Face to Face to Face

Kalayaan, Kawit

Filipinos love Fastfood, I guess it's one big thing we got from the American culture that greatly affected our society since a century ago. In this junction in Kawit, you can see three signs that would welcome anybody driving by the Centennial road. Take your pick, McDonald's, Burger King, or the Filipino superchain - Jollibee.

For my non-Filipino blog friends, have you heard about Jollibee?

Signs 2 - Drive Thru

Burger King, Kawit

"Please Stay Inside Your Vehicles At All Times" says a Sign on the Burger King drive-thru that me and my sister got our favorite four cheese Whoppers from. This was taken two days ago when I decided to go outside when she asked me if I want to and I got the courage to say yes. Aside from masks and distancing, most drive-thrus here asks customers to drop their bills and coins on a basket instead of handing it by the palms to the attendant.

This post is part of My Corner of the World and my friend Tom's Signs 2.

Craving for Pizza?

S&R Pizza House, Kawit

S&R is the Philippine version of CostCo. It has big warehouse style stores in key locations around the Philippines and they are also famous for their pizza. With its great demand, they thought of opening stores that only sells their food items such as, of course, pizza, fries, pasta, salads, and more. For now, they only accept take out orders and pick-ups.

I took this shot earlier this afternoon. Yes, my dear friends, I was able to go beyond the gates of our house for the first time in 92 days! I was just inside my sister's car (who celebrated her birthday yesterday Sunday) the whole time since we only got things at a Chinese fastfood and Burger King via drive thru, but I tell you, my worries rose a lot. I just really hope our company will continue to allow us to work from home because this served as a trial for me and i confirmed I am still scared to go outside.

Have a great Monday to all of you my dearest friends, a great week awaits, let's claim it!

Being in Isolation Made Me Appreciate the Mundane, Little Things - Guest Post Sunday

Aboard the point-to-point "p2p" Bus, Kawit

It has almost been three months since the outbreak of the disease. Who would have thought that in the span of this short amount of time, thousands of lives were already claimed globally? And over millions whose lives are still at stake? While we are physically stuck at home, the mind cannot help but wander. 

During these times, everyone is online trying to be socially connected. I have read many articles and write-ups surrounding this pandemic, many of which talks about mental health. It would say: “X number of signs you are experiencing anxiety” and surprisingly, I would tick most, if not all boxes. All this while, I thought I was just lazy and unproductive. I never knew I was experiencing something deeper—that this pandemic is digging deeper within me and without me even realizing it. 

It’s amusing how during the start of the quarantine, my emotions were on the highs. Just like everyone else, I thought I deserved the break—a break from the tiring routines of everyday, and finally having that time you have always wanted for yourself. As being in isolation took longer than how everyone expected, I noticed how my moods went on an emotional roller coaster each passing day. 

And this is when I realized that, as cliché as it may sound, no man is an island. Even for an introvert like me. Part of being in law school is complaining about the studying you have to do and wanting to quit, even when you don’t actually mean it. Who would have thought I would be missing those early 7am coffees with groggy eyes, while trying to rush through the pages in the hopes that you make it through that one class? I certainly did not expect that. Life used to be late night well-deserved dinners after that exhausting 7-9PM class, and bus rides home on a quiet Saturday afternoon, just sitting there in that window seat for an hour or so - listening to my “p2p” Spotify playlist. 

What is even scarier is that we don’t know when this would end. It’s like passing through a dark tunnel and the light is nowhere to be seen. Will this truly be the “new normal”? The thought of it scares the hell out of me, because that would mean not being able to do the mundane things we used to hate in the same way we used to before, or at least for a very long time. No more dining out, no more movie nights, no more parties. None of those what we call “sanity breaks.” 

As what this little guest entry of mine says from the beginning, being in isolation made me appreciate the mundane things. Just like the the rest of the world, everyone is lost and nothing but hoping of finding that light to see that this would all end eventually. And when this is over, I hope everyone would see the world in a different perspective: that it is in fact true that it’s the little things that matter; that it’s worth it to stop and smell the roses. And most importantly, if you are reading this, well, you are just lucky to be alive.

C. Q. Viniegra

General Trias, Cavite

Caren is on her way to her last year at Law School by the end of the year. A kind heart, she grew up to be a strong woman with a passionate heart towards social change in this modern society that she is part of.

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Cavite Daily Photo is inviting Caviteño authors who would like to share their stories and experiences about life and living in the province we call home, Cavite! If you are interested to write and share your best photo, email me at stevensonque@gmail.com

7 Twenty 7 Diner - Signs 2

7 twenty 7 Diner, Kawit

Taken months before the lockdown. I have always been a big fan of All-American Diners that serves almost every comfort food that I have in mind, one of which is this beautiful Diner in the town of Kawit. One cute thing about this place is they have a homemade photobooth (can you see it?) where guests can take their photos and take them home. Not sure if they still have that lately though.

They have almost everything that you can think of that our favorite Hollywood star's characters are ordering on our favorite movies! I love pancakes and I always order that any time of the day! I ordered pancakes here in Kawit, on a diner at Baguio City, and on a diner in Los Angeles! Pancakes are almost synonymous to love for me!

What's your frequent order whenever you hit the Diner?

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Linking this post to Tom's Signs. Check out other signs around the world on his Site!

Lechon Kawali - Another Favorite

Cafe 506's "Pritchon"

With the Caviteños extensive love for eating and cooking, one of the staple favorites in every local restaurant is a dish called Lechon Kawali. Half an inch thick slab of juicy pork belly, salted or marinated and then deep fried into crispy perfection. Very simple to do right? But this requires practice to perfect it's taste and texture. It is best served with hot garlic rice and a sunny side up egg just like the one pictured above.

Kawit's Cafe 506 serves delicious fusion dishes from sandwiches to pastas and to these Pinoy favorites that will surely leave you smiling on your way to your next destination.

Have you tasted Lechon Kawali before? Or do you have something similar in your country that is also as good as this one?

Pancit Palabok

Cafe 506's Pancit Palabok

One of Cavite's most famous breakfast which can also be a good idea any time of the day is the Pancit Palabok. This is a traditional Filipino noodle dish made with a pork and shrimp broth based sauce over vermicelli. The sauce's golden yellow color is made possible by annatto seeds which gives it a vibrant and appetizing appearance.

What makes Palabok a cultural display is the fusion between Chinese and Spanish cuisines on a single dish that is truly Filipino. The thin noodles (or some uses thicker variants) represents its Asian side, while the rich sauce and the use of annatto is a product of Spanish influence in the Filipino cuisine which brought these seeds from their colonies in Latin America.

Visually and tastefully curated by a variety of tasty toppings which includes a boiled egg, chicharon (deep fried pork rinds), tinapa (smoked fish) flakes, spring onions, and a lot more, the Palabok is truly a dish that any Caviteno will be proud of, and any person would truly enjoy!

Cavitex at Night

Photo shot at the Cavitex or Cavite Express Tollgate at Kawit, Cavite at Night time.

Even in the midst of the evening sky, hundreds of cars and buses pass through the Cavite Express each and everyday. Even if it is a bit pricey for the others 58 Pesos (approx. 1.50 USD) for cars, with the efficiency it gives to the motorists especially those that are raving for more sleeping hours, this is probably a great choice in going home to Cavite.

The Silvery light coming from the Lamps just gives a bright feel taht refreshes and alerts the motorists passing through this Expressway in the middle of a Reclaimed area in Manila Bay.

Cavitex

Photo above shows the Toll Plaza of the Cavite Expressway on Kawit, Cavite.

Inaugurated on the 27th of April, 2011, the Cavitex or Cavite Expressway marked its way to the New Cavite. Stretching from the heart of Kawit, Cavite, thru the Manila Bay and ending at Bacoor, Cavite, Cavitex cut down the Travel time from almost an hour into just 7-12 minutes from Point A to Point B. The end of the Cavitex marks the beginning of the Coastal Road which is the main link between the Province of Cavite to the National Capital Region.

This has been a phenomenal change in the lives of every Caviteño, especially those that work in Manila. Instead of Passing by the Whole of the towns of Kawit and Bacoor, The Government made an expressway built above the waters of Manila Bay which is truly of tremendous help to the Public. But for me, one of its wonderful feature is the magnificent view of the Manila Bay as you pass by Cavitex will truly capture your hearts and you will never get over it even if you pass by it every day.

After a Tiring Day

Photo Shot at 17:50 while on the van

The photo is, again, a sunset, from the coasts of Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite. It was a stunning sunset and is very adorable to us who are tired from a very happy trip!

It was one of the best days of my life since High School! Because being the Senior Class President of my High School Batch, I always ask my classmates to come to our annual outing. but then I always fail to gather most of them so I always end up being pissed of by them. So one of my friends told me to stop forcing them and just go with those who want to! So me, together with five loyal High School Pals invaded Manila! We've been to the newly opened Manila Ocean Park, Luneta and SM Mall of Asia! it was a very very Enjoyed Day and very very tiring! I even end up wounding my soles due to my bad sandals! But all in all, I can say, though we may be few, it can still be one of the best experiences!

By the way, tomorrow, I'm turning Eighteen! So from the bottom of my Heart, Thank you so much for your support! May you still continue Cavite Daily Photo in the coming days, months and hopefully Years! God Bless us all!

Cradle of the Republic - Kawit

Photo Taken on Site at 10:14

As we went home from the early morning mass at Baclaran, Parañaque (Manila), I ask my dad if we can just go to Kawit so I can feature the Aguinaldo Shrine for this day. He Cordially said yes. (He was so supportive since I got accepted at CDP) So as the very long traffic started near the shrine. I decided to walk along to the Shrine Park. About 200 meters from the start of traffic. So I went out walking, above the bridge, by the gate, just to get a good view. until I finally decided to go closer in front of it to take a glory shot featuring the whole structure.

About the structure: (Forgive me, own info) Aguinaldo Shrine is very important for the Filipino People not just to Caviteños because thre, at that house, the Philippine Independence was declared! After 333 years as a Spanish Colony, we finally found the whole that led us out. Actually not found, but dug the hole by our Heroes. Unfortunately, we still have been conquered by the Americans and the Japanese Regime. Until now it is preserved and is now a museum.

My Banner for Cavite Daily Photo at Blogger was also shot this morning. It was my first stitching attempt of two photos. Thank God, I think, it went out well.