sa karinderya ni kaka sepa

GANITO KAMI NOON, GANITO KAMI NGAYON
SA KARINDERIA NI KAKA SEPA

NOON:

Every 4:00AM daily, Nanay was up and ready to go to the market with our dog and sidekick, Joeboy. Her daily routines were: go to church with Joeboy sitting beside her at the pew and then head to the market to buy ingredients for her menu of the day. She planned every menu daily, mostly depending upon special requests of taga-Balsahan, teachers or students from elementary/high school. Her menu varied from goto, pancit bihon, pancit luglog, dinuguan, kilaweng papaya, kare-kare, pospas, ginataang puso, ginataang bili-bilo, halo-halo, etc. It was such great camaraderie at her carinderia - with many versions on how to eat the entrees. Our mouths would water with orders such as pancit luglog with pritong bawang, itlog na pula, pritong taba ng baboy, tinadtad na kintsay, and mind you-topped with kilaweng papaya and adobong mane. (Wow! How much I missed those foods!!!) Goto-with everyone having special requests for lapay, tuwalya, etc. (gosh! I forgot all the other internal parts for goto-sorry). It was an unbelievable fun while eating and having conversations. Everyone was so happy sharing stories of the day, the past days, or just plain kuwentuhan. Men just BS'ing around or talking about girlfriends, basketball, baseball, and women talking about family, children, or just plain "gossips". The time we spent at Nanay's karenderia was one of taga Balsahan's priceless memories that helped create connections, interactions and bond with one another. We, who were born and raised in Balsahan, are blessed with such priceless memories. Many of us were so poor, but yet blessed with many things that money can't buy. We learn many things from the variety of challenges we face in life. We had pleasant and not so pleasant memories in Balsahan. However, the good and happy memories outweigh the unpleasant ones. In my humble opinion, even the unpleasant ones helped shape our values and sense of belonging. Looking back where we came from and sharing our blessings to those unfortunate ones we left behind are truly essential to preserve those precious and priceless memories, and we all love so dearly-Balsahan.

NGAYON:

Currently, we have many "immigrants" in Balsahan-many of whom I hardly know. But, the karenderia business that my Nanay started continues. Many entrepreneurs strive to cook just as good as Nanay, however, no one seems to replicate Nanay's skills in entertaining, preparing, cooking and serving goto, pancit bihon, pancit luglog, dinuguan, kilaweng papaya, kare-kare, pospas, ginataang puso, ginataang bilo-bilo, halo-halo, etc. - not even Ate Neneng, Kuya, Liberty or me, Myrna Pilpil Alzaga. My achievements, blessings, and the best that I am in this life- I owe them all to my great Nanay.

Thank you all for giving me an opportunity to share and reminisce our precious memories. I pray that you all stay well, healthy and are ready for the fun and excitement during this May 2010 get together!!!!!