Biyahe'ng 1081

Trust TURISMO PARA KAY LENI to come up with creative tours!

I was invited to one with popular historian/ content creator/ writer/ researcher/ resource person Professor Xiao  Chua who was conducting a Martial Law tour aptly named like my post's title.  The tour was designed specifically for students and for non-Leni supporters so they can learn the truth about proclamation 1081. The concept was brilliant! Those millenials being targeted as possible sitting duck potential voters for the dictator's son could travel around the city's oft-ignored landmarks learning the real facts as opposed to what has been fed them through apps like TikTok or YouTube which was the real plan of Marcos apologists after all...

Participants to the tour were instructed to meet at the CCPs Harbor Square early on a Tuesday morning.  While waiting for assembly and registration to be completed, we were treated to a breakfast buffet where introductions and backgrounders to the tour were explained. By the time registration was completed, all the participants had been packed in two vans and the organizers took to their vehicles to form a convoy that will weave its way all over town.

Coconut Palace

I was interested because I lived through Martial Law! I wanted to see if there was anything else I needed to strengthen my personal knowledge of what it was like. These millenials know nothing! NOTHING! That's why I'm sad about our educational system. I mourn for our sloppy curriculum. I cringe at our deteriorating educational standing in the international scale. We were the most highly educated nation a few decades back... what happened to our youth? There are still brilliant students out there, undoubtedly.  But now, they are more the exception than the rule.

Tour participants at theCoconut Palace

Since we were already at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, we made a few stops at the Coconut Palace and the Manila Film Center. Bourne out Imelda Marcos'  edifice complex, these two buildings are tangible examples of madam's excessive need to be recognized as the real power behind the presidential seal. Anything she wanted got built! The Coconut Palace was to be the jewel of what state of the art construction and design can become when they meet the Pinoy creative spirit. I was nevertheless, turned down by Pope John Paul II. He opted to stay at thePapal Nuncio during his first visit to the Philippines. It was Brooke Shields, George Hamilton and Libyan strongman Muamar Al Ghaddafi who actually stayed in the Coconut Palace as personal guests of the First Lady. Coconut Palace is now managed by the Government Service Insurance System.

Manila Film Center

Meanwhile, The center of cinematic expression in the country fell into controversy while it was under construction. The Manila Film Center was to be the venue for the very first Manila International Film Festival.  A few days before opening night, the third level of the building collapsed while the quick drying cement started to set. It  entombed workers and some of their families in a blanket of concrete and sludge. Although Imelda tried to hide the fiasco, the international journalists got wind of the disaster and went to press with the story. At least two hundred souls are forever trapped in a massive  tomb inspired by the Parthenon. 

Biyahe'ng 1081 at Manila Film Center

On my part, it was like re-living my youth. I was tapped to perform for some of these events organized by Madam Marcos. I have been a dance scholar of CCP. My adulting took place in her "Tribute to the Filipino Spirit." Fortunately, my education and indoctrination as both blue eagle and "iskolar ng bayan" prepared me for a whole lot of critical thinking. My personal biases aside, I recall how in rallies during the snap elections when  Ballet Philippines would be tapped to take part in the sorties, the dancers would show up in yellow t-shirts. Much to the dismayof Tita King Kasilag. 

Prof. Xiao at EDSA Shrine

The party then moved to the EDSA Shrine where Prof. Xiao regaled the youth with stories of the miracle at EDSA where the masses were able to liberate themselves from the twenty year dictatorship. Too bad, Enrile has now become a turn-coat. What a sell-out! Factual commentaries on the Enrile and Ramos tandem that bluffed their way to victory peppered with Xiao's uncanny mimmicry of President Marcos were so easily relatable. The shrine also is a collaborative effort among artists who supported the People Power Movement. We admired and appreciated all the artwork donated to the EDSA shrine until the noon bells in the carillon chimed and it was time to move to the adjacent EDSA Monument at the corner of Camp Crame. There was motley pro-Duterte group hanging out in the area but we paid no mind to them as we were more focused on the Eduardo Castrillo designed monument celebrating the People Power Movement.

EDSA Monument

Lunch was at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani. We were welcomed by Ms Susan Macapuag who shared her experiences with us as an original member of University of the Philippines' First Quarter Storm Movement . This was an eye-opening talk as to how the millenials are duped into supporting Marcos Jr.'s move to run for the presidency. The Marcos family could not let go of their hold on political power and their desireto vindicate the Marcos surname sullied by hundreds of cases filed against them world-wide. Sir Clarence Aytona, one of the organizers would interject with his personal experiences coming from a political dynasty now so disillusioned with their Marcos connections in the past. This makes for an interesting commentary. It's FACTUAL, but since it's also a personal experience, it's so close to home that almost sounds like gossip. The Martial Law museum is a heart-rending curated collection of memorabilia that captures the horrors of detention in military camps, or death by torture and triumph in the midst of hopelessness. That makes the Biyahe'ng 1081 unique.

Ms Susan Macapuag of Bantayog ng mga Bayani

Final stop was Palma Hall at UP Diliman. This was where Xiao explained the student protests in the '80s. Students were just so angry at all the injustice happening around the country that prompted them to be critical of government. Walk-outs, marches, oblation runs, and lantern parades became an expression of protest and disdain for a government that people did not deserve. The student leaders were missing, kidnapped, tortured and killed. indignation rallies were the thing! Military personnel and cops were duped and outsmarted by the Iskos and Iskas as they evaded arrest. But people who were hungry for change had started to give way to aggression and anger leading to an end of two decades of tyranny.

Palma Hall

The day was capped with certificates handed out by Xiao and Turismo Para Kay Leni. Merienda was provided by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and the day ended with the van service taking us to Centris so we could all go home with memories re-lived or new knowledge to treasure so we and our youth will never forget!!!

Clarence Aytona, Anne Cusi, Jaison Yang, Prof. Xiao Chua, Dondi Ocampo

TICKLED PINK BY TURISMO PARA KAY LENI

Displaced tour guides who volunteered for the Pink Tour

The election season is in full swing! But for some candidates, campaigning for votes started way way early. I guess it isn't  surprising given that some candidates really have nothing going for them but a political surname, wads of cash, and a lackluster career in government. Given all that, there is but one candidate that stands out as the most qualified from the rest.

The Pink turistas in front of  the Manila Cathedral

This isn't a political endorsement! I don't have millions of followers on my blog and this blog page isn't even monetized. So why am I even writing this? Aside form being the most qualified, she's the only one who even bothered to care about us as displaced workers in the hospitality industry. Most politicos grandstanding at the height of the pandemic would ocassionally mention drivers, laborers, teachers and other occupations deemed "under the radar" (nasa laylayan, in pinoy terms) no one thought of displaced tour guides.

Leni/Kiko campaign give-aways

So, I was mildly surprised when I received an invite to a zoom  consultative meeting on the plight of us non-working tour guides. Some of them were forced to take on other jobs out of a need for survival. I was lucky to have been given some cash assistance by the Department of Tourism and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Though grateful for their aid, I wasn't exactly sure if I should use them for basic necessities or save the cash for the rainy days. I had been jobless for two years or longer. We  are always the first to feel the effects of pandemics, coup d'etats, natural calamities or economic crunches.

Participants at San Agustin

Then came TURISMO PARA KAY LENI. JB Halig Quemado, also a displaced guide asked if I would be interested to guide in Intramuros for supporters of VP Leni Robredo. I emphatically said yes without even considering a fee. And so on the appointed afternoon, I showed up at Fort Santiago in a pink shirt to meet the participants. I was surprised to find the event had been organized by tour operators who are reeling from the quarantine. Operations for both inbound  and outbound tours had been stalled since March of 2020. But like me, they believed that only Leni had a concrete, workable solid platform on tourism.

Doing my commentary at Plaza Roma

I was stationed at Plaza Roma to give my commentary on the site. It was a well-attended tour for volunteers and Leni/Kiko supporters. There were Higantes to kick start the long parade of pink-clad supporters, and marching drum and bugle band to boot. The itinerary included Fort Santiago, Plaza Roma, Plazuela de Sta. Isabel, Baluarte de San Diego, San Agustin and ending in Plaza San Luis where light snacks were to be served. By the time the entire group had ended their walk at the San Agustin patio, the individual groups had bonded and made friends with each other.

Barbara's set-up

Barbara's offered a light fare of lugaw, and other Filipino delicacies courtesy of the organizers. But what was extra-ordinary was the assemblage of performers to spice up the merienda-cena. Cultural dancers  were on hand as well as singers whose numbers were meant to ignite love for country and a genuine desire for change!!! People have grown uneasy during the pademic, but what they really couldn't stand was how heavily mismanaged the government response was, not to mention the suffering business ventures and the astounding corruption involved among government agencies.

Kalinangan ensemble

The solution would be to nip corruption at the bud. Vote for a candidate you can rely on. Vote for a candidate who has a proven track record. Vote for a candidate who has no hidden agenda. Vote for a candidate who has managed to shake -up a corrupt system by providing the means to help despite a paltry budget. I needn't even name the person who fits the bill. She's all woman!

What could be more substantial?

STA. ROSA SOIREE

Sta. Rosa de Lima

The  Covid -19 pandemic has taken its toll on everybody. It's a great equalizer. Families whether rich or poor in whatever community it decides to rear its ugly head  in, has suffered from its fatal effects. Others have been more fortunate to have kept their families intact. For those like me, who has suffered the loss of a dear one, we try our best to live through the pain.

Lloyd, Ness, Febe and me at Nuvali

I have refrained from making blog entries for the past year or so having to cope with my misery. I am glad , however, that an invitation to Sta. Rosa, Laguna came through my heritage -loving friends. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to breathe fresh Laguna air and travel at least 40 kilometers or so away from the city center. However, this seemingly simple act was not without its challenges. One of the invitees from our group suffered a stroke three days prior to our planned trip and had to be confined. Thankfully, through help and prayers, she is currently in stable condition and placed under observation for a week.

party of four at Starbucks photo by Lloyd Rafols

That being said, four of us: Ness Sembrero, Febe Sevilla, Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols and myself met near the City Hall of Pasay for an early leisurely drive to Sta. Rosa.  Lloyd at the wheel, we motored to the Sta. Rosa exit through Greenwood city that leads to the Paseo de Sta. Rosa and Nuvali areas. We ended up at Starbucks in Nuvali. Protocols for dining in were strictly observed as we were ordering our coffee and some baked goodies thanks to Ness. I brought home-made sandwiches and we decided to have our coffee al-fresco. Amidst, peals of laughter and sparkling conversation we were taking groufies with Lloyd's  tripod set-up until we were shocked to realized that our stay there extended to nearly lunch time. Surprisingly, there were no huge crowds typically found on a Saturday morning at Nuvali but because of the time constraints there are no photos of us near the Koi pond nor any other scenic spots in the area.

Facade of Sta. Rosade Lima Church

From there, we went straight to the Sta Rosa poblacion and parked at the designated parking area in the church patio. Since it was lunch time, we meandered around the old Sta Rosa town looking for places to dine but settled for the ever-reliable Jollibee. Again, most of the people were ordering take away and so we settled at two tables. The usual fare  was uneventful and we passed our time with our animated banter until it  was evident that we needed to freshen up and change for the get-together. We made our way back to the church passing through the ancestral home where we were to have dinner.

Lloyd in front of the retablo of the church

We saw the  set-up taking place and the choir practicing but we needed to get dressed for our own photo opportunity.  We asked the church volunteers where we could freshen up and they obligingly showed us the rest room area. At around three o'clock, the four of us friends were dressed in our Filipino attire. Need I say we were making heads turn? People thought there was a wedding about to take place after a funeral cortege had left. That was hilarious! One lady asked if I was picked to light up the Advent wreath during Mass. People were starting to arrive in church for the Mass at 4:30.  True to form, the other invitees were arriving in their finery. We were given a designated section of the church for us to hear Mass together. Ness Sembrero, Febe Sevilla, Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols, Faviola Torres Hidalgo, Locel Tumlos, Arlene Arguel, Willy Bas and Nonia Tiongco in her authentic vintage terno and myself were warmly welcomed by the Cura Paroco Fr. Mario P. Rivera before the final blessing. That settled the thought balloons of the parishioners who looked at us quizzically. Me, I was just thankful to have heard Mass and received the Eucharist after the prolonged quarantine lock-downs lasting two years. I had learned to content myself before that with daily on-line Masses and spiritual communions. Grateful to God for that!

Febe in her black and white finery

For purposes of propriety, no photos were allowed inside the heritage house. It is a well- preserved bahay-na-bato that's much lived-in  by the descendants of the previous builder/owner. Let's just say it shows the privileged lifestyle of generations of one of the city's  founding fathers. Walking through the home with its usual sections, we ended up in the azotea descending towards the garden where our dinner was held. Oh, how we were welcomed by the three Pinoy kings, Johnson Bernardo, Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador and Lito Ligon! It was nice to see familiar faces smiling through the face masks and face shields and plenty of fist bumps in lieu of the beso- besos.

Faviola Torres Hidalgo in a modern Terno pant suit

my OOTD (photo by Lloyd Rafols)

Once guests were comfortably seated, the ceremonies began with a live national anthem  sung by the Primo Vocal Chamber accompanied by the Rosenian Quintet Rondalla.  Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador was the host for the evening assisted by Faviola Torres Hidalgo. The evening was kicked off with door-prizes from the other attendees. There were two rounds of prizes from the generous donations of the attendees. I won a book and nothing else... Others were fortunate to go home with original artworks, books, keepsakes and home decor... I won a book - wait, I said that already! I'm not lucky with winning raffles... Maybe, next year!

Ness in a barong terno blouse and pencil pants set

People had come from all-over Luzon, so when it was getting late, some had to take their leave, but not before Marichelle Santos and the irrespresible Bing Tubid made their dramatic entrance. They had come from a previous engagement. The dinner setting in the garden of the Zavalla heritage house was immaculate with white table cloth and blue carnival glass, gilded cuttlery and blue Ming inspired dinner ware to match the mood-lighting for effect. From time to time the rondalla would play Filipino  music and the choir would break out in kundiman. I wish I had met the other members of the choir. I only know Lemuel Santos and Arwin Arca Arceo who rendered solo numbers but other members were quite vocally equipped as well. I was swooning under the starlit evening when Bituin'g Marikit  was sung... then the clouds moved in by time they got to singing Ang Gabi'ng Payapa. By then the nippy evening breeze was making me sleepy.

Primo Vocal Chamber

Rosenian Rondalla Quintet

Primo Vocal Chamber

Amidst the fine food of Bulaqueno heritage cuisine served by Ferdi Talbenito's Bistro Maloleno and the jovial conversations with friends long-missed, the evening had progressed so fast. There was Tinola which I could not try because of my allergy but I feasted on Bulacan Hamon, Lengua, there was Pancit Buko, a seafood medley and Paella. Dessert was cassava cake and pichi-pichi and  Madam Natz Ocampo's delicate pastillas all lovingly wrapped in the heritage paper filligree called pabalat. We were carefully umwrapping the sweet morsels of candied milk and sugar to preserve Ms. Natz' prized papel-de-Hapon wrappers to be made into bookmarks or framed in shadow boxes. Kape'ng Bigas was being offered after dinner which I declined gracefully.  Tita Cora and Tito Bernie Manimbo were present and later on dancing with Lito Ligon. C'mon, she's not a board member of PBT for nothing... you didn't expect that, or you didn't know? 

Maestro Jose Benigno Salvador, Earl Gamboa, and myself

If it had been under normal circumstances, I'm certain there would have been more people signifying their intention to attend. Notwithstanding this wretched pandemic, this soiree  went beyond anybody's expectations. If anything, it reinforced my dwindling Christmas spirit in these dismal times. I'm still truly blessed  to experience this gathering of a truly Pinoy celebration complete with singkaban parols and native dress. That makes my Advent Season truly significant! 

group photo of guests

MALIGAYA'NG PASKO AT MANIGO'NG BAGO'NG TAON SA LAHAT!!!

* group photos of guests, choir and quintet are not mine and credited to their respective owners

Online Finds

 I got some stuff to augment my calorie deficit nutrition plan to lose the quarantine pounds and I'm so happy about my purchases from friends that will last me a few days. 

Maricar Anatalio sent me her now famous Sinantolan  and Everlasting while Knorr Baldovino brought me Keso'ng puti. Since I want to eat a light dinner,  I made everlasting and keso'ng puti sandwiches. The keso'ng puti was freshly skimmed and wrapped in the usual banana leaf parcels. I like that it's not crumbly but pliant, almost like a buratta, that compliments the Everlasting's savory peppery flavour. 

Now, Everlasting is a pretty common dish hence the name. Made of minced meat, hard-boiled egg slivers, pickle relish, capsicum, carrots, onion and garlic, the dish is arranged in tin oval pans (llaneras) and steamed until it has the consistency of a meatloaf or embotido. So it's other monicker is Marikina meatloaf. Maricar Anatalio's version definitely complements the creamy local cheese from Laguna with its well balanced peppery goodness. The keso'ng puti is the perfect accompaniment  that adds a salty note to the everlasting. 

I wrote about the Sinantolan in a previous post. Santol, a.k.a. as cotton fruit is where the dish gets its name from. The rinds are grated and cooked in coconut cream mixed and sauteed in garlic, onions, anchovy or shrimp paste and a little fish sauce. The dish is cooked until the cream renders it's oil. It was about time I re-ordered.

Tabaron has a humorous etymology. Taba (fat) + chicharon (crispy pork rind). You know you're getting the best of both worlds! This version got the attention of Manila's Yorme Isko Moreno. I tried a few pieces and then I ordered a stash of three more packs. That doesn't mean I'm giving up my calorie deficit, though...

PASIG'S PLEASANT PLACES

I have been remiss with my blogging yet again... It was partly because I have been hogging the social media platform too much and also because I'm getting a bad addiction to YouTube. I know, mea culpa! Fortunately, the Advocates for Heritage Preservation announced the first tour for the year 2020. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to not post anything.

The Department of Tourism got in touch with me to guide for Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat to promote the Pasig River Ferry. Originally, the tour was supposed to be a high-profile tour with three mayors, industry bigwigs and media personalities in attendance. After the initial contact, the tour was postponed for a later date and resumed, thankfully, sans mayors, media and the fanfare that goes along with it. 

We started the river tour  from the San Joaquin station of Pasig and went downstream towards Escolta station after which, we proceeded by way of E-trikes to Intramuros after dusk for Instagramable photos of the walled city, Jones Bridge and some beautiful river-scapes  along the cruise route. This was how I met Jesse de Lara and Quin Cruz, both young and passionate advocates and silent members of AHP.  I initiated exploratory talks with AHP and Quin and Jesse so we can conduct a heritage tour of the City of Pasig with other members. 

I have been going to Pasig as a child and all through my adult years. My relatives had a parcel of land in Santolan where they planted fruit trees and lush gardens tended by my aunt. We would spend important holidays in Pasig where we would play softball in the rice fields, fly kites and swim in the tumana . We would spend Holy Week and Christmas in Sto. Tomas de Villanueva subdivision and go to Montalban or Antipolo to cool off for summer. The house and lot were sold when my cousins migrated to the US. Plenty of memories there... and so it was another  chance to open up my vault of remembrances on a heritage tour but this time in the city proper. Kapasigan they called it!

Situated at least 12km from the city of Manila, the once sleepy town has emerged as a commercial district replete with pockets of recreational facilities, high end establishments and glitzy malls. It is a far cry from the pre-colonial markets established by the Chinese traders who sailed upstream and landed in an wide embankment during pre colonial times. The name Pasig is suggested to have come from the Sanskrit word "Pasegas" which was a sandy embankment where Chinese traders landed and where they brought their products further inland to a market area. Pasegas also means whirlpool or eddy where one body of water flows into another.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

We arrived in Pasig City at six in the morning. Too early for our 9:00a.m. call time. We went to the church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and initially parked in the patio. Built in 1575, the present structure was built in 1639 and believed to have been completed before the British invasion of 1762. It was said to have been converted  stables and then re-purposed again at the end of the interlude in 1764. The stone convent was built by Fr. Felix Trillo from 1722 to 1747. The church was restored in 1897 and the roof replaced with galvanized iron by Fr. Simon Barroso. The church facade is done in the neo-classical  and colonial style with triglyphs separating three levels. The first  and second levels have arched doors and windows with small rosette windows on the second level. The third level is a triangular pediment with a central niche and supported by Doric columns and topped by a Renaissance-influenced mini-balustrade lacing the raking cornice. A massive five level belfry is on the left side of the church.* The church is currently under restoration. Major areas of the church have succumbed to "improvements". the grounds have been cemented over in grassy areas.

church patio

Another area that has changed is the Rizal Plaza. Typical of the standard prescribed lay-out of Spanish towns, the elite's homes, the Church and the government buildings revolve around the town square. Given that Pasig is one of the oldest areas established by the Spaniards, the plaza still plays an active role in the Pasigueno's life. This monument honors the memory of our National Hero, Jose P. Rizal and it harks back to the time when Rizal had an  the entire province named after him.  One of the streets  fronting the Concepcion mansion has been elevated and now serves as a multi-purpose area for Zumba sessions.

There was a time when I and a friend worked on a calendar for the San Miguel Corporation. Our Art Director for the project was no less than National Artist for Production Design Salvador Bernal. One of the photos used for the calendar was taken at the colonnaded veranda of the Concepcion Mansion with aspiring actress Vicky Suva as our model. So I had very vivid recollections of the mansion prior to it becoming a functioning museum. Built in 1937 by Don Fortunato Concepcion who also served as town mayor, the mansion was also commandeered by the Japanese and upon liberation on 19 February, 1945 an American Flag was hoisted on the mirador of the famed home. By the 1980's the home was purchased by the local government to be used as a library and museum. Renovated in the year 2000, it was fully devoted as a museum. Fully renovated in 2008, it was renovated and re-opened to much fanfare.

Pasig Museum a.k.a. Concepcion Mansion

The tour group them proceeded to the Collegio del Buen Consejo museum directly across the museum. Built in 1909 under the initiative of Mother Superior Consuelo Barcelo, O.S.A.,  and placed under the supervision of Sr. Theresa de Jesus Andrada. The convent dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel and was used as a refuge of those evading the Japanese atrocities of WWII, the convent received considerable damage during the liberation in 1945 and restored in 1948. The school and convent now has a small museum that features memorabilia of the order.

Colegio del Buen Consejo Museum

We then proceeded back to the church across the street that has its own museum on the history and the progress of Christianity in Pasig City.  The long hallway was completely covered in a mural on one side that had an audio commentary of the vignettes included in the mural. Across it were glass panels that included a timeline of the history of Pasig and the church. 

Immaculate Conception Museum

We then proceeded to Bahay na Tisa which is a much lived in Bahay-na-Bato a few block off the church and plaza. How it miraculously survived cataclysms and war is a wonder! The home is 174 years old and done in the style of Spanish Antillean style very evident of colonial homes. Built by Don Cecilio Tech y Cabrera in the 1850s this gem of a home has served many purposes at certain points in time. It was called Freedom House as well since opposite factions were able to use the house as a venue for meetings during Martial Law. Other than an official barangay headquarters, it was also used as art exhibit space and location shoot for period movies. Recently, it was honored by the Pasig City local government and the National Historical Commission with a historical marker citing the house as a cultural treasure. Descendants of  Don Cecilio still take residence in this gem of a home and they actually do small restorations on the  banggera, capiz windows and the persianas.

Kuya Mel

Bahay na Tisa

Tito and Aye

Vica en la azotea

By this time, we had worked up an appetite and we proceeded to Tapsihan ni Vivian  for lunch. This unpretentious restaurant serves up good food for very affordable prices. They have a great variety of Filipino food presented Carinderia style. I was really impressed! Torta congrejo meal with a fried egg, a can of soda and... get this, lato (sea grapes or green caviar) salad was a little less than 250.00 and I didn't even get to use my senior card!  The restaurant has a bright dining area with glass panels and a mezzanine for added tables. It can easily fit a huge number of diners except in the evening when it gets really full, I heard.

Rizal High School museum

By half past one p.m. we all loaded up on the vans and drove to Rizal High School touted as the largest secondary school in the world. The huge campus has its own oval for sports development and a mini museum to honor its roster of distinguished alumni. Current teachers estimate a total of 14,000 students currently enrolled in the school. The Rizal High School now also has the distinction of having the longest mural in one of the buildings depicting the development of Pasig city from pre-colonial times to the present. Unfortunately, the way to the oldest surviving building in the school was locked on this Saturday visit, but one could not miss the numerous additional buildings and halls carrying the names of past mayors and civil servants who obviously want a part of their legacy to be remembered. 

the blue team

The tour would not have been complete without a visit to Dimas-alang Bakery in Pasig. Now owned by Mr. Manolo Lozada, a brother of the famous violinist Carmencita Lozada. The bakery is over a hundred years old. It was established in 1919 and still much patronized by the locals in Pasig. Their baked products have  a distinct old-world reputation. Among the products I personally enjoyed are their brazo de mercedes, di ko akalain, pandesal, ensaymada and bonete. Incidentally, Mr Lozada is a prolific painter and antique collector.  Its location contributed much to its longevity. I remember going to my friend's  (Cata Cruz) house right beside the bakery. Sadly, my friend has passed on and their house is now an ukay-ukay.  AHP members had to stop by the bakery and experience their wares. It was an eyeful to see our tour members carrying brown bags full of steaming hot pan de sal and monay coming out of that bakery. It was one of the tours that ended the earliest since we didn't actually have to travel that far... but it was so well organized and the compact group was easy to manage despite new members and kids tagging along. Thank you to Jesse de Lara and Quin Cruz both heritage warriors of Pasig and Tito Encarnacion, Johnson Bernardo and Lito Ligon for doing the ground work in making the tour a success.

the red team