Lunch at Maricar’s Home

Aloha Everyone,

We were invited to the home of Maricar, one of J.J.’s sister-in-laws. Marina, her daughter, is a fantastic chef. She prepared Spanish themed dishes including the famous Albert (J.J.’s maternal grandmother) paella whose recipe traces back to her Mother in Spain.

Here are a few of the mouthwatering array of dishes including a wonderful key lime cake.

Aloha -- Cathi

Politics of Onions

Aloha Everyone,

Onion growers in the Philippines grow both white and red onions. Shortage of this essential commodity for restaurant and home consumption became headline news.

Onions require dry soil. Due to heavy rainfalls, last year’s crop was destroyed.

By July of 2022, local onion farmers reported the supply of white onions will be depleted before the holiday season. The government was informed, but failed to mitigate the upcoming problem of supply and demand. Prices of onion skyrocketed. J.J. was told at a restaurant that onion will be excluded from his hamburger and sorry, no onion rings.

Government’s importation of onion coincides with harvesting of new crops. Now an over supply of onions will impact the local growers profit margin.

A couple of days ago, an airline pilot brought back onions to his wife rather than a luxury gift from abroad.

Aloha -- Cathi

Office Supply Shortages

Aloha Everyone,

Christmas and New Year’s holidays plus tropical storm that caused heavy rains, floods and mudslides in Southern Philippines resulted in general supply shortages. J.J. and I were directly affected by the lack of office supplies.

One learns to be resourceful. Paper bags are used for many of our purchases. They are clean and sturdy. Rather than putting these bags in our recycle bin, I am using them for my daily language studies.

Aloha -- Cathi

International English

Aloha Everyone,

Our overly enthusiastic restaurant server asked, “Do we want 399 or 699?”  When J.J. asked for details, she stuck a large menu card and pointed at two choices we could make. The numbers referred to prices in pesos.

English spoken by people whose mother tongue is another language could sound harsh and even rude. When J.J. and I told her that we will decide once we are seated, she got flustered. Another time she was a bit more friendly and said, could you sit here while we assemble your table? (Translate: please be seated while we clean your table.)

J.J. asked what happened to my orders to which a waiter replied, “Not yet, coming sir.” 

Another restaurant experience where they offered endless tiny appetizers. A waiter informed us that the appetizers are replaceable.

A brochure is a printed material on paper usually folded in 2, 3 or 4. When I asked a pharmacist that the medication that I was purchasing lacks printed information sheet, she said the brochure is included in the interior box. To access it, you have to split the box.

Aloha -- Cathi

Green Amore Shake at The Fat Seeds Cafe and Brewery

Aloha Everyone,

The Fat Seeds Cafe and Brewery is only a 4 minute walk from our condo unit. The company website says it was established in 2017. Employees are efficient and always busy that I’ve not been able to interview to gather additional information.

Green Amore is my choice healthy drink. It is a non-alcoholic mixture using fresh ingredients of kale, kiwi, almonds, basil, celery and green. A perfect energy boost at any time of the day.

Most coffee houses in the Philippines, including Starbucks and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf no longer offer free WiFi to their customers. But The Far Seeds Cafe and Brewery provide free WiFi. Simple, healthy excellent menu selections including variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks. This restaurant is always packed with satisfied customers. We estimate their indoor plus outdoor seating could accommodate between 30-40 diners.

Aloha -- Cathi