Pops Fernandez and leading talent manager Jojie Dingcong—one of the most known BFFs in lifestyle and entertainment—thought of how to fill their empty hours at home.
Dingcong, who remains attached to his hometown Bacolod, thought of sharing the dishes his home staff does with friends. Before the pandemic, Dingcong would fly to Bacolod on weekends—that’s how much he’s tied to his roots and its culture, and food. Even Fernandez has grown to love Bacolod.
Friends loved the dishes he sends them, especially the mechado, which is construction tycoon Alice Eduardo’s favorite.
Dingcong narrates the culinary journey with Fernandez: “Though my passion and my business as talent manager are adapting well, with some major adjustments and recalibrations, praise the heavens for that, I found myself at home for too long.
“So my ‘new normal’ has taken me to a totally unexpected path. As an eternal optimist, I always see the glass half-full, always finding joy in the smallest and simplest of things.
“Under lockdown at home, I rediscovered my kitchen and the Bacolod or Ilonggo flavors I grew up with. So with this ‘epiphany’ and to escape boredom, I asked my home cook to try more dishes, aside from our home fare. I gave her my fave Negrense cookbook, “Namit Gid,” compiled by the St. Scholastica’s Academy Class 1980.
“Oh boy, did we enjoy it so much. We got carried away immensely, and I have the extra poundage I gained as proof.
“We started cooking up a storm—batchoy, pancit molo, pancit palabok, Valenciana, mechado with chorizo, puso ng saging salad, crispy pata, dinuguan with batwan . . . the list goes on.
“Four months is enough time to reminisce and experience the fave flavors of my youth. Truly one never forgets the ‘memories of food’ you grew up—the taste, smell, texture.
“I shared our cooking with my BFFs and close friends, like my dearest Pipay—Pops Fernandez. She finally convinced me to go into a small home business with her. Thus Bacolod Specials Atbp. (@BacolodAtbp on Instagram) was born.
“So despite this pandemic my heart has stayed grateful. Though each day is not perfect, on the bright side it has led me to rediscover new things. Seeing a better and calmer version of me, honestly reassessing what is truly important and essential to me and my life.
“It has redefined my boundaries and obliterated the ‘limitations’ I boxed myself in. I was able to get out of that cage.
“Who knows, tomorrow I might even start painting and drawing again . . . I know, I have good creative hands in my younger days. The heavens I believe is gently reminding me, all of us, about the other gifts it has actually given. And we are the better for it.”
The Lifestyle staff at the Inquirer is dedicated to bringing you the latest food trends.
