Back Home

It's Easter Sunday and it's only now that I've been able to get my bearings. I was away for a few weeks last month for a short stay in Germany, the Czech Republic and Budapest.

Oh Budapest! I love Budapest and would love to return for a longer stay. And as for the Czech Republic, it will always be my home away from home. But Germany, now I see it in a different way. Almost five years ago, I was in Berlin for the EU accession of the ten new members. Berlin was old, yet modern- very, very cosmopolitan. This time, I stayed in the west, in a small town called Gummersbach and travelled all the way east to Dresden.

There's so many pictures from that trip, it's taking awhile to sort it. For now, I leave you with some photos from a tour in Pampanga I joined in February, thanks to the expert guiding skills of Ivan Dy, Anton Diaz, and Ivan Henares of Ultimate Philippines.

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, which I'm sure have lots of spectacular photos online.

The best breakfast I've ever had, I had at C's Italian restaurant! Steak in the morning, smoked salmon, stewed mushrooms, sausages, ham, omelettes, fresh yogurt, fruits and juices just to name a few!

Just a sample of what I had for lunch at Abe's Farm
To cap the day, birdwatching in Candaba.

Overall, it was an enjoyable yet tiring day. Although breakfast at C's was truly memorable, after breakfasts at the Akademie in Gummersbach and the hotel in Dresden, I've changed my mind.

Old town in the city!

Welcome to San Juan!

I attended the wedding of a dear friend of mine last month, and the marriage rites were held at the Church of the Holy Cross - right next to Angelicum and Dominican College built in the 1600s.

I was just amused that it had the old town charm yet surrounded by contemporary city structures and modern malls, just a few kilometers away.

Such a pity I don't have pictures of the church facade. Either way, it was just such a darling wedding. It made me feel I was in the province for a traditional wedding in the afternoon.

On beer, Dvorak and Mt. Pinatubo

Finally, I found a day off and have the chance to upload. It's been awhile. The past few weeks, I've been craving for pub grub. I've been in the mood for dark beer and sausages. I did get to visit Donau something (haha! I forget, as usual) and got myself some currywurst and kielbasa - still not as tasty as the real thing.

Yesterday, I was also able to watch Ruggero Barbieri conduct the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz as pianist at the CCP. Cruz was just brilliant! I hear he will have another performance sometime in September at Insular in Alabang. The performance, entitled "Glimpses of Europe" was at the occasion of the Czech Republic currently holding the EU Presidency.

Either way, it was soothing to hear Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9. I still feel strangely connected to that country - especially after having been to Dvorak's hometown three years ago. Such a pity. His home was such a shack - regardless of whether it was next to the Nelahozeves Castle or not, it needs major renovation and maintenance. Reception followed. Chit-chat with old and new acquaintances.

Now on to my first adventure of the year: treking to Mt. Pinatubo!

Believe it or not, I saw an advert on Facebook, texted the number, got the details and booked myself and Diane. It was so much fun!

We rode a van with other tour participants and were in Capas, Tarlac in an hour and a half. After breakfast, it was a quick drive to the spa barangay of Sta. Juliana where we boarded the 4x4s. It was another hour and a half on bumpy and dusty road and clear waters before we trekked for over an hour to reach the crater.


The crater is just breathtaking! It felt surreal being inside a volcanic crater, Mt. Pinatubo at that! Its ashes even reached Manila when it erupted in 1991. Anyway, the water was sulfuric blue. As it was windy and nippy, the water was just as cold when we took a dip! Thank God for floaters, I wouldn't have felt secure to try the lake. It was so worth it! Except that it would really dry your hair until you wash it properly.

Crystal Beach and Beads

Hola!

I have been neglecting this blog for awhile. Blame it on barely having free time. Much of that time has been spent well though, including a surfing trip in San Narciso, Zambales and a day trip to Imus, Cavite.

I've got no interesting pictures to post from the surfing trip although I could say it is a very convenient place to go to. We took a Victory Liner bus (choose from their many stations in Manila) headed for Sta. Cruz, Zambales. As soon as we were on board, we told the conductor we were getting off in San Narciso. When we got there, we hired a tricycle, Php 15 per head to take us to Crystal Beach.


Crystal Beach is quite complete. It's got huts (optional with A/C), real meals and snacks, surf boards, instructors, bonfire, and of course the beach. The downside though is that they don't sell alcohol or encourage smoking. Not that I mind at all. But that could be such a bummer for most people on holiday.

I know Cavite is right next to Manila, and lots of people from Cavite work in Manila too. But it still seems like a world away despite all the shopping malls present at every town. I was stuck with E. on the coastal road for what seemed like 2 hours because of traffic. We eventually got to Imus to attend a friend's father's wake and met up with other friends.

We were quite surprised to see that the funeral home was quite grand, decent and classy given that it was along an internal service road in Imus. Each room had chandeliers and they were all made of Czech crystals! If only pictures could be taken during wakes but superstitious beliefs dictate otherwise.

Other than that, Christmas is underway with all the get-togethers with family and friends. With everything settled, it's nice to be finally home.

2010 and beyond!

"Bless the President so we will have forbearance, good health, the tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps who knows even beyond."

-Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, at the end of the opening prayer he led at the start of a Cabinet meeting in the Aguinaldo State Dining Room (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081118-172871/Arroyo-to-2010-prayer-Oh-my-God).

Here's today's front page:
Watching the "off the record" reaction of the President on TV was unbelievable. It was so much like her "I'm Sorry" speech.

Likewise, I can't believe I took part in ousting ERAP in EDSA when I was still in college. With Romulo's children no less! During that time, it seemed like the right thing to do. And even years later in Prague, I voted her. For sure, I wasted my overseas absentee vote. :(

What is happening to our country???? With the recent events, we should have more than hope that things will take the right course.

EU Network Meeting

The ballroom was quite empty given the ratio of attendees and the ballroom size. Present, were mostly EU expats, a number of diplomats, chamber members, and of course, local businessmen. Such events are good in fostering economic cooperation in the private sector through clubs and organizations.

Overall, it was a good event. Lots of prizes were given, and food was great. What left me outraged though, was a comment someone made from the Spanish group that San Sebastian is a "probinsya" and where the "probinsyana" who prefer mountains, beaches, good food and a laid back lifestyle live.

Personally, I don't find anything wrong with that. I suppose, if one has lived the fast-paced urban life, one would seek "probinsyana" lifestyle, once in awhile. At least for me, I can talk about experiencing both small and big city life, both in Europe and the Philippines.

Perhaps, I am more outraged because San Sebastian, in the Basque region, is my favorite place in Spain. It looks like Switzerland, where you replace the lakes with the sea, the mountains looming over, Michelin-rate restaurants, a royal summer getaway (much like Karlovy Vary), and everything a proper city offers except an airport (you have to go to Bilbao, an hour away, to fly out).

To each his own I guess. To be fair, after three days in San Sebastian, I had too much. I wanted to go back to the city, and 13 hours later by train, I was back in Madrid. It remains though, to be my favorite Spanish city. Perhaps, because it is not a touristy place, and one could really mingle with the locals.

I would write about San Sebastian and post pictures, but that can wait. For now, here are some pictures from tonight's cocktails:

Beef Yakiniku, chicken in a pastry dough, parma-ham wrapped asparagus with melon

Satay skewers, risotto balls with pesto sauces, and some empanada

The South of Manila Awaits!

More photos of random places in Quezon and Laguna:

Interiors of the Lucban Church
Pako for sale at P5 per bundle

"Ube" Funeral Home in Tayabas

Lucban Church

"Exotik" Meal

Lumban Church Interiors

The South of Manila is Worth a Visit!

                                                                            Interiors of the Tayabas Basilica

Who would have thought so much could be done in one weekend? I am talking about nurturing friendships, hilarious laughter, 7-kilometer dark roads, countless churches, the Laguna and Caliraya lakes, quaint provincial towns, breakfast at the plaza, a deluxe room with a view, eclectic cafes and hotels, and, the palaisdaan among others.

It’s been a trip long overdue. After blocking our schedules for weeks, I finally took a weekend off with E. and M. Another friend was supposed to join us, but he was off to Pakistan yesterday. Suffice to say, three girls, with E. on the wheel, had so much fun!

Nilagang Baka at Langka

We took the “backdoor route” to southern Luzon through Rizal, and Laguna, before spending the night in Lucban, Quezon. We practically stopped at every interesting town that either had a beautiful church, sold some delicacy (Budin in Tayabas, Quezon or Queso in Lumban, Laguna) or when we were simply hungry (Nilagang baka at langka in Pagsanjan or steamy sinigang na tanigue sa miso in Kalayaan, both in Laguna).

Lake Caliraya

It was a beautiful drive with the Laguna de Bay on one side, and mountains looming on the other. At one point, the man-made Caliraya Lake sitting on top of the mountain was right there, overlooking Laguna de Bay. We did encounter lots of “overlooking” resorts in between Rizal and Laguna, as well as bukal and batis resorts. Those were not included in our stops though.

I am just amazed with what Philippine provinces can offer. This side of Laguna, and the parts of Rizal and Quezon we drove through were quite rural (without malls at least), yet were full of cosmopolitan flavor.

While waiting for the 7PM mass at the Lucban Church, we spent an hour or so having nachos, beer, banana and langka turon, iced amaretto coffee and tasty spicy sausages, with real Portuguese bossa nova in the background. Gravel flooring, dim lights, cheap printed plastic tablecloths, and open-air dining. Yet it was all hip, and kitschy. I am talking about Café San Luis, right off Lucban’s main square. Right behind our hotel, Patio Rizal.

E. notes that Patio Rizal is the perfect residence when one vistits Lucban for Pahiya. I certainly agree. Our room had two balconies: one facing the plaza, and the other facing Rizal street. With A/C, cable tv, and a bath with a tub, it is more than one would expect. Service is excellent. Staff are there when needed, and they’re not the overeager sort.

Another place one should either visit is Mi Casa en Tayabas. It would certainly be your home in Taybas! Walking around to buy Budin from the Quezon Museum, we stumbled upon this Mexican/Moroccon looking establishment. It was so colorful! Its walls were painted, floor tiles had different designs, it has glass doorknobs, bottle lamps and so much more. The food was tasty enough but should be presented better. And they serve Heineken beer!

When we were in Lumban to buy cheese, a street vendor even let us in his neighbor’s house so we could go home with P50 bag of salty delights. In Paete, a serving of tokwa was just P10. We were just strolling along and discovered this tiny garage full of wooden tables that served special halo-halo for P40 each. It was a nice way to wait for the rain to stop.

We ate at lots of places (including what should have been Kamayan Palaisdaan, instead of just Palaisdaan) and made several stops along the highway but we surprisingly visited lots of churches. My favorites though are the churches in Tayabas: the interiors of the Basilica and the exterior of the Purple church (which is actually just used for wakes, and is not real church). I like Tayabas. It’s artistic. But Lucban, is homey and relaxing.

It was one fun weekend. Yet, I still wonder why males (from youngsters to men) always carry a bolo with them. Our take is to cut through the thick foliage (especially in Luisiana, Laguna).

Paete Church

Lucban longganisa for breakfast at the Plaza

Lucban Church and Buddy's on the left

Eating in Cagayan de Oro City

Tonight, my co-volunteer M. asked me if I knew any Pizza Hut branches in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) city. Frankly, I could not remember any. My guess is that there should be one, either at SM or at Limketkai. Those two are the only commercial establishments I remember that house Manila-based brands.

When we were living there, we mostly sampled the local food and restaurants. Although we also frequented SM for Mang Inasal's, and because it was the closest decent place to eat from SEARSOLIN, Barangay Lumbia, and any post-water rafting trip. If we were somewhere in the city center, we'd go to Limketkai for familiar brands like Pancake House.

But in Ketkai, as we called it, there's an al fresco strip, that I think is even better than Greenbelt, and would rival the Fort. I only say so because one would expect a province to be backward, but CDO is definitely not. This strip, which has a name I forget, has seafood restaurants, sleek cosmopolitan bar-restos serving Thai food, a dessert place, an American resto, a Brazilian bar with live jazz acts and more.

How I wish I can remember the names as I lived there for awhile, and CDO is the only other place in the Philippines I'd consider living at if I had to move out of Manila.

Talking about the food establishments one can find in the Divisoria area alone would make you realize that CDO is a hip city. On weekends, the entire plaza is closed off and lined with open grills, blind masseuses, fruit vendors, and performers. And the shopping or ukay-ukay. On any given night, there's the Park Cafe in front of Xavier University.

In the smaller streets in the area, one would find an authentic Pakistani restaurant, an Italian restaurant that serves heavenly pizza and gelato, an Austrian cafe, and English restaurant with chips that bring you back to England, and even a Chinese restaurant that serves oyster cakes you'd want to have regularly. Those are just ones that I can remember, and now I am hungry!

So you see, even in Makati, I can't think of an area where restaurants serving such cuisines would be within a distance of a kilometer.

And yes, I eventually remembered that there is a Pizza Hut at the Gaisano Mall, along the highway. The last time my co-volunteers and I ate there, they customized a veggie pizza for D. to eat. They made it vegan. Now, that is service.

Diwali Festival at AIM

At AIM's main lobby

A few weeks back, the South Asian student population of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) celebrated the Diwali Festival. It was a night of overflowing booze, dancing, fashion shows, songs, and other worthy performances around the Zen Garden.

Essentially, "one of the biggest festivals of Hindus, Deepawali or Diwali in India is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and happiness. This festival is celebrated for five continuous days, with the third day being celebrated as the main Diwali or as 'Festival of Lights'. Fireworks are always associated with this festival. The day is celebrated with people lighting diyas, candles all around their house. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. Diwali gifts are exchanged among all near and dear ones." (http://www.diwalifestival.org/)

At the Zen Garden

There were indeed lots of lights - on the trees, around the grounds. But my friends and I did not stay long enough to finish the show. We moved to a local wine bar in the nabe for a nightcap.

Another reason why I like my neighborhood!