09
Saturday at Ugu’s
Entry Feed TrackbackEight o’clock in the morning today I was driving through SLEX, with Marco and a couple of his eighteen-year-old girl friends. In these situations I let Marco be, it’s his group of friends anyway. I slide in the background, just listening. I was driving, anyway.
We arrive at Ugu Bigyan’s house in Tiaong, Quezon in 3 hours. Along the way, SLEX was slow, and we witnessed a big TV-Patrol-worthy accident in Santo Tomas, Batangas. A big passenger bus ramming onto a house. Just a glimpse and I knew it’s impossible not to have any fatality in that mess. Back to Ugu, we were greeted by his terracotta house, beautiful, classic, and aspirational. If Ugu’s gay (I kinda think he is), then he’s another gay idol in my books. His palace boasts of simple but classic beauty. Every showcase hut in his garden was beautifully styled, every nook and cranny designed with symphony in mind. I love that place. Minus the dragon-sized mosquitoes, it’s perfect.
The food they served was magical. It was very Filipino, and as I ventured to interview the serving waiter, the process of preparing the food was exquisite. Filipino cooking, real Filipino cooking, is love in action. As he was explaining the intricate process of how the appetizer (“Kulawo”) was prepared, I was listening in awe. I can feel nothing but gratitude. It seemed to me that the whole universe conspired to prepare that wonderful meal which I enjoyed so thoroughly.
In the background, the voice of a Filipina soprano floated as she sang kundiman songs. My teeny-bopper companions who loved the food as I did, unfortunately didn’t appreciate the accompanying music a bit. I did. It was super, for me. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, generation gap in the flesh. I too did not grow up with kundiman, but at my age, I could appreciate it. These teeners do not. I’m not judging, just highlighting a gen gap example.
The way home was long. I arrived in my house with a nagging headache. For a moment I thought the spirits surrounding the fatal accident that we passed caused my headache. But of course that fleeting thought was dismissed in a snap. All I want to remember then was my quality time with Marco, and that beautiful, magical meal at Ugu’s.
Life is good. Cheers, my friends. Let’s be thankful for the many beautiful things in life. Say with me, “World Peace!”
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who’s marco?
shaneshane at May 10, 09 at 12:08 am
Migz, this sounds like my kind of place. Can you tell us a little bit more about this place. Does one need to make a reservation to be there? This sounds like a good field trip for all MGG readers. Don’t you think? We could organize a bus load of us even though I don’t live in the Philippines, I will come home for this. World Peace Migz!
Vince Roy at May 10, 09 at 6:54 am
Hi Migs!
I’m reading several letters that you posted and I find them somehow very interesting to read and sometimes make me feel ok. I am supposed to leave for london last april 21, 2009 but was not able to do so for a very special reason. but still be leaving soon.
I am doing nothing for now because I’m on-leave from the office were I am connected with. I was able to find time finally to send this letter to you to show you my appreciation to your sharing on this website.
Noel at May 10, 09 at 8:28 pm
i had the pleasure of dining there once. absolutely exquisite!
i was there with a group, one of which was a friend of ugu. i asked if it was open to the public. yes, but only for groups and only by reservation. they don’t accept walk in clients.
sorry, don’t have the contact info. but i’m sure it’s not hard to google.
marco jordan at May 10, 09 at 11:13 pm
its 1230 am its a sunday (or is it a monday?) and im still up reading your blog/slash watching stuff (no not porn)….. i have a meeting in the morning but i cant seem to get off your blog…ver entertaining. *wink*
big bag of pink at May 11, 09 at 12:23 am
lagi may accident dun sa area na yun
maccallister at May 14, 09 at 2:29 am
Ugu sounds very authentic filipino cuisine. I would like to try that. I love to taste the real pinoy cuisine from different region, I mean really exquisite real filipino taste. I am also a pinoy chef in NY but I have French and Mediterranean cooking style I worked from 4 stars hotel here and I was a celebrity chef by this famous Broadway icon. I love great food.
giorgio at May 22, 09 at 8:33 pm