A million hearts
If we had that around us, we’ll all have a better life. Emma Alday or Sister Emma has that, and much more, in a small paradise she has created to share with lovers of nature and good food. This is Casa Rap (which can be interpreted as Kay Sarap) on Km 90 in
That weekend we spent (invited by our friend Sonia) at Casa Rap was perhaps the most enriching we have had in a few months. We drove along the highway that was, at an early hour, free from the usual traffic mess that characterizes the South Luzon Expressway. In no time, we entered the paradise, greeted by the amiable lady of the Casa. She had a group of ladies and men who were set to sit down (in three different groups) to learn about pottery, hog raising and gardening, well-thought of additions to the regular meals one would normally go for when visiting the farm.
We joined the pottery class where the young instructor Pablo ran us through the basics of making vases and other items made of clay, learning that there are three types of materials – stoneware (which we had), terra cotta and porcelain. After the session, the more artistic members of the group can now plan to have a home-based livelihood program to vent their creative juices as well as make extra money. However, a wheel is needed but this can be bought easily.
We could not believe that hogs can be stench-free, but in this place they are. The secret, revealed during the hog raising class, is to pre-digest the food before feeding them to the animals. We noticed the pigs were friendly and so disciplined, they do their thing in one specific area of their screened habitat. They are called Herbaboy and are drug-free as well. The group sells their meat – kasim, liempo and chops for P160 a kilo while pata and ulo are at P120.
Casa is also a store for various products – Tugbuan herbal jelly and calamansi from P140 to P200 a jar, coconut oil, coconut vinegar and Kapeng Barako. Note that the latter is now also marketed in bags, like tea bags, which one simply submerges in hot water. Good invention.
We spent the breaks between the morning snack and lunch going around and admiring the greens of all kinds that abound. Sister Emma brought us to where she grows Mignonette lettuce, a new breed, unusual in three layers and, she says, very tasty. There are also Lola Rosa and Romaine and arugula (she has succeeded in cultivating the last which is rather difficult to grow), pots of spices and herbs, and seeds (P50 a pack).
Snacks served were dinuguan and puto plus arroz caldo. The lunch is served Bento-style. The food items are arranged on bamboo trays with the rice wrapped in young, soft banana leaves, and the three viands (on that day they were adobo, lengua with sauce and ginataang hipon) in individual lata containers. A salad with two choices of dressing and dessert of Sans Rival completed the meal.
That weekend was the launch of a Regular Weekend Half-Day Program. Each course costs P800 inclusive of the food and the lessons. Plus, of course, the priceless communion with Nature. Truly an exhilarating experience.
Back to the city and our Price Watch: We are happy for the recent lowering of the cost of gasoline. Now will LPG follow? Two big pieces of sayote cost us P14.95, three pieces of small carrots, P17.40; a couple of
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