The dinner last night was a show of gratitude to Tita Jessie for all those many many years in high school when we, classmates of her son Tommy would wangle yet another lunch or a dinner at their enchanting 19th century house by the Pasig River. It was there I learned manners, remembered which fork to use, tasted my first Shepherds Pie, and taught to engage in polite conversation during the meal with Tito Marcial Lichauco listening to us patiently and hoping wed make some sense considering he was a biographer, a historian, a hunter and an ardent nationalist that helped secure our independence. Tita Jessie was beside him always with the sweetest smile, humorous anecdotes, and a good night kiss for him that I would say to myself, I want to be as loving as they are forever. I brought the chicken baked in Tom Yum sauce, a cacophony of spices all blendered and slathered over the chicken the night before. With a recent trip to Davao, and a bounty of pomelos made a Thai Pomelo salad abundant with the fruit and the mysterious ways that sugar, lime, fish sauce can mix together and create a delectable dish. Others brought their creations but one of them came from an old classmate named Monchet Carballo who caters and sells delightful Spanish dishes at Salcedo Market. It was his signature paella and I dropped all sensibility of being abstemious. The tutong (the burnt crust) below was nirvana. Good old classmate Dave Coyukiat donated a huge lechon and having privy to the kitchen got the first ever of the juiciest, crispest, devilish skin. It was heart thumping that I forgot the sauce. The spread on the long table was like so many spreads before, Tita Jessie reminding me that we had known each other for 50 years now. You can see a round table beyond where we had those lunches in the past and beyond that a screened window and the meandering Pasig River. It was nice to have daughter JJ and her friends go yummy over my dishes and felt quite complimented when one asked if I accepted orders. I have only fed peoples minds before and made little money. Now I may feed tummies and could make beaucoup bucks!! But it was just nice to hold and hug Tita Jessie, now 102 years old reminding me always that when we were hanging out downstairs in Tommys darkroom that there were a lot of giggling and laughing inside and strange smelling smoke coming out of there and she knew. Mothers always knew. She said, if you ever get caught in traffic or need a place to stay, theres Tommys room downstairs. I hugged her one more time. She says I hug like Tommy, because of all her children he gives a really good hug. I told her shell be my flower girl early next year when I have my wedding party here for the 40th year with Jonathan. I realize it must have been that sight of Tita and Tito kissing always so sweetly before parting the night. I learned well.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:08:26 +0000
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