Kulinarya in Pampanga

A Pampanga culinary tour is always a daunting task. But a culinary tour in Pampanga with a group of Chinese foodies...awww... that's much more of a challenge. It's like someone threw the gauntlet at my face. Thankfully, the group i toured with had an "awww-shucks mentality" they weren't expecting to be mesmerized by anything but just a day trip where they could just be themselves and eat!

We (meaning myself, the coach captain, and Rajah representative Anine) were at the appointed area at exactly half past six in the  morning. It didn't take a long wait before part of the guests started filing into the coach one by one- bags of pan de sal with chicken salad filling, an ice chest of bottled water. I quipped with "you have sandwiches? I thought you guys were waiting to be fed..." to which they retorted we still have to pick up some passengers at Sto. Domingo then we can expect to eat more... Wasn't that funny?

Anyway, from Binondo to Sto Domingo, my commentaries were filled with historical insights of the locations we passed and the visual points along the way as well. When we picked up the rest of the party at Sto. Domingo, it was more of conversation and exchanges of views along the way. All the way to the first stop on our itinerary which was the  San Guillermo church in Bacolor. 

The massive church was all but buried by pyroclastic material emitted by Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Two thirds of the entire building was buried in lahar. Now, in order to get into the church, one has to go through what used to be the window on the second level. Yes, the door used to be an arched window.

A stop-over in Bacolor means the next item on the itinerary can't be far behind. Since we were in the vicinity, a side-trip to the Betis Crafts Inc. was de rigeur. The owner was very accommodating, she showed the entire party the showroom of the facility, the divisions that were responsible for a particular step in the developments of their products. She basically showed us her enclave... her home! And the guests loved it! While in mid-swing, (they were sitting and enjoying the giant swing) I had to interrupt their hypnotic swaying as we had to navigate towards Aching Lillian's home. That was short and sweet.... and yes, waiting for another visit! Anyone need a gold-leafed doggie bed?

It was mid morning by the time we got to Aching Lillian's home. Ever the gracious hostess, Aching Lillian was in the thck of preparations for a brunch spread that consisted of Tidtad, Pistu, Paksing Gule, Paksing Damunyu, Galantina, Suman Bulagta, Pako, Ensaymada and Panecillos de San Nicolas. One of the guests was actually a student of Aching Lillian's daughter who happens to be a professor in one of the better schools in Manila. The treat for the uests was having the kids try their hands at making the Panecillos de San Nicolas. That never fails! Needless to say, we took home some of the goodies Aching Lillian had prepared.

It was way past lunch when we got to San Fernando. Both church and museum were closed! I had to think fast. Dessert! I brought them first to Suzie's to try the Tibok-Tibok and the Moche. It was 34 degrees in the shade so the airconditioning was a welcome respite. Corazon's had moved! We had to call them to send someone to pick us up! If anything could go wrong during a tour, this was the day... I'm glad they enjoyed the Halo-Halo as well, But there was one more stop...

We had to go to Everybody's Cafe for the party to try the exotic Pampango foods like Kamaru and Betute. It's the height of summer - scrap the betute! No frogs can be found in the paddies when they're all cracked and dry. The Kamaru was a delight for the guests... much like eating crisps. They enjoyed it. Unfortunately, Ms Pette Jorolan was at home this Sunday afternoon. So the kitchen was opened to only three of the guest for them to try their hand at cooking the crickets.  

Finally, what a way to end the day by bringing the guests for a sneak peek of the Sto. Rosario Church in San Fernando. While the guests were marvelling at the massive church, Anine was busy sneaking to buy the surprise give-aways of Tibok-tibok and Pastillas and other glorious kakanins. It had been a long day with many twists and turns but hey, that's the way the Panecillos de San Nicolas crumbles...