ChristmaSarap at San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

I went back home to San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines after having a major surgery due to ruptured appendicitis brought by a traumatic experience last September 2022 at Cabanatuan City. The lead surgeon called the condition: ruptured appendicitis, partial intestinal obstruction, sepsis, and acute renal failure - secondary. It was a near death experience that led to a long healing process - to ensure that my mind, body, and spirit - are always aligned. I was unable to work and replying to emails was a BIG challenge. My mind pushed back and I cannot even compose a simple sentence so I ended up shutting down my laptop several times. But I was still able to use my phone and check my emails. It was a prolonged "sabbatical leave" - to rest, heal, recover and go back in shape. My experience paved the way to be a better version of myself, a more focused health enthusiast. Although there were cheat days, I started counting calories again, ensuring that I took eight hours of sleep or more, and getting enough exercise by cleaning the house, restoring old furniture, washing clothes, cooking and washing the dishes, walking, and taking care of my dog.

To make ends meet, my family supported me and I earned minimal income by marketing and selling food to support myself and my son who stopped schooling and is still working in a BPO. I revisited some of Mommy's recipes and my own experimental recipes, reading Yummy magazines, and watching Youtube food vloggers. I tried selling and re-selling simple delicacies such as puto, turon, nilupak, putok, lugaw, banana muffins, ice candy, coffee, cup noodles on the street, nearby stores, and at home. I also did affiliate marketing for various brands and was active in the company's referral program.

Last Christmas, I spent quality time with my son at San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The Bagong San Jose (New San Jose) brought back good old memories with my family. It was not perfect but it was better and brighter, as bright as the stars at night and as fresh as the natural forest at home. I can still remember the cold breeze and the smell of the tasty dishes in our kitchen and from our neighbors'.

Near San Jose City Hall, streetfood vendors and business owners created excitement by selling delicious, budget-friendly food - Filipino, American, Korean, and Japanese. My son and I enJOYed Pork Sisig, ₱55 at Sisig Corner, our number one choice. The pork was soft yet crunchy while the green chilis and red onions were fresh. The best part was the combined taste of Lady's Choice and Bestfoods mayonnaise, calamansi, and red chili on top of the pork sisig.

Shawarma Rice at Uncle Sam's was also a piece of heaven at ₱85. It was topped with well-cooked beef with all the right spices, fresh veggies, and Shawarma white sauce that added more juiciness and flavor.

Other streetfood that you can sumptuously devour are:

1. Chicken Skin (₱20) that is deep-fried and served in a plastic cup. Proben or proventriculus of a chicken (₱20)

2. Sweet corn (₱20) that is boiled and served in a plastic cup

3. Kwek kwek or orange battered hard-boiled chicken or duck eggs (₱20)

4. Athena's Ice Cream Rolls that has a long line due to its attractive and colorful, tasty designs

5. Fried Green peas, adobong mani or hubad na mani or peanuts, dilis or fried anchovy (₱5 to ₱10 or more, depends on how many scoops you want to buy)

6. Bibingka or baked rice (₱25) that is made of galapong or ground soaked glutinous rice, water, and coconut milk, topped with margarine and shredded coconut. Red egg is added if you buy a special bibingka (₱40). You can also buy Balut or boiled fertilized bird or duck's egg (₱20) that goes well with salt or spicy vinegar.

My son and I love pizza, milk tea, fruit tea, and fruit shakes. Diego's Pizza offers various flavors: De Luxe, Creamy Spinach, Tripple Cheese, Hawaiian, and Pepperoni, and Choco Nuttella. The bestsellers are De Luxe and Creamy Spinach (₱35 per slice). Besides the Black Forest and Wintermelon milk tea and Lychee fruit tea (3 for ₱100), R.K. Mango Graham is one of the best fruit shake vendors! They are generous in using fresh pure mangoes and topping it on covered plastic cups which are sold at: 3 for ₱100 (extra small), 3 for ₱135 (small), 2 for ₱115 (medium), and 2 for ₱139 (large). The fresh sweet taste reminded me of mango graham shakes at University of the Philippines Diliman.

After two joyful hours of yummy streetfood and drinks, we were delighted with the Christmas atmosphere at San Jose City Hall. Our hearts were captured by the breathtaking big Christmas tree, astounding rice plant design, bright stars and snowflakes, colorful lights, and the diligently handcrafted Belen or Christmas Nativity. The meticulous design of the place is provincial yet extraordinary!

Last December 25, 2023, I went to Katedral ni San Jose to attend the Christmas mass. The cathedral used to be a small church back in my childhood days. It was a "blast from the past" in such a way that the past has been hugely improved in the present.

The angels and stars at the cathedral depicts heaven on earth. The Belen or Christmas Nativity near the altar was thoroughly designed while the decors inside the cathedral has a bright and warm Christmas feel.