Rizal @ 150 in Dapitan and Dipolog

On June 19, the Filipinos celebrated Jose P. Rizal's 150th birthday.  Some trooped to his home in Calamba, Laguna while others braved the the rains in Fort Santiago.  My mom, my friend JRTU and I did our own commemmoration by tracing Rizal's steps in Dipolog and Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte where he spent four fruitful years and made great and lasting contributions to our nation before he was executed in Bagumbayan in 1896.

June 17, 2011

From Dipolog, we took the Evergood bus to Dapitan (Php 20.00/pax) and got off near the Liwasan ng Dapitan which was our first stop of the Rizal trail. Just seeing that vast green plaza reminded me of Kasaysayan I and P.I. 100 and our discussions during those classes. From my Kas I class, I learned that most of the towns and cities in the Philippines are characterized by the plaza complex --- a very big plaza surrounded by the church, school, town hall, and other edifices of important institutions in the community.  In Dapitan, the plaza was surrounded by the St. James Church, the parochial school and the city government offices. 

Casa Empanada

I love empanada, that crescent or half-moon shaped pastry filled with meat or veggies or mix of everything, which I have either in between meals or as a dessert. In the Philippines, we usually stuff our empanadas with ground meat, diced potatoes and carrots, egg, peas, cheese and raisins.

When my friend told me that she has engaged in a new venture, that is rolling out empanadas, I immediately placed an order. I got my goodies on a recent trip to Manila. I had a pack each of the following flavors: bacon and chocolate, strawberry and cream cheese, golden corn and cheese and herbed mushroom and cheese.