An Artsy & Gastronomic, Off-City Ride!

The Vespa community here in Manila, regularly meets Wednesday nights almost every week. Nothing fancy, really. Just an informal get-together among buddies and is usually done at a nightspot anywhere in the Metro. But recently, the Vespa riders from Angono, Rizal (just about 30km east of Manila) invited the rest of us to hold one of the regular meets in their town, and everyone welcomed the idea.

The Angono boys (at least four Vespa riders based in the town) told us they’ll take care of the planning and logistics. Everyone was expecting the event to be just another regular Vespa gathering. But boy, were we so wrong! First, they surprised us with this one:

COOL POSTER! Now, it suddenly looked like it’s a well-planned event. But I guess that shouldn’t come as a surprise anymore as the Angono boys come from a place considered the “Art Capital of the Philippines.” Right then, I realized that Angono’s reputation as a town where artists are grown really holds true. It’s not just a place where some of our great artists call home (three of them already hailed as National Artists), but it’s also where one could find the Petroglyphs – the oldest known work of art in the Philippines.

The first part of ride to Angono will consist of visits to some galleries, art studios and museums; including a tour of the residence and studio of National Artist Botong Fransisco. I’m no painting fanatic, but having the chance to visit such a historical place during a ride doesn’t happen a lot, so I’m looking forward to it (detailed itinerary posted here).

Compounding the excitement is what’s in store for us after the tour. The Angono boys will feté the rest of us with a native and exotic lunch. Just reading about them makes me hungry. Here is what’s in the menu (I’ll provide rough translations and links to pics/recipes of these dishes so you’ll get an idea):

• Sinigang na bangus sa miso (milkfish in sour soup)
• Sinampalukang manok (chicken in tamarind soup)
• Inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly)
• Ginisang balaw-balaw w/ talong (sauteéd baby shrimps and red rice sauce w/ eggplant)
• Spicy Kalderetang itik (stewed duck?)
• Hot n’ Crispy Fried itik (fried duck)

Most of us are already looking forward to this weekend. As of last count, 21 Manila-based riders are joining this one-of-a-kind ride. Hope it doesn’t rain on Saturday. If it does, what the heck?!! This ride should, and will, push through no matter what.

Apat na tulog na lang!

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com