A place for unwinding

A simple Filipino family gathering can never be without food kahit gaano tayo kahirap. This is simply true even in the most far-flung places in the islands. In Samar for instance, if a cousin hears that a relative is visiting your home, chances are, that cousin will be present and with him, a potluck of food. Camote, saging na saba, bilanghoy, bulad, bodo (tiny fish in brine solution, almost fermented), biko are favorites among Samareños. Lechon is special, and most of the time reserved for the most important guests. Lechon in Borongan is something to die for. It is simply the best lechon that I have tasted in my life. My Nanay Lising knows that I crave for Lechon de Borongan. Thus, at least once a month, she makes it a point to order in advance from her favorite litsonero. Lechon de Borongan is a sybaritic miracle. The skin of the lechon is the most coveted part and pecho, and the ribs that absorb all the secret spices that are dexterously placed inside the lechon.

Just like our famous kinilaw na isda, lechon is best eaten with saging na saba. Gourmet, food connoisseurs might not agree with me, but lechon or kinilaw tastes even better when paired with root crops. Lechon and root crops are an unlikely pair but isn’t food also some kind of an adventure? (Kris Aquino says that the best lechon she tasted is the one from Samar!).

With various dining places emerging everywhere, diners are lucky to have new restaurants like Berting’s Grill that break the dining monotony. The newest dining destination, Berting’s Grill offers sumptuous but affordable food and bar menus to customers.

Nothing beats a restaurant that offers delicious food, excellent service, a relaxing ambience and a cozy place to unwind after a hard day’s work.

Berting’s Grill is a pleasurable dining experience. The Bar is wholesome and low-priced that you’ll find more bottle of liquor than beer on your table. Try their delectable offerings like freshly grilled lechon manok, crispy pata, kare-kare, crispy Bicol Express, liempo, crispy inihaw na tenga ng baboy or cream dory filet with capers and you will definitely crave for more.

Berting’s Grill is located along Ortigas Home Depot (Food Street), Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. You can call 87878 for special delivery in Makati, Greenhills and The Fort and 706-7800 for Ortigas area.

Charity Bazaar at World Trade Center

Tintin Bersola-Babao invites everyone to the fifth Charity Bazaar at the World Trade Center today until Nov. 21. Tintin said hundreds of merchants will join the charity bazaar that will also feature celebrity performers. Today, pouches of goodies for kids will be given away to the first 100 shoppers and E-loads will be raffled off for the first 2,000 shoppers. Celebrity psychic Stargazer will give her fearless forecast for 2011. Rainmakers, Arnel Pineda and Sitti are the featured entertainers. Gloc-9 and Cash Crew Breakdancers perform during a fashion show showcasing the clothing line of FrancisM.

Here’s the rest of the schedule:

Tomorrow, Nov. 18: 12 noon — Richard Poon; 12:30 p. m. — Laarni Lozada; 1 p.m. — Jason Zamora and Riel Balan of Manoeuvres; 2 p.m. — Nico Antonio, Tom Rodriguez of Voizboys; 3 to 4 p.m. — Rainmakers Concert; 4:30 p.m. — Jay-R Siaboc; 5 p.m. — Salad Master Cooking Demo, Skin Wellness Beauty Care; 6 p.m. — Van Roxas of PDA; 6:30 p.m. — Business Talk by Chinkee Tan; 7 p.m. — Nikki Valdez.

Nov. 19: 1 to 2 p.m. — Amazing Bubble Show; 2 p.m. — Rhap Salazar; 3 to 4 p.m. — Rainmakers Concert; 4 p.m. — Guji Lorenzana; 5 p.m. — Christmas Choir, A Christmas Play: Amazing Grace by Eureka.

Nov. 20: 1 p.m. — Marlyn Natcher; 2 p.m. — Nico Antonio; 3 p.m. — GO Negosyo and ParenTIN.tv; 5:30 p.m. — Globe Voices Choir; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Rainmakers Concert.

Nov. 21: 1 to 7 p.m. — Diliman Preparatory School of Nikki Coseteng: DPS Pep Squad, Doman Demo, Taekwondo Exhibition, Swim Relay Orientation, Sky Explore, Chorale Number, Robotics, Puppet Story Telling, Fashion Show, Outbox Media Dancers; 7 to 7:30 p.m. — Jeline Oliva of Pilipinas Got Talent; 7:30 to 8 p.m. — Musmusikwela Kids of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab; 8 to 9 p.m. — Musical finale by the Rainmakers.