BREAKINGtheRULES

LOCATION: Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Now, I’m quite the open-minded traveler. Or at least I’d like to think so. I’m really up for anything as long as I can learn or take something away from it. However, I do go by certain guidelines when I’m out and about in the big small world of ours.

For example, one of those guidelines are to not eat at any major food chains overseas. Especially if these are chains I can find back home in the United States of America. I usually repel myself from places like Starbucks, Burger King, and my golden arch nemesis, McDonalds (I’d only step in if there is some type of free wi-fi lol). I find that trying to eat at other smaller places lead to more interaction with the place that you’re visiting. Not to mention, there’s always the possibility of interacting with the locals. It is quite a joy to be able to eat as the locals do.

However, I just could not resist the urge to break such a rule of mine when I had made my return to the Philippines after 12 years of removal. I can point the finger and place the blame all on one entity.

This very jolly bee is the reason why I went against the grain. Now, for those who may not be aware, Jollibee is pretty much the philippines equivalent to McDonalds. Whether or not Jollibee is better is totally up to the individual and their palette. But to me, it is not a means of comparison. The moment I laid my eyes upon this behemoth of a trip down memory lane, I could not help warping back to the years I had lived and studied within the Philippines. It reminded me of the nights my father would come back from work and bring home food for my siblings and I to eat. It brought back memories of heading to the “EVER” Gotesco mall, anticipating a stomach-raging meal after either watching a movie or hitting up the arcade for some good ol-fashioned fun. This is what Jollibee means to me. Even with the expansion of Jollibee onto United States soil, it somewhat is the best of both worlds for me. It’s a great chance to bring forth interaction with the local filipinos as well. You can spot any demographic from families with little children, to high schoolers, young adults and elders. So all in all, I did not mind breaking this one rule.

Now what did I order? ..well..

Ladies & Gentlemen, I introduce to you the Burger Steak. A heavenly sight of burger patties and mushroom that bathe in a sea of luscious gravy sauce, accompanied by a miniature mountain of white rice. This is a staple of my filipino childhood. As pictured, some may notice the egg on top of the rice. They had introduced a NEWER Ultimate Burger steak which consists of 1 thick beef patty, that sits upon a bed of french fries lathered in gravy sauce, also accompanied by rice and an egg on top that sits like a king’s crown. I opted not to have the fries since I did not want to totally hate myself post meal (lol). It was everything I remembered it to be, and exceeded what I was expecting in the present time. Oh Jollibee, you just have a hold on me.

Of course, now you too can also access this oasis of love in New York as well at the following address.

62-29 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, New York 11377

-PASSPORT|kenny

Field Notes