Right out of the frying pan into the fire. After months of loosened COVID-19 restrictions, the Philippines just had its most tumultuous poll in its more than a century of existence as an independent nation.
The worldwide effects of inflation also hit us here. I myself felt the pinch with an increase in gas prices. Half a tank of petrol cost me P2,100 ($37), from P1,600 ($32) a week before and just P1,200 ($24) two weeks prior. Dad meanwhile pointed out the increase of goods at a grocery near us – citing higher prices for canned goods, dressed chicken, and bread.
Despite these negative outcomes, I still managed to make things work out here at The Monching’s Guide. The more relaxed mandates allowed me to do some “research” – with most of you seeing the products of those trips. This time, let me hit the brakes on food posts for a while to talk about updates on my end for the second quarter of 2022.
APRIL 2022
My younger brother and I visited Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig to watch a concert that featured his then-partner. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control forced us to go home early. Despite this, I simply looked to the fact that Dad would be out of town – which meant some semblance of peace and quiet.
A week after our visit to the commercial enclave, I paid a visit to The Brewman Coffee – which I wrote about. Cabin fever while working at home for two years led me to pay the place a visit. The COVID-19 pandemic put me in a house arrest situation, so visiting the café and meeting old friends became a welcome respite.
Here are some pictures of the BGC enclave, which looks like a small bit of Singapore excised and put right smack in the middle of Manila.
MAY 2022
I began the month with a visit to the province of Rizal, located some 40 kilometers (24 miles) southeast from where I live. An uncle who lived there passed away at the end of April, so we drove there to pay our final respects. His side of the family – our aunt and cousins – appreciated us setting aside some time to visit. Soon enough, other relatives from Mom’s side arrived; my late uncle was Mom’s younger brother.
Aside from this, I also took the holidays of May to visit several restaurants I wanted to check out for some time. Stay tuned here at the blog because I might publish them soon!
Our Texas-based bosses gave us the Memorial Day weekend off, which meant another extra day of rest. I took it as an opportunity to check out neo-Japanese restaurant TETSUO. This home-grown establishment had a branch near the university where I graduated – occupying the former spot of La Creperie, which I wrote about several years ago.
TETSUO has been popular due to its chicken ever since it opened, so I ordered the joint’s signature 2-Piece Chicken with Rice. Much as I appreciated the chicken being well-cooked, it didn’t live up to the hype when it came to the taste. I’ve personally tried out tastier fried chicken, so this was a let-down.
Unfortunately, the gains I had during this month went down the drain after a neighbor’s dog bit my younger brother. He told me that the dog just simply snuck up behind him as he was walking – and took a bite at his right leg. Thankfully, he managed to get anti-rabies and anti-tetanus vaccines just hours after being bitten. He also completed his anti-rabies vaccine schedule.
The neighbor who owned the dog did not renege on their responsibility and reimbursed us for the rabies vaccination fees. They also sent the dog to the city pound to prevent any more injuries. The said neighbor also extended his apologies for the inconveniences caused by their dog.
Let me end the first part of my second quarter update for 2022 with some of the food items I tried out during that period.
To recap, here are the posts I published for the month of May. I’m not including the ones from April as they’re the updates for the first quarter of this year.
Until the next post, keep it here on The Monching’s Guide!
The Monching's Guide 
Sounds eventful for the beginnings of a quarter.
Yeah, definitely jam-packed! Lots of things happening as people are catching up after more than two years of lockdowns.
You got it all covered our there back home…❤💕
Thank you! Hope things turn out right here, now that the pre-pandemic normal is set to return…
My thoughts exactly when I went to BGC for the first time — “is this Singapore?” lol. It was such a stark contrast from its surroundings; like you know you’re reaching the borders when you see the jeepneys and the buildings becoming less orderly.
Sorry to hear about your uncle’s passing and your brother getting bitten – hope he’s okay now. But you had some good experiences too. That’s the great part about blogging – you can recap how your life has been and look back on it at the end of the year. Hope the rest of 2022 will be filled with more positive experiences!
It surely was! BGC is a perfect example of urban planning at work — with its sidewalks and bike-friendly lanes.
Thank you for your thoughts. 🙂 Uncle’s family is doing good, and younger brother’s back to normal now. If anything, he lamented the temporary dietary restrictions on him; the veterinarian advised him to avoid fish, chicken, seafood, coffee, and alcohol throughout the duration of the vaccination!
Quite an active year so far! I’m sorry about your brother getting bitten. I hope to doesn’t affect his confidence with other dogs. The owner sounds like they dealt with the situation as best they could. Not a great situation for anyone, I don’t suppose!
Thank you for your thoughts, Helen! No worries, it barely affected him at all. We have two dogs here at home (a mongrel and a dachshund) and he still continues feeding and bathing them. He even brought both to a rabies vaccination drive organized by the local government where I live.
The owner was really regretful of the inconveniences his dog had done. Apparently, that same dog attacked and killed another neighbor’s shih tzu — forcing him to shell out a rather huge amount for damages. He even told us that he’s short of wearing a paper bag over his head whenever he walks around, just so the neighbors do not recognize him!
Wow, seems like you had quite a busy time 😳
I’m very sorry to hear that your brother was bitten. I hope everything is ok with him and the wound healed well? 🍀 All the best for him. 🤗
The problem with the rising prices seems to be worldwide. We have it here too and many of my friends in different countries in Europe are complaining, too. 😢
Definitely was! Thank you for stopping by, Livia, and apologies for the rather late reply. 🙂
Younger brother is better now, and his wound has fully healed that it’s barely noticeable. We actually joked about the experience — he’s now Bill Weasley 🤣
If anything, energy prices are indeed a worldwide problem. While I haven’t seen a spike in our electric utility bill (I often shoulder it), the skyrocketing fuel costs are the ones that come with wide repercussions. I filled up our family vehicle that runs on diesel, and my P2,000 ($35) load just comprised almost half. Before the Ukraine war, that amount could easily fill up three-quarters!
I’ve also read that too, with your home country (Germany) bearing the heaviest burden. Other Western European nations are also feeling the pinch, based on news articles I’ve been reading. 😦
I’m so glad you were able to pay your respects and that you were able to get out and do more things with your brother! Too bad your brother got bit by that dog though. The concert sounded super fun and I LOVED the images of your adventures! Thanks for sharing!
No problem! Unfortunately, that concert was the last time both of them ever met; they broke up later. 😦 Younger brother’s all good now.
I’m so sorry to hear that but I’m glad your brother is feeling better about it!
He sure is! Truth be told, the relationship was rather toxic. In line with the Harry Potter-related jokes, I always reassured him that at least he’s free of Bellatrix Lestrange and that he’ll find his Fleur Delacour soon.
Ouch, sorry to hear that your brother got bit by a dog. I’m glad though that there was no complication.
As for the inflation, it seems that whoever I speak to has started to feel the inflation or has been feeling it for a while. Let’s hope for a solution soon.
Thank you; very much appreciate the sentiment. We managed to go to an animal bite facility on a Sunday, thanks to some neighbors who were also part of the village council.
I just hope so too; may cooler heads prevail.
Oh no I’m sorry to hear about your brother! But the owner of the dog was responsible enough…that’s a relief😀
The owner was really regretful of the incident, most especially because we were one of the neighbors who welcomed them when they first moved in. But as they say, all’s well that ends well 🙂
I feel bad for the dog being sent to a pound. Are roaming dogs a problem in the Philippines?
Unfortunately, yes. While responsible pet ownership is common among upper- and middle-class Filipinos, those in the lower echelons aren’t.
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Hi Monch, an interesting update about your life. I also worked from home for over 2 years and am glad to be going to the office twice a week now and getting out more. It was good for my writing, but bad for my mental health. I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I am terrified of rabies which I researched when I wrote a short story about a character that contracted rabies.
Thank you for stopping by, Robbie! Interestingly, our team will be meeting in two weeks’ time — the first in-person gathering we have after two years of lockdowns and WFH.
Younger brother’s feeling better now and the animal bite has healed, thankfully. Ultimately, responsible pet ownership really makes a difference in preventing the spread of rabies.
Yes, you are right about pet ownership. We sometimes get rabies among the wild animal populations here in southern Africa.
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