I turned a year older last week and
I must say, it was somehow weird that I felt bored about the whole thing. I
didn't know how I would celebrate it and whom I would celebrate it with, as
proved by this conversation.
Ma: Gusto mo magdinner mamaya? (Do
you want to go out for dinner tonight?)
Moi: Ehhh... bukas na lang, may
gagawin kasi ako ngayon. (Ehh, let's just go out tomorrow, I'm doing something
today.
Ma: O sige. Gusto mo tawagan ko sila
Tita J? (Ok then. Do you want me to invite Tita J?)
Moi (in a bored whiny tone): Maaa.
Ma: Eh gusto mo tawagan ko friends
mo? (How about I call your friends?)
Moi (more bored and whiny tone): Maaaaaaaa!
Ma: (leaves)
Yet in between those pockets of
weirdness, boredom, and indecisiveness still lay a bit of excitement that it
was my birthday. Yeah cos I'm strange like that. or maybe that's a sign of
aging?! You tell me.
For all that was stuck in my head
that day was that I had to work. It is not that bad however, because the person
I was doing business with is a good friend of mine. The 100 million dollar
question was what to do after that. I had no idea, and I didn't really care. I
could have gone straight home if I wanted. But I didn't. A trip was in order
since my friend F and I wrapped up by merienda time. How convenient is that,
yeah? It was just the beginning of a simple yet fun celebration.
The trip we went on was so random,
it became one of the highest-ranking random manila trippings F and I have ever
done. First up, we went to a Taoist temple which I promptly forgot the name of.
All I remember is that is it's located on Adriatico St. We were the only visitors
in the temple at that time. F lit some incense while I looked around to admire
the ornately decorated place. We took some photos afterwards and then left.
F and I continued walking along Adriatico
until we reached Padre Faura. We then proceeded to Solidaridad bookshop, which
is owned by premier Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose. An aria playing softly from
the speakers and the cool, gentle blast from the airconditioner greeted us as
we entered the bookshop. Oh, I was in heaven. Even if I didn't have any plans
of buying a book, just the fact that I am surrounded by lots of books is enough
for me. Browsing through shelves is just as enjoyable as purchasing a book that
catches my fancy.
But of course, my reader's nose is
just too keen that I found the book written by my beloved high school English
teacher stacked in one of the displays in the bookshop. I immediately snapped
one up without batting an eyelash, making it the first "expensive"
book I've bought in years. (if it satisfies your curiosity, I love bargain
bookstores. My cheapest find to date was sold for five pesos. ha!)
So. have I mentioned that it was
merienda time? A trip, even a mini one at that, would not be complete without
food. So we left the comforting coolness of the bookshop and tripped over to
Hizon's in J. Bocobo St. for a late afternoon snack. An institution which was
established in 1946, Hizon's boasts of its cakes and pastries. They also offer
sumptuous selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner that it is no wonder that
the great Philippine comedian Dolphy considered Hizon's his favourite place to
eat.
Our merienda consisted of toasted
special ensaymada with queso de bola, special halo-halo with a scoop of ube ice
cream and a slice of chocolate cake. I know, it's sugar rush galore! I
especially loved the grilled ensaymada. The bun has a light and flaky texture
that gives it its melt-in-your-mouth character, and has just the right amount
of sweetness that blended beautifully with the subtle saltiness of the grated
cheese. Needless to say, F and I left Hizon's with satisfied tummies, and
planning the next food trip at this place.
Some people celebrate their
birthdays the whole month long. Some celebrate on their birth week. some just
on the day itself, and some don't even celebrate at all. So far the only type I
haven't tried doing yet is celebrating the whole month. Oh well. Just the
thought of it makes me feel tired already. (uh-oh, another sign of aging,
perhaps?) Well, all I want is a simple, fun, and random (if this is applicable)
celebration with family and select friends in one of my happy places. It's my
kind of recipe.
P.S. One funny thing that happened
on that day was I actually asked F what the date was. Now if that's not a sign
of aging, I don't know what is.
P.P.S. Top two photos taken in the Taoist temple; bottom left and center photos, Solidaridad bookshop; bottom right, gate at aurora plaza where Solidaridad is located. sorry, no photos of the scrumptious feast. Here's a link to a photo of the toasted ensaymada tho. :)
