BELGIUM Avelgem
August 13
This is the “karaan apan maanyag” (enduring but charming) farmhouse of Mario and Merlita, where my wife Cher and I have been graciously invited to enjoy a 26-day vacation in Belgium.
The farm and house are currently for sale, with new owners expected to take possession by September. Mario and Merlita plan to migrate to the Philippines by the end of this year. The house features three cozy bedrooms and a kitchen where our hosts have delighted us with various exquisite Belgian dishes since our arrival.
August 14
Mario and Merlita elegantly hosted us for a delightful lunch at Maddox Tapasbar & Restaurant in the bustling Grote Markt of Kortrijk. There, we savored an array of exquisite Belgian dishes, each beautifully described in English by Bing, my AI-powered Co-pilot.
Gegrilde lamskoteletten met verse tijm saus (for Merlita, Cher, and me)
”Grilled lamb (restaurant uses beef) chops with fresh thyme sauce, this Belgian dish typically features tender lamb chops that are grilled to perfection and served with a flavorful sauce made from fresh thyme. It’s a delightful combination of savory and aromatic flavors, often enjoyed with a side of potatoes.”
Vole au vent (for Mario)
Mario's meal was specially recommended by none other than the restaurant's chef himself. Currently, Mario is undergoing an extensive dental implantation, valued at over a million in pesos, which is subsidized by the government. He has seized this opportunity before he and Merlita relocate to the Philippines.
“This is a classic Belgian dish consisting of a creamy chicken stew made with a whole boiled chicken, a roux (a mixture of butter and flour), chicken stock, a bit of cream, small meatballs, and mushrooms.”
Mojito (drinks for Mario, Merlita, and Cher)
“Mojito, not a Belgian drink but a classic Cuban cocktail, is made with five key ingredients: white rum (base spirit), sugar cane juice (adds sweetness to balance lime’s acidity), lime juice (offers tangy and fresh flavor), soda water (adds a bit of fizz), and mint (gives a refreshing aroma and taste). Combining these ingredients creates a refreshing and invigorating drink, perfect for hot weather.”
Kwaremont Blond (beer for me)
“A Belgian ale, named after the Oude Kwaremont, a famous cobbled climb in the Tour of Flanders cycling race, is brewed by Brouweri De Brabandere. With an alcohol content of 6.6%, it has a deep golden color with a large frothy head. Moderately sweet with spicy and hoppy notes, it has aromas of Belgian ale yeast, white kandij, sugar syrup, stewed yellow plume, and mild spices.”
Total bill: € 132 or P8,334
August 15
“Where are the people, Raymond?”
This has become Mario’s catchphrase each time we drive through a deserted downtown street. It’s his way of highlighting the stark contrast between the Philippines’ challenges of overpopulation and underemployment. Having visited the Philippines many times, Mario is always struck by the throng of people that line the streets on any given day in a typical city.
To be fair, today is Belgium’s national holiday – the Catholic observance of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Mother of God (though ironically, Catholic churches here are being demolished). But holiday or not, the streets always seem eerily empty – a striking spiritual metaphor.
On holidays or weekends, people either stay home or head out of town for a break. (Just the other day, Mario’s closest neighbor went on a weekend getaway and left him a key to their house so he could feed their pets while they were away.) On workdays, the streets are deserted because everyone is indoors, working in offices, businesses, or factories.
As of 2024, the Philippines has a population of 119,106,224, with three babies born every minute, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. In contrast, Belgium counted 11,763,650 inhabitants as of January 1, 2024, a modest 0.57 percent increase over the year, according to Statbel, Belgium’s statistics office. The growth is driven by immigration, as the number of deaths outpaces births.
On the topic of births, I’ll conclude this travelogue by congratulating Mario, now a proud grandfather, on the arrival of his first granddaughter. This morning, we visited a four-storey building clinic (incomparable vis-a-vis our typical local hospital; Mario stressed it's just a clinic) to meet baby Inara. Though underweight, she is the only newborn in the large neonatal intensive care unit – a telling sign of Belgium’s low birth rate.
Inara, this poem is for you.
To Inara, Our Little Star
Inara, a tiny beacon of light, born under the softest night,
Though your start was frail and slight, you shine with a spirit so bright.
In the warmth of the NICU’s embrace, you gather strength, find your place,
With each breath, a gentle grace, a miracle in this sacred place.
Sofia, your mother, so tender and true, her heart overflows with love for you,
Her first baby girl, a dream come true, in her eyes, the world anew.
Mario, your granddad, with joy in his eyes, sees in you the future, the skies,
His first granddaughter, a precious prize, in your presence, his spirit flies.
Inara, little star, so brave and strong, in our hearts, you belong,
With love and faith, we hope and pray, together we’ll journey, lifelong.
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