Summer Delight

Summer Delight
By Patricia Cotaoco and Katherine Traballo
The Manila Times
Special Feature
April 15, 2002


I see you. Sitting lazily on your comfy living room couch. As the fan's breeze touches your skin, you say to yourself, “There's no way this summer heat is gonna get to me!” Or so you thought.

As the sun's rays pierces through the summer afternoon, you start to sizzle. You feel sweat forming at the back of your knees, your nape, and your forehead. You wipe them beads with the back of your hand and wonder why you're perspiring even with the fan on at max.

You then walk to the kitchen, your mouth all dry. The need to hydrate yourself sends rushing for the refrigerator door. Thinking cool, icy and refreshing, all you find is plain lifeless water.

There are other ways to cool down your body after a major heat wave you know—treats that can add fun to your rather boring and eight glasses-of-water-a-day lifestyle. Here are some of our delightful summer suggestions.

Sago at Gulaman. Why not? This traditional Filipino concoction is mucho refreshing with a sweet twist. Sold at P5 a cup by your favorite sidewalk vendor—the best treat for those on a tight budget. But if you feel a health threat, go and make your own. Mix water and gelatin with brown sugar and get to enjoy sago't gulaman everyday.

Ice Candy. Another tasty treat for the tight-pocketed! Even cheaper at P1 a piece. Feast on its tasty chocolate, mango, orange, etc., flavors. We sell this stuff at home and the children just love it. If you enjoy it that much you can make quite a profit selling them too. Tap the potential “kiddie” market.

Mais con Hielo/Saging con Hielo. Don't you just love the feel of crushed ice o your tongue? Mixed with sugar, milk and your choice of corn or saging na saba, this halo-halo kinfolk is a favorite merienda treat.

Halo-Halo. If you're health conscious, you'll never eat anything else but halo-halo this summer. Really. Halo-Halo is a protein-rich treat that contains almost all the tropical fruits and beans a person can think of. Stuff with crushed ice, drown in milk, finally top with a mouth-watering slice of leche flan or ube, plus a scoop of your favorite ice cream.

This may be quite heavy on the stomach, but one things is for sure, one can definitely experience the fulfilling blended taste of all the fruits, beans, and milk. Truly heavenly!

Ice Cream. Cool and comfy. That is how one can describe the feeling as a chunk of ice cream slides down his parched throat. Who could refuse the delightful taste of Double Dutch anyway?

Ice cream is supposed to be man's best friend (in the summer that is). “An all time favorite,” as one brand puts it. Especially during summer, when everyone's skin is drying up and getting flaky ice cream can add a little chill to your bones.

You can take your pick. You could go from the economical mini-cups to a pint to a rather expensive gallon (depending of course on the brand you chose).

The best part, of course, is the endless list of flavors to choose from. You could satisfy yourself with the plain, sweet chocolate, or the chunky kind. Other brands even fill you up with real chunks and bits of whatever you like—blueberry, marshmallows, Snickers. You could also get whimsical with bubblegum, pistachio. There are also flavors for alcoholics made with Kahlua or Baileys.

So, there. Suit yourself. And indulge.

Pearl Shakes. Talk about food innovation. Pear shakes became an instant phenomenon and has invaded almost every street of every city. Just like ice cream and halo-halo, it is also becoming one of man's best friends.

Aside from the variety of flavors, including good ol' chocolate, strawberry, and taro, you can find more satisfaction from big, black pearls. Some companies even put in slices of pudding in the cup for more taste.

Soft. Sweet. Sticky. Who could really ignore the big, black sagos of pearl shakes?