Merry month of March

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

The last article was about fiery February where forest fires razed almost 900 hectares in Benguet. This situation pushed DENR officials to seek the cooperation of all concerned, including the barangays, in the awareness, fight and campaign against forest fires.

In contrast and as if the situation is teasing us, the following month of March, declared as Fire Prevention Month by then President Marcos under Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A, is always the particular period when fire incidents increase at an alarming rate.  

It can be a fireless month of March if the public is motivated to take fire safety as everyone’s concern. At any rate, March is still a merry month for celebrations, fiestas, weddings, baptisms, family reunions, school closing ceremonies and graduations.

It is for me the happiest month of the year as it is a time of gathering clan members together in one single venue. Most of all, it is a time to set aside differences of clans and quarrels of friends as many will be meeting each other on any date within the month.

The first day of March opened the month-long celebration of Women’s Month with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women”. Indeed, it is a merry month for the families and relatives of some 26 women braves who incidentally took oath as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, March 3.

The graduating aspirants who are now enlisted personnel of the AFP after taking their oath at the Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City were selected from a batch of 141 applicants.

They passed a comprehensive and very stringent selection process which included written examinations, physical and medical examinations, trade and skill tests, and board interviews after completing all the requirements for enlistment in the military service.

Aside from dedicating this month for the protection of the rights of women the world over, the enlistment of the 26 women soldiers is our country’s active participation in the global campaign to advance gender equality and women empowerment. Let us be one with them.

One of the rookie women soldiers, 24 y/o Marchie Grace M. Mainit, a daughter of an OFW and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology said she will dedicate her “whole-heart service to the nation as a female soldier of the AFP.”

Another tenderfoot female soldier Jean Aplacador, a farmer’s daughter, expressed her joy in becoming a full-fledged AFP soldier saying she can now help her four siblings finish their education.

These stories clearly recognize the increasing role of female soldiers in the male-dominated organization where equal opportunities are given to both genders in rendering a noble service to the nation.

These to me are situations on the ground that are more laudable than the acts of some women politicians we know who pretend to be fighting for women’s rights but are actually working for political gains.

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It is clear as water that the Session Road in Bloom that was conceptualized as a show of flowers is not what it is supposed to be. Just like Harrison Road at night, Session road has turned into a commercial strip.

It is for businessmen who are selling all sorts of handicrafts, food, shoes, cell phones, communication gadgets and pasalubong. There are more of these than flowers. Maybe good for generating additional income for the city.

In the past years that it has been that way, it better to change the title of the event to a more appropriate name. Maybe call it “Session Road Shoes” or “Session Road Food and Pasalubong”. Whatever, it is far from being Session Road in Bloom.

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If you are in the mood for good and healthy food, treat yourself this merry month of March to “BLAQK ST. BISTRO” at the GAV building along Bonifacio St. It is a walking distance from the back gate of SLU and beside TCP Hardware.

The unique burger depot, according to Darrel Bert Ceralde Jr., Executive Chef and owner, and younger brother of news colleague Jimmy Ceralde, was established to serve good quality and healthy but affordable dishes.

The executive chef believes that true hospitality through service “comes from a desire to create a pleasurable experience for guests by treating them well and caring for their needs.”

The not so formal food restaurant serves meat delicacies of roasted chicken, beef in cream sauce, pork belly and lots of choices of seafood such as salmon, tuna, squid, crab and shrimp.

The only one of its kind food bistro in Baguio also serves signature burgers such as the Pane Dolce burger bun made of dark chocolate served with tuna chunks and vegetables, the La Rosa burger bun made out of real organic rose petal with chicken patty, cheese and vegetables.

Then the bistro has its matchless BLAQK ST. burger made of activated charcoal, served with beef patty, cheese, egg and vegies. Activated charcoal when ingested is believed to flush out toxins and chemicals from one’s body.

Aside from meats, seafood and burgers, the simple bistro serves pasta, pizza, fries, burritos, nachos, mojos and salads. It also serves frappe and ice cream, including one called “ice cream that never melts” which is a “must try!”

Of course, BLAQK ST. BISTRO serves the essential breakfast of waffle pancake with chicken, super crepe with fruits, or you may choose an egg omelet with Mexican rice. Beverages are brewed coffee, a variety of tea, fruit juices and sodas, smoothies and aperitif drinks.

BLAQK ST. BISTRO claims to keep reinventing the food it serves as it follows a philosophy of “caring for one another” that is continuously refined through service. See you there!