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[av_heading heading=’The invention of Sandiako a la Pete, Part 2′ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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Wednesday, March 7, 2018
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THE RESTO selling buko batchoy was closed on Dinagyang Sunday. So, I went to see them on the Monday morning after, Jan. 29.
I think Larry and Primrose fell in love with me because I’m so down to earth and funny, and they wanted to see me again sooner than later. We had so much to talk about after our very successful participation at the Sponsors’ Mardi Gras.
While my buko Molo was being prepared, Primrose asked me what I wanted to drink.
I thought buko shake would be nice. But that’s so generic. I could get that at any fruit shake stand worth their name.
So I asked what else she had that could be made into a shake. I couldn’t make up my mind.
*
She mentioned she also has watermelon, if I wanted to eat some freshly cut watermelon.
I told her to make me a shake of watermelon and buko, mixed.
I could tell she frowned a little bit, “How would that taste?”
I told her to go ahead, and make it. It’s for me to discover. The worst thing that could happen is I wouldn’t like it, but I’ll finish it anyway because I’m a scavenger. I don’t waste anything that resembles like food.
*
The concoction was surprisingly good.
I like that I could smell the watermelon. And it’s the first strong flavor that I could taste.
Like I can imagine the watermelon juice passing through my palate and at the back of my throat.
My mind draws the word “refreshing.”
And then, I also like the buko tidbits that I could nibble and chew. Like it gives a little mechanical pleasure in the mouth.
I really, really liked it!
*
I encouraged Primrose and Larry to try it. And they did. They agreed that it was good.
I told them, “This is your new drink!”
Larry mentioned something about his long-time desire and search for Lars signature drink.
I told him, this was it. And I jokingly added that I should name it since I occasioned its creation.
I gave the drink the name Sandiako from sandia and buko.
Yeah, it sounds a little like an anime character’s name. But it’s also the most logical.
Plus, I wanted the people to wonder whether its name is pronounced “san-ja-ko” or “san-dee-ah-ko.”
*
After ruling out Pakko and Bukwan (from Buko and Pakwan), or Sandiatong, Santong, and Butsan (from Butong and Sandia), Larry blurted out “Sandiako a la Pete.”
He not only wanted me to name the drink, he also wanted to honor me by naming the beverage after me.
And that’s how a drink was named after me!
*
And this is how I became the image model of the drink:
It also happened that on that Monday after the 50th Dinagyang, I already checked out of my hotel and had in my car the suitcase which has my pink wig when I went to Lar’s eatery.
(Yes, I was the Pink Barbie at the Freedom Grandstand on Dinagyang’s Ati Tribe Competition. Oh, and I have so much to say about the opening program including the mayor’s speech, and why Dinagyang 50 didn’t impress me. But I’ll reserve that for future discussions and column articles).
*
Anyway, I saw that the Sandiako a la Pete has a touch of pink, so I asked my road manager to dress me up in my Pink Barbie garb.
And we proceeded to take photos of me modeling the Sandiako in its clear glass mug.
It also happened that the whole process of the drink’s invention was witnessed by my friend Ridge, and my PA Irv. So this is all documented.
In fact, Ridge made a poster and proclaimed that the Sandiako watermelon buko shake was “created by” Peter Solis Nery.
*
I had the drink researched. For a week, a team was tasked to check all shakes-serving establishments in Iloilo City to find out if there exists a drink like my Sandiako.
There was none. Not even in the big name franchise fruit shake stands in the malls, which I’m not going to promote or mention here.
So yeah, Sandiako a la Pete is my creation, and it is now a signature drink at the resto selling buko batchoy. Unfortunately, food and beverages cannot be patented.
And on the basis of how popular it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if a copycat arises sooner than later.
*
But here’s my greatest joy: Primrose and Larry are always happy to report to me how good the drink is doing among their clientele.
“Your drink is a hit! It’s fast becoming our bestseller!” They even take photos of patrons having Sandiako.
And when I visit, their servers, including the head GRO Marjorie, always gladly report that “Your drink is very popular!” even without me asking.
Last I heard, my Sandiako has even been ordered for takeout, and deliveries.
*
I love my life. I value my friends Larry and Primrose and their family.
I like that they let me go crazy and “create” drinks for their business.
I like that they named a drink after me. It shows so much love and respect for me and my taste.
I like that they made me the face of Sandiako a la Pete. I’ve always wanted to be a commercial model.
I like that the happy accident of Sandiako’s invention after the 50th Dinagyang has given Iloilo, and our little world, this bold, new, refreshing, tropical shake that is not sweet or creamy, but probably more thirst-quenching and fun!/PN
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