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.

2012, Year of the Dragon..Welcome...

Before anything else, let me greet each and everyone a very Happy New Year. Let me also express me thanks to my small (actually very small) group of readers for continuing to take the time to make comments on my posts. You all make my day everytime I open this blog, but, I regret I have again been very negligent. Despite a 2011 New Year's resolution to post more, just like other resolutions, its been broken. I have been just quite taken with other pursuits that have demanded much of my time one such pursuit being taking care of my second child.

So I make again a resolution to be more active in this blog, hopefully I get to keep it.

So on to other things. A look at the year that was and hopes and expectations of the year that is 2012.

I would say I had a much better time in 2011 than in 2010. Much of course was due to a more optimistic mindset and enlightened view of looking at my blessings more than what I still hoped to have.

Our baby E_ _ was born amidst a medical emergency that almost threatened my life. She was two weeks premature but thanks to a very competent OB-GYNE and pediatrician, Dr. A and Dr. C, both mother and baby came out fine. Despite coming out earlier than expected, E_ _ was quite big and occupied the whole of the incubator. You never would have thought she was born premature.

Prior to delivery via Caesarian section, I was quite apprehensive, worried as I was about her under-developed lungs. This despite the fact that I had been taking medicines to fast track E_ _'s breathing sacs. Hearing her cry out loud when she was taken out of my womb was the sweetest things I ever heard as it told me everything was alright with her, at least as far as her breathing was concerned.

It was also last year that slowly our home started to "take shape". The balustrade and bannister were added to the stairs and rooms in the second floor were put up. A garden laboriously set up by the hubby added some beauty to a house that had been years in the making. It felt good to hear the nice comments from visitors and while a lot has still to be done, am quite satisfied of our home sweet home.

B_ _ also added to my joys as she made it to the top ten in all four sections of her grade in school.

And of course, the best news of all, I lost ten pounds!!!! Hahaha. Which, the holidays have me getting it back again.

It was also the year of lost and renewed friendships. I learned that nothing is gained by too much pride and nothing is lost when you understand, forgive as well as accept that you made a mistake too.

So this 2012, I know not to expect too much but just hope for the best. To widen my understanding and be more tolerant of other's shortcomings because I know I myself have plenty of them too. To be more patient because He has a grand plan for all of us and we just need to wait..

My Kalanggaman

The rates


Snorkeling time


The kiosks


The disappearing sand bar


A view from the our approaching banca

White, fine, powdery sand, clear blue waters and palm trees that waved in the softly blowing wind. These scene stood out in my friends' Facebook pictures and I knew i just had to go and see for myself this island paradise that had remained unknown until social networking and word-of-mouth plucked it from relative obscurity. Until then, the island was mostly frequented by locals who selfishly kept this treasure to themselves. But this beauty of a place could not stay hidden for long. Soon most everyone in Eastern Visayas were braving the 45 minute boat trip from Palompon, Leyte to splash in its waters and take numeous pictures that soon got posted on the Internet contributing to its growing fame.

And so it was that I added another title to my cap, from lawyer, public servant, wannabe writer, and blogger I became an instant tour organizer. It was out of necessity as the hubby adamantly refused to accompany me and my family was not so interested to take a trip to Kalanggaman Islet anywhere in the near foreseeable future. That left me with people from the office. I had to drum up the interest of enough office mates to make an excursion worth my organizing self. And I did. There were 17 of us who signed up including 3 young German volunteers who were just so excited after seeing pictures of the place on the Net.

We encircled a date that ran smack into a brewing typhoon. Luckily for us it was way up north where we here in the south could hardly feel its effects except for occasional winds that ruffled trees. The night before we were still unsure if the trip would push through. The breeze was getting stronger. We texted each other and we all agreed we will wait till morning to decide.

Come 4 a.m. and the weather seemed fine.It was definitely a go.

We left Tacloban for Palompon at about 5:45 a.m. and reached the town's outskirts at about quarter to eight in the morning. We then went straight to the Palompon eco-tourism office which managed all trips to the island. There we met the amiable Cristopher whom I had made arrangements and reservations with for our transport to the island days earlier on the phone. He received our entrance fees and led us to the boat we were to ride which to our our dismay was too small for comfort. Too late to realize that after we had already given up our reserved bigger boat to a larger group after supplications from Cristopher. Anyway, small boat or not, we were determined to go and chalked up our now regretted moment of generosity to experience.

The waters were so calm during the 45 minute trip from Palompon to Kalanggaman itself and we entrirely forgot about the typhoon that made landfall somewhere in Cagayan Valley. We would rudely be reminded of its presence some hours later. Soon the island came into view and we were not disappointed. It exceeeded our expectations and we were full of "ohs" and "ahs" as we jumped to shore. Powdery white sand that would give Boracay a run for its money (well, I exaggerate, my friend said the ones in Boracay are finer but Kalanggaman came close).

The blue-green waters were son inviting and in no time we were swimming and jumping in its shores. Surprisingly, the water felt cool despite the heat from the midday sun. The sand bar was amazing. Here waves coming from different directions clashed and sent up waves and ripples. Because of the undertow, swimming is strictly prohibited near the sand bar.

Swimming is not the only activity one can engage in in Kalanggaman. You can go snorkeling on one side of the island and watch the teeming sea life below. Snorkeling and diving equipment are provided by the eco-torism office for a fee. Diving, however, is limited to those who hold valid diving licenses.

You may also watch the beautiful sunset which, regretfully we did not get to see as we went home by 3 pm.

As I said, the island is quite small, reason why the local government regulates its visitors to 300 at any given time. Due to its size, its ecological balance could easily be upset with an uncontrolled nukber of people coming to its shores. The present facilities of Kalangagaman blends well with its surroundings and is limited to the most basic of comforts. There is no electricity and water system is non-existent. You have to bring in your own barrels of water for drinking and bathing. There is a smattering of kiosks which are spaced well enough apart. In my opinion, to add more would be ill-advised.

Despite its semi-primitiveness and lack of creature comforts, Kalanggaman is definitely one place worth coming back too. In fact, we felt that one day was not enought and an overnight stay is recommended to truly enjoy to the fullest the island.

We all made a promise to return and one we are keen to keep with memories and pictures to spur us on.

Muc Ado About Sangyaw and the Sidelights

The contingent from the municipality of Almeria, Biliran

Don't they look cute?

A very colorful contingent

The kid obligingly gave me a smile



The whole gown is made of the native material "banig"



The Patron Saint of Tacloban, Senyor Sto. Ninyo

After spawning a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), and a much ballyhooed stand off between local traffic enforcers on one hand and provincial officials, mayors, the "other" festival parade organizers on the other, the yearly "official" Sangyaw parade of the city fiesta started on a late note on June 29, 2011. Following "Filipino" time, the 1 o'clock scheduled start of the parade was not followed and it began at almost 2 p.m.

My small delegation of kibitzers consisting of the hubby, daughter B_ _, sister-in-law, my mom, and our "pinapa-eskwela" went in early downtown to secure a limited and in demand parking space for our ancient AUV. The heat was quite much so we had to turn on the aircon intermittently. To add to our woes, a not-too-nice-smell of a run-over dead cat permeated the air were. So, there, we got cooped up as early as 10:30 a.m.. amidst such not so comfortable conditions, so you understand my introductory rant to this post. The parade better be worth it, I mumbled to myself.

However, early on, I was beginning to regret bringing my family to watch as I saw delegations upon delegations of this and that organization. I expected a cultural parade and not an "Alay Lakad" as one kibitzer so sarcastically put it. Finally, after about almost a dozen of such groups clothed in indentifying t-shirts, the dance contingents from the different barangays and schools came through.

They were all clad in colorful costumes and truly, the Sangyaw parade had begun. It was a much better parade compared to the one I saw two years ago and give or take a few years it might catch up with its "rival", the Pintados-Kasadyaan, which had the headstart, which is arguably better in terms of a more lively, colorful parade with beautifully coordinated dance steps. Frankly, I cannot understand this "war" of festivals when we can actullay have one with the "other" retaining their identity and joining the official one. Really, what's in a name when we all profess to be honoring the Senyor Sto. Nino, the patron saint of our city?

The sad story of the festival squabble has shifted the limelight from the fiesta's festivities to a battle that has gone from the the airwaves to the halls of justice. One need not look far for an example and Cebu City's "Sinulog" festival comes to mind. Despite provincial and city public officials who are openly at loggerheads, the "Sinulog" festival has them put all these aside and trot to a unified yell of "Pit Senyor!". Why, I ask, can't we do the same? Anyway, "war" and all, that day we watched under the sweltering heat of the sun a show that came with story bigger that itself.

welcome baby e_ _

Its an unforgivable sin. While I've talked about events and happenings and sometimes clearly unimportant things, I have neglected to post a most important milestone in my life, in my family's life. Yup, I totally forgot to write something about my now 3-month old bundle of so much joy, my baby daughter e _ _.

She who have somehow managed to wipe out all the day's stresses and mindless worries with just a heavenly smile that makes me all goooey inside. Even as I write this, I remember her at home with her yaya and I silently smile too. I've forgotten all the pain her birth brought me for seeing her was all worth it.

Ate B_ _ is all agog and playing older sister to the hilt.

Yes, yes. The happy moments certainly makes up for the sad ones. Life is a ball.

Love in Different Degrees

In much youthful days (ergo: teensomething), I always reckoned love, at least in the romantic sense, to be much like the eternal flame of the Kennedy Memorial, constant and always hot. Married with a kid, another on the way and years later, I've realized it not to be true.

After the intial high of falling in love and settling down with your chosen love/lifemate, love actually comes in different degrees, temperature-wise, in different times. One day your love is full of red-hot passion and the next day its the embers of a dying out fire that has ceased to burn but continues to wrap you in its warm embrace. In the life of marital bliss it is usually the latter that defines most of your times with your better half. Its now up to both of you to squeeze in the former and bring up the romance despite the temptation to just settle in and let the security of a lifelong bond lull you into complacency. For truly, the courtship does not end when the ring slips through your finger and vows are made at the altar.

But then, even without much effort the love just comes at you and you feel like you are back again to those heady times when you felt like your heart is bursting with just the sight of your mate.

Just like the other day when I woke up with great pain and the hubby lost no time in taking care of me. I didn't need to ask, he just understood what I needed and what had to be done. He gave me medicines and made me drink kamalunggay to hasten my recovery. He took care of B__ and made sure I got my rest. After that, even Brad Pitt wouldn't have gotten a second glance from me for my loved one was way, way up there in the attraction scale.

So I came to the conclusion that while the myths of youth have been shattered, with it came the knowledge that the strongest kind of love actually need not be always be 300degress hot, just something that's steady with sporadic burst of flames that puts up the necessary spice for a relationship to last.

The Year That Was and the Year that is to Come

2010 was a year of mixed emotions. While I generally felt that we had more than our fair share of set-backs than other years, on second thought and upon summoning my deeply buried optimist spirit, I realized that blessings were abundant too.

B__ and I are expecting a baby soon and if I didn't mishear my ultra sonologist, it's going to be a boy. We moved into our new home last June and my sister and brother-in-law welcomed baby I___ into this world. More importantly, the hubby and I had more time together with his forced hiatus from the world of politics.

Seeing the glass half-full rather than half empty might seem hard but doing it is just a matter of perspective. I am thankful for the year that was and I am hopeful for the year that is to come.

Happy New year to all.