Food Trip 128 - One Set

Going to different places would mean new adventures.  Even with food, it is always an adventure to try something which is intriguing.  One needs to have an open mind and a willing spirit even for just a test taste.  In this manner, if ever you have a host, they’ll have a good impression on you.

My host for my Leyte trip kept on urging me to try one of their exotic food, the “one set”.  I tried to ask what is “one set” but he said that I’ll soon find out about it.  Since I am not that adventurous about foods, I just said I’ll give it a try if my I can stomach it.

My friend’s uncle promised to prepare “one set” for me in order to complete my experience in their place.  It was an all boys affair at around 9am.  The moment we entered the nipa hut where they spend their drinking session all the time, the “one set” was already ready.

“One set” is made up of carabao’s hide, chest with nipples, testicles, and penis.  This stuff is a prized delicacy among the locals and they enjoy this food over rounds of “bahal.”  Actually, there is nothing special about the way it was prepared.  It was boiled in water with spices until the meat becomes tender.  Once it becomes tender, the different body parts will be sliced into bite sizes.  And if you are not aware about its composition, you cannot determine afterwards what kind of carabao part you are eating.

Exploring Philippines 128 - Eastern Visayas (Post 6 - Palo Cathedral, Tacloban, and Ormoc)

The day before I left Leyte, we managed to roam around the nearby towns and explore those places further. Our first stop was at Palo Cathedral.  That time, the structure was under some re-painting activity.  When we got there, it was raining a bit hard and so we waited for the rain to stop.

Most of the old and big churches around the country are normally grand in its structure and design and Palo Cathedral is no exception.  Since its inside is newly painted, it is bright and vibrant.  It was good that the morning mass was over and it was still open.  Thus, we had ample time to take some pictures.

After our short stint inside the cathedral, I circle around the structure while Ron waited for his girl.  The place  was indeed huge and with the good repainting job, a visitor might say that the cathedral is newly built.  I really took my sweet time taking pictures and we were not anxious of the time because we don't have something important to rush that time.  By the time I finished taking pictures, Ron's girl was already with him. And we drove towards the town of Tacloban.

Since we were able to visit most of the places in Tacloban like the Imelda's mansion (commonly called Sto. Nino shrine), the Sto. Nino church, the Leyte Park, we just content ourselves driving around the town proper.  By lunch time, we went to a restaurant that is equivalent to Dampa in Manila. After a hearty meal, we cruised once more the pasalubong area in downtown Tacloban where I bought several packs of my favorite dried fish - the danggit.

The next day, Ron drove me to a terminal in Tacloban where I rode a van towards Ormoc city.  I opted to travel by boat since I planned to visit Cebu and stay there for a couple of days.  The trip was fast enough and after I purchased my ticket for a ferry ride going to Cebu, I decided to explore the town of Ormoc with my spare time.

When I traveled from Tacloban to Ormoc, it was raining hard. From the van's radio, it was announced that a typhoon is approaching the province of Samar and Leyte. The moment I arrived at Ormoc, the rain would temporarily stop and pour again.  Since I still had some minutes to spare, I decided to visit to church in Ormoc.  Unlike in Palo, the church in Ormoc city is modest.  Though its altar is almost similar to the old grand old churches in the country, its size is really not the big.  Anyway, with the rain limiting my mobility in the area, I only had some pictures of the church.  I no longer ventured to the other parts of the town because I need to be at the ferry's terminal on time.

Tough a typhoon is coming and it rain hard that day, there were only a couple of surface water bumps that we experienced.  All in all, the craft was fast and we arrived safely at the port of Cebu.  I cancelled my earlier plan to stay in Cebu for a couple of days because of the typhoon.  I immediately purchased a ticket for a connecting ride via a large vessel towards Iloilo.  It was an overnight trip and we arrived safe and sound in Iloilo the next day.  I roam around the city of Iloilo first before going home.  By nightfall, I was already home and it was a good decision on my end to cancel my stay in Cebu because the province of Samar, Leyte, and Cebu were already experiencing heavy rains that day.

Palo Cathedral

Sts. Peter and Paul church in Ormoc

 

Poem 128 - Brand New Start

The sudden downpour makes me shiver
Where you lovingly tucked me under
We would giggle softly while we embrace
This fun-loving moment I definitely miss.

Your soft and sweet lips next to mine
I keep on missing that one all this time
When you kiss, you kiss with all your heart
Like there's no tomorrow and we'll never fall apart.

The curl of your body and the hotness from within
Excites me most when we touch skin to skin
You always have this desire that's constantly burning
The heat that we shared was ever wanting.

Then the cold nights start to put down the fire
Something went wrong, ours just gone haywire
You had a change of heart which I cannot understand
You gave up so easy, wandering in a far away land.

The sudden downpour makes me shiver again
The empty room makes me wonder where to begin
Perhaps, I will give way first to this mourning heart
And when it's healed, I'll have a fresh and brand new start.

Quote 256 - Lovely

Moment 128 - MacArthur Shrine

This picture is like a postcard that I used to see.  I never imagine that one day, I’ll be able to stand alongside the statues of the American heroes of world war two.

It was Tuesday afternoon when we went to Tacloban City.  The MacArthur shrine in Palo is along our route and we made use of the opportunity since the shrine was almost empty of visitors.  We had our pictures taken first on the marker of the shrine.  Since there were no other visitors on the site, I asked my friend Ron if it is possible to pose alongside of the statues.  When he said yes, I walked carefully towards the statues since the flooring of the pond was full of algae.

After a while, Ron told me that his grandmother did the same thing and had the same spot as well.  He further added that after three months, his grandmother died.  He thought that he could scare me.  I told him that if it is already my time to die, why wait for three months after if I will die today. Haha

Quote 255 - Food for my Soul

Random Thought 128 - Bullying

I don't know if it is safe to say that at one particular time in our lives, we have been bullied.  

I have a so-called friend whom I always have high regards and treated him fairly.  There were exceptional situations when I had to be there for him when he felt like he was all alone.  As a good friend, we can always look after for one another.  And he was also there for me during my own struggles.

Through time, I always notice that he has this kind of attitude towards me.  Every time we converse, he will always find a way in order to inject something into our conversation.  He has this style of coming up with a good segue and hit me point blank.  And he will always have a good laugh after that.

At first, I tried to restrain myself and set aside whatever hurt I feel towards him.  Maybe, it was just a particular situation in our lives where friends throw something at us and we don't have to feel bad about it.  As a friend, I tried my best to ride on to his funny antics because he is good at that.  But, all throughout this time, he makes it a habit already without caution nor restraint.  I don't know if it is my fault ignoring him because I come to realize that he is actually bullying me in the process.  And I don't know if being a friend, he finds joy in his actions.

One time, when I was so down and struggling, I encountered another bullying act from him.  I tried to figure out the best possible way in order to tell him that that would be the last time he will ever bully me.  I told him that is bullying me.  That I don't find it amusing but degrading and every time he does that, he is pulling down my morale and self-worth.  That as a friend, you don't find joy in someone else's flaw and throw it before his face time and again.  That such act regards no respect to someone you call as a friend.

Someone told me that when a person bullies somebody, that person is also being bullied.  It is his way of dealing with his own struggles, to pass on the bullying act.  Maybe, it is already deeply rooted in his character and for this reason, he can no longer distinguish what is a joke and what is bullying.  He is no longer aware that what he is doing time and again is an act of bullying.  

As a friend, we can crack a joke or two towards our friend.  At all times, we have to hold our horses because we don't have all the freedom in the world to make fun with our friends especially if it is below the belt.  Hitting a friend below the belt time and again, even if it is just a joke, is not a good act coming from a friend.  Remember that jokes are half-meant.  And when verbal abuse or bullying comes into play, it becomes a direct assault towards the person and the harm has been done already.

Though my so-called friend already said sorry, I am still in the healing process - both with my own struggles and from his bullying act.  I guess time will tell if our ties will remain steadfast or it will simply break loose.  Let's see.

Food Trip 127 - Ginataang Hito

Hito or catfish are usually abundant in wet farmlands.  I am not really particular if they are being raised commercially.  My understanding is, this kind of fish becomes available the moment wet season is at hand.

During my growing up years, my family used to prepare a hito dish which is inasal, sinampalukan, with bayabas leaves or batwan, with vinegar, or simply fried. Those times, I barely had a liking to any of those dishes.

My vacation to Leyte changed my heart about hito.   At first, upon seeing the dish on the dining table, I was a bit hesitant to try it.  I learned from my host family that it is one of their favorites.  Almost all of them were painting a happy face every time they get a serving of the dish.  And when I tried it myself, it felt like heaven.  I could not believe that hito can taste that great.

Hito was meticulously cleaned by removing its scales and rubbing salt into its body, inside and out, in order to get rid of its slime and unwanted odor.  It is cook over charcoal, enough to get roasted and its meat still juicy.  Afterwards, it is cook again with fresh coconut milk and some spices. 

Exploring Philippines 127 - Eastern Visayas (Post 5 - Agas-Agas Zipline)

When we passed the Agas-Agas bridge for the second time,  Ron hurriedly parked the car.  When we got out of the car, the personnel who were attending the ride were already on their way home.  When I approached them that I would like to have a ride, they readily agreed without opposition.  I was excited but my heartbeat was fast and my knees were uneasy.  All of a sudden, I wanted to back out even though I already paid for the ride.

The moment I stepped into the platform, for the second time, I had a full view of what lies ahead.  The other end of the zipline was barely visible.  The holding area on the far distance was just like a white dot.  The cable lines seem like to vanish after the bridge.  I was imagining a plunge into nothingness.  And I got scared.

Ron and his family were cheering and encouraging me as the suit was wrapped around my body.  I told the one who was preparing me for the ride as well as the other personnel that I requested to accompany me that I wanted to back out.  Suddenly, I was not so sure.  But they were just smiling at me.  The moment I was asked to be steady and the personnel lifted my body for my suit to be hooked on the cable, there was no turning back.  I just prepared myself for the ride of my life.  I jokingly told Ron that if ever I will die, he knows where to find my epitaph.  Later on, Ron told me that he got scared also because he was doubting the capacity of the thin cable line if ever it can support my body weight.  And he got more scared when I was released forcefully.

Anyway, the moment I got suspended, I tried to put up a brave face.  I would like to look good even in the picture but deep inside, my rapid heartbeat was like a deafening sound.  But despite of the fear, I brought with me my point-and-shoot camera thinking that I will have the chance to shoot a decent pic of me while battling my fear in mid air. Hehe

While waiting for me to fully hooked up, my companion personnel was already ready hanging freely with just a simple harness attached to his body.  He sat calmly on the iron railings, just like what he does each day when they test the safety of the ride.  The moment I was all set and ready, the other personnel radioed his colleagues on the other end.  The only thing I heard was “Line one, ready to fly” and I just felt my body being thrown, with all my weight, in mid-air.  According to Ron, after the radio call, the personnel pulled forcefully my body harness backwards and he thrusts me forward with all his might.  And he, too, felt afraid for me.

When I heard the personnel that I was about to fly, I just closed my eyes and hold firmly to my camera and to the lining of my body harness.  The moment I felt I was being thrown, with my eyes closed, I held my breath for a couple of seconds.  The moment was like a total darkness, just feeling my body tossed in mid-air and waiting to fall anytime.  The rush of the wind against my face was cold and refreshing yet I felt like perspiring.  And my ever present fear made me feel that I could die anytime soon.  Haha. Silly thoughts.

After a couple of seconds of darkness and hearing my own heartbeat, I opened my eyes and I was drawing near the bridge.  I immediately turned on my camera and took a picture of Ron’s father as he waived cheerfully for me.  Though a personnel accompanied me using the second line, I hardly noticed him.  As I cover the whole stretch of the line flying which lasted for 30 seconds or more, I only managed to take less than 10 shots before I reached the end of the ride.  And my experience was heavenly awesome. 

After landing safely at the end of the line, I still could not believe that I was able to make it.  Yes!  I conquered the Agas-Agas zipline ride.  My heart was still beating fast, not because of the fear but because of the rush.  I felt proud because never in my entire existence I thought of a ride like this one.  I have my share of acrophobia but this time around, I simply let go of myself and face my biggest fear.  That time, I felt like winning a game and I felt like I was the happiest person in the world.  And, yes, I’ll try this same ride again if ever I’ll be back in Leyte.

The moment I was reunited with Ron and his family, I was like a kid jumping up and down with my little accomplishment.  Haha.  The feeling was beyond words and my high emotions that time conveyed my jubilation.  They, too, were all smiles for me.  They were ecstatic about my experience and they said that the zipline ride was the height of my Leyte escapade.

During the course of our one day road trip, from Palo, Eastern Leyte to Maasin, Southern Leyte, we’ve covered almost 380 kilometers.  What I appreciate most about the whole trip is the beauty of Leyte.  The route that we took from Palo to Maasin is something worthwhile and every Leyteno should be proud of.  The whole stretch of the road is either concrete or asphalted and in excellent condition which proved to be good for a road trip especially for those who would like to see the whole country side.  Actually, during the whole trip, it was like we were the only ones travelling and we only encounter a minimal volume of cars and trikes within the town proper of each municipality.  The greenery is the big asset of the place.  Most of the landscape is forested especially the mountainside.  The green landscape makes it a worthwhile reason to enjoy the ride where the breath of fresh air is always a welcome refreshing delight for a city dweller like me.  I hope that the forests and the trees that hover over the road which give protection to the people and the environment will be protected and maintained by Leytenos.

By nighttime, I was surprised and amazed to see the fog forming in the highway.  As we travel the highways of Leyte, it was my first time to actually see the thin fog in the highway.  Maybe because we were traveling fast that’s why we were able to experience that thing.  But the fact that there’s this kind of occurrence, it only shows that the place is still healthy and not polluted.  

Poem 127 - Thank You

I don’t know how to survive a day

Knowing that my strength is wearing thin

It is hard to anchor on my faith

For I know I lack it even from within.

Every time I am all alone

My troubled spirit goes astray

All this time, I dwell in nothingness

I am never lost like this way.

If there’s one thing that keeps me going

It’s because you extend your hand

With just your simple gesture

For me, it is something grand.

You give me something to hold on to

Even with the bleakest expectation

I guess I will take my chances

And fight my way out in this oblivion.

Thank you for the support

And the faith you have shown me

In this crucial moment in my life

You’re the one who’s guiding me.