On Hayahay

It's semestral break for my girls and we're determined to make the most of it. Earlier in the day, we were at Malatapay. Although we were fine with the day's adventure, we wanted had to go to Hayahay. Wednesday night is reggae night! Recording artists and local band Enchie were featured.

Located along the famous Rizal Boulevard extension facing the ocean, Hayahay is one of many establishments peacefully sharing space, food and service in a commercial compound. There's a travel agency, a small boutique selling souvenirs and beach wear and the renowned Lab-as where we bring out of town guests for the best seafood dishes. Hayahay is mainly a venue and bar. That they draw in the crowds at night is probably the reason surrounding restaurants offer their menus there.

We got seats at the tree house in Chez Andre. Lucky! The best pizza for me in Dumaguete is here. In Manila, I go to their branch at Kingswood in Pasong Tamo (across Shopwise).

We ordered the Four Seasons, which we get when we can't decide. See the catsup served with it? That's the way it's done here, honestly! They do, though, make their own HOT(!) sauce which is excellent.

A couple of beers and one large pizza later, we where no closer to hearing Enchie perform live. There were other bands providing reggae music and they were actually pretty good. There was no moon that night and we were looking out into the vast darkness that was the ocean. It made a difference.

I was tired from all we did that day. Yup, I'm THAT old:) I swear though, the next time I go here on a Wednesday night, I'll make sure to get a nap in the afternoon and have coffee first. Or maybe I'll just pass and let the kids go. Note to self: Get the CD!

On Malatapay

We drove to Zamboangita which is south of Dumaguete. Wednesday is market day. It's the one day of the week that hawkers, farmers and anyone who has anything to sell converge on the street leading to the resort of Malatapay. The street was packed with stalls with pirated DVDs, local vegetables, meat and everything else. The was a huge corral with livestock for sale. Live carabaos and cows included!

We weren't in the market for any of those though. Our destination was at the end of the busy thoroughfare, at the beach. There, makeshift stalls cooked fresh catch. Lechon cebu is available at PhP250/kilo. The skin is crispy, the meat tasty and is brought to your table with a dipping sauce of local vinegar and soy sauce. Yummy!

We were lucky to get the last of the lechon. The remaining 100 grams was thrown in, not counting the skin we had already started munching on. Normally, when we're unsure where to eat, we go to the place with the most people. We figure that most people can't be wrong:) But all the places were packed, and it was way past lunch! We took the first available table under a tree.

I was brought to several coolers with HUGE fish to choose from. There was tanigue available, but if you don't cook it right, it tends to get tough. Feeling adventurous, I decided on barracuda which was highly recommended. Two kilos was enough for 4 people, they said. It cost 250 per kilo, including ingredients and cooking fees.

We tried the famous "sutikil", or cooked three ways. It includes "sugba" which means grilled, "tinola" which here is fish boiled with salt, ginger, tomatoes and siling haba. Finally the "kilawin" which is fresh cubed fillet of fish marinated in calamansi juice, salt, ginger, onions and chili peppers. Visayans know their kinilaw like nobody's business!

Fresh, yummy food... a shady place to sit... the ocean breeze... being with people you love... LIFE IS GOOD!!

On Super Mario

How my grandson considered car crashes and other forms of violence as online amusement is a mystery to me. As far as I knew, he never strayed from the Nickelodeon and Disney websites.

I finally introduced him to Super Mario, THE game of the 80's. Nothing is more heroic than trying to save the Princess:)

Gabriel was hooked! What with all the levels and the world needing to be saved, it was perfect...until he had to go Trick or Treating. He wanted to go as Mario amidst the ghouls, zombies and witches. As the quintessential doting grandmother, I did my best to give in. Here's Super Mario/Gab!

PS: Do you see Silly Dog? He's never far from his master. It would have been too nerve-wracking to dress him as Luigi.

On Antulang

Tara had a birthday last weekend but she didn't plan on celebrating. It just so happened that Nicole wanted to be here during sem break and Arthur came all the way from Bacolod to surprise her. My Mom was also here for a few days before leaving for Manila again. It made for one big "party" wherever we were. After inquiring at their Dumaguete office, we decided to go to Antulang. The rates for locals are very reasonable. Rooms start at PhP1,080.-

I knew it would be a long-ish drive to Siaton and that Antulang was up in the mountains. What I didn't count on was that the last 10 or so kilometers would be on mostly unpaved roads taking up the longest, back-breaking 45 minutes of my life! I missed my 4WD back in Manila with its mag wheels and plush seating. All the concentrating made me hungry even if I had breakfast just an hour before AND I seriously needed a nicotine fix.

It was heaven to finally reach our destination! The "kids" jumped right into vast expanse of water. The infinity pool overlooked the ocean. Apo Island was visible at a distance. And the best part was the swimming! It made sense that the pool was filled with sea water.

Lunch was a pleasant surprise. I don't know why I expected bad food (tsk! tsk!), but when I took my first bite of lunch, I knew the rest of our stay would be enjoyable. We had dinner there and breakfast the following day, and the food was consistently good though simple. Prices would be considered steep compared to Dumaguete prices, but they're pretty reasonable when you consider that they have large servings.

We snuck in a birthday cake we bought the day before. I even got candles. But there were a FEW things we didn't consider. It was a sansrival cake that needed refrigeration. We hoped it survived the drive. Plus, Nicole had a serious peanut allergy and Arthur was allergic to cashew! The meringue wafers were already soggy but the butter frosting held it together. But everybody got to sing for the birthday girl. All things in perspective!

There was a mini-zoo and a well-maintained playground. Antulang seemed like it was located at the edge of a precipice, cliffs were below when you looked over the rails. Horseback riding, cruises and snorkeling were available. Too bad we didn't even have time to explore. The overnight stay was too short but we all had to get back to the city.

Before we left, though, we just had to see a pool villa. It's the primary picture shown on their web page and brochure. It was what Antulang was famous for, at least for local honeymooners. Priced at PhP12,500.-, it was securely enclosed and had its own view, pool and jacuzzi. All I can say is that it's worth the hype!

Although I can't say that we'd be going back again there soon, it's nice to know that our options are open. Nicole posted more pictures in her Multiply site. Click here to view. Visit the Antulang home page here for more information.

On the 21st of October

And thou shalt in thy daughter see,

This picture, once, resembled thee.



~Ambrose Philips

On Why I Am Thankful

In light of the tragedy at the Ayala Center yesterday, I wanted to reconsider today's post. It was an email I posted at the ThankYou.ph website but thought it would be inappropriate. Upon careful consideration, I decided to continue. There is no less reason for us to be thankful today. We need to be so now, more than ever.

I AM THANKFUL



For the WIFE

who says it's hotdogs tonight,

because she is home with me,

and not out with someone else.



For the HUSBAND

who is on the sofa

being a couch potato,

because he is home with me

and not out at the bars.



For the TEENAGER

who is complaining about doing dishes

because it means she is at home,

not on the streets.



For the TAXES I PAY

because it means

I am employed.



For the MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

because it means

I have been surrounded by friends.



For the CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

because it means

I have enough to eat.



For MY SHADOW that watches me work

because it means

I am out in the sunshine.



For A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

because it means

I have a home.



For all the COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

because it means

we have freedom of speech.



For the PARKING SPOT I FIND

AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

because it means

I am capable of walking

and have been blessed with transportation.



For my HUGE HEATING BILL

because it means

I am warm.



For the LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH

WHO SINGS OFF KEY

because it means

I can hear.



For the PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

because it means

I have clothes to wear.



For WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES

AT THE END OF THE DAY

because it means

I have been capable of working hard.



For the ALARM THAT GOES OFF

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS

because it means

I AM ALIVE.



And finally, for TOO MUCH E-MAIL

because it means

I have friends who are thinking of me.



- email from Zoyx

On Gratitude

Blogger's Note. I was deciding on what to blog on today. The choices were: (1) Philippines First Annual Thank You Day or (2) International Poverty Eradication Day. Why did I even have to think, it was so obvious!? Another cup of coffee please...

There's a whole chapter dedicated to gratitude in The Science of Getting Rich. It happens to be the longest one. The Secret acknowledges that "...the power of gratitude stands above everything else. If you only do one thing (italics mine) with the knowledge of the Secret, use gratitude until it becomes your way of life.

Yesterday's Philippine Star ran promotional material on the Philippines' first annual "Thank You" day. Among others, it cites the medical benefits of gratitude. According to the article:

Gratitude can be beneficial to your health. According to published research findings by Dr. Robert Emmons (University of California in Davis) and Dr. Michael McCullough (University of Miami), gratitude is a virtue conducive to good health, w3ell-being, happiness, and psychological stability.

The research revealed that practicing gratitude, whether verbally or through action, resulted in heightened liveliness, optimism and enthusiasm. Furthermore, the research subjects were far less prone to depression and tension.

...An immune system supported by a sunny disposition is one more resistant to diseases and disorders that plague the body and the spirit.

Our Awesome Planet, a blog whose feed I subscribe to, made its own awesome contribution:

In Celebration of the first ever National Thank You in the Philippines on Oct. 20, I'm launching an art project campaign on saying the most creative "Thank You." I'm launching ThankYou.PH to say creative thanks to all the people that influenced and help me in my blog. This will be an ongoing campaign that would last forever (naks :)

ThankYou.PH is an ongoing community art project where people send their Thank You to show a simple appreciation to friends, family and love ones in a creative way. This was inspired by the National Thank You Day. Just email your creative Thank You to thankyouday.post@blogger.com.

It's all good!

Finally, I'd like to show you something I got in my inbox at pinoyexchange.com. Participate in any way you can. Encourage others to do the same. And don't forget to say thank you:)

Thank you!