In closing: eat, eat, eat, cook, and eat some more

Hi Readers,

First of all, I'd like to thank you Readers for following along.  Even if the comments were infrequent; I'm still glad for your support in making this blog #4 or #6 in the Google Search Engine ( "Michael Diezmos/ Mike Diezmos" ) as of 11/14/10.  #1 is still that annoying entry -- often taken out of context -- which I wrote in college.

There were times when I was discouraged, and times when I didn't feel like eating.  This lasted for less than 5 minutes, and then I devoured the food before me making sure to savor everything about that experience (6).  I accomplished most of my goals ( plus incorporating photos I've taken in this blog ) even if I didn't do a lot of home cooking.

One of my hopes for writing in this blog is to remember, and in a song sung by Lee Ann Womack: "I hope [I] never lose [my] sense of wonder; [I] get my fill to eat, but always keep that hunger ... I hope [I] dance."  I'll especially remember: the minute before I jumped from a cliff, my island for a day, the early mornings, the beauty, the delicious food, and most importantly, eating with friends and family. 

Prior to this trip, most of the eating I've done were strictly done to function in daily living ( just to get through life instead of honoring the blessings bestowed upon me ).  With most all having different schedules, it was a bit difficult to just sit down together and enjoy the communal aspect of a meal.  During my gastronomical adventure, I'm reminded that eating together makes life delicious.

My attempt at photo layering in Adobe Photoshop...



Indulgence: Junk/Fast Food and Party of Parties

Hey Readers,

With waning funds and one last chance to try something different and difficult to find outside the Philippines, it's no-brainer why I'd splurge in junk and fast food in my last week here in P.I.

Monday: Shopping for pasalubong can be tiring so to recharge, we ate at a Japanese restaurant in the SM Mall of Asia.  We ordered the set for 4, which included appetizers and dessert ( coffee jelly with ice cream ).  One cousin was teaching another cousin how to use chopsticks.  He was too hungry to have the patience ( next time na lang ).  It was funny how we were the last customers in Penshoppe ( clothing store ), and my cousin kept changing her mind.

Tuesday: I didn't finish shopping, so the next day, I recruited another cousin to go with me.  For merienda, we just went to Jollibee.  I liked their slogan: "I am young, I am pinoy, I yum."  I ordered a jolly spaghetti with yum.  My cousins ordered the big burgers.

Wednesday: After helping my cousins with their new home, we had lunch in Chowking.  We ordered a set again, and added sago't gulaman and pork tufo.  At times "Bahala na" could be trying, but I never forgot to "enjoy it".  Instead of waiting in traffic/in the rain, we stopped by SM Mall of Asia.  We ordered the Supreme Overload thin crust pizza with Pineapple juice at Greenwich.

Thursday: I went to the mall again to buy the other things I forgot to buy.  In between shopping sessions I had an energy drink consisting of natural sugar cane juice.  I passed by Red Ribbon and remembered: when my aunt and I had ube mamon and a mocha frap; my cousin and I had lunch of crispy chicken with s'mores cake after hiking; my cousin and I ate macapuno, pastilias de leche, and Braso de Mercedes in the bus.  Thinking about these experiences made me hungry so I ordered fried icecream ( pandan with chocolate and mini-mallows ); the only thing fried about this dessert was the way it was cooked ( look lang ).

Friday: After the gym, I did "Chocomania" then I ate at Inasal.  Before leaving the mall, I bought polvoron from Goldilocks.

Saturday: I was more tired than I thought so I drank a protein shake ( mango yogurt flavor ).  First thing in the morning my aunts are running around buying ingredients for the dishes, which would be eaten for the night's Party of Parties.

Originally I was going to help cook but I became tarantacious ( distracted to the point of confusion because I had to pack my luggage making sure I didn't forget anything / any pasalubong ).

We had spaghetti, rice, Chop suey, shanghai, squid, pork in a broth, and hot dogs on sticks with pineapple bits and flower mallows.  For desserts we had Black Forest cake, Braso de Mercedes, Gelatin, and Leche Flan.

This party celebrated all types of party one can think of ( Bon Voyage, reunion, congratulations, new job, etc. ).  It was one last get together before I return to the States ( my home? ).  We had shots with chasers ( fermented coconut juice ) while we watched a talent show and a scary movie.

Some cousins couldn't make it; nonetheless, I was grateful for those who came.  In the words of Carly Simon ( ? ): "We can never know about the days to come ... [but] I'll tell you how easy it is to be with [them]."

One sweet chocolatey day

Que Pasa Readers,

A favorite food and pasalubong for Pinoys is chocolate.  Chocolate rice ( champorado ) is eaten for breakfast.  Chocolate blood ( dinuguan ) can be served for lunch or dinner.  Chocolate cupcakes, cakes, and ice cream are popular merienda and desserts.  So when I saw a promotion using chocolate in the spa, I was intrigued; I had to try "Chocomania".

I was greeted by my masseuse, and -- I'm not kidding either -- her name happened to be Candy.  Low lights, piano music, and decor with earthy textures ( pebbles, tiles, banana leaf, bamboo, and others ) made the environment serene.

The session started with a body scrub.  After it dried on my skin, it smelled like hot chocolate powder.  Then I rinsed, and the chocolate wrap was applied.  I always had this image that the wrap, which the spas used, was banana leaf.  However, this spa just used a sort of plastic and this thermal blanket, as heavy as those X-ray blankets used in a dentist's clinic.  The wrap supposedly helped the skin to absorb all the antioxidants from the chocolate.

The pampering ended with a massage and tea ( flavored lightly with chocolate ).  "Chocomania" was a good way to unwind from all the eating and adventuring ( who knew that such activities can be tiring ;).  My cousin was right: "Good chocolates only come by once in a while [so] enjoy them!"

Relax...

Home is where the stomach is

Hi Readers,

While my relatives are moving into their new home, I'm being busy finishing last minute business before I return "home".  Growing up bilingual and bi-cultural, questions about home surfaces every now and then.  Like Disney's Belle, I wonder where home is: "Am I here for a day or forever?"

1:30 am.  A few more hours/minutes and the new moon would disappear.  Cooler weather and less traffic were good reasons to be moving in at this time.  Convenience and tradition were others.

My aunt was adamant about keeping alive lola's beliefs.  The first person[s] to enter the house should bring with her a lighted lantern, a crucifix, a pot brimming with rice grain, and a jug filled with water.  After the ritual, I was instructed to turn on all the lights.

Then the rest of the stuff followed.  Hours passed by.  Snacks were given to the movers.  Refurbished dining table set arrived ( table inherited from lola ).  Cable TV was installed.  Showering, napping, and babysitting.  The 2 breathing native chickens were killed.  Their blood sprinkled in strategic spots around the house ( as an offering ).

I helped my aunt make Bilo-Bilo ( consisting of glutinous rice flour, pearls, and coconut milk ), and questioned her about this custom.  With a Mona Lisa smile, she said: "It's good to eat this sticky and sweet dessert so family will stick together."

Our Bilo-Bilo didn't turn out as planned ( nature of improvisation ), but we ate them still after a dinner of rice and tinola (  consisting of the cooked native chickens, green papaya, ginger, and a leafy vegetable in a broth ).

I've been here in the Philippines for almost 6 weeks; I feel at home here and there, where ever my stomach gets filled with deliciousness.

Left: Lantern, crucifix, dining table set, pantry filled with cooking accoutrements.

Music and Plenty of Pasalubong

Thanks Faithful Readers,

How does one entertain oneself for an 8 hour bus trip from Bicol to Manila? By listening to music and eating snacks!

Music plays a vital role in daily living here in the Philippines.  In fact singing is highly revered.  Singers are idolized.   In a mall, a great voice singing simple karaoke songs can stop people from whatever they're doing.

In my cousin's neighborhood, some extreme singers will sing karaoke until the late hours; then they'll take a nap, and sing again before the sun rises.  Whether they can hit the note or not, is another matter itself.

I remember hearing my godchild singing "Nothin' On You" ( by B.O.B. ) in the bathroom; some of the lyrics are slurred, but she's got the tune and melody down.  I sing in my head and in my own time.  As I bob my head to the songs in my playlist, coconut trees blurred into rice fields and other vehicles.

In every stop, a vendor would hop in the bus to sell goodies.  He'd yell: "Buy your pasalubong!" According to a source, giving pasalubong helps take the guilt away from having a fun trip ( in a way, a pasalubong is a way for the receiver to share in the giver's adventure ).  Generally, items, which are bought as pasalubong are food.  The destination traveled is usually short so the food wouldn't perish.  With technology and global expansion, the idea of pasalubong started to incorporate souvenir items, such as key chains and magnets.

I munched on peanut tarts, oranges, and boiled quail eggs leaving enough for my cousins to give as pasalubong.  I'd fall asleep and I'd wake up to the soothing voice of Jack Johnson singing: "And this moment keeps on moving, we were never meant to hold on ..."

Food perishes in the present moment ( unless jacked up with preservatives ), and maybe this transient quality makes food as pasalubong a sweeter treat: glad for a safe return and a happy reunion.

My Playlist

Hello Readers,

Music is crucial, and throughout my trip, the songs below helped me to remember special moments and delicious food I ate.  You can say it's a soundtrack to my trip.

"Home" ( from Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical )
"Airplanes" ( B.O.B )
"Somewhere" ( Lena Horne version )
"Sunrise" ( Brandon Heath )
"Listen" ( Charice version )
"Till We Run Out of Road" ( Jewel )
"Telephone" ( Lady Gaga and Beyonce )
"Singin' in the Rain" ( Lena Horne version )
"Walang Iwanan" ( 6cyclemind )
"Poker Face" ( Lady Gaga )
"Adrift" ( Jack Johnson )
"Chances" ( Kirby Heybourne )
"Alive" ( Leona Lewis )
"Daydream Believer" ( Susan Boyle version )
"Everything Goes" ( Natalie Imbruglia )
"What a Wonderful World" ( Louis Armstrong )
"Rosie's Lullaby" ( Norah Jones )
"Lifetime" ( Chris Allen )
"Up in the Ladder to the Roof" ( Sherie Rene Scott version )
"Cosmos" ( Florence and the Machines )
"Someday" ( Pete Yorn )
"Already Gone" ( Kelly Clarkson )
"Sunlight" ( Natalie Imbruglia )
"Looking Up" ( Paramore )
"Losing Keys" ( Jack Johnson )
"Dog Days are Over" ( Florence and the Machines )
"Why" ( Sheire Rene Scott version )
"Who I was Born to Be" ( Susan Boyle version )
"The Time of My Life" ( David Cook )
"Better in Time" ( Leona Lewis )
"Anticipation" ( Mandy Moore version )
"Let it Rain" ( Chris Allen )
"Sweet Dreams" ( Beyonce )
"Alapaap" ( 6cyclemind )
"Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" ( Coldplay )
"Up to the mountains" ( Susan Boyle version )
"Bring Him Home" ( RyanDan version )
"Goodbye" ( Spice Girls )
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" ( Glee version )
"Mothers of the Night" ( Moby )
"L'Infinito" ( RAF by Picotto )
"Kailanman" ( 6cyclemind )
"Never Say Never" ( The Fray )
"Good Day" ( Jewel )
"Enjoy it" ( from In Search of the Castaways )
"Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" ( Edith Piaf )
"Thank You" ( Charice )
"A World to Believe In" ( Celine Dion )
"Welcome Home" (?)
"I Hope You Dance" ( Lee Ann Womack )
"I Got You" ( Leona Lewis )

Lounging with Lola: Memories

Hola Readers,

We are now in Camarines Sur, in the Bicol region, where my mother and her siblings grew up.  On our way to my relatives and grandparent's graves, we picked up a person familiar with the prayers for the dead.  My aunts cautioned me not to take random pictures in the cemetery.

My lolo ( grandfather ) died approximately one month before I was born, and my lola (grandmother ) and I share the same birthday.  One time, she ordered the killing of a chicken for our party.  We had tinola.

I remember waking up early to go to the coconut tree field.  We rode a bamboo cart pulled by a kalabaw ( water buffalo ) in the dark.  The sun hadn't risen yet; the roosters crowed as if racing each other to see who could crow the loudest.  We ate buko ( coconut meat and coconut water ) under the shades.

One hot summer day, my cousins and I wanted halo-halo and mais con yelo ( shaved ice, sweet corn, and evaporated and condensed milk ).  Our lola didn't want us to eat the because we'll get a cough.  We disobeyed her, and we paid a price for it ( in bamboo ).

The prayers ended.  My aunt swept the scurrying ants decomposing plants, dried twigs, and other debris off the concrete floor.  We said goodbye and left the candles burning.

Que sera sera

Wat's up Readers,

"Bahala na!" is a common expression here in the Philippines, and it's a favorite phrase my aunts used especially when making plans.  Some believed that this term's origin can be traced back to pre-Catholicism local diety Bathala, who is associated with time and destiny.  Saying "Bahala na" is like saying "whatever will be will be".

In the bukid ( where it feels like the middle of nowhere ), where I watched the killing of a pig, a black-out happened.  I ate rice and minced pork in the kitchen illuminated by a flashlight and a lantern.  Creepy things flying brushing my legs ( maybe even snacking on me ).  Babies crying and dogs barking.

On the way to the Internet cafe, I saw a tree filled with fireflies, which looked like a flickering neon sign ( or dancing Christmas lights ).  My ride was 30 minutes late; I thought they forgot about me so I hailed a tricycle by myself ( stubbing my right toe a long the way ).

They told me I'll get to ride a horse.  I woke up early in the morning but it was cancelled because of the rain.  We were supposed to leave the party by 3 pm.  After the photo-ops of the family, I finally got the chance to ride the horse.  We left for Bicol by 3:35 pm.

We rode a jeepney for 9 hours from Nasugbu to Bicol.  As for merienda, "Bahala na".  As for a meal, we brought our own.  We stopped by the side of the road and ate.  Most disposables were biodegradable and thus left on the road.  For some, bathroom breaks also took place by the side of the road.  Pitched black broken by headlights of trucks and other vehicles.  New moon.

By the time we arrived in our destination, it was 1 am.  Stars in cluster seems farther up.  I think I saw the 3 sisters, other than that I didn't recognized other constellations.  Not everything is written in the stars, which are there to guide us: the way the North Star helped sailors find their way.  Whatever tomorrow brings will be; the rest is in our hands.  In the meantime, my relatives told stories as we ate an orange, caramelized peanuts, and espisol ( like mochi ).  As for sleeping? "Bahala na!"

"Bahala na!"

Life and Death Over Coffee and Suman

Hi Readers,

Ever since arriving in Nasugbu ( in the Batangas region ), every merienda I had thus far consisted of at least sweet black coffee and suman ( sticky rice cooked in coconut milk wrapped in banana leaf ).

Luckily the coffee hadn't affected my sleeping patterns.  With caffeine, the truth in IRRI's slogan became clearer. "Rice is life."  Rice is served in every meal; it's even in snacks and desserts. Life can be like suman; it isn't always sweet, and sometimes it can be sticky.

I was invited to attend the slaughter of a pig.  I ate balot so what's the big deal about watching the killing of a pig? A totally different thing!  I'll spare you the gory details readers; all I can say is that PETA will have a field day ( keep in mind: a different way of life, a different perspective ).  I drank coffee and ate suman before the beginning of the end began.

My cousin's cousin asked about life in the the United States.  I avoided diplomacy, romanticism, and nostalgia, and in my limited Tagalog, I gave him a simplified version of the saying: "Happiness is the consequence of personal effort [ mixed with the company of family and friends]."

I thanked the pig for his life ( after all I still like bacon ).  The pig's life was ended and was used to celebrate the birth date of a relative.  We wished him health and more birthdays to come.  In taking life to give life, the circle of life keeps going on-and-on.

Relatives' home-hopping

Hey Readers,

On our last day in my father's hometown, my aunt and I did nothing but eat and enjoy stories as we home-hop from one relative's to another's.

During breakfast we ate bibingka, champorado, and pandisal.  My aunts chit-chatted about childhood bullies and later speculated about marriage of their children.

We walked to the house of my aunt's sister-in-law; we had noodles with chicharon et al.  I listened to them talk about children's high energy, and body-conscious and technology-literate kids.

Next stop was my cousin's cousin's home.  I was getting full so I just ate a little rice and a lot of papaya with sabaw.  They told stories about working abroad, saving, and retiring.

Before leaving, we had merienda: spaghetti, bread, and coffee.  The next relative we were going to visit last saw me when I was still in diapers.  She nicknamed me Arabiano because I had just flown from the Middle East and my cheeks were round and plump like Buddha.  When she finally saw me, she commented that in spite of the growth spurt nothing else changed; I was still her Arabiano.

We are what we ate ( and cooked )

Que Pasa Readers!

My family reminisced about dead family members and friends.  My aunt remembered the morning she heard the news of my uncle's death.  After breakfast she and her sister were brought to the morgue to identify him.  At 23, my uncle was supposed to leave for work abroad; on the eve of his departure, he got into an accident ( taking a totally different trip as planned ).

My younger cousins asked about the other relatives and friends.  They were having difficulty picturing the faces with the names on the gravestones.

"Remember, she's the one who made fried chicken?"

"Oh yeah!" my cousin replied.  Pointing to another gravestone she added: "This one made great macaroni salad."



Remembering...



Even the souls of the dead get hungry

Kamusta Readers!

Where halloween is a night the living masquerade in costumes and the supernatural, Fiesta of the Dead ( consisting of All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day ) is a time for the supranatural "to show themselves" ( roughly translated from "nagpaparamdam" ) and to enjoy earthly senses once again.

We went to the cemetery early to avoid the crowd because on Fiesta of the Dead ( undas ) people all over the Philippines would return to their hometown to pay respect to their dead relatives.

A breeze made it difficult to light the candles we placed near our relatives' gravestones.  The overcast sky started sprinkling and refreshing the flowers we brought.  Some of us put on our hoodies.  From afar a boombox blasted music.  My little cousins laughed as they shielded and relight candles.

According to my aunt, the light of the candles would help guide the souls of those in purgatory, and in some way, its warmth and smoky scent would feed the souls.

At home people would leave food on the dining room table or in front of altars.  My aunt's mother told her to prepare food by 6 pm ( because by this time, the souls will start coming down from purgatory ).  The souls also would get full by the smell of fragrant food ( such as bico ), and we know that the souls are eating when ants start munching on the food offerings ( Beers are also accepted ).

We started getting hungry, so we ate the snacks we brought from home: potato chips, the turon we made that afternoon, and hard boiled quail eggs.  We sipped Cola and sat on marble benches.  The sprinkling paused; wet grass after the rain smelled like freshly washed rice.

My aunt wondered: "Why is it that people will wait either until the Fiesta of the Dead or a wedding day to meet up with family and friends? Shouldn't we enjoy each others company while we're still alive?"

Trick or treat before dinner

Yo Readers!

After returning from the picnic, I was tired; I wanted to take a nap.  I went to rest upstairs in my aunts' old room.  Strange things started to happen.

I was listening to my fully charged mp3 player then all of the sudden the music stopped and the application closed automatically.  I started reading a book.

My eyes were getting droopy, and then the lights was turned on.  I looked and I saw my little nephew scurrying away.

The music started playing again, and it got windy.  Of course, the wind was a good relief from the heat.  It started lolling me to sleep, but it got so strong slamming the door shut and disrupting my attempt to nap once again.

Next thing I know, it was time for dinner.  I told my aunts what happened.  One of them replied: "The spirits are early this year ... Maybe that's the spirit of your aunt looking for her pasalubong ( roughly translated as "souvenir from a trip or treat from a trip" )?"

It's been a year since my father's eldest sister died, and the room I stayed in was her favorite room.

Picnic up to the mountains

Hello Readers,

I'm in the Batangas region visiting my cousins from my father's side.  Meeting familiar faces, and being reminded of others no longer here, I'm told of stories that never get old ( even if told like a broken record in a good way ).

Near this region is Tagaytay, famous for its panoramic view of the Taal volcano in the middle of Taal lake, and a popular destination getaway from the busy, noisy, and crowded capital city, Manila.  My cousin heard that every year, an unlucky bystander traveling through Taal lake dies.  People speculated that this death has become a sort of offering ( as if Taal volcano takes a sacrifice ) to keep Taal volcano dormant ( kept silent from erupting ).

We didn't see any smoke rising; however up in the mountains, the wind made the temperature cold ( good cold like spring, cold like Baguio City ).  We ate the spaghetti with shell pasta, rice with sweet pork, and the fried chicken that we prepared early that morning as clouds briskly walk by us.

Taal Volcano inside Taal Lake

Street food and the local election

What's the dealio Readers!

Barangay ( roughly translated to as "towns" ), across the Philippines Archipelago, recently held local elections.  I'm amazed at the participation of the people, and where there's a large crowd, there's bound to be some traveling food vendors.

Voting day is declared a National Holiday emphasizing the importance to participate.  Even youths are encouraged.  My cousin in high school was accompanied by her friends to vote for their youth representative ( who is part of the 8 representatives advising the Barangay vice/chairman/leader ).

My aunt and uncle didn't pressure their kids to vote for a certain candidate; nonetheless, they were there to give advice ( if asked ).  Since public campaigning was limited to 2 weeks prior election day, most people chose their candidate based on gossip, and candidate's education, whether fiscally responsible or adept at handling crisis.

As my cousin's friend answered my questions and told me about local issues, such as reviving the old market place, I munched on fish balls and kikiam ( fish and squid ) on a stick, and sipped on Scramble ( shaved ice, evaporated milk, condense milk, food coloring, and other surprises ).

Sometimes I wish I have their fervor; regardless I'm fanatic about those fish balls and Scramble.  Even though I couldn't vote, I know it's never good to make such an important decision on an empty stomach; so remember to eat like there's no tomorrow next time you vote!

Superstitions and praying before a meal

Dear Readers,

My cousin was getting her child ready for a trip.  She pinned an amulet-esque imagery of Jesus and Mary on the inside of her baby's shirt.  Her baby continues to wear a black and orange bead bracelet ( also worn by her first born when he was a baby ); it's a protection from usog ( roughly translated to "bad feeling" ).

Certain days are either good or bad.  This day was one of the days when her child could take a bath ( certain days are avoided in order to prevent sickness; days chosen by our grandmother ).  There were also good days to move into a new home ( during a full moon or a new moon ).

In spite of the paradox ( to Catholicism? ), my aunt reminds us: "Don't forget to pray before you eat."

Taho and G6PD

Guess What Readers?!

While in Mindanao, Phil., I didn't get a chance to eat my favorite breakfast item, Taho.  Not because, they didn't have it, but because the Taho vendor's route was only limited to the main road ( I'd rather amble through the Port rather than hunt this elusive Taho seller ).

So guess what I did on the morning I heard his call? I sprinted to the window and hollered: "Taho, wait ... how much?" I grabbed 20 pesos ( overpriced according to my aunt ), and ran downstairs.  I watched as he scooped the sweet soy in layers and then added the jelly pearls and syrup ( liquid caramelized sugar ).  I got two cups, one for me, and another for my godchild ( one of the few avid taho aficionados ).

I was about to give my godchild his Taho, when his mother stopped me.  My godchild couldn't have Taho or any soy-based product because, he has G6PD, aka Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase ( a revelation for me ).  According to a web article I read ( not sure whether it's credible or not ) G6PD is a deficiency that is inherited through the X chromosome, and it causes red blood cells not to function normally ( which can cause hemolytic anemia ).

There are certain medicines and foods, such as fava beans , legumes ( beans and blackbeans ), soya/soy ( icecream, burgers, pizzas, chocolate, doughnuts, and more), peanuts ( peanut butter, cereal, sauces, salad dressings, and more ), and menthol flavor ( mouthwash, toothpaste, and more ), which trigger symptoms

Aside from Taho, I'm trying to think of other foods common to the Filipino diet that uses the ingredients above.  The only things I can think of are imported food, and franchise fast food, such as Jollybee, Greenwich, Shakey's, and others.  It's horrible that my godchild wouldn't be able to enjoy Taho fully; he'll learn to adjust.  In the meantime, it looks like I'll have to double my Taho intake and eat on his behalf.

Taho for 3

Fruit folklore

Hey Readers!

Throughout my trip I've had the privilege to eat fruit local to this part of the world, such as rambutan, lonzones, and durian.  Not only are these naturally sweet, but also loaded with lore.

Lonzones have the texture of gelatin; just don't bite the seed or else taste its bitterness.  According to my cousin's husband, a planter's happy mood contributed to lonzones' sweet taste.  Thus a mean-spirited planter would harvest only sour-tasting lonzones.

They are not only nice MERIENDA to eat while watching TV, CAMPING, or waiting in line, lonzones can be used to ward off mosquitoes.  My aunt saved the lonzones' skin, dried them, and burned them to smoke out those bloodsuckers.

Another fruit, which is reputed to "smell like hell and tastes like heaven" is durian.  According to most, a well-ripe durian has the consistency of a jack fruit.  The one we ate was over-ripe; it was mushy like pudding.  It definitely smelled like hell, if hell smelled like old onions and mustard emanating from one's unwashed underarms.  Our mush was paradise lost, but its candy version at least gave us a hint of heaven ( milk and honey ).

Left: Durian, Papaya, Plum, Rambutan, and Mango.

The birds and the bees

Hello Readers,

How do you explain ( or evade ) the birds and the bees to a curious child? By using food analogy of course!

My aunt asked if I remember living in the old house ( one of many old houses ).  I said maybe if I see a picture.  My godchild interrupted: "I was there too when godfather and I were little."

"You weren't here yet ... you were still leaves of a sweet potatoe/yam ( talbos nang kamote )," she said.  Before he could ask the next question concerning pregnancy, my aunt added, "Men and women eat these leaves, and that's how people of all ages are born."

Sweets and the Tooth Fairy

Hi Readers,

On our last night in Dipolog City, we dined out at Chicken Ati-Atihan, which served unlimited rice.  I ordered Ati pecho ( tender chicken breast ) and Pandan Shake.  Conversations started with talk of a new house, family eating together, and finally the tooth fairy.

When my cousin was younger her mother told her that if a tooth from her upper teeth were to fall, she'd have to throw the tooth up to the roof; and if it were to fall from the bottom row, then she'd have to put her tooth under her pillow in order for the tooth fairy to reward her.  She became a believer after finding money the next day on her way to school.

Then we started talking about a home method of removing loose baby tooth by tying a string around it and pulling it ( using a strong force such as slamming a door, ouch? ).  My cousin's 6 months old baby doesn't have any teeth yet.  His diet consists of milk and flavored mush.  He automatically opens his mouth when food comes his way, and once in a while he'll dabble in apple cranberry juice ( pucker face ), squid broth, lugaw, jelly, and others.  He's such a fierce eater already!

I'm reminded of all the sweets I've had since arriving in Dipolog City: ube shake, queso ice cream, melon ice cream with fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream with pinipig nuts, chocolate cake, marshmallows, Durian candy, jelly candy, cup cakes, halo-halo, merengue, Milkyway, banana-Q, and soda.  I remember all the cavities I had when I was younger; I dreaded going to the dentist.  That night I brushed my teeth twice and flossed in between.

Left: Black Forest, Caramel Mocha Crunch, Ube Cake, and Mango Crunch.

Mindanao: meditation ( part 6 )

Kamusta Readers!

Lately I've been losing things.  Among those things lost are battery and time.  I'd wake up at early hours ( before the sun rises ); I'd wake up and the days of the week were indistinct; I'm reminded of the days by tricycles advertising their day off.

I'd take my morning stroll.  Roosters crowing at the top of their lungs ( so strained ).  The clouds would be different; the waves would be angry or mellow ( rolling ).  The sun's rays either sharp or diffussed and soft.  It looked like it was going to rain.  Does is matter if life is whether weather or not? ( kung ang buhay ay whether weather lang according to Kuya Kim ).

Sitting on a rock or the pavement, breeze blowing, back warmed by sunrise; my silhouette pulled out from the shadow of the boulder.  The ocean--breathing in and out--rose and fell like one's chest.  Crabs spit out by the ocean; torpedo birds zigzagged in the sky; dragonflies hovering before darting.

Back home, I sipped hot ginger milk tea.  A shower, a meal, a trip to the internet cafe.  A moped ride: road traffic stretched beyond the two lanes, where give and take dictated the right of way.  Siesta and tv during the hottest part of the day, listening to people tell their life stories.  MERIENDA. Another meal.

Cool wind has arrived.  Off to the Boulevard.  Sun sets behind the veil of clouds. Wink. Golden ring swallowed by the sea.  Oyster session cancelled because of yesterday's storm ( making oysters muddy ). Dinner. Slap! Flattened mosquitoes on skin; blood stains on mint green walls.  "Cluck, cluck, cluck," our friend, Lizard clicking and eating mosquitoes and other pests.

Is it time lost or time spent? Appetite regained; spirit rekindled; perspective revised.



Left: Morning at the Port; siesta in DAKAK; downtown Dipolog City; sunset at the Boulevard.



Mindanao: Merienda and Linabo Peak ( part 5 )

What's up Readers?!

Where in the world can eating at least 4-5 times a day ( outside the essential meals ) a regular past time? Philippines of course, where this art of snacking ( whether healthy or not ) is abbreviated to merienda.

After a light breakfast, I already started feeling the heat of the day.  I heard the chime of the ice cream cart; the vendor just started his round, and I didn't know when I'd see him again so I convinced my cousin to get us some ice cream.

She went to work, while her husband, and my other cousin got ready to climb the 3003 steps of Linabo peak ( highest in Dipolog City ).  During Holy Week, tons of Catholics would make a pilgrimage here to pray and relive the 14 Stations of the Cross ( dying like Jesus as they climb to the top ).  After reaching the 3003rd step, we found a rest area and had bananas and cheese sandwiches to recharge.

Although going down is easier ( gravity on our side ), our knees still shook.  Drenched in sweat, all I could think of was eating something sweet and cold, so we got HALO-HALO.

It was mid-day, and the heat was still stifling.  On our way home, we got Banana-Q ( caramelized plantains ), and sugared bananas.  We'd eat them later after our siesta ( nap ), and while watching telenovelas ( reading was an option also ).

We picked up my cousin and went to the Boulevard to watch the sunset.  In the gloaming, we had mango smoothie with evaporated milk and balot ( 16 days old unhatched chick boiled in salt water ).

Balot is like an instant chicken noodle soup sans the vegetables.  You crack it open and sip the broth.  Any conceivable chicken parts ( head, eyes, beak, neck, etc ) are like limp pasta noodles easy to slurp.  The rest is like a regular hard boiled egg except the yellow part is tastier, and the white part is gummier/chewier.  It can be disgusting if you think about it too much, so swallow Weird Al Yankovic's words and, "just eat it!"



Left: Caribow in rice field, house in Linabo Peak, view from Linabo Peak



Mindanao: improvisation in home cooking ( part 4 )

Hi Readers!

Home cooking is such a domestic affair that this endeavor has been a bit difficult to do for an adventurer ( moi ), who is constantly traveling and on the road.

I'm the type of person, who feels more comfortable with structured learning first before free falling into improvisation ( just the way I was wired ).  Exposure to the the latter technique definitely helps.  After Dakak, we stayed at my cousin's home in Dipolog City, and had time to experiment.

The first dish my cousin cooked involved Sambagon ( a fish with a meat as chunky as tuna and beef ), tomato sauce, and pineapple bits ( on the spot labeled as Pesces de Robenito or Baby Rob's Fish ).  She and her husband stumbled upon this recipe through family hearsay, experimentation, and necessity.  Sambagon can at least be sauteed in Adobo sauce or fried.

I noticed that fresh ingredients were bought in small quantity and used immediately ( refrigeration is still susceptible to brown-outs/black-outs ).  Packaged food, such as noodles, instant coffee, powder milk, and flavorings were likely to be purchased in bulk ( depending on storage spaces ).

Next day's dish was made by my younger cousin ( Adobo octopus in coconut milk ).  First he boiled the octopus to soften it.  Then he used butter as oil mixing in the chopped octopus.  He added sliced onions, garlic, and ginger before mixing in the soy sauce, vinegar, and coconut milk.  And finally, the secret ingredient: Magic.

Forget about strict proportions. An octopus tentacle ( 3/4ths? ); one red onion ( smaller than a kiwi ); a piece of ginger ( same size as red onion ); 1 coconut ( 12 ounce ); and the rest were measured by intuition.  Process is prominent in the art of improv home cooking.

From Left: Wet Market, fresh octopus, Pesces de Robenito with rice, fishing at the Port.

Mindanao: Super Squid and Singkil ( part 3 )

Singkil

Hola Readers,

We ended our last night in Dakak with dinner.  We ordered squid galore: tempura, calamari, and sizzling squid.  While eating, we watched a cultural show.  I was drawn to the last dance involving ornate golden attire, sequined fans, and bamboo logs.

According to my cousin, this dance is called Singkil.  It's a traditional ritual dance before marriage.  Looking at the picture, the golden girl is probably the bride and her maid of honor is the girl holding the umbrella.  Islamic aesthetics are present especially in the intricate patterns of the dress ( avoidance of imagery? ).  Something about the movements and poses reminded me of Egyptian statues: very rhythmic, stylistic, mannerism-esque, and regal ( perspective about the body different from the Renaissance point of view ).

I drank fresh buko juice and tried the watermelon shake.  Since it was my birthday ( 10/15 ), we received a complimentary cake; it was great to be sang to as well.  The strong winds blew out my candles; waves pounded the shore, rain falling, crabs out of their holes combing the beach.  "Wonderful World" played on.

The night wouldn't be over until some drinking occurred.  I knew I reached my limit when I became splotchy ( alcohol poisoning or allergy? ).  I was still able to wake up at 5:30 am the next day, and jogged along the shore.  Bubbles and foam hissed and fizzed as they sprint up for the sandy finish line; some receded back into the waves, while others popped in ecstasy.


Singkil: Elegant dancers skillfully amble across snapping bamboos.



Mindanao: Divine Dakak ( part 2 )

Hello Readers!

Have you ever wonder, what it's like to have your own island ( with all the amenities and luxury of civilization )? For half a day, I had my own island ( not only in the metaphorical sense, but an actual physical island )!

We arrived in Dakak Beach Resort ( 1 hour away from Dipolog City, Mindanao ) around 11 am.  I saw the green-blue waters, and I just wanted to jump in despite of the stark sun reaching its apex.  After checking in our room, we ate picnic food for lunch ( Baon aka BYOF [bring your own food]: cornbeef, hot dogs, rice, dried Guyabano fruit [Sour Sop in English], and potato chips ).  Then I applied sunblock.

I sauntered along the shore with my cousin and collected sea shells.  Later I walked the foot trail ( easier than the Majayjay River Trek ), where I encountered bugs, tree lizards, butterflies, and native birds.  In the end, I found a stone chapel. 

Running along the coast, I felt the warmth of the sun ( not in a burning way ), and the rolling waves would try to trip me.  It felt good running, cartwheeling, and leaping over lapping waves.  Dancing in the sun; dancing because no one is watching ( at least no visible audience anyway ).

I rested on a yellow-netted hammock,  one or two ants would tickle my skin; I looked at the horizon, wondering how people, like Magellan and Christopher Columbus would ever think the earth's flat, how the sea will fall off the earth's edge.  If it weren't for the next island, the illusion would be complete.  Off season traveling rocks!

Mindanao: Guts for Chicken Gut ( part 1 )

Que Pasa Readers,

Right now, I'm in Mindanao, the southernmost group of islands in the PI archipelago, and also infamously known for its terrorists ( Muslim extremists ).  But readers, we always have to be careful about broad generalization.  I'm blogging this, so presently, I'm still free from danger and in such a gutsy place, nothing is more captivating and so Beyonce's Sasha Fierce THAN chicken gut/intestines ( Bituka nang Manok ).

If time slowed down in Manila ( maybe because of traffic and heat intensified by smog ), pacing in the coastal town of Dipolog City is even more chill.  I've yet to try Dipolog City's famous sardines, but I've seen their famous orchids ( at wow ang ganda, c'est hermosa ).

We rode mopeds to the Boulevard ( like Manila's Baywalk ) to get dinner passing by couples sitting in benches listening to the crash of waves and watching the moon's golden smile glimmer and trail on the coast.

Our hungry stomachs convinced us to sample several dishes/ulam, and of course rice.  While Europeans have their wines, it seems that Pinoys have their Coca Cola.  Among the 7 ulams, we had seaweed salad ( fresh off the coast ), and chicken neck ( spicy with broken bones included - I tried it of course but I still spit out the bones; I've been told that others eat it all ).  A band played in the background, singing songs from Journey, Beyonce, Jason Mraz, and more.

For a post dinner appetizer; we ordered chicken gut/intestines ( Bituka nang Manok ).  My dad used to buy chicken gut/intestines during rainy short trips para hindi magutom sa daan ( in order not to get hungry on the way because of traffic ).  And guess what, chicken gut tastes like chicken with a bit of  fillings inside.  I was so full I didn't have the stomach, the gut to try Chicharon Bulaklak ( which I mistranslated as fried flowers, BUT in reality, it's pork intestines that look like blooming flowers ).  The others played puzzle games with sticks ( a favorite game to play while drinking )...

Chicken Gut grilled as a band played songs from Beyonce and Journey.

Laguna: a yoga scenario ( part 5 )

Hey Readers,

After trekking the mountain side, we reached what our leader considered the end.  Beyond this point, the source of the waterfalls is diminished into a trickle.  Before our lunch and our hot chocolate mixed with instant coffee, I had fun doing yoga poses for the camera.

Scene:

She stood there waiting for me.  "Hold on, I have to find my balance." I was on top of the rock, almost flat, but still had its slippery spot.  My knees shook as I looked for my balance doing one pose at a time.

When the pictures were taken, I went down to preview the pics.  I explained how difficult it was to find balance.  Mistranslation could be funny.  One responded with a giggle: "Ang hirap naman ng buhay mo kung kaylangan mo pa hanapin ang balance ( your life is so difficult that you have to find balance/ your life is so difficult that you can't stand on your feet because you constantly have to find balance )!"

We laughed.  Finding balance became the on-going joke on the way back...

I like doing the middle pose a lot.  The side plank to the far right is the easiest.

Laguna: an impression of enchanted ( part 4 )

Wat's up Readers,

Last night's drinking didn't give us any hangover.  Our breakfast consisted of instant noodles, and 3-in-1 coffee.  While the rest prepared materials for the next hike, I had time to lounge in the hammock behind our tent and take in the enchantment of it all.

Roar of Taytay Falls in the background. Soft breeze, laughing brook, splashing from nearby water-fights or little children canonballing... Dragonflies would zip through the stream, and water bugs gliding through glass waters... leaves and butterflies would fall intermittently from the sky or leaves turning into butterflies. 

Ferns everywhere, its spores drifting... once in a while the sun's ray would break through the overcast revealing silky spiderwebs.  Smoke from campfires, and roasted chicken or fish filled the air.

Red flowers dotted the mossy boulders of all shapes and sizes, red-leafed plant rooted along the path.  Daddy Longleg spiders and flourescent orange centipedes tip toed behind rocks.

At night lightning flashes illuminated the sky.  Every now and then, thunder grumbled.  A cloud would pass by, bringing a light rain, a trickle here, a drip there at one's shoulder.  One bright star shone against the misty veil.  Crickets and forest birds chirped and holler.  Fireflies sparsely sprinkled their light like the faint glow of a hiker's flashlight.

After the 2nd hike, we bathe and packed our belongings in pitch darkness with only our flashlight as aides.  The view from the tricycle ride included a silhouette of the Banahaw Mt. Ranges with clouds circling the top, rice fields in the forefront, and stars spilling to the right.  The motor humming and buzzing, and the seat gently vibrating....

Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna in the Banahaw Mt. Ranges

Laguna: vodka, mountaineer's code, and magic ( part 3 )

Hi Readers.

So the day's adventure made us extra hungry.  The others started preparing dinner.  Tilapia ( fish ) was cleaned, and salted before being smoked/grilled over a charcoal and wood fire. Rice was boiled.  Cucumbers and tomatoes sliced.  While waiting, I roasted mango-flavored marshmallows.

Dinner was served; I even tried a grilled frog, recently caught from a nearby stream.  The frog to me tasted like chicken and squid combined together.  We drank water from the fresh water spring.  The conversation was mild; topics ranged from a recap of the day's event to other climbing expeditions to dreaming of Mt. Everest.

Then the Vodka was released.  I was weary because I puked last time I drank so much.  According to the Mountaineer's code, it was better to throw up than to give up ( the alcohol ).  We used iced tea as a chaser to make the Vodka last longer.  Battery-powered music blasted current hits such as Lady Gaga's "Pokerface" and "Bad Romance".

A magic show began, led by our leader, who was also an on-the-call seaman.  I was giddy enough to follow along.  I watched spoons disappearing in the brain, straws blooming into flowers, thumbs stretching out of the socket, torn napkins unfolding into one piece, and more; we even toyed with a strength-giving amulet.

Light rain started sprinkling so we moved the drinking inside the tent.  Another code stated that nobody sleeps because this moment can be the last moment ( very carpe diem ).  What are the chances that these group of people will ever be together again? Right? The talk drifted to family surnames, which led to Philippine history and World War II about traitors, shifting perspectives, loyalty to family or the Catholic Church of Spain ( both following God's commandments ).

We finished 3 bottles of Vodka and started on the Brandy.  My shots where diluted with enough chasers that I didn't puke ( repeat history ).  Although we gave in and didn't finish the Brandy, we still abode by the Mountaineer's #1 rule, which our comical friend bluntly stated: "Puck the rules!"

Laguna: the crunch ( part 2 )

Hello Readers,

"You should do what's best for you, Mickey," my cousin admonished. "You don't have to follow every step I take." However being a visual and kinesthetic learner, I still followed her every move.  Trailing behind her was intimidating.  She moved like Yoda, with hands on her back, almost skipping stone by stone OR magically finding the right root or crevice to step/hold on to."

She continued sharing her climbing knowledge: "Get your nails dirty... move sideways never crossing your legs into a tangle... make sure you grip firmly onto a secure bastion before moving forward... don't just rely on your legs, use your arms, your whole body.  I took everything in one step at a time like a AA participant taking one day at a time; I saw the forest one tree, one dirt step, one rocky nook at a time.

Then we reached a spot where we saw the other waterfall next to a cave.  This was referred to as the "Grotto" because a statue of the Virgin Mary was placed inside, where bats lived ( hence holy shit ).  In the shade, the water below remained clear and cerulean, disturbed only by undulating rings of the falls.

There was no way but down ( unless one would back track alone ).  My cousin's words shortly rang in my head: How adventurous are you Mickey? She wasn't kidding when she mentioned the jumping part.  Our leader jumped the 2-story high cliff, and he survived the 1-story deep watery landing.  We tossed our flip flops and other supplies to him.  Then my cousin jumped.  Waiting I wasn't nervous or shaking like the 2 young women behind me.  Then my turn came.

It’s true; it’s a mind over matter situation.  The more one thought about it the more one psyched one’s self.  I didn’t do any fancy dive, and my life didn’t flash before me; nothing was in slow motion, however I did notice a dry yellow leaf tumbling down the rock in real time.  I briefly thought about my cubicle-existence 3 months ago and thanked the Lord for this moment then I jumped.  I didn't know if I closed my eyes or maybe I landed in the water sooner than expected.

Once everybody was on the safe rocky surface, our leader tore open a bag of crunchy baked green peas ( like corn bits ) and passed it around.  I grabbed a handful and devoured them.

Laguna: the climb ( part 1 )

Howdy Readers!

Enjoy part 1 in a 4 parts series:

"How adventurous are you Mickey?" my cousin asked.  I guess pretty adventurous, I did wake up at 2:30 am to get ready and meet her and her friends at the bus stop at 4 am.  In this case, the early risers avoided the heat and traffic ( a common Filipino method of traveling ).  30 minutes had passed since we arrived at the campsite at Majayjay, Laguna's Taytay Falls.  I thought we were just  meandering towards the roaring Taytay Falls where other campers converged.  Boy was I wrong.

After lunch, we started walking.  The pristine and clear blue water was visible and tempting.  "Save your energy, that's not where we're going," my cousin interrupted my daydreaming.  We passed by a sign.  My cousin reassured me, "We're not diving at that waterfall, and we're just following a path."

Because I was such an expert mountaineer ( with a record of 2 climbs, this being the 2nd ), I wore an absorbent cotton sleeveless shirt, and in-house white flip flops.  I followed the rest; I was in a group with 3 experts- what's there to worry about.

We pulled ourselves up 4-5 ft high boulders.  We crossed shallow streams with deceptive rapids.  It was light and fun, until one of the beginner hikers, who was climbing a slanted and smooth rock wall with tiny crevices, slipped causing my expert cousin behind her to slip as well.  Our leader decided to change our route, and trudge through the rapids instead ( closer to the ground ).

The shallow streams had deep middles, and when I lost my footing ( several times ), the current carried me and I actually felt being twirled ( even if slightly ) BUT there was always somebody there to pull me up.  I placed my fingers on tiny crevices ( although tiny, can still save one from falling ).  We got off the rapids and switched to the mountain side filled with moist earth, mud, decaying logs, protruding roots embedded in the ground, and whatever insect/creature happened to be there.

What a surprise when my flip flops became brown, and my fingernails and arms were masked with mud.  I reached a point when I was slipping inside my flip flops, and I had no choice but to take them off and walk barefoot.  My cousin's motto: anything treatable ( such as cuts and foot pain ) is 10,000x better than death ( slipping off the mountain because of tractionless flip flops). I agree...

Fitness First, then Food

What's Up Readers?

Before going to PI, I printed a Free 5-Day Trial Pass for Fitness First gym club. Originally, I planned on using this voucher to continue my training for the Run for Pasig River race, but I ran out of time in purchasing a runner's bib ( essential to enter the race :( ... but it's okay; I have to move on and deal with the present situation.

So I got a month's pass to try out Fitness First.  So far, I'm not disappointed.  I'm enjoying all the dance/aerobic classes they offer, such as Retro [jazz choreography], Body Jam [club/techno/ballroom], Hip Hop, and Steps [precursor of Dance, Dance, Revolution].  They also have weights ( free and machines ), which I've yet to try.

I'm just amazed that Filipinos of different ages attend these classes showing how prevalent dancing is in the culture.  I've seen grandmas doing locking and popping moves, and middle-aged dudes swiveling their hips in Latin dances.  Rather than listening to naysayers about the "do's and don'ts" of a certain age, these people listen to what they're feeling ( physically and mentally ), so if they're up for the challenge and their bones say okay, why not?

Since I'm here, why not try Yoga [again]? I attended the "Gentle Flow" class, and let me tell you, the only gentle part was near the end! The yogi teacher told us to focus on the present moment.  It was sort of weird, I noticed sweat trickling at my side ( the oblique section? ), then later, when we had to lay down, she said to count ones breath and feel ones chest rise and fall.  I was so focused on the moment that I fell asleep. I didn't think about the consequence of taking a nap. Luckily I woke up before class ended.

So it's not only what exercise you do to stay healthy, it's also what you eat.  After attending 3 hours of dance classes, I was famished.  I went to Fitness First's snack bar, and ordered the Nutty Oat shake (banana, peanut butter, and oatmeal bits with Whey powder).  Other times, I tried the Merry Melon Soy Drink, the Apple and Cucumber Juice, and the Mango Mania (mango, papaya, and pineapple).

"Soul" food

Hola Readers,

The family and I gathered around the TV watching the Buzz while having a snack/merienda 1 hour before dinner.

My aunt saw a 1.5 inch cockroach near my sleeping cousin.  Under other circumstances, she'd kill the bug, but instead, she lightly brushed the bug away.  The cockroach can be a manifestation of the sleeper's spirit traveling the unconscious world of dreams.

A story from Ha'waii may help explain this concept.  Basically, it's not good to disturb a sleeping person because when a person sleeps his soul leaves his body.  If the soul doesn't return to his body before waking, then the person will awake without his sense of self and his mental stability ( making him a crazies ).

This is not just a superstition.  It happened to my cousin in high school.  My aunt's eldest son got sick.  In the hospital, he was throwing up and hallucinating.

One day, my aunt's niece came home.  She went upstairs and saw my aunt's eldest son sitting on the bed with his back on the wall and fronting a spaced-out expression.  She told her mother that she saw him.  "That can't be, your cousin and aunt are in the hospital," her mother said.  They searched the house again, but they couldn't find him; the person she saw was just an apparition. 

It was scary for a moment, then we all laughed as we finished off our merienda ( macaroni shell with chicken bits in creamy broth ).  My aunt continued to joke: "I'm visiting a relative so I'll be out; if you see me here tomorrow night, that's just my spirit wandering ;)"

My aunt, part of the 95% Catholics living in PI, believes in guardian angels.  She is a 2nd mother to me; she also helped raised my brother and me while my parents worked abroad.

Bread: a benchstone of economy

Hello Readers,

In the Philippines, a common breakfast item is Pandisal ( bread/roll ).  There's at least a bakery in every neighborhood or within the vicinity that sells them fresh every morning.  You can eat them plain or with a type of spread ( butter and sugar [my fave], peanut butter, queso, etc. ).  Lately, I've noticed that they've shrank in size.  Does size matter in the bread world?

"Pandisal." If you break it down to its Latin roots, you'll get "Pan - di - Sal", which is roughly translated to "Bread - of/from - Salt".  Salt is used in pandisal to help make it rise.  Salt in ancient Roman times was a valued commodity, which added flavor and preserved food.  According to my high school Latin teacher, Salt ( blocks of salt ) was used as a form of payment to soldiers.  Hence the word "SALary ( salary = money/exchange = economy ).

When we were little, we'd eat pandisal along with our taho.  I remember them being as long as 3 inches; now they are only 1 inches.  Ingredients are more expensive nowadays.  My cousin told me that prices in ingredients, especially in sugar and flour, recently rose in the Philippines.  Regardless of size, pandisals are still delicious!

Midnight Snack ( Part 2: the reMIX )

Kamusta Readers,

So the Midnight Snack lasted the whole weekend. I guess the transition lasted longer than expected. So far my eating ritual consisted of at least a taho. On Saturday morning, I had champorado ( chocolate rice ). For lunch, I had macaroni salad, rice, fried fish, and soup with string beans sautéed in coconut milk. For dinner, we ate in SM Mall of Asia’s Tapa King: soup, rice, sunny-side eggs, and pork ( sweet, sweet and spicy, and bacon-style ). For dessert, I had Sagot Gulaman ( bubble pearls, solid gelatin, and brown sugar syrup mixed in cold water ).

On Sunday, I had taho for breakfast ( what a surprise? ) with iced ovaltine. For lunch, we had Tinola ( Native chicken, chicken liver, green papaya, and gabi leaves in a broth ) and rice. We had merienda/early dinner which consisted of shell pasta in a creamy broth.

For dessert, we went to Chowking. We ordered halo-halo, literally translated to “Mix-mix”. This concoction includes gelatin, sago, red beans, ube, leche flan, kidney beans, ube ice cream, buko (coconut shreds), rice crispy, sweetened banana, jack fruit, and more. Mixed all these ingredients with evaporated milk in finely crushed ice, and you get halo-halo.

While we waited for our order, we started talking about weight lose and gain. One of my cousins recently got her braces. Her teeth are sensitive so for the past month, her diet was limited to soft and liquid-based food, such as soup, lugaw ( porridge ) and oatmeal. Needless to say, she often lost her appetite.

My other cousin remembered the time he put on the pounds due to his work. The graveyard shift made him tired. He basically worked, ate, and slept (repeat for a whole year ). His free time was spent in sedentary activities, such as computer games, internet surfing, and watching movies. Because of his fatigue, he resorted in exorbitant amount of food ( mostly junk/processed food ) for energy. He didn’t know that his body was operating in emergency mode, storing more fat to counter his dwindling energy.

Finally our halo-halo arrived. It was gone in a jiffy! Gym training resumes Monday: will I make it or will the “snacking” catch up?

If Philippines is a desert, it'll be a halo-halo with its mix of ingredients from the various eastern and western influences.

Midnight Snack ( Part 1 )

Hey Readers,

Off the airplane. At first breezy cool from post rain. Waiting for a ride, smoke rising from cigarettes, humidity rising. People texting and hollering, name cards in the air. Sticky shirt. I arrived in my aunt’s house past 12 am. Food on the table, TV on: fried eggroll ( lumpia shanghai ), rice, fresh eggroll stuffing ( shanghai sariwa ), and ube bean cake. My first thought “carbs after midnight – omg”. However weariness settled, sustenance needed especially after more than 12 hours of trip time. Compromise found – it was decided that today was going to be “cheat day”.

Good thing there’s 24 hours in a day. Before taking a 3 hour nap, I ate an apple. I woke up surprisingly early at 5:30 am. I ate 3 cups of taho ( sweet silk soy [pre-tofu] ), 3-in-1 instant coffee, and pandisal ( bread with butter or peanut butter spread ).

For lunch I had a repeat of the midnight breakfast plus baby bananas ( aka senioritas, which are always in season rain or shine ), another apple, and vitamins. Then off to SM Southmall with my cousin to inquire about the gym, to exchange money, and to go window shopping ( omg, there’s so much shopping to do: oh budget ).

Dinner was in Jollibee ( like McDonalds ). I ordered a jolly spaghetti with yum ( a burger with mixed ketchup and mayonnaise dressing ); my cousin got a jolly spaghetti with fried chicken. For drinks, we had RC-Cola. We chit chatted about the evils of starch, processed food ( irony? ), and street food, such as balot ( 15 days old unhatched duckling ), addidas ( chicken feet fraught with muscle, fat, and tendons ), and bituka ng manok ( chicken guts ). Yummy?!

Cancer and Airplane Food

Hey Readers,

For the 3.5 hours fight from Seoul, Korea to Manila, Philippines, I sat next to a lady, who appeared nonchalant and apathetic to traveling ( or it can just be fatigue ). Slumped shoulders, and an uninviting facial expression, she brushed her colored hair away from her face before settling down into her seat.

I felt that her jaded mien may be infectious so I focused on writing. Minutes later, she noticed how serious I was with writing: “You can turn on the light, so you can see better.” She said this without being sassy or smart-ass ( maybe showing concern? ). I turned on the light and thanked her. Then a conversation began.

Out of the darkness, part of her life’s story unfolded. She started out as a waitress, and then she became a bartender, who created a mix drink that was featured in a bartending magazine; her cocktail drink had Blue Skyye Vodka and cloudy whipped cream, and others. She was asked to move to management but declined for monetary purposes ( more $ in tips ); she declined an offer to work in a European cruise ship. She persevered ( had chaga ), while turning down an employment in a rich Middle Eastern country in order to raise her kids; She accepted the long hours her American co-workers declined; She’s 2x divorced; thanks to her mammogram, she's at level 0 after her recent cancer treatment.

The lady didn’t like the Airplane Food from the 1st flight ( that’s because she chose the rice and pasta options instead of beef and chicken ). Her recent meal was agreeable. The Alfredo-esque white sauce on the chicken was okay, and the wine was so-so.

We discussed nutrition and moderation and its relation to diabetes. She’s originally from the Mindanao region of the Philippines. She was excited to get off the plane so she could see her family, especially her 2 years old granddaughter, who has never seen her before, and who refers to her as Lola Ganda: Grandma Beautiful, Grandma Beauty, or Beautiful Grandma.


Left: Beef option, mountain ranges from airplane, green tea.



Economy Upgrade and Airplane Food

Hi Readers,

I'm going to digress for a moment.  My main topic is Filipino food, but for this post, I'll briefly discuss Airplane food and my experience flying with Korean Air.  Basically I'm impressed.

A 13 hour flight is long, and I was prepared to entertain myself; I brought 3 books, a journal, and my mp3 player.  Upon finding my window seat, the first thing I noticed in front of me was a screen with touchscreen capabilities.  Everybody was still getting on board, so I decided to peruse this technology.

In my past travels, such features come with a price.  When I flew to Utah, a movie cost $5.  The plane finally took off, and I still haven't seen an advertisement announcing the cost.  It was to my great amazement to learn that the service was free.  It didn't just have movies; it had music, video games, and electronic print.  I had a moment when I didn't know what to do.  Eventually, I sampled various music, while reading Krakauer's "Into the Wild".  I watched 2 movies "City Island" and this Chinese action-comedy.

The Airplane food wasn't that bad.  It was presented TV dinner style, but I was amazed at the freshness of it all. The soft warm bread that melts the butter, the crispy lettuce, the tender spicy chicken, and the moist red velvet cupcake square.  Plenty of drinks; they even offered wine.

This Korean Air flight experience was the best I had so far ( in comparison to my childhood experience flying Korean Air ).  It seems that time has updated the experience of flying "economy."

I'm blogging this free courtesy of the Seoul International Airport.  They haven't stopped me yet or charged me, however a  nice sales lady warned me not to put my coconut yogurt smoothie from Lente near the Samsung notebook I'm using.  Something different in this airport is that they have cultural cubicles, where foreigners can learn about different Korean arts and culture, such as painting, inking, and theater.

The night before departure

Hi Readers,

I'm so excited for this trip that I haven't packed yet.  Well maybe I haven't packed yet physically, but I've packed my heart and mind once I made the decision to go a week[s] ago.  My Korean Air itinerary shows that it'll be a weird traveling-to-the-future type ( not that I've traveled to the future before ). 

It's surreal in a way:
I'll leave Philadelphia on Wednesday morning
I'll arrive in the Philippines on Thursday evening at 11 pm
When I wake up in my Aunt's house, it'll be Friday morning ( definitely can't wait to have Taho [sweet silk tofu breakfast side] )

The flight over will be spent reading, writing, and making lists.  My first assignment is finalizing my registration to participate in 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River.  I didn't plan to participate in this fundraising race; everything was just serendipitous.  After my part time assignment ended, I started going to the gym more to keep myself busy.  Then I heard an advertisement for this event.  It's a great cause overall ( to raise $ for the river cleaning/research and also to participate in breaking a Guinness Book of World Records ). 

I did cross-country running a million years ago, and it'll be fun; I already found a gym near my Aunt's house to continue my training.  I'm dedicating my run to my godchild because that day he'll be celebrating his birthday.  It'll be a celebration of life in general!

  

4 days before departure

Hello Readers,

I'm currently unemployed, however I will have a part time teaching opportunity beginning in mid-November.  I was in a slump; I've been applying to tons of full time and part time jobs, but I haven't heard from them so I figured "why not take a vacation?" ( you must think I'm crazy taking a vacation in the midst of this economic recession )...

I feel like I'm in a bubble; I needed to get out and gain new perspective that'll help me to persevere in the upcoming months and their challenges.  In the past, my trips to the Philippines have renewed me, and I'm hoping that the 6 weeks spent here will give me a fresh outlook and maybe new solutions to my unemployment problems.

I'll be blogging about:
-Cooking foods specific to places I visited (share recipes made easy)
-Eating foods (new and childhood favorites)
-Events I participated in and their concomittant food source
-Food: memories and its pertinent cultural tid bit

Basically everything I do while in the Philippines ( PI ) in 6 weeks with a food twist.  I hope you enjoy reading it, and feel free to comment and share your insights.  I also hope this will encourage others to explore and eat Filipino cuisine for themselves.  Bon Appetit! Kain na!