celebrating Life, Love and Friendship (2)

We left Boracay but the spontaneity, learning and fun continue as we invaded Negros Occidental. The celebration of Life, Love and Friendship was given more meaning and depth as our journey was more than  just appreciating places and its culture. The second half of our trip paved the way in nurturing family ties. 

Highlights of our Trip (the continuation):

8. For ten year now, I am very honored to have a second family in them. My in-laws are wonderful people, very accepting, very supportive. My mother-in-law and my twin sisters-in-law have been very involved, patient, understanding and loving with our recent challenge as a married couple. Being with them is always a happy and consoling moment. We are again visiting them in August and we are getting excited!

Our first meeting was in the Kong's residence to celebrate Joey's graduation in medicine.

 Ricopuerto- Montesino Family

lunch with Monica, Nika and Mini

We stayed overnight with the hubs' younger sister, Monica.

Mini and Nika

Nika and Tito Nonoy

And attended Nika's summer ballet class at MMB Dance Centre in Bacolod City (Monica used to teach here). 

our pretty ballerina

ready for her butterfly

class

9. One of the best highlights of this trip was revisiting the hubs' roots. This was not just important for him but for me too because knowing his childhood and having a glimpse of the family's context completed the whole picture. And God knows that deep inside my heart I appreciated the family more. The experience made me feel that I am more part of the family. 

The first visit was in Binalbagan which is the hometown of my father-in-law, daddy Jesal. Nonoy stayed in this town until he was 13. So I must say, he had so much fond memories in this place. The revisiting began with daddy's former workplace, BISCOM and then in their old house. 

BISCOM ambiance

the hubs used to play basketball here

old house

the avocado tree is a living witness of the siblings' moments

with Lola Igme

The hubs was able to meet his friends since elementary.

Allen, the hubs, Nino and Andrew

And we were able to pay our respects to our dead loved ones. We had to go through all the whole Binalbagan Public Cemetery to find them. Thanks to these helpful kids.

The second stop was in Su-ay, Himamaylan which is the hometown of my mother-in-law, mommy Vilma. Mommy entertained us with her fond memories of her younger years. And throughout her stories, I was able to know that her dad, Lolo Ramon Montesino became a Vice- Mayor and realized that during her hay day she usually goes out on gimiks.

former house

Montesino relatives

And on our way back to Bacolod we passed by this church in Hinigaran where the body of former Negros Occidental Representative Iggy Arroyo was brought for viewing.

10. Our trip from May 4 to 10 is one gastronimic adventure. Love for food is one commonality my family has with my husband's family. And these pictures would be the evidences.

Even before reaching the Borro residence and just a few kilometers from Iloilo airport, we stopped at Cabugao Seafood Haus to experience what Iloilo has to offer... SEAFOOD!

baked talaba (oysters)

steamed talaba

shrimps

steamed kasag (crabs)

fish soup

sizzling fish

sorry!

After our brunch we began the four- hour drive to Boracay and arrived at the Island around dinner time and we went to I <3 BBQ at the D'Mall.

pork belly

burger

The next morning we skipped breakfast because of our early Island hopping. Our island hopping ended at around noon time and we were all hungry. We ate at a Thai restaurant named Siam which I think is in station three.

Bagoong Rice

Thai soup

seafood

For our last night we made sure we had a big one for our last supper in Boracay. We went to D' Talipapa to buy fresh seafood and have have it cooked in one of the stores in station three.

steamed talaba (again!)

baked talaba with Mozzarella cheese

grilled squid

We had fish Lapu- lapu soup but because of my excitement to eat I was not able to document it. Fail!

When we transferred to Negros Occidental sweets are additional treat. It did not become the sugar capital for nothing.

puto maya with mascuvado

suman latik

bicho-bicho

okoy

We also went to Kalan-an sa Dalan in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental for our food trip.

resto ambiance

i never said no to talaba

fish steak

tasty pork chop

Geez, I think I had 3 cups of rice here!

Back in Bacolod, we had dinner at Aida's Manokan in Manokan Country (Reclamation Area) to have the world's tastiest chicken.

chicken inasal

Then we were craving for Kadios, Baboy, Langka or KBL and we had more in Bacolod 18th St. Pala-pala.

KBL

shrimp laing

fresh

valenciana

sizzling squid

lagao (bisugo)

Back in Iloilo, the night before we went home, the Borro's are not just good in making batchoy but will all of these too.

home made shabu shabu

shrimps

bangus steak

chicken adobo sa mantika

After reading the posts about my recent trip, you will be able to conclude that:

a. I had an awesome experience with lovable and loving persons.
b. Family makes an important contribution in our lives. I so love my family.
c. I am a big eater.
d. I never got hungry during the duration of our trip.
e. I love to travel (so i save!).
f. The traveling continues.

P.S. previous post celebrating Life, Love and Friendship (1)