Naranyag A Paraangan

L et me share to you how our paraangan looks like with some Christmas decorations.
In front of our main door is a big parol fashioned out of capiz shells. This was brought to the US by my sister more than 10 yrs ago. We took care of it and this has been hanging in front at our paraangan every Kapaskuhan.

A new additon are those parolitos (little parols) that I brought back from my recent manila trip. Becky painstakingly wrapped these so as not to be crushed.



Next picture is our messy garage. You all are supposed to look beyond the mess but appreciate the other parol and the rest of the parolitos that Jim hanged on our garage.

We did not have any problem with the voltage. I bought these with a 220 light voltage. Mabalin metten. The lights emitted were not as bright but these looked like stars (as these should be) at night when lighted.

I will continue with my travelogue writings pag medyo nahimasmasan na sa trabaho. In the meantime, from our house to yours, Naimbag Nga Paskua.

The Best Fried Chicken

T here is no better chicken than Max's fried chicken.
I grew up with the taste of the Max's fried chicken always in my mind. The original Max's restaurant at Roces Ave. was the original favorite among us brod & sis. The spring fried chicken was a regular dish together with other trimmings we deem fit to order that day.

I did not have enough time to visit Roces Ave so I took the opportunity of having dinner at Max's at Baguio. I ordered my usual fare - Spring fried chicken and added fresh lumpiang ubod on the side.

The chicken came with some camote fries. The smell brought me back to my childhood days when a serving of Max's fried chicken meant homey Sunday afternoons with the whole family.

The chicken itself was good to eat without any other form of sawsawans. I like mine with the banana ketchup. The skin was malutong and the white meat was not dry. I will go for the wings and the tips of the leg for these are where the skin is crispiest.

On the other hand, the lumpiang ubod was passable. I could have enjoyed it more if it had more bawangs and chopped peanuts. The ubod filling was just right with its crispiness while the sauce topping was not too sweet - just right.

These food(s) are in my list of food to crave for while in Manila. I try to have a taste of these every time I go home. I always want to savor each bite of these not much of its outstanding taste but the memories I associate with these food.

There will always be an anecdote here or there that I can always relate with when it comes to my favorite foods. Every bite brings me back to those days, to those glorious days when I was surrounded by my family - that's all that matters to me.

Travelogue: Baguio (2)

M edyo lumalamig na nga talaga ang simoy ng hangin pero sige pa rin ang lakad ko. This time around I was close to the Mines View Park. Nag-iihaw ng pusit doon sa kanto so I decided to go down & partake of the feast na inihaw na pusit kasama ang isang pastic supot na coca-cola.

The usual Baguio stuff ws all around - walis tambo, Romana's peanut brittle, the Baguio vest, mga wood carvings including that wood carving in the picture. The late afternoon atmosphere was pretty calm - walang turista. I could walk at my own leisure without being harassed by peddlers & mendicants. I spoke freely Ilocano to the vendors & the natives.

As we went on the road, do look at these views of Baguio - reminiscent of Victoria Peak in San Franciso hindi ba? i tell you - maganda talaga ang Baguio sans the litter. The air was filled with the scent of pine and a specific kind of wood na sinabi si Mama - I just could not remember anymore.

I had to stop at the Good Shepherd Convent for the Ube Yam. I've been craving for this upon arrival in Manila. The closest I could get my hands on was the ube yam (gelatin actually) from Cherry Foodarama. Sabi ko sa bahay, I can go to Munoz market & buy the Ube sold yong tinatakal. Nobody favored that practise since linalangaw daw yon. Sagot ko - di lalong masarap!!!

Off to the Baguio Cathedral we went. This Church is another one of those Baguio landmarks. Lucky - mass was being celebrated that afternoon. What an appropriate way to say thank you to the blessings and such a humbling experience to be on one's knees in front of the Ultimate Creator.

Let me end my entry tonight with a view of Session Road - the main drag of Baguio. Pumasok na rin ang SM dito. Cecil told me the origins of ukay-ukay is in Baguio. There is really something unique with this place called Baguio. Just like my own country in a smaller scale - I will keep complaining about the heat, smog, the litter, kawalan ng toilet paper sa mga palikuran. Pero heto ako at binabalik-balikan pa rin.