It was not all work. We had sidetrips and dinners and reunions. Even if the vacation lasted a month and 3 days, it was still too short to cover the important bases in our visit. The Philippines is of course a mecca for foodies and bloggers. The cuisine is diverse and delicious. With the different influences flowing into the country, the food is one of the best — and cheapest — in the world. There’s different Chinese regional dishes, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, Spanish and of course local provincial cooking. There are also places to see: the ylang-ylang farm in Estipona, Pura, Tarlac*; Las Casas Filipinos in Bataan; Tarlac City, our hometown; and Baguio, the Summer Capital. We were able to see all of them through the generosity of relatives.
I could say a lot more but here are photos of family and a few of the places we saw.
*We stayed with my brother Roland who manages the farm. I did not take any new photos because my camera was not working. But I have a few taken BP (before the pandemic). The 1300 trees were not blooming, no essential oil was being distilled when we arrived. I took the time to drop by the Carlos P. Romulo Memorial Library and Museum to check on the renovation of the building. I learned that an entirely new library is being built nearby and the books are being packed so they could be moved quickly when the building is finished. The Chief Librarian Edna Quiballo told me that the books I have donated are now being transferred. I had just shipped 4 balikbayan boxes but they had not arrived. Please keep them until the library is finished, Ms Quiballo advised me.
