MANILA, Philippines - Why does spicy food go with beer? Beats me. But the Maanghang na Balitang Talaba from Marina made me crave a tall, cold one. The fiery dish made with fat oysters would surely be a favorite of teetotalers everywhere. And it struck me that designating the appetizer as the Star Dish is highly appropriate. With all the scintillating headlines and no-holds-barred views in The Philippine Star’s editorial page, the news can, at times, be described as really hot and ulcer-inducing. Maanghang at masakit sa sikmura talaga.
They say “no news is good news” but at The Philippine Star, the positive things also make the front page. This serves to uplift the spirit and make people more optimistic that things will turn out right. It is similar to the effect of Bugong Roast Chicken and their Kapuri-puring Balita with Front Page Chicken. Pleasant and filling, the dish is comforting and easy to digest. The same goes for the Star Chicken Meal or Barbecue Star Meal from Ineng’s Barbecue. These are popular favorites for Filipinos of all ages, persuasions, and regions.
Logging on to www.philstar.com daily makes homesick Filipinos abroad feel like they never left home. The longing for family and friends is somewhat eased when they have ready access to what is happening in the Philippines via the website. They may not be able to cook sinigang like Freska’s Stariray na Sinigang na Pink Salmon every day. But at least the sadness caused by being away is soothed with knowing the goings on at home — just like sipping hot, sour sinigang broth with the family complete.
Spanish influence has influenced Filipino cooking and the dishes are just as loved. At The Old Spaghetti House you can have the Star Marinara or Salpicao Star, and at The Trellis, there is STARella / Paella Shall Prevail. The Philippine Star tagline is “Truth Shall Prevail.” In this case, good food shall prevail — and that is the truth.
Fresh is best. This applies to news and food. At Kenny Rogers the Star Dish is Fresh News, Freshly Made Food, which is crisp salad greens with tasty slices of chicken. At Sbarro there is an option of freshly baked Pepperonews Pizza or Stromboli News Update. Sbarro’s pizzas named Cheese Mizz and White Lies Pizza are surely tasty. But tsismis and blind items, although titillating, may leave a bad taste in the mouth for people who are the subject of intrigue. Good thing we have the Entertainment Section’s Ricky Lo, who is well-respected and known for his pleasant demeanor, fairness, and lack of bias.
Putting together a paper every day is tough. The Philippine Star has hard-working reporters, editors, and staff members, who work long hours fortified by caffeine from coffee or tea to wrap up the news for the day. It is perhaps in recognition of their hard work that North Park has Newscha Jelly and Star Wrap.
If one works hard, it is a good idea to play harder. I Am Ninoy Boodle at Seafood Island is a good way for big groups to celebrate togetherness. The Philippine Star was born 25 years ago. This year the EAT Dining Festival, a collaboration between The Philippine Star, Ayala Malls, BPI, and with support from Samsung, which features STAR-inspired dishes, is part of the grandest boodle fight of all.
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Email me at enricomiguelsubido@gmail.com