THE FREEDOM TO EAT!

T hree hundred years in a Spanish convent and 50 years in Hollywood— it’s a wonderful culinary laboratory where various tastes, ingredients, and techniques combined and solidified, creating the unique and delectable identity that is now Filipino cuisine. With our independence more than a hundred years ago, not only did we regain the freedom to eat what we want when we want it, we also had the freedom to experiment with our food and give it its one-of-a-kind character. Let us celebrate that freedom by dining in these three distinctive Filipino restaurants.

INDULGE IN AUTHENTIC CAPAMPANGAN FOOD AT

ABE’S FARM

It’s only fitting to start this gastronomic trip in Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines, particularly in Magalang, the culinary capital of Pampanga. Nestled serenely at the foot of Mount Arayat is Abe’s Farm, a quaint and cozy resort, museum, and restaurant owned by the LJC Restaurant Group. Not only is this place a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of the metro, it prides itself with authentic Campampangan dishes that made Magalang the culinary capital of the province.

What to try

Betute: Magalang is a typical agricultural town surrounded by rice fields where the East Asian bullfrog or palakang bukid is abundant. Betute is basically your normal palakang bukid cleaned of its innards and stuffed with seasoned ground pork before fried. It is served alongside small servings of Aling Lucing’s sisig

Pampanga, chicharong bulaklak, and fern or pako salad. This dish is not for the faint of heart, but your curiosity will be rewarded as the frog tastes much like pork longganisa because of the stuffing, while the salad is sure to pique your taste buds. Sinigang na bangus sa bayabas: Normally, we use breadcrumbs, taro ( gabi in Filipino), or miso as a thickening agent for sinigang. However, guavas are traditionally used both as thickener and sweetener in this part of the Philippines. The result is a sweet-and-sour, viscous broth that is sure to make you ask for more.

Sikreto ni Maria: What is Maria’s secret? Underneath the thick layer of macapuno ice cream is a healthy treat of ripe mango strips and rice cake ( suman in Filipino). It’s so healthy it could pass off as a complete breakfast food.

Abe’s Farm is located at 98 Livestock Village, Barangay Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga. To get at Angeles City exit. After the tollgate, turn left to Angeles-Magalang Road. Abe’s Farm is at the end of the road past Pampanga Agricultural College. For more information, call 506-8140/41 or 0917-8085187.

FEAST IN FILIPINO DISHES AT CIRCLES EVENT CAFÉ MAKATI SHANGRI-LA

If you’re not keen about traveling for two and a half hours to Pampanga, the Circles Event Caf at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel offers a festive buffet lunch and dinner of Filipino dishes made by executive sous chef Gene Del Prado.

The Kalayaan Food Festival from June 9 to 15 invites diners to commemorate our nation’s freedom and find comfort in traditional favorites such as ensaladang pako ( fern salad), kare- kare ( oxtail stew), sinigang na Lapu- Lapu ( grouper in sour miso soup) and more. To complete the experience, sweet Filipino treats that include

sapin-sapin, palitaw (sweet rice cake) and nilupak (cassava cake) will also be part of the selection.

For reservations and more information, call 8142580.

SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF FREEDOM AT

RIVIERA CAFÉ HERITAGE HOTEL MANILA

Meanwhile, a smorgasbord of flavors from Bicol to Appari awaits diners at Riviera Caf of the Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City. All time favorites like crispy pata, beef bulalo, pritong daing

na bangus, lumpiang sariwa, chicken inasal, and ensaladang lato are just some of the dishes in their buffet waiting to be tasted by your discriminate palettes.

Until June 30, semi-buffet lunch is available at P950++ (Adult) and P650++ (Child); while dinner buffet is at P1300++ (Adult) and P700++ (Child). As a further tribute to fun and freedom, The Heritage Hotel Manila offers guests the “More Fun in the Philippines Promo” from June 1-Aug. 31, 2014. For a minimum stay of two nights, travelers and Filipino denizens alike can avail of a 35-percent discount on Room with Breakfast Rates on Superior and Deluxe Rooms with complimentary Internet access. A shuttle service to and from Mall of Asia is provided free of charge for guests looking for shopping leisure and entertainment.

For reservations and more information, call 8548888.

MERIENDA DOWN SOUTH AT MYSTIC BREW CAFÉ & CURIOS

The southern suburbs of Metro Manila seem underrated when it comes to dining places. Here’s one in Las Piñas that will surely delight you especially if you have inkling for Filipino occultism.

Mystic Brew Caf Curios inside BF Resort Las Piñas is not your typical Friday night tambayan. As food blogger Kathy Kenny Ngo says in her review, “It is the perfect spot for anyone who wants to

enjoy comfort food while being surrounded by mystical and magical things. It is definitely not your typical caf for it caters to the magic in you.” And it’s true, because even the food has a paranormal ring to it. On Fridays, the restaurant has performances from homegrown artists, tarot card and palm readings, and poetry reading.

What to try

Kamias shake: It’s the latest revolution in shakes and smoothies. Your typical pang-asim slushed, sweetened, iced, and served with a dash of rock salt along the mouth of the glass. You’ll be blown away by its fusion of saltiness, sourness, and sweetness. It’s like drinking your Indian mango!

Gayuma: At first, it does look like stale bread floating on some witch’s brew bound to cast a spell on the unsuspecting diner. But when you taste, it’s has a sweet yet vinegary taste. Like a love potion, it slowly works its way into your palette until you are spellbound.

Choco Riquisimo: Mystic Brew Caf ’s version of the tsokolate de batirol, churned almost to the viscosity of lava yet sweet and fulfilling. Ideal with their signature martabak pancakes, which is basically thick pancakes with a chocolate, nutty filling.

Mystic Brew Café & Curios is located at 511 Capitoline Hill Street, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas. To get there from Alabang, take Alabang-Zapote Road, turn left to BF Resort Drive, turn left to Capitoline Hill. The restaurant is just past the Mary Mother of the Church Parish. For more information, call 403-5105.