The Way They Eat

 

You would know that  Philippine Independence Day Celebration is just around the corner when you suddenly sees a lot of Philippine Flag being displayed. Then we come to relive the lives of our Heroes who fought for our Independence from Spain. But if we really had Independence on June 12 or was it the 4th of July?(that would be another blog subject)

Yes we are aware how brave our heroes were, but did we stop and ask: what were the constitution of their diets? what do the mochacho serve on the revolutionaries’ table?

Cafe Marco of The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu takes you back a Century on a Culinary Journey that the explores the kitchen of the Yesteryears in Philippine History.

On June 7 to 16, 2013, come and savor Café Marco’s wide selection of our favorite Filipino dishes with Spanish influence on top of the international buffet. Feast with friends and family on dishes reminiscent of Filipino family gatherings such as Arroz ala Valenciana, Pata Humba, Mechado, Adobo de Carajay, Bangus Salad with Kesong Puti and a lot more! All these cooked perfectly from the Café Marco Kitchen with the culinary expertise of Cebu’s Culinary Guru, Ms. Jessica Avila.

Celebrate freedom the good ol’ Filipino way with Cucina del Siglo, only at Miele Guide’s Top 5 Best Restaurant in the Philippines, Café Marco at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu hotel!

For inquiries and reservations, you may call (Cebu) +63-32 2531111    or (Manila) +63 2 887 1263

 

 

 

Paaway sa Kabayo is more of a Lover’s Quarrel….

CEBU CITY.July 24, 2012

As the Activities in my hometown shifted to high gear, here I am Cebu City, reading feeds from Facebook and Twitter posted by my friends in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, downed by Cough and Cold and on-set Flu.

Normally  by this time am already in Tanjay, hooping from one relative’s house to the other’s savoring all time fiesta favorites and off course the best Budbud in the whole Universe.

And like any other Tanjayanon we look forward with high anticipation for the PAAWAY SA KABAYO.

Yes you read it right, Horse Fight..

But don’t get me wrong, Horse Fight is more of a “Lover’s Spat”, unlike the Cock or Dog Fight where  participant get killed or hurt really bad.

 

In Paaway sa Kabayo, its Love Triangle.

 

The Paaway sa Kabayo would start with a mare brought in to the arena, and let the stallion do his thing onto the mare.

 

Then the other stallion will be given its time with the mare.

 

 

 

With Estrogen and Testosterone heightens thus jealousy kicks in, thus the FIGHT for LOVE commence.

Kicks

Bites

 

Show of

 

And a lot of running

 

 

Nope he is not dead, he is just tired..

 

and of course his master is always there to console him

Back then, the fight is held in an open field either the oval of Tanjay Central School or East Negros Institute, there were no barrier between the spectators and raging stallions. This give the spectators a piece of the action, trying to evade the fury of the horses.

These days an arena is set, made of steel, that act as  barrier, that made some disappointment to some daredevil.

While a time limit and point system  is implemented, but in the old times its fight to submission.

Some People May Call it Barbaric

I Say “Go Ahead a Call Me Barbarian” for its My Culture and My Heritage..

For More Picture Click here

A Trip to Bicolandia without leaving Cebu

Cebu City
April 18, 2012

Today is the birthday Don Vicente Sotto, i attended a ceremony hosted by Cebu City government to honor Don Inting’s legacy. It’s a well attended gathering, with members of the Sotto Clan headed grandson Sen. Tito Sotto, and  daughter Dr. Suga Sotto-Yuvienco.

Halfway of the program i have to leave the Sinulog Hall of the Rizal Memorial Library, on my way to Bicolandia.

Nah!!! not the Bicolandia as in Bicol Region..

My Bicolandia this time is the Cafe Marco at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, the home of the Best Buffet in town.

Marco Polo together with Department of Tourism Bicol Region (5) and Cebu Pacific brings to Cebu the Culinary Journey: Bicolandia.

Chef Doy Sto. Domingo, Bicol’s Celebrity Chef, gives us an array of Region’s Culinary treasure.

Chili Wraps

We started our journey with Chili Wraps, yes its chili wrap in Lumpia wrappers.   Former Central Visayas DOT director Dawnie Roa, asked me to try it first, to gauge  how hot is it. It was a bit bearable for me, but i found out the Madam Dawnie’s Chili threshold is way lower than mine.

Longganisang Bicol

Longganisang Bicol, comes in a smaller package compared to the regular longanisa we have in our markets, its as compact as chorizo bilboa.

Langkoy with Ensaladang Talong

Langkoy, Beltfish is Bicol’s Danggit.

The soup is Lapulapu sa Buko, or in Bicolandia they call it Binakol na Lapulapu, its a bit sweet for it contain buko juice.

Paella Bicolana

Don Jaime Picornel, the Honory Consul of Spain couldn’t have enough of Paella Bicolana, its mainly brown rice with bounty of the sea over it.

Guisado Pancit Bato

Pancit Bato came from the town of  Bato in Camarines Sur.

Gulay na Natong (Laing)

Bicol Express

Of Coure Bicol Meal would not be complete without Laing and Bicol Express.

Dessert

The name skips my mind, but this is Bicol’s version of shakoy.

Masi

Mazapan de Pili

 

Then came the Chili Ice Cream, we have a good laugh, when Former Director Dawnie Roa, scream  as the chili in the ice cream got her. As the ice cream come in contact with your tongue, just like any other ice cream sweet and cold then the chili fang follows.

You Don’t Have to take my word for it…

You Must Try it for yourself…

 

Catch this interesting Culinary experience  at Cafe Marco, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu from April 20 to 29, 2012.  Authentic Bicolano Dishes comes along with Cafe Marco’s international buffet fevorites. Lunch Buffet is serve from 12:oo noon until 2:30 pm and Dinner from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm.

Diners get a chance to win a round trip tickets to Legaspi courtesy of Cebu Pacific.

For inquiries and reservations: Call Cebu: (032) 253 1111 and Manila (02) 887 1263.

Gilbert Bargayo 17th crucifixion

The first time i meet Gilbert Bargayo was in Mantalongon Dalaguete in 2008 , prior to his crucifixion, when i do an interview together with Dunc Coleman an Australian Freelance Docu-filmmaker.

He gamely show me his hands with more than many times nail driven to it.

The scar is not  that prominent, he told me that he made sure that the nails are driven exactly on the same spot.

Our next meeting is just a while ago in Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

He look exactly the same the last time i saw him nailed in the cross of the chilly mountain  of  Mantalongon.

Of course his assistants are there, the younger guy is the keeper of the nails, the older one is tasked of driving the nails, and making an incision on the the skin near the his rib cage.

This is the 17th time he had himself nail to the cross. The Mantalongon Crucifixion  was more organized, and the cool mountain breeze made the entire episode more bearable.

Today was just chaotic, organizers just don’t know what crowd management was. There were policeman but of no use. One guy in Barong went near the cross and shouted at photojournalist to move away, but never bother people with their camera phone, who were recording the event like they have a deadline to beat.

More Pictures here.