December 16 - 31 , 2016 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY OPINION A7

By Deedee Siytangco

Reprinted from Manila Bulletin

‘ Remember to welcome strangers in your homes . There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it .’ Hebrews13:2 ****** My son Junie , his wife Coralyn , their two sons , Monchu and Miggy are home from Vancouver for the holidays ! I share the joy of all reunited families this Christmas season !

Thanks to Philippine Airlines ’ straight flight , they had a smooth ride and were able to enjoy a family bonding weekend at Anvaya Cove right after landing .

It ’ s the season to forget diets and calories while we seniors still keep an eye on cholesterol and blood sugar levels . But … We want to recommend two restaurants for your savory family reunions .

Check out XO 46 Heritage Bistro ’ s ( for those who ask , it was so named for “ extraordinary ” Filipino fine dining and to commemoration the country ’ s independence from the Americans in 1946 ) gising gising , ensaladang gubat , fried kare kare , chicken pastel , to-die-for halo-halo , and other yummies at any of their branches located in Valero , Century Mall , Aura , Estancia at Commons , and now at S ’ Maison at Conrad Hotel . Or you can

my favorite bangus dishes and some . There is the crispy pata that falls off the bones , the no-guilt bangus lumpia , boneless sinigang na bangus , bangus in candied sampaloc sauce , pancit bami , and other family handaan goodies .

They have packages for small or big families packed with favorites to include newer dishes in their bento bilao and their crispy pata box to make Christmas yummy-licious !

As Nina says , “ Bangus is where ‘ sarap lives ’ and we agree . The Filipino classic restaurant has 33 years of making bangus lovers happy and

Bulong Pulungan awardees at Sofitel ( from left ): Sen . Cynthia Villar , Robert Lim Joseph , Kara Alikpala

this Christmas is no different . If , like me you , want to order frozen bangus lumpia or chicken relleno for the family reunions , call 02 725 3038 three days before your pick up date .

Sen . JV Ejercito ’ s sweet recollections of family reunions during Christmas include noche buena dinners with his mom , San Juan mayor Guia Ejercito , and his siblings .

He smacks his lips at the anticipation of favorite dishes , tskolate eh from Batangas , pandesal , and kesong puti .

The next day , more expanded family reunions with his dad , Manila Mayor Erap Estrada and a slew of relatives . He spends his suspension from his senate work ( 90 days since November ) bonding with family and healing from his torn shoulder injury from his favorite sports-boxing , basketball , golf ,— and feasting on his choice holiday dishes . He recently treated his mom to XO Heritage Bistro after he liked the food he had there with some media women . He did not contest his suspension ( although he could have had ) he said , and took the harsh Ombudsman ’ s decision without fuss . The amount was miniscule and the offense was to divert his town ’ s calamity funds to buy guns for policemen . That time , as mayor , he saw the alarming increase in crime in his area , and it was for this emergency situation his council voted to allot was P3 million to purchasing the needed guns for the police force .

JV ’ s advocacies in the senate included pushing for another close look at the use of atomic energy for cleaner power to curtail the country ’ s carbon emissions . He sees the massive infrastructure and new transportation plans of the Duterte

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