Hunger Pangs

I had a mid-afternoon lunch at a Korean turo-turo which was immensely disappointing.  I think it was a complete rip-off with just spicy chili soup and Maggi-like noodles.  It wasn't even seasoned well.  So to keep me in a better mood, I decided to grab some iced coffee at Madge's (arguably the best coffee haus in the entire city easily besting Starbuck's and Coffeebreak).  So while sipping and puffing my cancer sticks, a certain craving washed over me.  I missed my kiddie comfort food. Right then and there, I thought about 5 of my most favorite as a kid.

Pritos Ring

You place one one each finger and slowly munch your way in.  I don't know if this stuff has had the longevity of PeeWee or Cheez It but I no longer see it even in sari-sari stores so I assume I'll be picking them off my fingers only in memory.  (By the way, Squid Rings can also be eaten that way)

Bobot

Sugar-coated peanut with a cheap brass ring that turns your ring finger green or gray.  Bobot triggers a lot of fun memories as this is what I usually get during Crack the Pot in birthday parties.  Other kids always get the good stuff, I get crap. Bobot that is.

Haw Flakes

Hail the almighty Haw Flakes! Until now, I still grab some whenever I feel like it.  As a kid, it made you perform priestly duties to your friends or to your self by ministering the host like a holy communion.  Come to think of it, was that considered a venial sin?

Kiamoy

 

 

I used to be disgusted by this stuff until I willed myself to like it.  Eventually, I did and there is no stopping me.  Turned my lips, teeth and tongue orange-y each time.  My favorite part was when Paddy grabs some giant kiamoys from his candy stall at Marymart Mall and we stuff one whole big kiamoy to our mouths until our eyes welled up from the salt-fix.  Must have traumatized my kidneys bigtime.

Chocnut

I remember when Dunkin'Donuts first opened here in Iloilo.  Everybody wanted to taste it.  My parents asked me if I wanted to go to Mass with them one Sunday.  I said no, knowing they will give me 5 pesos for my snacks that afternoon (enough to buy me a 3 chocnuts and a couple Marvel cards for my collection.  I found out later that they all ate out at Dunkin' and didn't even bother to take some home for me "to teach me a lesson".  I almost died right then and there.  Ugh!  Talk about social injustice.