"Yummylicious!"

…exclaimed one of the ladies dining at the tiny but cozy restaurant called Arabela Bake Haus and Coffee Shop on Rizal street in Liliw, Laguna a few days ago. She is a balikbayan from Australia, visiting relatives in the town. We struck up a conversation when she thought we were from the Land Down Under, overhearing our conversation about Sydney. We led her to critique the resto and without batting an eyelash, she said, “Yummylicious!” Quite a deserved accolade.

We have not been to this “tsinelas country” for more than a couple of years, but when our group wanted a respite from the stress in the big city, we decided to go out of town. We chose to visit Liliw, Laguna since most of us ladies can never have enough step-ins, bakya and tsinelas. Packed in a van with anticipation of what styles (and prices) awaited us, we merrily coasted along, arriving at our destination exactly two hours after our take off.

We dropped in on Emma, our suki at the Socialites store and what ensued was two hours of digging into the vast collection of all types of the footwear, trying them on for size and finally buying them. In the course of what appeared like a frantic scramble for the footwear, Emma served us freshly made espasol, a delicacy best produced in Laguna. This sells at P150 for a box of 15 pieces. We got some, of course. With plastic bags loaded with our respective purchases, we met at Arabela for lunch.

Tonet and Bobby (of the prominent Camello family who pioneered the tsinelas industry) graciously met us and led our group to a table – long reserved because the place does get very full. A vitrine of cakes and pastries immediately made us salivate but better judgment made us sit down and enjoy the main course first. We remember their salad and pasta selections but they have expanded their menu with meat and seafood dishes. Laguna is also known for its kesong puti, thus some of those in the menu have this as topping, such as the walnut salad and the thin crust four cheese and garden pizzas. Of the pasta, the group’s approval goes to the sirloin fettuccini and pink sauce marinara. Two of us gave a thumbs-up to the grilled john dory with mixed veggies and mashed potatoes. Guests can request a change in pasta sauces.

Our dessert was sinful – fudge walnut plus what Bobby gave us – the luscious bread pudding, which we wished we could take home, but for the dripping syrup.

We did not leave Liliw without visiting its beautiful church, awesome with a gilded altar and magnificent images, built in the center of an impressive and majestic courtyard.

On the way back, someone wanted to buy the kesong puti produced at UP Los Baños. Instead, we found a small store belonging to the Alaminos Milkstar chain, selling goat milk. This comes from purebred goats given a diet of foraged grass and legumes. This milk is said to be a good source of calcium. Outlets are located in many areas, among them South and Makati Supermarkets in Alabang. Fruits in season are also being peddled – chico, still unripe, was at P50 a kilo and caimito (purple) go for P25 a kilo. We were told that farm frogs are normally available. Frogs’ legs are a delicacy in some parts of Europe. Here, in the Philippines, there are still those who can not eat this. But where we grew up, adobong palaka was special. Everybody’s Café in Pampanga regularly has frogs’ legs on their menu. Super!

One can’t miss the buko pies of Laguna by the roadside. The leading brand, the Original, has captured a big chunk of the market of this popular pasalubong. Long lines are always found by its doors and counters, eclipsing the two outlets (widely heralded by big sign boards) of the chain on either side of the Original.

A reader who became bothered by the negative reports on cream dory has sent another e-mail saying, after going into some sort of research, she has confirmed that, after all, the fish is fit to eat. This Lenten season, cream dory is a most versatile seafood. It can be simply fried after coating with eggs and flour. It can be cooked with sweet-sour sauce. It can be steamed and then bathed with a light sauce. Try any of these.

E-mail comments and questions to [email protected]