New year, new weight

We had said our goodbyes to 2017 and received with open arms 2018. We saw the ups and downs in the wide world of sports as well as the never ending power plays of people we had mistakenly pinned our hopes in helping run the city in particular and the country in general.  Several are worth remembering while others are better off erased from memory.

As to the merry-making, some were in a state of confusion whether to do it in moderation or to drink and eat themselves to oblivion.  For health and fitness reasons, the latter is the better alternative than the former.  But neither wind or rain nor the threat ofUrduja, Vinta orAgaton deter several to become joyfully ridiculous in anticipating Christmas and the arrival of the New Year.

The second week of December was the start of ingesting the good stuff and after the holiday festivities, we sink into a heavy reality, figuratively and literally.  A good number of us ended 2017 with a few extra pounds as we had excused ourselves and found reasons to pig out.

I’m not exempt from personal “gains” and had identified in no particular order, culprits that contributed to the 12 pounds of Christmas.

1) San Miguel Beer – Pale Pilsen is still my all-time favorite.  This golden brew from Mandaue gives justice to a platter of roasted country-style legumes.  Translation - isang platitong mani.

2) Carlos I and Fundador Exclusivo – two of best affordable brandies in the market that makes you cheerfully woozy.  Sorry Empe, your time has not come yet.

3) Lechon – big celebrations call for the best centrepiece.  Who cares about the calories when the skin is invitingly crispy.

4)Roasted turkey – tender, juicy, lip-smacking goodness.  A welcome change from the over-used and in some cases malnourished lechon manok.

5) Queso and hamon de bola – these balled wonders are usually served in little slices and a little of everything becomes everything in a little time.

6) Humba – either pork belly or knuckles, it is still humba.  Often it is prepared simply swimming in oil but the best version is that with spring onions in a thick, slightly sweet dark sauce.   Left-overs taste better even after a few days.

7) Torta from Titay’s – a merry mix of glazed fruits on top of a throw pillow-sized, very rich, egg yolk-based creation.  It is delightfully delicious paired with queso de bola and coffee.  Yes, you help the economy by patronizing local.

8) Goat caldereta – I miss my late mom’s cooking of the stew but wife’s aunt does a deliciously different version.  Because the meat is so lean, it is never ‘bidli.’  Like humba, it tastes better the day after.

9) Callos – this treasure from the Spanish colonial era makes an afterthought to moderation.  You can never say no to a melt-in-your-mouth beef tripe and leg skin made even more delicious with chorizo Bilbao. 

10) Cakes and other related baked goodies – holiday preparations are not complete without these sinful creations and tastes even better with coffee after a big meal.

11) Tsokolate with budbud, biko, bibingka, puto and other kakanins – they magically grow on church grounds during the 9-day dawn novena Masses.  We’re not done here yet as by 8 a.m., we feel hungry again  and attack the dining table for our regular breakfast.

12) Chocolates – life is indeed sweet and this dark colored confection is everyone’s favorite.  It’s not called “food for the gods” for nothing.

We had been filled to the brim and a few of us are starting to feel some aches and pains.  The booze, lechon, humba and callos elevated blood pressures and uric acid levels.  The pastries and other sweets raised blood sugar levels.   Rejoice, as Mercury Drug, Rose Pharma, 360 Pharma and Generika will be serving their purpose.

And now the hard part.  Every year we resolve to lose weight and enrol in fitness gyms.  We get excited when we raid sporting apparelshops and nearly choke machines with our credit cards.  For the first few weeks, we religiously follow our fitness programs and make the gym floor slippery with our sweats but by the time Valentine comes, the interest dwindles.  By April, only the instructors and a few hardcore gym rats are left manhandling the equipment to their contentment.  Yes, resolutions are meant to be broken and the annual cycle continues to revolve.

Happy New Year!