The Sport Of Kings

Blame it on the weather. After offering prayers and eggs to Sta. Clara, the sun was shining brightly and the clouds were held at bay. The game was on!!

Every year, polo season runs from January to early March. Matches are played on the weekends in either Manila Polo Club (Makati), Los Tamaraos (Paranaque), Alabang Country Club, or the Calatagan Polo Field.

Our country has it’s fair share of international calibre players who hold up pretty well against seasoned players from Argentina, Spain, and Australia.

Polo is very much like lacrosse except you’re riding a horse. It looks rather easy but it isn’t, not in the least. Aside from having to control your horse, you have to wield a heavy mallet, try to make a goal while fending off your opponents. It’s an exciting game both for the players and the spectators.

Everytime we watch the games, we take the girls with us. They enjoy it because of the horses and because there’s a lot of food going around. Honestly, I loved the food too.

After the games and awarding ceremonies, a barrage of luxury cars (Audi and Porsche) were driven up to the polo field in a parade like fashion to be shown to the numerous dignitaries and elite members of society. It was like a scene out of a movie!

Later on it was a barrage of waiters that marched into the polo field setting up tables for the cocktails and pica pica spread to be served to the guests. Is roasted calf considered pica-pica..hmm. I wasn’t able to take pictures because I was too busy eating.

As I’ve said, I like going not only for the games but for the people watching. If you’re a sucker for watching the country’s “rich and famous” having fun, this is the place to see them in action. Pardon me for being “jologs” but I gawk…I always do. And just so I wouldn’t be too obvious, I dressed up a little. I even had my hair ironed. I doubt if anyone noticed that I was staring.

Keeping Quiet

Will lie low and keep quiet muna folks, haven’t been feeling well lately so finally went to the doctor. I had a really hectic schedule in Penang and came home exhausted but happy that I finally did go. All the pics are food related so will not post them here.

I know I missed alot the past week but I hope to make up for it soon. Hope everyone has a good week! BE happy and healthy.

Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano

Last Friday, we had a fantastic dinner at Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano. When I say “we” I am referring to the members of the newly formed “Eating Club”. So far our members are Chats, Julie, Lynn, Wenchie, and the lone absentee, Cess. It’s not really a formal club. It’s just a bunch of moms who like to eat out and have fun.

Anyway, our night out was also the formal (well, informal actually) launch of our club. When we got there we found out that there was an art event going on and that they wouldn’t be taking any diners until 9 p.m. It’s a good thing that Lynn was able to sneak in earlier and was mistaken for a guest so she was able to secure us a table right away. When we all got there, there was no way they could send us away so we stayed put.

Despite the noise from the event going on, we had a wonderful evening. It was a night of food and talking and star spotting. For the uninitiated, Bellissimo is owned by Cesar Montano who, by the way, graciously posed with us for a few pictures.

Posing with Buboy

Posing by the wine cellar/pantry

Quattro Stagioni Pizza (4 Seasons)

Pasta Pescatore

Pasta Montano

Eggs For Good Weather

The weather these days has been rather, shall we say, freaky. Unlike the January-February chilly days that we are used to, it’s been anywhere from hot-as-hell to raining-cats-and-dogs. I’m not used to this. In fact, towards the latter part of December I dug up my jackets and sweaters in preparation for the nippy mornings and chilly evenings when what I should have done was replenish our supply of umbrellas.

Well, the thing is were having a busy weekend. This Saturday my husband’s cousin is turning 18. She will be having her coming-out affair in my MIL’s garden and the 2 girls are to be part of the entourage. Oh yes, and I’m going to be part of the 18 Treasures ceremony. For the love of me, I don’t know the significance but that’s not my story.

Then this Sunday, my husband’s boss is holding his annual polo game. It’s something I look forward to not because I enjoy the game, I like ogling the folks who attend the affair. Call me crass but it’s the truth. Never mind that I look like an indio beside all the peninsulares. And never mind that my kids always put on a cheering exhibition (“Go Ateneo!! One Big Fight!!”) that earn a couple of sneers from those snooty attendees. We were invited by “The King” and they know it.

Anyway, because of the freaky weather, my MIL and the debutante decided to make a pilgrimage to the Monasterio De Sta. Clara to offer eggs and pray for good weather. My husband, upon learning this, suggested that we do the same so his boss’ game wouldn’t be rained out. His boss gets really cranky (like “You won’t like me when I’m angry” cranky) when things don’t go his way. So my husband was just making sure.

So off I went to the palenke to purchase 30 XL eggs. I didn’t want to risk being kuripot so I got big eggs just to make sure. A little after lunch we were on our way to church.

The monastery is run by the Order of St. Clare who are often referred to as “The Poor Clares.” The nuns live a life of seclusion and prayer and have given up all their earthly belongings which explains the monicker. Their patron saint is St. Clare of Assisi.

From the entrance of the compound you’re attention is immediately directed towards the large image of St. Clare. Here, people say a short prayer and are encouraged to pick up one of the novena prayers strewn at the foot of the statue. This is not where you leave your offerings. A sign directs all devotees to the main monastery building to give eggs, donations, and make petitions.

I wasn’t allowed to take pictures inside the rectory where a relic of St. Clare is the main focal point of the place. Devotees kiss the relic and pray before an even bigger image of St. Clare. Then you bring your offerings to a rotating window where the nuns pick them up. You never get to see the Poor Clares because they are cloistered.

It’s been 2 days since our visit and I’m wondering now if those eggs (and prayers) really worked their magic. After meticulously checking CNN weather’s 10-day forecast, it flabbergasts me that the weather is completely opposite of what is reported. We’re supposed to be experiencing thunderstorms and scattered rainshowers, according to CNN. The past 2 days have been nothing but glorious, outdoor party and polo game weather!!

Revisiting An Old Favorite

I just had to post this photo of Manila’s famous sunset. I took this yesterday after my meeting with my Canadian business partner from the balcony of his 17th floor office fronting the US Embassy. It was a beautiful afternoon which segued into a beautiful evening.

My husband just happened to be with me because he is my in-house (or in the house) attorney. So rather than braving the traffic going back to Quezon City at rush hour, we decided to have an early dinner in Malate.

Malate was our date place. This was way back in the mid-90’s when places like Penguin, Library, Blue Cafe, Garlic Rose, Matina, Insomnia, and Sala were “the” places to go.

On our very first date sometime November 1995, my husband asked me where I wanted to go. I said Malate. He was more of a Cafe Ysabel guy and thought Malate was for freaky artist types and reggae dudes who smoked pot out in the open. Well, partly true but there was a good side of the place.

I took him to Cosa Nostra Casa di Pasta. Back then it was a small establishment with 4 or 5 bistro type tables with a really nostalgic and romantic ambience. I don’t remember what we had but I do remember going back several times after that and loving the food. And the ambience. After Cosa Nostra I took him to Blue Cafe where we got rip roaring drunk and I managed to get indecent proposals from an Arab looking gent while he got stuck in the toilet because a cross-dresser was asking for his number.

Anyway, I originally planned to visit some of the new establishments in Robinson’s Manila but decided to take a short drive around the Adriatico area first. Just for old time’s sake. Lo and behold!!! Cosa Nostra was still there!! And I thought the place had closed down ages ago.

So, I forced my husband to take me there. Just for old time’s sake.

Wonder of wonders, everything was exactly the way I remember it was. Even the waiter was the same waiter who served us on our very first date!! His name is Mang Lito and he looks just as he did almost 13 years ago.

After a bit of nostalgia tripping, we ordered. Originally I wanted the Fontina and Shrimp pizza but they were all out. Instead, I ordered a Chorizo de Bilbao Pizza, Pasta with Anchovies and Truffle Oil, and Crostini with Olives and Tomatoes.

I’m not going to go into detail anymore. The food is still just as good. A little bit expensive for the small servings but heck, who cares. The ambience, the food, the memories….worth every buck.

Do You Know Twyla Tharp?

Does anybody know who Twyla Tharp is?

As far as I know, she is one of the purveyors of modern dance as we know it today. You know those moves by Whiplash and the dancers of Ate Vi where the dancers flail their arms and over extend their limbs. That is classic Twyla Tharp. Check out this video so you know what I’m talking about.

Anyway, I always figured that only a precious few knew the moves of Ms. Twyla. And was I dumbfounded when my precious little angels (?) staged an impromptu dance number while we were having dessert at Dairy Queen that would make Ms. Twyla proud.

See for yourself…..

Paradizoo

Last Sunday, being the last day of the Christmas vacation for the kids, we went to Paradizoo in Tagaytay. I’ve read about this place in the past but we have never bothered to make the trek. Intially, the distance had us a bit turned off but upon setting foot on the place, we were sold.

The theme-farm, as they call it, is all of 7 humonguos hectares. A bit daunting at first, but since the weather was fine we hiked those 7 hectares with much ease.

For the price tag of Php199/adult and Php149/child, it isn’t so bad. Plus, you get free entrance to the other zoo (Residence Inn) just in case you still have the energy to go.

Upon paying the fee, a park attendant immediately comes up to you and asks if you would like a guided tour. I, being the kuripot person that I am, automatically asked if it was for free. And it was!! So we got to see the entire park on a guided tour (name of our guide was Kuya Michael).

I have to say, the place is HUGE by any standard. So if you have a bit of a walking problem or if your cardiovascular state is a bit off, I suggest you opt to take the club cars (for rent) or the kalesa (drawn by a mestiso carabao).

First you get to see the large animals. Camels, ostriches, llamas, ponies, alpacas, bulls, and an entire pavilion of goats. Some of them you can pet and feed. My kids were not in the petting or feeding mood so we just looked. You can take a 5 minute pony ride for Php30. Again, the kids weren’t in the mood so we just looked. One of the bulls (in the picture below) had 5 legs and was appropriately named “Bull-teez-five”. Pinoy humor strikes once again. Then theres “Peggy” the pig, infamous for her stint in PBB (Pinoy Big Brother). Apparently, she was brought there after she gave birth to her piglets who, by the way, are also there but in a separate cage. Gaby was so thrilled upon seeing Peggy that she was begging us to take her to the PBB house so she could inform the housemates that Peggy was ok.

Then we were brought to the butterfly garden and the apiary (bee farm). I wasn’t able to take pictures of the bees because the kids were too scared to go near them.

Finally, we were brought to the plant/vegetable farm. Here they had a huge organic garden planted to different kinds of lettuce, eggplants, tomatoes, kitchen herbs, papayas, and bananas. You can pick your own veggies and fruits at a very cheap per kilo price. We decided to pick lettuce for our special “After-the-holidays-diet” and paid Php120 for a kilo. So cheap and so fresh!!

Just a little tidbit of information, I noticed that the entire vegetable garden was surrounded by dill plants. I asked our guide if that was for sale as well and he said that this was their anti-pest/insecticide for the veggies. According to him, dill is also a good anti-mosquito. Aside from dill, they also use a sili/water slush and an ampalaya leaves/water slush as insecticide/pesticide.

The entire tour took us around 2 and a half hours. Surprisingly, after all that walking we weren’t tired at all. We didn’t, however, opt to visit the other zoo. Maybe we’ll do that next time we visit.

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