Tour of the Gluttons

Inspired by Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations' Philippines edition, which we just watched again (with our guest /friend Ram), we decided to do our own Pampanga food tour. And we wasted no time.

As with most north bound trips, meet up is at our flat. We even had a movie night/sleep over to ensure that nobody will be late the next day. Just for the record, we watched (1) Drag me to Hell and (2) Temptation Island.

Technically, our first stop was at McDonalds in West Avenue. It was already 11 when we head out of the house and everyone was hungry. Plus some wanted to try their reintroduced twister fries. But in no time at all, we were cruising along SCTEX (the usual way). There was a bit of a déjà vu feel to this, with banggigay's Gabriel, indayguapa driving, and sctex @160kph. ;)

Aling Lucing's Sisig

The inevitable official first stop of our food trip: Aling Lucing's carinderia in Angeles for the most famous sisig in the Philippines!! A chain of Aling Lucing's Sisig has opened all over, even in Manila, but we wanted to go to where it all began. And not just anywhere in Angeles, because there are already several branches in Angeles, but at the original carienderia!

SISIG, for your info, is a popular Filipino dish and pulutan (something you eat while drinking) and legend has it that it was invented by Aling Lucing when she decided it's too wasteful to throw away pig heads. She minced pork ears, face, skin, whatnot and cook them in oil, chilli, onion, vinegar, pepper corn, soy sauce, then serve in sizzling plate with calamansi (local lime). Yum! makes me crave for it again. Note that we had 3 orders of sisig on our table for 6 people. All you need is rice actually. The true test of good food is if you don't have an ambiance to go with it and it's still wicked. Look at the left end of above photo, how there was an ongoing renovation next door.

After stuffing ourselves full (fool), we decided to take a walk around the charming town. Time check: 2.30pm.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

This beautiful Byzantine inspired church began its construction in 1877 and was finally completed in 1896. It was with the combined effort of people of Angeles, which at that time was a relatively new town, recently separated from San Fernando, Pampanga. The church did not change so much since it's completion in 1896 even after the pull out of Spanish and World War II.

The Aetas in Angeles

Record has it that the Aetas were not so welcome in Angeles long time ago. The locals even had religious processions in the belief that it will drive the Aetas away. The recent volcanic eruption of Mt Pinatubo has displaced them from their ancestral homes and now you find them begging for survival. But we found a group a few meters from the church selling fruits who seem assimilated to the Angeles society. The playful children had a fun time posing for us.

Everybody's Cafe

After being stuck at Nepo Mart due to sudden monsoon rain for about an hour, everybody got hungry again. And what more fitting restuarant than Everybody's Cafe: The Home of Authentic Kapampangan Food. Find below some of the (un)usual food they serve. They also serve food we consider not so unusual.

camaru-crispy cricket adobo

batute-stuffed froggie

After dinner, we decided it's too early to head home, so how about night cap? And where would be most logical to go? Quezon City? Of course not! We headed further north -- to Subic! We chilled at Pier1 with a few beers and kinilaw na tanigue. But first, we had to take picture of this. Me and Inday at least. :)

SUBIC BAY

hearts day with kites and balloons

it was a wonderful weekend out of town, different from the previous valentines i have experienced so far. armed with good vibes and spunky spirit, the secret society decided to celebrate the hearts day neither inside some fancy restaurants nor posh hotel ballrooms but there on the green field of Clark, with a thousand more spectators, waited patiently for the first hot air balloon to take off.

it’s amazing to see so many people up on their feet before the sun peeked its first rays against mt.arayat that served as the fest’s backdrop. the morning breeze that seemingly reminded me of what i miss living outside a crowded city was highlighted with quiet laughter of playing kids whilst chasing for flying kites. and the clear blue sky set a perfect contrast to the burst of colours presented by lifting-off hot air balloons, dancing paragliders and sky divers.

the number of cars parked side by side and the jam just before the SLEX exit were clear indicators of how strong local tourism is. if only all festivals in the country would be as well marketed as this, hefty revenue from tourism sector can be really promising.

it’s my 3^rd year attending the festival but its novelty has not faded a bit. the sight of flying kites brings back fond memories of my childhood. friends who came with me know how excited i was to fly a kite that morning. it’s like me going back to the days when i have less cares. and the emancipation that the taking off hot air balloons gives me whilst i lay there on the grass field is something i really needed these days. the hectic city life can easily gets into you that you sometimes lose balance of it all and moments such as that is all that you need to refocus and recharge.

but the fair would just be another fair like the past years i’ve attended if i have not decided to celebrate it with my fellow wandersoles (sans indayguapa) and N & M – collectively the secret society. no one can jazz up a day more than the combined energy of these crazy beautiful peeps. :-)