Back in Davao after 4 years

I was in Davao last week for a national convention. The last time I was there was in August 2019 and before the pandemic so it was a welcome trip for me. Back then and probably even now, Davao was riding high after 3 years of Digong as President. I am glad that Davao is still rapidly progressing. It has so much potential with or without the Dutertes holding key posts in government.

Welcome set-up for delegates to our convention at the Francisco Bangoy Airport

There was also a cultural show upon our arrival.

I have close relatives in Davao City (a first cousin has taken up residence there with his second family after returning from a stint in China). I didn't inform them, however, of my trip as my schedule was quite tight. I did manage to squeeze in a lunch meeting with very close friends who lived near the airport. I will be back in Davao again and hopefully sooner than later. That would preferably be for leisure than for work. That should afford me more time for reunions with relatives and friends in Davao.

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Chocolate review: Turkey Hill Maple Crunch Dark Chocolate

The wife came home from her trip to the US and Canada with more chocolate to replenish our cache.

Turkey Hill Maple Crunch Dark Chocolate

Details on the chocolate at the back of the package. Make no mistake that this is

Nutrition information in French and English

Ingredients - the minimum cacao content is not stated. One can only estimate or speculate from the taste and texture about the minimum cacao content.

Close-up of nutrition facts.

This one is in pure English

I can only speculate that this is at least 60% cacao considering the mix of bitterness and sweetness, and texture of the chocolate. The maple gives the chocolate some crunch and it is a delight (for me).

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Seiko 5 Sports 55th Anniversary Ultraseven Limited Edition - SRPJ79 on oyster bracelet

I wrote about this limited edition watch that I acquired early this year. I just wanted to feature it again as it has become a regular for my rotation especially after I changed the strap to a stainless steel bracelet. There is also this 4th Philippine Limited Edition watch that just came out yesterday that to me is a bit underwhelming after the first three releases the past years. The only thing notable about it I think is the price, which is on the expensive side of the model series.

The watch features day and date complications, an elegant rotating dial and a sweeping second hand with a red tip.

Side view showing the crown

The other side view

The case back is transparent with an image of the Ultraseven character. It also shows the model number 4R36-14S0.

A closer look shows the watch to be number 3043 of  only 3400 made.

Close up of the dial - TDG-UG stands for Terrestrial Defense Force - Ultra Guard

An even closer look showing the very small dial number at the bottom of the dial

A more recent wrist shot

Wrist shot when I first got the watch

The watch came with the nylon strap in the last photo. I changed it so I can wear it more frequently without worrying about the strap becoming dirty or wet (rains or perspiration) especially if I will use it for field work.

More information on the watch at Seiko: https://www.seikowatches.com/no-en/products/5sports/special/ultraseven/index

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Lunch delivery from Amici

It's been a while since I've eaten at Amici. There is a branch at the U.P. Technohub along Commonwealth Avenue, which we frequented before. The ongoing construction of MRT 7 along Commonwealth has discouraged us from going to Technohub for lunch. It wasn't really worth the hassle of traffic. Good thing that there's the delivery option what with the popularity of Grab and Food Panda. These made it convenient to order food from the restaurants we frequented before and those we wanted to try out but never had the opportunity to go to.

Linguine al Prosciutto e Tartufo

Mediterranean Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad

The prices are a bit on the expensive side so we probably could order maybe once a month or so. The quality and quantity of the servings are for sharing though so you can get some value for money here for the occasional special lunch.

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Dinner at Mardiyyah Hotel, Shah Alam

This is a late post where I share some photos of our dinner the first night of our trip to Malaysia last September. As we were already tired from our travel, we decided to just eat at the hotel's restaurant, Royale Songket, which was located at the ground floor lobby.

The Mardiyyah Hotel's Royale Songket (lobby restaurant) offered buffet and a la carte items. We decided to go a la carte as we thought we weren't as hungry as to be able to maximize the buffet.

Their house blend iced tea for me

Watermelon shake for my colleague

Teriyaki chicken donburi

Set Royal

Set Thai

The food and service was very good. It also helped that our dinner wasn't as expensive as with other hotel restaurants we know. I thought my dinner set was unexpectedly good and so well worth more than what we paid for. 

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Chocolate review: Leonidas Dark Orange revisited

The travels abroad this year have allowed us to replenish our chocolate cache and get reacquainted with the nice chocolates we've purchased before. Most of these we bought at the duty free shops at the airports of the countries we visited including those that served as stopovers for the longer trips. One chocolate we missed is this Leonidas Dark Orange that we usually got from Changi Airport in Singapore.

Leonidas Dark Orange

Details on the chocolate at the back of the packaging

Ingredients are stated in different languages. The chocolate claims to have a minimum 55% cacao content.

Information on the manufacturer and production and expiration dates.

Leonidas definitely delivers in terms of taste and texture of the chocolate. This is among my (personal opinion) benchmarks for chocolates, after all. There is only a hint of bitter in the chocolate and it blends well with the orange. My only

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A vintage Gruen Geneve watch with sub second

I found this watch tucked away in one of my storage containers. I had forgotten about this watch that I acquired before the pandemic. The style is like the Gruen Precision sub dial that was the first James Bond watch. That's a Gruen Precision 510, which is quite costly to acquire especially if you're looking for one in great condition.

Gruen Geneve featuring a sub second dial

Side view showing the crown

The other side view showing a relatively pristine dial

Case back indicating the watch to be water resistant and made of stainless steel

Close-up of the sub-dial and the 'Swiss Made' at the bottom of the dial

I have not opened the watch and I seem to have misplaced a stock photo of the movement so I currently don't know the movement for this model. I recall though that Gruen also made in-house movements and for all I know, there might be a Gruen Cal. 510 inside this watch.

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Traditions - Biko and Arroz Valenciana for Undas

Two dishes that were usually cooked or prepared during Undas are biko and valenciana. Both are rice dishes that use glutinous rice and coconut milk. While biko is practically a version of suman, valenciana has similarities with paella.

Biko ingredients include malagkit (glutinous rice), gata (coconut milk) and brown sugar. Vanilla may be added for aroma and flavor though calamansi (citrus) leaves would be the more likely ingredient for aroma and flavor. We used both for our biko.

Close-up of the biko while it was being cooked.

The finished product with a sprinkling of coconut curds (derived from the coconut milk).

A version of the Arroz Valenciana or simply Valenciana as prepared by our kasambahay who is from Negros Occidental. This is usually a more complicated dish with much more ingredients including seafood, shellfish, eggs and other items that invites comparisons to the Spanish paella.

Close-up of the valenciana

I enjoyed the biko and it brought out a lot of happy memories with loved ones. Biko was cooked at our home and in our houses in Iloilo. In Iloilo, it is cooked not only during Undas but also during the Holy Week. Our house there was at the cross roads of the town proper and the road to the more rural part of Cabatuan, which they referred to as 'uma'. The latter term is probably equivalent to the Japanese 'inaka', which is also used to refer to the more rural parts of a town. Many relatives and friends pass by the house before they proceeded back to their homes in the 'uma'. A meal or drink is always welcome before they proceeded, and they were always welcome to have that meal at my Lola's house. The meals are always accompanied by stories or even small talk for those in a hurry. When we were on vacation this meant reconnecting or reacquainting with old friends especially for Tatay.

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Traditions - lighting candles for the faithful departed

There is a tradition of lighting candles on the evening or night after going to the cemetery (memorial parks and columbariums included). This has been a custom in our families for as long as I can remember. While technically it should be done after visiting the cemeteries, recent events particularly the pandemic have led to some adjustments like lighting the candles to pray and remember the faithful departed.

I recall there was a time when each candle corresponded to a departed person. Eventually, the number of candles did not really matter anymore. In our case, we adopted one candle each of the branches or sides of our families. That would be at least 4 each for the wife and my families (mother side and father side) plus the families of our help and candles for our friends who have passed away.

This tradition or custom aligns with lighting a candle in church to pray for our beloved who have passed away.

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Remembering loved ones and friends this Undas 2023

The past few years have taken quite a toll in terms of loved ones and friends who passed away. Some passings were surprising including a high school classmate and friend who was involved in a freak accident (elevator malfunction). Others passed due to various illnesses including one who was already undergoing treatment for liver disease. Most heartbreaking was the sudden loss of a dear friend who was a kumpare (We are Godparents to their son and he was Godparent to our daughter.). He is survived by his son and wife (who is very close to us). We remember them today and pray for their eternal repose.

Cabatuan, Iloilo Mortuary Chapel circa late 1990s early 2000s [Photo by: Atty. Mayko Gatchalian]

We also remember those who have gone ahead including Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and other relatives and friends whom we have shared many happy memories. May they all rest in peace with Our Creator.

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