happy steps

The year 2008 is almost here! I’m getting misty-eyed just thinking about another year given by God, another blessing of new beginnings from the Giver of life.

As I look back to the year that was, I felt so grateful for a lot of things, particularly the trip I took to Thailand during midyear. That travel not only gave me a break for another training project but I was able to meet my big sis and her family before they moved to Finland. It was really God’s perfect time.

I pray that next year will finally bring me to some of my dream destinations in Europe.

We’ve seen it as just one of the new restaurants along Lacson street. We pass it by everytime we head to Bacolod and back. But Uncle F has nothing but praises for Enteng’s native restaurant (originally from the city of Sagay, about 84 kms from Bacolod) so, one time we stopped by for lunch and decided to give it a try. Food was really yummy as what uncle told us, and the prices are affordable. We ordered grilled scallops, buttered vegetables, lechon baka (beef), baby back ribs and sizzling squid. Aside from their native lechon (roasted pork), Enteng’s is famous for kinilaw which we haven’t tried yet so we vowed to be back again.

When Uncle F and Auntie V celebrated their wedding anniversary recently we decided to treat them to Enteng’s. We still ordered grilled scallops (my fave!) again, including grilled squid, grilled tanguigue (Spanish mackerel), fish sinigang (sour fish soup) and mixed seafood platter.

We still haven’t tried their kinilaw since it was evening and it’s not advisable to have raw fish for our tummies. I brought my own baked moist chocolate cake for our dessert and the staff was accommodating enough to provide us with the extra plates and forks. The owner Enteng (whose kinilaw expertise has been featured in magazines and news articles) and his wife were present that time, sitting behind the cashier unassumingly. Mom handed them some cake slices too. It was an evening of good food and family togetherness. Until next time again!

Merry Christmas!!!

I just want to share with you the holiday attraction at the Silay City plaza with their trees adorned with lights and the numerous artistic pieces displayed around which were actually entries for a Christmas art competition. We’ve heard about these creative works of art being showcased and we’ve been planning to visit it earlier during the week but got so busy and finally had our chance yesterday.

A life-size Christmas Belen (nope, this is not part of the contest entries)

Christmas lights encircled around trees

Christmas angel (1st prize)

Christmas angel (2nd prize)

Christmas king or one of the wise men (1st prize)

Though I don’t know the contest rules but just by observation, the materials have to made of indigenous and recyclable items. Anyway, here’s a pic of the facade of the Silay Cathedral taken that night.

And look at these Christmas lights outside Uncle J’s residence… very artistic as well!

It’s that time of the year when you see houses and buildings spruced up with holiday trimmings and blinking lights. Yup, Christmas is here again and I felt the spirit of the holiday season as we drove through Bacolod city this evening. You can see most of the buildings lighted up with all sorts of lanterns or adorned with blinking and dancing lights. Despite feeling sleepy, I managed to take shots of some buildings along Lacson Street.

The PNB (Philippine National Bank) building and the dimly lit lagoon in the foreground. The red and green lights are usually activated during special events such as the Masskara festival and now the Christmas season.

Doesn’t that brightly lit building look familiar? That’s the favorite hangout of families especially if there are little kids in tow.

Christmas lights gracing the facade of a building.

Here’s how the city lagoon looks like at 10pm.

Christmas puppet show at the Robinson’s Place mall.

In the Philippines, each province prides itself with its own local delicacies and handicrafts which are perfect ideas for pasalubongs. For instance, you have those handcrafted wooden sculptures, hand-woven sweaters and shawls, fresh strawberries and peanut brittle from Baguio. How about Cebu? Well, you can’t get enough of their yummy danggit, otap, dried mangoes and crispy chicharon from Carcar. The nearby island of Mactan is famous for its guitars and ukuleles and you can see these carried by tourists in the airport who usually buy more than one.

My big bro’s family in Mactan would always remind us to bring them piaya, being one of Bacolod’s famous native delicacies. They were a bit disappointed when we failed to bring them some packs during one of our recent trips to Cebu. Another pasalubong that always bring a smile to our faces are the packs of yummy puto from Manapla given by Tita D every time they drop by our home.

Being a travel bug, one of my Christmas wishes is for my travel plans to push through next year.

So what are my plans??? Europe, Europe, Europe! LOL. Now that my two siblings are based there, wouldn’t it be great to hop over to Finland where big sis is staying and of course visit Prague where my cutie sis is based. Other must-see places for me are London, Rome, Paris, the Netherlands, and many more. OK, I need to turn off my dreaming mode now.

Have a merry merry Christmas guys and gals. May all our travel wishes come true!

When I was still a newbie on Thai food, I try to be cautious with my choices especially if I see lots of chilies on the dish. I appreciate spicy food but not as spicy as what the Thais usually serve. They would tell you “Mai phet, mai arroy” which means if it’s not spicy, it’s not tasty or delicious. So, if you’ll be dropping by this land famous for its hot and spicy cuisine, just be sure to tell the waiter “Mai phet” (not spicy) or “Mai sai prik” (don’t put chili) if you can’t stand eating a spicy dish. And don’t forget to say “Arroy maak!” (tastes very good) if you find the dish yummy.