Gluttonous MAX-imus

Max's Restaurant is an original Filipino restaurant which prides itself as "The House That Fried Chicken Built." Miss Iggy went to one such place in Urdaneta, Pangasinan for a Max-imum dining experience right after her pilgrimage to nearby Manaoag Shrine.

Max's first started pleasing palates in 1945, when Maximo Gimenez befriended American troops stationed in Quezon City and served them drinks whenever they dropped by at his home. His soldier pals soon insisted to pay for their drinks and Mr. Gimenez decided to open up a cafe which specialized in chicken, steaks and drinks.

Max's house specialty is their chicken which is cooked au naturel, without crumbs that cover up its juicy, delicious flavor. Their famous "Sarap-to-the-Bones" (delicious-to-the-bones) chicken has gained popularity not only within the Philippines but also to as far as California & Hawaii. Max's Restaurant is to the Philippines what KFC is to the USA.

Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine

Miss Iggy's first pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Devotees from all over the Philippines and the world come here to pray for different petitions such as good health, good fortune, marriage and work opportunities. People whose prayers have been answered sometimes return here to thank Mama Mary for the favor received. Our Lady of Manaoag has become the patroness not only of the town of Manaoag, but also of the province of Pangasinan.