"A First Encounter with Tirik (Sea Urchin)"

I would like to share my experience eating tirik or sea urchin for the first time while visiting Tingib Beach, located at Baranggay Tingib in Pandan.

Last year, along with my friends, we planned to visit this Tingib beach. As we arrive at the location, the first thing that really caught my mind is the scenery of the beach; it reminds me of Boracay with its white sand. After settling in, we gather to eat to ease our hunger. After that, along with my two friends, we decided to explore the beach. While exploring, a local fisherman named Mang Bado approaches us carrying a bucket full of sea urchins, or what they called tirik in their term.

“You ever try Tirik?”Mang Bado asked. As a response, I said no while starring with my friends.

“Ila kamo? ,” he asked, walking over to a bucket filled with spiky sea urchins. He opened one out as if it were the most natural thing in the world, split it open, and handed me a spoon.

“Here, fresh from the sea. ”Tirawi ayy? Mang Bado said while smiling.

Out of curiosity, so I took a deep breath and scooped up a small portion. The first thing that hit me was the texture imagine jelly with bits of sand. Then the flavor, the flavor tastled like the ocean itself had crawled into my mouth, but not in a refreshing way. More like it brought all the seaweed and mystery flavors of the deep with it. Salty, slimy, and somehow a bit fishy, but not in a good way.

I tried to look polite while I sputtered and coughed, but my taste senses were rebelling mightily. When Mang Bado saw my expression, he started laughing, and my friends

Well, of course, I forced my friend to try it well. After taking a small portion, they coughed and sputtered as well.

“Ah, first-timer! Maanad man kamu karan Mang Bado said while he had a grin on his!

After that, Mang Bado walked away holding his bucket full of tirik while smiling. Of course we thanked him, and we continued exploring the beach.

And that's how I survived my first encounter with Tirik sea urchin, with my dignity somewhat intact and my taste buds... well, still in recovery. After all, it was indeed a memorable experience.