Baclaran Day (Paranaque)

Indeed, there are streets and alleyways in Metro Manila that can attest to an indomitable spirit and bear witness to a cultural heritage that has been preserved, however sublime, through time.

Baclaran Day or Baclaran is one place that bears witness to a cultural heritage that has been preserved through time. What is Baclaran all about? what is this place that captivates the masses to come to the place and enjoy food, shopping or just to walk around to pass the time.

I never understood the captivation of the place till now. Baclaran for me, remembering it from my childhood, when mentioned, the name always reminds me of my mom, she loved going to Baclaran specially on a Wednesday. For me back then in my young mind all I saw about the place and the mention of its name, was the overly crowded streets with people from almost all walks of life, the jammed up traffic everywhere filled with "jeepneys" honking horns, the smell of the wet markets, and the Novena Prayers for the Catholic Christians.. I had a great deal of understanding then, and why did my mom love this place...like she had to go there at least once a week or if given the chance, it was like a pilgrimage for her.

Having gone to the place first hand, now everything is clear why people are drawn to Baclaran. For the pious christian, Baclaran is a place of Wednesday prayers and confession, specially if one is making a special request to god, maybe material, emotional healing or for good health the requests goes on. But for some, or the ordinary comer to the place, it is understandable on why Baclaran is captivating to the locals and tourists alike.

what you get to see when going to Baclaran. Aside from the colorful painted Jeepneys that you find in the jammed streets of the place, you get to see an array of stalls lined along it's sidewalks filled with their assortments of goods from clothes, shoes, sandals, food and many more, at which you can bargain the price for.

the entire scene of the shop stalls gives the feel of being at a flea market, although it is not of such, but the way trading is conducted does not differ afar...where you can bargain for the lowest price you have in mind. If in luck you may just get what you want at a reasonably middle price where both trader and you are happy... by the way majority of the traders are open to the cutom of bargaining as a trading culture which makes it as a come on to the place. So If you are down there in Baclaran as a local or a tourist one must not be shy to bargain for a price when shopping around, likewise traders are courteous about the idea of bargaining and even encourage you to haggle to strike a sale

as i've mentioned you can find almost anything to buy, garlands of jasmine is found in aboundance for sale around entrances to the church courtyard, (Jasmine is locally known as "Sampaguita" it is the national flower of the Philippines) the flowers are normally strung into a garland using "abaca fiber" as the string, the strung flowers are often mixed with "Ylang Ylang" blossoms... which creates an exotic scent of perfume to passers by.

assortments of fresh flowers from all over can also be found for sale at flower stalls at very low prices... often flower shop owners come to the place to buy their floral ingridients. Roses, Tulips, Crisantemums and Orchids of various breeds are a common sight. Baclaran is considered a wholeseller's place for cut flowers too.

The Philippnes being a predominantly 80% Roman Catholic country, due to its Spanish influence. It is common to see religious icons for sale almost everywhere. Me being a free thinker, have looked at these icons filled with history and art. Seen in the feature from the top are crafted carvings taken from Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", Michael Angelo's “The Ascension" and other reproductions like "The Crucifixion" inspired from works of Bellini. Prayer beads (Rossary Beads) of almost any length and color is a common item for sale around Baclaran Church, lastly to mention would be a famous icon that is also in abundance is the "Santo Niño" (Infant Jesus) of various sizes can be found at most of the religious stalls.

what on earth are this things?, like metioned earlier that almost anything can be found at Baclaran. This is interesting, traditional medicines made from mixtures of oils, roots, leaves and whatever they put there is a big question. Don't be surprised to find black magic potions and cures to almost anything humanly thinkable.
above is a classic, this bottles labeled "Pampa Regla" lit translation (Induce Menstruation) this potent cocktail of I don't know whats in it... is known to be used for abortion... abortion in the Philippines is illegal by the way, the sale of this potent stuff is legal anywhere. Other stuff seen in the picture (in small bottles) had labels on them for certain uses, such as headache potions, love potions (Gayuma) vernacular, and even pregnancy potions for those who want to conceive. (creepy stuff huh) well one man's poison is another mans cure....
moving on, the abundance of fruits that come from all over that you find at sidewalk fruit stalls, Lychee's from China, Mata Kuching (Longans) from Thailand & Taiwan, the Mangosteen from Mindanao and Malaysia, Sunkist Oranges from the US are some of the fresh fruits to mention that can be available almost all the time.
for those who don't know what this golden yellow fruits are, they are known in the Philippines as "Santol" or Bangkok Santol. The tree is widely found in the northern parts of southeast asia like Thailand (where the varity type Bangkok Santol takes its name from) and parts of Cambodia. Santol is a tropical fruit believed native to former Indochina and Peninsular Malaysia, and to have been introduced into India, Borneo, Indonesia, the Moluccas, Mauritius, and the Philippines where it has become naturalized. It is commonly cultivated throughout these regions and the fruits are seasonally abundant in the local markets. I've Iived in Malaysia and Singapore for sometime but have not come across the fruit over there. For me i consider this fruit exotic. If you are down in Baclaran as a tourist i would recommend you try the fruit if it is available or in season, Santol is something to experience.

guacamoli anyone?... some say that the best Avocados can only be found in the Philippines. I say for a fact so far that "the best avocados can be found in the Philippines" yup heard it right, its not only for avocados, the best tasting mangos too are only found in the Philippine islands, the thought of it makes me crave. Bottle neck avocados as in the photo feature, are in abundance almost everywhere when in season. Baclaran is one place where you can find the fruits alsmost all year round.

Lechon....... ahhh let it speak for itself.. this you can find in Baclaran 24/7/365, one particular shop to find it is Lydias Lechon (hope i got the shop name right) Lechón is often cooked during national festivities (known as fiestas), the holiday season, and other special occasions, but in Baclaran you can find it like i mentioned 24/7.

"Dinuguan" lit english ( blood stew) bizzare may it sound or seem to the westerner... but frankly its very tasty, you just have to be daring in character to try this sort of dish... I believe, for one to experience a place that you visit, one must sample and taste the local food....the best i can come up with what Dinuguan is all about, dinuguan is a savory stew of blood and meat simmered in a rich, spicy gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili and vinegar. The term dinuguan comes from the word dugo meaning "blood". It is recognizably thick and dark, hence the Westernized nickname "chocolate meat". It is similar to the Singapore dish pig's organ soup, differing in that it does not contain vegetables and has a characteristically thick gravy.

street food.... wonder what those yellow orange things are?.... well i call them "HEPA EGGS" HEPA for Hepatitis LOL what is this all about ... first of all they are hard-boiled duck eggs dipped in orange batter and deep-fried. The term "hepa" brands up for its name because of it's color... when you catch hepatitis you turn yellowish.. i love eating this stuff by the way.... the way to eat these deep fried duck eggs is to dip them in spicy chili vinegar... the origin of this street delight is unknown to me ...well i still love it... tip: when eating street food of Manila just make sure they are fresh .... and don't forget to have your hepatitis shots if you are as adventurous with food like me.

Barquillos.... well what is it? ... this brings back lots of fond memories of my grandmother, i remember as a kid everytime we go to visit my grandmother at the big house on Sandays, my grandmom would usually have a packet of Barquillos for me..and i would over hear the chit chat of the older ones in impassing conversations that my grandmother bought the goodies from Baclaran ;) what is it anyway and its origin... barquillos is a sort of wafer introduced by the Spaniards. Traditionally known as "pan de angel" (angels bread) it is similar to the wafers that the Singaporeans call "love letters" ...... the wafers are sweet and heavenly to the pallet specially eating them with ice cream ; )

Anyway... all for a quick stroll in Baclaran.... there are alot more things that i've not mentioned here... and it would take me a book to write all about what else there is to Baclaran... like i said, now that i understand my mom's fondness for the place.. the only way for one to understand Baclaran or Baclaran day is to experience the place.... best by first hand visiting Baclaran...