There is only one way, one direction and one path. As I celebrate my 23rd birthday, I can’t help but reflect on how God intends my 23rd year to be. Life is full of surprises. You’ll never know what’s coming your way. Mix of emotions will pass by my year but all I have in my pocket is optimism and faith that there is a higher being in control. I am reminded that this year is another opportunity to show God how strong my faith is. Another year to be grateful for the tremendous blessings he pours on me. Another year to spend only to glorify Him and nobody else. There is no other way but up. All for Him.

On the day of my birthday, I took a birthday leave and went up north for a day of adventure. I actually didn’t plan anything. All I know was that O and I were up on a roadtrip. I know he planned something for me, so I let him be the man who took charge and in control. Although at the back of my head, I had some plans in case he asks me what I really wanted to do. Hehe.

While on the road, O drove the conversation on what I felt like eating at that moment. I didn’t specify anything. No part in me that was picky to begin with. It was my day, anything goes and the mood was ecstatic for my birthday. So then, he just continued driving and brought me all the way to Tequila Reef at Angeles City, Pampanga.

My food buddy knows how food lifts up my mood at all times. Mexican cuisine was actually one of my cravings but I didn’t tell him beforehand. I didn’t have a specific choice but I thought mexican would be great for that day. My face got cheery more when we entered Tequila Reef and got the menu. O read my mind! (*blushes*)

While waiting for our food, my attention was on these various hot sauce brands on our table. The assorted brands added freedom on how you want your Mexican food to be spicy.

Skins topped with spicy chicken, salsa, melted cheese, sour cream and chives. This was my first time to try potato skins of this kind.

The generous amount of gooey stretchable cheese crying out of the potato skins warmed up the morning as I take my first dish of my birthday. I used some of their hot sauces to trickle on top of the cheese. This spice perfected it!

Shrimp Chimichanga was not on the menu. We built our own and requested for shrimp to replace the supposed to be chicken meat. O and I reminisced and missed our favorite Chimichanga at Boracay’s Ole. We wanted to go back just for their Chimichanga. On another hand, Tequila Reef’s variant had less amount of shrimps and more rice than our standard from Boracay. That wasn’t bad at all, it’s just we prefer more shrimps than rice. At least the taste of flavors resembles to what we wanted!

I’ve been telling O how I miss going up to Baguio just to ride my favorite horse at Camp John Hay. Indeed, he listens very well and remembered that. He brought me to El Kabayo inside Clark base after our breakfast. We spent about an hour enjoying nature while riding the horse.

Part of our trail was to visit the Calamansi Farm and observe nature at certain areas inside Clark.

More nature tripping! I guess we are both ready to climb and conquer a mountain next time! 🙂

Before leaving Pampanga, O took me to Deca Wake Park for some wake boarding.

We both learned the curves, the moves and the style of hanging on the rope and the board. I really had an awesome time!!! I love that he knows what I love doing – learning new things and activities together.  O’s birthday trip for me shows how well he knows me. He knows what will hype me up and what will give my face a bore. He knows exactly how I wanted my day to be!

A fun-filled day at Pampanga with the cold breeze surrounding us. Oh that’s love! A breath of fresh air! The weather was also perfectly fine. Praise God for this awesome day!! 🙂

My birthday didn’t end just like that.

Stay tuned for more! 🙂

Cheers,

The Food Scout

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Tequila Reef
Location: Corner of A. Santos and Real Streets just off of Fields Avenue, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines
Contact: (+63 45) 892-4397

Website: http://www.tequilareefangeles.com/
Budget: PHP350+
Rate:

Food	9/10
Ambiance	7/10
Service	9/10
Cost	9/10
Overall	8.5/10