“IT’S 5 o’clock somewhere” is a concept I got from my late husband.
He drank a lot, and we agreed that he could only drink his wine after 5pm.
When he insisted on a drink at 4pm, I’d call him out, and he would say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
***
Back in 2016, I met a group of Dumangas youth notorious for their drinking parties.
Mostly rich kids.
Mostly college students, some out of school.
I’ve been inducted as honorary member of their club because, well, I can drink.
And I am funny when I drink.
***
If you see me showering in beer at a Haw-as Festival food fest, the video could be taken by members of this group.
But I remain as the voice of reason for these people.
I taught them to drink only after 5pm.
But I also shared with them the story of It’s-5-o’clock-somewhere.
They were so taken by it that they actually printed a T-shirt with the 5 o’clock somewhere quote.
***
Flash forward to 2022.
I see these boys and girls now with decent jobs in the city.
Some are seafarers.
Or starting businesses—mainly food, in Dumangas.
***
There’s Cloud Coffee on Aurora Street.
It is owned by one of my actresses in my 2016 film “Ikapito nga Adlaw”.
They got fancy coffee and teas, frappes and smoothies.
The afternoon I ordered Strawberry Cheesemilk Ice-blend, they got several orders of the same.
I posted my photo with the drink, and people started looking for it.
The next time I visited the shop, I witnessed three customers ordering the particular drink in 30 minutes.
Now, that’s #ThePSN Midas story.
***
In P.D. Monfort North, known traditionally as Barangay Lublub, there’s Aoi Diner.
It is best accessed by making reservations online.
But on a first come, first served basis, they serve decent ramen—Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen is the outright favorite, and their satisfying Katsu Burger—chicken burger with healthy Japanese salad.
The day I brought another out-of-town boy-date there, he was impressed.
The owner-chef is one of my culinary arts-trained rich kid.
***
The same rich kid has teamed up with another rich kid drinking buddy to establish Blanc on Burgos Street at the Dumangas Poblacion.
At their opening, I was invited.
And I have given my informed opinion on their menu.
(See my Facebook review.)
Just because the mom of one of the partnership asked for my foodie expertise.
I do not claim to be a foodie; but I am a better foodie than those who confess it because I have traveled the planet to eat.
How about that? Haha.
***
I also gave the enterprising boys advice on future menu formulation given that I do not believe that the townsfolk could sustain fancy menu dining.
Blanc’s tagline is “a new way to experience food”.
And I am happy to report that they deliver.
For the right price, you can experience world class food prep.
For less, you can experience what approximates world class.
And seriously, what do people expect from a $15 dinner?
***
That my 1.5-hr dining experience, from 7:30 to 9pm, costs only $15, I could be most forgiving, and even generous with compliments.
But really, it was a beautiful experience.
With inventive food (rice wrappers, alfalfa, sweet ham chorizo, cayenne laced tiramisu) served in heirloom (rich kids!) silvers and chinaware.
Oh, and the idea of being seen served like royalty, or at least like a generous (tipping) tourist!
***
In Guimaras, I went to San Lorenzo with a Peter’s Prize winner.
A young poet; movie-star gorgeous.
And you know me with movie-star gorgeous boys.
So, his family sacrificed a native chicken to make tinola for me.
If that’s not how royalty is treated, I don’t want to be your king!
***
I had a great time in Guimaras.
People listened to my tales.
And I got plenty of tales to tell.
Sadly, people also had to work.
So, they can’t listen to my tales all day.
(Oh, I really got plenty to tell!)
***
They were a little sad when I left.
Think in terms of those country people whose lives where briefly touched by Princess Diana’s visit.
***
On the way out (I tried to walk 4 kms in the midday heat), the boy and I stopped by Zahrada Pizza Place.
It is a small roadside place with pizza served fresh.
I chose the toppings of eggplant and squash.
The dough, I was told, has a mixture of rice flour.
It was tasty.
And, I’m sure, healthy.
Would I recommend it? Definitely.
So, I posted my photo, and they promptly shared my post.
The fact that they thanked me, and even used exclamation points and my hashtags, that makes me think that I mattered.
Or, at least, appreciated…
…like a king!/PN
