Dining Out!

By Chef Ed Dychauco

Thursday, March 31, 2011

BE IT birthdays, weddings, christenings, graduations, reunions, thanksgiving, anniversaries, (including week-saries and month-saries), Christmas, New Years, valentines, thanksgivings, nine days, 40 days, 100 days and the list can go on and on. There must be and will always be food around.

And when I talk of food, I am talking about food that we order or dine in a restaurant. Cooking food at home is a very personal thing. And it is good for a small group of people, something intimate, something like one wants to showcase their culinary skills.

But looking at our daily lives and activities, it is quite impossible to be cooking and at the same time entertaining guests and looking great! And so what do we do?

We dine out! And in doing so, it saves us a lot of time, energy and effort. Although most of the time, not necessarily money! However, we tend to enjoy the company of our friends and family in the process when we eat out. And get to do more bonding, reconnecting and reminiscing.

In the past few articles, I tackled reunions and homecomings, social networking and the like. I finally realized that we do get out with friends for a night out or lunch date whenever we get to see them. It is always a fun get-together, talking about serious, but mostly, crazy things that happened in the past over some good foods. And of course, what about those memorable and cherished moments, being captured by our cameras? Then posting them on all social networking sites for everyone to see, drool and be envious of?

In the past several months, I have had a lot of friends, classmates and relatives visiting our city. So it is but natural for us to dine out. And some of the restaurants that I have enjoyed with their company include the following, but in no particular order:

La Vetta Restaurant -- a formal dining place for people who know about French Mediterranean and European food. I truly love their Beef Carpaccio, Cheese and Cold cuts platter, Smoked Salmon and a few others.

Bourbon St. Bistro -- Southern American (Creole) cuisine. We ordered the "safer" dish, baby back ribs, Quesadillas, and banana foster.

Siam Thai Cuisine -- I was there twice, for two separate invitations by two different groups. One should try their curries - be it beef or chicken (since this is what Thai food is famous for), their "Thai" crispy pata is quite meaty, crab fried rice is good and of course, their signature drink which is a mixture of different fruits is unique.

Aqua Seafood Restaurant -- we had grilled tuna, sampler platter and again, crispy pata and grilled squid.

Panagatan Restaurant -- grilled Panga, seafood platter, crispy fried squid and the mango-tomato salad was refreshing.

Sentro 1850 Restaurant -- fusion cuisine, baby back ribs, wasabi salad, lechon kawali, hamburger and their signature dalandan drink.

La Tegola Italian Restaurant -- I have always loved Italian Cuisine. I guess it is because I have been exposed to this kind of food while working in New York. I used to stay in an Italian Community. So pizza, pasta and the like are always available all year round and very accessible. Well, aside from Chinese food, of course.

Grand Caprice Restaurant -- classic authentic Chinese cuisine. I haven't met anyone who does not like Chinese food. It is all over the place. I particularly like their prawn salad, salt and pepper ribs, lemon chicken, patatim and a few others.

Calda's Pizza -- huge, very flavorful pizza and calzone. Very filling, indeed.

Dear Manok and Mang Inasal -- grilled chicken at its finest. And "bottomless" rice to go! This is the place to go when one is extremely hungry!

Bo's Coffee Club and CoffeeWorks -- Need I say more? This is where we spend more time talking, laughing while enjoying our coffee, cakes and pastries after dinner.

Some food establishments are quite expensive but sometimes, one has to pay for the ambiance (!). Besides, one has to consider the authenticity of their finished products, the ingredients they use and the place where it is located.

But then, there are also a lot of other great places where one can still have fun, save some money and yet be served with excellent food! The bottom line is, it is the camaraderie that we all are looking for during these food trips.

Eat and be merry! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 31, 2011.

Social networking among classmates, friends

By Chef Ed Dychauco

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

AFTER graduation, especially in nursing, it is inevitable that most of us will venture outside our nests. And in doing so, we find ourselves in places we can only dream of before. We get to meet and make new friends in a new, strange place. And if everything goes right, we stay and become a part of this new community and environment.

Many of my nursing classmates from Liceo de Cagayan School of Nursing are now permanently living, married and working abroad. They now own houses and properties here and abroad. Many of them are also grandparents now.

Some are retired, some semi-retired but a lot are still active as nurses or caregivers (to their families, of course!)

After graduating in 1979, we went on our separate ways. A few stayed behind and raised their families here. A handful went back to their hometowns. Needless to say, we became "unattached" for such a long time not knowing where they are and what they have been doing with their lives.

But not for long, because Friendster came into view for a while and then it was Facebook. Awesome! It is very helpful and a wonderful tool, indeed! We are now connected in so many ways. Either we found them or they found us. It doesn't really matter how, what matters most is we are now getting updates and we are all in-tune with one another for a long time!

Well, maybe not all. Because we still have a few who are not in FB. They are probably not "techy" enough. But I refused to believe that they can't learn something new at this time of their lives. Let's just say they are not INTO it, they don't have time (ow, come on!), or they refused to be in it.

We have lost three classmates tragically many years ago. Ms. Beselyn Melendez (Don Carlos) died during delivery, Ms. Elenita Getueza (Musuan), died in a car accident in the US and Capt. Ophelia Campued-Bandarlipe was in that Superferry 13 explosion and had her third son with him. May all of them rest in peace!

On a lighter note, 17 (as I know) of them out of 39 are now working abroad - US, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, London, Australia, Hong Kong and other parts of Europe. The rest are here in the Philippines although we are not so sure of a few because we never had any contacts with them ever since after graduation.

Bobby Serina (Opol) is in Islip, New York; Cesar Ignacio (Kauswagan) is in San Antonio, Texas; Dahlia Alcarde (Kauswagan) - Vallejo, California; Zenaida Albiso (Gingoog City) - KSA; Merlie Alombro - KSA; Sylvia Benedicto-Tan - Australia; Cherrie Marie Caylo-Emano (Kauswagan) - Norwalk, Connecticut; Ma Fides Camello- Cabacas (Kibawe, Bukidnon) - Kuwait; Carlita Crampatana-Navarro (Maramag) - Merced, California; Ledenilla Dajes-Allena - New York; Agnes Guro-Zulueta (Marawi City) - Kuwait; Meriam Jayson (Camp Phillips) - USA; Helen Grace Jose-Mendoza (Kibawe) - London; Maria Lucia Lacson- Ward (Patag) - Manassas, Virginia; Zenaida Manalo-Felipe (Cebu City) - Los Angeles, California; Gilda Mate-del Carpio (CdoC) - Fremont, California; Lina Reserva (Bugo, CdoC) - Hong Kong; Vangie Sapon-Musch (Patag, CdoC) - Europe; Mih Suan-Goc-Ong (Surigao City)- West Hills, California.

Jocelyn Argayoso-Villegas (JCA Realty); Ruth Artango-Casino - NMMC; Dra. Noemi Calvo-Requelme (Uao); Fe Chan- Maningas (Manila); Nenita Chua - (Chua Abalo Optical); Florina Fabe-DyCesar (DECS Nurse); Anita Nisperos (RHU nurse, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental); Lydia Pahujo-Gamboa (CI, LdCU); (Ret) Lt. Col. Edna Poblacion-Benitez, Warlina Salvo-Gamos - JRBMH.

These other classmates we don't have any contact but would welcome them any time -- Dulzora Balandra (Patag), Christina Egot (Libona), Myrna Gadian (El Salvador), Corazon Lamberte (Phillips), Rachel Mendoza (Claveria), Carmen Puerto vda de Ciudad (Kiburiao), Hazel Glenn Roxas (Alubijid), Maribel Valdez (Malaybalay) and Mindaluz Valdez (Malaybalay).

We were also able to connect with some of our clinical instructors and staff of Cagayan Doctor's Hospital: Marilou Bonita-Vizconde (LA, California), Susan Velasco (Scarsdale, New York), Luzminda Generalao (XU HS school nurse), Virginia Bagabaldo (CI, LdCU), Minda Ravanera, Joy Verdad (New Jersey), Olive Pacana (Atlantic City, New Jersey), Lily Calibara-Tongco (Georgia) and many others.

We shouldn't forget also our other schoolmates who are all successful in their own fields of specialties all over the world.

In 2014, our batch will be celebrating our 35th year and I am urging everyone to attend this very memorable event in our lives. Wouldn't it be nice to see "old" classmates and friends again after all these years? Am sure those bonding moments would last several days and memories reminisced! So far, we have been communicating and it seems everyone is excited and looking forward to this soiree.

Some have suggested a meaningful reunion with a medical mission (we are nurse,
aren't we?), feeding programs, donations of food, medical supplies, clothing, etc. Many things are going in our minds and thanks to this computer age, it is so easy to relay messages! It just needs a lot of cooperation and communication.

Who knows? 2014 is just three short years away!

To all our classmates (including the old curriculum batch, of course), prepare yourselves for several wonderful days and nights of fun, laughter, music and memories in 2014! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 24, 2011.

Ms. Lydia N. Robillos... Queen of Sugar Flowers

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
Thursday, March 17, 2011

IN THE 70's, there were only a handful of "bakeshops, snack shops and cake shops" rolled into one. And one of the pioneering legends in this entirely different edible world of art was a sweet lady by the name of Lydia. Her love for cooking was already in her when she enrolled at Notre Dame University in Cotabato City and finished her B.S. in Home Economics (minor in Filipino) way back in 1958.

Being the eldest of six siblings, she felt it was natural for her to do household chores, especially the cooking and baking. It was at the same university where she met, fell in love and eventually married her long time classmate (in some subjects), the dashing and mestizo Anselmo of Dumaguete City in 1954.

Their love affair started in Cotabato City. They were blessed with three kids (Bobby, Rosita and Rebecca). But since Mr. Robillos was connected with Elizalde International then as a sales agent, their family has to transfer to Butuan City and finally, to Camaman-an in Cagayan de Oro City in the 60's where they eventually settled down and had four more kids (Rhonda, Lily, Jun and Romy)

As if by God's will, Mommy Lydia (as she is fondly called), traveled to Manila to accompany her husband for a checkup where she took the advantage of enrolling in various culinary classes. One of whom was under Ms. Grace Mercado in Quezon City and another one whom she can't remember the name anymore, enrolling in both baking and flower making.

She can still vividly remember making her very first chiffon cake in a green colored, box-type, stove-stop oven, using her precious hand-held mixer, which takes hours (!) to reach the foam stage of the cake! Everybody in the family just loved her creations, since she also does a lot of "experimenting" with new recipes.

Rosita's Bakeshop, a simple snack shop with seven tables came into full swing in 1971 along RN Abejuela St. in Divisoria. It was accepted so well by Kagay-anons that it became a by-word. People from all walks of life enjoyed her very famous Pancit Palabok, which became her best seller. Aside from other snack items, Mommy Lydia also accepted cake orders for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions. A four-tiered cake costs only P4,000 then, complete with edible flowers and ribonettes, flower sprays that sometimes reaches a height of four feet!

But then, her love for flowers prevailed. She wanted to make realistic flowers from sugar. And she did it with gusto! Upon the invitation of her pen pal, Carol Helstad of Wisconsin in 1988, she flew to the United States to make a wedding cake for Carol's daughter. She made and hand-carried all the sugar flowers needed for the cake. And while there, Mommy Lydia visited the famous Wilton School of Cake Decorating to get more ideas.

In the 90's, Australia was the place for her. She finally enrolled in the more advanced gum paste flower making at the Cake Decorating School of Melbourne, Australia under the tutelage of Ian Pertzel. And that was the start of her love affair in the making of edible sugar exotic orchids and other flowers.

And the rest is history. Now, Ms Robillos makes hundreds of beautiful hand-crafted, realistic edible flowers a day and sells them to various bakeshops and cake shops in the city and neighboring towns. Her flowers even travel to various parts of the Philippines like Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga, Bukidnon, etc.

Chances are, if you get to see a birthday or wedding cake simply or lavishly decorated with attractive, fine-looking and gorgeous sugar flowers here in the city, it must have come from her artistic hands. And she does everything now at the comfort of her home in Camaman-an after she closed Rosita's Bakeshop many years ago.

Currently, Bobby lives and works in New York, Rosita (Diday) and Rebecca (Becky) are involved with Lily's edible flower export business in Manila, Rhonda is in L.A., California, Jun is in Australia while Romy is with them here in Cagayan de Oro. All of them are married and has given their parents 15 beautiful grandchildren.

And as a close and dear friend, "adopted" son and colleague in the baking and cake decorating industry, we exchange note every so often that a day never ends without me calling or her calling me. There was never any competition between us. We help each other and it is and will always be a mutually benefiting learning experience for both of us as we explore new trends and styles in the culinary arts.

At 78, Mama Lydia is still active and very keen on her flower making hobby and business. She is ably assisted by one of her granddaughters, Lydia Ruth (Pie-pie) who also has a very keen eye on beauty and arts. Mommy Lydia makes sure that every little detail of the flower should be made and crafted close to the real one as much as possible. Give her a real fresh flower and she will turn it into an amazing sugar flower!

In a couple of days, Mommy Lydia will be celebrating another milestone in her life. May she live to be a more than a hundred years old of good health so there will be continued sweetness and beauty in the industry where she get to create and share her God-given talents to the next generation and continue her legacy....as Queen of Sugar Flowers! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 17, 2011.

Best river rafting…so far!

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
Thursday, March 10, 2011

LAST January I got the chance of my life to try the 1st River Rafting Adventure’s “Beginners” section white river rafting with some friends from the United States.

Then in February, a month after, I went with the “local” celebrities for another fun-filled ride for a cause.

Those first two rafting were filled with excitements and thrill because it was truly a first and an enjoyable endeavor! The water was almost crystal clear, cool, invigorating and refreshing. The weather was very cooperative. The sun was behind those clouds and peeping only just for a few seconds at a time.

Come March, I was given another opportunity to do the rafting adventure again. Wow! That is once a month for the past three months! But this time, it was the “Advance One” course. The beginners section is composed of 12.32 kilometers of 14 rapids while the advance one course has seven more breathtaking, awesome and exhilarating rapids, which comes one after the other after a short period of “rest.” Rest, meaning the water is calm.

That means an additional 7.78 kilometers roughly of fun and screams! The rapids were closer in-between and longer. The sun was out and the sky is blue but the cool breeze made us forget the heat. Not to forget of course, the splashes of water we get when we hit the rapids, which is remarkably soothing.

For the beginner’s course, one has to travel up to Aura, Mambuaya (a few kilometers away from the airport).As for the advance one, the starting point is at Barangay Ugiaban, Talakag, Bukidnon, which is further up from Aura. Everyone is then given safety gears to wear, like helmet and floaters, and basic safety orientation prior to the trip. It was Ricky, a very knowledgeable guide, who did all the talking. Then we picked up our paddles and it was time for us to go, go, go!

Wilhelm D. Chua, a nationally acclaimed fashion designer and icon who became a sensation in the 80’s with his one of a kind creations and fashion style who dressed major big stars and singers (like Susan Roces, Lorna Tolentino, Rio Locsin, Alma Moreno, Gina Alajar to name a few) and luminaries was here together with his six other female friends, namely Norma Chua, business woman (school and office supplies); Roreen Tan, Security Bank Branch Manager; Rita Tan (printing press business); Julie Yan of Gracewealth Enterprises (makers of starwash soap detergent); Gloria Chua of Zangolt Auto Supply; and Michelle Sy over the weekend for some fun-filled activities.

Being my cousin from my father’s side (his mom is my dad’s younger sister), Wilhelm has been to Cagayan de Oro a few times, far and in-between. He made our wedding attire in ’91, then my nieces’ entourage in 2000. But it was only this time that he got to try this “wild” ride. Together with his six other friends and me, we had the time of our lives, I should say!

I actually convinced them to do the advance one because I can feel that this one would be a lot more adventurous than the basic beginner’s course. And I was proven right! They were all screaming when we hit the rapids. And so did I. The cool water splashing on our faces and bodies, it was unbelievably ecstatic! Although the water wasn’t as “clear” as the first two rafting I did before, it was still worth everything!

One of his friends wasn’t really keen on trying this adventure but eventually gave in. And was in for a lot of surprise and fun! She just couldn’t stop talking about her new found bold undertaking! And I get the feeling that they would come back again soon and try the advance 2 course!

The rafting adventure brought the kid in us. We were truly amazed with the lush greeneries, the wild flowers, wild animals and of course, nature’s architectures and wonders! Our expert guide, Democrito “Tata” Dalauta, was very playful and cracked a lot of jokes on the way, explaining and pointing to us some exciting and interesting facts along the way. Aside from the exciting adventure, it was also indeed very educational.

End point was at the Kabula Grill, a quaint and native-inspired place owned and operated by couple Bong and Rosell Yanez, originally from Iligan City, where we had our lunch of barbeque, atchara and rice with a bottle of soda

What also made it more unforgettable was the “picture-picture” taking by their “official photographer,” Temio, who was on a kayak. He took photos in most of the areas where he knows we would be screaming and shouting and be at our “odd” behavior! Where else? At the rapids, of course! These pictures, I should say, speak more than a thousand words and will forever be kept or displayed in a place where everyone can see and envy!

On the other hand, it will always be in our “Facebooks” to show to the world that we “survived” the rapids! And I also believe it would also be our own little way of promoting Cagayan de Oro City’s great tourist attraction and adventure to everyone.

So, what are you all waiting for? Come and try the best thing that could happen to you! Conquer your fear (although it is not scary or dangerous at all as believed and thought) and be one with God’s creation, even for just a couple of hours. Believe me, I did!

Many thanks to owners Rupert and Malou Domingo and their equally friendly and hospitable staff of 1st Rafting Adventure for these fun-filled activities. Truly, the best in the entire nation, if not the whole world! Looking forward to trying the “Advance 2” course in the very near future.

Have fun and enjoy life! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 10, 2011.

Liceo de Cagayan University alumni homecoming '11

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

AN ANNUAL activity of the Liceo de Cagayan University Alumni Association Inc. (LdCUAA) is the Homecoming Festivities held at the University Gymnasium inside the school's campus.

Instead of holding it on the last Sunday of February, it was changed instead to the last Saturday of the month this year to give way to the many alumni who normally couldn't make it on a Sunday.

A Holy mass was celebrated early in the afternoon before all the other activities started. Fun and games kicked off the festivities joined by several groups of graduates of different colleges after all the welcoming notes.

I came in late because I was with a group of other "local celebrities" having the fun of our lives enjoying river rafting along the famous Cagayan de Oro, courtesy of 1st Rafting Adventure and Ardison Arsua, marketing manager and image consultant, earlier that day. The sun was hiding so it was really nice, minus the sunburn after the thrill ride. Finally, I dipped into the river for the very first time and the water was cool and clear. It was just awesome!

As I made it into the gymnasium, old (no pun intended) and young graduates were having so much fun with games ably hosted by Ms. Arlen May 'Amber' Baqui. I didn't get to see it because I was already having my own fun meeting and bonding with friends, classmates, schoolmates and acquaintances. And of course, taking pictures!

Several song and dance numbers were presented by the different colleges and delighted everyone present. I tried to tour the campus but it was drizzling so I really didn't get to take more photos as planned. At any rate, there were more talking, as expected, and exchanges of notes and other stuffs, just what an alumnus would do in events like this. Election of 15 new board members for years 2011-2013 was held with Ms. Evangeline Cabe as in charge.

Later in the evening, the formal get-together finally kicked off with more songs and dance. Dr. Mariano Lerin, University President, was around and gave a brief talk. Honorable Congressman Rufus Rodriguez was our guest speaker for the evening and charmed everyone with his charisma! Almost everyone had their share of photo opportunity with the Congressman which I am sure they will treasure for a long time!

Two scholarship grants were given by the congressman to the University with the contract signing done by him and Dr. Lerin.

Congressman Rufus also promised to give another scholarship, care-of his brother, Maximo Rodriguez Jr. through Abante Mindanao.

The newly elected board members also had their oath-taking and were sworn into office by no less than the Congressman himself.

With the 4th ID band providing the music, Congressman Rufus, who is a graceful dancer himself, also gamely danced with the alumni. Several gift packs and prices were raffled off. Top prizes included electric fans and a television set. The night affair was hosted by another nurse, Ms. Jean Tulang, who now works in the media.

On my part, I was so glad to have attended this affair because I was able to reconnect myself with my alma mater and several classmates and friends. Being a nursing graduate of this institution, I also had the chance to teach here in the college of nursing, school of midwifery and health aide many years ago.

Actually, I should mention these three people who were present but are now working abroad: Ms. Rosanna Navarro-Udasco (Nursing Class '78) - Chief Nurse in one of the hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Bodol (sorry I can only remember his nickname) and his lovely wife, Ms. Agnes Paluga-Ceballos (Nursing Class '90) - Nurse in London, England.

And of course, the several pioneering graduates of Nursing (Class '77), who will be celebrating their 35th year next year, and the nurses of Class '78 in 2012.

A once-a-year affair, it would always be nice to party with classmates and the like and also visit your alma mater which has grown so much in terms of structures, amenities, offerings and many others throughout the years. For those who haven't been at the Liceo lately, why not drop by and see the changes yourself?

See you all again next February 2012 and let's have fun! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 03, 2011.

Of reunions and homecomings

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN

Thursday, February 24, 2011

I HAVE noticed and realized for the past several years that there is an increase in the number of gatherings and coming together with old friends and classmates, both here and abroad.

Although I know for a fact that this has been going on for so long but it is just recently that everybody's making a big deal out of these activities and I really find it very interesting and fun, connecting and being with old (no pun intended) acquaintances in special events and activities.

After graduating my basic education at the Fatima College of Camiguin, high school from Philippine Chin Hwa School (Academy) and college from Liceo de Cagayan and Xavier University, I find myself longing and looking for former classmates to "bond" with again from time to time. And I am quite sure most of us do.

Thanks to cell phones, email adds, Friendster, Multiply, tweeter, Facebook and all these great social networking on the web, we get to connect with most of them. Although we don't really get to see them personally, we can chat through YM, Skype and others using webcams and see for ourselves how our friends look like now.

Since Mambajao, Camiguin is a small town, practically everybody knows everyone. So, it was quite easy to reconnect with my elementary classmates unless they have migrated somewhere else without leaving a trace. A lot of my classmates and friends have left this lovely laid-back town and transferred somewhere else, like the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and many parts of Europe, seeking greener pastures. Most of them had married people from those places and settled down there with their families.

High school was different. I was enrolled in a school where we had a mixture of students from all over the Philippines and a handful of people from Hong Kong. And there were few pictures to look at. And I cannot even say I was close to all my classmates then. Good thing I have a crude "autograph" where most of my classmates were able to sign it, except for a few. Addresses are no longer accurate because of some changes while phone numbers are now totally different.

College was not as bad because again, Cagayan de Oro City used to be a "small" city and everybody seems to know everyone, except for those who are not from here. But chances are, a friend would know someone you know. So there is this connection in some way, although it might take some time.

With all these social networking, it is easier to re-establish communications with friends unless again, their names had been changed due to marriages. It is therefore, easy to find a guy's name than a lady's name unless they had their maiden names listed, too.

Speaking through experience, I am overwhelmed with the fact that I get to find friends through this and at the same time, they also got to find me. Isn't that amazing?

However, coming together as one, as in, reunions or homecomings, has to be planned ahead (usually, a year or more!) because of tight schedules and work. Not to forget also the financial capabilities of those concerned. Yes, we do get to meet our friends from time to time, but it is always just a handful. Even our families, we don't even get to see them every day because most of us have families of their own.

But thanks to Christmas, New Years, weddings and birthdays, we would always have to chance to spend time together on these special occasions, aside from other holidays and special occasions that comes once a year or once a lifetime.

Recently I got connected to a few former high school classmates through the net. And I should say it was really unbelievable. After more than 35 years without communications! I just hope that one day, we will get to see each other and have fun reminiscing the past. That's what we all got right now, don't we?

Then just recently, I also had the opportunity of meeting my high school "barkada" when he came over. The chance of seeing him was almost impossible, if not for his son who works in a restaurant in Manila. I was having dinner with another friend when this "waiter" spoke in the Visayan dialect. Curious enough, I asked several questions and found out he was the son of my classmate. The rest, as they say, is history.

Elementary, high school, Nursing and Biology classmates, (even my former medical school classmates) and former students of mine (a lot of them very successful in their fields now, in almost all parts of the world) had reconnected and we are still trying to reconnect with those who are not yet in our circle of friends. It is also very interesting to note that I was also able to get in touch with former teachers and instructors, even former owners/administrators of the schools I went to.

Calling those who are not and have not connected, please do so. Wouldn't it be nice to see each other again after all these years?

Try to attend class reunions and school homecomings. It will be worth all your time. It is a small world, after all! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 25, 2011.

Amazing two days adventure

By Chef Ed Dychauco

TWO weeks ago, I have several friends who came over to visit. Actually, their dad, the late Daniel Sacupayo, was a former high school classmate of my mom at Camiguin Institute (now Fatima College of Camiguin). And they are Pamela, Tony and Megan Mendoza from Chicago, Leah and Tony Abarrientos of California, Glothelda "Gigi" Rivera from Tarlac and Patricia Danna Lariba (daughter of Iralyn) from Quezon City.

The first time I get to meet Tony, Pamela and Megan was almost 20 years ago in Chicago. I was there to attend a two to three-day Nursing Seminar and stayed with them. Megan was like only four or five years old then. But instead of getting around Chicago, it was hit with a huge snow storm and I ended up spending the rest of the week at their home. The snow was like four to five inches high. And there was no place to go. Well, except for one place that I had the chance to "peep" because it was the weekend and the store was closed. It was a heaven for cake enthusiasts and decorator, the Wilton Cake Decorating Company.

I drooled over their cake accessories. But that was it. Fast forward to this day. Thanks to the modern technology and FB, I got to get in touch with them, especially Megan, who became my constant "chat mate." To make the story short, I ordered some Wilton products which they brought with them when they came over. And to my surprise, they gave those great items to me instead! I was ecstatic over those items, but of course, seeing them after 20 years or so was more than enough.

There are four sisters in the family, two nurses, a lawyer and a doctor. Both nurses, Pamela (or Gingging) and Leah lives in the US with their families. Gigi is a very successful Ob-Gyn in Tarlac while Iralyn is a lawyer who now resides in Quezon City.

I was late in picking them up in the airport because of the ongoing construction and rerouting of the major roads. But it gave the chance to take more photos. Showing to our Cagayan de Oro's famous hospitality and tourist spots, I also had the chance of my life enjoying these spectacular places, too.

First stop was Dahilayan Adventure Park. It was awesome and amazing. The weather was really good, cool and breezy. Feels like spring time in New York! My friends enjoyed the ride compared to the one they had in Subic. I guess it is also because of the scenery, the lush pine trees and the view in particular. On our way, we also took pictures of the pineapple plantation in Camp Phillips and had our late lunch/early dinner there, savoring their famous steak and of course, pure pineapple juice!

The following day was spent in the rapids. The white-water rafting was fantastic! According to them, this was their highlight during their trip here. The water was crystal clear and we can see the rocks and stones. The sun was hiding beneath those clouds so we didn't get sunburned. It was one thing they said they would do again if they get to come back. But this time, they'd go for the more advanced rafting. Not that the beginners was not exciting, but it would be more thrilling. Besides, it's pretty safe. The sceneries were incredibly different and amazing. We got to see some wild animals along the way, too, which was a big plus factor!

The guides were very good and we had fun with the "picture-picture" by their kayaking photographer. What we missed was asking them for a video instead. That would have captured the moment, the fun, the shrieks, the shouting and the splashes of water! Thanks to the Domingos and their guides of 1st River Rafting Adventure. Personally, I have to really say "Thank you" to them myself because I get to try this, for the very first time and it was free!

It took about four hours but it was worth it. The end point was at a restaurant owned by a friend. But instead of having lunch there, we have to leave because a lunch date was waiting in Bulua. A former classmate of Leah and Gingging invited us for lunch. A feast of sea foods was what we had. And of course, the bonding time. Later in the afternoon was spent shopping.

Finally we had a late dinner at Sentro 1850 Restaurant. They enjoyed the food as well. It was a sharing of the different menus they have.

After two exciting and fun-filled days, it was time for them to leave. They were supposed to go to Cantilan, Surigao but I understand they were not able to push through because of the typhoon. In fact, the airport in Butuan City was flooded so they have to go to Davao City to take the flight for Manila.

As of this writing, they are now back in their home places and what we have now are just memories. Good memories which will linger forever. (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 17, 2011.