The Urban Roamer

A glimpse of Navotas

August 3, 2014March 22, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

During our group’s last trip to Malabon, we managed to pass by but not got around its neighbor across the river: the now City of Navotas. In fact, it can be said that Malabon and Navotas are “siblings” as they share a common history. Navotas after all used to be part of Malabon or Tambobong (as Malabon was known before) a couple of times before becoming an independent town outright in 1906.

Navotas also shares the same affinity for the water, (including the issue of flooding) as well as almost having the same economic profile as Malabon. But being located right along the shores of the body of water that is the Manila Bay, Navotas is the one that is more “connected” to the water, giving its people an affinity and a means of livelihood over the years with a thriving fishing industry there.

Roaming Malabon, Part 4: to the city center

August 15, 2016March 19, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

As our day was winding down, our food tripping entourage headed south to Malabon’s city center, or what some may call the poblacion. But we had to make a stopover at yet another of Malabon’s landmark restaurants: the restaurant called Jamicos or what was known before as Judy Ann, which some locals still call it to this day.

So what makes this restaurant special, you might ask? The signage says it all: their special crispy pata all-looking so juicy and its enticing aroma. Some say it’s the best crispy pata experience found in the metropolis.

Roaming Malabon, Part 3: at Brgy. Concepcion

August 15, 2016March 14, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

There are 21 barangays that comprise the City of Malabon. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit all the barangays there during our little good trip. We did however manage to spend some time walking around one of the city’s most prominent barangays, and also one of the oldest: Brgy. Concepcion, named after the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, to whom the parish was dedicated when it was established in the 19th century.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in that said barangay was built way back in 1886, making it one of the oldest churches in the city. The church underwent a number of “makeover” changes in recent years, activities that were criticized by many as they did not help preserve the church’s history.

Roaming Malabon, Part 2

August 15, 2016March 11, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

Apart from its preserved heritage, Malabon offers quite an interesting culinary experience, A bit more varied than one might perceive. I was lucky to be part of a food trip around the city to experience Malabon cuisine, and some other interesting sidelights along the way.

Our first stop was a carinderia or eatery called Mely’s Carinderia. While on the outside it has the appearance of a regular carinderia we see on any neighborhood here, Mely’s has quite a reputation actually of being Malabon’s best carinderia. It’s not hard to see why, as this humble establishment offers quite a menu, most especially the famed tapang kabayo or horse meat. Not to mention the food there tasting that good. Of course taste is subjective.