It was my first time to celebrate Christmas again in the Philippines after five years celebrating it in the air or in the airport. I was excited remembering how Christmas is celebrated before I left home, but I think I expected too much. I was disappointed, it is not the Christmas I remember not the atmosphere I am expecting.

Like, I am expecting carollers at night when ber months started but it was almost Christmas can’t hear any single of them; it turns out carolling now a day required a permit to do so, to avoid scamming money from every households. It was a good intention but the season of giving is slowly fading, the love of Christmas is disappearing. Sometimes I wonder if Christmas was really like this in the heart of an adult, I mean did I overgrown Christmas? Because it seems children are the only one excited when Christmas comes, while parents are in deep thoughts where to get new clothes for them.

I always go to church night before Christmas, was surprised when it was moved on 23^rd rather than 24^th it says to give quality time for the family to celebrate Christmas dinner. It was a rainy night, was not able to attend the service because of personal reasons, but went over when the second part started. It was a downer because even at the church there’s not so much preparation, they only hosted Christmas singing contest, unlike the old days there’s a Christmas concert, or re-enactment how Jesus was born and then when the contest was finished it was an exchange gift that I should say a disappointment too.

We prepared food for Christmas but maybe since it was raining nobody came around not until the morning.

I have been to different countries but I have never been around our own province. I felt so ignorant for not discovering what is just around me, so when my mother asked me if I want to go to the nearby town to wander around I didn’t think twice and says yes. It was my first time to the downtown Looc, their plaza was decorated with Christmas ornaments since it was the season of giving, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ among Christian nations.

Looc is the 4th class municipality in Romblon; it is around 45 minutes from Odiongan or maybe less. It is well known for the fish sanctuary which brings revenues for the municipality.

Anyway we just stop over at the plaza to take some pictures and then wander around their public market, we first stop at the stalls along the street that sells native Filipino snacks “kakanin”. Kakanin are my favourite food, I remember buying them all the time when I am still studying. I can walk home just to have a taste of it.

Fishes are cheaper too in Looc than in Odiongan just too bad that a typhoon just passed by before the day we visited the town so fish are scarce in the wet market. We didn’t really stay longer in Looc, since it was hot and my companions doesn’t want to loiter around, so even I like going to their port I just shook my head “maybe next time”. While traversing the town centre found a lot of old houses so I didn’t waste opportunity, I just snap and snap some pictures and just too bad most of them are not good. Huhu

One of my favorite viand growing up is “Taghilaw” but we seldom have it in our dinner table because of scarcity. I only tasted it during birthdays, wedding, thanks giving celebration and when I  have no packed lunch and have to eat student meal. The other my sister cooked “taghilaw” I can’t help it but to eat a lot until my stomach ache of fullness. Haha

Ingredients:

Pig intestine, vinegar, salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, calamansi, oil

Cooking taghilaw is very easy,  you just have to mix all the ingredients and sautéed it and add more seasoning according to your taste.