Manny makes a joyful noise for the Lord

My first meeting in February 2012 with Manny Pacquiao 

in an interview at the Pacquiao Mansion for this article.

The article as originally written:

Oh Lord my God, when I, in awesome wonder,

consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Here is the man who declared that he would retire from boxing when he turned 29 five years ago. But it took God who appeared to him in a dream this January for him to decide on retiring. God told him, "You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful."

Indeed, Manny Pacquiao has become a preacher of the Good Word these days, much to the surprise and dismay of many of his fans worldwide. And here he is, in a v-neck orange and white striped t-shirt, at the living room of the Pacman Mansion in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, leading the group in rehearsing the praise songs for the prayer meeting that night. The group is composed of Mommy Dionisia, wife Jinkee, their kids and their playmates, pastors, some politicians and their wives, family and personal friends, neighbors, a group of businessmen, employees, a sprinkling of media people and a few curious onlookers.

Pinupuri, sinasamba kita Dakilang Diyos at Panginoon  

Tunay ngang ika’y walang katulad
Tunay ngang ika’y di nagbabago

Mabuting Diyos na sa aki’y nagmamahal

The pastor starts the prayer meeting and with gusto discusses what it means to belong to the body of believers or the Body of Christ. Manny listens intently to him and nods in agreement to what he says. His hunger for the word of God is palpable in his face. From time to time, Manny opens the Bible in his hand to read the verse mentioned by the pastor. He also shares his thoughts and feelings to the discussion of issues raised by the pastor. His fervor is evident in his eyes and in the way his right hand punches the air before him.

I love you with the love of the Lord,

I love you with the love of the Lord.

I can see in you the glory of my King,

And I love you with the love of the Lord.

Later, he stands to lead in the distribution of several bags containing Bibles to those present when it was needed during the prayer meeting. His voice soars with every hymn being sung. Towards the end of the prayer meeting, he serves, along with others, the juice in caps and crackers for the communion. 

 

When the prayer meeting wraps up, several people go to him, convinced and pleased by the changed man before them. Mommy Dionisia and Jinkee look at him with obvious pride and pleasure.

Matthew 16:26: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Here is the changed man who now repentantly admits his worldliness in the past and declares, “No more womanizing, no more gambling, no more over-drinking of liquor!” 

Here is the man who gained wealth and fame as a leading sports figure and a showbiz celebrity and got elected to the House of Representatives to serve his people, saying he believes he had been chosen by God to use his fame to spread His Word. 

Here is the man who for all his street smarts and slick moves in the ring could not say “no” when God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Come follow me.” 

Here is the man whose eye is now on the Kingdom of Heaven and whose intent is investing in eternal life. Here is the man who now wears his heart on his sleeve so that everyone knows where his faith stands.

The article published as the cover story of the July 2012 issue of It's a Good Life @ KCC Mall of Gensan

                           

The article as edited and published:

Oh Lord my God, when I, in awesome wonder,

consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

He declared that he would retire from boxing when he turned 29 five years ago but it seems God had other plans for him. He recounts a dream last January that made his decision for him. God told him, "You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful."

The man's name is Manny Pacquiao and he has become a preacher of the Good Word these days. Some in his worldwide fan base are pleasantly surprised, while others are dismayed. In a striped orange and white striped v-neck t-shirt, at the living room of the Pacman Mansion in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, he leads a group in rehearsing the praise songs for the night's prayer meeting. The group is composed of Mommy Dionisia, his wife Jinkee, the Pacquiao couple's kids and the kids' playmates, pastors, some politicians and their wives, other members of the Manny's and Jinkee's extended family, personal friends and neighbors of the Pacquiao family, a group of businessmen, employees, a sprinkling of media people and a few curious onlookers.

Pinupuri, sinasamba kita Dakilang Diyos at Panginoon

                      Tunay ngang ika’y walang katulad katulad                                

Tunay ngang ika’y di nagbabago

Mabuting Diyos na sa aki’y nagmamahal

The pastor starts the prayer meeting with gusto and discusses what it means to belong to the body of believers or the Body of Christ. Manny listens intently to him and nods in agreement. His hunger for the word of God is palpable and clearly reflected in his face. At appropriate times, Manny opens the Bible in his hand to read the verse mentioned by the pastor. He also shares his thoughts and feelings to the discussion of issues raised by the pastor. His fervor is evident in his eyes and in how his right hand punches the air before him.

I love you with the love of the Lord,

I love you with the love of the Lord.

I can see in you the glory of my King,

And I love you with the love of the Lord.

Later, he stands to lead in the distribution of several bags containing Bibles to those present. His voice soars with every hymn being sung. Towards the end of the prayer meeting, he serves, along with others, in the communion rites.

When the prayer meeting wraps up, several people go to him, convinced and pleased by the changed man before them. Mommy Dionisia and Jinkee look at him with obvious pride and pleasure.

Matthew 16:26: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Here is the changed man who now repentantly admits his worldliness in the past and declares, “No more womanizing, no more gambling, no more over-drinking of liquor!” Here is the man who gained wealth and fame as a leading sports figure and a household name and who serves his constituents as a member of the Philippine Congress, saying he believes he had been chosen by God to use his fame to spread The Word. Here is the man who, for all his street smarts and slick moves, in the ring could not say “no” when God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Come follow me.” Here is the man whose eye is now on the Kingdom of Heaven and whose intent is investing in eternal life. Here is the man who now wears his heart on his sleeve so that everyone knows where his faith stands.

Matthew 7:24: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

People Power in Gensan

(Blogger's Note: I believe that the term EDSA Revolution is misleading and reeks of Manila-centrism. People Power is more apt because while it started at EDSA, it reverberated and was felt throughout the entire nation. This blogpost is just one account of how People Power was felt in General Santos City.)



The years after Ninoy Aquino's assassination leading up to 1986 were turbulent years for me. Being a teenaged high school senior when Martial Law was declared and ten years of being bombarded with New Society slogans and jingles (Sa ikauunlad ng bayan disiplina ang kailangan, PLEDGES, Bagong Lipunan march, etc.) and relying on the government-controlled media for information, I didn't know how to react to changes wrought by Ninoy's death.

One favorite magazine, Mr. & Ms. spawned special edition issues which I followed avidly because they were reporting the news that didn't make it to the radios, newspapers and TV stations. Songs took on a different flavor as patriotic songs like Bayan Ko and Tie a yellow ribbon were played on the air by DXCP, a Catholic diocesan radio station here. The local religious community was slow and timid in criticizing the government. The local government officials were mostly Kilusan Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party members. Groups like JAJA (Justice for Aquino, Justice for All) shouted anti-government slogans as they marched on the city streets.

In the eye of this storm was a curly-haired widow - Cory Aquino. She was the opposite of then President Ferdinand Marcos. Soft-spoken where Marcos was stentorian. Tentative to his decisiveness. But she was an alternative, antidote to the strongman. She was not what one would expect of a traditional politician (trapo). What she had was the dignity, integrity and courage to stand up to the dictator.I first saw Cory in person when she and Doy Laurel campaigned in General Santos City. Onstage, while she was delivering her speech, the whole city was plunged into darkness. To us, whenever blackouts occurred, something was bound to happen. It was common to have electrical supply interruptions during election day and when the Laban group had events. The international media covering Cory's campaign immediately focused their lights on her, their TV and SLR cameras ready to shoot if anything happened. For a few minutes, there she was - the lady in yellow enveloped by the lights. And then she was whisked away from the stage and brought to a nearby car.

In the Catholic college where I taught at that time, the pro-Cory teachers were a majority. The few remaining Marcos loyalists were ribbed about their staunch support. Unlike their Manila counterparts, the priests, nuns and brothers here were cautious in showing support to Cory and the opposition. Even the Catholic schools had no clear guidelines on how fora and protest rallies were to be held. But the ordinary people started wearing yellow dresses and shirts. The L-finger sign (for Laban "fight") was being flashed everywhere. And the yellow creepers blanketed vacant lands everywhere. The yellow fever turned a pitch higher as the election day neared. Many Marcos loyalists, like rats abandoning a sinking ship, were seen joining protest marches. On the other hand, at the diocesan radio station, instead of the usual sign-off after the Rosary, I was surprised to hear two radio announcers recording KBL campaign ads! Someone conveniently forgot to turn off the transmitter.

The usual blackouts occurred on election day despite the vigilance of several groups to guard the ballots. The Jaycees, of which I was a member, were among the volunteer groups that helped the Namfrel (National Citizens Movement for Free Elections). I witnessed the incumbent mayor's people distributing campaign leaflets right outside the voting precincts. This was promptly reported to Namfrel. I reported the same on the diocesan radio station DXCP where I was also a volunteer announcer on Sundays. Later, the lady broadcaster on board and I were alerted about the presence of armed men riding a Ford Fiera. The staff helped us exit the station using the back gate. Hitching a ride, I saw the Ford Fiera and the nozzles of firearms protruding through the side windows as we passed by it. Reporting to school following the elections, I was warned by a well-meaning friend that a death threat had been issued for me. The Marist brothers allowed me to go on leave as I told them I didn't want to involve the school or my students in case the threat was carried out. Some friends acting as intermediaries asked relatives of the mayor to verify if he indeed issued a death threat for me. This he dismissed by saying that he didn't even know me at all!

The protest movement here gained momentum as cheating by the KBL was reported here and abroad. More turncoats joined the protests. When the People Power revolution started at EDSA, classes here were not cancelled as it was being played out in Metro Manila. But the fervor of People Power was also strongly felt here. The religious community was finally emboldened and openly said prayers and masses for the revolt. The technicians of DXCP were able to record the broadcasts of June Keithley over Radyo Bandido and these were replayed regularly. The two pro-Marcos announcers took a sudden leave of absence from DXCP and I volunteered to be onboard after my evening classes because the radio station started its 24-hour broadcast and it was understaffed.

After dismissing my class at 8:30, I walked to the radio station and started my duty until 5:00 the following day. We did not want for anything because listeners would drop off food items, coffee, bread and sandwiches for the 24-hour broadcasts. When we learned about the order of the military to shut down the station, a local volunteer group surrounded the transmitter and provided us protection because we also received a bomb threat.

On the fourth day, while we were broadcasting live a Holy Mass, we received confirmation that the Marcoses had left Malacanang (this after an earlier false alarm) and the priest announced this. Jubilant shouts punctuated the air from those hearing the mass and those living in the vicinity of the station. Many were jumping and almost all, including myself, were in tears. Again, food and beverages flooded the station. It was a euphoria-filled day.

Our college conducted a victory march around the city. When we approached a local station known for being critical of Cory and Laban, we heard Tie a yellow ribbon being played for us. This was met by loud boos from the students, teachers and the religious community.When President Cory came to Gensan after being named Time Magazine's Woman of the Year, I begged the local news stand owner for a copy of the large poster of the Time cover, mounted it on an illustration board, and held it high and proud for her to see during the large gathering at the plaza.

The remaining local pro-Marcos trapos, who were ousted from their positions and replaced with transition officials appointed by Cory, switched allegiance and even had the audacity to show themselves onstage to welcome Cory to our city. They were booed as expected. The few Pro-Marcos teachers in school had joined the majority. One teacher, Cory's namesake, who used to tell us she hated to be called Ma'am Cory now wanted us to call her just that and started wearing yellow lacy dresses.

After she finished her term as President, Cory remained in my mind and heart as the lady in yellow enveloped by lights. After witnessing three presidents take the helm after her, I was in turn dismayed and appalled by what they had done to our country. I may be terribly disappointed by the way the promise and potentials that Cory stood for had turned out, but Cory remains to be a shining beacon of hope to me. Following her exemplar of integrity, dignity and courage, I'm not giving up on our country - not then, not now that Cory is gone, not ever. I fervently pray that People Power and all it stands for will always prevail.

Blogfest Soccsksargen 2010

The Soccsksargen Bloggers will hold the Blogfest Soccsaksargen 2010 on December 11 at the Royal Grand Ballroom of the East Asia Royale Hotel, General Santos City.

More popularly known as the Sox Bloggers, the group is composed of 200 writers who have bonded together for the common advocacy of projecting South Central Mindanao in a more positive light through their blogs. For the past three years, their blogs have increasingly influenced other people’s perceptions about the region and have won in the Philippine Blog Awards and Digital Filipino’s Emerging Influential Blogs Search.

Blogfest Soccsaksargen 2010, aimed at enhancing the blogging capabilities of its members and increasing their passion for its advocacy, will feature several web luminaries who will give talks on different topics.

Invited speakers are: UP Prof. Danilo Arao (Journalism Ethics for Bloggers), Google Inc. Philippine consultant Aileen Apolo (Making the most of the internet and Google), Zamboanga blogger and IT consultant Ryan Elumba (Spicing up blogs with animation and video), Head for New Media for the Office of the President Jay Jaboneta (New Media in nation-building), Avatar Media and Davao blogger Maria Jose (State of the Philippine blogosphere), Web Developer and E Noa Corp. Online Marketing strategist Dale Palileo (SEO and traffic generation and Monetizing your blog), Tactical Technology Collective member Bobby Soriano (Internet security for bloggers), REACH Networks Country Account Manager and Travel agency operator Michelle Solon (Exposing local gems on new media), and E-commerce consultant/trainor and author Janette Toral (New Media and its role in businesses).

 

 

 

 

 

Event sponsors are:

 

 

Sox bloggers’ lead convenor, Avel Manansala, is expecting bloggers from Mindanao to attend the Blogfest, although some bloggers from the Visayas and Luzon have also registered for said event.

Limited slots left! Register now! Click here to register!

In-my-face reality check for this year

Thus far, these are the events in my life this year that I will cherish and learn from -

1. made several new blogger-friends and numerous bonding activities with Soccsksargen bloggers,
2. 2 friends unfriended,
3. reconnected with former colleagues and students and a cherished college friend,
4. estrangement with my sisters on its 3rd year,
5. enjoying fun moments with my apos (4 and counting),
6. completed my Neil Gaiman's Absolute Sandman collection (thanks to National Book Store's price-cut sale),
7. traveled by air to Zamboanga City (thanks to my brother Napoleon Jr.),
8. running out of space for books trawled from Booksale, National Book Store and Bibliarch, 
9. loving my LG Cookie cellphone with wifi,
10. trying to get my groove back with my MBA thesis proposal,
11. continuing harassment from UBoFroH (Ugly Boss From Hell),
12. hair fall leading to further receding hairline (sorry Pacman, your hidden soldiers shampoo didn't work for me),
13. looking forward to NDD Batch '73's 37th reunion in December,
14. finding out that my dentures make my diet more effective,
15. had my TV repaired and replaced the irreparable electric fan (unscheduled blackouts, grrrrr!),
16. replaced my Compaq laptop with Acer Aspire,
17. discovered Robinsons Place-Gensan as my tambayan during the summer 12-hour blackouts,
18. winning blog contests (thanks to Orman Manansala and Aunt Ludi Bakeshop!),
19. pressing palms with then-candidates Noynoy Aquino, Adel Tamano, Darlene Antonio-Custodio,
20. getting Aiza Seguerra's autograph on her CD,
21. helping out in developing Little Dubai's ambiance,
22. enjoying Razon's Halo-halo despite my lactose intolerance (it's a miracle!),
23. scrimping on my budget to give friends books as gifts,
24. trekking to the coffee plantation in Purok 8 Kinilis, but not quite reaching it (but resolving to do it again in December),
25. getting books on my wishlist from high school batchmates,
26. enjoying numerous unforgettable meals/snacks with friends (satti, kebabs, sashimi, etc.),
27. infuriating experience with an internet troll;
28. told off two acquaintances who use the fact that we know each other to scam some money from me and others,
29. learning that my brother is very sick in prison and getting help from friends to facilitate his treatment,
30. getting kisses from my apos,
31. enjoying the Tunafest up close,
32. getting news about newborn babies of friends,
33. praying for friends and their families,
34. watching the live performances of Richard Poon, Sitti, Juris, Aiza, Duncan, Nina, Wendel Ramos, Rocksteddy, and Christian Bautista,
35. meeting Archt. Jaime Daez of Fully Booked/Bibliarch,
36. watching Shrek Forever After in 3D,
37. experiencing the Sagittarius Mining Inc.'s discovery tour,
38. cooking tofu/tokwa for my midnight snacks,
39. watched the entire season of Haven, TV series based on Stephen King's Colorado Kid,
40. read Rafe Bartholomew's Pacific Rims,
41. went to Davao City to buy Stephen King's Under the Dome,
42. relishing strawberry and kiwi iced tea at Coffee Club 101,
43. enjoyed the TV movie version of Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth,
44. getting my first taste of Krispy Kreme (thanks Priscy!),
45. rediscovering NY Fries and Dips at Robinsons Place-Gensan,
46. nourished by fruit slush drinks,
47. finding long-sought books by sheer serendipity,
48. earning $2 from Adsense for my two blogs,
49. glad to have put on hold my plan to buy a motorcycle because a lot of scooters are being introduced now,
50. getting a pair of progressive bifocals that allows me to read and watch TV at the same time and that becomes sunglasses in sunlight,
51. still saving for first trip outside the Philippines,
52. reading the new translation of Jose Rizal's novel, Noli Me Tangere Penguin Book edition,
53. having friends who are blessings to my life, and
54. zero lovelife

Being on the Same Page with Bibliarch/Fully Booked's Jaime Daez (Exclusive)

Fully Booked Training Manager Lisa Lopez with Bibliarch staff

During Bibliarch's soft opening at the KCC Gensan Mall on October 16, I was informed by Lisa Lopez, Fully Booked Training Manager, that their Managing Director, Jaime Daez would be doing the honors of cutting the ribbon signaling the formal opening of the store on October 19.

When I arrived at Bibliarch-KCC Mall Gensan Branch, I saw Lisa in a huddle with Gensan Kagawad Beth Bagonoc and Jaime Daez. Lisa introduced me to Jaime as the first one to blog about Bibliarch's soft opening. I told him I belong to the SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers who drummed up interest in the opening in Gensan of the first Bibliarch branch outside of Metro Manila. He thanked the bloggers for the help.

Jaime Daez, Kagawad Beth Bagonoc and KCC Mall Gensan owner enter Bibliarch-KCC Mall Gensan  after the ribbon-cutting ceremony

I told Jaime about my spending time at Bibliarch-Rockwell Center. He seemed pleasantly surprised to meet someone from Mindanao who actually visited his very first Bibliarch bookshop. I asked him if he designed the store layout of Bibliarch and Fully Booked. And beaming with pride, he said indeed he did. Jaime is an architect by profession, hence, Bibliarch is pronounced Bibli-ark, and not Bibli-arch.

He asked me what books I have bought so far. I told him I bought 3 graphic novels. "Ooh," he said, "I personally choose the titles because I am a graphic novel reader myself." Jaime is friends with the great Neil Gaiman.

I congratulated him for the special elevated kiddie reading section in Bibliarch as this will surely encourage many children in Gensan to be readers. This section caught the eyes of school principals and teachers during the soft opening.

I also ribbed him (much to his delight that his face broke into a big smile!) about Margaux Salcedo's calling him "Food for Thought and Eye Candy" in her blog and food column in Sunday Inquirer Magazine. For sure, some ladies go for tall, mestizo, intelligent, bespectacled men like Jaime who love to read.

He asked me if I have been to Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City. I told him I'm still saving up for the trip. With four storeys and a basement filled to the brim with books, it will be a dream trip for any bookworm like myself!

Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street. Photo courtesy of Southbound.ph

With an architect's eye for design, Jaime Daez's concept of a book shop. Photo courtesy of Southbound.ph

4 storeys and a basement filled with books. Photo courtesy of Southbound.ph

I thanked Jaime for the time and for opening Bibliarch in Gensan. And off he went to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After that, he was busy meeting with well-wishers and taking pictures. The next time we meet, I hope it will at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City. :)

Bibliarch - Gensan Branch's Soft Opening

Almost eleven years apart, I visited two branches of Bibliarch. One is at the Rockwell Center in November 1999 and the other today at the KCC Mall in General Santos City (Gensan).

The first one at Rockwell Center was located just beside Starbucks. It was a then small specialty bookshop with lots of art, photography and architecture books. Since I was not a coffee drinker, I would spend time browsing through the books at Bibliarch before proceeding to my 3-week training sessions at the Ateneo Graduate of Business.

Bibliarch - Gensan branch located at KCC Mall, just across McDonald's

Today, I eagerly went to the soft opening of the Gensan branch of Bibliarch. It is the third branch, but the first branch outside of Metro Manila (the first two being in Glorietta 3 and Walter Mart). I was told by a reliable source that KCC Mall made Bibliarch an offer it could not refuse. This Bibliarch is a far cry from the first one I visited almost eleven years ago. For one, it now has a w-i-d-e selection of books.

Excited bookworms on October 16

Aside from the usual art and photography books, it now offers cookbooks, fashion books, biographies, inspirational books, Filipiniana, bestselling novels and non-fiction books.

The shelf filled with biographies.

Bibliarch and Fully Booked are known for its graphic novel selections.

Bibliarch also has shelves of magazines, journals, cards, bookmarks, gift bags and vanity pens.

Magazines galore!

Abubots, journals, gift bags

A section for kids who love to read is also an exciting addition. In this section, kids can browse through lots and lots of kiddie books or identify their favorite fairy tale characters on the wall papers.

The kiddies' section filled with wonderful books and wallpaper of their favorite fairy tale characters.

All over Bibliarch are wall papers with reading themes.

Reading-themed wallpapers are featured all around the Bibliarch.

Book shelves and wallpaper as seen from the Catolico Avenue.

And my book choices: A Warrior's Life - Biography of Paulo Coelho, American Vampire, a graphic novel by Stephen King, Batman Reborn, another graphic novel, Shadow of Doubt by Marites Vitug, How to Live - A search for wisdom from old people by Henry Alford.

I will definitely be back for more graphic novels and other books of interest to me and make full use of my Fully Booked discount card.

Dissertation upon a Messy Burger and Barbecue Ranch Pork Belly (Inspired by Charles Lamb's Dissertation upon a Roast Pig)

Who can resist the delectable aroma of freshly-baked breads and pastries?

It was a laid-back Wednesday lunchtime that brought me to Aunt Ludi Bakeshoppe right next to Robinsons Grocery. The aroma of freshly-baked breads and pastries reached my nostrils before they were clogged by sinusitis usually brought on by the powerful air-conditioning of the mall. A quick glance at the tarpaulin menu board at the entrance made me decide to try the Messy Burger and Barbecue Ranch Pork Belly.

#2 on a binder clip stand

After placing my order with the cashier, I was given a laminated number using a binder clip as a stand. Simple practicality. Aside from myself, there were two other female diners. The dining area's pleasantly lit - not too bright, not too dim. The sofa seats were comfortable and the smiling cashier and cook eager to please. The food being cooked in the kitchen smelled good, made me feel hungrier and reminded of an aunt's home-cooking.

A friendly fly to keep me company while waiting for my order

Aunt Ludi lends itself well to people who want cozy and intimate space conducive to friendly banter and sweet-nothings, or alone-time for reading and contemplation.  Because of Aunt Ludi's open layout, a friendly fly dropped by to keep me company while waiting for my order. I immediately bombarded the amiable fly with questions like: Why are you here? What is the purpose of your life? What are you living for? But before the fly can answer me, my order was brought to my table. It flew outside while shaking its head as if trying in vain to find the answers to my questions.

Messy burger with homemade coleslaw and potato chips

The first course was Messy Burger which was a sloppy joe with homemade coleslaw and potato chips. The homemade crispy potato chips and coleslaw were the perfect foil for the sloppy joe made of ground beef cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. The soft buns were generously sprinkled with sesame seeds and were as tender to the bite as the spicy-sour ground beef. By the time I finished, the diamond-shaped plate was indeed messy with the orangey drippings from the burger!

Barbecue Ranch Pork Belly with cucumber salad

With the spicy aftertaste on my palate, I dived into the second course of Barbecue Ranch Pork Belly (pork liempo slices in barbecue sauce) and side dish of cucumber salad. The belly strips tasted wonderful with the smokey barbecue sauce. The diced cucumbers gave it a zing so pleasing to the taste buds. 

I was so engrossed with my lunch that I hardly noticed the customers streaming in between the shelves of fresh baked goodies and the cooler for scrumptious cakes.

Aunt Ludi's cake creations (photo courtesy of Orman Manansala)

When I asked for a glass of water with lots of ice from the cashier, I gave in to my curiosity and asked her: Who is Aunt Ludi?
  
Her answer was for me to know and for you to find out for yourself. 


I will definitely be going back to Aunt Ludi and her mouth-watering meals that remind me of home-cooked ones I used to enjoy. The breads also deserve a second look from me. Right now, I have visions of sandwiches I can assemble for late night or early morning snacks. 


For Aunt Ludi Bakeshoppe, I give a well-deserved two burps. Burp! Burp! 

(Photo courtesy of Orman Manansala)