Seaside Siesta

3 April 2025

Do you like having a siesta?

In the Philippines, it is a resting hour in the afternoon after the midday meal, usually spent napping. But over time, instead of napping, it has become an afternoon break to enjoy light snacks with family, friends, coworkers, or just by ourselves. It is locally referred to as "merienda time" in our dialect. We got this practice from Spanish culture since we were colonized by Spaniards back in the day. For everyone's information, the term "siesta" is derived from the Latin word "sexta," meaning "the sixth hour," a traditional practice in Spain.

On our journey to find a decent cafe in our hometown for a siesta, we stumbled upon a small, ordinary cafe by the seaside. It is called Seaside Snackhouse which seemed to be a former terrace that the owner later converted into a snackhouse. Unlike other cafes and snackhouses in our town, this one is less popular, thus, with fewer customers. There wasn't any customer when we arrived at the place, and it seemed unattended. As we called out the owner and placed our order, I found out that he was a junior batchmate from high school.

Before entering the dining area, my little niece excitedly pointed to what she wanted on the menu. However, we had to turn down her request because the iced coffee she wanted wasn't suitable for her. The menu featured typical snack options such as burgers, fries, sandwiches, and hot dogs, along with Filipino refreshers like halo-halo and mais con yelo.

Apart from snacks and drinks, they also offers a few rice silog meals and a Filipino noodle dish called lomi, a thick, egg-based noodle soup in a rich, starchy broth with various toppings. The snackhouse also serves alcoholic beverages like beers for those who opt for a drinking session, probably during the late afternoon and at night, which is a common happy hour in our country.

Given the limited menu, we opted for a burger and fries set for my niece, paired with mais con yelo or ice with corn, a refreshing Filipino treat made of shaved ice, sweet corn, and evaporated milk. This simple yet satisfying dessert carries the influence of Spanish colonization, like many others in Filipino cuisine.

After enjoying our light snacks, we headed to the seaside to breathe in the fresh air. The town's coastal areas now feature riprap, or rock armor, built after Super Typhoon Yolanda to shield the community from sudden storm surges.

The kid always loves taking fries with her and eating them while walking. She's such a gullible kid.

Over time, these ripraps have become spots for relaxation by locals and tambayan by students after school hours while overlooking the calming sea.

Along the shore, boats by local fishermen line up, serving as proof of the town's connection to the sea. Fishing remains one of the primary sources of income for many residents, who also share their fresh catch with the community.

This structure is a traditional pier typically found in coastal villages in our country. It is made of bamboo poles and wooden planks, forming a dock that extends into the water. Fishermen use this bamboo dock to moor their boats, and load and unload their catch.

It was a simple yet delightful afternoon spent enjoying snacks and appreciating the simple beauty of our town's coastline.

Thanks for your time.

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