Karlo Pacana
How I Ate Like Royalty Without Spending A Single Cent at Guanna’s Place RestoBar and Snacks
Hello strangers!
So I’m still here in Malapascua Island, backpacking and living in a tent within Dennis’ compound, a local boat captain I’ve met when I first set foot in Maya. It has been ten days since and I still am enjoying my every second here. I am also still overwhelmed with the fact that you can buy rare high-quality fishes here for as low as 120 pesos (less than $3), half the price in the city.
View from outside
Basically, I am free of rent and I just contribute a small amount to Dennis for my meals. I spend a maximum of 150 pesos in a day, more or less 1000 pesos a week. This made living here for the entire summer possible especially with my lechon business helping out with my personal expenses.
Friendly staff at Guanna’s Place RestoBar and Snacks
Local rattan furniture for dine in customers
Although, home-cooked meals were enough to satisfy my hunger, I still had a longing to surprise my tastebuds from time to time. So last March 28, I set foot on a mission to find ideal restaurants in the island for backpackers like me. My first stop was a restaurant that just opened last March 8 called Guanna’s Place RestoBar and Snacks.
Pork in Coco Milk and Chili to die for
Mouth-watering Pork Sisig
Still in its introductory stage, it looks like a simple eatery able to accommodate 15 people in one setting. Their prices range from 60 to 80 pesos without drinks, consisting of simple Filipino dishes with a touch of international cuisine. Below is a sample of their bestsellers.
Sweet and Sour Fish
I ordered Pork in Coco Milk and Chili for only 60 pesos. I was starving, good thing the order was ready in less than 15 minutes. Let’s eat!
Honey Pork for breakfast, satisfying
Pork siomai, only 8 a piece
With a degree in F&B from Trinity College, Chef Edwin has since cooked for major hotels and restaurants before. He worked for 14 years all across Asia, a few years with the Royal Family of Brunei through winning a bid against 17 other creme de la creme delegates in that said country including Royal Brunei Catering coming up with only one special noodle dish.
Guanna’s also accepts orders for roasted pig and take out buffet
Ham and Sunny-Side up Egg
Chef Edwin also helped set several food establishments, Hainan King in Singapore and Malaysia, Gerry’s Grill and Sizzling Plate in the Philippines to name a few. I asked him why he chose Malapascua. With which he simply replied with one word, freedom.
Hotdog with scrambled eggs
Pizadillas, anyone?
I also had a quick chat with his partner chef, Jam. He told me of his humble beginnings of being a muro-ami diver when he was in his teens. With ambition and hardwork, he became the head chef of STK ta bai, a popular restaurant in Cebu City, where he got to know Chef Edwin. Their mutual respect for each other materialized their dream of operating their own restaurant, becoming their own bosses, hence Guanna’s Place.
Cooking classes with Chef Edwin, 500 pesos per person, session lasts 3 hours
Want to learn how to cook Pork Adobo? It is by the way the national dish of the Philippines. Aside from offering hotel, restaurant and boat accommodations, Guanna’s also offers short technical cooking classes for walk-in tourists for 500 pesos a session, 3 hours per session.
The author with Chef Edwin of GUANNAS PLACE
So whenever you’re in Malapascua and are looking for chef-cooked meals at affordable prices or you’re bored snorkeling and would want to learn about Filipino cuisine, go to Guanna’s Place RestoBar and Snacks. Just pay the motorbike driver 10 pesos and he’ll take you there.
Happy Summer!
Guanna’s Place RestoBar and Snacks
Bed & Breakfast
Address: Logon, Daanbantayan, Malapascua Island, Cebu
