Constant Companions

My loot of books

I am without a doubt a lover of books. I said so as much when I entered an article in a writing contest in a national daily for which I got a gift certificate to a book chain. In my much younger years I would read almost everyday and for the better part of it to boot. I would get lost in the world of of the written word and come up only for air and for nourishment (Of course I exaggerate).

But in the daily grind of everyday living my reading habit has been reduced to a once in a month frequency. Such a far cry during my childhood and post adolescent years when a book a day was common stance.

Now as before, it is still suspense thrillers, mystery novels and basic whodunits that fill my reading fare. Owing to the limited time I have to browse and buy, I've narrowed my list to the three which are my favorites: Dame Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham. In that particular order.

Ms. Christie never fails to whirl me in and so far I have read almost all of her novels. The same is true for Ms. Clark, however, it is the former who to my mind is more brilliant with her perfect characterizations and mood settings. As you go through her books you feel that her characters are so real you start to picture them. The plot itself is astounding, with enough twists and turns that keep you guessing till the end. Yet what lends distinction to her tomes is the uncanny way that Ms. Christie re-creates everything, from the mood, the place to the characters in a way that comes so alive to the reader. In my eyes, she is till unsurpassed and decades after her death I still has to see an equal.

Sunzibar, Mexican Resto in the City

Nachos

The "melt-in-your-mouth" ribs with rum sauce

They say in the food business and all other businesses for that matter location is the one of the keys to success. Which explains the exodus of most food establishment to the Mall that has sprung up in the city three years ago. I agree, but add, such is not always the case. My theory is this: once a joint has established its loyal clientele and firmly ensconced its reputation as a provider of good food at reasonable prices, it becomes immune to the real estate shifts. Customers keep coming back, never mind that its location has become almost like a ghost town. Such is the case of the restaurant my friends from high school and law school and I paid a visit to last night.

It had been almost two years since I've last been to Sunzibar, the restaurant ran by the family of award-winning writer-visual artist Merlie Alunan on Burgos St.. I discovered that it had already moved next door to a much bigger location but still it had retained its quaint ambiance of a casual Mexican dining resto. When we got inside last Tuesday night, the place had only a few diners but a short while later it became full to the brim, i.e. all tables were taken. Obviously, the move was made to accommodate a bigger crowd and that night it was a mix of families, couples, barkadas and even solitary figures.

There were only a few noticeable changes such as the new brighter interior painting and a wooden double door carved in an interesting design. It welcomed you to cream colored wooden stools and tables. The interiors are still very much laid back and bears witness to the streak of artistry than runs in the family of its owners. The children of Ms. Alunan are visual artists and this is evident in the wall paintings that adorn the place. The painting of the Madonna done in semi-abstract on the right side wall when you enter the restaurant is one of the things that catches your eye. Yes, its paintings galore as the place doubles as a gallery for the pieces of the Alunan-Wenceslao brood.

But of course, all these are but supporting cast to what is truly the star of the show, the FOOD. Their nachos are divine and so are their rice dishes. Last night, we had the crowd favorite. "Beef rum ribs" good for two". The price of Php345.00 which already includes rice, two raspberry iced tea and salad is more than reasonable, its a steal. The ribs are indeed melt in your mouth and has a sweet aftertaste. I was kinda wary of ordering it as I would share it with a friend who share the same waistline as mine. But for two "healthy" and robust ones likes us, there were still some left.

Capped with fine conversation that centered on the ongoing impeachment trial of the Chief Justice and the very much in the news wrangling over the remains of a former presidential brother-in-law between live-in lover and "I am the legal wife" woman who goes by the names Grace and Aleli, respectively, it was a much relaxing evening indeed.