When you take into consideration our host, his guests of honor, and the great food that was served, there was definitely something Pampanga-centric about the evening party Ricco Ocampo hosted at his cozy residence. As he described it in his invitation message—it was just a small group gathered to celebrate the congressional victories of Florabel Yatco and her NANAY party list, as well as that of incoming Pampanga First District Congressman Carmelo Lazatin (the outgoing Mayor of Angeles City).

True to form with Ricco’s soirees, his invitees were an eclectic mix, and it was a wonderful night for reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. And when the delicious Kapampangan food was served, much of the conversation turned to Ricco’s plans to open a new Pampanga restaurant on Chino Roces in the coming months. If he’ll be serving his special sisig, torta, and the longganisa I had that night, I’ll be first in line when the eatery opens.

Ricco is always the most congenial of hosts. We all loved how the conversation flowed around anything and everything under the sun. Rather than seating everyone stiffly around a long table, Ricco created small pockets of people, letting us drift easily from one group to another. Fun!