Bicol Street Food : Kinalas

I've heard about this Kinalas from the boys who get off the bus from Bicol.  I thought at first it was like some isau thing - barbecue pork and chicken intestines - or some skewered part of the pig or chicken grilled on sidestreets.  I was wrong.  They say it's like the Bicolano local batchoy.  I heard about it sometime in 2006 I think.  Took quite a long time before I could finally try it.

Apparently, it's not always available anytime of the day (unless the guys are just pulling my leg, not wanting to take me out to eat).  They say you can't have it for dinner -- cause it runs out by then.  Can you then eat it like in the morning, before lunch?  Not sure.  But when they finally took me there, we had to rush to get out as it was already past 5 (maybe what they said about it running out before dinner time is true).  

They were debating which sidestreet karinderia to take me to and when someone suggested the place where Congressman Dato Arroyo (yes, the president's son) eats, I said I guess that should be a safe and clean enough place  (and yes the place had a picture of the cook/owner with the Dato guy).

The place was Enting's and it was a small nipa hut on a row of other small nipa huts along a major highway where buses and trucks pass.  It would be just about a meter or so from the road but I didn't really feel like the exhaust fumes or the dust from the road was smothering me.  When we get in, I notice smaller groups of men seated (generally quietly) with heads bowed down forking up the noodles from the sabaw.  It was the end of the day and the place was comfortably filled up with blue collared workers getting their end of the day fill.  Other than our table there was another one with a female and a guy friend just finishing up.

Much like batchoy, it has the same yellowish, medium-sized flat noodles.  The bowl is filled up near the brim with some tinted broth, topped with green onions and shredded soft meat from the pig's face.  A drizzle of thick soy was also plunked down in the center for added flavoring.  Apparently this yummy local dish IS only available at this time of the day because people do run out of the day's supply of pig's faces -- and maybe they are not available much earlier?  

By the way, before these bowls come around 2 plates of turon are also served.  This is another specialty of the place and people order it along with their bowl of kinalas.

As soon as the bowls are set in front of us the boys started seasoning it.  Most of them squeeze in some kalamansi, some add suka, some toyo or patis, and still some add this sili concoction (just a little bit because it is pure sili).  I didn't add anything first, just wanting to have it at its unadulterated state. 

It was yummy.  I think the magic really is in the soft flesh of meat from the pig's face...  and that drizzle of soy (whatever is mixed with it).  I don't really much like kalamansi on my meals (even on my pancit) and I don't like patis or toyo added to an already soy-based meal.  So I just added a bit of the sili concoction (crushed sili labuyo I think with some vinegar they say) and it is yummy spicy enough.  Yumyum.  You can get the regular bowl which I think costs P30 or the jumbo (which Jay and Eric are having).  There are large litro bottle of softdrinks you can order to share with everyone.

Concept Boards : GK Mabuhay Destinations in CamSur

Here are the concept boards we prepared for the project with Gov LRay.  

This first one is for the restaurant-bus stop project for LRay GK Village in Del Gallego.

This second batch are for the Bed & Breakfast model in GK Character Village, Iriga City.  The positioning here would tend towards nature-tripping and light adventure.

The last batch of boards are for

 Libmanan.  A bit different from the 

Iriga model - and also

 because there is still a lot of room for "building up" the community - we offer simple community living... with a lot of activities in the GK programs that are mostly at start-up stage.

And finally, the visitor facilities offered by our Bed & Breakfast houses.

Oh and by the way, all these designed by our very own Architect Jomari Badilla.

Partnership with Gov LRay and the CamSur Provincial Office Team

Today is (technically) our fourth meeting with the Provincial Team assigned by Gov LRay to the GK CamSur Tourism Project.  I must say, the project is in the right hands.  We have a very committed and capable (excellent!) team assigned by Gov LRay.  They are all unassuming people and they do their business well.

Before I go through the events of today, I'd like to detail the previous three meetings.

1st meeting with the Provincial Team

January 30, Wednesday 10:00 AM at the CWC (Camsur Watersports Complex)

Present :

Gov. LRay present with Chie Bermeo of the Provincial Social Welfare & Development (PSWD).  Their audit guy also joined us later on.  

From GK's end were Boy Apin (CFC Prov'l Area Director CamSur), Hayee Azana (GK Head of CamSur), Johnny San Miguel (Regional Shelter), Jay Meloto (Regional Coordinator for Bicol), 

Choi Florece (PMG-Bicol), Jomari Badilla (Shelter Team from GK National assigned to Bicol)

 and moi (Mabuhay for Bicol).

Agenda 1 : Existing projects were discussed.  

1) Adequate land was being allocated by the Gov's office in municipalities without a GK village.  The process of acquisition - either there existed a provincial property that could be turned over for GK use or the prov'l team coordinates with the LGU (mayor) to acquire land.

2) Prov'l office also providing skilled workers and "food-for-work" scheme to key GK sites to facilitate quicker turn-around for the GK build projects.

Agenda 2 : Build-up of tourist potential for key GK sites

In line with the successes of the Provincial Office under the leadership of Gov LRay - primarily, the CamSur Watersports Complex (where we were meeting and was filled with foreign guests even on a Wednesday morning) and a resort/hotel currently being developed in the Caramoan Islands (Camarines Sur's best kept secret!  Beautiful paradise!) - a new project will be spearheaded by the Governor to build prime tourist facilities in key GK sites.  The Governor is one with our vision that GK is a tourist attraction.  Visitors will come far and wide to witness the miracle that is happening in the Philippines -- where the best is being given to the

 

poorest of the poor.

Project Components

1) Bed & Breakfast units in four GK sites :

a. LRay GK Village in Del Gallego (chosen because of its prime location - a start-up GK village)

b. GK Character Village in Iriga (chosen because it is a showcase village and its proximity to nature-tripping excursions)

c. Familia Dy Tiak Pon GK Village in Libmanan (chosen because it is a showcase GK village)

d. Ancop Australia GK Village in Matandang Siruma (chosen because of its proximity to the beach)

2) Restaurant Bus-Stop in LRay GK Village in Del Gallego (chosen because of its prime location -- along the bus route of Manila-Bicol)

Jomari presented a few designs for reference.  The concepts were likewise discussed. 

• A model for the bed & breakfast unit :  2 units per village will be constructed.  Each unit will have a lot area of 75 sqm and the floor area (for the house) 22 sqm (still a GK house!). 
• Each bed & breakfast unit will have convertible living spaces (living area by day converted to sleeping quarters at night), a toilet and bath with hot & cold shower, an outdoor dining area (with a barbecue pit!), trellises and a square foot garden.
• The vision for a square foot garden is to plant vegetables (for pinakbet), herbs and ornamentals.  Visitors will tend to this garden during their stay. 
• The restaurant bus-stop will be of local design and will serve lutong bahay Bicolano dishes.  There will be adequate (multiple cubicles) restrooms and a souvenir shop of GK-made products.  The structure will be high-ceilinged and screened.  The kitchen staff will be trained by Gaita Fores (high hopes!).  :)

Timeline

• Site visits within the week : Iriga, right after the meeting and on January 31, Del Gallego and Libmanan.  Siruma visit to follow (since Siruma is a couple of hours away and a bit challenging to get to).
  
• Finalize designs by week of Feb 3
  
• Construction done by end April
• Showcase by Gov LRay during GK Summit in the US in May 3rd week

(Worth noting but maybe not too relevant was the lunch we had in CWC.  Jay ordered the Laing Pizza which gets a 5 star rating from us Manila peeps. ;)  Gov LRay mentioned a Bicolano version of the Lechon - can't remember what it's called - that we promise we would try next time.)

(End of first meeting)

2nd Meeting with the Provincial Team

January 30, Wednesday 2:00 PM at GK Character Village, Iriga

Present :

Chie Bermeo and team, special mention to Chief Engineer Gerry Epres and Architect Willy Rodriguez

From GK's end were Hayee Azana, Johnny San Miguel, GK Iriga PD Benjie Gonzalez (and his Iriga city team), Jay Meloto, Choi Florece, Jom Badilla and moi.

Unfortunately, I couldn't climb the stairs up to the viewing deck where the boys met and discussed.  So I don't have the details of the meeting.  I did get to talk to the Kapitbahayan women (Mabuhay ladies themselves) and picked out some vital information in making the bed & breakfast tour packages really interesting.  :)

Here are some notes from that conversation and what I picked up from the men's discussions.

• The 2 bed & breakfast units will be constructed by the provincial team right beside the viewing deck
• Mayor Gazmen's office will do site development for the parking (enabling easy access to the bed & breakfast units)
• Water system will be developed to ensure that water reaches the b&b units
• Mt. Iriga (aka Mt. Asog), right across the GK village, can be trekked in a day.  They say it is possible for older people to join the trek.  The GK village residents can be trained to be trek guides.  I met one of the KB officers who has been up the mountain.
• An Aeta community resides within the area.

After the meeting we had merienda at the Centro of Iriga at MCM.  Everyone ordered halo-halo.  I just had a taste from Jay's as the doctor has warned me against sweets (yes but worth ordering!).  I got a tuna sandwich.

3rd meeting with the Provincial Team

January 31, Thursday

First stop : 10:00 AM 

LRay GK Village, Del Gallego

Present :

Provincial team was led by Chie's assistant, Malyn.  Architect Willy was with her.

GK team consisted of Jay, Jomari, Angel and moi.  We were joined by the Project Director Boboy Rubio.

They were able to identify the site for both the b&b units and the restaurant.  The first row of houses were still being completed and the last two units would be converted to the b&b units.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the "actual" site development plan with us.  Tito Boboy had a lay-out of the site though which used as reference.

It was agreed that the restaurant will take the space at the left-most side (orientation : facing the community) by the road, displacing the row of houses it was originally intended for.  The site lay-out will then be adjusted.  In essence, the restaurant will take up the livelihood space which was originally at the back-end of the community.

A possible break point in this project : work has temporarily been stopped (oh no!).  I am unsure why...  It has something to do with the Project Director being related to the Vice Mayor and not being aligned to the Mayor.  Actually this GK Village WAS made possible because of the alignment between Gov LRay and the Vice Mayor.  The difficulty (as I understand it) is that the cooperation of the Mayor's office is vital for the project to move.  The beneficiary selection is based on the MSWD list (which is with the Mayor's office I would think).  Without the beneficiary list there is no Kapitbahayan who will do sweat equity.  I may be wrong but... I know that Gov LRay has also supplied skilled workers as part of his commitment to GK, so ultimately, work should still be able to go on, right?  I really don't know for sure why work has stopped.  More about that later... once I get more info.

Lunch is at the Vice Mayor's house (who is not around at that time).  I don't remember what we ate but there sure was a lot of rice.  There was fish I remember and some stew -- could it have been adobo?  And veggies that looked like pinakbet.

3rd Meeting with the Provincial Team

January 31, Thursday

Second stop : 1:30 PM 

Familia Dy Tiak Pon GK Village, Libmanan

Still with the same teams we meet this time the Project Director of GK Libmanan -- Agoy Deomano and his team.  Good things that Raffy of the GK National Bayan Anihan team was also there as he was discussing the Shell Farm with the Libmanan team.

We came just in time since Tito Agoy (a very enthusiastic and entrepreneurial person - which is why GK Libmanan is a showcase site) was ready to construct a parking area where everyone thought the B&B units should be.  He was even halfway through building a GK guest house (oh no!) which can now be converted to a Sibol School (sigh of relief!).  After much discussion and convincing (hard to convince this visionary PD of ours!) we were able to agree that the proposed site for the parking area will be where we construct the 2 bed & breakfast units.  The b&b units would be a better frontage anyway than a parking lot.  The parking area will now be further down.

Water supply is not a problem here.  :)  And hopefully, the Shell Farm will be up and running in time for the b&b units.

I went around and the community was preparing their backyard garden (where they plant their basic veggies).  It has been raining for weeks past and it has been a few days of sun -- a signal to plant again.  Sacks of dark soil were ready for distribution and I chanced upon a Kapitbahayan woman already intent on planting.  She was elbow-deep into her task when I took her photo.  She was also 6 months on the way and will be giving birth by May -- a couple of weeks earlier than moi.

Merienda was initially a plate of sweet bread rolls.  Buti na lang nakahabol yung in-order nila na siopao bread.  It looked like monay with siopao asado filling.  Conscious of the carbs I peeled off the outer layer of bread and ate closer to the core.  My hubby apparently did the same.  I would rate this siopao bread a must-have even for the weight-conscious.  :)

4th Meeting with the Provincial Team

February 8, Friday

9:00 AM CamSur Provincial Office

Jom arrives early this morning from Manila by bus to stay only for the day.  He is set to leave for Manila tonight via the 9pm bus.  Jay is unable to join this meeting as he needs to be in the Petron GK site in Manito, Albay.  The PNOC partners are flying in from Manila to check progress in the site.

Present :

From the Provincial CamSur office : Chie Bermeo, Chief Engineer Gerry Epres and Architect Willy Rodriguez

From GK : Hayee Azana, Jomari Badilla and moi

Agenda 1 : Proposed land for GK sites

First, Chie informed us that the Mayor of Bula has committed to make the land ready by less than a month.  This piece of land is at a good location -- just a mere 100 mts. away from the highway.

Second discussed was the property for Baao.  

The initial property available had tenants on it and there were a number of tenants who required some compensation for the possible "transfer".  Both the mayors and the tenants were hesitant to propose a figure and were therefore at a deadlock.  Chie mentioned an alternative location at an area called La Medalla.  This piece of land is at a slope, quite similar to Iriga - and may pose quite a challenge in site development.  Unlike the original property it was not of prime location (i.e., close to the highway).

Both Tito Hayee and Chie agreed that the original property was better.  Tito Hayee proposed that the tenants be incorporated in the GK community.  Apparently, Chie was unaware that this was possible.  In the end, the agreement was to work on securing the original property.

Agenda 2 : Tourism Projects for GK

T

he meeting lasted for two and a half hours -- and so much was achieved.  Jom was... I don't know... very impressive.  He just kept drawing and drawing -- coming up with instant sketches, designs and suggestions for materials to be used.  Am glad we have him in this team.  :)

A. Bed & Breakfast Units

Well first-off, Chief Engineer Gerry showed us the engineering and architectural designs for the bed & breakfast units.  They looked even more beautiful!  I couldn't understand much of the other schematics but... they looked really neat, detailed and technical.  Haha.  Jom was happy.  

Basic furnishings and material were discussed.  Chief Engineer Gerry quoted initially P380 thousand for the house construction itself.  We estimated inclusion of furniture plus some adornments and the area outside-- target budget should be within P500,000 per unit -- maybe trimmed down to under.

For project tasks, we agreed that construction was really c/o the Provincial Team (up to finishing, interior and furnishings).  Prov team and GK will work together on the marketing.  Management will be c/o GK.

Timetable for the B&B:

• Feb 11 - secure Gov's approval
• End February - bidding to contractors
• 1st wk March - start of construction
• End April - end of construction
• 1st wk May - furnishings
• 2nd wk May - shoot/inauguration, preparation for presentation materials
• 3rd wk May - presentation to US GK Summit by Gov LRay

B. Restaurant Bus-Stop in LRay GK Village (Del Gallego)

Jom with Chief Engineer Gerry and Architect Willy designed (on-the-spot) the restaurant at Del Gallego.  The structure will have : 150-seating restaurant, a large enough kitchen with storage, multiple cubicle restrooms, a parking area for buses (at the rear), parking area for cars (upfront) and a souvenir kiosk.

The height of the structure is estimated to be min. of 4 mts. (at lowest point) and the floor area at 15 x 30 sqm.  Similar to the design feature of the B&B, there will be local stones as accents.

Timetable : Feb 12 (during the next Iriga meeting) - presentation of the floor plan design and perspective.  (Jay and I will not be around but Jom will be coming back to Naga for that meeting).

Another breakpoint raised was the absence of a water system in the village.  It was said that the caretaker team had already tried to tap into a water source 4 pipes down and wasn't able to raise up a supply.  The provincial team said 4 pipes down was still low and that they should still go deeper -- ensuring to go deeper than the sea water bed.  They said it was impossible that they could not tap into a water supply because Del Gallego is low-lying.

Ma'm Chie reiterated the importance of the GK Del Gallego project and imparted the Governor's intention to help in whatever way necessary to ensure the success of the project.

C. Fourth Site for B&B

Initially, the fourth B&B site was supposed to be Siruma.  However the GK team had already anticipated one key challenge -- its relative inaccessibility.  We suggested an alternative site to Ma'am Chie - the GK site in Pasacao - which is likewise near the beach and is more accessible for tourists and for those who will build the b&b.  Ma'm Chie will get Gov LRay's approval before we push ahead.

I was so sleepy and was super grateful for the coffee served to us.  They say I shouldn't be drinking coffee but... the pregnancy book says 1 to 2 cups a day is ok.  So I drank my first ever cup of coffee since the start of my pregnancy.  Yum.  I (and apparently, even the baby) had no adverse reaction, tenks God.

Post-meeting

We went around with Mr. Chief Engineer and Mr. Architect to check out the CWC accommodations.  Beautiful place.  :)

Research on GK Tourism Sites

Had an entire afternoon on the web researching on the GK sites where we would be putting up the B&B units.

IRIGA has a huge adventure potential.  Besides the more obvious trek up Mt. Iriga (which has two trails!) there are other nature side trips.  We can take guests to Lake Buhi - 30 mins. away, where the second to the smallest fish in the world (the Sinarapan) can be found.  You can take a boat ride around the lake and visit an island within, La Roca Encantada.  Then there are the Itbog Falls in Brgy. Sta. Cruz and the Sabang Falls in Iriga.

(Click here for more details and search in the index : Camarines Sur.)

DEL GALLEGO is a small town - and quiet, if you pass by the place on your way to Naga from Manila.  We had a couple of name studies for the Resto-Bus stop.  We initially started with GK Diner but are more inclined to GK Kantina.  It sounds perfect as "GK Kantina del Gallego".  It is spanish sounding but seems appropriate.

It makes sense to sound spanish specially with the word del Gallego.  Upon researching the town I stumbled upon a historic blog.  The town was named after one of its pioneering residents - a strapping young Spaniard named Juan del Gallego.  (See, it all fits!)  For tourist activities, just a bit of trivia... former President Manuel L. Quezon drove a gold nail to start the construction of the railway system connecting Manila to Legazpi.

LIBMANAN on the other hand... is the municipality with the largest land area in Camarines Sur.  Obviously I don't have much yet on Libmanan.  But then, truth is, the GK Village itself will have a lot of tourist activities on its own.  Oh, I forgot!  Libmanan has the Culapnitan Caves!  I still have to get more details about that like how far from the site and how extensive the explo is.  It is said to have nineteen limestone caves that house thousand of bats.  Good source of guano!  :)

PASACAO is the nearest beach destination from Naga so that in itself is a plus.  I haven't been to the GK site there but I've been told that the GK site is by the beach (or close to it, at the very least).  And there are dive sites!  Hahaha... maybe we are going too far with this.  Anyway, it's an option.