Many were called, few were chosen and I survived the DAVAO
FOOD APPRECIATION TOUR – AGAIN!
It’s actually my 2nd consecutive year in DFAT and
I must say that I was well prepared of the non-stop food and travel adventures
that we experienced for 4 days here in Davao. Not because I’m an organizer this
time but because I have unintentionally managed to immune myself of eating a
lot lately. That’s why I ended up looking healthier too, if you want to know
the truth. Okay fine, chubby it is - Whatever!
So the day started with me doing my 7 in the morning ritual. And that is to slap my face in front of
the mirror and yell “Wake Up! Wake Up”. The yelling was much of a bad timing though
because my grandmother who was then carrying a basket full of laundry happened
to pass by, caught me by chance and said “You crazy?”. We both laughed and I
guess that just made my day!
I felt a bit dizzy after that though and I decided to go
back to bed. It usually takes me an hour after waking up to be fully awake. While
snuggling my big Mickey Mouse stuff toy, I was thinking about how the first day
of DFAT is going to be like. I’m nervous and at same time thrilled to meet the
participants. As an organizer, I really didn’t feel like I would be much of help
during the first day. I don’t know why but maybe because a part of me is
worrying about school and the other is clueless about what to do while Renz is
fetching up the DFAT participants in the airport, Ate Ria receiving calls and
debriefing establishments for the event, Kuya Andrew and Ate Dulce doing some
logistics and online thingamabob, and Anj maybe worrying about the same thing
too since we both have summer classes. Peer pressure eh? Hehehe.
But as far as I could remember, I’m done with all the tasks
given to me. So I figured out, maybe it’s best to serve as a tour guide and a good
company to the participants for the next couple of days. J
After class, I’ve finally had the chance to meet the DFAT
Participants.
This
year, DFAT 2012 is composed of:
Sharlyne Ang (http://www.foodtrippings.com)
Raine Balgos (http://www.thekulayproject.com)
Robbie
Bautista (http://www.thecreativedork.com)
Mary Jane
Cabrera (http://www.maryjanecabrera.com)
Arlene
Collado (http://www.pinaytravels.com)
Enrico Dee (http://www.byahilo.com)
Mary Gael
Hilotin (http://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com)
Cris Nierva (http://www.hubbyscook.com)
Tim Nombre (http://www.iloilofoodblogger.com)
Charles Ortiz (http://www.dabawpinoy.com)
Karla Redor (http://www.foodtrippings.com)
Mica Rodriguez (http://www.senyorita.net)
Melo
Villareal (http://www.outoftownblog.com)
Our first food destination was Ranchero at Abreeza Ayala Mall. Last year we feasted in Ranchero for a heavy lunch where they featured their delicious Baby Back Ribs and Garlic Chicken. This time around we were greeted with a delightful merienda featuring their “Kakanin Trio” which is part of their current deal called “Merienda Cena”.
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| Having fun at Ranchero's while waiting for the FOOD!! | Featuring The KAKANIN TRIO!! |
Ranchero’s Kakanin Trio includes Tibok Tibok (Maja Blanca), Sticky Rice with Mango slices and Suman Sa Lihiya. They also served us pancit, fried lumpia and drinks. I really enjoy eating native Filipino snacks. In fact, Suman is my favourite because it reminds me well of a summer spent with my Grandparents in our farm. My Grandmother made Suman Sa Lihiya (rice cake with lye) with Latik (coconut milk and sugar syrup) every afternoon while my cousins and I would climb up on our mango tree. Eating Ranchero’s Suman Sa Lihiya, I felt as if I had stepped back into the past eating my grandmother’s delicious Suman sa Lihiya, smiling at her, hiding my wound after I fell down on the mango tree.
A while later Anj and I went out for "Picture2x". . lol.
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| BULLY MODE ACTIVATED |
After Ranchero, we went to Crocodile Park. I’ve been going to Crocodile Park many times this year to shoot for our travel show. So going there felt like one of those feel-good days in a Zoo! We arrived earlier than most of the participants because some of them needed to check-in to their hotels. I was with Kuya Andrew and Anj then but an unexpected turn of events made us get late for the animal show. And you know what that is? Kuya Andrew got hungry. Lelz.
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| Kuya Andrew, Anj and Me! |
Aside from Kuya Andrew some baby tiger got hungry too! While
Anj was taking a photo of the tiger that was then lying on a bench, it almost
leapt on her – scaring the hell out of her. Later was the official opening
ceremony of Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2012 at Tribu K'Mindanawan that
featured a jaw-dropping fire show.
In the evening, we made our next food excursion at Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp. Lachis always gets me excited! It’s my favourite restaurant in Davao City. Lachi’s is really one of the best food destinations in Davao. They serve great tasting pastries, cakes and my all time favourite dessert – Lachi’s Sans Rival. Yes, exclusively yung sa kinala lang. :-D
They also serve meals such as their Unforgettable Baby Back
Ribs, their Beef Tapa, Pork Marinara, Oriental Chicken and their killer “Laing”.
But then desserts are the focus so the sweet-tooth in me went screaming,
gnashing for Lachi’s symphony cake, New York style cheesecakes and most
importantly the Classic, Coffee and Durian Sans Rivals. Indeed, If I have to
sum up my food weakness in one word it will have to be - DESSERTS!
While in Lachi's, Coy Caballes of Globe together with
Cheyser Pedregosa gave a short talk about TattAwards 2012, followed by a raffle
draw where the winner took home a Globe Tattoo Stick! And guess who won?
Si Anj!! J
DFAT Day 1 ended but some of us hanged out in a coffee shop for a while since
it was raining. Stuck there waiting for a cab and looking forward for
tomorrow’s big day in the highlands of Kapatagan.
Photo credits:
Renz, Andrew and Anj
Photo credits:
Renz, Andrew and Anj
