Visiting Dagupan,Pangasinan

DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN - I never expected Pangasinan to be a fun province to go. All along I thought Pangasinan is nothing more than a province in itself blessed with abundant marine resources. Yes, I was talking about the bangus. I went there yesterday for Jana's debut along with my former blockmates, Tina, Tina's boyfriend, Mel, and my classmate emeritus, Reg. L.A. and Joanna, both from a different section (classmates of Jana) were also with us.  We met at the University Tower in Manila at around 7am. Reg was late. So was I. We left for Dagupan by 9am. The trip was long and took us 5 hours before we arrived at Jana's house for lunch. Jana's family were very accomodating. They served us pancit, mongolian barbecue, relyenong bangus, and fried chicken. I was so hungry that time but still tried to conceive it by getting myself small servings. Yes, the key to every social eating even is, SMALL, FREQUENT FEEDINGS. Even in the Nursing practice, small, frequent feedings is such a cliche in planning interventions for patients with eating disorders.

After that, we headed to the Star Plaza Hotel (photo above) where Jana's debut will be held. We were given two rooms .(photo on right) We rested for a while, watching The Other Boleyn Girl at HBO and ate some chips that we bought from a local super market. One thing I love aobut Dagupan is the simplicity of the people, the environment is really laidback, very far from the complexities of Manila. Jana's debut started at 7pm. As usual, I was hungry again and can't wait for dinner to be served. LA and I were in one train of thought. Gluttony at its mighty apogee. I'm really getting fatter now but I don't mind. The party ended at around 11pm, we returned to our hotel rooms. By 1am, we headed to the Music Warehouse, we were supposed to go to Padi's Point but they told us that it closed earlier that usual that night. The Music Warehouse is cool, people partying and drinking beer. I must admit, I really am nothing but a neophyte in this  type of "partying". All along, I was constrained to the idea of a party where people, mostly relatives come and gather for a special occasion. Now,  my definition of partying had gone new light. Oh by the way, Kristine Maniacop, my oh-so mahinhin classmate also went with us. Back to the topic. Dancing in the dancefloor really felt very awkward, very different from cheerdancing where I was accustomed to. Up to now, I still can't discern why dancing people have to be close to each other. Nag-aamuyan ba sila o ano?

   

We went home the following day. We rode a bus going to Cubao. There was this lady who went on the bus selling a Pangasinan delicacy called Tupig. It was delicious, nutty to taste and grainy in texture. Its somewhat similar to a Pampango delicacy sold in Susie's Cuisine called Motchi. Not sure of the spelling though. Reg and I bought some which cost us 50 pesos for 15 pieces.

We left Pangasinan at around 3pm and I arrived at Pampanga at 7:30pm.  Tina and my other blockmates continued the lengthy trip up to Manila and then immediately headed home upon arrival.