While I don’t intend to make a list of my top eats on a monthly basis, I thought of making one in reference to my recent vacation in the Philippines. I can come up with a huge list, but I decided to point the following which are a combination of same-old and new tastebuds’ triggers.

Flower Salad [Bohol Bee Farm]. This organic garden salad is an assortment of freshly picked romaine lettuce, radish, turnips, mustard greens and of course the indigenous flowers. While it was not the first time I tasted a flower, it was a first when it comes to eating a bunch of flowers. All the petals tasted reasonably acceptable, especially that the honey mustard dressing was delicious. How to know if the flower is edible? I am still contemplating about the information shared by the guide (Bohol Bee Farm staff), that any flower being sucked by bees is not poisonous and therefore edible.

Spicy Kinilaw na Talong [Bohol Bee Farm]. I am not fond of kinilaw, but I liked how the eggplant was broiled, with cocomilk, ginger, onion, and honey.

Ginger and Malunggay Ice Cream [Bohol Bee Farm]. If you are adventurous enough, the ginger ice cream is a must-try. Well, it tastes so much like…  a ginger, a spicy ginger! On the other hand, the malunggay ice cream was surprisingly delicious. I guess that is due to the amount of milk (and butter?) in it. You may order per scoop just like we did which I think is practical if your intention is to explore the different flavors. Other flavors available, which are more familiar to our tastebuds, are mango, avocado, pandan, choco, ube, honey, and halo halo.

Grilled Scallops [Balicasag Island, Bohol]. Among the dishes served to us during our sumptuous lunch after the snorkeling, I liked best the scallops. I missed it a lot since I’ve never had any scallop dish in the UAE due to lack of fresh supply in the emirate. (Let me know if there is and where it is hiding.) I started to fancy baked scallops when I was doing frequent work-related visits in Cebu. There is a carinderia-like near a university in Escario which serves it best.

Sea Urchin [Virgin Island, Bohol]. I regret that I didn’t try it! Munching on a sea urchin with vinegar while walking on the beautiful Virgin Island could have been wothwhile. Though I have no tangible idea on how it tastes (I gathered it probably replicates a lobster’s liver), I still consider it a top edible.

Lechon Pizza [Pizza Hut]. We have tried it just to kill the curiousity. Our group had mixed reactions while we were biting the crispy lechon toppings with the sarsa (sauce) on it. It was not bad at all, but I can only consume a single slice. More than that would be overwhelming. If you are interested to know more, interesting reviews were shared by kitchencow and upto6only.

Tuyo with Calamansi [Laiya, San Juan, Batangas]. I remember liking tuyo since I was a fetus, huh. That is, my mother craved for it (and balut, a fertilized duck egg) when she was pregnant. I always take spicy vinegar as a condiment until I tried calamansi on it in one of those buffet breakfasts we had in Laiya. Try this combination!

Abnoy [Siniloan, Laguna]. It is one of my classic-never-fails-to-bring-me-home favorites.  It is made of duck eggs which got spoiled that didn’t qualify to be a balut. You need a spicy and/or strong vinegar to counter the stinky smell. It is hell-y smelly but delicious!

Photos taken few hours before the Good Friday procession.

(The fresh water is coming from the mountains. It is refreshingly cold.)

My cousin’s wedding prompted a random reunion and outing. Prior to that, our last family outing was in Club Manila East. But since this year was extra special, as we were reunited with relatives based abroad whom we have not seen from five to eight years, we chose a place which is and will forever be important and memorable to us. We did not even think of the fancy resorts in Laguna and nearby provinces.

This place which we fondly call piit has been a backgrounder in too many photographs – from my grandparents’ generation to us. The last time I came here was post-college when there were still crabs (we would cook them), plenty of fish and other pertinent marks inhabiting in and by the river, as most of the members of the family and my gradeschool classmates (we had a very memorable day here) recall.  There were no entrance fees for the longest time and in a way, we felt like we will forever be entitled to that because we are the town’s pioneer residents. I remember that more than five years ago, the management (whoever was managing that time, now it is managed by the municipality) wanted to start collecting fees for its maintenance. But in all cases, they were not charging us because we are some of the identified residents. Though it came to a point that I rarely go home and look touristy, then I should at least have someone known to the gate keepers.

(When I looked at the running waters, I heard laughters and saw faces of too many people, including strangers from yesteryears, and I think that they would think and feel of the same way should they kiss the splash again.)

Until last Maundy Thursday, we embraced our old favourite once again. It changed a lot. It is obviously being commercialized now coupled by improvements. Maybe I am just one of the old patrons who is undergoing a phase of resistance because we loved it for its innocence (and I admit, for some sort of exclusivity). The hanging bridge that made me walk like a drunkard (forgetting about my fear of heights) and was swaying excessively especially when there are more than two people crossing by, was newly introduced.

Before the bridge’s existence, we needed to cross through the batuhan and river. Also, I missed the hiking obliged from the main gate until we are taken to first glimpse of running water. I did not see our favorite spots anymore where there are humongous group of stones where we used to place our stuff. Most of them are gone and replaced by the many cottages. There are washrooms now as well. When we were much younger, we changed clothes at our own risk/strategy (hello, malong!). Oftentimes, we went home with the same wet clothes.

And well, the school of fish and crabs are gone.

But just the same, it was a fun-filled day graced by chatting, camera and video shutters, cards and comfort food which were mostly inihaw and cooked there (grilling spots were steps away from the cottages). I just realized that I forgot to take photos of that (more important) part. Probably I was too busy catching up on stories with my relatives and that we were eating kamayan style (eating with hands).

(Originally uploaded by Pinoy Mountaineer)

I am happy though that the hiking (and going through the long stretch of running water) is still necessary to reach the hidden falls (buntot palos) at the far end. The challenge really matters. Somehow I still feel some sort of exclusivity because not too many reaches that area (or only known to few). But I noticed that the hardwork is lessen by the availability of tour guides this time, armed with bamboo raft and vest.

And wow, our very own piit was renamed into Panguil River Eco Park. The big changes are destined. But whatever happens, some things never change. I will always remember it the way it used to be.

I am thankful that my weeklong stay in the Philippines coincided with the Holy Week. Our country is among those noted in its observance. In particular, Pampanga, Bantayan Island, Marikina and (some towns) in Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan are known for the procession. The day after my cousin’s wedding was Palm Sunday. And since then, I looked forward to the Holy Wednesday and Good Friday processions. I have missed these for years.

We live near the town’s church. Hence, an hour before the (Friday) procession, we chanced on checking the poons (religious images) in Natividad Street. Most of these were still being prepped up.

At 7:00 PM, the poons were already gathered infront of the church.

Just the same as most of the poons, the sakristans (altar boys) were dressed in black or other color which depicts sadness on a Good Friday.

In our town, there are at least 30 poons joining the procession on a Holy Wednesday and Good Friday. The images, more or less, try to show what transpired from the day Jesus Christ arrived in Jerusalem, presence of apostles, the last supper, his crucifixion, the sadness of the Virgin Mary and the day Jesus Christ’s body was layed in the tomb.

Among the 30 poons, there are specific ones which are supposed to join the procession only on a Holy Wednesday or Good Friday. These three photos in the above collage were taken last Wednesday, the rest were snapped on last Friday.

The order of presentation of the poons may vary from town to town. There is a general conception that Saint Peter (with his chicken) should come first as he is the first saint who would welcome you in the gates of heaven. Some towns decide based on their patron saints.

As mentioned earlier, most of the poons wore a different set of clothing on a Holy Wednesday (e.g. blue, red, etc.) in contrast to Good Friday’s black to convey sadness over Jesus Christ’s death.

In our neighbor town, before the evening procession on a Good Friday, a dapit is being held at 3:00 PM. Only the poon above (laying) and the Pieta or Virgin Mary in black gown are joining the procession. And on Easter Sunday, the salubong is done at 5:00 AM to commemorate and celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. (I have not witnessed this anymore since I went back here last Saturday night.)

The town’s traditional band plays at the end of the line, followed by the hampas (penitents). The latter joins a Holy Wednesday and/or Good Friday processions, or do their sacrifices on morning of Maundy Thursday and/ or Good Friday. Although it is no longer observed in many provinces/countries, there are still believers in this means of forgiveness of sins. I observed though that there are groups of teenage hampas who seem to do it as a barkada activity or without a solid reason. Some children fear them because of the blood and with the misconception that blood showers from the hampas will transfer the latter’s sins or misdeeds to them.

How and where did you observe the Holy Week?

One of the not so ordinary stuff that you will find inside the Emirates Palace washroom. Taken in April 2009.

Now, here’s the real bird. Alive, kicking and… eating!

Exotik Restaurant. Taken in December 2007.

(More photohunters)