Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner... Manila, The Philippines!

I said 'Good Morning, Manila!' I was hungry for some Pinoy foods, refreshments and national icons! From when I stepped out of my hotel onto the streets of 'Ermita', it was a whole vibe! Served more than just my 'Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner', I embraced Manila to the fullest! Complete with a tasty breakfast, pioneering park and something sweet for afters, I was blessed! 

From the get go, I already knew that 'Tapsilog' would be my first official breakfast in the Philippines! I had found out about these 'Silog' means from my time during 2020's initial Lockdown as those 'Recipes With...' blogs helped me cook right! I had pledged to myself that I would make it all the way to Manila to try my very first Filipino cooked breakfast in real time! I clocked a sign that reeled off several favourite dishes, catching a glimpse of 'Tapsilog' felt right! Greeted by a security guard, I would need to get used to their presence whilst I was staying in Manila. Seated in this rather 'down to earth' establishment saw a group of marathon runners all enjoying their cooked Pinoy breakfasts, had I chosen the right place? I had chosen the first place! Ordering 'Tapsilog' without any hassle, it was just the wait I needed to manage. That simple 'Ermita' diner was that busy, even the security guard served up some plates to those who had ordered before me! I wasn't mad about waiting, it gave me time to plan my day out! Tasty! 

Served up my own 'Tapsilog' dish after that lengthy wait was worth it, I was starving! Mixing up some extra sauce I ensured my 'Tapa' was ready to eat. I tucked into that first meal with anticipation because I had my own version still on my taste buds, comparisons galore I thought! Now, I'll keep this cute but I enjoyed that serving of food because it gave me fond memories of a time when culture felt non-existent. The egg was runny, acting as the perfect combination with the boiled rice mound. The Tapa was a little dry but that 'Silog' meal wouldn't be my last during this two week visit to the Philippines, you could say I was at the start of my own 'Silog' race! Like a hit and run, I was done and done with that serving before I could've said 'Intramuros' because I was damn hungry! That 'Ermita' breakfast spot kept things simple, regardless I felt content with that breakfast moment, that dream turned into real life! Rizal Park was about to school me, would I have any room left so soon after breakfast to digest such a heavy 'pre-lunchtime' topic?

I had been clever to pick my 'edgy' location, 'Rizal Park' was located around the corner from my hotel and then 'breakfast spot'. Manila didn't give me a second, I just digested my breakfast and Manila presented 'Rizal Park' to me as I made my way over to Intramuros. I was down for a slice of 'Philippine Hero Realness', lunch time would find me early with such a moving past! I had heard lots about Jose Rizal and knew about the park, though I didn't know that he was a national hero. There I said it! Originally known as 'Bagumbayan' during the Spanish Colonial Period, this park stands as the largest urban park in the entire Philippine nation. I was astounded by those clean edges, it was pristine with manicured lawns and hedges looking fresh in that Spring morning. I saw a series of busts, they were Philippine heroes who had fought against the grip of those pesky Spanish rulers. I was captivated and incensed at the same time! Rizal came through for his people! Truly the vibes served around the park were very different! 

Before meeting the 'Rizal Monument' with the Philippine flag flying proudly, I had some 'park-life' business to take care! I stood very uneducated about Jose Rizal's part that fanned the flames to what became the struggle for post-Spanish Philippine Independence! I paid attention, like a chef does with a recipe, I ensured every ingredient was measured precisely. I was stood before a shaded area, adorned with swishing trees and a stepping stone like formation. There in that moment I read the fate of Rizal, executed by a firing squad for speaking out again the 'Kingdom of Spain', his death became the smoking gun for the Philippine Revolution! I never had a 'lunchtime' like it, I felt angry that the Spanish had ended Rizal's life in such a brutal and senseless way. His memory stood strong, the park taught me more, a hearty serving of 'Pinoy Pride!' Oh, 'Rizal Momument' took on whole new significance with a huge Philippine flag proudly waving in the breeze over 'Liwasang Rizal'. An unforgettable lunch? I was captivated! 

Done with the 'Walled City of Intramuros' that lunchtime fix of culture within Rizal Park felt like a world away! I wanted something to eat for my dinner but I didn't know what that was? I saw a green and white sign with the Tagalog words 'Mas Sarap!' My Tagalog is bad but from watching 'Drag Race Philippines' and having listened to many Filipino chats, I connected 'Mas' with the Spanish word for 'More' and 'Sarap' as the Tagalog meaning for 'Delicious!' It was like nothing I had ever seen, it looked like a 'McDonald's' from the outside with a Filipino twist but 'Chicken Inasal' was the main dish on that 'fast food' menu. I needed to try some 'Chicken Inasal' at 'Mang Inasal!' It was chaos in there, I loved every second, I knew that my choice would serve up something 'More Delicious' and cheap! Served with white rice, I squeezed two limes onto my 'Filipino BBQ Chicken' with no time to lose! I didn't even take a photo, it was too good for me to wait! Truthfully, 'Chicken Inasal' became my go-to Filipino meal after 'Chicken Adobo!' Sarap!

After walking around Intramuros for the most part of the day, I was in desperate need of something ice cold, much like a serving of 'ice cream!' I knew about 'Halo Halo' and 'Ube ice cream' but I wanted both! Ordering the 'Extra Creamy Halo-Halo', comprised of 'shaved ice milk, red sago, buko pandan jelly, langka, ube halaya, yellow beans, red mongo beans, leche flan, macapuno and both ube and banana ice cream'. If truth be told, I was so hot and over the day, did I even have all of that food? It was all such a blur! There was no doubt after my cooling 'Halo Halo' experience at 'Mang Inasal' had concluded, I felt like the heat had been turned down a few degrees. I loved that desert moment, it was nothing like I had ever tried, the shaved ice milk really helped to not make the desert feel heavy at all with all those ingredients present. This whole experience from my morning 'Tapsilog', visit to 'Rizal Park' and my 'Mang Inasal' treats, everything was perfectly balanced. Manila really knew where to serve it all up, sure I had faith. 

Mas, Mas, Mas Sarap! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure