CRISTY IN THE CITY

Saturday, November 30, 2024

The Patrimony of All: Paintings from the Lopez Museum and Library Collection

The Patrimony of All (Ang Panublion Sang Tanan): Paintings from the Lopez Museum and Library Collection is currently on exhibit at the Performing Arts Hall, Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage at the University of the Philippine in the Visayas until April 25, 2025.

Featuring 16 masterpieces from renowned Filipino masters Juan Luna, Felix Resurrection Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo and Juan Arellano, the exhibit gives Ilonggos the rare privilege of seeing up close the works in a thematic quadrant of "In Light of Country" by Arellano; "Myth and History" by Hidalgo; "Dream and Daily Life" by Luna and "Kin in Place" by Amorsolo. Notably, the exhibition is housed at the historical main building of UP in the Visayas designed by the architect and painter himself Juan Arellano way back in 1935. Built in neo-classical style, the building is but a fitting and glorious temporary repository of the collection which is a loan from the Lopez Museum and Library. It was the first time that the collection was brought outside of Manila to Iloilo City, hometown of the illustrious Lopez clan.

In his curator notes, Patrick Flores writes, "Inspired by the words of the quintessential hero Jose Rizal, the exhibition lives by the promise of the Filipino artistic talent being the 'patrimony of all.' Rizal exalted Luna and Hidalgo in Madrid in 1884 when both painters were conferred high honors at an internal exposition. 'Genius knows no country,' Rizal exclaimed; it is the inheritance of everyone, present in nature and birthright of both people and homeland deserving the fullness of freedom."

My favorite in the collection would have to be the idyllic and bucolic works of Fernando Amorsolo as I love themes of dreamy, provincial and family life. I always consider art viewing as a spiritual awakening of sorts. When faced with artistic genius, one is jolted out of the prosaic monotony of life and pulled towards a sublime and beautiful transcendence.

The artistic panublion of Luna, Hidalgo, Amorsolo and Arellano master is something every Ilonggo should not miss. The Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage at UP in the Visayas (UPV MACH) is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Thai and Viet flavors at Lemongrass and Chili

Vietnam and Thailand are awesome destinations for culinary and gastronomic adventures. If you find yourself dreaming of a trip to Bangkok and Ho Chin Minh for a gastronomic getaway, you are just a few steps away from savoring both cuisines at Lemongrass and Chili, a newly opened restaurant specializing in Thai and Vietnamese food. Located at El 98 Jaro (beside Shakey's Pizza), the restaurant offers popular dishes such Pad Thai, Pho, Vietnamese coffee and Mango Sticky Rice.

For my second visit to Lemongrass and Chili, I tried their Thai Summer Delight, a refreshing concoction of lychee, green apple, lime and basil seeds. A perfect drink on a hot and humid evening! Meanwhile, Thai appetizer crispy fried tofu will whet your appetite with its perfectly seasoned, crispy flavor. Hau Kieu Viet (Viet Style Oysters) will make your tongue sing a happy tune. Topped with peanuts, green onions and sweet and spicy sauce, it's a different take on the local oysters that we enjoy steamed or baked.

Pad Thai Shrimp wrapped in egg is another dish worth ordering. Although I cannot taste the distinctive tamarind flavor in the dish, it still is a good dish. How I wish the serving was bigger though.

Thai Roti Dip with curry sauce was another appetizer I ordered belatedly while I was enjoying the Pad Thai. I quite like the the roti wedges as I could taste a hint of sweet potato. The curry dip was wonderful. It was mildly spicy and perfect for dipping.

Of course, the meal had to end with something sweet so Mango Sticky Rice it is! This is an extremely popular Thai dessert made of glutinous rice topped with coconut cream, bits of chopped peanuts and served with fresh mangoes on the side. Truly a divine happy ending for a wonderful Thai-Vietnamese dinner!

If you want to bring home a taste of Thai-Viet flavors, snacks and Vietnamese coffee grounds are available for takeaway.

Lemongrass and Chili Thai-Viet Restaurant

916 El 98 Street, Jaro, Iloilo City ( 2nd floor of the building beside Shakey's Jaro)

Email: lemongrasschilithaivietresto@gmail.com

Website: www.lemongrassandchili.com

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Make a home cafe

It's amazing how Iloilo City has become a coffee town almost overnight. After the pandemic, cafes and pop-up coffee shops started sprouting everywhere. The burgeoning cafe culture was largely driven by the millennial and Gen Z market who are after a curated, IG worthy coffee experience. For Gen-Xers like myself, I would rather relax in my jammies and enjoy my favorite brew in the privacy of my own coffee corner.

First things first. If you love coffee because of the caffeine and motivational fix, you are better off making a coffee corner at home. It will give you due satisfaction and save you a lot of money in the long run. Indulging in your favorite Starbucks coffee on a regular basis can dent your budget but making your own gourmet coffee is a good return of investment. Find a corner in your dining room or kitchen where you can set up a mini coffee bar and acquire the essentials bit by bit.

The essentials

Coffeemaker or espresso machine

Moka pot

Coffee dripper (Kalita brand is a good one)

Unbleached coffee filters

Coffee cups and coasters

Electric water kettle or an old-fashioned kettle

Coffee beans or ground coffee (grind may vary for espresso, drip or coffeemakers)

For Japan made coffee accoutrements, visit Domo Domo Japan Surplus. They have a curated section of quality coffee accessories.

Coffee 101

Check out excellent coffee making manuals such as Jeff Hoffman's How to Make the Best Coffee at Home and The Home Cafe: Creative Recipes for Espresso, Matcha, Tea and Coffee Drinks.

Decorate your coffee bar

There are cute and collectible coffee inspired decor and coffee ware that you can add to your coffee bar. Look out for some seriously coffee accessories on Instagram and even on Temu.

Choose your beans

Coffee connoisseur or not, you can explore the world of coffee right in your own home. If you're feeling timid about what beans to choose, you can try local gourmet brands available in grocery stores. Check out local gourmet brands for refined choices or scour Shopee or Lazada for local and international brands. A 250 grams bag of ground coffee usually makes 20 cups. If you're feeling fancy, consider Illy or Lavazza ground coffee. Compute the amount you pay for a standard cup of coffee times the number of cups you can make from a bag of ground beans. Do the math! It's practical caffeine fix in the long run!

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Under a gingko and maple sky

Autumn's remembrance lingers like a sweet daydream. Imagine russet maple leaves framing a sunset sky and soft breezes rustling through golden gingko trees. Imagine filling your lungs with pine-scented chilly air, soaking in the view of trees and foliage in peak autumn color. That is my autumn memory from last year's November trip to one of Tokyo's parks and temples. I don't know why I am so drawn to this dark, melancholic season that preludes winter. There is just something about nature's last hurrah-a strange explosion of color before it closes shop for the season. The hibernation that follows has a beauty all of its own. As a midlife woman, I feel a special kinship to autumn more than ever. It's amazing how our physical age mirrors that of nature and we are invited to embrace change in a cyclical kind of way. Yes, midlife is autumn and I am loving it.

Just as sakura or cherry blossoms symbolize spring, the foliage of maple (Japanese maple in particular) and gingko trees celebrate traditional autumnal beauty. The shape of maple and the gingko find their way into ceramic arts, handmade crafts, home decor and seasonal lore.

Autumn will always mesmerize us with her mystery. All we have to do is look up to that deep blue autumn sky and embrace our own kind of magic as we transition through the seasons.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

November to remember

Ahh, November. No season sweeter than you! Aside from it being my birthday month, November is full of autumnal magic with Halloween and Dia de los Muertos spreading mystical, enchanting vibes. My Persian cat Hana Grey is turning one as well so that's the cherry on the cake!

Suman rice bday cupcake

It's also my last year in my 40's era so I'm feeling grateful and nervous of what the next decade will bring. Sometimes I don't feel as young as I used to but I try to keep my inner child happy and free.

I'm grateful and blessed for this life. The best is yet to come.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Pet Express at SM City Iloilo

When I'm in Manila, I usually drop by Pet Express for hard to find cat food brands or accessories. I've been hoping the store would open a branch in Iloilo City to cater to the needs of a growing furparent market. For people with pets that are fussy eaters or need special dietary regimen or pampering, Pet Express offers all kinds of local and mostly imported pet food and supplements as well as pet carriers and cute furniture.

Compared to your neighborhood veterinary supplies store, Pet Express offers an extensive array of vitamins, food toppers and pet food brands that you will only find online. Cheers to that kind of convenience!

Visit Pet Express at the 2nd level of SM City Department Store (near the cooking and bakeware section) to explore products your precious fur babies might enjoy.