Dampa sa Farmers Market

My girlfriend and I had a slight misunderstanding these past few days over a woman who keeps on sending me passionate text messages for about a month now. It was hard for her to believe that the woman just "fall" for me without me to initiate the action first. I explained I didn't do anything - that the woman suddenly appeared from nowhere and demanded for my attention. Later, we reconciled but I couldn't make her smile. Not just yet. So I brought her to Farmer's Market in Cubao where there are lots of shops selling different varieties of flowers. When we were there, I told her I'd buy the entire flower market in front of us just so I can just revive the smile in her. I was successful. She smiled and even asked me whether that was also the way how I fooled my "woman stalker" into following with me.

Well, my girlfriend told me she didn't need those flowers really. All she needed at that time is a fine dinner to feed our stomach already craving for food. It was already nine in the evening and the malls nearby  (Farmers Plaza and Alimall) was already closed. Just a few steps away from where we stand is the Dampa sa Farmers Market - a food plaza known to be serving fresh seafoods from Roxas City. So we decided to give it a try. After all, we haven't explored the area yet though we oftentimes passed there by when we had to buy fruits from the market.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 160 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

I had read from the signage outside that this food plaza is open until eleven in the evening but there were not much customers then when we get inside. Seafoods were getting so scarce and what was left are pork and chicken fare. There were few varieties of fish, too. My girlfriend ordered grilled tilapia but was yearning for seafoods. We were told by the shop keeper that they also accept "paluto," which means, we can buy seafoods from the market and bring it to them to be cooked for us.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 200 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

And, so my girlfriend summoned me to the seafoods market at the back to buy fresh clamshells to be cooked. Along the way, I chanced upon a pile of chicken feet sold at a very low price. In my province, these chicken feet when cooked are called "adidas." One of my favorite during those days as "pulutan" on drinking spree. When I returned back, I had a bag of clamshell in my right hand and a bag of chicken feet in my right hand. Both were ordered to be cooked at the food stall.

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 800 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

Tada! The chicken feet when cooked! Yummy!!! I wasn't able to photographed my girlfriend's clamshell because it arrived late.

Grilled Tilapia and a Mug of San Miguel Beer

Sony Ericsson K750i / F-stop: f/2.8 / ISO Setting: 320 / focal length: 4.8mm / flash: off / mount: handheld

There's a trivial story about this mug of beer. Those who have known me personally must also have known that I decided to stop drinking (liquors, beer) and smoking before I graduated from college. While I have nothing against those who drink and smoke, I view the decision to quit those vices out of personal conviction. So, for the past 18 years, I haven't had drunk liquors or beer and didn't smoke either. Now, when my girlfriend comes into my life, she would like to change this kind of views. While she maintained she wouldn't want me to smoke, she said it would be okay for me to drink beer if it's just to socialize with friends. She wouldn't want me to get drunk but she wouldn't want me to be different as well just because I'm the only non-drinking person in a group that sip a few bottles of San Miguel beer. It makes sense, I know.

So, at that night, with my girlfriend's blessing, I ordered a mug of San Miguel beer. It is an excellent companion for the grilled tilapia and the chicken feet. For 18 years that I haven't tasted any brew, I concluded that San Miguel beer still tastes the same.

Technorati Tag: dampa, seafoods