Perhaps We Were Hungry

Remember Claire de la Fuente ?


"Karen Carpenter of the Philippines"
That was how she was dubbed in the 1970s-80's - what with a voice and singing style that bore a striking resemblance to that of Karen Carpenter - the iconic multi-awarded but ill-fated international singer'.
Claire's own Philippine career peaked, plateaued and faded away
She subsequently put her hard earned money in business - and set up a successful bus line, and a chain of restaurants to boot

But recently - with the advent of youtube and digital recordings, Claire was "rediscovered" by none other than Richard Carpenter , the late Karen Carpenter's brother, and composer of all their chart-breaking hits.
Charmed and amazed by the voice quality similarities, Richard got in touch with Claire and contracted her to re-launch the "Carpenters" sound worldwide.
Richard Carpenter came to Manila and was typically overwhelmed by the welcome and adulation that he received from the star-struck Filipino music lovers.

Claire de la Fuente - "rediscovered" and now an international recording star
Another fairy tale story that focuses on Filipino talent, perseverance, and never-say-die character ...

Good news about the Philippines
Such a rarity these days
That was certainly worth a celebration of sorts

How to celebrate?

There were two ways I could think of ...
One was to ride one of Claire de la Fuente's buses
Or I could go out and EAT in one of the Claire de la Fuente restaurants ...
Such a tough choice ...
A bus ride or food?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

























































Claire de la Fuente Grill and Seafood, at the San Miguel by the Bay is the latest of what is now a chain of " Claire" restaurants
I love this particular location to a large extent because I have learned to love the baywalk ...
It is such a social equalizer
Leave the pretensions of Makati's social structure behind
And just immerse in the crowd as one of the guys
Nobody is anybody
Everybody is somebody ...

I was with my Saturday wild bunch
A conglomeration of family and friends, young and old
Sharing stories
Laughing
Eating
Drinking
Just a Saturday chill-out, let loose, be yourself exercise ...

It was a "paluto" set up - (pick your ingredients and have it cooked)
The wives and girlfriends hied off to the adjacent wet market
And started picking the seafood that was to comprise our feast
Fresh, soft, alive, moving - still smelling of the sea
A seafood buffet in the making ....























































































The guys stayed at the table contented with San Miguel Beer,
And the bonus of ogling at all the luscious, attractive, delicious, mouthwatering members of the opposite sex parading down the baywalk ...
(We had to be careful though ... oftentimes the opposite sex was really the third sex)

Stories galore
Boisterous laughter
Endless camaraderie
Cementing of bonds
Enjoying the view
Tolerating the sounds of bands and entertainers
People watching
Waiting for the food to be prepared
Grilled, boiled, sauteed, "sinigang", "kilawin" (fresh, raw and mixed with vinegar and onions) ...

When the food came - everyone just jumped in
It was a frenzy of 15 hungry people attacking a seafood feast
Smiling faces
Contented looks
Licking fingers
Drinkin' beer
Arms reaching out
Lips smackin'
Picking from seatmates plates
Sharing portions
A large extended family devouring a delectable selection of food ...



















































































































It was a total wipe out
Like a tsunami had swept through the table
The food was THAT good.
Or perhaps ,we were that hungry ...

(see video below)




You should really try this "baywalk" experience.
Spread the word
We will be there quite regularly
We will be the happy bunch singing the songs of "the Carpenters" ...



Claire de la Fuente Grill and Seafood
San Miguel by the Bay
Pasay City

Forget Politics

I can't take much more of this
I just want to close my ears ...
I just want to disappear into the horizon
There is just so much ... too much - political noise in this country
It is so tiring
The viciousness with which we conduct our politics is debilitating

If only because most of us just want to get on with our lives,
That in itself should be a rallying point
A call for the politics of non-politics
Haaaaay naku
Nakakapagod
Bwisit


I needed a moment of solace
Just staring out into the sky
Revel in the sunset
Dream of peace and quiet
I needed a walk by the bay ...















San Miguel By The Bay is a boardwalk stretch located behind the SM Mall of Asia
Now lined with new, structured and organized food outlets - it is the new "baywalk" of Manila.

Food outlets line both sides of a central park area marked by a wonderful fountain with a synchronized dancing water/lights effect
Well known outlets like Pier One, Padi's Point, Harbour View, and Presidents Tea House mix it up with smaller operations better known as the Seafood market or "dampa" group of "paluto" ihaw-ihaws.
The "baywalk" is secured and kept safe by highly visible roving security guards
The architecture is uniform and controlled
Maintenance crews and streetsweep teams keep the area clean
Music bands and street entertainers liven up the strip on weekends









































































San Miguel by the Bay is a wonderful evolution of the Roxas Blvd "baywalk" that was closed and shutdown by the Manila mayor sometime last year to the dismay of many.
It is clean, safe, organized, well lighted and festive
As more and more concessionaires start to open up in the area, it appears to be headed towards being the preferred "by the bay" destination of Metro Manila


A cool night with a full moon
In the company of friends
Steamed shrimps, nilagang bulalo, sinigang na baboy, sisig, inihaw na plapla
And a San Mig light
This is the life ....

Forget politics