BONIFACIO DAY TREAT

Today, 30 November, 2011 was declared a special non-working holiday. It's Bonifacio Day! We honor the Supremo for his selfless contribution in bringing independence to fruition. Bonifacio's humble beginnings was looked upon with disdain by the Spaniards and with an almost critical eye by the illustrados. He was looked upon as a pariah because he was not well-schooled and he supported himself by selling fans and walking canes in the Binondo area prior to his ascent to "notoriety" during the Philippine revolution against Spain. He and lived and worked in Chinatown even getting married to Gregoria de Jesus at Binondo church ( but that's another story.)

Sto. Nino Church in Tondo

I had promised myself I was going to hear Mass at the Sto. Nino de Tondo, so I woke up a little earlier than usual to get there promptly before the eucharistic celebration. I was delighted to have arrived just a few minutes prior to nine a.m. Mass. Built around 1625, this historic church has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. First it was destroyed as a safety measure to ward of Chinese revolts due to Koxinga's  pirate incursions in Manila. Then, there were successive earthquakes and fires that continually plagued its very existence. It was dutifully rebuilt, however, to cater to the spiritual needs of both Filipinos and Chinese flock. It is massive and yet simple in design. Constructed using volcanic tuft, the church measures 65m long, 22m wide and 17m high. The church is dedicated to the Holy Infant Jesus much like the first image that was handed to Rajah Humabon's wife, Maniwantiwan of Cebu,  who after baptism was named Dna. Juana.

Sto. Nino image 

When I got home at mid-morning, I got a call from my friend June Recto who asked me to join Sarita and Fides for lunch at Greenbelt, Makati. In order to get there, I had to ride a jeepney to Zobel Roxas. As we were crossing the railroad parallel to Osmena Highway, this PNR train stalls blocking both Zobel Roxas and Pablo Ocampo streets... I had to walk to June's house and from there we took a cab to Greenbelt.

Greenbelt 3 promenade

So June and myself met Sarita at the Banana Leaf restaurant on the second level of greenbelt three and we started chatting and laughing all the way from the time starters were served until the dessert arrived. 

We literally gorged on asian cuisine starting with prawn balls and the spring rolls. 

Spring rolls

Then came Roti with two kinds of dip: condensed milk and curry. And then one by one the dishes started arriving on the table, ably served by Jasper.

Roti with dips

The next dish served was the Pomelo Salad that had shrimp and bits of shredded chicken and garlic chips with it.

We had (clockwise) Alfalfa Greens, Shrimp coated in Oats,  Blackened Lamb, Thai Rice, Shrimp Curry and Braised Pork. We relished the meal completely and downed glasses of freshly-squeezed Dalandan juice as we went along. Finally, we had had enough and we ordered a simple dessert of tapioca much like a maha-mais...

We gorged on great food and enjoyed great company... Eventually, we just needed to have our coffee fix so we headed for Cafe Breton at the ground floor to get our caffeine boost... 

It was just too much fun!