Hello, Halo

Of course, a visit to Bicol isn't complete without DJC Halo-halo.

This is an icon in Tiwi and- when we were younger - we would just go to Tiwi for this halo-halo. 

They've tried expanding to different parts of Albay. Some succeeded, like this one in Tabaco. It's just walking distance from where we usually stay, so looking for and enjoying it is a lot easier.

Hello again, DJC!

Buy Laws(on)

Finally, Lawson is getting into the onigiri game!

Tried it and must say, their onigiri is pretty good.

Right amount of rice, generous amount of filling, the nori is crunchy and doesn't break apart when you pull the plastic wrapper.

Hope they make this a regular product in all their stores.

Group C(h)at

Looks like their group is expanding.

Now, there's not just one carefree cat in our building.

Yup, he has a companion! And he's just as nonchalant and laid-back as the other.

I'm sure a lot of people would love to be part of this group.

Kuro Kids

Spent Saturday night supporting Kurt & Cza's latest Meraki pop-up.

Of course, Kuro was there.

The event had such a young and laid-back vibe. And staying there for a few hours gave me this realisation.

I'm definitely old.

It's a pake!

Snopake was the correction fluid brand du jour back in my high school days.

Back then, correction fluid had to be part of your pencil case arsenal. Some kids had Liquid Paper, some had Magic Touch, but the fold standard was Snopake.

Nowardays, no one uses correction fluid anymore. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see this during my visit to National Bookstore.

Yes, Snopake is still very much around.

Didn't get to see what they were actually selling, though. Will save that for another visit.

FMM: Beneath me

Being a jazz fan, a large chunk of my 90s life was spent listening to Incognito.

This British acid jazz band was a staple in radio stations during the 90s, and we'd also have their CDs at the office and play it during OT nights.

One of my most listened to songs from this band is this 1996 hit, "Beneath the Surface."

Whenever this song plays, it brings me back to my San Miguel days. That was a very memorable 1 year of my working life, and it gave me a lot of long time friendships that are cherished until now.

So yes, my love for this song is more than surface deep.

Light and Faith

No visit to Tabaco is complete without dropping by the Tabaco Church and offering a few candles for the family and loved ones.

For some reason, doing this in Bicol hits different.

Across the Hall

One thing that always amazes me during my Bicol trips is the fact that it still follows the old Spanish set-up of having a plaza across the City Hall.

Having studied this back in HS and College, the centre of old Filipino towns would have the trifecta of government, religion and commerce. Thus, there would be a city hall, a church and a market situated around the town plaza.

The plaza across the city hall in Tabaco is always bustling with activity and people. Whether it's joggers in the morning, students hanging out in the afternoon, or couples in the evening - there's always some sort of activity happening there. 

And when you're in Bicol, do as the Bicolanos do. That's why I'd hang out in front of the city hall wheneer there's free time.

Ah, the joys of provincial life.

That's great!

Especially if it's St. Gregory the Great!

Yup, my visits to Bicol won't be complete without dropping by St. Gregory the Great Cathedral in Legazpi. 

Yes, I was just here last January, but I'm going to keep coming back to this place whenever possible.

Ancestral Home is where the heart is

Even as a kid, this Ancestral Home in Tabaco always had a special place in my heart.

It's not just because I'm a fan of old Filipino homes and architecture. It's deeper than that.

It's because this ancestral home was once owned by my great-great-grandfather, Mariano Villanueva.

Now, it's a National Heritage site, though it's in a state of disarray. But looking at it, both from afar and up close, you can feel the stories and traditions behind these walls.

Gosh, if I had the means, I'd buy this home and restore it.