Secret no more

It was sort of a secret, but when someone told us about it we immediately went to have a look at the Saturday market inside Ayala Alabang Village, in Narra Park, on Narra and Dao road. On this day the ladies of Alabang turn into vendors, having great fun as their home-made goodies and fresh harvest sell out fast, much appreciated by neighbors and other buyers. It could be that today’s marketing chore (going to the palengke) is being taken over by venues such as this, making it much easier and more accessible for the housewife. Add to that the clean, well maintained space, plus the cool breeze rustling the trees, and shopping indeed becomes a pleasure.

One way to really see every item on offer is to go around from stall to stall (each under a tent), which we did. At the entrance we encountered this elegant lady and her young assistant who offered her home-made bagoong (P60 for about 100 gms) and sweet macapuno at P20 a bottle. Moving on we got the Veggie Bread sold by Gobinda, Pesto Twist for P90. Unfortunately, we tried to call their number but got a "not in service" reply. Maybe the baker can contact us through our e-mail so we can elaborate on this.

There is a lady who sells fried lumpiang ubod at P6 per and fresh lumpiang ubod for P75 a pair. Vegetables are in abundance–arugula which goes very fast, eggplant, basil, asparagus, lettuce, carrot and capsicum. A voluminous stack of breads and cakes (rhum at P100) attracts buyers to the booth of Peggy of the old New York and Bagel company. She is ready for Christmas and you can ask about her turkey, ham, bread baskets, salsas and cookie jars. They deliver. No Filipino market is a market without the traditional tocino and longganisa. Look up Penny and get a 500 gm pack of her beef tapa, which has the flavor of longganisa. Great!

When you need to rest your feet and your tummy starts sending signals, go by the tent of a charming lady called Grace and choose from what she has: adobo in pan de sal (not small), baked macaroni, hotdog, eggs and coffee. From P55 per. Or get some puto bumbong or taho. Sit and relax with friends at the tables and chairs set up at the center of the market, which is open only on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

We went to another Alabang activity and that was when the "Burp!!! Excuse me" ladies invaded the village and captured the taste and pockets of Alabang-ers. From their base in San Juan, the group of enterprising women brought their wares: the loaves and flat breads they are famous for (including the super cheese loaf), dips and sauces, most with olive oil, marinated cheeses, baked lasagna, roast chicken, salads, brownies and cakes. In fact, one can plan a holiday dinner around what they have. Prices depend on how much of the food one orders.

One event that was disappointing was the Restaurant Expo 2003 at the Megamall Trade Center. Aspiring restaurateurs very badly need more guidance in organization and in welcoming visitors to the exhibition. The food prepared showed a lot of promise, but they need to know more about the art of presentation.

Do you eat an egg everyday? Or are you one of those who shy away from it? The Egg Board which conducted an egg show also at the Megamall Trade Hall contends that an egg a day is healthy. A word of caution, however: each egg is listed with cholesterol content of 213. We encountered the much-vaunted ostrich at this exhibition. The gentleman manning the booth told us that this big bird grows to about 10 feet and at 10 months they can be butchered and the meat would make good dishes, much like premium beef cuts. He says the meat is tender, from its feet to its body. That’s something we will have to explore some more. It is now available in supermarkets, but is rather pricey.