur Ave., Matina, Davao City.

When it pours

Weather has been erratic here. Stinging heat of the sun from midmorn to past noon, then a gathering of heavy rainclouds just as one is about ready to leave the office. Here at UP Mindanao, we try not to get caught in sudden downpours that immediately floods the road leading to the highway about 1.5 kilometers away. Otherwise you get stuck in the office, and have to wait out the rain.

Pergola

At one end of the amphitheater is a pergola that can also serve as a wedding arch. That's what draws the brides to have their weddings here, I think.

That's why we were at Jack's Ridge after all, for a wedding reception beside this place.

Back at Jack's Ridge

Back to my pictures of Jack's Ridge. This one is of the amphitheater just below the coffeeshop. Yes, the croc is still by my side. The place is a favorite site for garden weddings.