Alimango Festival,MindaWOW! Region 10 Perfect 10!

Who would have thought that there is a festival honoring a food item that I can’t eat due to medical reasons?  Yes, I am talking about that side walking, ten legged sea creature called crabs or locally known as alimango – loved by the majority and adverse to some.

In Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao, there is a municipality there named Lala that celebrates the Alimango Festival every near end of March.  This celebration is not only in honor of crabs but also an environmental call to take care of the place where crabs reside.  Being prime exporters of the region of the said commodity, it is no wonder that people gave full support to the celebration. 

Invited by Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan of the Department of Tourism for Region 10, The Big Difference Communications (TBDC), came to take part in the celebration as guest; guests who have fun moments during the said festival.  There were food stalls all around the plaza, various items such as balloons and accessories were also being sold and food were sponsored for all dance participants by your one and only happy bug (Jollibee).

The cultural dance competition was a delight to watch!  Schools in the area joined in the competition and truly showed their best despite the heat and dust in the town plaza.  There were some notable performers and interpretation to the story of the crabs in Lala that you would be captivated with the show of grace, coordination and colors.  The only thing outshining all the dances was the mountain of cooked crabs waiting to be shared and eaten by all.

One thing truly worth mentioning is the support shown by all units of the Lala, may it be from the private sector or local government unit.  The crowd present then were full of positive energy that it  is quite impossible not to have a smile on your face.  Up to now, I can still smell the mountain of crabs displayed then.  To tell you that only local people came in to support the festivities in an understatement when you have the Canadian born blogger of BecomingFilipino (KULAS) was present as one of the guest.  He even sang Tong, Tong, Tong Pakitong-kitong.

Unfortunately, we were not able to note who the winners were for the cultural dance event but definitely it was fun, fun FUN – just to be surrounded by all that joyful energy!  Who would have thought there is this type of festival and level similar to festivities in big cities such as Cebu and Baguio?  The level of participation of people speaks volume of the municipality's management. I will try to go there next year and bring along friends to experience that festival for alimango’s.

Watch out for the photo album of this event!

SUMAN of CLARIN, Pride of Region 10 and Misamis Occidental

Whenever you are in Region 10 and you find yourself in Misamis Occidental area, there is one place that you definitely need to go to, especially if you are looking for that food item that is worth bringing home or spending moments with.

If you are entering via Ozamiz, take the tricycle (known as motor) or the mini-van (their jeeps) going to Clarin; since this is just the next municipality.  Please note that Clarin is a smoke-free municipality (yes, I understand the woe fellow smokers).  The ride going there is but quick and easy.  FYI, learn to haggle right when travelling via motor when going to out-of-city vicinity.

Clarin is known for a good number of things but it is best known for their suman.  They carry a good number of flavored suman that is savory-sweet at the same time.  The Suman House in Clarin is strategically placed that you will not miss it.  The full beauty of Suman Clarin came to me during the DINE:  MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL event that happened this early March in Ozamiz City.  As one of the participating LGU, they displayed their product and even made a demonstration as to how it is cooked.

Part of the post Dine event, we were toured to some parts of Misamis and Clarin was part of the visited place.  The Tourism officer of Clarin was gracious in welcoming us, participants and with some of the chefs who participated in the fore mentioned event, that he shared the story behind the Suman House – the concern of the local government to its vendors and the activities that gave birth to this trademark of the municipality.

From 17 flavors, customers have a wide selection to choose from and enjoy.  They even showed us the best food pairing possible – a pairing that I am familiar with since my father is Visayan by roots.  Suman with tsokolate baterol is a pairing so well, especially in cold rainy weather- I like it with Keso Suman or the classic suman.   All of the sumans are freshly cooked on a daily basis and prepared by those who were chosen during the planning stages of the Suman House – the winners of the suman contest.

The Suman House  is amply spaced that people can enjoy their bought treat while looking at rice fields and passing vehicles.  It has a grassed area wherein children can run and play but still be safe from vehicles and other hazards.  The production center is just across the street that freshly cooked suman is brought into the store quickly and still hot/warm from the wok or vat.  The staffs are friendly and accommodating that they may assist you in knowing what is the treat on your tray.  The only challenge, remembering which is which when placed in a container.  Despite that, it would still be a treat to guess the flavor based on banana leaf folding.

Suman ng Clarin is a must item to bring home when you are in Misamis Occidental or even when exiting via Ozamiz.  You will make your tummy happy and change the outside of Mindanao image that you have of the region.

Prelude to Macbeth by AP - More Than A Dagger to a Classic

How do I start with this 1-Act piece that is full of information and backgrounder to a classic written age past?  How do you explain an experience that is vague and clear at the same time?  Such is my frame of mind after watching PRELUDE TO MACBETH as presented by Artist Playground.

Prelude to Macbeth was written by James Chalmers in relation to the classic piece by William Shakespeare.  This time around, Roeder Camanag set the direction as to how it is to be  staged along with some of the resident actors of Artist Playground.  Leading the cast is Paul Jake Paule, an actor and director in his own right.  The cast is spectacular in their own right for they were able to pull things of and deliver a period piece with aplomb.  Despite the loss of natural English beat in some actors, the cast still pulled things together.

The 3 Witches under Blue, Green and Red lights, with the
future Lady Macbeth

During my viewing, I was captivated by how the 3 witches presented themselves.  Witches they may be but in reality they are aligned to that of the Fates (Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos) of the Greek Mythology.  The only questioning thought I have regarding them is the stitch make-up they have on their faces for one of them happens to have a stitch design by her lips – how can she talk if her lips are stitched?  A small nuance but notable to some.

Duncan is a role worth your attention.  He shifts thoughts in a flash and presented the political field of old England then.  He was simply effective!  Same can be said with the McLoed character.  He was comic but at the same time depicted the personification of man/male in a clear and enchanting way.  Lady Macbeth has her moments and I enjoyed her way of delivering puns in a scene.  My only concern with this piece is the loss of that English beat with Macbeth.  I am truly sorry to say this but he could have delivered it straight and his lines could have been more fluid.  I know the challenge of an actor in connection to a period piece but a challenge can be overcame with the right collaboration since acting is a two-way street, I do believe.`

As a whole, PRELUDE TO MACBETH is a desirable piece staged by Artist Playground.  It helped explain the character build-up in Macbeth and gave the classic piece a light introduction.

The Cast and Director Roeder Camanag

Superbowl of China, Worthy of A Revisit

It has been more than 5 years from the last time I have stepped in to this establishment and stepping in now gives me the excitement of finding out whether they have something new to enjoy.  SUPERBOWL OF CHINA can truly give you that excitement for a returnee.

Being true to their name, Super Bowl of China stayed true to their Chinese offerings.  They have dimsums, noodles, tofu dishes and other classic and familiar Chinese dishes.  What is new with them?  Nothing much, BUT they remained true to flavors that people know them for.  They have actually improved on some dishes in terms of consistency and flavor and have introduced some new offerings – I noticed this in their drinks.

What I enjoyed most in what they offered the Zomato Foodie group, held at SM Megamall branch, was there siopao and fried vegetable roll.  I love siopao and will fight for it!  I told them:  “Eat the rest but leave the siopao alone”; and I was not joking when I dropped that line.  That is how I love this dimsum treat.  The dough was right and the filling was good!  For someone who has ailment at that time, this was a treat to savor.  I also enjoyed the Braised Tofu with Mushroom, Crispy Noodles and Eggplant with Minced Pork.

Braised Tofu with Mushroom

Eggplant with Minced Pork

SUPERBOWL OF CHINA is still a place worth visiting that offers Chinese dishes outside of China Town.  With their responsive and accommodating staff, it is no wonder that people still goes to them despite the number of Chinese themed restaurants.  The price?  Like any other Chinese restaurants, the price is reflected in the dishes that you ordered.