In closing: eat, eat, eat, cook, and eat some more

Hi Readers,

First of all, I'd like to thank you Readers for following along.  Even if the comments were infrequent; I'm still glad for your support in making this blog #4 or #6 in the Google Search Engine ( "Michael Diezmos/ Mike Diezmos" ) as of 11/14/10.  #1 is still that annoying entry -- often taken out of context -- which I wrote in college.

There were times when I was discouraged, and times when I didn't feel like eating.  This lasted for less than 5 minutes, and then I devoured the food before me making sure to savor everything about that experience (6).  I accomplished most of my goals ( plus incorporating photos I've taken in this blog ) even if I didn't do a lot of home cooking.

One of my hopes for writing in this blog is to remember, and in a song sung by Lee Ann Womack: "I hope [I] never lose [my] sense of wonder; [I] get my fill to eat, but always keep that hunger ... I hope [I] dance."  I'll especially remember: the minute before I jumped from a cliff, my island for a day, the early mornings, the beauty, the delicious food, and most importantly, eating with friends and family. 

Prior to this trip, most of the eating I've done were strictly done to function in daily living ( just to get through life instead of honoring the blessings bestowed upon me ).  With most all having different schedules, it was a bit difficult to just sit down together and enjoy the communal aspect of a meal.  During my gastronomical adventure, I'm reminded that eating together makes life delicious.

My attempt at photo layering in Adobe Photoshop...



Indulgence: Junk/Fast Food and Party of Parties

Hey Readers,

With waning funds and one last chance to try something different and difficult to find outside the Philippines, it's no-brainer why I'd splurge in junk and fast food in my last week here in P.I.

Monday: Shopping for pasalubong can be tiring so to recharge, we ate at a Japanese restaurant in the SM Mall of Asia.  We ordered the set for 4, which included appetizers and dessert ( coffee jelly with ice cream ).  One cousin was teaching another cousin how to use chopsticks.  He was too hungry to have the patience ( next time na lang ).  It was funny how we were the last customers in Penshoppe ( clothing store ), and my cousin kept changing her mind.

Tuesday: I didn't finish shopping, so the next day, I recruited another cousin to go with me.  For merienda, we just went to Jollibee.  I liked their slogan: "I am young, I am pinoy, I yum."  I ordered a jolly spaghetti with yum.  My cousins ordered the big burgers.

Wednesday: After helping my cousins with their new home, we had lunch in Chowking.  We ordered a set again, and added sago't gulaman and pork tufo.  At times "Bahala na" could be trying, but I never forgot to "enjoy it".  Instead of waiting in traffic/in the rain, we stopped by SM Mall of Asia.  We ordered the Supreme Overload thin crust pizza with Pineapple juice at Greenwich.

Thursday: I went to the mall again to buy the other things I forgot to buy.  In between shopping sessions I had an energy drink consisting of natural sugar cane juice.  I passed by Red Ribbon and remembered: when my aunt and I had ube mamon and a mocha frap; my cousin and I had lunch of crispy chicken with s'mores cake after hiking; my cousin and I ate macapuno, pastilias de leche, and Braso de Mercedes in the bus.  Thinking about these experiences made me hungry so I ordered fried icecream ( pandan with chocolate and mini-mallows ); the only thing fried about this dessert was the way it was cooked ( look lang ).

Friday: After the gym, I did "Chocomania" then I ate at Inasal.  Before leaving the mall, I bought polvoron from Goldilocks.

Saturday: I was more tired than I thought so I drank a protein shake ( mango yogurt flavor ).  First thing in the morning my aunts are running around buying ingredients for the dishes, which would be eaten for the night's Party of Parties.

Originally I was going to help cook but I became tarantacious ( distracted to the point of confusion because I had to pack my luggage making sure I didn't forget anything / any pasalubong ).

We had spaghetti, rice, Chop suey, shanghai, squid, pork in a broth, and hot dogs on sticks with pineapple bits and flower mallows.  For desserts we had Black Forest cake, Braso de Mercedes, Gelatin, and Leche Flan.

This party celebrated all types of party one can think of ( Bon Voyage, reunion, congratulations, new job, etc. ).  It was one last get together before I return to the States ( my home? ).  We had shots with chasers ( fermented coconut juice ) while we watched a talent show and a scary movie.

Some cousins couldn't make it; nonetheless, I was grateful for those who came.  In the words of Carly Simon ( ? ): "We can never know about the days to come ... [but] I'll tell you how easy it is to be with [them]."

One sweet chocolatey day

Que Pasa Readers,

A favorite food and pasalubong for Pinoys is chocolate.  Chocolate rice ( champorado ) is eaten for breakfast.  Chocolate blood ( dinuguan ) can be served for lunch or dinner.  Chocolate cupcakes, cakes, and ice cream are popular merienda and desserts.  So when I saw a promotion using chocolate in the spa, I was intrigued; I had to try "Chocomania".

I was greeted by my masseuse, and -- I'm not kidding either -- her name happened to be Candy.  Low lights, piano music, and decor with earthy textures ( pebbles, tiles, banana leaf, bamboo, and others ) made the environment serene.

The session started with a body scrub.  After it dried on my skin, it smelled like hot chocolate powder.  Then I rinsed, and the chocolate wrap was applied.  I always had this image that the wrap, which the spas used, was banana leaf.  However, this spa just used a sort of plastic and this thermal blanket, as heavy as those X-ray blankets used in a dentist's clinic.  The wrap supposedly helped the skin to absorb all the antioxidants from the chocolate.

The pampering ended with a massage and tea ( flavored lightly with chocolate ).  "Chocomania" was a good way to unwind from all the eating and adventuring ( who knew that such activities can be tiring ;).  My cousin was right: "Good chocolates only come by once in a while [so] enjoy them!"

Relax...

Home is where the stomach is

Hi Readers,

While my relatives are moving into their new home, I'm being busy finishing last minute business before I return "home".  Growing up bilingual and bi-cultural, questions about home surfaces every now and then.  Like Disney's Belle, I wonder where home is: "Am I here for a day or forever?"

1:30 am.  A few more hours/minutes and the new moon would disappear.  Cooler weather and less traffic were good reasons to be moving in at this time.  Convenience and tradition were others.

My aunt was adamant about keeping alive lola's beliefs.  The first person[s] to enter the house should bring with her a lighted lantern, a crucifix, a pot brimming with rice grain, and a jug filled with water.  After the ritual, I was instructed to turn on all the lights.

Then the rest of the stuff followed.  Hours passed by.  Snacks were given to the movers.  Refurbished dining table set arrived ( table inherited from lola ).  Cable TV was installed.  Showering, napping, and babysitting.  The 2 breathing native chickens were killed.  Their blood sprinkled in strategic spots around the house ( as an offering ).

I helped my aunt make Bilo-Bilo ( consisting of glutinous rice flour, pearls, and coconut milk ), and questioned her about this custom.  With a Mona Lisa smile, she said: "It's good to eat this sticky and sweet dessert so family will stick together."

Our Bilo-Bilo didn't turn out as planned ( nature of improvisation ), but we ate them still after a dinner of rice and tinola (  consisting of the cooked native chickens, green papaya, ginger, and a leafy vegetable in a broth ).

I've been here in the Philippines for almost 6 weeks; I feel at home here and there, where ever my stomach gets filled with deliciousness.

Left: Lantern, crucifix, dining table set, pantry filled with cooking accoutrements.

Music and Plenty of Pasalubong

Thanks Faithful Readers,

How does one entertain oneself for an 8 hour bus trip from Bicol to Manila? By listening to music and eating snacks!

Music plays a vital role in daily living here in the Philippines.  In fact singing is highly revered.  Singers are idolized.   In a mall, a great voice singing simple karaoke songs can stop people from whatever they're doing.

In my cousin's neighborhood, some extreme singers will sing karaoke until the late hours; then they'll take a nap, and sing again before the sun rises.  Whether they can hit the note or not, is another matter itself.

I remember hearing my godchild singing "Nothin' On You" ( by B.O.B. ) in the bathroom; some of the lyrics are slurred, but she's got the tune and melody down.  I sing in my head and in my own time.  As I bob my head to the songs in my playlist, coconut trees blurred into rice fields and other vehicles.

In every stop, a vendor would hop in the bus to sell goodies.  He'd yell: "Buy your pasalubong!" According to a source, giving pasalubong helps take the guilt away from having a fun trip ( in a way, a pasalubong is a way for the receiver to share in the giver's adventure ).  Generally, items, which are bought as pasalubong are food.  The destination traveled is usually short so the food wouldn't perish.  With technology and global expansion, the idea of pasalubong started to incorporate souvenir items, such as key chains and magnets.

I munched on peanut tarts, oranges, and boiled quail eggs leaving enough for my cousins to give as pasalubong.  I'd fall asleep and I'd wake up to the soothing voice of Jack Johnson singing: "And this moment keeps on moving, we were never meant to hold on ..."

Food perishes in the present moment ( unless jacked up with preservatives ), and maybe this transient quality makes food as pasalubong a sweeter treat: glad for a safe return and a happy reunion.

My Playlist

Hello Readers,

Music is crucial, and throughout my trip, the songs below helped me to remember special moments and delicious food I ate.  You can say it's a soundtrack to my trip.

"Home" ( from Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical )
"Airplanes" ( B.O.B )
"Somewhere" ( Lena Horne version )
"Sunrise" ( Brandon Heath )
"Listen" ( Charice version )
"Till We Run Out of Road" ( Jewel )
"Telephone" ( Lady Gaga and Beyonce )
"Singin' in the Rain" ( Lena Horne version )
"Walang Iwanan" ( 6cyclemind )
"Poker Face" ( Lady Gaga )
"Adrift" ( Jack Johnson )
"Chances" ( Kirby Heybourne )
"Alive" ( Leona Lewis )
"Daydream Believer" ( Susan Boyle version )
"Everything Goes" ( Natalie Imbruglia )
"What a Wonderful World" ( Louis Armstrong )
"Rosie's Lullaby" ( Norah Jones )
"Lifetime" ( Chris Allen )
"Up in the Ladder to the Roof" ( Sherie Rene Scott version )
"Cosmos" ( Florence and the Machines )
"Someday" ( Pete Yorn )
"Already Gone" ( Kelly Clarkson )
"Sunlight" ( Natalie Imbruglia )
"Looking Up" ( Paramore )
"Losing Keys" ( Jack Johnson )
"Dog Days are Over" ( Florence and the Machines )
"Why" ( Sheire Rene Scott version )
"Who I was Born to Be" ( Susan Boyle version )
"The Time of My Life" ( David Cook )
"Better in Time" ( Leona Lewis )
"Anticipation" ( Mandy Moore version )
"Let it Rain" ( Chris Allen )
"Sweet Dreams" ( Beyonce )
"Alapaap" ( 6cyclemind )
"Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" ( Coldplay )
"Up to the mountains" ( Susan Boyle version )
"Bring Him Home" ( RyanDan version )
"Goodbye" ( Spice Girls )
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" ( Glee version )
"Mothers of the Night" ( Moby )
"L'Infinito" ( RAF by Picotto )
"Kailanman" ( 6cyclemind )
"Never Say Never" ( The Fray )
"Good Day" ( Jewel )
"Enjoy it" ( from In Search of the Castaways )
"Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" ( Edith Piaf )
"Thank You" ( Charice )
"A World to Believe In" ( Celine Dion )
"Welcome Home" (?)
"I Hope You Dance" ( Lee Ann Womack )
"I Got You" ( Leona Lewis )

Lounging with Lola: Memories

Hola Readers,

We are now in Camarines Sur, in the Bicol region, where my mother and her siblings grew up.  On our way to my relatives and grandparent's graves, we picked up a person familiar with the prayers for the dead.  My aunts cautioned me not to take random pictures in the cemetery.

My lolo ( grandfather ) died approximately one month before I was born, and my lola (grandmother ) and I share the same birthday.  One time, she ordered the killing of a chicken for our party.  We had tinola.

I remember waking up early to go to the coconut tree field.  We rode a bamboo cart pulled by a kalabaw ( water buffalo ) in the dark.  The sun hadn't risen yet; the roosters crowed as if racing each other to see who could crow the loudest.  We ate buko ( coconut meat and coconut water ) under the shades.

One hot summer day, my cousins and I wanted halo-halo and mais con yelo ( shaved ice, sweet corn, and evaporated and condensed milk ).  Our lola didn't want us to eat the because we'll get a cough.  We disobeyed her, and we paid a price for it ( in bamboo ).

The prayers ended.  My aunt swept the scurrying ants decomposing plants, dried twigs, and other debris off the concrete floor.  We said goodbye and left the candles burning.

Que sera sera

Wat's up Readers,

"Bahala na!" is a common expression here in the Philippines, and it's a favorite phrase my aunts used especially when making plans.  Some believed that this term's origin can be traced back to pre-Catholicism local diety Bathala, who is associated with time and destiny.  Saying "Bahala na" is like saying "whatever will be will be".

In the bukid ( where it feels like the middle of nowhere ), where I watched the killing of a pig, a black-out happened.  I ate rice and minced pork in the kitchen illuminated by a flashlight and a lantern.  Creepy things flying brushing my legs ( maybe even snacking on me ).  Babies crying and dogs barking.

On the way to the Internet cafe, I saw a tree filled with fireflies, which looked like a flickering neon sign ( or dancing Christmas lights ).  My ride was 30 minutes late; I thought they forgot about me so I hailed a tricycle by myself ( stubbing my right toe a long the way ).

They told me I'll get to ride a horse.  I woke up early in the morning but it was cancelled because of the rain.  We were supposed to leave the party by 3 pm.  After the photo-ops of the family, I finally got the chance to ride the horse.  We left for Bicol by 3:35 pm.

We rode a jeepney for 9 hours from Nasugbu to Bicol.  As for merienda, "Bahala na".  As for a meal, we brought our own.  We stopped by the side of the road and ate.  Most disposables were biodegradable and thus left on the road.  For some, bathroom breaks also took place by the side of the road.  Pitched black broken by headlights of trucks and other vehicles.  New moon.

By the time we arrived in our destination, it was 1 am.  Stars in cluster seems farther up.  I think I saw the 3 sisters, other than that I didn't recognized other constellations.  Not everything is written in the stars, which are there to guide us: the way the North Star helped sailors find their way.  Whatever tomorrow brings will be; the rest is in our hands.  In the meantime, my relatives told stories as we ate an orange, caramelized peanuts, and espisol ( like mochi ).  As for sleeping? "Bahala na!"

"Bahala na!"

Life and Death Over Coffee and Suman

Hi Readers,

Ever since arriving in Nasugbu ( in the Batangas region ), every merienda I had thus far consisted of at least sweet black coffee and suman ( sticky rice cooked in coconut milk wrapped in banana leaf ).

Luckily the coffee hadn't affected my sleeping patterns.  With caffeine, the truth in IRRI's slogan became clearer. "Rice is life."  Rice is served in every meal; it's even in snacks and desserts. Life can be like suman; it isn't always sweet, and sometimes it can be sticky.

I was invited to attend the slaughter of a pig.  I ate balot so what's the big deal about watching the killing of a pig? A totally different thing!  I'll spare you the gory details readers; all I can say is that PETA will have a field day ( keep in mind: a different way of life, a different perspective ).  I drank coffee and ate suman before the beginning of the end began.

My cousin's cousin asked about life in the the United States.  I avoided diplomacy, romanticism, and nostalgia, and in my limited Tagalog, I gave him a simplified version of the saying: "Happiness is the consequence of personal effort [ mixed with the company of family and friends]."

I thanked the pig for his life ( after all I still like bacon ).  The pig's life was ended and was used to celebrate the birth date of a relative.  We wished him health and more birthdays to come.  In taking life to give life, the circle of life keeps going on-and-on.

Relatives' home-hopping

Hey Readers,

On our last day in my father's hometown, my aunt and I did nothing but eat and enjoy stories as we home-hop from one relative's to another's.

During breakfast we ate bibingka, champorado, and pandisal.  My aunts chit-chatted about childhood bullies and later speculated about marriage of their children.

We walked to the house of my aunt's sister-in-law; we had noodles with chicharon et al.  I listened to them talk about children's high energy, and body-conscious and technology-literate kids.

Next stop was my cousin's cousin's home.  I was getting full so I just ate a little rice and a lot of papaya with sabaw.  They told stories about working abroad, saving, and retiring.

Before leaving, we had merienda: spaghetti, bread, and coffee.  The next relative we were going to visit last saw me when I was still in diapers.  She nicknamed me Arabiano because I had just flown from the Middle East and my cheeks were round and plump like Buddha.  When she finally saw me, she commented that in spite of the growth spurt nothing else changed; I was still her Arabiano.

We are what we ate ( and cooked )

Que Pasa Readers!

My family reminisced about dead family members and friends.  My aunt remembered the morning she heard the news of my uncle's death.  After breakfast she and her sister were brought to the morgue to identify him.  At 23, my uncle was supposed to leave for work abroad; on the eve of his departure, he got into an accident ( taking a totally different trip as planned ).

My younger cousins asked about the other relatives and friends.  They were having difficulty picturing the faces with the names on the gravestones.

"Remember, she's the one who made fried chicken?"

"Oh yeah!" my cousin replied.  Pointing to another gravestone she added: "This one made great macaroni salad."



Remembering...



Even the souls of the dead get hungry

Kamusta Readers!

Where halloween is a night the living masquerade in costumes and the supernatural, Fiesta of the Dead ( consisting of All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day ) is a time for the supranatural "to show themselves" ( roughly translated from "nagpaparamdam" ) and to enjoy earthly senses once again.

We went to the cemetery early to avoid the crowd because on Fiesta of the Dead ( undas ) people all over the Philippines would return to their hometown to pay respect to their dead relatives.

A breeze made it difficult to light the candles we placed near our relatives' gravestones.  The overcast sky started sprinkling and refreshing the flowers we brought.  Some of us put on our hoodies.  From afar a boombox blasted music.  My little cousins laughed as they shielded and relight candles.

According to my aunt, the light of the candles would help guide the souls of those in purgatory, and in some way, its warmth and smoky scent would feed the souls.

At home people would leave food on the dining room table or in front of altars.  My aunt's mother told her to prepare food by 6 pm ( because by this time, the souls will start coming down from purgatory ).  The souls also would get full by the smell of fragrant food ( such as bico ), and we know that the souls are eating when ants start munching on the food offerings ( Beers are also accepted ).

We started getting hungry, so we ate the snacks we brought from home: potato chips, the turon we made that afternoon, and hard boiled quail eggs.  We sipped Cola and sat on marble benches.  The sprinkling paused; wet grass after the rain smelled like freshly washed rice.

My aunt wondered: "Why is it that people will wait either until the Fiesta of the Dead or a wedding day to meet up with family and friends? Shouldn't we enjoy each others company while we're still alive?"

Trick or treat before dinner

Yo Readers!

After returning from the picnic, I was tired; I wanted to take a nap.  I went to rest upstairs in my aunts' old room.  Strange things started to happen.

I was listening to my fully charged mp3 player then all of the sudden the music stopped and the application closed automatically.  I started reading a book.

My eyes were getting droopy, and then the lights was turned on.  I looked and I saw my little nephew scurrying away.

The music started playing again, and it got windy.  Of course, the wind was a good relief from the heat.  It started lolling me to sleep, but it got so strong slamming the door shut and disrupting my attempt to nap once again.

Next thing I know, it was time for dinner.  I told my aunts what happened.  One of them replied: "The spirits are early this year ... Maybe that's the spirit of your aunt looking for her pasalubong ( roughly translated as "souvenir from a trip or treat from a trip" )?"

It's been a year since my father's eldest sister died, and the room I stayed in was her favorite room.

Picnic up to the mountains

Hello Readers,

I'm in the Batangas region visiting my cousins from my father's side.  Meeting familiar faces, and being reminded of others no longer here, I'm told of stories that never get old ( even if told like a broken record in a good way ).

Near this region is Tagaytay, famous for its panoramic view of the Taal volcano in the middle of Taal lake, and a popular destination getaway from the busy, noisy, and crowded capital city, Manila.  My cousin heard that every year, an unlucky bystander traveling through Taal lake dies.  People speculated that this death has become a sort of offering ( as if Taal volcano takes a sacrifice ) to keep Taal volcano dormant ( kept silent from erupting ).

We didn't see any smoke rising; however up in the mountains, the wind made the temperature cold ( good cold like spring, cold like Baguio City ).  We ate the spaghetti with shell pasta, rice with sweet pork, and the fried chicken that we prepared early that morning as clouds briskly walk by us.

Taal Volcano inside Taal Lake

Street food and the local election

What's the dealio Readers!

Barangay ( roughly translated to as "towns" ), across the Philippines Archipelago, recently held local elections.  I'm amazed at the participation of the people, and where there's a large crowd, there's bound to be some traveling food vendors.

Voting day is declared a National Holiday emphasizing the importance to participate.  Even youths are encouraged.  My cousin in high school was accompanied by her friends to vote for their youth representative ( who is part of the 8 representatives advising the Barangay vice/chairman/leader ).

My aunt and uncle didn't pressure their kids to vote for a certain candidate; nonetheless, they were there to give advice ( if asked ).  Since public campaigning was limited to 2 weeks prior election day, most people chose their candidate based on gossip, and candidate's education, whether fiscally responsible or adept at handling crisis.

As my cousin's friend answered my questions and told me about local issues, such as reviving the old market place, I munched on fish balls and kikiam ( fish and squid ) on a stick, and sipped on Scramble ( shaved ice, evaporated milk, condense milk, food coloring, and other surprises ).

Sometimes I wish I have their fervor; regardless I'm fanatic about those fish balls and Scramble.  Even though I couldn't vote, I know it's never good to make such an important decision on an empty stomach; so remember to eat like there's no tomorrow next time you vote!

Superstitions and praying before a meal

Dear Readers,

My cousin was getting her child ready for a trip.  She pinned an amulet-esque imagery of Jesus and Mary on the inside of her baby's shirt.  Her baby continues to wear a black and orange bead bracelet ( also worn by her first born when he was a baby ); it's a protection from usog ( roughly translated to "bad feeling" ).

Certain days are either good or bad.  This day was one of the days when her child could take a bath ( certain days are avoided in order to prevent sickness; days chosen by our grandmother ).  There were also good days to move into a new home ( during a full moon or a new moon ).

In spite of the paradox ( to Catholicism? ), my aunt reminds us: "Don't forget to pray before you eat."

Taho and G6PD

Guess What Readers?!

While in Mindanao, Phil., I didn't get a chance to eat my favorite breakfast item, Taho.  Not because, they didn't have it, but because the Taho vendor's route was only limited to the main road ( I'd rather amble through the Port rather than hunt this elusive Taho seller ).

So guess what I did on the morning I heard his call? I sprinted to the window and hollered: "Taho, wait ... how much?" I grabbed 20 pesos ( overpriced according to my aunt ), and ran downstairs.  I watched as he scooped the sweet soy in layers and then added the jelly pearls and syrup ( liquid caramelized sugar ).  I got two cups, one for me, and another for my godchild ( one of the few avid taho aficionados ).

I was about to give my godchild his Taho, when his mother stopped me.  My godchild couldn't have Taho or any soy-based product because, he has G6PD, aka Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase ( a revelation for me ).  According to a web article I read ( not sure whether it's credible or not ) G6PD is a deficiency that is inherited through the X chromosome, and it causes red blood cells not to function normally ( which can cause hemolytic anemia ).

There are certain medicines and foods, such as fava beans , legumes ( beans and blackbeans ), soya/soy ( icecream, burgers, pizzas, chocolate, doughnuts, and more), peanuts ( peanut butter, cereal, sauces, salad dressings, and more ), and menthol flavor ( mouthwash, toothpaste, and more ), which trigger symptoms

Aside from Taho, I'm trying to think of other foods common to the Filipino diet that uses the ingredients above.  The only things I can think of are imported food, and franchise fast food, such as Jollybee, Greenwich, Shakey's, and others.  It's horrible that my godchild wouldn't be able to enjoy Taho fully; he'll learn to adjust.  In the meantime, it looks like I'll have to double my Taho intake and eat on his behalf.

Taho for 3

Fruit folklore

Hey Readers!

Throughout my trip I've had the privilege to eat fruit local to this part of the world, such as rambutan, lonzones, and durian.  Not only are these naturally sweet, but also loaded with lore.

Lonzones have the texture of gelatin; just don't bite the seed or else taste its bitterness.  According to my cousin's husband, a planter's happy mood contributed to lonzones' sweet taste.  Thus a mean-spirited planter would harvest only sour-tasting lonzones.

They are not only nice MERIENDA to eat while watching TV, CAMPING, or waiting in line, lonzones can be used to ward off mosquitoes.  My aunt saved the lonzones' skin, dried them, and burned them to smoke out those bloodsuckers.

Another fruit, which is reputed to "smell like hell and tastes like heaven" is durian.  According to most, a well-ripe durian has the consistency of a jack fruit.  The one we ate was over-ripe; it was mushy like pudding.  It definitely smelled like hell, if hell smelled like old onions and mustard emanating from one's unwashed underarms.  Our mush was paradise lost, but its candy version at least gave us a hint of heaven ( milk and honey ).

Left: Durian, Papaya, Plum, Rambutan, and Mango.

The birds and the bees

Hello Readers,

How do you explain ( or evade ) the birds and the bees to a curious child? By using food analogy of course!

My aunt asked if I remember living in the old house ( one of many old houses ).  I said maybe if I see a picture.  My godchild interrupted: "I was there too when godfather and I were little."

"You weren't here yet ... you were still leaves of a sweet potatoe/yam ( talbos nang kamote )," she said.  Before he could ask the next question concerning pregnancy, my aunt added, "Men and women eat these leaves, and that's how people of all ages are born."

Sweets and the Tooth Fairy

Hi Readers,

On our last night in Dipolog City, we dined out at Chicken Ati-Atihan, which served unlimited rice.  I ordered Ati pecho ( tender chicken breast ) and Pandan Shake.  Conversations started with talk of a new house, family eating together, and finally the tooth fairy.

When my cousin was younger her mother told her that if a tooth from her upper teeth were to fall, she'd have to throw the tooth up to the roof; and if it were to fall from the bottom row, then she'd have to put her tooth under her pillow in order for the tooth fairy to reward her.  She became a believer after finding money the next day on her way to school.

Then we started talking about a home method of removing loose baby tooth by tying a string around it and pulling it ( using a strong force such as slamming a door, ouch? ).  My cousin's 6 months old baby doesn't have any teeth yet.  His diet consists of milk and flavored mush.  He automatically opens his mouth when food comes his way, and once in a while he'll dabble in apple cranberry juice ( pucker face ), squid broth, lugaw, jelly, and others.  He's such a fierce eater already!

I'm reminded of all the sweets I've had since arriving in Dipolog City: ube shake, queso ice cream, melon ice cream with fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream with pinipig nuts, chocolate cake, marshmallows, Durian candy, jelly candy, cup cakes, halo-halo, merengue, Milkyway, banana-Q, and soda.  I remember all the cavities I had when I was younger; I dreaded going to the dentist.  That night I brushed my teeth twice and flossed in between.

Left: Black Forest, Caramel Mocha Crunch, Ube Cake, and Mango Crunch.