Growing up, my family of seven always loved Pizza Hut.  Whenever there was a special occasion and a little extra funds, there was never any question what treat it would be spent on (usually at the Pizza Hut branch in Greenhills).  And when the pizza comes, it’s usually a mad scramble to grab the fattest or most toppings-heavy slice—an even number of slices amidst an odd-numbered family was a precarious situation.  So the way it goes is either to go for bulk and heft, or choke down the first slice you get your hands on and claim the extra slice.  It’s a wonder though that we never had serious fights—maybe because an unspoken system of giving it to the celebrant (naturally), or each taking an equitable bite of the extra slice was developed over time.

 Having a family of four of my own now—and a little more financially-blessed—Pizza Hut has always been the favorite of my two children.  They love their tried and tested flavors, which usually include pepperoni or bacon, with the added bonus of stuffed crust or cheezy pops.  Imagine the custom-made heaven we are in with our Palm Card and a free bacon and pepperoni pizza with every order.

 

During an extensive photoshoot last Monday (which included my two children and myself), the kids were either listless or restless… until the boxes of Pizza Hut came along.  I have to admit, I myself was given a happy little boost.  When the boxes were opened, I was pleased and excited to see the new Tuscani flavors.  Creatures of habit such as myself seldom explore out of the box when it comes to taste, but I felt the familiar rush of giddy excitement and welcomed this luscious and fancy-looking ensemble of toppings on a bed of fine crust.  I thought, if the kids loved BBQ chicken on a stick, then this is gonna knock their socks off.  

 

By now well trained by my husband to rein in my survival-of-the-fittest-pizza-gobbling instincts, and trying to lend an aura of credibility to the look the team of art directors, stylists and makeup artists had assembled on my person (it being a glamour shoot), I calmly approached the table.  To override every inclination in me to go “ME WANT PIZZA(!),” I consciously shifted my mind into robot gear and took it one step at a time:  get tissue, take slice, give to son, give to daughter, give to husband, then—finally—one for meeee! 

 I get quite a lot of ribbing from my husband for the unabashed delight I unleash in the first (and subsequent) mouthful of any delicious meal.  I sat in front of him and muffled a squeal—it was everything I thought it would be.  My palette discerned the delectable blend of tastes and textures—sweet green pepper, onions and meaty chunks of barbecue chicken.  Yummyyyyy!!  To my chagrin, my children had already finished theirs and were nudging me to get another slice for them.  Lost though I was in the sweet cacophony of tangy flavors in my mouth, I had summoned enough reason to dispense my motherly duties and teach my children good manners, telling them that we should wait for everyone at the shoot to be able to eat first. 

 The Tuscani flavors ran out quickly and there was not enough for seconds, but the children were more than happy to take their favorite bacon or classic pepperoni.  So now, two days after the shoot, we are looking forward to the weekend to have our unrestrained, unreserved fill of our favorite Tuscani flavor—after some debate, it was agreed that for now it is BBQ chicken as it was what introduced us to the sweet, sunny flavors of this Italian-inspired selection—but easily modifiable later on for further exploration to Roast Beef or 3 Cheese Bacon and Spinach or All Meat or Supremo.  I’m thinking perhaps my husband will reward me for my good behavior at the shoot and let me let loose my wild side.  Haha!  ;)

 

But—surprise-surprise!—my sweet husband surprised us tonight with a family size order of BBQ chicken pizza!  My kids even had the little treat of watching the black circle magically disappear to reveal the word HOT, plus two lollipops from Elvin of the Katipunan branch.  My son grabbed a slice before we were able to take a picture—as evidenced in the photo.  I watched my family’s delight… that familiar, untiring, wide-eyed glee… and it brings tears to my eyes to remember how my siblings those long years ago bonded over our common love of pizza and relished every precious bite with utmost gusto.  But pizza has indeed come a long way from the basic pepperoni of my childhood, to the sophisticated, delicate, layered harmony of this BBQ Chicken pizza now in my hands.  It seems almost sacrilege to simply wolf it down as I would have back then. 

Since having kids, dinner dates with my husband are becoming few and far between, what with rising costs of food… clothes… tuition… of everything!  He used to try to bring me to fancy restaurants, only to be disappointed with the seeming disparity between taste and price.   Having both been raised with tightened belts as opposed to silver spoons, overpriced luxuries hurt our sensibilities.  Pizza Hut Bistro—and now this Tuscani selection—however has brought in welcome, new flavor to our dating life and family time.  My husband knows that, with Pizza Hut, he can never go wrong in pleasing me, and the kids.  For me, it’s the next best thing to a fancy (not-to-mention, tasty!) dinner, minus the fancy cost. 

 And IF we are blessed with the gift certificates to shop at Araneta Center, it will probably be the first time in our life that we will not obsessively rationalize and analyze the logic and practicality of a purchase that is not on sale.  To be honest, I already have all I could want in life—love, family, health—and cannot complain.  But I know that God longs to bless his children and I certainly wouldn’t mind a little more icing on the cake of life—or in this case, extra cheese and toppings on the dough—to give my husband, children and parents an extra treat this Christmas.  =) 

 

by Chie Litiatco-Acosta