The Silence of Heritage: Why a Park Library is a Step Backward for Cavite City

In the rush toward "progress," it is easy to mistake a lot of movement for real achievement. The news of plan to move our city library to Samonte Park just meters away from a children’s playground is a textbook example of urban planning that prioritizes convenience over function. While a library in a park sounds might look good on a brochure, the reality on the ground in Cavite City tells a different story. It is a poor planning decision that threatens both the sanctity of study and the preservation of our soul.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

A library’s primary function is to serve as a sanctuary for the mind. By placing it adjacent to a playground and a park who has very high activity, planners have ignored the fundamental requirement of a learning space: SILENCE. A park is a place for "active" recreation, while a library is for "passive" reflection. Without a significant buffer zone, the chaotic energy of the park bleeds into the reading rooms, rendering the library’s purpose ineffective.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞

We all feel it. People are starving for open spaces. In a city as crowded as ours, every bit of green grass and open sky is a luxury we can't afford to lose. Filling our rare "urban lungs" with concrete structures even well-intentioned ones like a library suffocates the park. A park should remain a place to breathe, not a construction site for buildings or structures that belong elsewhere.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

True progress is not always about building something new. Sometimes it is about honoring what we already have. The library belongs in its original home - the “quiet area” near the church. This site offers three things the park never can:

• Atmospheric Silence: The original area near the church is more somber and quiet, providing the perfect acoustic environment for a house of books.
• Historical Symbiosis: The original building holds historical value. When a library is housed in a heritage structure, it becomes more than a room full of books - it becomes a living museum. It teaches the youth to value their "yesterday’s treasures" rather than treating them as "today’s trash."
• A Real Cultural Hub: Placing the library near San Roque church that houses one of the most important cultural icon of our city and other heritage landmarks creates a "Culture District." This centralizes our history, faith, and education in one dignified corridor, rather than scattering them in mismatched locations.

𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤.

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This is a summary article of the previous survey post in Lutong Cavite FB page from the community including reactions from local librarian, educators and citizens who are all in UNITY of opinion - protect our open park spaces and return our city library to its rightful, historic home.

Survey post : LINK

𝐖𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞-𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. 🙏❤️

Chinchao Chronicles: A Legacy of Struggle, Pride, and Cultural Revival

During the Spanish colonial period in Manila, vendors known as "chanchauleros" were a common sight, peddling a variety of drinks and snacks to locals and travelers alike. Among their offerings were beverages made with chanchau, a jelly-like substance also known as "gulaman", mixed with chia tea, providing a refreshing treat on hot days. Additionally, they sold "miel de azúcar", a sweet syrup later called "arnibal", and "bijon", delicate rice flour noodles that could be enjoyed as a snack or meal.

In Cavite, one such legacy drink is Chin Chao, a traditional Caviteño drink made from a noodle-like material crafted from rice flour. It is often sold together with kalamay, an unsweetened kakanin that resembles kutsinta. These two ingredients are mixed with sago, gulaman, and crushed ice and sweetened with arnibal (syrup made from brown sugar or panocha). In Caridad area, they add gata (coconut milk) and pinipig. (Isa ito sa bagay na pinag-iba ng San Roque at Caridad bukod sa Chabacano).

Lutong Cavite is one of the early yearly advocates of chinchao since the blog started more than a decade ago. There are so many behind-the-scenes stories of chinchao, the traditional Lenten heritage drink of Ciudad de Cavite that span more than a decade. This blog has been a major part of this journey from the time when only legit Chabacanos knows it secretly the time this page started fifteen years ago, to the rollercoaster of events that followed. From its controversial family origin wherein, the story is still hanging up to now, for the page making the very first promotional poster to help the family promote using our blog feature photos, and for re-editing it every year as they requested when prices rose. We were there during the year it couldn't be sold and the year it failed and we are equally disappointed as the family. This page also became a reseller without profit 'pordalab' one time discretely for all those Chabacano family and friends who missed it dearly. And we were there for the latest twist weeks ago, when a business opportunity to take it outside was turned down. 

Before one judge the spelling, food, or heritage, or toss out a “mamatay” or narcissist comment, pause - there’s so much more to this story you don’t know. Lutong Cavite already issued an apology on the same day of the issue, but our pride in this vibrant legacy stands firm. Maybe one day the full story will unfold, maybe not. For now, join us, taste our culture, learn a word, and see why Chabacano’s heart outshines any shade.💞

Authenticity, Integrity and Truth

 

Aspiring to rise, to be recognized, or to gain value is a natural human inclination—but it should never come at the cost of honesty and integrity. Claiming someone else’s culinary creation as your own, stealing recipes, or misrepresenting the true origins of a dish for attention is not a triumph—it’s a self-deception and a hollow victory. Such acts betray the trust not only of the original creators but also of the communities that hold these traditions dear.

The same principle applies to those who take others’ photos and place their own watermarks, falsely implying ownership rather than crediting the original source. When confronted, reacting with defensiveness instead of humility and refusing to offer a sincere apology only erodes whatever credibility you think you've gained.

Pointing out the truth isn't harsh; without correction and critique, the falsehoods some exploit for popularity will only continue to spread. Sometimes we must speak up because we do not want the next generation sitting around believing that lies are facts and the new truth. 

Cavite City Heritage Cuisine is, in truth, Chabacano Culinary Heritage and that’s a FACT

Chin Chao was one of the very reasons Lutong Cavite blog came to life. I vividly remember how native Chabacano speakers or who grew up in a Chabacano speaking home would rush early morning to the palengke every Good Friday, excited to get their hands on that prized lenten drink. Their joy was contagious dahil unahan ang pagbili kaya dapat maaga ka  - yet, strangely, there was barely any information or even photos of it online as well as the other beloved Chabacano dishes.

It actually took me a few years to finally feature chin chao. Back then, I didn’t really enjoy going to the market - if it weren’t for Sir Ige, who helped me see the beauty in it, I probably never would’ve appreciated it the way I do now. Chin Chao is elusive - miss it on Good Friday, and you’ll have to wait another year. And yes, I did miss it few years, which made finally featuring it all the more special when the time came. Now this year suddenly it was Filipinized in spelling being pushed by an individual page that isn’t even rooted in the community to tsin-tsáo. Why Filipinize something that is inherently Chabacano? Our Chabacano alphabet uses C and Ch - that's why Chin Chao is spelled that way. But now, here comes 2025 - suddenly it’s tsin-tsáo, forced into a Filipinized spelling just to match a page’s theme? LOL, just like that, puwede na palitan ang spelling? As if heritage is a trend you can tweak at whim?

And again the case of the so-called “lost Chabacano heritage recipe” that supposedly uses 115 sili and dates back 70 years based solely on the account of someone who lived here, but isn’t even a native. No community validation. No credible documentation. Just a dramatic revival story. But let’s be real - in a very small city like ours, where everyone knows everyone and tsismis spreads faster than fire, and food is life (tragon y tragona niso!) and the phrase “nuong araw” refers to a time when there were far fewer people so how could a dish that was allegedly served during fiesta and major social gatherings just vanish into thin air without anyone remembering it? How?

Our elders used kawa for large batches - if that dish truly existed, someone, anyone, would remember it. Children in the past here are "ayudante" of the elderly in the cooking. And since when did Chabacanos even have a preference for super spicy and with coconut milk wherein pork is mixed with seafoods?

It’s giving Imus and the flag moment all over again. Remember when they claimed the flag waving as theirs and it took the efforts of Sir Willy and the group to reclaim what’s rightfully ours? What if no one fought back then? The history would’ve been lost. And even now, let’s be honest, it still doesn’t fully feel like it's ours… because Imus celebrates it louder, even if the legacy is of our city.

Cavite City is incredibly rich in heritage. The deeper you dig, the more treasures you uncover. We have the potential to be among the top 5 cities in the country in terms of cultural assets. We even have our own Spanish creole language that is recognize around the world. But the problem is, we’re not fully embracing it.

Too often, we limit the idea of cultural assets to just old structures and monuments, while other places have already documented even the smallest details of their culture. And because we haven’t, others swoop in, rewrite the narrative, and claim the credit that should have been ours. If we don’t protect our heritage, someone else will and they won’t always get it right. 

Big Shoutout to Bounty Fresh !

As a Sarisuki customer for several months, I've grown accustomed to the convenience of their delivery service, particularly for frozen products. However, my recent purchase of a frozen chicken packed with was unexpectedly disappointing. This was the initial instance I came across a frozen chicken pack with such troubling characteristics – bloodied and bearing skin so severely bruised and forcibly plucked that it exhibited scars and rough texture. Feeling dismayed how the product passed the quality control knowing Bounty Fresh brand has high standards so I reached out to them via their Facebook page to voice my complaint. Following this, a customer representative promptly contacted me to gather further details then eventually a call that it will be replaced.

After a week, Bountry Fresh indeed replaced the subpar product as promised with their Bounty Fresh S&R brand. The quality of the chicken in the S&R packaging is markedly superior. It's reassuring to see Bounty Fresh address customer concerns and uphold their commitment to delivering high standards.

Big shoutout to the Bounty Fresh Social Media Team and Customer Service Department for their outstanding support! Special thanks to the gentleman who not only called to address my concerns but also personally delivered the replacement chicken – though regrettably, his name slips my mind.

The replacement chicken exceeded expectations in both quality and quantity compared to its predecessor. Given the replacements premium quality and increased volume, it felt unjust to simply prepare it as adobo as the initial plan. Consequently, opted to elevate it into a delightful baked rosemary chicken dish.

Thank you Bounty Fresh <3 

Del Monte Philippines Shoutout

For the longest time we've been a loyal Del Monte product user at home and barely had any problem. Usage of Del Monte products significantly increased the recent years due to the food we sell. However, early last month, encountered an unusual issue when one pack of pineapple tidbits appeared stale, despite its expiry date still being in December 2021. Notably, it emitted a foul odor. This was a first.

Promptly, I reached out to Del Monte via their Facebook page the following day, attaching photos for reference. After which I received an immediate response, and the subsequent day, a customer representative contacted to inquire further about the incident. During the conversation, learned that capturing the lot number is crucial, although unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a clear photo of it. Nevertheless, they assured me they would send a token to compensate for the defective product. Then a month after they stayed true to their promise.

I would like to give a shoutout to the Del Monte Social Media Team Mam Tina and Mam Mae . To the guy who called which I forget his name. As a way of saying thanks I will be featuring recipes using this products in the coming weeks. Thank you Del Monte <3

 

RESPETO

ATTENTION : Yhet Alcaraz

We all want to popularize Cavite food BUT KINDLY GIVE CREDIT WERE CREDIT IS DUE. It took years to build this blog and contents konting RESPETO naman. STOP stealing and cropping Lutong Cavite food blog photos.

Removing all the watermarks then making it appear as your OWN in Taga Cavite City Ka and rudely say mind your own business and boastfully say KUNG AYAW I-REPOST I-PRIVATE. WOW !

It is very hard to put Cavite foods in the local food map and too bad people like you would rather promote rudeness and won't credit than promote rightfully even when your attention has already called by many fellow Caviteños. 

RESPETO LANG PO SANA KAHIT NASA ONLINE WORLD TAYO !

#InternetEtiquette101

Gat Shake's Takoyaki

Craving for takoyaki? Finally a food shop is selling it in the city. 

Priced @P7 each 

Your takoyaki cravings can finally be satisfied by Gat's Shake. Remember the shake booth near San Roque Parish Church in front of Regal Dining? The shake selling was relocated now inside and the former shake booth was turned into the takoyaki booth. For its price don't expect chopped octopus but instead just like in the malls it has chopped cabbage, carrots plus bonito flakes on top.

Where to buy: GAT Shakes

Mi Yu Teppanyaki Restaurant

Mi Yu Teppanyaki Restaurant is the first and only Japanese restaurant in the city. The first week of its opening the menu was a failure. I will never forget the burnt taste of yakisoba and the bland fried rice when we ordered our first takeout. The two succeeding times was okay and satisfying. The last time was July 8 wherein everything was so yummy.

July 8, 2016

Decided to have a takeout lunch today since too lazy too cook and it ended up as a huge disappointment.

December 18, 2016

Total for these two items - P279

The ramen tasted like water. The fried tofu-like which I loved in the first picture is missing this time. The shrimp tempura di na makilala. Guess the batter was not perfectly made like in the previous order that it remained intact even submerged in broth. 

The bento is now placed in a lesser presentable carton box wherein the tonkatsu and vegetables tasted very bland. No fresh fruits anymore instead two pieces of small oily cake that I find too sweet. Overall there is no single hint of Japanese flavor in both dishes. It feels like I wasted my money today and should have opted buying at Jollibee may sukli pa sana ako.

I think it will take me a long time for me to have the courage to dine in again here after this traumatic takeout experience. #SorryNotSorry 

If one is in restaurant business it is must for the owners to maintain the quality of food they offer at any cost #JustSaying

   

PAKIUSAP MULI

ATTENTION : Ms. Myra Young

Kindly STOP repeatedly stealing and cropping Lutong Cavite food blog photos and removing all the watermarks then making it appear as your own. We all want to popularize Cavite food BUT KINDLY GIVE CREDIT WERE CREDIT IS DUE. It took years to build the blog konting respeto naman po. DO NOT REMOVE THE WATERMARKS then merely place in your post credit to owner to pour contents in other FB Cavite groups.

PAKIUSAP ULIT

ATTENTION : The person behind Manuel S. Rojas FB Account

It's been almost  a year since I've posted this PAKIUSAP because of the growing number of Caviteños stealing this blog's food photo, removing its watermark and claiming it as if their own for likes and credit on their own FB pages.

It's saddening that it  is being repeated again.

Whoever owns this FB account na ginamit pa si Manuel Rojas para magka popular konting respeto naman po.

Lutong Cavite is the FIRST and the ORIGINAL Cavite food inspired blog with FB page and social media sites it is saddening when fellow Caviteños repeatedly steal its content that took years of labor and sweat to put together. Inalis mo na watermark di ka pa nag-link back. Yes this is the online world but respect and ethics especially from fellow Caviteños would not hurt ? Whoever is behind this Manuel S. Rojas account RESPETO NAMAN PO.   

Lutong Cavite : 6 Years and Counting

How quickly time flies imagine it's been 6 years since this blog was started 

I can't believe it -  

YES 6 YEARS has passed !!!

 

It is not easy maintaining a food blog plus a Facebook Page. 

As much as I wanted to put much more contents there are times I don't have the resources much more the time. I encountered a lot of obstacles over the years but one of the greatest learning it thought me is - 

to NEVER EVER stop what you are passionate about. 

Just always do the things that make you feel happy and you will never go wrong.

On this blog's 6th year, 

what could have been a better gift but to get a message of praise like this via e-mail:

Madam Nicole Ponseca a New York City-based restaurateur of the popular and groundbreaking Filipino establishment Maharlika and Jeepney. Thank you so much nakakataba ng puso. It means a lot that the years of effort, tears and sweat for this blog is appreciated by more and more people.

Plus another precious gift,
we crossed 5,000 Facebook followers yesterday - February 25, 2016
Hooray!!!!

I remember when I started this blog's FB page few years ago I was just hoping for 100 likes. Yes just 100 likes and I will be very happy. Now simply wow.

Gracias con todos Amigos y Amigas !!!

Bacolod Chicken Inasal

Resto Name: Bacolod Chicken Inasal

Location:  Harbor Drive, MOA

Type: Filipino

Average Price Per Dish: P130-P300

Timeout to Mang Inasal who's chicken deteriorated since it was sold to Jollibee so I decided to try Bacolod Chicken Inasal yesterday. 

Bacolod Chicken Inasal is pricier since a Petso P115 and Plain Rice P29.50

Blue Lemonade – P49.50

The chicken is whiter than that of Inasal brushed unevenly with achuete oil.  Some portions of the skin to my surprise is crispy so I guess they might have placed it in the oven to ensure that it is warm when served. The top chicken meat is juicy but bland in taste. It does not have any hint of smoky flavor like most flavorful inasal. If weren’t for the soy sauce and calamansi it doesn’t taste anything. After 75% done devouring the chicken PETSO to my surprise and dismay the meat nearing the cartilage is still pink and raw !  I decided to just have two more spoons of rice sayang naman then when I asked for the bill I told the waiter if they won’t give me any discount since the meat is still raw. He took away the plate and after a minute told me from afar to just wait. Minutes later he came back with my bill and re-serving the leftover chicken again!

The kitchen re-brushed with achuete oil the leftover chicken, reheated, placed it in a new plate and banana leave with 1/3 rice and a new saucer of calamansi and sili. 

The incident seems like a normal everyday thing. After paying the bill surprisingly the waiters disappeared when I was leaving. I wonder who the manager of the store assigned yesterday but definitely will never go back eating again at this resto. 

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Food – 1 stars

Service – 0 stars

Ambiance – 4 stars

Value – 1 stars

OVERALL RATING – 1.5 stars

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Sha-Wrap's Shawarma Rice

Came across this FB business page accidentally and since this is the first time to see a shawarma store in the city tried its delivery service.

The first time we ordered it was 2 hours late but since it tasted yummy we tried again. The 2nd time it was 30 minutes late but the 3rd time they arrived ahead of time at last. Our fave is the shawarma rice. The shawarma beef not only tasted yummy but it is so tender and soft that it almost melts in your mouth. A far cry from the shawarma na puro litid that is being sold at the malls. Only priced at P60 and free delivery this is definitely a steal.

Shawarma Rice @ P60

Yummy affordable shawarma in Cavite City. Free delivery pa.

Where to buy: Sha-Wrap

PAKIUSAP

First of all credit to fellow Caviteños who over the years knows how to share on FB and link back to credit where the original materials came from. 

When Lutong Cavite started there was no single site online nor FB page that contains comprehensive details about Cavite food and the city itself but years after some fellow Caviteños got inspired thus creating their own FB groups and pages as well. There is nothing wrong creating your own Cavite FB page in honor of the city but what is wrong is stealing and cropping photos of this blog site and FB Page to post and make it look as if it was you own. 

This is not the first time people behind Los Caviteños del Ciudad de Cavite FB page had done stealing for the nth time :(( 

Mr. Augusto Achurra also cropped the Paksiw na Dilis sa Dilaw photo to remove the watermark and twice posted it on Los Chabacanos Del Ciudad De Cavite FB page :((

There are also other fellow Chabacanos who seem to develop this bad habit of stealing and reposting to make it look like their own the past few years especially on Facebook.

Lutong Cavite is the FIRST and the ORIGINAL Cavite food inspired blog with FB page and it is saddening when fellow Caviteños rather than providing materials or helping propagate Cavite would rather resort to occasional stealing of photographs and materials from this blog that took years of labor and sweat to put together. Yes this is the online world but respect and ethics especially from fellow Caviteños would not hurt especially we are into a common goal of propagating our dying city don’t you think?   

Daddy's Toasted Siopao

There is always long queue of lines whenever the bus passes along Bacoor so I got curious what this toasted siopao is all about.

 

When I was passed along General Trias I saw another branch so the next time I was around I went to the store to finally buy a box.

Each piece was priced at P8 but if you want to buy a box of 9 you need to pay additional P15 for the box with sticker and purple ribbon. The seller stressed to me many times that there is an additional cost for the box if it is okay with me which I find bothersome. 

I decided buying both flavors to try and taste but what was available that day is only chicken.

The dough tasted more like the bread called putok than a pao and a bit tough. The stuffing of each bun consist of one or two very small pieces of salted egg and you can't barely find any pieces of chicken. It's like eating putok with egg and sweet and salty sauce. For its price pwede ng pamatid gutom but for me this is the first and last time I will be eating this. 

Kok's Manok

Lutong Cavite received a message from Koko Tamura, one of the two owners a few weeks ago for this product free taste - Kok's Manok.

Store's cute, catchy and well-thought logo 

Opened last August 31, 2013, Kok’s Manok is a take-out restaurant that already gained a following in Imus, Cavite just a month after its opening.

The store

Time to see and taste what this latest brand of roasted chicken in Cavite has to offer.

Classic Whole Roast - P 189

The VERDICT: The roast chicken is VERY flavorful even on the inside and stays true to its tagline “So Juicy, So Lambot !” Flavor is well-distributed, and the skin roasted to perfection since it is cooked in a rotisserie. With its taste and texture Kok's Manok will definitely give long established lechon manukan a very stiff competition. It's quality is comparable to Chooks to Go and Kenny Roger's but with a different taste.

Freshly roasted Kok's Manok

Like any traditional lechon manok Kok’s Manok is also served with special sauce and catsup but we wish soon they will also offer gravy plus side dishes like mashed potato, corn and carrots or coleslaw which we bet will surely boost its sales especially Kok's Manok is more high-end in terms of quality.  

 P69 pesos for a quarter of this yummy chicken with rice is definitely a steal.  

So if ever you get a chance to go to Imus don’t forget to visit Kok’s Manok. This would be perfect this yuletide season especially as a holiday treat.

Just add P10 for the Garlic or Spicy Flavor.

This roasted chicken treat is highly recommended and definitely worth a visit and try.


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RATING:
Taste - 5/5
Atmosphere - 4/5
Value for Money - 5/5
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Kok's Manok - So Juicy! So Lambot!
Patindig Araw, Imus (Near Tricycle Terminal)
Tel: 09184189523 / 046 6864119
Facebook Account: Kok’s Manok
Visit reviewed:  12/28/2013