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On August 30, we gathered at St. Paul Parish in Juna Subdivision for the christening of my nephew.
It was one of those mornings that remind you what life is outside of the virtual world we’ve all seemingly been ensnared with.
Johann looked so small and innocent as he slept through the entire thing. It helped that his parents had a fan trained on him so he didn’t have to suffer through the intense Davao heat that morning.
He looked so peaceful, in his white suit, surrounded by his godparents and family, being welcomed into the Catholic world.
Are christenings still important in 2026?
I think so, yes, more than ever.
In a world that has become increasingly digital and disconnected, a christening is one of the few remaining rituals that physically gathers people into one place.
It not only marks a child’s entry into the Catholic faith but it also welcomes him or her into a larger community outside of the nuclear unit of his immediate family
It announces to the world, complete with witnesses, that this child belongs somewhere. That there are people who will show up for him. That he is not alone in the world before he even knows what the world is.
Name of Establishment: 1953 Kusina Leticia
Location: #10 Juna Ave., Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City
Phone: (082) 225 3716
Specialty: Classic Filipino Food with a Twist
Step into 1953 Kusina Leticia, where tradition meets innovation in every dish. Our menu reimagines classic Filipino flavors with a modern twist, served in a bright, elegant space. We offer a warm and sophisticated dining experience at a great value.
1953 Kusina Leticia does classic Filipino food with a modern sensibility. It takes the dishes you grew up with and presents them in a whole new and refreshing way.
Filipino cuisine at its best is exactly…
Familiar and yet surprising.
It is food that carries memories in every bite, the taste of fiestas and family tables.
Of grandmothers and elderly yayas who served up good food and kept us fat and content all throughout our childhood.
Generous and served up to feed three or more good-sized adults.
The Kare Kare and Tadyang were to die for
Name of Establishment: Tsuru Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
Location: Multiple locations ( J. Camus Street, Abreeza Mall, SM City Annex, SM Lanang Premier and of course, Juna Ave., where we ate
Phone: (082) 285 2989
Specialty: Japanese food
Tsuru is Davao’s first and longest running authentic Japanese restaurant serving customers since 1990 which makes it older than some of the people who were eating there that day.
Anywho… the sushi… muy excelente
Oh wait… lemme google the Japanese translation for excellent…
Ooohhhh… learned a new word today…
Subarashii!
Name of Establishment: Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine
Location: Juna Subd and also one in J. Camus Street
Phone: (082) 221 0901
Specialty: Vietnamese cuisine
Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine, also Davao’s first and longest-running Vietnamese restaurant, rounds out the trio with something bright and herbal and alive.
Vietnamese food is built on balance… the freshness of herbs against the depth of broth, the lightness of rice paper against richly seasoned fillings.
It wakes up the palate and makes everything else taste more delicious afterward… I know, I know… I need to learn a little bit more about how to describe food to be a good food reviewer…
Hmmm… makes me think about Veggie Spot all of a sudden…
One surprising thaing that happened during that meal that has nothing to do with the food is that we all seem to have agreed to just put all of our phones down.
Because of that, people started talking to one another. Conversations wandered and doubled back and went places nobody planned.
The older kids kept an eye on the younger ones while they all ran wild.
My nephew, the guest of honor, slept through most of it in the arms of whoever happened to be holding him, passed around the table like the most precious thing in the room, which he was.
This is what a village looks like in practice.
A group of people who show up, sit down together, let the children run, keep their phones in their pockets, and give each other their full attention for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.
The christening brought us all together.
The meal made it even more enjoyable.
Anyway, that was a great afternoon.
This is a good memory that the kids and adults will remember for a long time.
1953 Kusina Leticia, Tsuru Japanese Restaurant, and Hanoi Vietnamese Cuisine are all located along Juna Avenue in Matina, Davao City.
PS… later on, we went to my cousin’s house to continue the conversations and hung out while playing with my newly reviewed guitar care of Leego.art
