“Cool Blue Summer”

CEBU, Philippines — It was the second quarter media lunch for the year at the Bluewater Maribago Beach. The theme was “Cool Blue Summer.” Select mainline and online journalists were invited to sample the highlights of the week-long gastronomic treat which were to be served at the resort’s Allegro Restaurant.

The math is very simple. There are seven days in one week and assuming that there are five dishes served each day, the sum total is 35 dishes. That’s the number of dishes that I’d have to taste!

The gastronomic adventure would start Sunday, with the theme “La Americana.” It would be a night for steaks grilled to the clients’ preference. I tried the Prime Ribs with Coffee (Tuburan) Rub. Minestrone Soup, Grilled Veggies and Potatoes (Oven-Baked or Mashed) were also served.

On Monday nights, it’s “Sa Bahay ni Nanay” with classic comfort foods from Nanay’s Kitchen: Lapu-Lapu Mayonesa, Chicken Galantina, Tinapa Fried Rice, Lechon Kanding, Adobong Pula Crabs in Curry and Tinungbo (prawn cooked in bamboo).

“Kusina Latina” is the theme for Tuesday and various types of Ceviches (Peruvian, Poulpo, Ecuadorian and Mexican Shrimp & Avocado) were served. Adlai Seafood Paella, made with short, stubby rice grains and the Beef Churrasco are quite delicious.

It is “Cebuano Streetfest” every Wednesday, with Barbecue (pork & chicken) and Ginabot (Pork Skin & Intestine). I tried the Deep Fried Bakasi and it did remind me of the Netflix show on Cebu street food and limited space restricts my comments about it.

“Feast Asia” is the theme every Thursday – with various dumplings, sushi and sashimi. Honestly, I only looked and stared at those because the adjacent food display was more enticing.

It was the “Fishing Village” that captured my attention, to be the theme every Friday. The table was groaning with treasures from the sea like the Rock Lobster, Ocean Lobster, Crabs, Prawns, Bongkawil (Island Conch), Spider Conch, Scallops and Clams. I ate half each of the two lobsters, a fourth of the crab and three of the freshest scallops available at Mactan Island that night. No. actually, I ate… five!

On Saturday nights was to be the time for “Barrio Fiesta,” with the best of Philippine specialities. Cebu Lechon was the centrepiece de resistance with the supporting cast of these dishes: Ox Tail Kare-Kare with Cashew Nut Sauce, Steamed Whole Fish, Pinakbet with Prawns & Bagnet, Hiplog (Prawns, Salted Egg Sauce), Ensaladang Bagnet and the Lechon Piangang nga Manok. The latter is a dish with Tausug origins; it was my first time to taste it and it was quite delicious.

Desserts, excuse me, were plentiful: Sapin-Sapin, Yema Palitaw Balls, Torta Cebuana with Cheese, Langkasoy Tartlet, Mangosteen Panna Cota, Coconut Flan, Mango Brazo de Mercedes and Durian Parfait. A small teaspoon each and I found the Langkasoy Tartlet good, the Coconut Flan better and Sapin-Sapin best.