Almost a year ago -- gosh, it has been that long! -- when I posted the family's food trip from the forced lockdown period. And now, now that the Philippines' National Capital Region and some nearby provinces known as NCR Plus bubble was advised to Enhanced Community Quarantine status again, it felt like we were back all the way from 2020. Is it just me or you as well? I wanna put hahaha to lighten the mood, but I really am crying now. Lol ugh this longest lockdown in the world huhu asadjkl~ I know many things do not sit right because we are living in dark, trying, troubling times due to this sickening pandemic. But... Just for my silver-lining kind of post, here I am, publishing a blog about my food quarantine favorites 2021 version. Just to clarify though, okay... I wrote this, not because I wanna brag what was on our table, but because I wanna save the memories that the four of us spent before Mama resumed work at Pampanga 💖 To be honest, there is not much special to review in today's food content. Saying this first, and once again, so readers would not expect much. Hehe. Because like what I said, I devoured these blessings with the people I love the most, so yup, still worthy to release. Daming daldal eh 'no! Lol! Here it goes! :) I would forever be grateful for my sister's random treats to the fam. As in. Whether it is food or BangTan Sonyeondan merchandise or whatever. Sounds funny, but touching for realz! This particular one though, the unexpected food trip that happened this month was memorable. It happened because I saw my sissy's BTS bias: V, eating at McDonald's and indulging the Oreo McFlurry which I super missed! Lucky me, my Ate May ordered me one! Not sure if she did that because of me or because of V? Wahaha! But yes, yes, yay! Especially that along with the heavenly cookies-and-cream ice cream was my favorite Shake Shake cheese fries! Aww, right! I was not able to capture them because I grabbed the snacks the moment it was delivered. We were also watching BTS in the PH episodes that time, so perfect timing, eh. Haha. Aside from spoiling me, mah siz also ordered a bucket of Chicken McDo for our dinner. So much aww now, isn't it! Aww, ooh ah ooh ah ooh ah ooh ah ooh! Aside from the BTS x McDo treat, sissy also shared her blessings when she craved for halo-halo. It is getting hot in Pinas, so valid her longing. Hashtag summer vibes! Other merienda faves like turon with cheese and langka, purple palitaw, big maruya, and bilo-bilo also made it with us. So yummy! TYG! While as for me? Since I was having the same feels as last year, I thought of buying the best lockdown food trend for me: the ube pandesals! Bless the person who invented this, Universe. I hope this would stay with us for a long time, not just the quarantine period, because ube variant pandesals are really heavenly! I think I mentioned this in my past food blog post, but Flours and Flavors' ube-cheese and ube-macapuno pandesals are really the most superior ube pandesals for my taste buds! The pieces got smaller this time. However, nothing much has changed in their baking. I am still loving them! I remember the first time I tasted one. I was very anxious at that time. But thanks to that, a light sparked inside me. I must say, 2020 or 2021, the magic stays the same! My heart and tummy were exhilarated as I took every bite of these pandesals again. Plus, sharing with the fam with a cup of coffee and amazing talks? Confirmed! Ube-flavored pandesals are now one of my comfort food! :) I did not expect my parents would treat me and my sister too. In all honesty only. Lol! Because that is right, the family also had a Greenwich feast on one weekend this month. We were celebrating Mama and Papa's COVID-19 negative result in their rapid antigen test, that was why! They needed this since Mama would cross borders from Metro Manila to Pampanga for work. Since Papa is her personal and forever driver, he also took the test as a requirement. Of course, the ohana enjoyed the food! But you know? It was a mix of happiness and sadness. As I ate the lasagna, I felt great. As I got the pizza, garlic sticks, mojos, I felt grateful. Aside from the fact those are my favorite food, at least, we knew the family is COVID-free. However, that also meant long-distance with Mama again. Though she stayed for some days after that celebration, I felt the longing already. I miss her even when she was just across the room. I look for her cooking, like this tahong up there. Just I-want-her-with-me kinda feels~ Ugly truth, but the current situation here in Perlas ng Silanganan has worsened. If the past year (and years since 2016) was hell, this is hell-er. Can you believe the bar was at the lowest of the lows of the lows already, but it even went lowest-er to lowest-est, especially this first quarter of 2021? OnLy iN tHe pHiLiPpiNes! Cases rising, people dying, youth crying. These days, when I go to my Facebook feed, I see black default photos or candle pictures as if it was a funeral update timeline. I read heartfelt dedications for their departed loved ones. And ugh, it makes me sad every time I see those kinds of posts! Condolences for those who lost the people they love because of the incompetent system here. Yakap po! Hays. But tbh, such incidents make me think twice, too. I know life these days are difficult. But still, thank You, God. Thank You because I am still here, alive and kicking. There are challenges, yes. But thank You because my family is still here with me and we are complete. Aside from the provisions given by the most Powerful, I just realized how graced we are for still living in this world. I learned to value time and relationships more because of what happened this mid-March to April. And I know, I know we could make it all through. With You, we would and will always hang on 💖
0 Comments
|
THE BLOG-GIRLE L A M A N I L A Ela Mones, a Filipina girl,
is a passionate lifestyle blogger who loves to express her unforgettable life experiences and best moments through words, photos, and videos 💖
|