February 11, I hopped on a plane to Manila to meet my boyfriend before we headed off to Clark Pampanga to catch the last day of the 17th International Hot Air Balloon festival. It was my first time to go to Pampanga, second time in Manila, and I was determined to have a blast. I got to try new food, visit the famous Angeles City strip of bars, and even got to ride the MRT for the first time (hooray for me!)
The last day was on a Sunday and we had to wake up at 4 in the morning so that we won't get stuck in traffic. We took a jeep from our hotel, which dropped us off at another jeep station where we got on a jeep that would take us to Clark. It was still dark outside but the lanes to the Clark Freeport Zone were already clogged with cars and people, most of them still bleary eyed and sleepy, but determined to see the balloons fly off into the air. The traffic was really bad that it got to a point where the jeepney driver told us to jump off about a kilometer from the base. We walked all the way to the base, passing scores of cars parked along the highway, their occupants out with binoculars and cameras ready. Everyone was there, entire families, small kids to old people to people with their dogs. The atmosphere, even at that early in the morning, was electric. Everyone was excited to see the balloons.
 |
| traffic so early in the morning! |
It was exhilarating to see all those balloons floating up in the sky. People gasped and pointed every time one balloon would make its way up into the air. The car and cake balloons, as well as the cheery sunflower, got the most Ooohs and Aaahs. It was also fun watching people whip out their cameras, iPods, camera phones, and iPads to take pictures. It field was turned into a field of SLRs as well. We even saw something snapping away in a Hasselblad!!!
 |
| Oly and Canon |
night shot
The fiesta atmosphere was everywhere in the Freeport zone. There were booths set up, and in the hangars were exhibits of Air Force combat planes and gear. For P200 you can stay inside the Freeport Zone for the whole day. There was plenty of food, since fast food joints like KFC, Jollibee, YellowCab and others have set up shop around the base as well. Families brought blankets and chairs and were setting up spots for themselves on the grass and they watched the gliders and colorful kites float by. You can also try your hand at kite flying. There were stalls selling colorful kite as well as souvenirs. Truly a great way to spend a Sunday.
I come from a family of consumate bread eaters. We love our pan de sal and 'sinudlay.' I have also discovered that I have this increasing love affair with wheat bread. So it is no surprise that most often than not you will find pan de sal left overs in our house, one or two fist-sized mounds of baked flour from yesterday or the day before. Since eating pan de sal on its own sans spread or guava jelly and peanut butter can be boring, I looked for other ways to eat it. Luckily we had lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and two cucumbers on the fridge, so I set about 'dressing up' the pan de sal so I could at least have some fun eating.
It's quite easy and simple, actually. You will need:
left over pan de sal
cucumbers
tomatoes
lettuce
tuna spread, leftover chicken, any kind of cooked meat you have lying around
cheddar or mozarella cheese
Slice the pan de sal in half and grill on the microwave for 5 minutes. They will come out with crispy crusts on top. Next, cover the top with your lettuce leaves. The leaves will prevent the moisture from the spread and the meat from soaking down and turning your bread into a soggy lump. Add the tuna spread on top, or you can choose your own variation of a spread. When we have leftover chicken I shred the chicken, mix it with mayo and use that as a substitute. Add the slices of cucumber and tomato, before adding slices of mozarella on top. Pop the 'dressed up' pan de sal for one final round in the oven for one or two minutes, just to melt the cheese. Voila! Pretty sophisticated-looking pan de sal ,ey?
