FRIDAY FOODFEST: theo 275 goes to laguna

last august 19, our philippine church history class went on a tour to the different churches in the laguna de bay area. it was an interesting tour as our guide, fr. gabby delfino, helped us see aspects of philippine church history vis-a-vis pastoral considerations today, especially in parochial life.

 in the midst of church historians

besides going on a road trip on a long weekend, this trip primarily served as a supplement to our philipine church history classes. fr. gabby, who holds a licentiate in church history, made interesting references to some of the things we learned in our church history lessons (like laguna de bay as a route for transporting goods during the galleon trade, geographical considerations in evangelization, the presence of franciscans and augustinians in the laguna area, the effect of franciscan mindset with the people of laguna, etc.). it was also nice to look at ecclesiastical art, from church architecture and wood carvings from paete to the catechetical artworks inside the churches.

 are those bishops burning in hell? tsk tsk tsk!

but this is not a church history entry. this is friday foodfest!

of course, road trips will not be complete without gastronomical experiences in that area. as one of my principles in travel goes, i prefer to eat in a place where i can truly experience its culture rather than a convenient fastfood chain that can be seen in my own place. let us try to look at some of the delicacies that the wonderful province of laguna has to offer.

i think i won't eat pancit in a month or so. i've never eaten so much pancit in a day when i went to laguna. i like that pancit we ate in nagcarlan, which was topped with real chicharon. damn, so sinful.

of course, this has nothing to do with food. but i bought a medium size bayong in liliw for only php 35. i use a bayong going to school because it's economical (can fit lots of things inside) and durable. besides, it's a surefire headturner if you go to class or around the ateneo carrying a bayong. anyway, back to food...

pilipit is a childhood favorite of mine. i remember my grandmother bought me a pack of pilipit on our way to malolos when i was a child and she can still commute around.

of course, yema is part of the tagalogs' vocabulary in terms of desserts. wrapped in reddish pink and goldish yellow, they cost php 1 per piece.

merengue is also one of those sweets you can't and you shouldn't miss, even if in reality it's just one big sugar ball with lots of egg white.

and finally, you can't forget pasencia biscuits! i remember that in one of the mother's day in the past, my former parish priest gave packs of "pacensiya" to the mothers in attendance of a sunday mass which coincides with mother's day

mahaba-habang inuman

this has to be one of the most engaging road trips around as it challenged us to look beyond the decaying facades of the church. originally, the trip should have gone to pampanga area but it was moved to laguna due to logistical concerns. more so, it was an opportunity for the bond with classmates who have been looking for opportunities to get to know each other and instill camaraderie to one another.

NEXT UP: chicharonsilog from tapsi ni vivian!

photos courtesy of jay fonacier