Gastronomic adventures in and out of Cebu, Philippines
If there’s anything that perfectly encapsulates life these days, it’s that photo.
The past few months have been a blur of non-stop work, zero weekends whatsoever, and a lot of coffee. I highly doubt it’s the ideal lifestyle for someone who survived COVID just roughly a hundred days ago, but it turns out having a full-time job and running a magazine at the same time means you’re basically signing off your rights to take a break.
(Send help.)
Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!
I’ve been feeling a little weird about the Lunar New Year this particular year. I’m not full Chinese and feel like I can lay no claim over this holiday, but for the past ten years or so, I’ve always celebrated it in big ways thanks to being invited to events.
This time around, most Chinese New Year festivities are non-existent, if not significantly scaled down. So it really does feel like I’m missing a lot —the blinding sounds of the firecrackers, the elaborate Lion and Dragon Dances, the Yee Sang Toss, among others.
Still, there’s a lot to be thankful for in this new year: I’m in good health, my family and friends are safe and well, and work is picking back up again, slowly but hopefully surely *manifests mental Prosperity Toss*
Also, there’s Chinese food.
If only proper salads were as accessible and affordable as fast food, I’d likely be eating a whole lot healthier.
But until I can get a decent salad from a drive-through as a value meal, I’m more than happy to celebrate a new salad business, especially one that has such fresh and delicious offerings.
MIXT Salad Bar is an impressive addition to Cebu’s growing number of healthy food options, making tasty gourmet salads accessible to health-conscious locals. It was founded by Dr. Journey Joyce Yamyamin and Chef Noel Daigo Jr., and their collaboration on the menu results in product offerings that are not only healthy and filling but are also flavorful and enjoyable.
Before anything else, I’d like to say my New Year’s Resolution for 2021 is to stop titling my posts with ‘New/Now Normal’. Until then, it’s fair game.
Given how this year has turned out, I didn’t have my hopes up for my annual Christmas Tree Lighting pilgrimage. I didn’t also realize how much I’ve taken these events for granted—sure, they’re really fun and a great excuse to drink champagne every night without being judged, but they can take up so much energy that my introvert tendencies demand I retreat to breathe and recharge for a while. Last year was particularly insane.
It was a bit saddening to see so many of the places I frequent forego tree lighting ceremonies completely, but that also makes the ones that did have events even more special—if a bit more mindful because of so many protocols we now have to observe.
Last month, I was fortunate to be invited by Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu for their annual Bell-Ringing. I didn’t really know what I was expecting—perhaps the significantly-reduced guest list would make it a somber affair? But to my delight, the festivities stirred the beginnings of some much-needed holiday cheer.
“Where to, next?”
I looked to my new acquaintance Emerson for actual literal guidance after placing my order for a Tom Yum (“As spicy as you can make it!”) at Dee Soi 40, which had opened recently.
It was a dreary October day and Emerson was my dream guy for that afternoon because of his ability to make decisions regarding something that has always rendered many a girl (and yes, guys too) indecisive when dining out: “What do I want to eat?” This is especially happenstance in Sugbo Mercado where there are currently 42 tenants—not only are there too many choices, but there are too many good choices.
I continue to be fascinated with how establishments are adapting in these strange, unprecedented times. There are so many things to consider now, all the same but different as well—full face shield, or half? Contact tracing in several mall outlets, but not to the entrance of the mall itself? Is border control even still a thing?
So many inconsistencies, it’s comforting to know one thing that remained constant: Radisson Blu Cebu. After a few months of being closed because of the pandemic, this beautiful city hotel with the best beds ever recently reopened their doors. They did so in epic fashion as well, with the excitement-inducing drone shots of their room windows counting down the days.
It was such a delight to finally be back, yet it’s striking how the hotel’s once-bustling lobby is eerily quiet, though not any less welcoming. Radisson Blu Cebu is SGS-certified and follows a 20-step hygiene protocol that includes social distancing measures, implementing hand hygiene stations around the property, and increased frequency in cleaning and disinfection.
Item no. 48 on things-I-will-never-take-for-granted-again-after-quarantine: A craft cocktail.
No one come at me for how far down it is on my list. Being able to freely leave the house, having work, hugging people, spending time with friends, watching movies in theaters, not having to put on face masks, and wearing lipstick all have to go somewhere.
A craft cocktail never even crossed my mind, perfectly content as I was to have my alcohol content in the form of a Rum Coke I can easily fix myself. One part rum to three parts Coca-Cola, and I’ll even add a lemon garnish if I’m feeling fancy.
I’m not bitter. Also, I don’t have bitters—which is why my drinks at home are rudimentary at best.
But with the shitshow that is 2020, we really do deserve a good drink, and thankfully Cicada by Circa 1900 gets it.
Since 2020 has taken so much from all of us already, I figured I might as well bravely come forward with the admission that I have a finnicky relationship with milk tea.
Or bubble tea. Or boba. You know what it is.
Well, it only took 160 days since the pandemic outbreak, but I finally went out for purely leisure reasons for the first time today.
It is kind of hard to turn down lunch at Hai Shin Lou, not when there’s peppercorn squid at stake.
(And also an actual meal in which I don’t have to do the dishes, let’s be real.)
Throughout the quarantine period, I’ve been doing the sensible thing and staying home as much as possible, not that I had much reason to go out if you don’t count my rapidly dwindling mental health. Milk tea deliveries and video calls became the norm, and suddenly five months have passed and we’re halfway through the year already.
In the latest edition of what’s everyone going crazy about these days, I skipped gardening and hopped straight on the Milk Cheese Donuts bandwagon.
I donut have any regrets.
For a lot of people, this is a nostalgic treat—a pastry sprinkled with milk. Not for me though, as I’ve only heard about it because of my FOMO and my shameless propensity to jump on any hype.
