Mildred had a craving for Andok’s lechon manok during the week, but since we don’t have that in Singapore, we had to make do with Mang Kiko’s Lechon. We met in Lau Pa Sat on sat.
There was a funny moment on my way there when I called Nantoy to ask where he was exactly because I was nearby already, just crossing the street. He said he could see me, but I couldn’t see him.
He said he was standing on one leg with his other leg bent at the knee, the foot resting on the other leg, with his hand stretched towards the sky.
“Why on earth are you doing that pose?” I asked, baffled.
“I’m doing a conspicuous pose so that you can see easily see me,” he explained.
I laughed, shaking my head in amusement.
Then I crossed the street and when I got to the other side, I saw him in said pose behind a huge planter which was blocking him from my view.
“What is the point of doing a conspicuous pose if you’re gonna be hidden from view?” I scolded him.
We both laughed.
We walked into the famous hawker center and I led him to Mang Kiko’s stall since it’s his first time. Then when Jem and Dred arrived, we placed our orders and had a fabulous time devouring lechon manok and pork liempo. They also ordered some noodles which turned out to be too spicy so we weren’t able to finish it. Maya arrived soon after.
Lechon manok (roasted chicken)
Pork liempo (roasted pork belly)
After our early dinner, we dropped into the nearby Katipunan store, a shop that sold Filipino goodies. I bought Chicharron ni Mang Juan (sukang paombong flavor) while Maya bought Moby caramel puffs.
We walked towards Esplanade, which was a good 15 minute walk from LPS, buying frappes in Starbucks on the way.
We wanted to listen to the free concert on the esplanade theatres on the bay but the band playing sang chinese songs which we don’t understand, so we decided to abandon that plan and head up to the rooftop instead.
Though I had been to Esplanade so many times, it was my first time on the rooftop. I fell in love with it at once, and who wouldn’t, with that view of Marina Bay?
Dred and Nantoy led us to their favorite spot, the wooden floorboards, where we sat in a circle and proceeded to eat the chips that Maya and I had bought.
After noting that Mang Juan’s tasted better than its competition, Marty’s Cracklin’ (they’re both vegetarian chicharon), Rey launched the question, “What is your favorite ritual of the day?” which we all had to answer in turn, Miss Universe style.
After everyone was done answering, each one of us then had to ask questions for everyone to answer too.
We all had fun giggling over the answers to Dred’s “most kilig moment” question.
Meanwhile, my question is one I formulated years ago and which has since become my favorite question of people: “What is your favorite year so far?”
As expected, everyone was stumped at first, so I answered first, since I’ve had this answer since before, and I even had it in this presentation:
We stood up to leave when we were done answering questions and we noticed that huge ants had gathered on our empty packets of chips and frappe cups.
On our way to the bus stop, fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky and we stopped to watch before finally heading home.
It was a simple yet happy way to spend our Saturday. Life doesn’t have to be exciting to be happy. It just has to be, well, comfortable. 🙂
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