Dance with Juana Change

Belated Christmas Offering from Juana Change

Here's Another on Chacha

Meet Juana Change

Mang Inasal...Kumbinsing!

The very first time I heard about Mang Inasal was when one of my friends came to visit me and told me that he's working there. He raved about it but I still didn't go there on my own. I mean, I've had my fill of chicken barbecue and was not in the mood to have any.

Then one time, my family was invited to dine out with some relatives and the place was Mang Inasal. So off we went to their very first branch which was located behind The Robinson's Place (or maybe that venue is still part of Rob). Anyway, there I was with about twenty family members.

Impression? I liked the design of the place. Then? I liked the food. We had our fill of the juicy chicken barbecue, chicken skin, sinigang, halo halo and the likes. Then the rice was wrapped in banana leaves just like in the past.

You bet that wasn't the last time that I went there.

Now, Mang Inasal has so many branches than I can count but I still love going there. One thing that I truly love is that I can have as much rice without having to pay extra. For somebody who's a voracious eater, that is really something.

What more, they sponsor a lot of civic activities and I truly like that. As their tagline says, truly "Kumbinsing."

Another Resto Opens!

Just like most Ilonggos, food is a passion for me. That's why the news that another restaurant will open just near my place was really very welcome. I mourned the closing of the Korean restaurant, Rendezvous, in Jalandoni St. just this year. Good thing though that there will be another located in the same street. This time it's a Chinese restaurant.

I saw the leaflets distributed as part of the promotions of Kusina Tsina. It included a vicinity map and the menu. Mmmm! The usual Chinese delectable food are listed.

The opening date? I heard that it will open on May 15. That would be today here in Iloilo. That would mean another culinary feast for me and another dent in my pocket.

Dunkin' Donuts in Iloilo

Way back in the early '90s the first store of Dunkin' Donuts opened in Iznart St., Iloilo City. Beside it was a theater which has long been closed down. Ilonggos would line up just to partake of the tasty doughnuts. The queue would be several meters long and yet the customers would patiently wait just to have one or two of these delectable treats. This phenomenon went on for several weeks and the line tapered to a more manageable and shorter one after a while. It being the only 24 hours food chain at that time, it was a favorite hang-out place of those who are into nocturnal activities. That Dunkin' Donuts branch still exists despite the emergence of several other branches and similar stores.

A Gloomy Day In Summer

It's summer already and yet it has been so gloomy this past few days. So, is it really summer?

The temperature dropped from sweltering to just so-so. It's good in a way that I do not have to turn on the airconditioning unit. In a way, I get to save. But still it's so gloomy that it tends to pull down one's spirit.

Iloilo: My Home

Iloilo is such an interesting to live in. It has a very diverse culture and a much laid back atmosphere compared with other cities in the Philippines.

What makes Iloilo interesting?

Hhmm...It might be the Ilonggos themselves or their interactions with people coming from other places. There are many Ilonggos who made a name for themselves and excelled in their respective fields. There are also notorious Ilonggos whose names were splashed in newspapers because of controversies. The most interesting though are the common people who go through the rigors of daily life in Iloilo or in other places.

Iloilo is also known for its rich cuisine. Think batchoy, pancit molo, biscocho...the list goes on. Ilonggos are people who savor their food. That may be the reason why restaurants can be seen in almost every corner.

It has always been said that the people from Iloilo are gentle. Yes, they are but they are also capable of rants and anger. It is even said that one wouldn't know that an Ilonggo is already angry.

But then again, Iloilo and its people are quite unique.

Hala Bira!