Cabalen: They are what — and where — the

Each of the stars – and you, I suppose – has his/her own favorite dish at any of the Cabalen outlets (take your pick from eight, located at Robinsons Ermita, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, SM North EDSA, Sta. Lucia, West Avenue Q.C., SM Manila and Katipunan Q.C.)

I know what mine is, one of them anyway, and it’s the paksiw na lechon which I always get a generous amount of from the buffet table everytime I and my friends go to Cabalen (West Avenue), the last time having been two weeks ago when Ronald Constantino hosted a birthday blowout for colleague Nora Calderon.

It was also at the same Cabalen outlet where Kiko Pangilinan and wife Sharon Cuneta gave a thank-you party for the movie press after Kiko was elected Senator at last May’s elections. Melanie Marquez, who used to live at the nearby Philam Homes before she transplanted herself to Salt Lake City after she married a lawyer surnamed Lawyer (believe it or not!), also treated her friends at Cabalen whose owner, Maritel Nievera (who looks like Jean Saburit when Jean won the Bb. Young-Pilipinas in 1977), is her fellow Kapampangan.

Like you, perhaps, I’ve always been wondering what the stars pick from the Cabalen buffet table. You see, I’m one person whose memory of people includes their gustatory preferences. Some food reminds you of some friends, don’t they?

For instance, when I eat Max’s Fried Chicken, I remember Kris Aquino who used to love fried chicken like crazy. I associate corned beef with Zsa Zsa Padilla who once showed up at a presscon, saying she just had a hearty lunch of corned beef (her favorite) at home. Scrambled egg (ordered in the office) reminds me of fellow STAR staffer Ching Alano because that was our idea of a yummy quick dinner years ago when we were meeting deadlines at the old Weekend Magazine (Sunday supplement of The Daily Express). I have a friend who’s "addicted" to noodles; he eats noodles all the time and he packs his maleta with sachets of instant noodles when he travels (penny-pinching, you know).

Last Monday, Maritel invited me and photographer Richard Chen to Cabalen (West Avenue) and I had a chance to ask her for the roster of Cabalen star-patrons and what they usually fill up their plates with. Maritel told us that she started the now-famous Cabalen chain of restaurants more than 15 years ago, with a small outlet at the now expanded Cabalen (West Avenue).

"I started working at 15," said Maritel. "You must love to cook, like I do, to enjoy running a business like this."

Now, did you know that it was Maritel who drew up the menu for Fernando Jose/Carillo (star of, among other Mexican telenovelas, Rosalinda) when he came here for a visit a few months ago to drum up for his new starrer Siempre Te Amare and Boss Vic del Rosario, Jr. of Viva Films/Television (producer of Siempre) treated the Latino star to a sampling of Lutong Pinoy at a catered dinner?

The menu included Nilasing na Hipon, Tokwa’t Baboy, Paco Salad, Cabalen Salad, Jasmine Rice, Sinigang na Ulo ng Lapu-Lapu sa Miso, Lechon de Leche, Kalderetang Baka, Bistek na Tiyan ng Bangus, Ginataang Kalabasa with Bulaklak Kalabasa, Cabalen Morcon, Grilled Prawns and Guindara, Buco Pandan Salad and Ube Halaya.

Did Fernando Jose go back to Mexico several pounds heavier? Now you know who’s to "blame."

Meanwhile, here are the choices of other stars and celebrities:

• Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – Chopsuey, Burong Mustasa, Ensaladang Paco

• Pres. Erap Estrada – Ihaw na Hito, Burong Hipon

• Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez – Ihaw na Tilapia with Buro, Sisig

• Alma Moreno – Crispy Kangkong, Sisig, Kare-kare, Paella

• Plinky Recto – Sisig

• Vivian Foz – Kare-kare

• NBI Director Wycoco – Sisig

• Ara Mina – Sisig

• Anjo Yllana – Kare-kare, Tibuk Tibuk

• Sylvia La Torre – Lumpiang Hubad

• Ryan Cayabyab – Sisig/Kohol

• Niño Muhlach – Ihaw na Hito

• Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski – All

• Alvin Patrimonio – Kare-kare

• MTV’s Aurora Halili – Kare-kare

• Maynilad’s Rafael Alunan – Kare-kare

• Ex-Sen. Nikki Coseteng – Pakbet, Crispy Kangkong, Mangga Repolyo

• Christine Bersola – All

• Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado – All

• Q.C. Councilor Franz Pumaren – All meat viands

• Ex-Mayor Ismael Mathay – Chicharon

• Rudy Fernandez – Asadong Manok, Sisig, Ihaw na Tilapia

• Rico J. Puno – Sisig

• Vina Morales – Pakbet, Chopsuey, Adobong Kangkong

• Former First Lady Imelda Marcos – Tapang Kalabaw, Sisig

• Sen. Joker Arroyo – Halo Halo, Guinomis

• Miriam Quiambao – Kare-kare

• Lani Mercado – Dinuguan, Bopis, Crablets

• Richard Gomez and Lucy Gomez – All

• Eric Quizon – Lumpiang Bangus, Chicharon

• KC Montero – Main Course, Desserts

• Geneva Cruz – Main Course, Desserts

• Paco Arespacochaga – Gatang Kohol

• Ricky Reyes – All

• James Cooper – All

• Mayor Ben Felix (Cainta) – Halo-Halo

• Basketball player Dennis Espino – All

• Robin Padilla – Ihaw na Gindara, Ihaw na Hito

• Rica Peralejo — Pakbet

• Mayor Lito Atienza (Manila) – Ginisang Patola

• Rep. Butz Aquino – Camaru, Adobong Pusit

• Janno Gibbs – Lechon, Crablets

• Vic del Rosario, Jr. – Halo-Halo

• Bing Loyzaga – Sisig

• Andrew E – Ihaw na Tilapia, Ihaw na Bangus Back

• Sharon Cuneta – Ihaw na Hito, Burong Hipon, Sisig

• Ex-Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago – Bistik Bangus

There you are.

What’s yours?