Pan de sal at Keso

One late afternoon, we decided to go to Landmark in Makati which we had not visited in a long time. Prior to going to the supermarket, we went around the upper levels, then settled on a table at Via Mare which, we noticed, has expanded. We ordered Pan de Sal at Keso, the best comfort food we could think of on a day when we needed a respite from the turmoil going on around us. We saw humanity pass by and it was consoling to see that the family is still a strong unifying institution, with mothers and fathers offering their children merienda, siblings sharing bibingka, even grandparents solicitously cutting the food of the youngsters. With thousands of people shopping, eating, and simply whiling away time in malls, one is likely to see an old friend not seen or heard from in a long time, like we did that day.

Anyway, that was a soothing quick snack during which we managed to leaf through the pages of two glossy magazines we bought from the street-level stand. Then off we went to the supermarket which has never been a great joy, because one would have to pass through the crowded fast food area. Our attention was first caught by a display called  “Goolay,” offering vegetables grown by the hydroponic system. The fresh salad bags sell for P60 per. Along the aisle toward the inner section of the store is a new product from Hills Bros coffee, in French Vanilla and Capuccino flavors at P96.50 for a 45 oz carton cup.

More greens are sold in another area – Bottled Salads; tomatoes at P18 a kilo, white onions for P50 and red at P62; fennel (with bulbs) for P200 a kilo  (get a small pack of .98 gms for P19.80 and this would enough for one dish, such as roasted fish fillet). Fresh mint, dill and sweet basil are selling at P37 per pack while alfalfa and broccoli sprouts are priced at P127. Mangoes, because they are in season, were tagged at P46.50, a price that has gone down to P35 a kilo.  From the fresh catch, we took note of bangus at P130 a kilo, tilapia at P120 and sole at P170. They’ve got Value Packs, combinations of two or three food items, for P167.10 per.

One of the best-sellers at the Saturday Salcedo Market is Pepi Cubano of the Garcia sisters, Susan and Sarah. Pepi Cubano is a submarine-style sandwich with layers of ham, roast pork, cheese, and pickles between a sliced length of special Cuban-style bread grilled in a sandwich press. Other variants are Pan de Adobo (old-fashioned Pinoy adobo cooked Cuban style) and the Chori Pan, Buenos Aires’ answer to the hamburger stand. It consists of a sausage made out of beef and pork, hot off the grill, split down the middle, and served on a roll. You can also try these best-sellers at the YEBA Combo Festival, a grand reunion of the superstar combos of the 60s (Electromaniacs, Moonstrucks, Dynasouls, Deltas, Cobras and Sundowners) on May 2 at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio. Call 817-0828 for more details.

More and more women, and surely a lot men, are keen on learning some culinary skills, the most basic of which is being able to cook. There are good internationally recognized culinary schools whose courses lead to diplomas and degrees, but they cost a lot. Now, if one only needs to cook well and manage the kitchen with efficiency, there are culinary sessions conducted by people of great experience and reputation, such as Heny Sison who has opened a culinary school at the top floor of WalterMart Mall in Makati. Catch the remaining April half-day sessions, varying from making pancakes to homemade ice cream and desserts to vegetarian and Korean dishes and bottling deli items. Fees range from P1,500 to P5,500.

Our parents cautioned us as kids, against putting ourselves, especially our faces, right in front of oscillating electric fans. Now comes this TV ad of a popular brand showing a boy and a girl playing and enjoying the cool breeze, with the latter’s long hair being blown every which way by the electric fan. Isn’t this putting young kids in danger? What if the hair gets caught in the blades of the fan, or if they accidentally get hurt by the oscillating fan? Does anyone monitor  TV advertisements? Protect the kids please. Talent fees may not be enough to fix a scorched face or head.

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