LIFESTYLE

8Wed-Thu, June 8-9, 2022

AS IT HAPPENS, WHERE IT HAPPENS

A feel of authentic Korean

at Giwa Restaurant at SM Uptown CDO

Check out Giwa Korean restaurant at the SM CDO Uptown offering unlimited dishes for only P499 per head. (Photos supplied) KAGAY-ANONS looking for an authentic dining experience the traditional Korean way need not go far as a restaurant based in Cagayan de Oro is already offering its customers tasteful dishes that will make them feel they are in Korea.

Here in the city, the Giwa Korean restaurant is already a household name when it comes to the famous “samgyeopsal,” which lately has become a trend among Filipinos food lovers, thanks to the Korean pop culture that has made it popular in the Philippines.

In fact, the name itself is actually a Korean word, said Kristyle Berro, the Giwa branch manager at the SM Uptown CDO.

“‘Giwa’ means the traditional Korean roof. The roof symbolizes home, and when people dine here, they feel like they’re home,” she added.

Aside from its name, Berro said what makes Giwa unique from the other “samgyeopsal” places in Cagayan de Oro are its dishes that are prepared by a chef from Korea.

“Our diners are assured that what is being served to them are authentic Korean dishes. Our Korean chef is very hands on when it comes to recipes and the preparation,” she said.

Giwa’s owners, Dowha Lee and Chasang Yoon – both Korean nationals – also make sure that customers only get the best the restaurant has to offer.

The price is reasonable, too. For only P499, one can have his or her fill of four main dishes and 10 side dishes and drinks, all unlimited.

Giwa’s menu consists of pork, thinly sliced marinated soy garlic pork, beef bulgogi (a traditional Korean dish), pork stew, seaweed soup, oriental salad, Korean side dishes like kimchi, ssamjang, steamed egg, lettuce, and a new variety of side dish that is similar to the “achara” but with a Korean twist.

If you and your friends and loved ones are craving for authentic Korean food, you can’t go wrong with Giwa. They’re located at both the SM City CDO Uptown and SM CDO Downtown Premier. (PR)

Charm of ‘Little Maldives’ lures tourists to Surigao Norte town

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – The easing of restrictions amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has paved the way for more local and foreign tourists to visit popular destinations in the Surigao del Norte town of Claver.

The province has been placed under Alert Level 2 in May but site visits in the popular spots in the town have significantly increased more than a year after the pandemic.

In an interview Wednesday, Rizyl Tagapan, acting tourism officer of Claver, said among the most sought-after tourist destinations in the place nowadays is the Kabujuan Islet, which formally opened its doors to tourists last May 2.

The islet is known as the “Little Maldives” in Surigao del Norte, as its infrastructures are inspired by the different tourist destinations in the Maldives.

“Since the opening, the Kabujuan Islet has already registered more than 500 bookings,” Tagapan said, adding that the islet is fully booked this June.

Most of the foreign tourists who visited the islet are relatives and guests of residents from Claver and the neighboring towns and provinces in the region.

The Kabujuan Islet is under the management of the municipality of Claver in partnership with Barangays Lapinigan, Panatao, and Urbiztondo.

“For the next three months, we will only allow day-time tours as we are still making preparations for the overnight stay in the islet,” Tagapan said.

Some facilities in the islet have also undergone rehabilitation following the damage caused by