Daday’s Kitchen: Simple Breakfast to Something Special

I always look forward to Saturdays. Almost always,it turned to something special…wonderfully unexpected. It could be a lazy morning in bed with Dada and Daniz. Or simply snoozing from early morning until whatever time I feel like waking up. Or a sudden plan for a weekend getaway. 

Whatever it is…it will surely erase all the tiredness, stress and tension of the week before it.

Today, it’s a simple breakfast turned into something special with just a tweak on the presentation. I will often heard Daday telling Ate Bevs (our home angel) to always put extra effort on the way she served our food. That she has to satisfy the three senses: sight, smell then taste.

Sweet & Spicy Pancit Canton garnished with thinly sliced Leeks. Scrambled Egg, Sausage, Liver Spread, Mayonnaise & Butter served in a Cutting Board from Las Casas Filipinas. Pandesal in a Bread Basket from Tiendesitas

Plated version

After breakfast…this is what happened to our dining table…

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One Fine Day in Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte

Bagasbas Beach is famous, not only to the locals, but even to foreign visitors. with its long stretched of beach, about 2 kilometers, with powdery sand. The beach faces sunrise from the shores of Daet. For a public beach, free for everyone, it is relatively clean...free of waste other than seaweeds or dried leaves.

Open cottages for rent lined part of the shoreline. Surf boards are available for rent and so are instructors for a standard rate. 

Going to Bagasbas Beach Last November 01 is a spur of a moment decision…not part of the things to do while we were in Bicol.

The night before, one of my brother wanted to go to the nearby town of Jose Panganiban at four in the morning to buy meat for our meals the whole day. I am not sure how it happened, but in between asking who wants to accompany him…he mentioned Bagasbas Beach and their recent trip with some of our nieces and nephews.

To make the story short, right there and then…we decided to go to Bagasbas Beach. I conducted a meeting with the children, ask them if they want to go and if they do they should sleep early…or they will be left behind. We will have breakfast at Jollibee Daet (the nearest outlet from Batobalani).

After the children left, we discuss about the car arrangement. There are only 2 cars available for 19 passengers: 8 adults, 3 teens, 7 kids and 1 baby…excluded are 4 adults. How in the world are we going to fit in? Then Aster came to the rescue by saying, “I will try if there will be an available van that can be borrowed”. And so it’s settled…

The day of the trip, we were informed that there is no available van. Good thing, my only brother-in-law arrived from Manila…so we have 2 cars and 1 SUV. “Ang galing talaga ni Lord”…perfect timing.

When we left Batobalani, it seemed like it will rain. Initially, Jonjie and I will go directly to Jollibee, to buy our breakfast. But we have 3 kids on board which we think “sayang naman ang moment” with their cousins on the beach if they are going to tag along with us. Jonjie and I agreed that we will bring them first to the beach and if it’s raining, we will pack and go. If not, the two of us will go to Jollibee. Right after we talked, I received a text message from my sister with the same line of thought.

We reached the place. The sun is shining with no hint of rain. The children did not waste any minute…off they go to the beach. I decided to leave Jonjie to take pictures and requested another one of my brother to drive me to Jollibee.

Even the youngest among the children is clearly enjoying the fine sand and the sea. Look at that face...the eyes...the smile. He is just so adorable...

Eating our breakfast...kanya-kanyang puwesto...para-paraan lang...

When we returned, they are already off the beach…hungry…waiting for the food. But no children in sight. Jonjie said, "they are rinsing themselves, some are changing clothes". I was surprised because swimming is not part of the plan.

Apparently, our daughter Daniz started it all. She said she lost her footings and got wet...and the rest is...well, they enjoyed themselves...

I missed the fun, the sun and the sand but I have their stories and the beautiful pictures…

The Cousins, from L to R: Lia, JB, Janna, Daniz (at the back), Jolo, Carmelle, Jovanni, Enzo

Throwback. Daniz first visit in Bagasbas Beach with her cousins, from L to R: Neil in blue, Carmelle, Daniz, Jovanni, Jolo, John Dino, Janna. Taken last August 2008

Footnote:

• The road to the beach from the town proper is already paved and improved, not like the last time that we visited the area. Going there is just a breeze…except the traffic when exiting the town proper because of the large numbers of tricycles and vehicles parked along the side of the roads.
• Daniz wanted to go surfing but we can only stay for a few hours...
• We hailed from Batobalani, one of the 27 barangays of Paracale, Camarines Norte. 

You may also read:

• Journal of our Bicol Road Trip this Undas 2014

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Undas 2014: Journal of Our Bicol Road Trip

Travel time from Mabalacat, Pampanga to Paracale, Camarines Norte during ordinary weekend would only take us about 9~10 hours by car with an occasional restroom break and one coffee or snack break.

Our regular route: North Luzon Expressway > Skyway > South Luzon Expressway > Maharlika Highway > Road leading to our barangay.

This Undas 2014 was so different…in a big way. Getting there took us 14½ hours as well as going back. It’s due to traffic jam caused by the surge of commuters which was expected during this time. But the major reason was the collapsed bridge in Santa Elena, linking Camarines Norte to Metro Manila, due to the onslaught of Typhoon Mario (with international code name Fung Wong).

We, and all the commuters to and from Camarines Norte, had to endure the long journey via Rolando R. Andaya Highway (commonly known as Quirino Highway). It is a regional highway traversing the towns of: Tagkawayan, Quezon; Ragay, Camarines Sur; Lupi, Camarines Sur and Sipocot, Camarines Sur. It is the shortest way to Naga City and the province of Camarines Sur.

But when it was used as the emergency detour going to Camarines Norte, it means an additional 3 ~ 4 hours travel time. With this route, we have to travel across Sipocot to reach the other side of Maharlika Highway passing the busy side of Sipocot and Lupi and then the towns of Camarines Norte which are: Basud, Daet, Talisay, Labo and finally, Paracale (my home town). We use same route, in reverse, in going back to Pampanga…with a few difference when we used diversion roads to avoid the long queue of vehicles on the national roads.

During the entire road trip, I posted bits and pieces of information with pictures on Facebook. And when I reported for work, most of my FB friends who followed our road trip commented, “napagod ako sa byahe ninyo” (I got tired with your travel).

I decided to consolidate all those FB posts plus more of the pictures we have taken along the way. I will be using the time the pictures were taken…not the time of the Facebook post. The trip hashtags: #JADSpirits, #roadtriptobicol #longesttriptobicolever,

October 31, 5:48am

We just passed the “Welcome to Bicolandia” arch (boundary of Quezon and Camarines Norte when I posted the first Facebook post.

Good morning, Everyone!!! Rise & shine! After more than 9 hours on the road…from Pampanga. From the gateway to Bicolandia…at least 100 kms, around 2 hours travel time to our destination.

  

October 31, 6:08am

We were traveling along Tagkawayan, Quezon…

Sights of Quirino Highway! Emergency detour to the towns of Camarines Norte due to downed bridge in Santa Elena brought about by the recent typhoon.

October 31, 7:33am

Part of the comments of the second FB post and some. We were on the Camarines Sur part of the highway…120 kms away from our destination.

Quirino Highway - Ragay, Camarines Sur

  Sipocot, Camarines Sur...5kms to Maharlika Highway

October 31, 9:30am,

After seeing endless roads, trees, sky and vehicles of different types and sizes, we reached the capital of Camarines Norte…Daet.

After almost 13 hours on the road…

We had brunch, Dada were able to have a short rest, stretch his back. And look at our Daniz in her PJs…as if she’s just inside our house…wagas.

 

This is Froggy...13 hours after it left the car wash in Mabalacat, Pampanga

October 31, 10:45am

Not part of my FB post.

We reached the archway to my hometown…around 20 minutes more to reach our final destination.

Footnote:

• Some part of Quirino Highway is under construction…so we experienced “stop” and “go”. From time to time, we also braved some sudden rain fall.

You may also read:

• One Fine Day in Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte

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Daily Log: The Toughest Things by Bob Perks

In life, easy things leave no lasting marks. The things that stays with us…the way we view ourselves…on how we relate to others…our outlook in life...those are the result of the toughest things that we have gone through and the toughest choices that we have made.

Some choices scared us and even scarred us. There are times that all we wanted to do is run away from everything that challenges us, removing us from our comfort zone. But when we stood our ground and we said to ourselves, “we can”…it is in those times that we found the strength to “go on” doing the things that we thought we cannot do…choosing the toughest things instead of the easy way out...

06.09.2014_San Juan, La Union

"The Toughest Things"

By Bob Perks

 

There are lessons to be learned and people to teach them.

I find that to be true in every part of my life.  It is important to note that sometimes we are the student and sometimes we are the teacher.

So, how do we know if we are learning or teaching?

It all depends on our attitude.

For me, I take the attitude of the student.  I want to learn.  I want to see the world, not as a gigantic classroom, but as a fun, exciting field trip without textbooks, instructions, or rules.

This means I learn more from the mistakes I make than the accuracy of the steps I take in the right direction.

In my life, the best lessons are learned the hard way.

What comes easy to me, I forget.

So, here is a list of what would appear to be easy things that require more than we realize:

To love a dog is easy, but to be worthy of its love is tough...

Our pets love us unconditionally.  Which means, we hardly need to do anything to get that love.

But ask yourself based on the time and attention you give, if you really deserve it?  This applies to our relationship with people, too.

To teach a child is easy, but to live what we teach...

I can remember the old phrase "Do as I say, not as I do!"

What you do may be the true lesson your child is learning. Teach by example.

To watch a sunset is easy, but to see it as a new beginning...

How many times have you said, "I can't wait until this day is over!"

When it ends, do you simply brush it off?  Linger in anger and stress over it? Adjust your attitude and see the day's end as a new chance to begin again?

To see what's wrong is easy, but to make it right...

We can't right every wrong in the world, but just pointing out what's wrong won't make the world a better place.

What the world needs are people who take action.  If you don't have the ability to change it, find someone who does then help them.  "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."  Martin Luther King Jr.

To fall down is easy, but to get up again and again...

Sometimes life is unbearable.

Failure is not how many times you fall, but the last time you chose not to get up again.

To give is easy, but to give when it calls for sacrifice...

Even in these tough economic times there are things we can do to help others.

It may call for belt tightening, or giving a little extra time to a cause, but sacrifice gives to both the giver and the receiver.

To lie is easy, but to tell the truth when you have lied...

The greatest enemy in any relationship is the lie.

Upon it grows mistrust. Revealing it brings about rebirth and a chance to grow even closer.

To be angry is easy, but to forgive...

It is said that "forgiveness frees the forgiver."

One can let go through forgiveness or be weighed down with the burden of remembering forever.

To criticize is easy, but to praise...

I have found that there are more things to praise in life than to criticize.

It has also helped me to find life more enjoyable.  Praise is like oxygen to one who is suffocating under criticism.

To pray for help is easy, but to be thankful for the need...

Prayer often times becomes a shopping list of needs rather than a thank you note.

If you find yourself in a situation that needs some guidance, see it as an opportunity to learn and be grateful for it.  That attitude will help you to see the the solution more clearly.

To try is easy, but to do...

I can say "I'll try!" and make very little commitment to do it.

But if I say "I'll do it!" my mind and body will respond differently to the challenge. "Do or do not.  There is no try."  Yoda

To begin is easy, but to finish...is tough.

"Begin" is an idea.  "Finish" becomes a reality.

Most people say, "If I only had the money I would..."

You don't have a money problem, you have a idea problem.  Any plan can begin on paper without costing anything but time and effort.  Finish the project, evaluateit and work the plan.  Or begin a new one based on what you've learned

Life is easier when you make tough choices!

"I believe in you!"

J

Bob

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