Pandoraspace

“If Legazpi, Albay is a jar, what would it contain?” is a question I never asked myself the first two times I traveled to that place. It is probably because my Legazpi, Albay trips have never been planned vacations.

On this third trip with Boktor, I ventured on asking myself that question and found that my answer is this:  This jar called Legazpi, Albay contains an Elusive Superstar, a testament to the Filipino’s devotion to God, food trips galore, adventure and lessons in survival.

On the lava trail

This is a picture of Mr. Caloy Chan, the person who brought us to this lava trail.  All around him, the rain is coming down in sheets and steam is rising from the earth.  The jagged black rocks he is stepping on were once hot molten lava. Shrouded in the clouds behind him is the Elusive Superstar, Mt. Mayon.  These were the circumstances we found ourselves in along the lava trail and this is my story.

Although it is not difficult to conceive that people actually hike up to Mt. Mayon, doing it never occured to me.

When Mr. Ketel invited Boktor and me for an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) ride to the lava trail, I thought that we would just be sitting in the ATV the whole time.  So, I was happy to oblige.  It was much later, when the arrangements were already set, that it dawned on me that the ATV would only take us to where the lava trail begins.  From there, we would need to trek on the lava trail to get closer to Mt. Mayon.  I came to this realization at 2:00 a.m.,  or four hours before we planned to leave for the lava trail.  At that time, Boktor and I were still working, it was raining heavily, I was stressed, tired and wondering how I was going to drag myself out of bed at 6:00 a.m. and will myself to trek under the pouring rain.  I voiced out my thoughts to Boktor and he too was worried about how we would survive the activity. (more…)

Central Pilinut Candy

Pili is a soft oily nut that has a mildly woody taste. It has almost the same texture as a pinenut. As Pili is grown in Albay, many pili products like marzipan are sold in the market.

I have tried many pili products but the best are those from the New Albay Central Pilinut Candy (CPC). I first learned about CPC from relatives who returned from Legaspi and brought back for me CPC products such as sugar coated Pili, Mazapan de Pili, Yema de Pili, Pili Butternut and plain Salted Pili.  As I was curious about that store, Boktor and I visited it briefly on our way back to Hotel Venezia. It was then that I discovered the roasted pili coated in butternut and sprinkled with sesame seeds, which is now my CPC favorite.

CPC is located along Rizal Street in the Old Albay District. The store is actually the living room of an old house. As you enter the house, there is a lanai with lounge chairs and a coffee table. Beside the lanai is the living room, the shelves  of which are filed with Pili products. Displayed on the walls are the pictures of the more popular customers of the  store. Of course, Boktor did not recognize Piolo Pascual.  He pointed to Piolo’s picture and asked me who that was. I looked at him strangely and said, “Hello???  That’s Piolo Pascual ‘no.”  Then, with a bewildered tone of voice, Boktor said, “Oh, ya.”  Obviously, Boktor does not know who Piolo is as he is not jologs like me.  (Read this and this to get a sense of  what jologs means.) (more…)

Smalltalk Cafe:  Bicolizing Italian Food

Mr. Ketel took us to lunch at Smalltalk, a restaurant that serves Bicolano inspired Italian food.

Smalltalk looks like an Italian restaurant with a few small tables scattered around the place, a piano and old pictures displayed on the walls. The place was intimate and cozy. Smalltalk bestsellers include pasta with Bicol Express (shrimp and pork sautéed in shrimp paste, a.k.a. bagoong, coconut milk and chili), Laing (gabi leaves, pork and chili cooked in coconut milk) or the Bicolana Pizza (pizza topped with Bicol Express or Laing). I had the Bicol Express pasta and the pizzette. Both were good but I liked the pizzette best. (more…)

For the second time in a span of less than a month, Boktor and I were sent to Legazpi, Albay.

The sun was up when we left Manila and I expected to see the elusive superstar, Mt. Mayon. I am, however, learning that the weather in Legazpi is erratic. When we got there it was raining and Mt. Mayon was completely shrouded in clouds.

During this trip, we never got to see the elusive superstar in all her naked glory. The most we got was a brief glimpse of her mouth and her foot. In fact, I had the feeling that Mt. Mayon did not want to see us this time around. But, I will leave this story for later.

Monk:  Boktor just sent me a picture of the view from his room at Hotel Venezia.  Here it is…

Tomorrow…

Boktor and Pandora in Legaspi, Albay again…

The Unexpected Adventures of Boktor and Pandora in Legazpi, Albay Part II coming soon…

Mt. Mayon:  The Elusive Superstar

Legazpi City, Philippines is on a plain.  From almost anywhere in Legazpi, you will see Mt. Mayon on a clear day.  It is a green mass rising from the ground to meet the sky.  Not being part of any chain of mountains, Mt. Mayon is solitary.  Mt. Mayon’s cone shape is almost perfect and it is undoubtably an active volcano.  Smoke plumes are seen coming out of its mouth. (more…)