Rough Groove

Lanzones

A boxfull of lanzones (a yellow sweet fruit) from Mambajao Camiguin arrived at the office. And oh, its sooooo delicious. Nothing compares with it. Not even those from Calauan, Laguna that I used to buy in the marketplace in Kalentong, Mandaluyong City while I was in college. Or the ones passed off as from Mambajao sold in most streets in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro but generally come from the trees that line the streets and dot the farms of Misamis Oriental from Jasaan to Gingoog City. Or those sold in the streets and markets of Davao that comes from Calinan or Compostela Valley. Or even those from Bukidnon as sold in Valencia and Malaybalay and Cagayan de Oro. Or, as I was told, those from Dipolog and Jolo, huge, big ones but a big portion are not flesh but seeds. But those from Makilala, comes close in sweetness.

Mention lanzones and Mambajao comes into mind. Or mention Mambajao, and lanzones comes into mind.

Durian from Jolo

0600H, “Shut up, shut up…” my mobile rang, playing the Black Eyed Peas’ ditty. Darn, this early and already someone is calling. Its my boss! Hmmm, what’s with the network? Problems? Missed call.

I dialled his number hoping to be told of some major network problem that might have occured. But wait, its a different voice. It’s my colleague from Zamboanga, Vic. “Stan, padala ko ug durian via Cebu Pacific. Mag-abot diha 0830H….bye.” (Stan, I’ll be sending the durian via Cebu Pacific. Will arrive there 0830H… bye.)

Durian. The king of fruits, well, for this part of the world and one of my favorites. A thorny bundle but crack it open, and the sweet, tangy, and tasty pulp will envelope your senses. And as some say, hightens once sexual stimulation and power. A fitting aphrodisiac for a dormant libido. Mmmmm…

Ever since I’ve read in one newspaper, a few years ago, an article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer regarding the unique taste of durian from Jolo, I’ve always been curious and have been trying to get a taste of it. Jolo, for what the world know, the land of Muslim rebels, extremists and other wayward elements. Jolo, is also the land of tasty native durians. Lucky for me that Vic, assured me last week that he will send me a boxfull of this most coveted of fruits.

1100H, was at the cargo terminal of Cebu Pacific at the spanking new airport of Davao, getting my box. Together with my two staff and two ladies from the other technical group from my office, we went to one of our installations near the area and set for the informal feast of 3 durian fruits. Jolo durian, to the casual observer, is just like the native Malagkit variety found in most fruitstands, markets and sidewalks of Davao. But open it up, taste its creamy, white flesh and one can set the boundaries. Its sweeter, creamier and the aroma is not that strong. It is way better than what one can get here in Davao. Indeed, Jolo durian is a fruit apart!