Finding Home, Anew
By: Dr. Nestor Alonso II It is embedded in human nature to perceive that there’s nothing better than being in the country where one was born.
This sense of nostalgia is like a homing GPS that’s rooted into our DNA. It makes people go back to their hometown, in a bid to recapture the warmth and happiness that they experienced in their youth.
I encountered this element of human nature during a Christmas Day Dinner with an invite from long-time friends, Leslie and Chris Waller.
The lovely celebration was held at the Tales and Feelings Restaurant at Amber Hotel, Don Julio Llorente St. in Cebu City.
Two close friends of Leslie, Ana Dallosto and Vicky Krummer, joined us in a restaurant that serves “Internationally inspired food, Award-winning wines, and Signature cocktails”.
I recall that Leslie and Chris solved their “homesickness issues” by having residences in England, Canada, and the Philippines, particularly in Talisay City and Dalaguete. A year has 12 months and the Wallers spend 4 months of the year in each location.
Our appetizers were Korean Fried Cauliflower (Gochujiang and Sesame) and Bruschetta (Cream Cheese, Tomato, and Feta). Later, we added two more plates of Korean Fried Cauliflower.
I ordered 48-Hour Slow Cooked Beef Shortrib (Corn and Confit Potato) and Leslie, Pork Belly (Adobo Sauce, Fermented Rice, and Garlic Aioli) with sides of Buttered Veggies. Chris ordered the Crusted Red Snapper (Cauliflower Steak and Chilean Mussels).
Ana Dallosto and Vicky Krummer ordered Potato Mille-Fuille (Parmesan and Truffle Salsa) and Confit Chicken (Black Garlic Polenta, Asparagus, and Coconut). The management of Tales and Feelings accommodated their request that the dish served to one of the two ladies be free from any milk and milk-based products.
By the way, Ana and Vicky have decided to follow the path set by Leslie and Chris to build their respective homes in Cebu while they continue to own properties in the USA.
Later, I found out that some of their collection of vehicles could not be brought to Cebu because it would violate Philippine laws. The husband is a collector of World War II memorabilia and has an M4 Sherman, officially a Medium Tank, M4.
It is hard to imagine the husband driving a Sherman Tank in Cebu and Talisay City. The wife could follow the husband in another vehicle, also a Sherman Tank because they have two tanks in their collection.
Our lively conversation and lovely dinner ended with the service of the Dessert, French Toast (Banana, Chantilly Cream, and Blueberries).