FOOD TRIP: PAMPANGA, PART 1 / MARCH 4,2011 =)

With "plated food" coming out of the Hubby's ears, his birthday celebration had to be somewhere other than any Metro Manila restaurant. Whereas our past food adventures were about trying the latest Chinese, Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Persian, etc., etc. restaurant in the metro, Hubby Sweet was, this time, craving for something simpler. Something more basic. Something closer to the roots.

Inspiration came in the form of a complimentary copy of Food Magazine that was lying around in House Pioneer. A road trip! A food trip! Yessssssssssss. =D We haven't gone on one in ages (largely due to the vast difference in our scheds), and it seemed like the perfect time to go on. VL's were filed (it was the only way, really, we could sync our schedules these days). With nothing but a magazine on hand, we set off early Friday a.m.

Driving down the NLEX was a breeze (if a bit expensive). We were adamant about getting to Pampanga in time for breakfast, but a series of road signs leading to the Barasoain Church proved intriguing. Hubby Sweet decided it was just right for him to visit a church on his birthday, and he supposed the Barasoain Church would be as good as any other church. To cut a long story short, we got lost. A few stops, a few turns and a few u-turns (on a very wide highway!) later, we found ourselves on a very narrow street (like a barangay road, really) which was supposed to lead us to the historic church.

"Goodness," I thought, "Traffic must have been horrendous here when Erap decided to take his oath as the President of the Republic."

We arrived to find several busloads of high school students on a field trip. I suppose it's par for the course since the church was the site of the Malolos Constitution (that of the first Philippine Republic). As with most teenagers, however, the significance of the church was lost on them, as they seemed keen only on taking group photos beside the massive church doors in "Japan-Japan" poses. Haha.

In any case, the Hubby and I were there for a different matter entirely so we proceeded inside. Having said our prayers, we did proceed to walk around. There is something about old churches and old buildings that fascinate me. It always makes me wonder about how it was to live in a different (albeit, not necessarily better) time. More gentle, I suppose, yes, but also more restricted. I don't think I would have survived.

Before deciding to go, we also took pictures of the structures as pegs for the time when Hubby Sweet finally gets around to restoring the house he grew up in in Marinduque.

Now, if we got lost trying to get to Barasoain, we got even more lost trying to get back to the NLEX! Naku! Apparently, unlike the SLEX were the entry/exit points are matched on opposite sides of the road, that for the north version is slightly more complex. After a few starts and stops for directions (some correct, some not), we finally found ourselves crossing the bridge that would get us back on track. (Apparently, bridges are big as far as landmarks go as all the directions we received on this trip were in permutations of "bago mag-tulay", "pagkatapos ng tulay", "sa ilalim ng tulay", etc., etc. =))

We had earlier decided to eat breakfast in Everybody's Cafe. It was the home of authentic Pampanga cuisine, the article declared, listing two branches: one along McArthur Highway in San Fernando, the other in Nepo Mart in Angeles. I suggested that we go straight to Angeles since all other "stops" seemed to be close to the area, but Hubby was adamant about going for the original place in San Fernando.

Thus, "Along McArthur Highway" was all we had to go with. We both thought that would be simple enough, until we realized we have passed all the buildings and were already traversing on a wide highway with open fields on either side. Hubby Sweet decided to stop at a nearby precinct and asked Mamang Pulis for directions. True enough, we overshot in a major way and they advised us to drive back to town and ask for directions. A few stops and starts and a "wag kayong aakyat ng tulay, sa ilalim kayo dumaan, kanan tapos sa rotonda kaliwa" later, we found ourselves in front of an old house that looked like the 70's version of Boots Anson Roa would choose to live in. (OK, I apparently watched too many Tagalog afternoon movies as a kid. ;p) It was 9:30 a.m.--way past our normal breakfast hours, but we, at least, have finally arrived.

The people at Everybody's Cafe are the nicest people in the world. They had none of the airs about things being a certain way because that's how it's done. Surveying the turo-turo line-up, we asked how big the servings are, and were told that they were good enough for two. Yikes! =S We explained to the good Ate that we were actually on a road trip, showed her the mag, and really wanted to try as much of their cuisine as we could. Being only two, it would be virtually impossible for us to do so if we got the regular serving sizes. Her face lit up at our story, and smiling, she said, "Sige, pwede siguro small size na lang. Para lahat ma-try niyo." Yey! ^_^ And so it goes that we had these authentic Pampangueno dishes for breakfast.

Tapang Damulag. Sweet-sour cured carabao meat. Every restaurant in Pampanga probably has their own version, but the one in Everybody's Cafe is wonderfully balanced. Not too sweet. Not too sour. Not too gamey. Perfect! =) We also ordered homemade longganisa, but I forgot to take a picture. Caramelized perfectly, that one is also a must-try!

Kilain. Pampanga's version of adobo, but without the soy sauce--made with pork cube, liver and lungs. I also wanted to try the adobong dumara (wild duck), but the duck was too big and I realized we wouldn't have enough space for it. Next time. Next time. =)

Dinuguan. It was the Pampanga version with the blood coagulated as opposed to being added as part of the soup. We really should have skipped it because it tasted too close to the Kilain (save for the interesting flavor bouquet that Hubby Sweet said came from the innards), but the Hubby is a dinuguan monster. Oh, well. For the record, it was good, but it shouldn't be ordered in the same meal as the Kilain. =)

Mechado. This one was recommended by Ate, supposedly because it was one of their specialties. We decided to try it because, unlike the Mechado we grew up with, this one did not have any tomato sauce nor did we see any beef cubes. We thought it might be closer to Morcon, but wondered about why it was wrapped in I-forgot-what-it's-called which is usually used for wrapping embotido or longganisa. When it was served, we discovered why. It is so because it is a form of embotido, but saltier, more flavorful.

Now what kind of foodies would we be if we went all the way to San Fernando to try authentic Pampangueno cuisine and didn't order these? =D

Betuteh. Stuffed Frog. Yes. It's breakfast, Fear Factor edition. Still, I do remember being forced to try deep-fried frog's legs when I was a kid because one of my aunts (who married a blood-tito) was Pampanguena. I do remember thinking it wasn't half-bad--that with eyes closed, one can actually fool herself into thinking she's only eating a chicken wing. But stuffed frog, I haven't tried. Especially since it was stuffed to look like a whole frog and goodness knows what they stuffed it with.

Ah, heck! Hubby Sweet just ripped the frog open and dug in. I watched him, waiting for him to lurch, but his eyes lit up.

"Masarap," he declared, nodding, "Not necessarily something I would choose to eat for breakfast on a regular basis, but it's not bad."

The frog was apparently stuffed with ground pork, tomatoes and aragao leaves. I dug in. Not bad really, not bad at all. Think relleno--except that this one's made with field frogs. Ngyah. =)

Oh, but my prior experience with frog's legs as a kid prepared me for the betuteh, but this...this (!), I have previously sworn I will never eat--EVER (!)--in my life. What kind of person would choose to eat an insect?! Then again, we went all the way to San Fernando, so I might as well try the other fear-factor breakfast option. Wah. =S

Kamaru. Mole-crickets, now harvested from the rice fields of Nueva Ecija (I suppose because the rice fields of Pampanga have since given way to development). Manong explained that they are actually sold in the palengkes, but those would still have the wings and limbs intact. To prepare the kamaru, the wings and limbs are taken off, then what is left is sauteed in tomatoes and onions then cooked/roasted until they are almost dry. Now, this, I really almost passed up on. I mean, really! Look at it. (OK, if you're squeamish, don't.) Still, I got it through my thick head that we drove all the way to San Fernando for an authentic experience and this (this!) is part of it.

Eyes closed, I picked one up and was half-tempted to just swallow it without chewing so I can finally lay claim to eating one without actually experiencing the grossness that has already been built in my mind. That said, my mind refused to let me cheat. My neurons probably sent some signal to my mouth because despite all my intentions, as soon as I popped one in, I automatically, almost involuntarily....chewed. @_@ It's not bad really. Actually good if you try real hard to think that you're not eating an insect. It's part-crunchy, part-chewy with a slightly woody taste (mole crickets feed on rice roots). It's like a mini-chicharon bulaklak, except higher in protein and lower in cholesterol. That said, would I eat it again? Uh, no. OK na ang one time. Haha! =D

While leisurely eating what remained of our breakfast spread, we decided to go somewhere else for dessert. There was a list of places we could go to, but they were all in Angeles, and really, we needed something closer to cap off our authentic Pampanguena breakfast. We tried calling some of the few ensaimada places in San Fernando, but a lot of them apparently listed phone details for their Manila branches and the Hubby Sweet thought it too much of a hassle to get directions to the San Fernando outlets.

Which is why we ended up at Razon's. Yey! =) We passed by it on one of the intersections along McArthur Highway while we were going around in circles trying to find Everybody's Cafe. While a kiosk now exists in Market, Market, I figured eating Razon's Halo-halo in Pampanga still counts as an authentic experience. =)

Razon's Halo-halo is relatively simple. No ice cream, no pinipig, no halaya, no beans, no langka. Just ultra-fine shaved ice, ultra-creamy leche flan, ultra-smooth macapuno and ultra-soft sweet bananas. Which is why, once you've mixed it up, every spoonful gives you a wonderfully-blended creamy dessert with an almost silky texture. None of the watery feel of coarsely-crushed ice, no need to bite on any of the ingredients. I also don't know if I'm just imagining things, but the Razon's in Pampanga tasted way better than the one I sometimes buy in Market, Market. =)

Over halo-halo, we did a quick run-through of the magazine article. With most of them talking about ensaimadas and native kakanin, we decided to just leave the rest of the San Fernando destinations for another visit. It was time to drive out again.

DESTINATION: ANGELES. Next! =D

ZOOPER ZATUHRDAY!!! =D

So this one's a take two. =D

I previously raved about Ze Muzikal, having dragged Hubby Sweet to see it with me two years ago. My enjoyment of Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Ze Muzikal) was so immense that when I had no choice but to watch the movie version to while away my day in the province over the holidays, I laughed not because I thought the movie was funny (it was not), but because I remembered how the same scenes were hilariously played out in the stage version.

And so it also goes that in an apparent facebook trail, I managed to goad my jeje office friends (;p) to see it the next time it is staged (except that they decided that they will only see it if I go with them). Thus, take two--and a take two, really, that I didn't mind--this time with Eyz-Eyz and Chrizh. (The Hubby is tied up these days anyway with weekend duties at the Shang so it turned out to be a girl's Zsatuhrday out! =))

We had previously decided to meet up for lunch before the 3:00 p.m. matinee, but decided to forego our Yakimix buffet try-out in consideration of Eyz-Eyz's...uh...condition. ;p Not being familiar with the area, we agreed to meet up in CCP instead (yes, despite the title, sushal ang venue =)), and just take one car in search of wherever else we will finally eat. I arrived earlier than they did and quite serendipitously found that there are now eating places right beside CCP. After a quick run-through of the area, I squealed when I discovered there was an Army Navy Burger & Burrito outlet in one of the nooks (yes, I'm also babaw that way). Hubby Sweet had previously raved about it, having tried it in Tagaytay with his wakeboard buds, but I thought Tagaytay is a long way to go for a decent burger and burrito.

I immediately liked the place as soon as we climbed up the steps to get to the second floor (Yellow Cab was occupying the first level.) OUR MISSION: COME IN HUNGRY, WALK OUT HAPPY. Good mission, I thought. 'Hope they really deliver.


OK, so the plan was we will order different things after we surveyed the menu and realized that there was a lot we wanted to try (burgers, different types of burritos, cheesesteak sandwiches, quesadillas, etc., etc.!), but only so much that our stomachs could handle.


I decided to try the Burger that Hubby Sweet was raving about with sidings of Freedom Fries (think Twister Fries flavor, except they're straight. =)). Eyz-Eyz unsuccessfully tried to convince me to get the triple-decker. Hello! That's bigger than me, 'no! I decided to stay with the regular burger instead with no fancy toppings. Just lettuce, ketchup, mayo, mustard. Burger heaven, notwithstanding the simple condiments, although I did wish the burger were more compact. =) I also found that dipping Freedom Fries in a combination of ketchup, mustard and spicy garlic sauce is close to french fry nirvana. ^_^


That said, out came my two companions. Excitedly, I asked them what they ordered. Not having agreed on who will order what else, they decided to order THE. SAME. THING. Mga laos! Haha. ;D In any case, they both ordered the Steak Burrito. It was good and filling, but I'm not really a burrito fan. I actually don't see the point of wrapping and eating carb (rice) with another carb (tortilla wrap).



I suppose I can come back next time to try the others. (Army Navy is owned by the same group as Yellow Cab Pizza so I figured outlets will be mushrooming over the metro soon. =))

The outlet was small so we had no choice but to dine al fresco which we initially dreaded because of the noonday heat. Quite surprisingly, it was comfortably breezy outside, and the light breeze complemented our hilarious conversation over great food quite well. Situated next to the marina, we also got this view. Not bad for a P200-250/person meal (including drinks), right? =)

We had time to spare by the time we finished lunch so we all decided to skip over to the nearby Icebergs outlet for a halo-halo and mais con hielo fix. Diets be damned! Leche. Haha. =D

With 30 minutes to go, we decided to cross the street to the CCP Little Theater entrance. It was time for the show.

Zatuuuuur-nah! Ah! ;D

O, zsya! =D

SOUP FOR THE TIRED SOUL @_@

It's past 6:00 p.m on a Friday afternoon and I'm just about ready to keel over from sheer exhaustion. This has been a tiring, tiring week! Actually, come to think of it, this has been a tiring, tiring month! @_@

I just realized that every Monday, for the past 4 weeks, I've been sleepily hitting the snooze button to bargain for just a few more minutes in bed. In my half-awake, half-asleep state, I would pray to God, "Just get me through this week please, because I really don't know how on earth I'm going to survive it."

Then the week ends and I marvel at the fact that I did survive--only to find myself going through the same cycle the following week.

Right now, I'm running on empty, and all I really want is to go home, curl up in bed and sleep. But my car plate unfortunately ends with "0" (long story) so I'd have to stay put just a bit more.

I wish I had a bowl of Ukokkei Miso Chashu in front of me while I wait.


My pic does not really do it justice, but never mind. My taste buds remember how it really is. Springy noodles. Pork slices with subtle layers of fat that practically melt in my mouth. Hot, miso-based soup. Oh, yessssss......THE. SOUP. So flavorful, there is a growing legend about it turning unsuspecting first-time visitors into raving ramen addicts who couldn't care less about paying almost P400 for every bowl.

I wish I had a bowl in front of me right now so I can sip and feel the stressballs melt as the soup races through my veins.

It's 6:55.

Well, what do you know.

I can finally go home.

Happy weekend, everyone!

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For the curious, Ukokkei is at the Tesoro's Building along Pasay Road. If you're coming from Paseo de Roxas, turn right. If you're coming from Amorsolo, Ukokkei is about two buildings down from Kashmir.

URAMESHI-YA IN LITTLE TOKYO =)

We've had previous forays into the Japanese establishments near Makati Cinema Square. I've heaped praises on Sango, The Burger Master long before they decided to open it up for franchising (I haven't been to the Rockwell franchise though). We once went inside Yamazaki, the grocery store where we discovered quite a good serving of Japanese ramen. That said, we have never really been inside Little Tokyo--not until that day when stress levels for both Hubby Sweet and I were at heights so staggering, the only way to relieve it was to go on a new food adventure. There were other choices, of course, but....well....we wanted to get new DVD's too, and well....Little Tokyo was right next to the haven of dibidis. *Insert sheepish grin here, haha. =D*

Notwithstanding the usual after-office rush hour traffic along Pasong Tamo and in the general area of MCS, the Hubby and I were in high spirits. We decided to park in MCS and get the DVD's before proceeding to dinner. We got out through the Plaza Fair side-door, and it actually made me a little sad to see Plaza Fair in its current state. I used to frequent MCS as a kid, back when it was still new, and everything was bright and shiny. It isn't so anymore, but while the upper floors still held some sort of flea market charm with its DVD's and treasure troves of second-hand antique furnitures and trinkets, Plaza Fair has since regressed to just plain old, tired and dingy. I actually wondered if anyone still shopped there. "Oh, well," I thought, "it at least provided a convenient way to get to Little Tokyo."

We crossed the street to enter this inconspicous landmark. It's pretty easy to miss what with all the cars and street vendors stationed outside it.

We walked down the long alley which, I suppose, was meant to help you transition from the chaos outside to what you will unexpectedly find within. Hubby Sweet and I let out a collective sigh as we turned the corner to find a small pocket garden surrounded by tiny shops. All of a sudden, the bumper-to-bumper traffic outside--ironically just a few steps behind--seemed like it was a world away. Even the noise of honking cars seemed to have magically dissipated. Inside, there was peace and quiet. How quaint, I thought. How very Japanese. =)

We looked around, surveying the menus of the different mini-restaurants which were all conveniently posted outside. There was the usual Japanese fare: sushi, sashimi, ramen, tempura, teriyaki....etc., etc., but we didn't feel like regular Japanese fare that night. We were there to try something different. We hopped from one entrance to the next until we discovered this.

Ah, Urameshi-ya. =)

Amidst the ramens and the sushis, etc., we found a yakiniku place. Urameshi-ya is all about grilled food. Now I love yakiniku restaurants and have gone to a few during the Wander Years with BFF Apes and Tats. Unlike higher-end restaurants that have built-in electric table grills / gas stoves, however, the servers at Urameshi-ya bring an actual, charcoal griller to your table. Really. =) Anticipating the smoke, we decided to sit outside.

Hubby Sweet and I watched as our server went to the side of the restaurant entrance to retrieve a clay pot. She proceeded to fill it with unlit charcoal from a very big sack. Then she and a companion, quite ceremoniously, lit the coal up and fanned them alternately until they glowed. The experience actually seemed strangely synonymous to going to a friend's house just in time to catch them light up their makeshift griller for a regular-night-BBQ.

As we waited, Hubby Sweet and I surveyed the menu. One can choose to pick indivually from the list of items to order, but the Hubby and I are tamad so we just decided to go for the full set (approx P2,000++ at the time of our visit) which the server said would be good for two.

The set included 5 different proteins (beef, pork, intestines, tongue and I forgot the other one =)), served with salad, kimchi and soup. We had to order rice separately as it was not part of the deal, plus a side order of edamame just for the heck of it.

Service was quick, but that ought to be expected, I suppose, since we would be cooking our own food. =) When this was laid on our table, however, I initially thought we had over-ordered, thinking this could actually feed 3 (or even 4) people. Yari! =S



The heat from the tabletop charcoal grill radiated toward us as we grilled, but we didn't mind. I suppose it actually made everything seem better as we downed the hot-off-the-grill meat dipped in sweet-spicy sauce with spicy-sour kimchi and Japanese rice over several rounds of ice-cold drinks (beer for the Hubby, Coke Light for me). By the end of the meal, my earlier concern about over-ordering seemed ridiculous. The Hubby was apparently hungrier than I thought. Simot! Haha. =D

Now, you'd think we would have stopped at this, but as we discussed whether to go for dessert or not, we saw, from where we sat, a lone Takoyaki stand to one side of the garden.

I decided I wanted to try the takoyaki balls--despite the fact that I was already practically bursting at the seams with our yakiniku dinner. I wanted to see for myself how real takoyaki balls differ from the versions sold in the kiosks that have sprouted all over the metro. Turning to our server to ask for the bill since it has been decided that we will forego dessert, she all of a sudden blurted out, "Gusto niyo pong ibili ko kayo? "

"Pwede?" (We had to ask since adjacent establishments usually do not take kindly to one eating someone else's food at their table.)

"Opo. Ok lang yung dito. Magkakaibigan naman po yung mga may-ari. Japanese Pizza po, gusto niyo?" referring to another stand.

"Ay, wag na. Takoyaki balls lang. Next time na yung Japanese pizza," I replied, thinking what the heck is Japanese pizza anyway?! Haha. Still, I made a mental note to try it the next time we find ourselves in Little Tokyo.


The takoyaki balls cost P120 for six pieces which is really not too expensive--especially since you'd really feel the texture and taste the cuttlefish with the delicious blend of aioli and fish flakes in every single bite. Yup, this one was definitely way better than the takoyaki balls sold in the food kiosks that have sprouted all over the metro. =)


' Twas almost a good two hours by the time we finished. We ate unhurriedly. We took our time, happy to have discovered a pocket of peace amidst the chaotic metro in the middle of a particularly stressful week.

We paid for the bill (including the separate bill for the takoyaki balls which they conveniently brought to our table as well). As we got up to leave, our server said something in Japanese that I could not understand. I suppose she just meant to say thank you. Come back. I looked at her smiling. She seemed to have read my mind.

"Balik kayo, Ma'am," she nodded with a smile.

Then she continued before I could reply, "Chaka kung gusto niyo po ng dessert, may masasarap na Japanese ice cream dun sa Choto Stop Yung grocery po dun."

Haha. =D


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Urameshi-ya is in Little Tokyo beside Makati Cinema Square along Pasong Tamo in Makati.

Bit of trivia that we found out while conversing with our chika servidora. The owners of Urameshi-ya shuttle regularly between Japan and Manila.

They get fresh ingredients from Japan for Urameshi-ya.

From Manila, they bring fresh ingredients for the Filipino Restaurant they own in Japan.

Interesting, right? =)

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*