Avoid getting sick; from street food this Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Sinulog time usually means spending a lot of time in the streets. The different activities take people to the different streets of the city. Traffic is also really a problem during the days leading up to the fiesta celebration, thus, people usually just walk to their destinations.

Sinulog is also a time that street food becomes all the more popular, what with most people spending time on the streets!

Street foods, however, have a reputation of making some people sick, especially those who are not used to these kinds of food. And no one wants to get sick this Sinulog 2017, right?

Mark Wiens of gobackpacking.com shares some ways to avoid getting sick from street food. If you plan to spend the next couple of days in the streets of Cebu City for the different Sinulog activities, you better take note of these.

Water. This is probably the single biggest factor when it comes to getting diarrhea or having stomach problems. There are a lot of people who have been the victim of water created diarrhea quite a few times. Always be cautious in drinking water without knowing where it came from. Also be careful when using ice or ice cubes as well as water mixed with fresh fruit juices. Always make sure that the water you drink is from a clean source.

Raw vegetables. Raw vegetables are often washed with bad water. Due to unsanitary water, eating raw vegetables can also be risky. If the condition of water is uncertain, best to avoid eating raw vegetables.

Eat fruits that have peels. Some fruits like apples come ready to be eaten, other fruits like oranges and bananas come with outer layers that needs to be peeled off before being eaten. When in the streets during Sinulog, it is best to eat fruits that you have to peel.

Fresh and hot food. Most street food vendors cook a huge amount of food and then let it sit in the sun in a glass cabinet for the day. Food that sits can accumulate bacteria, especially if it sits in the hot sun for a long period of time. Food that will be cooked just before being served is a safer way to eat street foods. It would be best to always stick with freshly cooked hot food over food that sits.

Spicy food. An abundance of spice and chillies is something that could upset the stomach. It’s not that the food has been contaminated, it’s just that some people’s stomach may not be accustomed to the mix of spices and the pungent blends of flavor.

Wash your hands. Washing hands before eating isn’t just for personal sanitary comfort – it really does kill the germs and bacteria that have collected on the hands throughout the day. When you can, it is best to wash your hands with water and soap but be mindful of the water you use. If water and soap is not available, you can also use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizers to rid your hands of germs, or, you can also use wet tissues.

Sauces. Sauces are one of the enemies of people who have weak stomachs. The main reason is that sauces are usually prepared beforehand and are left for the entire day (or even days) at room temperature. This makes sauce the cause of many people’s stomach disturbances.

A Toast to the New Year

Bibendum Wines has stocked up on new selections perfect for your celebrations this 2017! A new range of budget friendly and premier wines from France has arrived at the go-to wine shop in town.

For classic red wines that are budget friendly, you can’t go wrong with Patriarche Varietal in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties at P350 each. The Merlot has black fruit aromas with a hint of plums, and silky flavors that are well-rounded with good tannins and great length while the Cab has aromas of spicy cassis, followed by medium-bodied rich black fruit and fine ripe tannins. For almost 60 years, Patriarche has been building strong, lasting relationships with winegrowers in Southern France, making Patriarche a true classic. Another wine that gives great value for money is the Chateau Grand-Champ Rouge. At P450 only, this Merlot, best paired with red meat, is a steal as it won Silver in 2013 in Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a prestigious international wine competition.

For a more premium red wine, the Chateau Puy Mouton has a spicy fragrance with hints of red berries, and wood and leather; structured tannins with a luscious dark and soft fruit with a light, bitter finish at P1,290. It won Gold in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2014.

Welcome the good year in high spirits with crisp white wines such as Patriarche’s Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc at P380 and P350, respectively. The former is a light, gently fruity wine with a soft, candied pear and apple flavor that is open and immediately accessible, making it very easy to drink. Best paired with seafood, the latter tastes of tropical fruits and has a citrusy aroma. 

With wines coming from all over the world, choosing from perhaps the widest selection in Cebu may seem daunting. To make the selection process a lot easier, Bibendum adopts a point system that professional wine critics use, where they have a simple 100-point rating to score wines. Looking at these ratings which are indicated in Bibendum’s labels is the quickest and most convenient way to determine the quality of wine.

To maintain exemplary quality and ensure optimum storage and holding conditions, Bibendum utilizes refrigerated containers and climate-controlled storage facilities, including Vinecaves. At Bibendum Wines, you can try the wine prior to purchasing with their enomatic machine, which contains 8 different kinds of wine. The first taste is free, and the succeeding tasting portions are at a minimal amount.

Bibendum Wines also offers delivery service for your special requests. Visit any of their branches or their website at www.bibendumwines.com for more details. - Jannica Manlupig (FREEMAN)