A man buying his supply of tinapa, upon hearing our comment, also expressed his own disappointment. Anyway, we went about looking for kandule and the other seafood unique to Biñan. We found small kandule (or tigite as it is called by the residents) and were delighted that, compared to Manila prices, it cost us only P40 a kilo. We got nine pieces in all, four of which we had done as daing and the rest to cook as a local curry dish called dinilawan. We did not see any biya but we got a medium size dalag (mud fish) for P75. It weighed half a kilo, good enough for cocido.
Vegetable vendors have different prices for similar produce, hence it would be good if one would go around and compare before finally buying. This was the case with tomatoes, which ranged from P16 to P20 a kilo. The tinapa we referred to earlier went for P50 for 250 gms while the lady selling dried fish had small packets of dilis at P10 each. On our way out, we wanted to buy some kakanins, but they were not covered and we saw some flying objects hovering over the bibingka, etc. Calling the attention of the sanitary inspector. For us, a trip to Biñan would always include a stop at Tony’s Pospas (arroz caldo) stand by the Ligaya theatre. This incomparable porridge still sells for P30 a serving.
Before one reaches Biñan from Alabang, there is the town of San Pedro. It should take pride in having one of the cleanest wet and dry markets in the Southern Tagalog region. It is the two-storey structure called Suki, located on A. Mabini Street in the town center. It is neat and dry but some vendors are indifferent, they seem not anxious to sell. Pork goes for P120 a kilo here, compared to Biñan’s P115. Beef is from P140 to P170. Again, sanitation is a problem. There is a wide selection of processed meat, but they are displayed uncovered and the vendors use their bare hands in handling the meat.
Fruits are a lot cheaper–watermelon (medium size) is sold at P75 per, caimito which are now in season, are P35 a kilo and pahutan (small mangoes which you strip and munch on) are P30 a kilo. Rice is priced lower than in the city– Sinandomeng at P22 a kilo, Dinorado at P26 and Jasmin at P35.
Another disappointment we experienced recently was at S & R Price membership shopping outlet at The Fort. They had packs of two solar calculators tagged at P149.50. When we were checking out, we were told the price is not for a pair but P149.59 a piece. Why then do their supply come in twos?
In the course of a dining tour which we embarked on with family and friends, two standouts were Salsa Rossa in Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City and Red Ginger in the Alabang Town Center Food Court. The first and still existing original Salsa Rossa is in Pearl Drive in Ortigas Center and this second one (in Libis) has just been opened. As the name suggests, it carries Italian pasta and pizza plus a good selection of meat dishes, to be savored with wine and after -dinner coffee. That evening in Libis, we declared the Fresh Salmon Carpaccio Pizza with its melt-in-the mouth chunks done with cream of chives, fresh basil, cilantro and tomatoes as our favorite.
New in the Alabang Town Center Food Court is Red Ginger, named after a special ginger unique to Thailand called galangal, a welcome addition specially to those who love Thai food. They make their sauces "from scratch" and therefore fresh, such as the peanut sauce for their chicken saté. Each diner is served a small cup of Tom Yum soup with their order. Newly-introduced is crispy green papaya salad. We particularly liked the two lumpias–the Red Ginger Popiah with turnips and the Spring Rolls with dried mushrooms.