A change in latitude, does wonders to my attitude.

Philippine Mangoes After a gruelling one year of MBA studies and having finally succeeded in my     thesis defence, I  made my long awaited trip to the Philippines. Happy to renew friendships forged 6 years ago.  It was a fruitful trip having met up with my work partners, family friends and former bible-study group.  I had forgotten how easy it was to be  pampered in the Philippines where housemaids, nannies and drivers are easily available. Manpower resource is just abundant, making Filipinos a much sought after human capital worldwide.  Cheese Ensaymada I had also forgotten how delightful Cheese Ensaymada tasted: pillowy soft, smothered with butter, sugar and grated cheese. My friends indulged me with Pinoy dishes that I missed: sweet desserts like Putu Bumbong, Bibingka Espesyal and Palitaw. Main dishes like Seafood Sinigang,  Pancit Luglog and Lumpia Ubud.  Like any cosmopolitan city, Manila boasts of a wide repertoire of cuisines. I had a scrumptious Greek, lunch, followed by Fren

It seems that everyone is riding on the price -hike game. Prices of food has risen 20-30%. For example: Malay Lontong ( rice cakes smothered with vegetable coconut broth) once cost a mere $2.00, then crept to $3.60 in 2021  and now at $4.50. Roti Prata, a local South Indian breakfast favourite cost $5 for two pieces of roti, what used to be $1.20 each.  Roti Prata and Teh Tarik Sunday breakfast has become an expensive affair for a family of four. And I am referring to eating at the neighbourhood coffeeshop.  Even restaurants have hiked their prices: Five Star Kampung Chicken rice has a  three-tiered pricing for its chicken rice: breast meat ( $7.50), thigh ( $7.00) and back ($6.50) which shock the daylights out of me. What used to be once priced at $3.50.  Joo Chiat Road, a former enclave of Straits Chinese ( Peranakan ) families in their pretty  two storey houses have since given way to commercial redevelopment. Coffee bars, fitness clubs, bakeries, restaurants and retailers of wines