Salinas

Monterey

Monterey has Fisherman’s Wharf, Old Cannery Row and a museum dedicated to its famous resident John Steinbeck. He wrote Of Mice And Men. I haven’t read the book but watched the film starred by John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. Watch it. Monterey also has a three-story high aquarium. Among its famous residents are sharks, tunas and a three-story high kelp, a giant seagrass that is in itself an ecosystem. For the first time, I saw sunfish here. It looks like a huge fish-head swimming about. Come!

Iced Noodles & A Stream

Korea

It was summer and we were having brown noodles served in a bowl, with ice. That’s right, cold noodles with floating ice cubes! The day before, we had lunch by the stream with our feet underwater. The tables were set in the cold running waters, and waiters served food along a maze of specially built bamboo walkways above it. Wow.

Carabao

Balanan

The carabao has a short tail which is mainly used to ward flies off its behind. But it is also to be gripped as you negotiate a downward slope towards the river. here’s how: with one hand on the leash, lean backwards with thighs wrapped tightly around the beast. If it gets too steep, brace your feet against the horns. You will feel its strong back muscles as your body sways to its huge butt. While you hold your breath, the carabao’s long tongue alternately laps its often runny nose.

Run

Doot Poktoy

This long stretch of beach is made of black sand that is so fine and soft as powder. It is gently sloping offshore. It is almost flat. The surf comes and spreads thinly and evenly. As it recedes, it leaves glistening, mirror-like wet sand reflecting blue skies. I ran towards the surf, my legs bracing against loosening sand, the rush of spreading whitewater, and nature’s peaceful chaos.

Dugout Canoe

Lanuza

A dugout canoe is fashioned by hollowing a log. It has no outriggers for balance, so it is shaky to the uninitiated. We flooded it twice. Everybody jumped out. Fore and aft, we pulled the sinking canoe back and forth in rapid succession. This pulling motion causes inside water to jump toward both ends of the boat. The canoe slowly rose as inside water leapt outside. We kept pulling until it was dewatered completely. We crept back in. We moved in slow motion. We even talked in a hush as if our words would sink the boat again.

Ambot Lang

Yeonchon

My brand of cooking back home is simple sutukil, sugba (grilled), tula (stew) and kilaw (raw). The others I don’t know. In Yeonchon-gun (a town near Panmunjum in the DMZ) I was cooking diced pork with tons of onions and garlic. But I have no idea what to call it. So, I named it Ambot lang (I don’t know). Back in the Philippines, I emailed them about my dish called Ambot lang and its real meaning. I was inundated with feedback ranging from disgust to surprise, but funny just the same. A typical response is below:      

Ambot Lang Feedback

Yeonchon

I am very very very surprised that we (including all people enjoyed food festival ) had Philipine food ” i dont know ” !!!!!!!!  wow.. i don’t know food.. it was very gooood and u r very mischievousfor sure, man~ really funny…we(townspeople in yeonchon) were saying like ” ohh this is philipine foood~! wow, what;’s the name?? oh, amblo something i don’ know..  ” usually i said ” i don’t know the name of jun;’s food, what it is again? then other yeonchon volunteers said like ‘oh, i don’t know exactly, amblot lang? something? “….

3 Men & A Surfboard

Lanuza

There were three of us and only one board sans surf wax. At the time, I didn’t even know how to keep the leash tied to my ankle. Then a wave came. Swoosh. I squinted at the sudden brightness. It snatched my Oakley! Trying to retrieve it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I reckon, wearing sunglasses while learning how to surf is stupid, ridiculous, foolhardy, preposterous, ridiculous, absurd, foolish, silly, idiotic and, and just plain madness!

I agree. Once upon a time I was a dimwit.

Garlic Town

Gilroy, California

The local people adore garlic here. They use it as decoration, and inspiration for artwork. They even have a garlic mascot, and flavor for ice cream! It is the town’s symbol. It is in their hearts and minds. But it is also in the air. So, when you’re driving, and suddenly the air turned spicy garlic. There’s no mistaking you’re in this town, Gilroy!

Gordon

Subic

At the Red Cross Biennial Convention, talk spread about Richard Gordon’s desire to perpetuate his chairmanship. The rumor started with Project 143, a program designed to have one first-aider in every household, but branded as a scheme to further the senator’s quest for the country’s presidential seat. A gold cross was to be awarded to him that night. He refused.

The Senator declined the highest distinction he so richly deserves, and by an organization he truly loves. After all, a gold medal is just metal, hard and cold, but it hit us where it matters most - El Corazon!

Fishing

Monterey

I drew the pole back and cast forward. Ripples formed where the hook fell. A neon bar attached to the floater glowed, which distinguished mine from the rest of the floaters dancing in the water. We have claimed our own little corner in the wharf, eyes glued to the floaters, and content with the silence in the moonless night. The sea was calm and a gentle breeze was blowing. Anglers come, and go, with bucketful of fish.