I <3 Zubuchon

I like lechon Cebu. I like it because I can enjoy it even without the hideous looking liver sauce that I really find blech.

CnT was probably the most popular roast pig from Cebu until acclaimed author and chef Anthony Bourdain called Zubuchon “the best pig in the world”.

Haters Friends told me Zubuchon is  saltier, more expensive (+50-70php… so it’s around 480-520 a kilo?), and less fatty (an atrocity to my cholesterol-loving bud na itatago ko na lang sa pangalang Dave Abelarde).

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Thanks Zo for the pasalubong!

When my friend Enzo went to Mactan and asked if I wanted otap or lechon for pasalubong, of course I answered lechon!!! Kasi hello, bakit naman otap ang pipiliin ko? Haha, it was the opportune time to try Zubuchon and see if my friends were right.

Zo gave me a kilo of frozen lechon. I fried it. Three words- FRIED.LECHON.SKIN. Thanks to my Cebu-based friend Carla for introducing me to this gastronomic delight! Bless all piggies for making me a happy little foodie.

I served the fried Zubuchon with white rice topped with garlic chips, sliced cucumbers with a dipping sauce of cane vinegar, red onions, cracked black pepper, and brown sugar.

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fried Zubuchon for lunch (the first of many hahaha)

Did I like Bourdain’s favorite pig? Yes! I didn’t find it too salty. I was able to enjoy it without rice. Ewan ko lang ha pero sa CnT ako naaalatan. I like CnT lechon pero hindi ko kayang papakin kasi feeling ko magkakasakit ako sa bato on the spot. Zubuchon’s less fatty. Yay for me, boo for Dave. My bad cholesterol’s slightly elevated so I’d like to believe that this lechon is diet-friendly. I also liked that the lemongrass taste was more pronounced. But hey, I got it frozen so I have yet to eat and judge when it’s freshly roasted.

And so, for that… Cebu, see you next year! 😉

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listening to: Don’t Go BACON My Heart

Cebu 2k9

My first intention was to flood my trip to Cebu entry with photos, but I figured most of the people that care about it can see the pics in my Facebook and (soon) in my Multiply anyway.

With that, let me just share the most significant moments in the Queen City of The South immortalized in digiphotos. Three per day!

Day 1 / August 6 / Thursday

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I experienced my very first plane ride. I shit you not. Yaaay! Loved it– especially the take off– except the pain in my ears! Props to Joko for being by my side even if she placed me nearest the emergency exit. Hence, the prayer “Dear God, please help me because I need to help others as well. Amen.”

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Day 1 was historical pasyal day. Places visited: Magellan Shrine, Lapu-Lapu Shrine, Magellan’s Cross, Fort Santiago, Basilica Minore de Santo Niño etc etc. I’m sharing this pic from Alegre Guitars just because I think it’s o for owww-some! Thanks to Mikiboo and her owww-some skills and cam!

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My trip would not be complete without a gimik night! Went to Vudu (as recommended by at least 5 people from my FB contacts). It was Band Night. Pandora was great. Kickass vocalist (ex-vox of Cueshe). Yaaaay for Mr. Brightside and Katy Perry songs! Another small world incident. Met three guys from the south. Not south as in Cebu– ALABANG. Sphere of existence. Hello TJ, Paco and Gelo!

Day 2 / August 7 / Friday

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Despite my six-hour sleep, I woke up at 10ish for my first Casa Escano breakfast. Daing na bangus, fried egg, garlic rice, achara, sikwate, banana-walnut waffle, cinnamon french toast and hash browns. Sino ba naman ang hindi gigising para d’yan?

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I went back to bed after my big breakfast and woke up at around 5pm to go to Waterfront. For what? Dinner! Say what? Oo, na. Dinner. Gumigising lang ako para kumain. I was that sleepy and I am this takaw. Yum-yum-yummy dinner c/o Kasuy who celebrated her 25th birthday with lots of red meat, good friends and dozens of pictures.

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Margaritas before going to bed! When we wake up, we will be wearing dresses the same color as our margaritas… So excited for Carla and Mike… 🙂

Day 3 / August 8 / Saturday

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Daddy Panda and Mommy Panda are now officially Mr. and Mrs. Manaloto! Their wedding’s the most beautiful I’ve ever gone to. Love was all around. I felt it in my fingers and I felt it in my tores. LOL. I would like to have that kind of wedding someday. Someday, like tomorrow.

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Vistamar with 1/3 of the entourage in the afternoon. Surreal looking at Carla and Mike knowing they’re already husband and wife. Nakanang…. ang galing! *apir pandas!* Anyhoots, one good reason to go back to Cebu: beachbumming!!! We were too tired and too late to enjoy Mactan. We lounged by the pool instead…

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and ate a lot! Wooooot for the 50% off! Yaaaaayyyy sinigang and chicken chicharon and eggplant-mango salad! And free ice cream c/o Kassy’s sugod-kusina moment. Hahaha. Fun times with great friends and great food.

Day 4 / August 9 / Sunday

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Joks and I woke up early to have breakfast (huhuhuhu last Escano breakfast) and to go to Tabo-an. Wheee! Danggit! Longanisa! Dried Pusit! Otaaaaaapppp! Amoy danggit pa rin ako pagbalik namin sa Casa Escano. Good thing we listened to the Cebuanos not to take a bath before going there. :p

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Lunch @ Mike’s (we love Casa Manaloto!!!) then Taoist Temple at Beverly Hills before going to Crown Regency for the Skywalk and Edge Coaster. Nope, I didn’t brave the heights. Pwede ba, sa elevator pa nga lang, I was freaking out na. Hehe.

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Had dinner at Mike’s after the thrill of heights. Nasabi ko na ba na we love Casa Manaloto? Hehe. After a fast and furious dinner, we headed to the airport and bid Cebu farewell. Sorry hindi ko natutuhan what’s bye-bye in Cebuano. No worries, aalamin ko ‘yan when I go back.

I am most def going back to Cebu!

Hoy Lechon, magtutuos pa tayo uli!!!

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listening to: Lady Gaga – Eh Eh

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