Down time in San Jose

San Jose, GMA (General Mariano Alvarez), Cavite, is a small town near the City of San Pedro, set in a hilly landscape within sight of stunning mountains. It is the home of the members of Philippine indie band Playa: Athley Barba Glori, Joan Bonito, Polet Patawaran, Jerry Cajigal, and Zandro Sotto.

Playa: Athley, Joan, (me), Pol, Jerry, Zandro, (Alfie)

Built into a hill, the Patawaran family compound overlooks a stunning view. From the stone balcony outside Pol's room, you can see across a valleys of palm trees and roof tops, and in the distance, Mt. Makiling, inspiration of the legendary hero Jose Rizal, rises among clouds.

Well, the photos don't quite do it justice but the mountain is there.

It being the peak of summer, the weather was so stifling hot I found it sometimes hard to breathe. I will be eternally thankful to Pol - and to his daughter who kindly gave up her room so I could have a place to sleep - with a fan. And I am also eternally thankful to Pol's mother, an incredible woman, for making us feel so welcome!

Alfie and I with the Patawaran family, our kind hosts in San Jose.

That morning I wasn't clear on what our next plan of action was. We needed to practice with Playa to prepare for recording with them at Nolit's studio in Manila. But not everyone was available. And we needed to eat. And Alfie informed Joan and I that we were invited to be guests at a very special dinner that night. Dinner with none other than the members of Modern English, the definitive New Wave band of his generation. Whose concert I had opted out of. Ooops!

With all these things to do, the best plan of attack seemed to relax and enjoy the day and take it as it came. I'm not used to this concept of taking a rest day - but it was actually very enjoyable!

First: food. Off to market.  Live fish jumped on tables awaiting their fates as stoic ladies sold tomatoes and onions across the aisle. Deeper in was tofu and other veggies.

Out under the hot sun we stopped for fresh-out-of the fruit buko juice, shredded coconut meat included.

Back at home I tried buying coconut water in bottles at grocery stores in Canada but it's not the same - full of artificial sweeteners and preservatives - it's undrinkable. I'll wait until I return to the PH to buy it fresh.

We practiced a bit while our market finds were turned into an amazing feast, then enjoyed a last meal with the family. Then Alfie and I had to hurry home - to Pasay City. Seems like everywhere in the Philippines is now my home!

It was the week before the national elections, so candidate parades were happening everywhere. AND it was a special feast day so there were religious parades as well. Right in front of the Aznar family compound, a celebration was in full swing.

A candidate supporter poses as music blasts in a parade on Aurora Street.

Children dressed for Mary's feast day celebrations on Facundo Street.

One of many flowered structures for the feast day.

Off to dinner with Modern English, wending our way through traffic.

We had just enough time to clean up before heading out again. This time to share a meal with the members of another band...

to be continued....