Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)

Eat anything edible. This is probably one of the tips taught in Subic jungle survival course. I can eat almost anything, except, well, many vegetables. Still, this doesn’t stop me from appreciating good food, specially those with good prices and ambiance.

Entrance of Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)

These are the reasons why I appreciate the Isdaan Restaurant, located in Gerona, Tarlac — a perfect spot midway to Baguio from Metro Manila, not so much in distance, but in terms of, how do I say it, level of starvation? Isdaan is a big place and this floating restaurant is just beside the road (at the left side if you’re going towards the direction of Baguio), so you won’t probably miss it. You’ll see the big Isdaan signage, as well as the big, brown fox, er, fish sculptures and Mayan-inspired statues.

Choose the single cottages in the middle of the floating restaurant, as it gives you precious space from the rest of the crowd and a great view of the fishes swimming below. After all, it’s a floating restaurant and there’s water under and around the cottage where you’re sitting down. While waiting for the food you’ve ordered, you could ask for fish food and feed the fish.

Anti-Stress Tacsiyapo Wall at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)

You could also visit the Tacsiyapo wall (some spell it tacsiapo), where you could let off steam and release stress. Choose a plate, cup, or even a TV, and throw it against the wall. Shouting “tacsiyapo” (which, I was told, is a local expletive) while throwing the items against the wall is supposed to make you feel better, but I wouldn’t know because I’d rather use the money to buy extra rice =). By the way, the fish food is free, but the plates and TV are not.

Innapoy at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)

Now, let’s get back to the food. We had pork spare ribs, sinigang na hipon sa buho (cooked in bamboo) and innapoy (stuffed native rice rolls, which looks pretty much like the regular suman, except that the innapoy is a complete meal by itself). There are more choices in the menu, but these are the ones I usually order every time I drop by Isdaan.

That’s enough food to last you until Baguio (or Metro Manila, depending on which direction you’re going). Enjoy!