Keeping a Tradition Alive in Barisbis

 

Saen kita mapagpag?

(Where will we dust off?)

This query was raised among us three siblings and two nieces after our sister Obet's interment on June 12, Thursday. 

Pagpag is a practice of stopping at a preferred location (i.e., a convenience store [7-Eleven, the most favorite] or a restaurant) after a wake or funeral in the Philippines. Based on the Filipinos' belief, this custom will confuse the spirit of the deceased, thus failing to follow the visitor-mourner. Despite having challenged traditional norms, my sister and I would still observe pagpag. Could this be the effect of listening to stories about wandering spirits and watching local horror flicks in our younger days?

Now, back to the question about where to shake off. Well, our travel time from Naga City to Legazpi City led us to Barisbis, a Filipino restaurant in Salugan, Camalig, Albay. I was the one who floated the idea of eating here. I discovered Barisbis from one of the posts of Aldin Nasayao, a high school batchmate/friend (turned out to be the owner’s relative). Magayon ini. (This is beautiful.) I silently muttered. Its captivating interior had me listing it as my future dining destination in my hometown. 

Days before our flight to Bicol, I recalled asking my niece Johanna whether we could have our breakfast in Barisbis after fetching us, her Tita Cristy and me, from BIA (Bicol International Airport). Since we would be travelling straight to Naga City early morning of June 11, I thought we could make a stopover for our meal. The possibility became slim. We failed to squeeze it in on our sked since Barisbis opens at 11:00 am which was our ETA in Camarines Sur. Thus, finally finding a chance that Thursday enlivened me. In fact, as their driver I made sure that we'd make it before 6:30pm. While still in Guinobatan Johanna booked our reservation right away since we expected a lot of guests that Thursday, being a holiday. 

Looking for the Barisbis signboard which was quite inconspicuous due to its size, color and position became a challenge for us. Nighttime had crawled in. Luckily with five pairs of eyes, we found it! A rough road, which was around 500 meters from the highway, greeted us.  

Image source: https://www.facebook.com/barisbis.camalig

There at the end of the path stood an immaculate building, looking like Malacañan Palace. Located in a cul-de-sac, Barisbis showed us its meaning puro in Camalignon, a sub-Bicol dialect. 

Entering the building, I found out that my friend's post of its interior was just a foretaste of things to come in Barisbis. Its Filipino-inspired design, seen in actual, gave me the distinctive aura which I wanted to feel. The ornamentation on its furniture was reminiscence of the old wooden sala sets of our neighbors in Daraga, Albay. 

There were only a few vintage decors from various eras, but they still added character to the place. 

After letting my blogger's instinct prevail, I joined my companions who had picked the best table.

Surprisingly the diner was not filled with people. Perhaps it's because when we arrived there, it's already an hour from closing time. Upon sitting, I happily expressed my admiration of the aesthetic quality of this fan-shaped menu to the staff. 

It didn't take us long choosing from the list of delectable Filipino cuisine since we were immediately drawn to our well-missed local dishes such as ginisang bolinao (sauteed fresh anchovies), native chicken tinola (chicken soup) and lumpiang ubod (heart of palm spring rolls). 

Cristy and I were already salivating for ginisang bolinao; however, the waiter returned and informed us that it was unavailable on that day. My sister promptly substituted it with another dish. I knew we could already feel our grumbling stomachs, yet nobody could tell from these poses.

By and by one order came. Funny that our dessert was first served. Hmmm…hungry bellies need not complain. Hahaha. We began eating this Barisbis' signature turon ala mode and liked it. 

Turon Ala Mode 

A short interval elapsed, then the other dishes were set up. We complimented the speed of service, comparing it with a forgettable experience in one of Naga City’s cafes. This resulted in Cristy's joke about emotional "healing" from not being served at once when starved. *echoing laughs* 

Native Chicken Tinola

Lumpiang Ubod

Baby Back Ribs 

Sweet and sour Tuna

Buttered Shrimp 

Orders complete (with garlic and plain rice too but unphotographed), we began another memorable leg of our food trip. We were unanimous in remarking that everything was delectable! The journey and search for Barisbis was worth it!

Finished with our dinner, my kins craved for a hot drink. My niece and sister ordered tsokolate de tablea, but I passed for fear that I'd have a stomach distress afterwards. However, when Cristy let me have a sip, I quickly requested for my own cup.

Barisbis' tsokolate is so far the best-tasting chocolate beverage which I had savored! I forgot all about my tummy negatively reacting to it and jeopardizing my driver’s duty.

When the bill was handed, I was overjoyed and nostalgic receiving this flat iron, used as presenter. This evoked childhood memories of pressing my siblings' clothes and damaging them because the glowing charcoal would accidentally come out of the small hole at the back of this iron. Ha-ha!

Whoever is behind this ingenuity deserves an infinite round of applause! 

Barisbis did measure up to my expectations! Certainly it was a perfect choice in upholding a tradition. From its comforting provincial vibe down to its palatable dishes, we left contented which helped us divert our attention from melancholy. 

I guarantee, I will definitely come back in Barisbis and sashay on this grand staircase again because of an amazing gastronomic adventure.