No mistake

My good friend Pablo A. Tariman, who has covered the arts and music beat for several decades and doesn't look like he's slowing down (in fact, he has added the showbiz whirl of a world in his area of coverage/reportage), always likes to quote the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. "Without music, life would be a mistake"--this line is brought out in times of joy and disappointment to underline the importance of music in restoring his balance.

I, too, believe that one's life must have some kind of soundtrack playing. I can't write without music. Even if I don't have earphones and an iPhone with a shuffle list, something is playing in my head, especially when I'm caught in Metro Manila traffic or am particularly anxious about something. Music is my stabilizer; it is better and cheaper than doctor-prescribed tranquilizers.

He answers to both "Carlos!" and "Garch!", the marketing guy who's skilled in making the 89-year-old MSO highly visible in social media.

This brings me to Manila Symphony Orchestra's volunteer program where I found myself willingly recruited. Marketing director Carlos Garchitorena sent me a text if I wanted to volunteer for the orchestra's end-of-season concert, "The Late Romantics: Music by Strauss and Rachmaninov" at the Cultural Center Little Theater. Answer "Rachmaninov" if it's a yes; Strauss if it's a no. His come-on: free seating after the duties are done and a meal.

Pianist Aries Caces with his wife and baby Clara. I couldn't help saying the little one would grow up into another Clara Schumann, a pianist and composer also from the Romantic period.

Yes, I'm superficial sometimes (mababaw ang kaligayahan), but I'd do almost anything to hear Rachmaninov's Piano Concert No. 3 in D-mino, Op. 30 played live again, this time with Vienna-educated Aries Caces on the piano.

When early bird Nonon Padilla, the theater director, came for his reserved tickets, among my first words as a volunteer were if he could wait a bit as we still had to be briefed about our duties and the tickets were on their way. He thought I was pulling his leg when he learned I was an MSO volunteer.

Along with fellow volunteers Charm and Michael, I thought that staffing the ticket table and helping sell souvenir programs would be a breeze with the presence of Laura, the person in charge of the cash box (no box, just a long letter envelope). It turned out to be a sold-out show (standing room only wasn't allowed at the theater although there were those who were willing to stand during the two-hour performance). All's well that ends well. Garch was pleased how cool Charm, Michael and I remained despite some ticket buyers who demanded attention.

Benito Legarda (with the black bowtie) I found elegant in his outfit. Here he's chatting with Jeffrey Solares, MSO executive director. Maestro Solares is also a moving force behind the MSO Academy and the MSO Junior Orchestra, training ground for orchestra members of the future.

Up and coming pianist Gabby Paguirigan with Mr. Caces

One of Gabby's BFFs, Jan Briane Astrom (left), who knows more than a thing or two about the classics. I always look out for his recommended YouTube videos.

For a long-haired concert to be sold out--it means a job well done. Congratulations, Garch, Maestro Arturo Molina the conductor, the other MSO members (musicians, admin people, patrons). Let's not forget to acknowledge the classical music geeks like Jan Briane Fabie Astom, Adrian Lontoc, graduating piano major Gabby Paguirigan and groupies like this woman who's old enough to be their mom.

Garch flanks his three volunteers for the evening: the blogger, Charm and Michael. Until the next concert, guys!

How was your Sunday? Ask Sandy

Mine went so well--it had food, music, my sister's company. So well I'm a little at a loss on what to do this Monday.

Everyone else is elsewhere, and here I am caught up in volunteer work I love but choose not to get paid for. I'm crazy that way. It's the type of "work" that brings me to the dream life I've wanted: being close to the arts, especially music and literature, and the culinary arts (partaking of good food)!

As if I didn't have enough on an already full plate, Carlos Garchitorena of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation just rounded me up to "woman" the ticket table at the one-night concert "The Late Romantics: Music by Strauss and Rachmaninov and Strauss" on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Cultural Center Main Theater. Pianist Aries Caces is the soloist. Of course, I texted him back the code word "Rachmaninov" which means a "Yes." You know the other composer's name if it's a "No." Easy to answer "Rach" if you're enticed with free seating plus snack. Babaw ba?

Interiors of Wooden Spoon. Note the spoons transformed into lighting fixtures.

That benign tumor excised out of me has done wonders. There is an urgency to everything I give myself to, whether it's sharing a meal with my sister Suzy at the new Wooden Spoon of Sandy Daza in our Kapitolyo neighborhood or learning to appreciate acoustic music at a free outdoor concert at the Carillon Plaza, UP Diliman.

It was my second visit to Wooden Spoon, and I again ordered that simple but savory appetizer of red and century egg salad with peanuts. It's described in the menu as "a delightful mildly spicy dish that will wake up your palate because of the variety of textures and flavors." It's a meal in itself if you pour it on piping hot jasmine rice.

Are you en egg lover like I am? This one's got slices of century eggs, itlog na maalat (salted duck's egg) and hard-boiled chicken's egg. When I was too young to know better, I always imagined that the Chinese cooks buried eggs for a hundred years to get the black color and the jello-like consistency.

I could've swooned and fainted from a cholesterol attack if the sauce had been made of crab fat which I don't mind having. But this dish has coconut milk with spices and red chilies. There's still some leftovers in the fridge for reheating as my afternoon snack! (My evil design means I'm not sharing it with anyone!)

Suzy and I wanted to eat healthy so we also ordered stuffed pechay (with tinapa inside) in coconut sauce. But she couldn't resist adding something more filling: the kaldereta. Members of the Lolarga clan never skip dessert, but we sometimes split it like we did with the Reyna Blanca, a coconut custard with crisp pinipig. It transported me to the white sapin-sapin that my mother's friend used to make. It had no food coloring. Like like the one at Wooden Spoon, it was arranged in layers. I can't accurately describe that elixir of my youth.

I am always thankful for a sister like Suzy. I don't have to spell out in detail to her the state of my finances. She immediately offers to treat me.

Carillon chronicles will be for another day.

Meanwhile, God bless you, Nora Daza, for raising a Sandy in your Quezon City, Makati, Malate and Paris kitchens.

A decoupage photo of Sandy Daza

Nora Villanueva Daza, doyenne of good food and fine living Photos by Babeth Lolarga