APOtizers

I met the Apo Hiking Society when they were stepping up their foothold in the music industry. I was still in my teens, just a year shy of being in College. I recall that summer, when a testosteronic organization sponsored them to do a show in Cebu.

My Gazebian friend asked me if I wanted a summer job as secretary/gofer for the Apo Concert and I'm talking about the Summer of 1974.

Danny J. brought along his pretty wife (he was married then to a t.v. Comedian) Boboy was the playful one, but Jim was the eloquent one, whom I had an easy rapport with. Even when he was back in Manila, Jim and I used to correspond through mails. And the next summer, vacationing at my aunt's place in White Plains, Jim and I hooked up.

But just like all summer charms, it was good while it lasted.

The Apo went on to become one of the Philippine's top entertainers of all times. They did several more shows in Cebu after that and even conquered the Pinoy community around the world. I was too busy with my own schedule, a family to raise and several businesses to run, that I haven't had the chance to see any of their shows when it came to town. In retrospect, I should have at least seen another one. Our paths have not cross since.

After 30 years and thanks to the internet, I was able to hook up with Jim again. Moreover, I am now friends with Danny and Boboy in facebook. No sooner was my elation upheld when the news came that they were retiring from the industry after 40 years. I felt so sad, because now, my chances of seeing them perform together is gone kaput! Nada! Muy pasado!!!! Pastilan!

Hooking up after all these years, the only commonality I have with my good friend Jim is that he feeds the soul with his Joseph Campbell, while I feed the body with concoctions of Campbell soup (the one in can). And so as a tribute to them, I made my own version of amuse gueule or APOtizers. I have named my pieces using the first initials of their names.

To the APO HIKING SOCIETY:

-The only group that calls themselves, the hiking society, but in reality never walked—they rode planes or cars. The only time they walked is when they'd join rallies in Manila.

-The only group that used the name of Apolinario Mabini – but none of them looked anyone like him even when they reached Mabini's age.---maybe one..and I'm not telling.

-The only group that has 3 members and call themselves a society ....... by the way society in bisaya is called sosyidad.....it's probably why they feel they have to”go?” ...kasi Society na may Idad--Sosyidad


My memories of the APO , I will always cherish. And hopefully when my stars will allign with Mars and Jupiter is in the 4th house of Venus and it will be in the age of ARIES (my sign) I might get lucky to see them all together even if it's just for a day in summer. Love you guys!



WELCOME THE APOtizers!!!!!


Bulalao in Garlic with parsley on crackers.

Many Pinoys love bulalo or bone marrow in soup, but it can also be served on toast or crackers since they have that rich buttery taste.
Have your butcher cut up beef bone marrow in pcs about 2-3 inches each. ) Clean off the beef meat from the sides of the bones.. Season with salt and pepper, then bake for 15 minutes or until the marrow loosens itself from the sides but still gelatenous.. Top with aoili (garlic paste)
Prepare parsley salad with mixture a mixture of balsamic vinegar,capers and evoo. Place on top of cracker or toast. Scrape of some buttery marrow and spread on toast. Top with aoli. YUMMM!


Daing on Java rice puto

Puto is rice cake, so I wanted to make it as my bottom canape for my home made daing. (Mike makes one of the best anchovies. When it comes to fresh anchovies, he's like a surgeon deboning it and places lots of spices, garlic and seasonings. If we can't have daing because it might make the apartment smell, we resort to homemade anchovies)
But Java rice is just like fried rice with a mixture of ingredients such as lemongrass, onions and much more. If I had the powdered ingredients above, I would have mixed it with my puto ingredients, but instead, I just minced some and placed it on top before baking it. Even my grandaughter kept on coming back for more.


Jazz Patatas

I went to the grocery to buy kamunggay leaves to put as topping for my crispy potatoe chips.
When I got home, I realized I bought ampalaya leaves, so I used nalang my parsley and used that
but you can use any herb you want, to make this crispy potatoes.