Almond & The Hazelnut

Life. I love those moments when you remember just how beautiful it is. Here in the Philippines, the weather has cooled substantially as the rainy season sets in, and the change is most welcomed. The afternoons now are marked by a light drizzle or, a heavy shower, but the temperature remains pleasant and the pitter patter of the water droplets on the tin roofs comforts with its rhythmic beat.

Typically, it is through food that I experience such moments — that earth-shattering hazelnut gelato, the first bite of an almond coated chocolate… oohhh…. — but with my belly out of sorts and my taste buds missing in action, I find my pace slowed and with it, my other senses heightened.

The Philippines is a great place to be in in such a state of mind, for it’s a place where beauty, quirky traits and charming peculiarities jump out at you both endlessly and, when you least expect it.

Continue reading » 10 Ways Filipinos Make me Smile

I find myself quite sick at the moment. I seem to have acquired a parasite — giardiasis or amebiasis or some other form of -iasis — somewhere in Bicol on my recent travels there.

In the process, I’ve also discovered that I’m not one of those ‘good’ sick people. You know, the types that are stoic, don’t complain and who you wouldn’t even know were sick had they not told you so.

Nope, I’m of the ‘annoying’ breed. Over the top and dramatic. I’m that girl that everyone has to know just how god damn sick I’m feeling every minute of the day and make sure that everyone else is sharing in my pain. Do you feel me, do you?!

Continue reading » Sick.

Numerous people have written about Antonio’s. Even more have been there. And almost all who go end up falling in love with the place. Such at least, was the case for me.

Sent out on the road again to do a travel segment on Camarines Sur and then Bicol, the former a water sports, namely wakeboarding, wonderland, the latter a region known for the massive, majestic whale sharks who migrate there between February to May, I’d invited some friends to join me for the weekend. Work and pleasure, it’s the balance to life right?

So up and early we were on Friday morning, off to the airport and on time we arrived (unusual for Filipinos; more so for Manilenos, where traffic is unpredictable and snail paced at best).  Yes, all was looking good! We were on the plane and after an hour of flight time the curve of Cam Sur’s coastline could be seen ahead. Then, the announcement came:

Continue reading » Antonio’s at Tagaytay

In Pampanga, I was lucky enough to meet a guy called Poch.  His real name alludes me at the moment, but in the Philippines, your nickname surpasses your real one at birth — both in use and in the creativity that inspired it! Take my cousins Ace, Bunny and Milka — while I do love my own name, there’s something decidedly cool about being named after a chocolate!

Poch is a top guy and as owner, along with his family, of one of the most popular and well-known eateries in Pampanga, Everybody’s Cafe, his food connections in town are as hot as the sizzling plate he serves his sisig on — and seemingly out of town too.

Hearing that I was next off to Negros for the second part of my article, I saw Poch stealing mid-meal breaths to text away to his friends down south. As we moved around town, trying the local delicacies of sweet tocino here and succulent longanissa there, my itinerary was taking shape. By the time I left, I was set to become the next ‘Sugar Baroness’ of Negros and even had a driver who’d be picking me, with a sign and all, at the airport!

Continue reading » Welcome to the land of Piayas!

I feel truly touched by the hospitality I have experienced here in the Philippines. In any context, from family, it is somewhat expected but, not a given. Yet the enoturage of titas (aunties), titos (uncles) and pinsan (cousins) I have here have gone above and beyond their call of duty, stuffing me full of food and pinching my cheeks in an expression of welcome that is truly Filipino.

And I have growing love handles and a rosy complexion to prove it.

Yet, I have seen this hospitality in more than just my family. From the hugs and soft touches my Tagalog teacher bestows upon me to the invitations to dine with people I have just met, I see it everywhere. Sure, I’m a little more dubious of the tricycle drivers’ half-winking intentions, but — touch wood — I ain’t got a scratch on me yet bar those caused by my own (*cough*) drunken clumsiness.

And from what I can see, it has a lot to do with how the Filipinos’ understand the notion of family.

Continue reading » Hospitality and Halo Halo