Mang Jak’s Search for Hidden Tapsilog (Kawit, Cavite)

Hazel's Bike (at Aguinaldo Shrine)... How did she get there? 

Hazel and I are natural food lovers (Can’t you tell? LOL). Before this biking thing happened, we were the constant food trippers; in any means of transportation necessary (public transport, car, train, plane or even our own pair of legs). But since Hazel got her bike and I have Mang Jak, we were able to reach places we weren’t able to get on car (since I am basically retarded when it comes to looking for direction; and it would be too expensive to waste a litter of fuel just going around in circles).

And so, the search for the Hidden Tapsilog began. The first encounter we had with this “hidden tapsilogan” was that night a few years ago. We were driving around Cavite, looking for a place to eat but too lazy to go to Manila. We texted a friend who happens to live nearby for her recommendations, she pointed us to “Hidden Tapsilogan” aka “Hidden Tapsi” along Tirona Road in Bacoor.

We got there, eat our hearts out and came out satisfied. Then just a few weeks ago, another friend who lives in Cavite said it wasn’t the real deal… it was just a branch of the original Hidden Tapsi in Kawit. Now we are definitely intrigued, if the branch made our tummies bloat with delight, what else can the original place give us?

To check the place out, I first tried to search for it with our biking coach Roel. He is really not a biking coach but he was the one who really convinced us to get into the sports. He is a biker for quite some time now, and I guess he needed something to do: so he grabbed us into it and created a biking disaster that was us!

Riding from Imus to Kawit was not that hard, it was somehow a quick ride (considering I am a turtle on the road). After a few kicks and pedals, we reached the Aguinaldo Shrine for quick Kodak moments and get on to search for food.

After a few asking around, turning into smaller roads after another, we finally found the hidden eatery which really is “hidden”. And boy, it was worth it. The tapsilog here is much better, so the next free time Hazel had; I just had to take her there!

So after a few days or so, we set our foot (Mang Jak and I, the second time around) at Hidden Tapsi! It was a big breakfast day for us, since we rode off pretty early. Then after the sumptuous meal, we decided to ride a little farther and look for another way back to Imus. There we discovered the way to through Lancaster (a fairly big subdivision, I always heard off but never seen). The place was in the middle of nowhere but the houses there are pretty nice. I enjoyed the ride even under the scorching sun. When we finally passed by the famous Lancaster, we found ourselves riding a small rough patch; it was trail-like and I enjoyed it a bit (I just don’t know if Mang Jak felt the same way, carrying a big piece of chunk that is ME).

Finally, we managed to see some familiar landmarks; and before we knew it, we were closer to home. Who knew eating tapsilog could be filled with so much adventure? It’s actually better this way, even though we eat so much, at least we were able to burn some calories before and after… really makes food tripping, guilt-free!

Wake up, Mang Jak, it's time to go!