Grew up in Cavite City and proud to be a Cavitena. Spent 34 years of my existence there and now I'm missing Cavite City bigtime! I was once running the street of Kalye Marino. Woke up at around 4am from the chanting of the militaries and navies jogging around 'cause we are near Sangley Point. I could still remember their chant...
" Jogging, Jogging! Jogging, jogging,
Bibili ng pandesal, bibili ng pandesal,
Sa may tindahan, sa may tindahan,
Mantikilya palaman, mantikilya palaman"
It was said twice because the commandant shouting first and the privates seconded. Bought pandesal at Tony's Bakery and waiting for the siren at Sangley Point that signals eight o'clock and time to bring out the panderacion . A lot of panderacion lovers were already waiting. I admire their tinderas, 'though its burning hot they'll pick it up with bare hands. I remember pandesal was sold for 6pcs for 1peso and the panderacion was 1.25ea. That was way back in the 80s hehehe The pandesal and kisilyo in Dizons and Loyal bakeries. Pan Antigua's pandesal and tamales, also the Robinson's tamales. Yum, yum, yum.
I'd also remember the kare-kare every Sunday at Cagayan (tabi ng tangke). I forgot the name of the lady who sells that but it was superb. The butsi and tikoy sells at the old mercado (market), the banana cue beside Carlo's drug store, those we're always my Mamang's pasalubong and if she had money the siopao at Pat's bakery. I miss my childhood!
I could even taste the tacos and halo-halo at zelcors. If you got hungry and your still in the market hadn't you stop at rachie's and ordered tapsilog? I also love their halo-halo by the way.
Birthdays, debuts, anniversaries, receptions who among Cavitenos who will not think of Chefoo Restaurant? It was already an institution among cavitenos who's looking for good food during celebrations. I so love the fried chicken!
I'd also remember ordering pansit at Mario's. I was so little then but I could still savor the impeccable taste of their pansit.
And those strolling at night, have you stop at Claud Cafe. Have you tried their fried rice and fried chicken? How about lugaw ni Bebang? (ansarap pampainit sa tyan). When it comes to lugaw I prefered Bebang 'though lugaw in Botchoks and Violy's are also delish but Bebangs is my first choice. Speaking of Violy's, the chaotic scene there before and during lunch time. I'd also been a regular customer ordering kare-kare, BBQ, menudo, caldereta etc. etc. etc. and in the afternoon the puto bungbong in the stall beside Violy's and also the bibingka at Perla Cinema. There's really a lot to miss in Cavite City.
I've heard of the Muralla, the night food market along Samonte Park. Looking forward to try all the food stalls there. I also want to revisit Fort San Felipe to have a glimpse of the old cavite. No need to travel far to be mesmerize with this 1600 historic structure. I was also surprised to learnt that Corregidor was a part of Cavite City. I wish there's a tour from Cavite City to Corregidor so that locals could also appreciate the amazing ruins left of world war II that best describe the richness of our city.
Sunset at checkpoint. The mixing of fiery orange, love-red colour of the sky that is so tranquil. Peaceful, content, solemn, the cold-warmth feeling of the sun as it began to hide itself.
Cavite City fiesta. Celebrating every second Sunday of November. The busy streets filled with happy people. The warmth hospitality of every families that welcomes all guests on their homes. The lavish dishes serve on their buffet table. It really was a festival of foods, people and tradition of the city.
REGADA!!! Cavite City water festival! Tubig!!! Tubig!!! Tubig!!! What else can I say but "Rock n' Roll"!!!
Oh Cavite City! How I miss you Cavite City! Wish you'll come back on your glory days. The City known for it's finest. The city of the Aristocrats. I'll come back to you or should I say I shall return! :)
