High seated, the pedicab driver called on passengers unloading from a bus at the San Carlos City terminal in Negros Occidental, motioning them to come near him. Some just walked past but I approached and after telling the driver to take me to the pier, I was off in a jiffy.

The best lechon (roast pig) in the Philippines is found in Cebu. And the best one in Cebu is traditionally from Talisay City. Twelve kilometers south of Cebu City and facing the rising sun, it is where my roots are from. My hometown.

There are so many things in Macau that for the uninitiated, will be surprised by the variety this small territory has to offer. It’s not at all a sin city that is governed by the roll of a dice, the flash of cards, or the turn of the roulette at the casino. Macau is one interesting enclave that is a blend of the old and the new, the exotic and the familiar.

Little Turtle’s cantonese dishes wowed us when we tried it. But discovering other aspects of Macau cuisine was a pleasant discovery that have parallels with our own. These three restaurants showcase what Macau food is all about, with a bent on Portuguese and Macanese.

It was enough to make me close my eyes in ecstasy, savoring the succulent and tender meat of Norwegian salmon loin while I was trying to think of adjectives to describe that piece of heaven.

I will be eating lechon, with its crispy and succulent skin; artery clogging and crunchy ginabot as well as melt in your mouth humba. And not to be forgotten, overpriced pungko-pungko (roadside eatery of mostly deep fried fare), plastic gloved and eating in Larsian for barbecue, and just sumptuous siomai. Cebu, here I come!

You will better know a country and its people through their food and Macau is one destination that a gourmand should never miss. Like Filipino cuisine, it’s good fusion food, a beautiful marriage of the orient and the occident plus modern international dishes.

The surroundings were luxurious with opulent decors. Nothing has been spared: thick carpeting, expensive dinner ware, large tables with immaculate white covers and plush seats. Couple this with stunning views of Cotai Strip. And of course, good food.

After one has visited most of the major sights, there are still some sidetrips that the traveler and tourist can do: museums, night walks, markets and beautiful modern architecture.

The Venetian in Macau is bigger than it’s Las Vegas brother. The gondolas and faux facade gives you a taste of what Venice is about with singing gondoliers, multicolored building fronts and even a mechanically moving sky. Its a shopping mecca with a spectacular Cirque du Soleil production.

I got curious with it as I didn’t really understood what it meant. Even the supervisor or anyone at the restaurant was in a quandary. But the dish was infront of me in all its delicious splendor glistening and beckoning me to taste it.

I just miss going home to Cebu. I won’t mind riding the long way home via Bicol or Masbate or even Mindoro. The important thing is that I will just be in my old room for a few days or even for a few weeks.

Susie’s Cuisine in Nepo Mart is one of the popular restaurants in Angeles City, Pampanga. And a visit will keep you asking for more with its trademark tibok-tibok and other other dishes perfect for merienda and pasalubong.

Bahala nang mabaho basta masarap (Never mind the smell as long as its delicious).

No. I wasn’t talking about things in the nether regions. You. Dirty minded you.

With no other choice, we were at Angeles City’s red light district, near the infamous Fields Avenue for dinner as there were no other restaurants open. When we were about to leave, the owner invited us for some videoke. It was Good Friday.

Two old towns, Carcar in Cebu and Angeles City in Pampanga have antique Santo Intierro but less the attached rituals and the Good Friday procession is a bit solemn.

Across the country’s Catholic churches are full of the faithful and after the 3 PM activities, typically the Sieta Palabras and reenactments of the death of Christ, the people venerate the cross. Just like in Argao and Carcar.

It was my first time to witness an actual crucifixion, an unexpected experience as I didn’t know until I saw the poster in Angeles City. But like any other things, I was more curious on how it goes.

It was all over me, specks of red on my camera and camera bag, shorts, legs, arms and shoes as well as face. I was splattered with blood following the flagellants at Lourdes Northwest, Angeles City. Pampanga.