UP sa Gitna ng Gabi

Aling Lucing's Sisig

  In Angeles Pampanga, there is an eatery known almost to all. It serves one of the most famous Filipino dishes concocted and is said to be the best in it. It is Aling Lucing’s Sisig.

            Sisig is a Filipino recipe with pork (the chewy, soft parts like ears and cheeks) as the main ingredient. However, some variations use tuna, chicken, bangus, or tofu. To some, it is the ultimate beer companion. It doesn’t mean however, that it does not taste good only as a viand.  Its rich, creamy taste and spicy bite go especially well with rice. In almost every aspect, it caters to the tastes of the Filipino masses.

            The sisig tasted somehow familiar and different from the other sisig I have eaten from different eateries. Although, I must admit that it is not as good as I expected it to be, possibly because Aling Lucing has already passed away at the age of 80 in 2008, it is still worth the price. A sizzling plate, good for two to three persons, costs P170, rice excluded. There are also other Filipino dishes served in the counter that has reasonable prices, given the fame of the place.

            Sisig is the specialty of Lucia Cunanan. More famously known as Aling Lucing or the Sisig queen, it is said that she revolutionize the way sisigs are made. Apparently, sisig used to be a treat for pregnant women until aling Lucing played with the formula, making it a household meal. The sisig festival, an annual culinary event started in 2003 by then Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin in her name. It is in recognition of her making Angeles home of the famous original sisig, which is apparent from seeing countless pictures of celebrities and big names eating at her venue.   

A Sanctuary for our Friends

Kylo *

            Dogs are man’s best friend. In almost all countries, you’ll see dogs being cared for, groomed, and loved. It is sad to know that in the Philippines, some people treat dogs as commodities, as meals. Year after year, dogs are being shipped; legs tied and mouths shut, from various locations to different destinations.  

           

            Dog-eating isn’t always like that. Before, it used have meaning, a sacred sacrifice to please the Gods. Tribes from the northern mountains revere dogs as loyal companions, the purest souls in the family the Gods deserved. However, somewhere along the way, with the opening and meshing with different cultures, dog-eating became commercialized.

            It is then a good thing that institutions like the Animal Kingdom Foundation exist.

Manny *

            The Animal Kingdom Foundation is a dog sanctuary in Capas Tarlac. They rescue dogs from the illegal dog-eating trade that are being kept captive. At least 700 rescued dogs find their home inside the 2.5 hectare compound. In here, dogs have identities. They are loved. Take Adonis, for example, one of the first batch dogs that they rescued. Adonis serves as the guard dog figure of the center. There is also Manny, the friendly boxer (dog) that greeted us excitedly as we arrive. And then there is Sweet, the once rescued, now internationally famous dog that now lives in UK with AFK president, Mr. Charles Leslie Wartenberg.    

A place for dogs *

            Inside the facility, dogs of different breeds are strategically placed inside spacious compounds where dogs can socialize with each other. There, they are properly fed and kept happy. Dogs of the same sexes are put together to control breeding. There is also a clinic where injured or sick dogs are treated by trained veterinaries. There is even a graveyard where people pay their respects for dogs that died.  

            It is unfortunate to say that the Philippine Government does not actually support the whole facility. Affiliated with the International Wildlife Coalition Trust (IWCT), the center gets their funds from donations from different people from other countries.

            Why do these people care for the dogs so much? What do they get for spending so much time with a bunch of animals? Let me answer it with another question. How do you treat your best friend? And as I stated earlier, dogs are man’s best friend. 

*Photos by Royce Lyssah Malabonga

Christmas with the Panginens

Laur is a small municipality northeast of Cabanatuan city, the capital of Nueva Ecija, the rice bowl of the Philippines. It is a small quaint town almost surrounded by rice fields if not for some rivers and mountains. It used to be the home of fort Magsaysay where former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Jose Diokno were imprisoned for a short period of time during the martial law. And, Oh! Before I forget, this is my home, my sanctuary.

I have always returned there come Christmas season, or any vacation for that matter, since I was little. Riding home, I saw hectares and hectares of green rice fields, a sight to actually marvel. Tall, shady trees line the free road along this rice fields, swaying as the wind touches them. The feeling of seeing nature in its simplicity brings peace of mind. The cool breeze of air during an hour’s ride from Cabanatuan is more than enough to make anyone feel one with nature. It is like every pressure, every worry, and every problem is wiped by the serenity of the place.

I always celebrate Christmas with the whole Panginen family, from my mother’s side. Every year, without miss, Laur is where our Christmas is celebrated. It was nothing grand. A serving of macaroni salad, bundles of lumpia, and a few trays of leche flan are all that’s served. Not even ham, the embodiment of Christmas food, was present. Some of us were not even eating and none of us were sitting near the table. There were also no presents under the Christmas tree. There was nothing for us to open up. Even I wouldn’t classify it as a Noche Buena. Rather, it was more of a get together with food like it was always done years and years back. Talking about random things, telling different stories while enjoying the fresh night air of the Christmas day approaching on the porch of the house, that’s how the Panginen family celebrates the season.

Back when I was younger, I’d always wonder why we always never actually celebrate Christmas the way other families do. I used to envy watching TV commercials with families drinking coke with servings of ham, fruit salad, a few more desserts, or even the occasional lechon. They just seem so happy sitting and eating on their round table before they start opening their gifts for each other under the Christmas tree. Perhaps, I wasn’t sure what Christmas should be like. Growing up however, I figured that we are indeed celebrating Christmas in a beautiful way. It may not be one for commercials or stories, but this season brings us closer together as a family, and that is what Christmas is supposed to do.

Kung Hei Fat Choi ala Chinatown

            New Year is a festivity we Filipinos take seriously. Every year, without fail, thousands of fireworks launch into the sky, coloring the beginning of January the 1^st as celebration of the year’s beginning. However, it is also true that New Year is celebrated twice in this country, the second time being the Chinese New year.

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            This year is the year of the dragon. The dragon, in Chinese tradition, is a divine beast that symbolizes good fortune and intense power. During Chinese New Year, which doesn’t have a specific date on our calendar, dragon and lion dancers prowl the streets of Binondo, blessing shops for good fortune throughout the year. Fireworks, a Chinese invention, are heard from almost every street as lions fearlessly dance around them festively. And the people. Oh, the people! You’ll find yourself in a middle of a huge crowd wondering how they actually fit into the streets. A bit tiring and stressful, but hey, no one’s complaining.

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            The streets of Binondo are littered with activities, most of them on the food variety. Pastries with different Chinese specialties are seen left and right, noodle shops can be spotted here and there, vegetarian meals on a few lanes, and many other Chinese offerings litter the streets. In some instances, you’ll feel that you aren’t in the Philippines anymore, what with the various Chinese signs of these shops. Worry not, because most of them have English translations, anyway.

           

Lion, not to be confused with the Dragon *

            Along the way, you will not only be educated with the diverse culture of the Filipino, Filipino-Chinese, and pure Chinese, you will also realize how they live and harmonize together in this mixed community. There also stands the giant Binondo church that has been renovated many times but stays forever the same, a magnificent catholic structure dating back from the late 1500s. This is said to be the church where Filipino-Chinese saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz was trained for the life of a missionary. Sadly, records of this period were destroyed during the Second World War.

           

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            Well, is it worth it? Provided that you are the kind of person with a huge appetite, wanting to test your tongue with often spicy Chinese food and various pastry specialties, with sturdy and strong knees that wouldn’t give in after hours of walking and shop hopping, a knack for a differently paced adventure, an interest in the Chinese culture with not enough budget to visit the country, and lastly, a tolerance for a huge crowd. Well, if you meet the requirements, Chinese New Year in Binondo may just be the best option for you. 

*Photos by Royce Lyssah Malabonga