‘Pastko’ and Pasko

Allow us to share with you the inspiring words of Fr. Eugene, our priest, during the weekend recollection in our village. He impressed upon us that the season must be anchored on two things – “pastko” and Pasko. Needless to say, in the course of the exiting year, we have suffered some aches and pains as we have had some successful and happy moments. They are past and therefore we must leave them as such – past. Christmas must remind us that our Redeemer was born with the hope of new beginnings. Therefore Pasko must be welcomed with renewed hope, with positive thoughts that life would be better.

Bonding with family and friends is among the activities marking Christmas time. Within the last few days we managed to get together with some close friends. The first one was at the Michelin-awarded dimsum place, Tim Ho Wan in the Glorietta. It was full, but we managed to get a table, since one of our friends went there early. The restaurant serves a long list of dimsums with some unusual ones. Happily, your bill will not be expensive, should you decide to go there.

A few days after, a friend we have not seen in a long while invited us to this new restaurant called Twenty Two, precisely because it is located on the same numbered spot on Jupiter street in Makati. The menu is a gastronomic mix-up of different cuisines, for which the chef, Marco, managed to retain the dishes’ individual flavors. Being on a more adventurous mind (and taste) that day, we chose a selection that crossed borders, from Asia to the Mediterranean capitals. We started with chorizo and saffron shrimp gambas, a new combination with Spanish flavor, plus scallops with Iberian pork salsa, which was so soft and succulent. The four cheese croquetas were in triangles, not balls. Now for our mains – two contrasting dishes, lamb rendang and goat kaldereta.

The chef deserves an A-1 approval here. The former was steeped in Mideast spices, while the latter was as we would prepare our own caldereta, slow cooked in tomatoes and served with the thickened sauce. We had a bite each of rum cake with butter dulce gatas sauce and carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

Twenty Two is a bistro bar, hence the night owls will enjoy some evenings there, when Acoustic Band and a DJ supply the entertainment.

Four days to go before Christmas Day. We noted Piña brand queso de bola costs a few pesos less at a Metro supermarket. If you are not finished yet with your gift list, the department store up might give you ideas on what to get. They have kitchen gadgets that are very reasonably priced.

Merry Christmas to all!

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