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Lunch with Ambeth Ocampo

February 21, 2011

We were invited to Sunday lunch by Tita Noreen together with Ambeth Ocampo as the guest of honor. He is in Jakarta for a few months doing some research – lucky for us! I am thrilled he’s here. He is not only a famous historian and writer, he was also my professor in college – much feared for his surprise long tests! =P What makes Ambeth Ocampo interesting and current as a teacher and writer is his quest for the truth. He questioned things that we numbly absorbed and memorized from history books… Why do they depict our Katipuneros as dressed in white and red (moving targets) during the revolt? Why is Rizal depicted in a winter overcoat in our monument when we are a tropical country? (Yes I am re-reading “RIZAL WITHOUT THE OVERCOAT” and remembering my college years). He encourages curiosity and questions which make history much more interesting!

Lunch with Ambeth Ocampo at Tita Noreens

Tita Noreen prepared for us wonderful Indonesian fare that we enjoyed with scintillating and humorous conversation that I’ve come to expect when Ambeth Ocampo is in the room. In fact we had so much fun that lunch ended at about 5:30 pm. Talk about a long Sunday lunch! It’s nice to have it here in Jakarta once in a while because it reminds me of my younger days when we always for long Sundays lunches at the grandparents.

We talked about everything from politics, to culture and being pinoy. There were so many funny insights and thoughts that I wish I could write them all down! Thanks so much Tita Noreen for being such a wonderful host and showing us your wonderful home. She’s collected so many interesting things from her stay in Jakarta and travels all over the world – and the stories behind these items are just as precious!

Pretty table setting

 

our favorite dishes

Martabak telur or egg martabak, also called “martabak asin” or salty/savory martabak, is a crepe-like dish with egg filling. The filling commonly includes duck eggs – up to six eggs for a large one – onion, green onions, cooked ground beef and seasonings.

Food

Antique sideboard and mirror

Antique sideboard and mirror

Dessert

Of course I had to bring Tita Noreens favorite, my chocomallow cupcakes! I really loved the refreshing dessert that  she prepared, Lychee and Almond Jelly, which was perfect since I can’t have any chocolate today since I woke up with a sore throat! =(

Beverages

Beverage buffet

Tea set, pica-pica and sweets

Long after lunch time the food continued. There were corn chips with guacamole, japanese chocolates, cheese and crackers, etc. I think I must have gained 5 pounds today! LOL!

Vietnamese Coffee with organic sugar

Corn chips and homemade guacamole

Corn chips and homemade guacamole

Home filled with collections of antiques, picture and art

Home filled with collections of antiques, picture and art

All the paintings are by Tita Noreen herself. Whoa! I particularly liked the blue painting in the center of the living room.

Counterclockwise starting from top left: 1) View of the garden and plunge pool from the dining room, 2) stairway with some cats displayed on the landing, 3) miniature perfume bottle collection

My favorite painting in the house

8 Comments · What's Happening

Comments

  1. Kaho says

    February 22, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    What a gorgeous Sunday lunch you had!!! I just loved seeing your photos. I like the photo of white ceramics with Frangipani in them. That’s such a neat way to decorate. I also like that the tea bags are on the tiered trays. I learn from how others decorate at their parties and that’s why I love seeing photos of parties! Great job on photo taking at the party! Your photos made me hungry!

    Reply
  2. Gourmet Traveller says

    February 22, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Great photos. Thanks for sharing what looked to be a lovely lunch 🙂
    Nice to see Ambeth too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Romantic Dinner says

    February 23, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Oh very very beautiful your photo’s and lovely, colorful recipe . really i loved that and very wondering your party. fantastic your recently post and amazing your idea . interesting this post so thanks

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. TRAVEL DIARIES ✈ Sate Buffet at Paprika Resto Yogyakarta | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    September 23, 2013 at 1:08 PM

    […] martabak which was surprisingly delicious – I usually dislike lamb but this was one of the best thins […]

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  2. RESTO RAVE ❤ Fine Indonesian Cuisine at Kembang Goela | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    October 7, 2013 at 5:56 PM

    […] great recommendation from Tita Noreen! We usually take visiting guests to TeSate, Seribu Rasa, Sate Khas Senayan or Mera Delima. […]

    Reply
  3. BOOK ❤ Napoleon’s Privates | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    October 8, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    […] times history is boring mostly because we get the sanitized version. This is why I loved having Ambeth Ocampo as my history teacher in college because he wanted us to question the so-called facts, not just to […]

    Reply
  4. ANNOUNCEMENT: Pinoy Food Festival & Thailand Trade Show | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    October 28, 2013 at 4:12 PM

    […] in conjunction with the food festival at the lobby of MIllenium Hotel. You’ll see some of Tita Noreens […]

    Reply
  5. JAKARTA FINDS: Pasar Rawa Bening Gemstone Shopping | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    November 20, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    […] lunch at Tita Noreens, we planned a trip to the Gemstone Market with Ambeth Ocampo together with Maam T. Tita Noreen got […]

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Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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