Monday, October 28, 2019

It had been a busy weekend ferrying media friends all over town who flew in to celebrate the highlights of the MassKara Festival and to cover stories about the sugar industry that is once again beset by the possibility of following the fate of the rice industry, which we all hope should not happen.

For all six of them, this was the first time to join the festivities and sadly, the heavy rains ruined what could have been an otherwise great visit for them.

Fortunately, the other sights and events to see around the province made up for lost opportunity to watch the Electric MassKara or party around Lacson Tourism Strip.

Saturday came, and by my own fault, we reserved tables at Bar 21 thinking that the lighted floats will pass by the area which of course took another route. We decided to walk the strip until rain fell again. It was a good thing that we were near L’Fisher Hotel to take cover and just wait for our vehicle after deciding it was not worth it.

What miffed me, though, was when police personnel, who were checking belongings, confiscated my pack of unopened cigarettes saying it was not allowed. I know our city has an ordinance banning smoking in open spaces and can even fine or arrest you, but I have not heard that confiscating cigarettes was part of the enforcement.

Worse, they were selling cigarettes in the Marlboro booth so the context of confiscating to prevent smoking in public places was lost on me and the only justification I can think of was to give sales to the sponsors. And that was just bad.

Walking along Lacson strip used to be fun but maybe, I have not gone near the area for several MassKaras now and got a bit dumbfounded that mini-stages were set-up in the middle of the street and some food kiosks actually set up tables and chairs right smack in the middle as well.

It was kind of hilarious yet very inconvenient, not just for the people walking the streets but more so for the patrons of those kiosks who definitely got bumped while eating.

Seeing that the rain had no intention of letting up, we decided to pass by the Inom Ta! event in Paseo Verde which was sponsored by the provincial government and spearheaded by former Congressman Albee Benitez who is the provincial consultant on economic development and investments.

The concept was similar to the annual Bend Brew Fest we had a chance to experience in Bend, Oregon last August where all micro-brewers in the state come together to launch their new products and have become a launching pad for many home brewers to go commercial.

Similarly, the organizers for the Inom Ta event invited local brewers to sell and introduce their products to the public and as Albee said, the one who will have the greatest number of nods from patrons will be given assistance by the province by launching them nationally and even internationally.

There was the Likod-Balay brand and I must say their IPA was quite good. I surmise that like many brewers, their business of brewing started in their garages or backyard thus the name.

The beers offered by those who run the Trapdoor bar were also good and it was surprising when Albee said that they were just two of fourteen brewers in the province. If they’re indeed good, then it will probably be a sound investment for the province to help promote them even at least locally since I bet not many people know we have good local brewers in town or where they sell their products.

There too is the Don Papa rum which gets distilled alcohol from Central Hawaiian and though a bit pricey, is really very good.

A big hit that night and got huge sales was Destileria Barako vodka distributed locally by Chin and Francine Uy of Fresh Start. Their caramel vodka was really good albeit I found it too sweet for my taste. But our friends, most of them in their 20’s, just couldn’t get enough of it and brought home a bottle each at a discounted price.

However, I’m not sure though if Destileria Barako falls under the category of local products since it is being produced in Nausug, Malay, Aklan and only distributed by local merchants here.

Nevertheless, the Inom Ta event was a big hit especially when the South Border band took the stage and brought the house down. Not even the pouring rain dampened the spirits of many who attended the event and thankfully, there were many of my age who came in droves to party that night as it would have been awkward if it were another event filled with young adults.

Along with Albee, provincial officials like Board Members Manman Kho, Andrew Montelibano and Ryan Gamboa were there to lend support to the event as well as Murcia Mayor Gerry Roxas and provincial employees like Lucille Gelvolea, Mina Pellejo, Benja Lucasan, Beverly de Oca and Chacha Magallanes.

The night started not so good but ended up fabulously and if there is going to be another Inom Ta event next year, that’s where I’ll definitely head to instead.*