Aling Azon -- The Longganisa Lady

Look for Aling Azon, a friend told us, who swears by the longganisa she makes and sells in the Calumpit local market. Whether you like it garlicky (white) or hamonado (red), it's delicious especially when dipped into Bulacan's famous sukang paombong.

She laughed when as we entered the market, we asked for Aling Azon. "Ako iyon!" she declared proudly, leading us to her stall. Her neighbors teased her lovingly, "sikat ka na talaga. parang artista!" She smiled widely as she chose the longganisas we ordered from where they were hanging. 

When asked how they should be cooked, she shyly offered her advice, "kung ako, hinahayaan ko munang kumulo sa konting tubig, bago sya tusukin sa tatlong lugar. Minsan naman," she gestured, "tinatanggal ko yung lubid sa baba para hindi lumobo."

The longganisas are P180 a kilo and they are served with a big wide smile. 

The perfect goto in Malolos? It's at Citang's Eatery

A true blue Bulakenyo friend let it slip to my husband   that the best goto he'd ever tasted was in a small carinderia beside the Sta. Isabel church in Malolos, Bulacan.  Not one to ignore a "tasty" tip, we sped off to the capital city of Bulacan to hunt down that eatery and taste what it had to offer. 

Citang's, it turned out, is a real favorite with food lovers as people trooped in and out non-stop. It's a merienda haven with kakanins, sumans, puto and sweets galore -- perfect to dine in and take out. 

The puto comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. This one is the P110 round version.

Tamales in a bilao

A variety of choices to please the sweet tooth

And the goto? Just perfect. True to it's name, it has tuwalya and other innards as well, topped with chives and garlic. Partnered with tokwa't baboy (crispy fried litsong kawali) and heavenly Bulacan paombong vinegar, it seems one bowl is not enough. And since we didn't get a chance to taste the dinuguan, we're sure to head on back there.

Located right beside the Sta. Isabel Church, Citang's Eatery is in the town of Sta. Isabel, Malolos -- 620 Kuatro Kantos, Malolos, Bulacan

Goto

Tokwa't baboy, Citang's style

The sukang paombong that adds more flavor to the goto, the lumpiang prito, the tokwa't baboy and the list goes on and on

A different side of Makati

"I'll show you a different side of Makati," my husband promised me one lazy Saturday, as he dragged me off to a part of the business center where there were no skyscrapers and  no bustling crowds.  And he did just that.

Two old churches -- one atop a hill, parallel to EDSA, 
 

Nuestra Senora de Gracia - Our Lady of Guadalupe

a community right outside the churchyard

another tucked  away in a quaint little lane littered with majestic trees , 

Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Poblacion, Makati

 and a middle-sized mall that housed antiques did present another side to a bustling city. 
 

a talking parrot entertains the passers-by

segregation in action

all the lovely pieces up there are in this little antique shop

I say it's worth another visit and soon...




 

Guy and Pip. Vi and Bot.

The   rivalry between the biggest superstars in Philippine cinema continues in  the ladies room of a restaurant along Maginhawa Street in UP Village, Quezon City.

So....are you a Noranian or a Vilmanian? Don't worry, you can 'fess up and whether you're  Team Ate Guy or Team Ate Vi,  they'll let you use the toilet anyway, . 

 

my parents' 50th

There was no big church wedding, no weekend getaway....in fact, we didn't have to travel far  for my parents' big day. Thankfully, living near the UP Diliman Campus truly has its perks as the kiosk or gazebo inside  Church of the Risen Lord was the venue for the golden wedding anniversary. 

 Old photos, wonderful memories, a   fellowship of family and friends, warm prayers and  lots of laughter filled the air that hot March afternoon. 

 There was no big budget but we paid attention to the small details and asked friends and family to participate in setting up the whole event.  Old photos came out of the various storage places and were hung on a string or place in  frames  accumulated through the years, golden balloons were glued to the ceiling, a tarp announced the precious event and  mementos the couple had picked up through the years and various travels were scattered all over -- a testament to the love that has lasted through the years.

Ultimately though, what made the afternoon was not in the details but  the happiness and the wide smiles of the celebrants. Here's to 50 more years, Pepz and Bethzie!

 Photos courtesy of Mark Cortez, Paul Fabregas, Ned Canlas.