If Ka Doroy Valencia, dubbed by Associated Press then as one of the most influential journalists in the Philippines during his time (1913 to 1987), had his “Over a Cup of Coffee” column, then we had our “over a bowl of butong pakwan” session in our home. Complete with Marites stories. Woe to the one who did not make it to the gathering.
It was one balmy late summer evening a few weeks ago, when I had a pleasant flashback moment when one of our guests at home whipped out a pack of butong pakwan. Yes, butong pakwan or watermelon seeds Filipino style (with salted shells). This is Filipino comfort to the max. Childhood memories of cracking them with your teeth and gathering the seeds in one pile. Then eating that pile in one fell swoop. Heaven!
It was definitely a conversation changer as 3 (myself included) of the group that night were leaving for a trip to the Philippines soon. This invariably led to a line-up of the must-go eating places in Manila and heritage sites to visit in the Phillipines. In my case, I would definitely make it a point to dine at the elegant Victorino’s in Quezon City specializing in Ilocano cuisine. I missed it the last time I was in Manila but this time it will one of the first in my list. Especially since it is co-owned by a good friend Chef Heny Sison, who I worked with for many years in her weekly television cooking show.
Speaking of Ilocano cuisine, a visit to Vigan and Laoag is earmarked this time for my trip. A tribute to my mother who was from Vigan and also because I had vague, amusing snatches of memories of our visits there. From my late father, I understand that Vigan, at that time, was akin to the wild, wooly west here in North America. Gunfights were not uncommon. If you know what I mean. The names Singson and Crisologo may ring a bell to some of you. I seem to vaguely remember my father making us go down on the floor as a gunfight breaks out. I am not sure anymore if this is just my imagination taking off from my father’s stories to us or they were real memories. Suffice it to say, that after that incident, my father was supposed to have refused to bring us back there anymore. So interesting, I must say.
Well, this time around, I will take a nostalgic trip to Ilocos and re-acquaint myself with my roots. In a more peaceful setting I am sure. I look forward to this maybe even more than my planned and booked trips to Japan and Brunei. Or I take that back. I think they would be all on equal footing. I never tire of Japan no matter how many times I have been there. With this coming visit though, I trust I can go to the less touristy countryside areas. Of course, the highlight will be to spend some quality time with our Japanese-Filipino 17-month young granddaughter Leia Tanaka Taylor.
Brunei is a first time for me. Am looking forward to seeing a new place and grateful to my gracious and generous host and friend Mariani Abdullah of Brunei. She is one of the friends I have made in the many years I have been attending the Tokyo International Film Festival, which is having its first in-person event this year 2023 since the pandemic.
HERE’S TO ENJOYING A BOWL OF BP ( AND I DON’T MEAN BLOOD PRESSURE) WHILE IMMERSING YOURSELF IN A THOROUGHLY DELIGHTFUL C DRAMA —
Speaking of enjoying a bowl of butong pakwan till your lips get sore from the salt (ha ha), I cannot think of a better way to snack on this than to do this while watching the very entertaining revenge Chinese costume drama on YT – “Faithful”. I am absolutely riveted when I am watching this. Take heart, because it is only supposed to have 25 episodes. I believe there should be 10 or 12 episodes already by the time this issue comes out. It is not a romance or love story. It is a pure and simple revenge story but done in a superb way. So as the story progresses I can imagine myself cracking the butong pakwan with more vigor and speed.
In fact, I really do look forward to hunker down in my warm cozy sofa this coming winter season to drink in all the great, entertaining content available online. Yehey! And also to embark on a new project. Hush hush! There is a lot of incubation to do. But we will not be daunted. One thing at a time.
Mabuhay to all and happy birthday to Jose Miguel Taylor, father of Leia Tanaka Taylor of Tokyo!
Tessie O. Taylor