Once a year, former Secretary of Finance Gary Teves and I meet and talk about three important topics, family (which includes hobbies), economics and politics. Gary’s favorite topics are golf, his exercise regimen and of course economics. Over lunch, we exchange insights about the current state of our economy, the solid macro fundamentals and the weak micro. Of course the more exciting topic is politics most especially now with the way things are being run. Family updates occupied about one hour. He asked about my son’s problems. He asked about Julienne. He asked who is the more innately intelligent between my two kids. Gary’s kids are all married and they are all doing very well.
Two years ago he suggested that we do this economics and political briefing quarterly. But both of us are busy so we are only able to catch up once a year.
There used to be a Japanese restaurant in their office tower but it closed. I suggested going to Prime 101 in Pasong Tamo.
Our meeting was at 12 but I arrived at 11:45 am. In the past, Gary was always on point so I made sure I arrived ahead of him. There was no customer yet at the restaurant but they were all set up. The music was loud, like a bar atmosphere. I requested the bar tender to tone down the music. He did not. Or maybe he did, but the volume was still loud.
After a few minutes, I stood up and approached him and made a nice request to kindly lower the volume because it’s difficult to have a peaceful conversation. He lowered it for 2 seconds and it was loud again, vibrating in my head.
The restaurant manager came out to greet me. “Mam, ang tagal nyong hindi pumunta dito”. Instead of exchanging pleasantries, sinermonan ko sya.
I was worried Gary is on his way up. Napikon na ako talaga. “Paki hinaan naman yung music, meron akong meeting, Dalawang beses ko na syang sinabihan. Ilang beses ba kailangang sabihin bago nya hinaan. Bakit kailangang tatlong beses na ulitin?” Hininaan, malakas pa rin. “Pwede ba paki patay na lang?” Pikun na pikon ako talaga. Bingi yata yung bar tender nila.
Gary arrived at exactly 12 noon. See, he’s always on the dot.
We both ordered fish and split a Key Lime pie (too sweet). He eats faster every time because he got used to speed eating when he was a cabinet secretary. He was always on the go and had very little time to enjoy his meals.
Grilled fish with mushrooms and truffle.
Their key lime pie used to be better. The texture was different and not too sweet. But this one is way too sweet.
I’ve tasted many cheesecakes and key lime pies from restaurants all over the universe. Some have just the right sweetness and texture. The sweetest ones are found in the Philippines.
Some probably have sugar plantations they just dump kilos of sugar in a slice of cake. Don’t people taste the cakes that they bake? Don’t they find this over and above an average person’s tolerance for sugar?
