Staying Positive

My mom turned 79 early this year. With the celebration came the realization she would need more than her loyal home staff to manage her needs. Being retired and the most eligible among my siblings, I have taken on the task. And I have relocated to Cebu to manage as best as I can my mother’s affairs. 

I blogged about the mixed emotions my siblings, my friends and I go through when dealing with the care of a parent who, once was so independent, is now experiencing memory lapses. (The Quest ; Still Mommy; To Everything Turn Turn Turn).  A year ago, I would call her daily to check how things where. I also flew to Cebu at least four times a year to keep her company. And when she had to visit my siblings in the States, I would be her travel companion.

But in just a short time, it has become increasingly difficult for her to manage by herself.  The house bills, doing the groceries, maintenances and the like.

Every now and then though, I have to remind myself to cut her some slack and not be over solicitous so as to give her some semblance of independence. It’s not as if she has become helpless. I thank God every day for the fact that she is still one active individual.  She continues with many of her routines: 1-hour walk every other morning; lunches with friends and relatives; visits to the Casino more to socialize with the regulars than to hit the tables; her weekly novenas— Mother of Perpetual Help and Sto Nino; and, the occasional visit to her family’s farm in Leyte.

In the first months soon after I arrived, I poured all my energy in creating order: schedules, budgets, health issues of house staff and the supervision of  major house repairs.

Eventually, things settled down and so I settled down.  I made time to dine with friends, take on short road trips around Cebu and visit my kids back in Manila.  My mother was relieved I was finally letting her be and having fun on my own. ( I guess she needed a break from me as well.. ha..ha)

It is in these short breaks I am able to recharge, enjoy the company of my kids and my friends, and, in turn care for myself.  This makes for maintaining a positive outlook. It's also the key ingredient when caring for a love one.

---xoxoxox---

In the past, visits to Cebu were short. This meant just hanging around mommy’s hill top home or relaxing at the beach.  

The longest stay would be about a week.

When we had to dine out, it was usually going to the same restaurants: Chicaan (for crispy pata, heart of banana salad, grilled seafood and bibingka), Harbour City (for dimsum, steamed fried rice and bochi), and Café Laguna (for Tagalog home cooking goodness like kare-kare, sinigang, and puto bong bong).

With my recent relocation, there is more unhurried time to sample new dining experiences or at a spur of a moment, go on road trips that make for a well spent day.

Here’s a list of 10 restaurants among the hundreds you could try. Or if you have tried them already, to revisit as I have done when in need to recharge my positive outlook:

Black Iron- A small restaurant tucked in a corner road in Banilad where burgers are their specialty and served on black grilling plates. It’s a good meeting place for unhurried chit-chats with friends.

Le vie Parisienne  - You pass UP Cebu and it's close to the imposing Mormon church in Lahug.  Multi-faceted. A bakery, a deli, a wine library. Delicious croissants, melt in your mouth macaroons, Frenchie desserts and wine to fit any budget. The open seating area is filled with plastic cherry blossom miniature trees that lit up at night. Kitschy but hey, it’s not Paris. With enough wine in you, it can be Paris.

Lantaw, SRP- The latest branch of two other outlets (Lantaw, Busay and Lantaw, Mactan) This is a large open air restaurant located along the SRP (South Road Project).  Serving delicious Pinoy favorites and some with a twist—like their bibingka with ice cream. Stop by after your visit to the whale-sharks in Oslob.

Mr. A Bar and Restaurant- A hill-top restaurant complex a drive up busay (pass Marco Polo Hotel).  There’s a perfect table for everyone.  An open air dining setting for those who like to dine under the stars while gazing at the city lights below. If you want the comforts of air conditioning, they have that too plus karaoke options. Very relaxed ambience.  Delicious and no frills dining at it’s best. The view goes very well with very cold SMBeer.

Abaca Baking Company- A small two-level trendy affair located at Crossroads, Banilad.  It’s a very mini version of Wild Flour Bakery in Makati. But just the same, the creatively put together sandwiches, salads and desserts hit the spot.  The artsy decor made for interesting conversation.

Boosog- I think it is one of the few restaurants in Cebu that serves Bugas Mais –(Corn grits- very Cebuano) besides the usual steamed rice. Their seafood mongo in coconut cream is to die for.

Hukad- This restaurant is found in Ayala Mall and fills up quickly.  It’s Philippine cuisine and priced just right.  They have set menu for 4 persons at P350 which already includes all the rice you can eat, iced tea, soup and 3 other viands. A bargain. The restaurant is part of the Golden Cowrie Chain.

Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast- Located along Maria Luisa Road, Banilad. The location is a short distance from the entrance of one of Cebu’s exclusive subdivisions. My friends and I paid a bit more for the pizza, the pasta and the roast chicken we ordered but we were not disappointed.  Delizioso!

sorry no pictures for this one. I was busy eating ; )

Abeseria Deli and Cafe- A restaurant that can be challenging to find in the Mabolo district.  It doubles as a pasalubong center and an outlet for creatively designed fashion accessories and one of a kind accent pieces for the home.  Eat and shop. What a perfect match.

                          sorry no pictures for this one too. I was busy eating and looking ; )

The Tinder Box- located along busy route, right before Cebu Country Club. A wine bar, a delicatessen, a restaurant with a continental feel.  I am sure there is something that will please even the most discriminating diner.  No blaring music here, thank you very much!

   sorry no pictures for this one either. I was busy enjoying the wine and the conversations ; )

Note: If you want more information and pictures of these restaurants, they are all very google-ble.
                                                              ---xoxoxox---

Oh, Cebu.  You have grown too fast with your malls, condos, migrants and traffic jams.  Nonetheless, it’s good to be back and to have so many options for the occasional “day-off” from mother duties.