Crisps, Crisps, Crisps

If there's a snack I can have indefinitely, it's chips or in British English, crisps. As a child, Jack 'n Jill barbecue chips and V-cut were my local favorites. The imported Lays and Ruffles would be luxuries (actually, even until now). Of course, there were other kinds of chips like Sun Chips and tortilla chips but nothing comes close to good old potato chips.

Growing up, I very much enjoyed chips homemade style that were previously available at Oliver's Sandwiches. Eventually, I loved the chips at Dome Cafe, which I found out, was actually supplied by my uncle (of Jed and Julian's). I'm talking about chips similar to what is served at Cibo, except that those at Oliver's and Dome Cafe were tastier - as if there were bits of paprika and rock salt.

While living in the Czech Republic, practically every chip brand was heaven. After all, I was in the heart of Europe, potatoes were plenty. My then favorite was Bohemia Chips. That familiar crimson bag just stops time and takes me back to pleasant memories. In my more recent sojourn in the UK, I fell in love with Sensations Crisps. From plain and simple Walkers to the distinct flavours of Sensations chips - lime and Thai spice were my favorite then. Whenever I'd see those large bag of Sensations, I would just dream I can afford them all the time -- they were quite pricey crisps even for those who had work and welfare.

So it's with so much delight that I finally found my new favorite crisps here at home, courtesy of Red Rock Deli. Oh thick, firm, flavourful crisps! I first tried the Lime and Black Pepper and was an immediate fan. Even my dad and sister are addicted. I've compared prices and it's cheapest at Cherry Foodarama (118p), most expensive at SM (148p), and mid-priced at Landmark (130p) more or less last time I checked. I tried the Honey Soy Chicken flavor last week but I found it bland in terms of flavor. If Red Rock's not your thing, there's more in the market now. Got to love Manila for having choices!

   

Razon's of Guagua

Last weekend, I found myself having late lunch at Razon's of Guagua along Timog Avenue. I was waiting for my dad and as soon as I saw Razon's, my choice for lunch was made. When I think of Razon's, usually the Pancit Luglug, Sisig or the Sizzling Bulalo come to mind. And I normally order the Sizzling Bulalo. But since I was eating alone, that would be too much. And for Php 230 per order (without rice), the Bulalo did not fit my impromptu lunch out. Meanwhile, the Pancit Luglug would be so bitin (definitely not enough) for my healthy appetite. So Sizzling Sisig it is!

Now to order one entire sizzling plate with additional rice or the combo meal which had a reasonable portion of the Sisig with rice and egg? For only PhP140, I opted for the latter and just told the lady at the counter I was going to have water as beverage. Once I said water, the lady directed me to an obscure counter where a water cooler and a stash of glasses were located - clean and dirty glasses next to each other. I requested for my glass to be washed, which a staff thankfully did, got my own water, and found myself a table.

Yes, this is a self-service eatery (so I won't refer to it as a restaurant). Actually, as I will eventually write, Razon's reminds me of a fast food chain without service. Perhaps I was just surprised that it was a self-service eatery despite the number of staff present -- there were more staff than diners at any one point -- even if the diners were just there for Halo-halo.

Almost like a fast food restaurant where you go to the counter to order and pay for your food and drinks, the only difference at Razon's is that they bring the food to you, quite quickly actually. And there it was, my Sizzling Sisig with a bright yellow egg sunny side up!

To be honest, I only find the Halo-halo great at Razons's (other diners who came and went while I was there seem to think so too because that's all they ordered) and everything else is just okay. That means it is likely better somewhere else. And that is exactly how I found their Sisig. I very much enjoyed eating Sisig at Grilla, Dencio's, Gerry's or at Aysee's (I wonder if it is still open). So Sisig at Razon's is more for nourishment (if fats can really nourish) than for enjoyment. To redeem the lunch, I should have ordered Halo-Halo. But it was too late, I had to go. And I don't think I'm coming back very soon.

Razon's of Guagua. Unit 11 Timog Commercial Complex. Phone: 3766434/3766545

Still Here!

Another holiday has passed - Ninoy Aquino's death anniversary - yet it was just a typical Saturday except that people did not have to work. I saw some banners and flowers at the People Power Monument along EDSA yesterday morning and that's about it.

I've been busy the past few months living life - work, family, friends. Even if I did not blog, it does not mean my love for anything food and travel was put on hold. Since the last holiday (Independence Day on June 12) where I took a daytrip to Corregidor Island with some friends to learn more about the 2nd World War in the Philippines, I've been to Hong Kong, Macau, and have been eating out a lot in Manila. Of course, there are heaps of pictures and stories to tell. Someday, you'll see them all here.

But for tonight, I leave you with the August issue of ABS-CBN's Food Magazine. I don't usually buy food magazines but this particular issue caught my eye at Mini Stop one weeknight. Surprisingly, this issue is not much about food as it is about drinks! Aaaaahhh! The August issue is full of thirst quenchers! I'm not talking about fresh fruit drinks but beer, wine and cocktails! And the perfect food to take them with.

FOOD August 2010 Cover

Yummy foreign beers in the market. I particularly want to try some Trappistes beers at Distellery.

And the cocktails, which I will always give up if there's no good brew on offer

Of course, there's the wine I only know by preference
(note to self: attend winetasting lessons soon)

Lastly, there's Turkey -- the country I will visit and discover someday.

Canapes, Beer and the World Cup!

Canapes can roughly translate to finger food, often served during cocktails. It's just that canapes sound so French and the ones I love are Spanish ones -- stuffed with chorizo and cheese! However they're called, I sometimes have the occasional craving for these salty, flaky, puffed bites from Dulcinea, a mid-priced Spanish chain all over Manila. Although it was Dulcinea staff who referred to these as "canapes" I will not dare call them tapas either. Tapas to me are not made of puff pastry and baked.

After a long day at Corregidor yesterday, without any real delicious food, I came home craving for some "canapes" and Cerveza Negra - a local dark beer. Thankfully, Dulcinea was near enough, and with just 97p per 100 grams, it was certainly easy to give in to my cravings. I chose a box full of cheese twists, one stuffed with ham and cheese, tuna, and chorizo! Yum! With a chilled bottle of beer at 35p at Rustan's next door, I was all set for Argentina vs. Nigeria!

Prichon Wraps

If you think fried piglet is horribly strange, you are mistaken because that is what exactly Prichon is. In the Philippines, an entire pig is traditionally roasted on open fire called Lechon. But a few years ago, yummy Prichon was born. I must admit, I've only tried it once less than ten years ago at some Spanish restaurant along Jupiter Street (I'm not mentioning the restaurant as it is not the point of this entry) and was not pleased. Then I forgot about Prichon. Lechon was more than fine.

Photo from Charlie's Prichon

Then this morning, on a sudden stroll around Salcedo Market to get a present for our Argentine guest, I re-discovered Pritchon. I, like the rest of my family, love roast duck wraps: roasted duck with some cucumber slivers, spring onions and hoisin sauce wrapped in thin pita bread. It's just a no fail snack we love.

At an average looking booth was a humble sign: Pita Wraps. My apologies for not having pictures, I was there for an errand and not a leisurely walk. Slightly thicker than cheese sticks, it was pritchon bits with cucumber and hoisin wrapped in an almost crepe-like cover. Yummy! salty, sweet, fresh and just right. Except that after my first round of the market, I came back and got another roll. For just 50p, it was a treat!

Philippine Elections 2010

The festive mood outside our precinct

Being in Manila for the first time during elections since I turned 18 (in 2004, I lived in Prague, and in 2007, I lived in Leeds), I've really been keen to vote this time. After all, it seems that this year, a new President would make a lot of difference, hopefully positive ones.

After queuing for almost a day just to register last year, I was in no mood to lose my chance and be disenfranchised. Last 10 May, my family leisurely went to the voting precinct past 2 in the afternoon. More than a week prior, I already noticed my name missing from COMELEC's online precinct finder. Whatever. I am gonna go and vote.

And when I got to the designated elementary school, a young PPCRV volunteer directed me to the wrong floor (for my precinct) even if I knew already based on the boards outside. She did not check my name, just my precinct # on the stub. Then turns out, my name's not on the voter's list outside the classrooms, the masterlist next to the PICOS machines, the principal's masterlist and the ppcrv computers.

As I absolutely wanted to vote, I went to COMELEC and found out they misspelled my name and placed me in a different barangay. After much checking, somebody had to write the precinct chairman in my correct barangay and precinct to allow me to vote. So despite the hassle, I happily exercised my right to suffrage. Who knows if I will still be able to vote come the next elections?

At the time of writing, Noynoy Aquino has lead the tally with former President Estrada in second place for the top post of the land. Although I did not vote for Noynoy (I voted for Gordon, whom I believe has much more to show for in terms of demonstrated capacity and political will), my vice presidential bet is leading the race despite the controversy as the Liberal bet Mar Roxas has not conceded yet. I believe in liberal ideas but in the Philippines, theory, is certainly far from practice.

It's the second time we're having an Aquino for a president. We've had a Macapagal twice as Commander in Chief too. And although Estrada might not get a second chance, his family is well in place politically. With our entertaining array of top elected senators, and with GMA, officially proclaimed as congresswoman in Pampanga, what will happen to our country? Education, governance, political will? Whatever!

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sorry for the orange text in the middle. For some reason, despite changing the color, it stays the same - orange.

Cultura en Manila

Life has been pretty steady, bordering on boring. I have not traveled since Mactan although there are heaps of photos to organize and good eats to write about.

For the longest time, I've been on a "best roast duck" hunt in Manila with my dad. And so far, surprisingly, the best one is with Go! Fan at SM City Annex in Quezon City. Kiss the Cook Cafe also has good duck wraps with hoisin and spring onions we keep on craving for.

Roast Duck from Go! Fan

And since the first quarter of 2010, Lorenzo's Way at Greenbelt 5 has been one of my favorite restaurants. I just love the fact that I can rely on the quality of their food and leave not only nourished but seriously delighted with my dining experience. Food is guaranteed to be flavourful and they don't make you wait forever to indulge in gastronomic delights. Aside from the seafood couscous, one of my favorite entrees there is the Clams Malaguena. Yummy clams swimming in its own sauce with serrano ham and pine nuts!

Clams Malaguena from Lorenzo's Way

And to break this linear life of work and eating out, I'm going to Dia del Libro at Instituto Cervantes tomorrow. Time to brush up on my forgotten first foreign language. Books, films, and a Latin party!

Dia del Libro

I leave you with a one stop shop for Cultura en Manila - Spanish style! Hezky vikend!

Hello 2010!

The past few months have been a blur. I finally have a job at an international development organization, and the semester's almost over. I'm certainly going to miss my students and being in the classroom. Meanwhile, I spent a weekend in Cebu with my former co-volunteers and did some mangrove planting at Olango Island to boot! So here's a few snapshots from our hotel in Mactan.

Summer's almost here and it means we're getting closer and closer to election day. With El Nino and rotational powercuts around, I wonder if successful elections will merely be a dream or a reality. One thing's for sure, I haven't received my voter's I.D. (I had to transfer my registration from Prague to Manila).

2009 was a grand travel year with several local and international destinations like Budapest, Bangkok, Jakarta, Bicol and Bohol. I'm hopeful 2010 would make my passport colorful and my mileage high. Haha! But on a serious note, although I got accepted to attend graduate school at the Hague and Budapest this year, I wish more exciting things will come along professionally. There should be something to look forward to this year apart from good health for my family and friends. :)