LAST YEAR AS A 30-SOMETHING / JAN. 6,2010 =P

I remember dreading the year I turned 3-0 like a plague, as every single, 20-something girl probably does. Then I woke up on the day itself feeling not only "not bad", but actually great! "So sue me that I was not married," I remember thinking, "but I did pretty well with myself in the 30 years I've been given, if I may say so myself." I remember being smug about doing well career-wise, about moving into my own space (independent-living, here I come!), about having a whole new set of friends (in addition to the solid ones I already had). Never mind the tragic love life; I had managed to convince myself back then that I would get over and outlive it. (For the record, I did. With flying colors. Nyahaha. ;p)

The 30-something years were really something. It started tragically enough, and I did allow myself to wallow in it for quite a bit, but after some time, the comfort of self-pity can turn into a cold, hard pillow so I told my heartbroken self to get my act together and move on. There was no turning back since. I built a career. Bought my first house. Opened myself up to new friends, though not necessarily the possibility of a new love. I think I may have overdosed on Sex & the City (which I religiously watched on HBO every Tuesday) and thought, I wouldn't mind being single for life.

Travelled to Chicago for work. Met up with my long-lost American Ninang whom I have not seen since I was three. Fell in love with the Magnificent Mile and the tulips that lined the streets in spring. Probably gained a ton with all the deep dish pizzas that I ate. To this day, I still dream of Giordano's (and I'm not even sure if it was the authentic one, haha).

Travelled to New York to meet up with old friends, Charles and Michelle. Saw Wicked. Fell in love with Wicked. Watched the last episode of Friends in the one city where it ought to watched. We sat glued to the TV set in our house clothes, tears in our eyes, while wolfing down a steak dinner, eating strawberries with dark chocolate and drinking wine. Met up with cousin Tam and cousin-in-law Chris. Participated in some street festival in Tribeca. Fell in love with street festivals. Walked through Central Park, Wall Street, Time Square. Fell in love with Manhattan and decided that with its vibe, it was my favorite city in the world. Flew to L.A. to meet up with Eric, my favorite ex-boss and a slew of ex-officemates. Went to Universal, California Adventure and Six Flags again with Cousin Dooders and Now-Grown-Up Baby Cousin Rae. Screamed our heads off once again and cursed quite a bit on the rides--in different languages. Haha. =D

Wanderlust hit our group of single 30-somethings with nothing better to do. Travelled to Europe with Gnie Gurl, Ade and Cheffy (plus a bunch of other people who were friends of friends of friends, long story) and decided that travelling was going to be our collective passion. Arrived in Paris alone (as everyone else was coming from the Athens Olympics and I was left behind in Manila for work), got briefly stopped at the airport for being a single Filipina who was travelling alone, and was allowed to go through only when they flipped on the passport page with my U.S. Visa. Darn French--i.e., until I met a lovely French lady who did not exactly smell like roses (if you know what I mean), but was kind enough to translate every single French sign for me until I got to Gard de Nourd (the central station) so I can hop on the metro that will take me to the student hostel we decided to stay on because our budget couldn't exactly pay for one night at the Four Seasons. Did the Da Vinci Code tour of the Louvre. Clowned around Notre Dam and ran after pigeons. Decided to walk to the Eiffel Tower because we can see it from where we were and it seemed close enough. Big, HUGE mistake! Malayo pala! Haha. Got there nonetheless, and spent a good part of the afternoon just lying around in the park, waiting for dusk and what would have been--according to professional photographer Gnie Gurl--the perfect shot. Ran like crazy like stupid contestants on The Amazing Race, trying to catch our train for Vienna, all luggages in tow--when we were really just being like stupid tourists who didn't know any better trying to run like hell so we can get on the "right cable car" which happened to be among the front cable cars of a VEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRYYYYYY long train. (We heard, at a certain point, the train will split with each part going to different places). Stupid tourists. What we really should've done was get on the last cable car, and simply do our leisurely walk inside (!) the train until we got to the right cable car. Hahaha. =D That said, we did end up on the wrong cable and actually had to do a midnight run for the right one before the train split with one part going to Germany (yup, where we were) and the other going to Vienna (where we should have been). Haha. =D

Fell in love with Vienna. Decided that Tyrol, Austria is the most beautiful place on earth. Needless to say, fell in love with it.

Fell in love with Rome (despite the grunge and the darn pickpockets). Fell in love with the gelato. Exhausted myself going up 360 steps to the top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica (where I saw the only Filipino phrase in all of Italy--"Meron pong elevator pababa." Wahaha. =D), wondering the entire way if it was going to be worth it. It was. =) Oh, never mind that I never saw the inside of the Sistine Chapel because we all thought it would be better to just to to the Vatican for Sunday mass and do everything else there after. Hello, the Sistine Chapel is the pope's personal chapel. Of course, it would be close on a Sunday! Darn it! Haha. Stupid tourists. Oh, well. Just one more reason to go back. =D

Fell in love with Venice, the glass-blowing shops and the yummy streetside pizza (with, according to Ade, the even yummier-looking Italian pizza vendor, ha!). Vowed I will be back there eventually to stay longer.

Fell in love with Florence and its flea markets (never mind that I only got to see the faux David because the museum was already closed on the day we took the trip).

Fell in love with Barcelona and the tapas bar along Las Ramblas. (Never mind that the Spaniards' propensity for siestas threw off our body clocks. Breakfast at 10am, lunch at 3pm, dinner at 10pm....)

Fell in love with Jerez, a side-trip to the quaint wine town, included only in the itinerary because BFF Cheffy had to visit an aunt he has not seen since birth (an aunt who supposedly looked exactly his mom whome he lost a few years ago). Family reunion. Vineyards all around. Lovely. =)

Being single, we made plans to bring our nephews and nieces to HK Disney as soon as it opens the year after, then plans for a Lord of the Rings tour to Australia and NZ the next. Well-laid plans.

Came home. Unexpectedly met someone over Friendster who was a friend of a friend (back in the day when testimonials still meant something, haha). Someone who managed to make me believe in possibilities again. Fell in love. Said yes. Got married. =)

It's been four years and counting. Highs and lows. Changed careers. Bought a new place, lightyears away from the single-girl's pad I started my thirties with, but much more suitable for our expanded interests and growing family (pups and yaya included). Plans to travel the world put on hold. Never mind. What we have is the real lifelong deal. There'll be time enough to see the world once we get everything else in place.

Whew! =)

So earlier this year, I turned 39. If someone told me at 30 what was in store for me over the next decade, I wouldn't have believed them. But God, apparently, has a plan for me--one that was so wonderfully different from the gloom and doom I had found myself stuck in back then. The only thing I could be is thankful, really.

In about 10 days, I will hit the big 4-0.

Let the new adventures begin. =)

WAGING A FULL-BLOWN BATTLE OF THE BULGE =)

Earlier this year, I decided on a New-Year's-Cum-Birthday-Resolution that by the time I hit 40, I would have to be down to my weight when I was 30. Ang yabang ko. Haha! I, of course, at that time, was thinking I had the whole year ahead of me, and that I was the type anyway who can lose weight quickly if I just put my mind into it. What I did not realize, of course, was that sometime between my 35th year and my 39th, my stupid metabolism decided it had nothing else left to prove and that it was time to slow down. Gr. Hay!

My lackadaisical metabolism was, of course, further aggravated by my seefood diet. I see food, I eat it. Gr.

The extent of how much I've gained is best summed up in a post I previously wrote in my...uh...old friendster blog. =p It's one of my favorite stories and one that I do not tire of rehashing. I always have a good laugh everytime I remember--all at my own expense, of course. I won't go into details, but you can read it here if you have time. =D

In any case, three months to go before I hit the big 4-0, I decided to get down to business. I decided as a starting point to weigh myself on the scale. My target weight is to go back to 94-97 lbs. (Yes, up until I hit 35, I had no problem keeping my weight below 100 lbs. Bliss. =)) Now here I was, thinking I was only about 110 lbs, but I decided to make it official anyway. Using the office weighing scale, I weighed myself and had to gasp when the digital reading threw back 118.5. NOOOOOOOOOOO. WAAAAAAAAAAAY. "Bullet," I said matter-of-factly,"sira ang scale mo!" Haha. =)

Still in denial, I decided to weigh myself again in Father's trusty digital scale once I get home to House Better over the weekend. Quite confident, I stepped onto the scale, eyes closed. With one eye, I squinted at the reading on the scale. 118.4. Darn! Ano ba! Lech. Sira din ang scale ni Father! Hahahahaha! ;p

I simply could not believe it. I mean I know I get ribbed a lot about the weight I've gained, but have I really let myself go that much?! Apparently, yes, and it was time to do something about it. Wah. =S

First, however, I needed some sort of motivation. Some sort of North Star that I can guide myself against to track my progress. See, I know myself. With the first person who tells me, "I've lost some weight", I'd be off celebrating with a venti coffee frap or a cup of froyo. So I decided to look through my archives for a photo of the "old me" I should be gunning after. I decided on this. It was a photo of me soon after I meat Hubby Sweet. Goodness, I couldn't believe this was taken just a little over 5 years ago! Santa Barbara. =S

Then, I suppose I was inspired by about 5 or so people in the office who have lost weight (some of them older than me, some of them in a perpetual diet without much success). Thing is, they were all on the Cohen diet which requires you to get blood tests and pay P50,000 (yes, I kid you not--albeit, supposedly in staggered payments) for a list of items you can and can't eat and in what quantities. I marveled at their weight loss (some as much as 20 lbs to date), but decided I have better use for my P50K. I decided to just strictly follow--one way or another--the South Beach diet (or something like it) which previously worked for me.

Quite serendipitously, two of my friends told me about the protein shake which came in choco or berry flavors. They've been taking it along with supplements that had one of them losing 10 lbs after one week, and the other 18 lbs and going after years of struggle with her weight. I can drink the shake as a meal replacement for a week, and I'm even allowed to eat fruits as snacks. "Hmmmm...," I thought, "it's not something I can do long-term, but I suppose doing it for a week wouldn't be too bad". So I tried the routine for a week, but while I lost weight, I did not lose as drastic a weight as my friend. "Oh, well," I thought, as realization sunk in, "There really won't be a shortcut for me this time."

What it did allow me to do is to rebuild some form of discipline with re: eating on time, eating the right of food and resisting the chips, pastries and sugar drinks that are regularly served to us during meetings. While it did not allow me to lose weight as drastically as my friends did, it, at least, allowed me that. =)

What I am thankful for, at least, is that I am back on track as far as healthy eating is concerned. Fruits and veggies have become my friends; chips have become the enemy. (Mantra until I get every single pound of excess weight off: "I would love to see my jawline again more than I love eating chips....I would love to see my jawline again more than I love eating chips...." Haha. =)) I've also done away with rice for now.

In the past few weeks or so, Goolai has been my favorite lunch buddy. I discovered it along with a office friends a few years ago when they still delivered to our old Citibank office. 'Am not sure if they still deliver these days, but thankfully, these "to-go" salads are available at the Robinson's Supermarket near House Pioneerso I get my stash at least once a week. I prefer their fruit vinaigrettes over their cream-based dressings (with the exception of their Tex-Mex salad). Goolai has made healthy eating really good for me. =)

Imagine:

Mixed Greens with Poppyseed Vinaigrette. Mixed greens with chicken strips, mangoes, strawberries, dragonfruit, walnut and poppyseed vinaigrette.

Mixed Greens with Raspberry Vinaigrette. Mixed greens with peaches, kiwi, dragon fruit, raisin, Feta cheese, honey almonds with raspberry vinaigrette.

Tex-Mex Ranch. Aaaah, this one shouldn't be considered a salad really. Haha. Still, I choose to consider it so because of the veggie, never mind the other ingredients. =D Mixed greens with ground beef, tomatoes, onion, grated cheese, nachos with tex-mex ranch dressing. =D


In addition to my North Star picture, I have decided to weigh myself only once a week using Father's digital scale in House Better. I wanted to lose weight, but I did not want to be obsessed by it. I do weigh myself every morning in the House Pioneer scale, but that scale is in kilos so I really just use it as a guide but don't obsess by converting the kilogram readings into pounds. So far, after 3 weeks, I've lost 6 lbs. Definitely not as quickly as I used to do it, no, but Hubby Sweet tells me 2 lbs a week is not a bad pace. I figured a week or two more of getting my system used to my new eating habits, then I'll pick up exercising again. (I know enough that unless I do actual cardio-exercises, I may lose weight, but I will be hard-pressed to lose the extra fat in the tummy area. =))

Another serendipitous discovery in this hopefully-not-so-quixotic-quest of mine is the Blood Type Diet. Two Saturdays ago, I was in the office (saying goodbye to what would have been a long weekend); there were last minute changes and back-up requirements for the Board Presentations. I arrived to find our CFO eating a plateful of pineapples.

"Breakfast?" I teased.

"Actually, yes," he replied, " I've lost 3 lbs this week just eating pineapples instead of bananas." Then he proceeded to tell me about this book that his sister brought home for him that states that people tend to digest and process certain types of food according to how well they react to the inherent chemistry in their blood (thus the term Blood Type diet).

"Depending on your blood type," he continued, "there is a chart of meats, grains, seafood, fruits, vegetables, etc. that would be most beneficial for you in the sense that it can be best processed by your system, food that are neutral and food that you should avoid entirely. It's a book by Dr. D'Adamo, but I can't remember the title right now. I think the book is also available locally. Try checking in National."

A quick internet check enabled us to get the specific title: Eat Right for Your Type by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. I did manage to find a copy in Fully Booked Boni High, except that they were out of the original Eat Right version so I got the Cook Right for Your Type version instead.

The original has the full explanation of why eating based on your blood type makes sense, but the Cook Right version provides a good enough overview of the rationale behind the type of food that each blood type needs to maximize and/or avoid. In addition, it provides several recipes that can set you down the path of blood type dieting. I've been at it since late last week (at least as far as the type of food is concerned), but this week I'll start being strict on the quantities and frequency as well. We'll see how it goes. =)

Before I decided to take things seriously, I picked my North Star. I suppose it also makes sense to post a starting point. =) The picture below was taken outside Dong Bei in a recent Binondo outing with college friends. (Thank you, Annette, for the pic. 'Hope you don't mind me using it. =)) To be fair, I looked happy, but I suppose that is not the point. I want to be happy, but look sexy. Haha! ;D

With only a little over 2 months to go before I hit the big 4-0, I suppose I've got my work(out =p) cut out for me.

Good God. Heaven help me. =)

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Goolai Salad Packs are available in most supermarkets. I'm fairly sure they're available in Robinson's, Rustan's and Landmark. Check your favorite supermarket's chiller section for availability. The last time I went, they also have a stand-alone kiosk in Virra Mall. =)

If you want to know more about Eating Right for Your Type, click here for the official site. As I tried to find out more about this type of diet, I found that it was also featured in Livestrong.com--which, rightly or wrongly, built more credibility for it for me. O, sya. =)

REMEMBERING GRANDMOTHERS & PAYING HOMAGE =)

Sometime last week, Hubby Sweet posted "What did your grandmother cook for you?" as his Facebook shout-out. It was a quote from Chef Alice Waters who may have been mentioned in the article he was reading about organic food.

In the comments bar, I posted, "Champorado, tocino, fried chicken and egg...every single day. And never, NEVER, akong nagsawa. =)"

His shout-out brought me back to simpler times, back to when my siblings, my cousins and I were between 5 and 7 years old. Back to the time when our parents were still working--when they used to drop us off at Daddy Iston and Noni's for the day. Noni was our maternal grandmother (my favorite grandmother actually, as I was her favorite grandchild. Walang kokontra. ;p.).

There was no cable TV back then. We had five channels: GMA7, BBC2, RPN9, IBC13, NBN4. Cartoons were only aired every Saturday morning. Sesame Street was aired once in the morning and replayed in the afternoon. In the time in between airings (yes, we also watched the replays, haha), we kids had to find something else to entertain ourselves with. Usually, we'd be running around, playing "football" with a cheap plastic ball in the front yard. Sometimes, we'd be playing house. Then, there'd be those times when the weather was just too sticky-hot--when Daddy Iston would either bring out the garden hose to spray us kids with, or when Noni thought it better to just let us "swim". HAHAHA. They had no pool; my grandparents weren't rich. When they asked us if we wanted to go swimming, it actually meant that several basisn (although the term "batya" seems more apt, haha) will soon be brought out (one for each apo). Me, I was special. While everyone else got to sit around in their "batya of choice" (haha), I got to sit in a mini-drum that had me submerged in water up to my neck, never mind that the bottom was probably thick with "lumot". I remember us regularly wasting half a day away just sitting there in our underwear. =)

The other half of that memory is precious. See, back in those days, Noni cooked food not in the proper kitchen inside. She did it in the makeshift kitchen outside. The gas range inside the house was used only for reheating food (pretty much how we use the microwave these days). The real cooking was done outside on a makeshift stove made out of stone, fueled by logs (pugon) and dried twigs.

The laundry area were we sat around until we turned into human prunes was next to Noni's makeshift kitchen. Every day we'd watch her carry plates of ingredients out through the back screen door. She would set them on the table, before turning around to try and get a fire going. She'd pick the logs carefully. They would have to be dry enough for them to catch fire. Then she'd arrange them on the "stove", careful to leave space for air in between each piece of wood. Then she'd crumple several pieces of old newspaper and insert them through the pieces of wood. Then she'd light a match and ceremoniously hold it long enough on each of the pieces of newspaper, waiting for each to catch fire and ignite the logs. Pretty soon, she'd get a good fire going. I remember the smoke. Goodness, the smoke! It would've been an environmentalist's nightmare, but those were simpler times when burning wood ovens were not necessarily a bad thing. If any, they made for better tasting food.

And so we'd sit around soaking while Noni cooked several dishes in quick succession, taking advantage of the going fire. When Hubby Sweet posted his shout-out, I said "Champorado, Fried Chicken, Fried Egg, Tocino" because I was pretty sure those were our daily staples. Daily staples that we never seemed to get tired of.

Then cousin Zaldy posted, "My lola's EMBOTIDO...YUMMY!!!" and I found myself nodding, "Ah, yes! Noni's embotido! Sweet, salty, smoky, simple yet rich. Sausage, carrots, green peas...." I found myself reminiscing and mentally agreeing.

Then, apparently not quite done, cousin Zaldy followed it up with another comment, "And my lola's HOME MADE HAMONADO!!! =)", and I found myself smiling and thinking, "Ah, yes! Noni's homemade hamonado." I remember the leg of some pig sitting in a ceramic basin as Noni cured it with a mixture that I never got to ask her about. Then she'd "bake" it in a big wok (the elders called it talyasi) in the makeshift stove outside. My favorite part was when it was already cooked, properly browned in some parts, a thick layer of fat glistening on the edge. Then, she would sprinkle brown sugar all over it, covering the fat as she waited for the steel spatula she set on the burning fire to heat up until it glowed red-hot. Ceremoniously, she would pick up the steel spatula, telling us kids who were watching her eagerly, to stay a good distance away. In a graceful move, she would sear the glowing steel spatula onto the brown sugar and just the mere memory of the sizzling sound and of the sweet smell that followed as the brown sugar caramelized into the fat still makes my mouth water to this day. "Ah, yes," I thought, smiling as I reminisced, "Noni's homemade hamonado."

Then Sister Pusjing joined the trail and posted, "Si-cream with langka! :-) Macaroni Soup! And, Harming, anong tawag dun sa pang-special occasion food na talya-talyasi lutuin ni Noni? May hotdog, chickpeas....", and I remember thinking, "Si-cream with Langka! And Macaroni Soup! How could I forget?!". Si-Cream is Noni's play on the word Ice Cream. Back in those days, Magnolia was only served if someone was celebrating his birthday. During ordinary days, us kids would have to content ourselves with either the 5- centavo ice candy that is being sold by our next-door neighbor or with ice shavings that Noni gets by rubbing a bowl against the side of the freezer (hahaha!). This was before the advent of no-defrost refrigerators. Then she'd take the bowl of ice, heap strips of fresh langka over it, before dousing it with a good portion of Alaska Evaporated Milk and a teaspoon of white sugar for good measure. One can call it Langka Con Hielo, I suppose. We called it Si-cream. Haha. It was simple, but heavenly. ^_^

Oh, and yes. Noni's Macaroni Soup. Shell-shaped pasta swimming in milky chicken soup. Nothing complicated, and yet it was everything that Chicken Macaroni Soup ought to be.

Sister Pusjing's post was followed by a few more comments and "likes" about how Noni was the best cook ever, about how they missed her, about how they missed her cooking.

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Hubby Sweet and I ate in a restaurant once. I had read about it in some article prior, and found the concept endearing.

The restaurant was really more of a levelled-up carinderia. It was owned by Katrina Ponce-Enrile. Her reason for putting up Petra & Pilar was simple, she said. She wanted to share the dishes her lolas used to prepare for the family. Petra is her paternal grandmother; Pilar is her maternal grandmother.

Armed with nothing but stock knowledge that Petra & Pilar was on the ground floor of the Jaka Center which was along Pasong Tamo (between Makati Cinema Square and Buendia), Hubby Sweet and I set off to find it. Finding Jaka Center was easy enough. Realizing that Petra & Pilar was on the side of the building (along a one way street) was the difficult part. Thankfully, the building guards were helpful. Waiting for a break in the steady stream of cars passing through, they slowly guided us (blinking hazard lights and all) to the restaurant's parking lot. I liked the restaurant's facade. Simple but classy.

Maybe Petra & Pilar is for the lunch crowd. When we got there for dinner, there was only one other couple eating inside. Just as well. At the end of the day, sometimes, one could really do with a little peace and quiet.

The "turo-turo" was on the far end of the restaurant, but before we could get there, we were sidetracked by the Delimondo cove right by the door. Not yet too hungry, I told Hubby Sweet to go and check the food if he already is, but I wanted to check out the deli goods first. I've heard much about them--mostly from friends who frequent the Salcedo Saturday Market--but I have not, until then, had the opportunity to try them out.

The goods with their plain white labels and simple text branding looked, for lack of a better term, almost "artisan". Being displayed against a simple backlit wall also added to the drama.

I found the Ranch-Style Corned Beef that my friend was raving about. I wondered how much different it would be compared to Palm (which is my favorite brand) or even Purefoods for that matter. I decided to take three cans just to find out.

"Ma'am , malapit na kaming maging available sa Robinson's kung magustuhan niyo siya," the deli attendant offered, "Yung iba po kasi, di naman nakakapunta palagi sa Salcedo."

I smiled and thanked him for the info. I moved beyond the corned beef to the other goods on display and instantly found myself thinking this place would have been heaven for me had it still been The Wander Years. Bottles of "instant food" that at least had the semblance of being "home-prepared". Haha. =)

There was Calamares en su Tinta, and I imagined it would be perfect with pasta. Pasta al Nero. ^_^ I was tempted to take one, but decided to reserve the purchase for another trip, thinking about how much food we still had leftover in the ref at home.

There was also Bottled Callos which pretty much sealed the deal for me that, one way or another, I would have to go back. =)

I also found Bacalao a la Vizcaina. I am not a great fan of fish, but I did remember Father wishing out loud quite recently about how he missed the Bacalao in I-forgot-what-restaurant and decided to buy one as well just to take home. (Note: Father, when he tasted it, found that it was not salty enough. Bro-in-law G-Genius, however, thought it was really good Bacalao. =))


Further down, I found bottles of Chili Oil. I had wanted to get a bottle for House Better, but decided to postpone it again for another trip. Just the weekend before, I had gone home with a bottle of Claude 9 XO sauce and a bag of chili flakes. I figured, well, the Delimondo Chili Oil can wait. =)

"Ma'am, pag Christmas po, we actually make Christmas baskets. Pwede po kayong pumili, tapos we can wrap it for you," the deli attendant said as I surveyed the sausages and the cold cuts in the chiller.

"Really?" I told him, "Babalik ako. Gandahan niyo ha." And, at that point, I really meant it.

"OO, Ma'am. Maganda," he continued, as he handed me a small bag with my purchases. There was much more to look through, but I figured, it was already time to join the Hubby at the food line.

I went up to the turo-turo to find Hubby Sweet looking at a menu. The turo-turo was already closed, but was advised by the attendant that we can order ala carte.

Hubby Sweet decided to go for the Adobo sa Luyang Dilaw. Apparently, it is a dish fairly common in the Southern Luzon provinces, but not so in Manila. In a place that prides itself on "my lola's cooking", I suppose it made sense for him to choose something that would bring him back to his childhood roots. I initially found it weird (being used to the dark adobo of Manila), but decided I actually liked it after trying. There was something interesting about the way the "cool" ginger note, blended with the sourness of the vinegar. I suppose there was no soy sauce used for this version. Possibly only salt.

I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted. I found the description of the Bicol Express interesting (although how it was actually described escapes me now), so I ordered it--except that when it arrived, I was sadly disappointed. I prefer my Bicol Express more coco creamy than milky, and this version was milky. It also was not spicy enough. This one, I can skip it next time. =S

Good thing that with my indecision (or gluttony, depending on how you look at it, haha), I decided to also order the other dish I was eyeing. Batchoy Tagalog. I grew up with the dish. Mother used to make a great version even though she does not eat it herself (don't ask me how she managed). With recent diet restrictions for the "adults" in the family, however, she has not cooked it in quite a while. I secretly celebrated the fact that it was available in Petra & Pilar. Hot, gingery soup. A bowl of innards. It was a perfect foil to the soft drizzle outside, and at first sip, it was love. ^_^ Now, this, I would go back for. =)

I looked over to Hubby Sweet, and asked him what he thought of the place.

He shrugged and smiled, "Uh, Tweet, para lang siyang lutong bahay."

Haha! OO nga naman. Then again, sometimes, that is not necessarily a bad thing. =)

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I used to think Noni was the greatest grandmother cook in the world, but Hubby Sweet seems to think it was Yayay, even as Katrina Ponce-Enrile thought it was Petra & Pilar. I'm pretty sure Patita and Ray*-B think Lola (as in my mom) is the greatest. I suppose the feeling is universal. (Hence, the catchphrase, "Wala ka sa lola ko!" Haha. =D)

That said, I am sadly inept in the kitchen and so there is no way I could pass down the recipes that Noni has passed on to Mother. Writing this post, however, made me realize, one way or another, I would have to find a way to document them so that, long after we're gone, they can continue to be shared. After all, it is in sharing that we remember. And it is in remembering that we keep the stories of old alive.

Darn it! Now I miss Noni. BIG. TIME. *Sigh. =S*

COFFEE CUPS & GARDENS =)

It was a particularly crisp February morning. We were on our way to Tagaytay to celebrate Panet's birthday (our tita who hosts Sunday lunch for us every single time at Eduardo's).

Traditionally, the cousins come together and plan her birthday surprise (which is never really a surprise, I suppose, because Panet has come to "expect" it). We usually hold a special dinner in one of the Metro restaurants, and was even crazy enough to plan a lunch birthday party at McDo Fort once just to throw Panet off our usual birthday surprise track. This year (and this is a much delayed post--2 years delayed, I think, haha), Lolo Art kindly offered to arrange it with the Tagaytay Royale clubhouse and simply have the cousins foot the bill. Go. =)

Now, I've always liked roadtrips, but this one, in my mind was special. I don't go on roadtrips very often with my parents, and really wish now that I could. During the Wander Years, I was too independent-minded, and I suppose with much to prove, I would much rather go through things alone or with my, uh, other friends who also felt the need to prove that they were finally adults. Not so these days. More settled and with nothing more to prove on both sides, my relationship with Father and Mother has evolved to include easy friendship.

It was a particularly crisp February morning, and as soon as we got through the Rotonda, we decided to shut off the car aircon and roll down the windows instead. It was early enough; no car fumes yet on the usually busy thoroughfare. Just as well. We don't get "fresh air" that often in Manila, and Mother really prefers fresh air to the aircon. Father was wearing a crazy grin. As usual, I suppose he is just happy to be on a car going somewhere. I highly suspect I inherited my highly-developed wanderlust from him. Haha. =)

It was just Hubby Sweet, Mother, Father and myself in the car this time. Sister Pusjing and family--who usually rides with us on roadtrips--has decided to celebrate her own birthday in advance by spending the night in Tagaytay. We will just be meeting them there.

When you go on a roadtrip with Mother though, you have to be prepared to leave early. She hates traffic, and really, in everything, she'd rather be an hour early than 10 minutes late. (I realize now that I inherited my highly-developed need for punctuality from her! Haha. =)) Which is why, before 11:00 am, we were already in Tagaytay, much too early for Panet's birthday feast. No biggie.

"I suppose we can just have coffee somewhere," I suggested.

"Bag of Beans?" Hubby Sweet asked. It was almost our default coffee place in Tagaytay.

"Yup," I nodded.

Father's grin grew wider. =)

I discovered Bag of Beans years ago. BFF Marts and her then-BF-now-Hubby-BJ introduced me to it. We were a group of about 6 or 8, and had just come from a volunteer Habitat-for-Humanity housebuilding activity. We were all young and single, and in no real hurry to get home. I remember going down a flight of stairs into a garden, illuminated by candles--an attempt to help dispel the darkness that will soon follow dusk. I fell in love with the garden then; it was enchanting. The coffee was good. Their own home-baked bread even better. The image of BFF Marts fighting with the resident monkey who took revenge by throwing nuts (I think) at then-BF-now-Hubby-BJ still makes me laugh to this day.

A few years ago, on another roadtrip, I introduced then-BF-now-Hubby Sweet to it. That was my best visit ever to Bag of Beans. It was early morning. The garden, even without the twinkling candles, was just as enchanting. I was just set to have coffee, bread and butter then, but when we walked in, we found a buffet table laid out with beef tapa, tocino, fried fish, rolls of every-kind, coffee, tsokolate-eh, etc., etc.! P250 per person, the waiter said. Sold! Haha. (Click here and here to read my past blogs on it. =))

The buffet has since been discontinued. Just as well. We were not here for the buffet this time anyway. I just thought Bag of Beans would be the perfect place to take my parents to. Father loves coffee. Mother loves gardens. Bag of Beans is all about having coffee in a beautiful garden. =)

We walked down the stairs, under a canopy of floral ivy. Mother smiled. She likes gardens, and usually picks a thing or two to apply to her own in House Better.

The cabana were Hubby Sweet and I usually sit was already occupied. We looked around and decided to stay under one of the "umbrella-covered" tables in the middle of the garden.

"Pa'no ginagawa yung leaf imprints?" Mother asked as we sat down, clearly referring to the leaf marks embedded on the walkway.

"I'm not sure, but I saw it on TV once," I replied, "I think they press real leaves on concrete that is relatively stiff, but not yet fully settled. Then once the concrete hardens, they just take out the leaf and the imprint stays on the concrete. Then they paint."

"Oh," she said, smiling, an idea clearly forming in her head.

"Eh yung mga nakasabit na lamps, sa'n kaya nila nabibili?" she asked.

"I think they sell it in the country store next to the bake shop. We can check it out later," I replied.

"Sige," she said. (NOTE: We did, but it was still sadly closed when we got out.)

"They actually sell the plants," I volunteered, thinking that she might want to bring some back home to Manila.

"Nah," she said, shaking their head. "These kinds of plants thrive here dahil malamig. Sa Manila, malalanta lang sila. Or kailangan silang i-water several times a day. Eh, sa atin pa..." she trailed off, referring to the fact that in Paranaque, water from the regular pipes is scarce, and people have actually made a good living out of delivering water to homes.

The waiter approached us, menu in hand.

"I'm not hungry," Father said.

"Ako din," Mother seconded.

"We can just get coffee or hot choco," I suggested, "and bread. You have to try their bread!"

"Kuya, dalawang kapeng barako," I ordered, "Chaka bread basket with butter and marmalade."

"Hot choco sa'kin," Hubby Sweet piped up.

"Orange juice lang ako," Mother said.

The waiter nodded and smiled, then turned around back to the kitchen. He was back in no time with our mugs, and quietly set the bread basket in the middle. It was freshly-baked, crusty but soft. It still felt warm through the cloth bread basket liner.

We all dug in. The butter melted as it was spread on the warm bread. The marmalade spread just as easily on top of it.

Father took out the newspaper he had brought along for the trip. Mother continued to survey the garden from where she sat. It was a scene right out of House Better, actually, except that we were in another enchanting garden, about an hour away.

Regular life is often complicated and chaotic. Not so that day.

It was a crisp, easy Sunday morning with family.

Hot drinks on hand.

Warm bread on the side.

In its utter simplicity, I found perfection.

I would be so lucky just to have more days like these.

*Sigh. =)*

A TASTE OF SINGAPORE =)

During our late high school and early college years, Father was based in Singapore. For practical reasons (mostly so as not to disrupt our schooling), Mother deigned it better for us to stay in Manila. Consequently, long weekends would find Father flying back home; summer and Christmas breaks would find us flying to the Lion City.

Now, I've always loved the city. Never mind that some people find it boring.

I suppose it had a lot to do with the fact that the first time we landed was in December 1988--when all of Orchard Road looked like some Christmas Giant threw up sparkles, lights and decors all over the buildings and trees. It was so festive, you'd think the primary religion was Christianity when it was really not. Never mind that Singapore did it for the tourists, I do remember the scene automatically dispelling the melancholy I felt about being away from the clan on a holiday that we, as a family, usually spend with them.

I suppose it also had a lot to do with the fact that Singapore was, for lack of a better term, efficient. And clean. And orderly. And green. And smoke-free. And everything else that I wished Manila could be--if only we had the political will and commitment to do it. It's not from a lack of trying. I'm not sure if you actually noticed that, with every change in administration, trees inevitably get planted along the main roads, and signs are put up proclaiming the "Greening of Metro Manila"--only to find the same trees wilted and covered with dust a month later. The thing is, we treat the trees as decor, when we ought to treat them as a commitment. (Sidenote: I'm glad that they actually passed a law that requires people to pay extra for shopping bags every Wednesday; it's, at least, a good start.) To say that I was fascinated with the city transforming itself from an urban jungle into a garden state was an understatement. I suppose though, it is really much easier to focus on "aesthetics" when one does not need to worry about having to feed practically 80% of its population.

I digress.

The other thing I loved about Singapore is the food. I have yet to eat anything there that I did not like. Weekends would inevitably find us in one of the Hawker's Centers each downing a bowl of Hainanese Chicken Rice and wolfing down Chili Crabs like there was no tomorrow. Good food. Good price. =)

Which leads me to the point of this post. Good Chili Crabs, one can find in Manila. Good Hainanese Chicken Rice is not as easy to find.

I serendipitously came upon really good Chicken Rice at the old Philippine Plaza coffee shop, but I don't think they retained it in the menu after they renovated the coffee shop into Spiral. People tell me that there is this restaurant in front of Pan Pacific in Malete where they serve authentic Chicken Rice (the Chef is Singaporean), but they said it's quite pricey. Besides, I no longer have the patience to weave through Malate traffic, much less the patience to find a decent/relatively safe parking space--at least no longer at the levels I used to have during the Wander Years. I also tried the Chicken Rice at Makansutra at the Manila Ocean Park, but it was only "OK lang" and failed to live up to my high hopes. During one stop at Edsa Shang, Hubby Sweet and I also decided to try the version at Penang Hill. Two words: STAY AWAY. Variation to the two words: DON'T TRY. I wanted to cry after trying that version. Naku! =D

Father has since moved from Singapore to Glendale then back to Manila, and yet the family's craving for a decent Chicken Rice has remained. I mean, it is not really too big of an expectation really. Our thinking was that we used to eat good Chicken Rice in the hawker's centers (which is a levelled-up version of the local carinderia). How can the local restaurants not get it right?

Well, someone finally did! =)

Cousin-in-law Mi was the first person who asked me to try it. I think the owner was a personal friend. Admittedly though, I have not gotten around to it, until last June when we were originally supposed to go out for Father's Day, but had to cancel because Mother was not feeling well the entire week. It was a sort of Eureka moment when the idea of ordering Hainanese Chicken Rice for take-out danced around like a lightbulb in my head.

Stevie's Hainanese Chicken Rice to the rescue! =)

I had to scramble around the internet to find the contact details because I couldn't find Mi's original email, what with all the junk in my inbox. I did not have a hard time because, apparently, in the time between Mi's original email and me finally getting around to actually trying it, most of the leading bloggers in Manila have already had their fill and were singing high praises to it. (Click on the link for the posted reviews on Dessert Comes First and Market Manila.) All the reviews got me even more excited. Yey! ^_^

Calling was easy enough. With the entire family (including yayas) descending on House Better for Father's Day, we ordered four orders. On the side, Sister Pusjing decided they will also drop by Pixie's to get several orders of their much-raved about inihaw na bangus. I gave them an 11:00 am pick-up time, and asked Sister Pusjing to pass by for it on their way to House Better. All set. =)

Except that come Sunday, it was already way past 11:30 am and Sister Pusjing and family were nowhere near House Better. I gave them directions to Stevie's (go to the Bel-Air gate near Shell Buendia), but apparently they did not need it. There was a looooooong line outside--about 20 cars or so--all waiting for their orders! Naku. =D They finally got to House Better at 12:30 with 7-year old Patita declaring as soon as she stepped through the front door, "That Chicken Rice is sheer torture!" Hahaha. As Sister Pusjing explained, it soon became clear that she wasn't referring to the long line and the long wait. Apparently, the entire trip home, the scent of the Chicken Rice wafted through the car and Patita had to endure the entire trip smelling it, but having to wait to get to House Better before she can eat it. Haha! ;D

Stevie's did not disappoint (although, when I first saw it, I thought, "Ay, mas maraming chicken kesa rice!" Haha. How plebian. =))

The chicken was moist and flavorful. I was a bit surprised to find it "swimming in broth" as I was used to the Hainanese Chicken already being served "dry" on top of the rice. Still, no biggie. We all used the broth as "soup" of sorts to top our rice. Haha.

Oh, the rice. Fragrant, flavorful, jasmine rice. None of the cheap kind that comes out either hard or clumpy. Good Hainanese Chicken Rice lives and dies by the quality of the rice, and Stevie (naks, parang kilala ko siya, haha) made sure that their rice lived up to expectations.

The entire set came with traditional dipping sauces: smashed ginger in sesame oil, chili sauce (which was not to spicy actually =(), and the sweet-salty soy sauce mix.

It also came with a glazing sauce which we were supposed to pour over the chicken if we wanted to reheat it. It was supposed to prevent the chicken from drying up (which also, by the way, explained why the chicken was set in broth still).

Reheat? We did not. We did not even re-plate. Haha. The entire thing (aluminum trays, plastic cups and all) were placed on the lazy Susan soon as it arrived. Game na ang lunch agad.

I will keep a secret how long it took for us to finish the entire thing. Haha! ;D

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If you want to try Stevie's Hainanese Chicken Rice To Go, call 0906-5084155. It's P950 per set (at the time we bought anyway), good for 4 people. =) Go. Now na. ;p

HAPPINESS IS....=)

Being able to sleep peacefully.....

....next to the people you love. =)

Shhhhhhh.... =)

DOS PALMAS TWICE OVER / 2006 & 2009 =)

I fell in love with Puerto Princesa the first time I went there. I suppose it had a lot to do with the fact that I was starry-eyed-looking-at-love-through-rose-colored-glasses-in-love the first time I went there.

It was soon after Hubby Sweet and I got married, back in 2006. Having separately travelled to different places with other people during our individual Wander Years, we had decided to go someplace neither of us had been to before. Given time and budget constraints back then, it was quite serendipitous that we discovered Dos Palmas.

The resort was, at that time, reeling from a series of unfortunate (high-profile) incidents. With the Abu Sayyaf and Rico Yan fresh on everybody’s minds, Dos Palmas, I suppose, was bent on dispelling the jinx image that had been seared onto everyone’s minds. Php 12,000 per person, inclusive of airfare, transfers, use of facilities, accommodations and full-board meals for 4D/3N. We checked out the website. Nice. =)

Hubby and I discussed it, and decided that we were not really superstitious people. Still we had a good laugh over whether we should stay in one of the Bay Cottages (where the folks kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf stayed) or in one of the Garden Villas (where Rico Yan unexpectedly died). In the end, we decided that the probability of a second Abu Sayyaf outing is likely much less than the probability of a moomoo sighting. Bay cottage, it is then! Haha. =)

Dos Palmas is not for the impatient. After landing in Puerto Princesa, one needs to take a 30-minute road trip to the port, after which (depending on the speed of your assigned boat), one needs to take an hour to 1-1/2 hour trip to the island. It was so remote, it was easy to understand how bandits could speed away with a horde of tourists without the authorities managing to catch up. Legend has it that the Abu Sayyaf were actually targeting the posh island of Amanpulo, but took a wrong turn and ended up in Dos Palmas instead.

Times have changed.

Since then, Honda Bay security has been beefed up, and on one morning during which Hubby Sweet and I woke up particularly early, we walked out of the cottage and realized that the super friendly security staff were actually Marines-in-disguise. (Truth be told, when we first got on the island, we both thought that their security was much more fit and disciplined—despite their amiable personalities and their perpetual smiles—than the average Manong Guard. =))

That said, the security details are masked and actually blend well with the resort feel of the island. Dos Palmas is all about relaxation and being in a world far removed from the urban jungle.

It is all about spending quality time with the people you’re with.

You can have long conversations while stuffing yourself silly at their fabulous buffets. You can lounge around by the pool. You can go snorkeling. You can hike. You can bike. You can play billiards or pingpong. You can sing your lungs out at the videoke room.

If you think you have either the stamina or the courage for it, you can even kayak through the mangroves and row around (yes, around) the island. Hubby Sweet and I actually tried it, and it goes down in our personal history as our first-ever-fight ever as a married couple. Halfway through, I had a panic attack and wanted to turn back. He, on the other hand, reasoned we would row the same distance back as we would if we just kept going forward! I, of course, retorted that if we turned around, we would be going through a route that we already know. Usually, I'm the more adventurous one between the two of us, except when it comes to anything that involves deep water. Naku, stalemate in the middle of Honday Bay. Hahaha! We ended up going forward only because I realized that I cannot row all the way back by myself, whereas he can actually move the kayak forward without any help from me. Haha. Ngyah. =D)

That said, what you cannot do on Dos Palmas is watch TV. There are none—at least not in the rooms. The lone concession is the TV hanging over the bar (which actually has a complete set of free TV and cable channels), but you sit there only if you happen to like the TV taste of the first person who asked the bartender to put it on. Haha!

GARDEN OR BAY: WHERE TO STAY

Back in 2006, we stayed at one of the the Bay Cottages where most couples usually stay. I suppose there’s something to be said about having the bay as your view and about sitting out on your veranda to find schools of multi-colored and multi-sized schools of fish below. We even had sightings of baby stingrays (or were they manta-rays?).

The Bay Cottages were meant to provide more privacy, being situated away from the “main island” where most of the activities are.

In 2009, I had wanted to book the Bay Cottages (never mind that we were a group/family), but every single one was taken. Besides, the beds were not enough to fit all of us. Haha.

So we decided to stay in the newly-renovated Garden Villas instead.

Not bad, really. Not bad at all. =)

WHAT TO DO

There are enough activities to go by if you’re not expecting the vibe of Boracay. One can actually choose to be marooned on the island and not leave its premises during the entire stay. However, if you decide that you want to explore the world beyond the island, the resort can actually arrange for other “Puerto Princesa” activities.

Honda Bay Island Hopping would always be tops for me. When you arrange it with Dos Palmas, the trip usually starts with lunch at Isla Puting Buhangin (or is it Isla Puting Bato? I forget. Haha).

There’s something to be said about having lunch on a sandbar in the middle of a tranquil bay.

Oh, that, and feasting on a buffet of freshly grilled fish, liempo, shellfish, along with servings of manggang hilaw with bagoong. Down it with ice-cold softdrinks and you’re pretty much set for an afternoon of swimming around, running after (or, in some cases, running from) schools of fish of different shapes, sizes and territorial temperaments.

I’ve been to many snorkeling spots and the diversity of the types of fish one can see on Honda Bay is impressive. I won’t elaborate further. I did write about it in a previous blog though (during a different trip to Puerto Princesa). Read about it here na lang. =)

When you get tired of snorkeling, the island hopping trip ends with fishing. Now, Dos Palmas is a marine sanctuary so fishing would have to be done a good distance away.

Now, I’ve never fished in my entire life prior to Dos Palmas. Come to think of it, I’ve only attempted fishing in Dos Palmas. I say “attempt” because, whether in 2006 or in 2009, I did not actually catch a single fish. Still, there is something quaint, I suppose, about being able to say “I tried fishing”. Haha. (The picture below is with Manong Security Detail who actually reeled in the fish while I was sitting next to him so I decided it...uh...counts. Haha.)

When you do catch a fish, if it’s too small, you have to throw it back. If it’s big enough (and I use the term “big” loosely here, haha), you can actually choose to throw it back OR bring it back to the resort and have it cooked. Manage your expectations though. Both times, we’ve only managed to catch “bisugo” which I know only as the kind of fish you make paksiw. Haha. ;p

While it is not practical, Dos Palmas can also arrange for trips to the now-famous St. Paul Subterranean River Park (more popularly known as the Underground River). I say it is not practical because one would have to take the 1-1/2 hour boat trip back to the mainland, then take another 2-1/2 to 3 hour road trip to another port, after which you take another 30-minute banca ride to the island where the Underground River is. Now imagine that you have to do the same thing to get back to the island. Naku!

This was “manageable” back in 2006 (it just means you kill practically an entire day travelling to ride through the Underground River for 30 minutes), but after the site zoomed to the top of the updated list of Seven Wonders of the World, I’ve been told the lines and the waits have increased to box-office proportions. (As one of my officemates once said, albeit she said it about the long lines during an S&R sale, “Hindi Titanic ang katapat. Pang-Avatar ang level!” Haha.) For perspective, my other officemate, last December, had to wait 5 hours just to hop onto a banca that would take them to the island where the Underground River is!

That said, if your primary intention for going to Puerto Princesa is to go to the Underground River, it would be best to just stay in one of the city hotels instead of staying in Dos Palmas. (Two more tips: First, be careful of the "monkey snatchers". You'll know what I mean once you get on the island. Second, if you do manage to get to the Underground River, maneuver your way to the front seat of the kayak. That way, you get to hold the floodlight that will allow everyone to see inside the cave. After all, he who holds the lamp gets to focus it on whatever he wants. Haha! ;p)

THE FOOD

The food is what makes Dos Palmas—more than anything—worth it. Usually, if it’s a full-board meal, I have learned not to expect much. At Dos Palmas, “much and much more” is what they give! I suppose they realize that with no other option to go to, they better give their guests good food, lest they grumble and complain for 3-4 days. Haha!

The breakfast buffet usually has a Filipino station (with the usual tapa, tocino, longganisa, danggit, fried rice, egg, etc., etc.). On the side, there would either be a vat of lugaw (with the usual condiments of fried garlic, spring onions, calamansi, etc.) or mami. For the foreigners, they also have an American breakfast station (with the usual ham, bacon, sausages, eggs, French toast or pancakes, cereals, dried fruits, etc., etc.). A separate table would contain native kakanins for dessert in addition to the fresh fruit platters. That said, on a daily basis, we would have a Filipino AND an American breakfast with kakanins AND fresh fruit for dessert. Haha! The usual joke after one comes back to the table with a heaping plate is, “Hindi ka naka-decide kung ano gusto mo?” *Insert sheepish grin here. =D*

The lunch buffet is decidedly much simpler as most guests opt to do their off-resort activities. Still, the buffet would have a good mix of native salads (sometimes lato or seaweeds with tomatoes and onions, dipped either in calamansi or vinegar or diced manggang hilaw with bagoong), grilled fish and meat and a soup viand (sinigang or nilaga, etc.).

The dinner buffet, however, is something else. It could be set within the usual café or on the beach with sulos providing light or by the pool with a small band playing. The dinner buffet is usually themed. One night, it was Japanese. Another night, it was Mongolian. Usually, if there’s a big group leaving the next day, the dinner buffet even has different stations. On our final night during our last trip, there was a steak grilling station, there was a Japanese station, there was an Italian Station, there was a Mongolian Station. That dinner, di din kami naka-decide. Haha! ;D

OVER-ALL

Staying at Dos Palmas provides good value for money. Actually, that’s a wrong statement as it makes staying Dos Palmas seem like ”it’s pwede na for the amount that you pay for it”, when what I meant to say is that, “you actually get much, much more than what you pay for”.

What is not worth it, though, is for you to go on a Day Trip to Dos Palmas (I found out that such is actually included in the day tour packages of some of the city hotels).

To truly appreciate Dos Palmas, you have to stay in it. So that, for a good 3-4 days, you can forget that the hurried life you lead in the urban jungle is, technically, only a boat ride and a plane-hop away.

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You can arrange for the plane trip and the resort stay separately, but both times, I found that PALakbayan actually provides a simpler option (book everything once) at good value. Click on the link for more details.

P.S. - The photos are a mix of pics from my 2006 trip (with Hubby Sweet) & my 2009 trip (with Mother, Father, Tita Doy, Rhae, Dooders and MJ). This would explain why, in some pictures, I'm payat (yey!), while in some pictures, I'm...uh...pleasantly plump.

Haha! =D