When I moved to my present home a few years before the turn of the century, the village only had a few houses and they were far apart. Most properties were vacant with tall grass and unattended areas. There was a road from Balara that would pass through our village to Marikina. At night, the roads were so dark. There were many times the security force would find bodies dumped in the vacant lots. There were huge snakes that would cross the streets a few times on my drive home. Fireflies were a common sight at night.
Today, development has taken over and it is one of the most full, secure, and well run villages in Metro Manila. Plus we have the cleanest and freshest air with Montalban mountains not too far away.
The city right beside us, Marikina, has become one of the cleanest cities too. It all started with the then Mayor Bayani Fernando who transformed this city into a well developed and model city. The current mayor, Marcy Teodoro, has continued this tradition and progress is all over. Business is flourishing here today.
Marikina has many go-to places for food. We did a show of Marikina favorites a few years back and I was surprised at my discoveries. It has the most delicious puto called Rocha. These are tiny cuchinta colored balls that have a tiny slice of cheese on top. They are soft, moist, sweet, and salty. Sarap!
Then there’s Mama Tings boneless bangus. There are dozens of workers who remove the bangus meat, boil it, debone it, and cook it in kawas ( huge vats). I’ve witnessed the production line and I was very impressed. It was a version made with pure bangus meat. Very good!
Then there’s Eat Fresh that just opened a few years ago. It’s also doing wonders. Here, I always get the lechon kawali, soy chicken, barbeque pork, salt and pepper squid, French beans, fresh juices, beef tendon, roast duck or goose when they have it, laksa, and their Hong Kong noodles with peanut sauce.
Of course there is Rustic Mornings by Chef Portia Magsino, the best breakfast place in Manila. I dream of and go back for her thick and crispy waffles. I bring my own peanut butter or Nutella. With that I have my seasoned omelet and sausage. (The place is health-conscious about salt intake so please specify to the server). To start the day with breakfast here, brightens my day.
I remember my lola-in-law who was from Marikina would serve us a dish called waknatoy. I was told it originated from Marikina but I never came across it before. It was good but nothng great. I mentioned this to Portia and she pointed me to her aunt who she said could do a well-made waknatoy.
Waknatoy reminds me of our menudo but it’s much better. Portia’s aunt, Mama Chit, does make the most delicious waknatoy. I have ordered from her many times and brought it to a few potlucks and got praises for it.
Waknatoy is a speciality dish of Marikina made with a mixture of chunks of pork and chicken with sausage or hotdog, bell peppers, and other ingredients. It reminds me of our menudo but it’s much better. Portia’s aunt, Mama Chit, does make the most delicious waknatoy. I have ordered from her many times and brought it to a few potlucks and got praises for it. Mama Chit has a tiny restaurant in Marikina, not far from Rustic Mornings. She has an interesting menu, which I plan to try item per item. Another one of her winners is what Portia sent me—quapao! These are soft and moist siopao buns with a filling of melt-in-your-mouth sweet pork belly with fresh wansoy, a touch of garlic, chopped peanuts, and some sauce. This to me is the best version I’ve tried. Trust me! I let my kids try them and they were gone in a few minutes. I have to order more.
There’s another special dish made in Marikina called Everlasting. I still have to try a good version of this.
I love that the city beside my village has developed into an array of food discoveries. There are many more interesting dining places I plan to explore. In the meantime, when I want sure winners, I have my regular go-to places in Marikina.
Happy eating!
Mama Chits is at 278 J. P. Rizal, Marikina City. To order waknatoy and quapao, call one day ahead: (02) 8646 8547