Philippines – Manila Davao Borocay – Travel Food Entertainment

Above: Philipines Flag

Filipinos lived in the realms of this country which they call the “The Pearl of the Orient” taken from the legendary hero Jose Rizal. That is what the Philippine is, “Pearl” meaning how precious it symbolizes it to be. And in the Filipino’s hearts it is in its very essence until…. we lost track.

I used to hate history because of memorizing dates, but when I think about what has happened to our country (Philippines) now, I can’t help but to look back and trace our roots.

This country has been through a lot and we currently still are. You can’t help but wonder after all that has happened with this country’s history… have we actually forgotten?

Keep in Mind and in Heart:

• We’ve been colonized over and over again, we fought for freedom for so long, and now that we have it, what do we make of it?

• Don’t forget the reason why so many had tried to colonize us because of our rich natural resources and now that we have it in our hands, are we even proud of it?

• And most of all, remembering our ancestors that fought for this country and led us to what we already have now I wonder, where have all the patriots gone?

I am not here to lecture or to be righteous; I am not of the sort. These are just one of the moments where you just stop and think of what’s happening now, look back and see the difference and you’ll realize what kind of characteristics we had that needs to be maintained and characteristics right now that needs to be improved. In all hopes I believe change can start when we start asking ourselves those three basic questions.
I believe in the saying that good things come from small things. We can’t place blame but we can make a difference by falling in love with our country again.

The best TAPSILOG in Town.

Above: Illustration picture of Rodic

Amidst the clamor of busy printers and scanners flapping to copy, crowded with people walking to and fro in limited spaced halls that only leaves centimeters of space from almost bump one’s shoulder. In such set up of buying school supplies and having books to bind hard or soft bound, lived a little humble place that TAPSILOG built since 1949… Rodic’s. It resides in U.P.’s Shopping Center and it made history.

It has created a buzz in publications, in television for the longest time and still ongoing. However if you were there, and you didn’t know any better, standing outside their doorstep would be just looking at an ordinary tiny canteen where students have no choice but to eat there since it’s within the university premises. However with Rodic’s, it’s different. People who study in U.P. feature it as one of U.P.’s highlight with chin up in pride, and those who don’t usually go to U.P. and tasted Rodic’s tapsilog, find themselves going back in awe. Yes, it is that good that not just students go there but even celebrities. Sounds exaggerated, but you have to experience it yourself to really get the flow of what I mean.

Below: Tapsilog in Rodic

Steps in Rodic’s Tapsilog Haven:

• Go inside Rodic’s canteen and approach the counter and order

• Look for a place to sit

• And not so long you’ll smell the oozing scent of sinangag

• There it is, placed in an oval metal plate of sinangag rice

and scattered shredded beef on it

topped with raw egg that seems to cook itself in your rice and beef’s heat

• dig your spoon into it and carry a little of everything
• put in your mouth and you’ll taste

the garlicky and bit of salt in rice playing with the beef’s slight sweet juicy taste that’s balanced

with the taste of egg, and before you know it

• you’re finished eating (yeah it’s that good)

• so you call the roving waiter/waitress and you tell them what you’ve ordered

• and you pay while sitting and they’ll give you your change (if there’s any) right then and there.

Above: Rodic’s entrance door

If you’re not the type, find yourself adventurous enough to give this a try, because you don’t know what you’re missing for the just the price of P55 pesos. Yes, P55 pesos only because the owner wanted something so good be that affordable. And FYI, rich people had been trying to tap the owner in letting him allow the place to be franchised but he didn’t agree basically for the reason that he didn’t want to taint the quality of his secret recipe. So there in a simple piece of suggestion, don’t miss the experience of true legacy in Rodic’s.