Picture Feature(d): To Dive For

For the second time. My photo was included in the cover story of SEAIR InFlight Magazine’s October - November 2009 issue along side with the other notable photographers like Ken Go, Ferdz Decena, Oggie Ramos, Dane Soriano and Roberto S. Francisco. The story is all about diving in Boracay Island. So, pack up, head to Boracay Island and dive.

The Little Jewels of Vigan City: The Minute Facts

No. I won’t be the 10,000^th, or the 20,000^th, or the 30,000^th or so tourist who will enthusiastically rave or shout out his tour of Vigan City, particularly the Nema Crisologo Street (also dubbed as the Mestizo District) and branded as Vigan Heritage Village by the UNESCO in December, 1999 because of its Spanish colonial past.

Nema Crisologo Street, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

I don’t want this blog entry to be among the countless write-ups or stories that was been written or has been published in print or online about Vigan per se. The objective of this blog entry is to share some of Vigan City’s minute facts that I’ve found profoundly interesting to my liking during a dispatch.

So, come and join me in a series of blog entries in the coming days as I share some of the not-so-talked-about historical details of Vigan City entitled “Little Jewels of Vigan City”.

Well, to spice things up and to stir around some curiosity, here’s an introductory trivia. The name Vigan was derived from a giant taro plant "biga" that grew along the riverbanks of Mestizo River and it was Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador during the Spanish conquest in the 16^th century in the Ilocos region, who derived the name Vigan.

Until then...

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"And for a moment I lose myself
Wrapped up in the pleasures of the world
I've journeyed here and there and back again
But in the same old haunts I still find my friends
Mysteries not ready to reveal
Sympathies I'm ready to return"

- Excerpt from the lyrics of the Smashing Pumpkins' Thirty three

Biologically, I turned thirty three yesterday. Thanks be to God for I'm still alive and kicking. Hope and pray for the next thirty three years in my life... If God wills.

Photo caption: Self Portrait. Taken at Arce Mansion, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Gastronomic Journey: Folk Food at Balaw Balaw

I Love food. Period. There’s no doubt about that. That’s why everytime I bumped into a friend or someone I knew, they’ll ask me either the 2 questions: How long I’ve been pregnant? or When’s my pregnancy be due? Anyway, this blog entry is not all about Dr. Phil on the issue of obesity at Oprah. It’s about my trip months ago.

In every trip I’ve been in the Philippines, there is always unique or interesting sets of dishes a town or a province has to offer — that my taste buds always looking forward too . This is where Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal is known for.

The restaurant’s name derived from a sauce called Balaw balaw — fermented shrimp paste mixed with rice gruel and angkak, an herb with a reddish coloring.

Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant facade with Ces Rodriguez on the scene

But before Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant became what it is now, it was conceived first as an art gallery by the late sculptor and painter Perdigon Vocalan. Now, both the restaurant and the art gallery is managed by Vocalan’s wife, Luzvimin.

Paper mache masks

Ces Rodriguez with Mrs. Luzvimin Vocalan

Below are excerpts from SEAIR InFlight Magazine February – March 2009 Issue written by Ces Rodriguez:

“First celebrated for serving exotic food and as a showcase for the late artist Perdigon Vocalan’s canvases and sculpture, Balaw Balaw has evolved into a restaurant that serves “folk food” together with its “folk art”. Among the favorites in its menu are Minaluto, a one-dish meal consisting of steamed rice, mussels, prawns, crabs, kangkong or water spinach, fried pork and salted red eggs (PhP235 serves one, PhP900 serves 4-5)…”

Minaluto, one of Balaw Balaw Specialy Restaurant's signature dish

Manila sea catfish in sour broth

“and the appetizer balaw-balaw, made from small shrimps mixed with gruel and “angkak,” a herb that gives it its reddish hue…”

Leche flan topped with kaong and pinipig

“As a nod to its exotic past, there are still items on the menu for the adventurous including “hantik” or ants (P280), “kamaro” or crickets (P280) and “sinabawang balut” or unhatched duck eggs in broth (P205).”

For me, Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant is a colorful palette of exotic and non exotic dishes both for the adventurous and the non adventurous. The restaurant is part of the town’s long standing reputation in the art culture and of the province’s rich cultural heritage. A must-try when in Angono, Rizal.

Contact details
Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant and Art Gallery
No. 16, Don Justo Street, Dona Justa Village, Angono, Rizal, Philippines
Tel. No.: +632 651 0110

I Have Eyes For Mature Ladies

This lady got my attention among the flock out there one sunny day. She has toned curves. Standing with confidence and sophistication. Dress for a kill. Until her man came in, took her and runaway. She stopped my world from turning for a moment. And that is the 1965 - 66 Ford Mustang GT.

I don’t breathe, eat or sleep cars. But I do have a “distinct” and “sheer” type of an attraction with muscle cars, particularly the Mustang GTs – whether be a Shelby or a Ford make.

Muscle cars per se has its character that a newer model lacks of especially in physical attributes. I like mine with a bit of a “rebel” attitude and will go down and dirty but still manage to keep her stature and not the “in-your-face” type one. Though, I like some of the new models out there. They are built for ease, functionality, space, safety and even speed to suit our particular needs in this time. But it’s not unfair as well to compare both of them side by side since they’re both from different periods of time. Each has its weakness and strong points on a given situation.

I say, it boils down to a matter of personal preference or need in a given situation.

Sorry, young ladies. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Picture Feature(d): Romblon: In Search of the Perfect Beach

Once again, three of my personal photos (namely Punta Corazon, Cobrador Island and Talipasak Beach Marine Sunctuary) was included in the cover story of SEAIR InFlight Magazine’s August – September issue (see layouts here) along side with the other notable photographers like Erik Liongoren, Parc Cruz, George Tapan and Harvey Tapan.

Read the full article of “Romblon: In Search Of The Perfect Beach” by Cris Yabes; Additional reporting by the InFlight research team at: www.foreigntraveler.multiply.com/journal

Picture Feature(d): Boracay: Island In A Capsule

Aside from the DESIGN AND LAYOUT of the cover and the inside pages of SEAIR InFlight Magazine, I was fortunate enough that my personal shot of Boracay sunset was been chosen as the opening photo for the subsection Ins&Outs (see layout below), a compact travel guide / directory, together with the other notable photographers like Mike Alcid, Roberto Francisco and Daniel Soriano for the August and September issue.


Read the full article of “Boracay: Island in a capsule" by Lei Chavez at: www.foreigntraveler.multiply.com/journal

Page design and layout by: Jocas A. See