Palaisdaan's Delights

After visiting Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon, my friends and I went straight to the town proper and visited St. William the Great Church. The centuries old church is the main religious center of Lucban. It has been destroyed and rebuilt three times  over the years and it now still proudly stands as the cradle of faith in the town. 

Lucban, however, celebrates its main festival of PAHIYAS during which time most of the houses in the area are lavishly and profusely decorated with produce to honor San Isidro Labrador. Actually, part of the decor of the winning house in competition last year is a replica of the church in miniature done in coconut husk and imaginatively festooned with florets of corn husk and crepe paper. This is prominently displayed in the church convento entrance as we walked in that overcast morning of January 23rd.

Just a brief jaunt from the church and we found ourselves purchasing dozens of Lucban longganisa (native sausages with lots of garlic and a little vinegar). Eker and Ely's is the store to go if you want these tasty meat treats. They've been producing these for years in a little store at the back of the church that also, incidentally a bakeshop! The smaller sized longganisa sells for P120.00/dozen while the larger ones sell at P140.00/dozen. 

It's so worth it if you ask me. I normally add a little water to the sausages in a frying pan and let the liquid evaporate to render the fat. When all of the water's dried up, i pierce the sausages with a fork rather carefully to let the oil within seep out. It should be done with utmost care or you'll have red oil on your shirt or apron. When the sausages are cooked to a crisp, I take them out of the pan and substitute rice on the remaining oil to make fried rice. How delectable is that?

That errand done, we proceeded to Palaisdaan just on the outskirts of the town. The restaurant is located in Tayabas. It has two branches across each side of the road. The newer dining facility actually stays open late in the evening on weekends for some live bands. What's interesting about this restaurant is that they serve local cuisine in quaint huts on bamboo rafts floating in a lagoon. Some of the catch from the pond are actually served on the menu. While waiting for the food to arrive, some people wave to a lady with a basket selling Pilipit (mashed squash formed into a donut shape and dipped in sugar syrup). Did I mentioned how yummy and filling it can be?

For a late lunch, our party ordered Ginataang Kuhol (escargot in coconut milk), Crispy Tadyang ng Baka (deep fried ribs with a vinegar/soy sauce dip), Ginataang Hipon (Shrimp in coconut milk broth), Pancit Canton (asian noodles cooked Lucban style), Sisig (minced pork cheek in a sizzling plate), Pinaputok na Pusit (grilled stuffed squid)... and for dessert, we had five orders of Leche Flan (flan made of milk and egg yolks and steamed in a caramelized pan).

Needless to say, we were so hungry, we ate every morsel of the food laid out before us. Everything was fresh and tasty. The side dips were the perfect complement. And the five trays of Leche Flan? ... Uhhh... What Leche Flan?... =)

Next time you're in the Tayabas/ Lucban area, check it out... the food is great and the prices are reasonable!

Eat's All Good!

On a road trip to Quezon province we stopped at Rose and Grace, a road side cafe that's a  stone's throw away from the boundary of Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Don't expect a fine-dining restaurant! The food is served carinderia style much like an office canteen... but nicer.

Everything is spick and span. The place is clean with table settings arranged in groupings. The washrooms are big and clean as well.  Obviously, they cater to families and tourists who frequent the place. There are also cushioned sofas for those who prefer more intimate gatherings away from the maddening crowd. 

On this particular Monday, we arrived early having left Manila at half past five. By 7:30, we were at the food counter figuring out what we were having for breakfast. We weren't disappointed! At this early hour, one would expect that the servers would be scrambling to make themselves and the restaurant presentable to the dining public. But they were prepared for us arriving. We were the first customers there so parking was not a problem.

I decided on having the daing the biya (dry-salted freshwater fingerlings), sinaing na tulingan (tuna boiled in tamarind broth), sinangag ( fried rice) and tocino. The steaming clear soup was served by a waiter from a stainless steel pitcher. It tasted of bulalo, which was very good. I could have had more but I was concerned about controlling my bladder for the rest of the trip ahead.

The sinangag had just the right amount of garlic into it. The daing na biya was as salty as it should be. I wasn't about to complain. I liked it that way! It was very crispy and it went so well with a dip of vinegar and bits of chili in it. Halfway through the crispy fish I was thinking what a great day this was going to be!

 

By the time I got to the sinaing na tulingan, it was half consumed. I took a snap of it anyway. The perfect sawsawan for it was kalamansi and sili with patis (fish sauce). I shared some of the fish so my companios could try it. Before I knew it, the tocino was all but gone. Did I miss much? I don't think so...

Having had our fill we left Rose and Grace with enough energy for the rest of the day. That was really good eats... YUMM-O!

Our Lady Visits Manila

January 24-25 was a day of celebration for the "soldiers of Christ" in Manila. Our Lady of Fatima's pilgrim image arrived at the Manila Cathedral for veneration. It was an open invitation for Manilenos to come and visit our Lady of Fatima and re-connect, as it were, with her gentle love and grace.

I was fortunate to have made it ti the noon Mass at the Cathedral. Extra monobloc chairs have been placed to accommodate the public who were there for the same reason. Whatever their petitions were, it was obvious that each and every individual there had been touched by a palpable energy that the image manifested. It's as if the image was alive.

I was given a small pamphlet that included prayers for Her and the pledge to spread the veneration to her Immaculate heart. I was moved by the eyes of the image. On the base of her foot, a sign  read: "Do not touch the image. Let her touch you." standing in front of her after Mass, the pilgrim image was surrounded by the flock who whipped out the camera phones to take a gazillion photos of her. I came prepared... I had my trusty digicam with me. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Actually, I wasn't surprised that the cathedral was packed with devotees. We Filipinos, after all, are Marian folllowers at heart. Each and every macho Pinoy guy is really attached to his mother. The women of the other hand, look up to her for strength and inspiration. 

The image itself is so simply garbed. It's difficult to understand that there is tremendous amount of funding for the image's travels and upkeep. And yet, the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima is simply draped in a white embroidered mantle. And when you look into the image's eyes, it's a if you were looking at the eyes of a live woman who's vision could pierce through your own soul.

The international pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima came into being after the Vatican acknowledged its veracity. The Lady of Fatima appeared to three peasant children in Portugal in the summer of 1917. Fernando, Jacinta and Lucia were busy tending their flock when they heard a woman calling to them. She gave them a message for them to spread to the world. Pray! for conversion of sinners and for peace. Noone believed them! 

Eventually the Lady told them that on October 13, 1917, She will give them a sign so that all may believe. When the day had arrived, it had been raining profusely the night before and the morning of the appointed date. Skeptics and cynics, as well as agnostics were chiding the children for spreading lies. It was then that the miracle of the dancing sun occurred. All the skeptics were floored! The mud had dried, the rain had stopped and the healing started. Fernando and Jacinta died early as prophesied by the Lady. Lucia became a Carmelite nun and eventually passed on. Her secret revealed at Fatima but kept under wraps was eventually revealed by Pope Joh Paul II. Since then, Fatima had become a site for pilgrims to converge and pray for petitions to our Lady.

The image that arrived in Manila is the same one that had been sent out to tour the world since 1947. She has since gone around the world spreading her message of praying the rosary for peace in the world and for the conversion of souls. She also asks that the faithful pray for sinners. Only then can mankind be saved from self-destruction. It has been recorded that the image had shed human tears at least thirty times. For fifty seven years, the image has gone around the world non-stop. We have been greatly favored by her presence this year. Let's hope we keep our pledge to pray the rosary everyday.

Kamay ni Hesus

A hundred and sixty five kilometers southeast of Manila, on a five hectare lot sits an idyllic spot for healing, prayer, recollection and reflection that's beginning to gain a buzz among those who seek reconciliation with God. Nestled in Lucban, Quezon at the foot of Mt Banahaw near the border towards Tayabas, KAMAY NI HESUS is gaining adherents who visit the place to bring the sick and the devoted to commune with the Creator in a lush ideal setting that sings the joy and bounty of nature.

It was 23, January, 2012; a Monday. But things augured well. Chinese New Year was declared a holiday nationwide and so friends were off from work and when we decided a week in advance to go, we didn't really count of the smooth flow of traffic. I thought it was a God-send! I woke up at four a.m. and was at the rendezvous at the appointed time. By half-past five we were out the door and on our way to Quezon

On our way there we had a pit stop for breakfast at Rose and Grace in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Then we motored  through most of  the municipalities. We stopped again at the Minor Basilica of St. Michael. I just love this church. Had I the opportunity to get married I would do it here. Having  arguably the longest aisle in Asia, every bride who holds her wedding here would certainly get good reviews for parading her wedding gown. Too bad I'm never going to be a blushing bride... but I digress...

When we got to the site, it was nearly communion. Too bad, I missed the Eucharistic celebration. However, there was no excuse to not pray while I was there. So I climb up the hillside to the figure of Christ the Redeemer, praying along the way. One could not stop but admire the beauty of the scenery. Took pictures, natcherly!!!

Meanwhile, there have been a few changes to the site. For one, Noah's Arc is a new facility that's geared for retreats and spiritual renewal. I think the new addition is cute. Complete with stucco animals that were part of the arc, it's whimsical and cute and yet, it serves a purpose.

The usual healing Masses are celebrated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, every 3rd Tuesday  and every 1st Sunday (SM North EDSA) at 9:30 a.m.; every 1st Friday at noon; every 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday at 8:00 a.m. (NBN4), every 1st Sunday at 6:00 a.m.(ABS CBN 2) and every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 9:00 a.m. (SM Bacoor). Father Joey Faller is the healing priest who usually celebrates the Eucharist. For inquiries, visit www.joeyfaller.org, email joey_faller@yahoo.com or call (042) 5402206.

Gong Xi Fat Chai 2012

By this time, most geomancers have given their 2012 forecast and a lot of the Filipinos who practice a synchretic belief have acquired most of the amulets they perceive would bring them goodluck and protect them from the troublesome star that wreaks havoc on their good fortune.

Oh yeah, Binondo was awash with the buntings and the  red lanterns that ushered in the year of the water dragon. The special date was 23 January, 2012. They new year bodes well for the country as this means it will be a more prosperous year. Water in Feng Shui signifies liquidity... that means more money.

For those of you who are new to Chinese Astrology, each year signifies a creature that was summoned by the Great Buddha to his kingdom. There were twelve animals that were successful in their journey. Monkey, Ox Rooster, Dragon, Snake, Rabbit, Horse, Dog, Tiger, Goat, Pig and Rat. It doesn't end there though, each twelve year cycle is represented by one of the five elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Metal and Wood.  So whatever year you're born, depending on each cycle, your birth year would take on the qualities of the element that rules your sign. I'm an earth pig... and you are?

To be one with the Chinese community, we went to Binondo a day before Chinese New Year. It so happens to be the celebration of the very first Pedestrian Day. Ongpin was closed to vehicular traffic and booths were set up for the celebration. A lot of non-chinese turned out to celebrate with our Chinoy brothers, me included.

The first booth that welcomed us was the Bahay-Tsinoy booth and manning it  with the staff was no less than socio-civic activist Teresa Ang Sy. Bahay-Tsinoy is a museum located along Cabildo Street in Intramuros Manila that focuses on the rise of the Chinese community in the Philippines and their contribution to our society from pre-colonial times to the present. It's worth a visit if you're in the Intramuros area.

A few steps away, who else should I bump into but MR. UBE himself, Garry Chua himself who introduced me to his companion ABS CBN news correspondent Domenic Almelor. There were a lot of booths set up that were geared for fund-raising and charity work. That's certainly a great way to celebrate! One of the booths (Charity First) is a non-stock, non-profit organization that supports livelihood training programs in the Quezon City/ Payatas area.

We weren't too hungry as we had brunch after Mass at HongKong Noodle House along Carlos Palanca. The new spanking restaurant had a menu of Chinese meals that were priced right and tastes delicious. I liked the fried spring rolls and the Shanghai fried rice. The staff is young, though, and a little unprepared. Nonetheless, they serve you with wide smiles and they're only to willing to oblige your requests. We left Binondo and sped home.

Later in the evening, I visited the Taoist Temple International in Vasquez Street, Malate. There was the usual new year celebration of hired drum and lyre bands and a lot of merry-making. There was also a wave of Filipino-Chinese garbed in red who came with bunches of rolled paper money and red candles to invite prosperity luck and to honor their ancestors. I saw David Celdran who came with foreign guests in tow.

Before midnight, the bands gave way to the fireworks set-up. I've never seen a Judas belt that long! I did take photos and footage of the fireworks. I was gonna insert footage of the fireworks to let you decide it if was that much fun. Too bad the script is running an error... maybe I'll attach it next time... =)

Glorious Food!!!

I know I gained a little weight! It all started during the holiday season. You don't understand!!! I've been a ballet dancer most of my life... gaining weight is tantamount to MORTAL SIN!!!!  I may not be rotundly fat, but I get bothered when I gain a few inches here and there. I know what they say about loving yourself... being comfortable in your own skin... embracing who you are...yaddah, yaddah, yaddah!

Well that won't work for me. It all started during the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. December 12th was a festive day. I heard Mass and after that I was famished. I didn't know anyone in the area so I ended up having dinner at Chic-Boy! It's a diminutive for two words: chicken at baboy (pork). This restaurant amazes me since it doesn't make pretensions at being high-end. It's grill all with different concoctions and one has a choice of unlimited rice with their order or you can just order by the serving. I had a Tuna sisig (sizzling hot plate dish of tuna sautee with a sunny side up and siding of clear broth of clam and mussel and swamp spinach in garlic.

Then I made a Christmas eve repast. Simple but very yummy, indeed. What can I say? Christmas only comes once a year! And then, I did the rounds of parties and accepted some invites from friends and neighbors. I repeated the cooking mania for new years eve...and I can go on and on...

1 January is my mother and father's wedding anniversary. Do I need another excuse to create a culinary treat? NO!!! Then January 9 was the feast day of the Black Nazarene. I made some sort of sacrifice to limit my eating for that day but I did get to eat two pieces of musubi since I was dehydrated and  hungry when I got home after the record-breaking pace of the Nazarene procession.

Then Sarita treated our group to a lunch of oysters at Rockefeller. How does one resist fresh seafood all cooked just right... juicy, salty sweet, and not rubbery at all? Impossible! Read my previous blog on the food we ate if it pleases you. In one of our gatherings at June Rectos house, his cousin surprises us with lechon bread. It's really just a "monay" baked in the shape of a roast pig but with some bits of ham and a cocktail sausage stuffed in its mouth pretending to be its tongue.

Then Last Sunday, 15 January,  Mother June and I went to Tondo for the feast of the Sto. Nino. After hearing Mass in Quiapo, we got hungry and headed for New Toho in Dasmarinas street in Escolta. This particular morning we feasted on Rellenong Hipon, Lettuce Spring Roll, Lechon Kawali, and Shanghai Fried Rice. Not that I regret eating it, food is fooood after all... but I wish I had relented a bit. 

That can only mean I'm getting guilt trips on my  enjoyment of food... Am I losing it? Finally, today I suddenly had a tour with Filipino balik-bayan guests. After a few hours of touring Intramuros, one of them gets hungry and asks about where they can get some merienda. I of course, point them in the direction of Ristorante del Mitre where they started with Sans Rival. Then my guests decided to try the turon (banana wrapped in  filo and fried) which was ordered twice. Pansit guisado followed and then two orders of 8" pizzas. One had an order of squid cooked adobo style and garnished with slices of lemon.

Will I ever stop to think and control the binge? Geez... I gotta wake up early  tomorrow and work out! Sigh...

Hala Bira!!! 2012

Exactly a week after the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene, we have another religious celebration that is unique in  the Catholic calendar... the feast of the Sto. Nino!

This comes as a sort of redundant celebration since two weeks ago, the Philippines just ended the longest Christmas celebration the world over. Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th of January in Spain, while here, we hold the feast on the first Sunday of January. In the west, gift-giving is not during Christmas day but on the feast of the Three Kings. This is in recollection of the Magi who gifted the Holy Child with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

So after Christmas, we honor the Black Nazarene (every 9th of January), then we have the feast honoring the Sto. Nino. No, no, no! It's not Christmas all over again... Unlike Christmas, we do not honor the birth of Christ. What we honor is the historical act when the first Spanish explorers arrived in our shores and gifted Rajah Humabon's wife an image of the Holy Infant Jesus. The chief's wife was supposedly so taken by the beauty and vulnerability of the image, she allowed herself to be converted into Catholicism.

Since then, she took on the name Dona Juana. She also convinced the local folk to be converted as well. Thus started the long tradition of venerating the Christ child in Cebu. From there, the practice took on a life of its own. The veneration of the Holy Infant Jesus caught on in other areas like Aklan, Tondo and Pandacan. This is the reason why Pinoys paint their faces with soot and don loincloths and huge headdresses... drink themselves silly... and scream "Pit Senyor!" (Cebu) or "Hala Bira!" (Manila)  and "Viva, Senyor!!! (Aklan).  It's a re-enactment of their mass conversion, no less! I may have covered its history in an earlier blog... 

Those who can afford it fly off to Cebu and Aklan... I was stuck here (does that tell you something?) so I went to Tondo. Of course, I heard Mass in Quiapo first then after a zesty brunch in New Toho Restaurant in Dasmarinas Street. Mother June REcto and I then proceeded to Divisoria where we walked to the Basilica in Tondo. Incidentally, on our way back from Church, we passed the Plaza La Liga Filipina which has a monument to commemorate the loose aggrupation of Filipino learned elite who were fighting for representation in the Spanish Cortez.

It was packed with people! Men, women and children were in and outside of the church brandishing all sorts of Nino images of all sizes and accoutrements. Some priests find it offensive to dress the Child Jesus in less than royal clothing. Some do get out of hand, really and I see their point. Who wants to venerate a Sto. Nino de Karaoke? Anyone? and what petition do they ask for? To win a karaoke sing-along contest? Ridiculous!!!

Nonetheless, the church was packed with devotees... The interiors of the church were refurbished with flat-screen monitors. More for the congregation to actively take part in the Mass. As we stepped out, the congregation with images had them blessed with Holy Water from lay ministers who were randomly sprinkling it at the brandished images.... 

By the time we got back to June's house, it was already two o'clock p.m.

Hala Bira!!! 2012

Exactly a week after the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene, we have another religious celebration that is unique in  the Catholic calendar... the feast of the Sto. Nino!

This comes as a sort of redundant celebration since two weeks ago, the Philippines just ended the longest Christmas celebration the world over. Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th of January in Spain, while here, we hold the feast on the first Sunday of January. In the west, gift-giving is not during Christmas day but on the feast of the Three Kings. This is in recollection of the Magi who gifted the Holy Child with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

So after Christmas, we honor the Black Nazarene (every 9th of January), then we have the feast honoring the Sto. Nino. No, no, no! It's not Christmas all over again... Unlike Christmas, we do not honor the birth of Christ. What we honor is the historical act when the first Spanish explorers arrived in our shores and gifted Rajah Humabon's wife an image of the Holy Infant Jesus. The chief's wife was supposedly so taken by the beauty and vulnerability of the image, she allowed herself to be converted into Catholicism.

Since then, she took on the name Dona Juana. She also convinced the local folk to be converted as well. Thus started the long tradition of venerating the Christ child in Cebu. From there, the practice took on a life of its own. The veneration of the Holy Infant Jesus caught on in other areas like Aklan, Tondo and Pandacan. This is the reason why Pinoys paint their faces with soot and don loincloths and huge headdresses... drink themselves silly... and scream "Pit Senyor!" (Cebu) or "Hala Bira!" (Manila)  and "Viva, Senyor!!! (Aklan).  It's a re-enactment of their mass conversion, no less!

Those who can afford it fly off to Cebu and Aklan... I was stuck here (does that tell you something?) so I went to Tondo. Of course, I heard Mass in Quiapo first then after a zesty brunch in New Toho Restaurant in Dasmarinas Street. Mother June REcto and I then proceeded to Divisoria where we walked to the Basilica in Tondo. Incidentally, on our way back from Church, we passed the Plaza La Liga Filipina which has a monument to commemorate the loose aggrupation of Filipino learned elite who were fighting for representation in the Spanish Cortez.

It was packed with people! Men, women and children were in and outside of the church brandishing all sorts of Nino images of all sizes and accoutrements. Some priests find it offensive to dress the Child Jesus in less than royal clothing. Some do get out of hand, really and I see their point. Who wants to venerate a Sto. Nino de Karaoke? Anyone? and what petition do they ask for? To win a karaoke sing-along contest? Ridiculous!!!

Nonetheless, the church was packed with devotees... The interiors of the church were refurbished with flat-screen monitors. More for the congregation to actively take part in the Mass. As we stepped out, the congregation with images had them blessed with Holy Water from lay ministers who were randomly sprinkling it at the brandished images.... 

By the time we got back to June's house, it was already two o'clock p.m.