The hectic days of December started with the 3rd mid-quarter exams of my kids. As their all-time tutor, which I am able to perform only on week-ends, I had to set aside some of my activities to give way to this very important role as a mother. It was just good that it did not coincide with the annual postgraduate course of our organization as physicians, the PAFP Pangasinan chapter. But I had to attend only the first day of the postgrad because I was asked by our school to attend the PSA (Philippine Society of Anatomists) mid-year convention in Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City.

The PSA went out well, my first time actually. It was only for a day. And because of many more activities on succeeding days, my husband and I had to go back to the province as soon as the convention was over.

On our way home, we had a stop-over at Isdaan in Gerona, Tarlac, for dinner. Though we passed by this route so many times before, it was our first try at this restaurant.

The ambience was good, very relaxing, especially with the cold December air. You will be greeted by a waiter at the entrance who will lead you to a hut, and who will stay with you during your entire meal. While waiting for the food to arrive, you will be serenaded by men in guitars who are entitled to a Php 20.00 (fixed amount) per song. Or you can just feed the fishes in the water for free. Just ask the waiter for the fish food and all those hungry fishes will gather near your hut as you start feeding them.

Isdaan is known as the Floating Restaurant. Each hut is floating in water, thereby it moves with the water. It is well lighted and very cozy. The size they give you depends on how many you are in the group.

The food is good but quite pricey. A half order only of calamares will cost you Php 160. And there is nothing extraordinary in the list of food you find in the menu. You find them in all restaurants serving Pinoy food. It is just the physical arrangement of the place that is somewhat different, and the way they serve food – in banana leaves.

By the way, the floor of the restaurant is made of bamboo. The whole thing put together like a raft. And because I came from the convention, I was on my cat heels which made walking through the entire place laborious. This prevented me from exploring the place more, especially at the back  where most of the entertainment are, according to the waiter. Well, next time I’ll make sure I come prepared and that will be with the kids.

If you plan to pass by this place, do it at night when there are no flies roaming around. That would make eating less taxing and more pleasurable.

Live entertainment at a distance