Nadine Lustre is your ordinary everyday shopper. Living the island life in Siargao, she buys her favorite bottle of sarsa in a bikini top, bare-faced. Baffled and amazed by the mundanity of the photo, netizens asked: What could she be buying that sarsa for?
Nadine Lustre in Siargao
— CDN Digital (@cebudailynews) August 25, 2021
LOOK: A photo of a bare-faced Nadine Lustre showing us the simple side of her during a vacation in Siargao Island is making rounds online. pic.twitter.com/kgh7RVz5IW
Always forward-thinking (She did say, “Come on, guys, it’s 2017!” when people were scandalized by rumors of her living with then-boyfriend James Reid), the multihyphenate artist took to Twitter to end all speculations. “Para ’di na kayo magisip: lechon manok ’yung ulam.” (Just so you don’t have to wonder, dinner was roasted chicken.)
Winner winner lechon manak dinner! pic.twitter.com/t7FiEQclva
— Nadine Lustre (@hello_nadine) August 26, 2021
People were quick to have fun with her sari-sari store run. In an edited photo from the same scene, Nadine can be seen unamazed by the sight of banana ketchup, seemingly suggested by a man pictured next to her. We got to give it to her, the girl knows her lechon manok pairings.
[READ: The girls who laughed at the thought of eating (chicken) ass]
In honor of this lechon manok enthusiast, we list down our favorite roast chicken chains in Metro Manila. We can only speculate as to where Nadine bought hers or whether it was homecooked, but we trust that with her taste, she will agree with this listing.
Andok’s
“Andok’s forever! For me, Andok’s is always perfectly grilled and the marinade they use is A+. 100 percent guaranteed na ubos ang kanin.
Also, don’t sleep on Andok’s fried chicken Dokitos!”
—Sam, visual content creator
Ang Lechon Manok ni Sr. Pedro
“Before I moved into the city, I grew up eating Sr. Pedro’s roast chicken (because it was the only chain nearby. It would be another 5 years before a famous chain opened a branch in our town). I love the unapologetic use of lemongrass that imbues the chicken with so much aroma.
If I recall right, it comes with a sweet sarsa that comes free with a purchase. Of course, as a sawsawan-obsessed Filipino family, we buy extras, plus atsara. Best!”
—Christian, associate editor
Baliwag Lechon Manok
“Para maiba naman (kasi Andok’s or Chooks [To Go] lang din ’yung kinalakihan ko mostly), Baliwag ’yung accessible sa ’kin noong college literally katabi ng school. If I remember correctly, smokey and juicy siya! Pinapapak namin ng friend ko before—whole [chicken] ganoin.
Favorite dip namin as in sa kahit ano kahit kanin, ’yung Savor ng Maggi especially ’yung calamansi variant!”
—Leven, designer
Botoy’s Litson Manok
“Accessibility (to me) is A++. Grabe I just realize kain lang ako nang kain, ’di ko pinag-iisipan masyado ’pag kumakain ako ng lechon manok 🤣. Masarap siya, malasa ’yung balat. (Siyempre ’yun lang comment ko, as a person who only likes chicken parts na may balat. Except if it’s like… tinola.) I usually just prefer using their in-house sauce (na parang Mang Tomas but a tinge sweeter). Best eaten if freshly cooked and newly bought. Not a fan of leftover Botoy’s manok though which is rare in our household anyway but it sometimes happens.
Botoy’s liempo though. 👌”
—Pauline, managing editor
Chooks To Go
“Pepper roast chicken ng Chooks To Go + toyo/sili/calamansi. It’s a ROAST. Basta hindi pwedeng walang sarsa.
[Author’s note: Chook To Go’s tagline is “Ang tunay na rapsa, ’di kailangan ng sarsa.” (If it’s truly delicious, it doesn’t need gravy.)]”
—Nimu, creative director