Pinoy Food & Other Cuisine :: Food PhotoBlog and Events |

Today is All Saint’s Day in the Philippines. I went to the cemetery down south late this afternoon to visit my beloved son’s resting place. As usual, it was traffic and it took us an hour just to get to my son’s grave. One can see a lot of tents propped up with food laden on their table or mats. We didn’t bring any picnic food. I had nothing to worry about because food stalls were everywhere, more than I ever saw through the years I’ve been here.

I checked for places to buy grilled seafood. My husband and I ventured off to check a few food stalls. Sinangag Express looked good but they only served pork.

Andok’s Litson had grilled bangus but it wasn’t what I was looking for either. Did I say I was looking for grilled seafood?

Apparently Andok’s Litson also serves all kinds of barbecued items. How they have expanded their menu these days. But oh well, pork barbecue is not my thing.

There is a Cotton candy man as we passed on to the next food stall.

Maybe Dimsum Dumplings have steamed seafood.

They had none but there is Ube Pao which looked really yummy but unfortunately didn’t live up to the real ube taste. Ube Pao cost two pieces for 30 pesos.

Tapa King and Indang’s looked pretty inviting to my husband.

He bought one stick of pork barbecue. It cost 37 pesos a piece. My husband was pretty much satisfied. There was a lot of lean meat and barely any fat. He said it was worth the price.

While he ate his pork barbecue, I headed off to the nearby Chow Yin. Maybe there is some seafood dish here.

The sales lady said “We can take out the pork siomai from the noodles.” Never mind, I said.

I pass on to the next stall still searching for my seafood dish and passed by Bona Coffee. Much as I love coffee, I was too hungry to buy one.

As I passed by the Shawarma, I remember my daughter Lauren in the states. She would have loved to order this.

Zagu-zagu! but not today.

Another pork barbecue stand.

Pizza from Yellow Cab. Still no seafood dish in sight.

Tired and still ravenous, I settled for Tokyo-tokyo.

Though it was not the seafood dish I craved for, it assuaged my hungry pangs.

See, so many food stalls but it seems seafood fare is not a popular choice for the masses. Perhaps because it is expensive and Filipinos prefer party food over healthy choices. Indeed, it was party time for most Filipinos in the cemetery.

For generations, All Saints’ Day has continued to serve as a family reunion among relatives who, by tradition, faithfully keep vigil at the graveyard of their departed loved ones from early morning until after sunset. With reunions come partying. No wonder these commercial establishments took advantage of the demand for food. Next time, I will bring my own food.

Tags: cemetery, food stalls