It was 2007, in my last months working as a Front Desk Officer at a Boracay resort. I met a person whom I found kind. After 2 years and a few months, I got reconnected to this dear friend. The potentials of internet makes our world small. Life has a way….when something bad happens, an opportunity arises. Now, what comes to your mind? Would you choose to be with someone you love or would you rather be with someone who loves you? It’s very tempting….I am not going to destroy the light I see. I am not going to use someone for a rebound. I am not going to ruin a kind person. I am going to stay true to myself and I am going to keep our beautiful friendship.

Youtube member: mariejambotz

What are keeping me up so late? Memories….I am also working or, should I say, trying to work however distracted I am and Peanut Brittle not coffee. As I munch on these sweeties, I’m reminded of  the times my daughter and I spent in Baguio. I don’t have any plans of revisiting (that is for now only). We enjoyed and love Baguio; but, I’m actually thinking more of Vigan and craving for Ilocos Empanada right now. Hhmmm….when will the timing come?

Youtube member: mason28viz

I’ve never made Peanut Brittle. I don’t know how to make them. I do know how to eat and enjoy them. They are successfully keeping me up tonight. Sweet! I need to go back to work now…

Peanut Brittle recipe from www.pinoyrecipe.net: http://www.pinoyrecipe.net/peanut-brittle-recipe/

A Father And A Dad Are Not The Same

A father and a dad are not the same.

Once can be a dad and not a father,

Or one can be a father and not bother.

To earn through love the more endearing name,

Some find fatherhood a bit too tame.

Leaving all the details to the mother,

Or dumping the sweet burden on another

Man with just a passing twinge of shame.

You have been our dad so many years

That you’ve become the landscape that is home.

The mountain that we look to from afar.

No matter where we go, we’re not alone

For you remain within to still our fears

And be the word that tells us who we are.

 A video from Youtube member, MadFace148. Click this for more of Youtube member’s videos. Here is a cool dad Filipinos have witnessed:

Lyrics of Shout For Joy: http://www.filipinomusica.com/shout-for-joy-lyrics-gary-v.html

Gary Valenciano’s website: http://www.garyv.com/

I remember my dad when he was still with us. He is now staying in Balete, Aklan. He has a great beef tapa recipe. I remember watching him once making a batch of beef tapa in our dirty kitchen. I wasn’t able to get his recipe. He does what you call the eyeballing technique and it would come out masarap. Up to now, I still haven’t came up with a beef tapa recipe that is as good as his. So, I searched for one online to be safe on the portioning of ingredients. I’m sharing with you this one from www. pinoyfoodblog.com: http://pinoyfoodblog.com/recipes/beef-tapa-recipe/

From my dad: “Tingnan mo itong papel. Hawakan mo. Ngayon, kumuha ka ng lapis at gumawa ka ng tuldok sa gitna ng papel. Anong nakikita mo? Ngayon, nakatingin ka na lang sa tuldok. Nakalimutan mo na yung malinis na bahagi ng papel. Ganyan ang tao. Nakakalimutan na ang lahat kapag nakagawa ka ng isang pagkakamali. Kahit maliit man siya. Anuman ang kabutihang nagawa mo noon, wala na. Kasi, ikaw na ngayon ang may pinakamabigat na kasalanan para sa kanya”.

Eraserheads at Fashion Cafe in Makati, Philippines

>>>to YouTube member’s videos…

their music will forever be etched in the hearts of Filipinos

click here about the band

With A Smile

by: Eraserheads

Lift your head, baby, don’t be scared

Of the things that could go wrong along the way

You’ll get by with a smile

You can’t win in everything but you can try

Baby, you don’t have to worry

‘Cause there ain’t no need to hurry

No one ever said that there’s an easy way

When they’re closing all their doors

And they don’t want you anymore

It sounds funny but I’ll say it anyway

Girl, I’ll stay through the bad times

Even if I have to fetch you everyday

I’ll get by if you smile

You can never be too happy in this life

In a world where everybody hates a happy ending story

It’s no wonder love can make the world go round

No, don’t let it bring you down

And turn your face into a frown

You’ll get along with a little prayer and this song

Too, doo, doo…

Let me hear you sing it

Lift your head, baby, don’t be scared

Of the things that could go wrong along the way

You’ll get by with a smile

Now, it’s time to kiss away those tears goodbye

Too, doo, doo…let me hear you sing it…

Happy Easter! Let’s paint some eggs!

Itlog Na Maalat

(salted eggs)

50 gms. sea salt (http://www.philippineseasalts.com/)

45 ml rice wine (Tapey–The Igorot Rice wine: http://peiqianlong.blogspot.com/2007/04/tapey-igorot-rice-wine.html)

10 duck eggs

Bath raw eggs in a small bowl with rice wine; then, coat each egg with a layer of sea salt and place them in a sealed container (jar or Ziploc bag). Let stand in a cool place, but not in the refrigerator, for about 3 weeks. Remove the eggs from sea salt bath. You can keep the eggs in refrigerator if you are not going to use them immediately or boil them right after removing from sea salt bath.

***

Philippine Loca Liquors: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Philippine_Local_Liquors

Tuba–The Filipino Wine: http://www.dipologcity.com/DipologCooking4.htm

See: more videos of YouTube member>>>

My daughter and I….and, so we went on the way….14 churches….meeting lessons along the way in between stops…. as we see our surroundings, different people around us….as my life story flash in front of my eyes.

It can be difficult to pray at times….not difficult when I am asking for something but can be difficult when I am trying to speak what’s truly in my heart as I ask for forgiveness….for the times when I stumble and become weak during trials and tribulations as I take my journey in life…

Along the way today, there were times when we met “Wow, Mali! Moments”:

–“Ay! Liliko pala ‘tong jeep! Let’s get off, this is not our way, anak.” Due to my knack with not having patience over “slowly but surely”, I never bothered to read the sign bearing the jeepney’s route. I just hopped on with my daughter and we almost went out of  our way. Imagine that….hhmmm. So….I am thinking. How is my journey in life doing?

–“Ang daming tao dito!” I encounter different types of people as I travel my path. I will continue trying and giving my best even if I stumble along the way….to be open-minded and mindful of others with kindness as I remain true to myself and others, without any judgment, regardless of gender, color, race, faith and/or situation my fellowmen maybe in. I’m sorry when, at times, I am not sensitive enough.

–“Sama ‘ko, mommy”. I took the day-long journey with my daughter. I am not alone. I carry in my heart the people I love: my daughter, my family, Mahal, my online and offline friends. They may not be aware of it but the mere fact that I feel them within me, lightens my path….as they watch over me, reaching out to me even with just a simple “Hello”, “How are you”, “Have a good weekend”, “Always take care” “I love you”….lending a helping hand, consoling my soul when down, correcting me when I am wrong. I hope they know that I truly feel grateful to have them by my side, they help me carry my cross in their own special ways and I am thinking….how am I doing in return?

–“Ha, ha! Mommy naman, last stop na natin natapilok ka pa!” My daughter never let go of my hand….through thick and thin. My journey in life….the path I am threading….I don’t know what’s ahead….the twists and turns….but I have my loved ones walking by my side. And so, I will get up when I stumble and will give my journey in life my best shot….and I know, “marami pa akong bigas na kakainin”.

1^st Station:        A solemn pledge of undivided love. Thank you….you did not spare anything for me. You gave yourself to me. In my heart….I carry my whole self in my heart….you speak to my heart and I am offering you my heart with all its naked truth.

2^nd Station:       I accept all the fears and terrors, all the sufferings along my path as I offer you everything in my heart with full honesty.

3^rd Station:        You speak when there is silence….I will continue speaking what is in my heart to you and may my faith, hope and charity turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, and death to eternal life.

4^th Station:        I am sorry that there are many times that I don’t offer to sacrifice for the sake of others….there are times when I am selfish….I am sorry.

5^th Station:        I am lacking with humility, patience and understanding.

6^th Station:        I do not have the courage to deny myself and follow your way.

7^th Station:        You gave yourself to me and is carrying my cross to lighten my heart as I go along my journey in life. I ask for forgiveness for the sins I have committed, I thank you for walking by my side….never leaving me.

8^th Station:        Forgive me…

9^th Station:        Strengthen me for there are times I am weak especially when I encounter trials and tribulations.

10^th Station:      There is nothing that you will not do for me….I trust in you.

11^th Station:      Enlighten me to be a good daughter to my parents, to be good to others and to my loved ones as they watch over me with love, patience and understanding.

12^th Station:      You gave your life to me and never get tired of lifting my soul over and over everytime I stumble.

13^th Station:      I will love and respect my neighbors to the best of my ability.

14^th Station:      I pray that I may be able to overcome the sufferings and trials I will encounter as I go along my journey in life with you by my side. You can see through me, everywhere I go…. I speak and submit to you, everything that is contained in my heart. I offer everything….all the naked truth in my heart; and as I go along my path, fill me with wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge, piety, wonder and awe in you….for this is the only gift I know that I can offer you as my best…my heart, in it’s naked truth. You see the truth in me wherever I go. I will treat my fellowmen with an open mind without bearing any judgement regardless of gender, race, color, faith and/or situation….to love and respect others like my own self.

There are many difficulties along my path….I pray to have the courage, strength and to always be reminded….

“Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”

Hhmmm….Hey! We still have brownies in the bag….for Ate Georgy. Give them to ate, anak. And, my journey in life continues…

THIS RECIPE IS REALLY GOOD! Brownies recipe: http://pinoyfoodblog.com/recipes/fudge-brownies/

See: more videos of YouTube member>>

After three weeks in Bali, Indonesia with Mahal, I’m back in the Philippines just in time for Lent. I felt how it was like, how strange it can be to see in a festivity how I find a suffocating togetherness can bring loneliness, how draining it can be inside….as I possess (I am aware), I believe and I would like to say, (sana lang nga)  a certain level of healthy stubborness (darn!)….Makulit!…. I am searching for balance….I need it. Slowly, I am getting back the real grip of my reality….getting back that “fast” inspiration of finishing my project as well, hehe….getting in touch with myself while the world continues to move and evolve….tapping how am I really doing, what have I done with my fellow human being as a human being myself….I have flaws and am not perfect but I know compassion, care, love and sympathy….to be aware of myself, my relationship with others with an open mind without any judgement, regardless of gender, race, color, faith and/or situation….with patience, care, love….even if I meet several bumps along the way….It can be difficult along the way, with all the many trials and hardships I encounter along the way….I will try and give my best to love myself and others in full honesty and kindness…After all, it really boils down to one thing–”Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”, to love others as you love yourself….to treat others with kindness, honesty and care the best I can….I will do my reflection on the road this Good Friday. A Visita Iglesia would be nice.

click to YouTube member’s page>>>

Biyaheng Langit

a song by: Lolita Carbon

Biyaheng langit pare ko ang pasada ko

Trip to heaven, brother, is my way

Pamasahe ay libre, magkasama lang tayo

Fare is free, as long as we’re together

Pakisama lang pare sa kapwa tao mo

Get along, brother, with your fellow

Mahalin mo ang iba tulad nang sarili mo

Love others like your own self

Biyaheng langit pare ko ang pasada ko

Trip to heaven, brother, is my way

Umangkas na lahat kayo

Stand by/along, all of you

Makasalanan din akong sakay sa biyaheng it

I am also a sinner, as a passenger, in this trip

Pero, sa awa niya’y aabot din tayo

But, with His mercy, we will get there

Itaga mo sa bato ang sasabihin ko

Cast in stone (remember) what I’m going to say

Nasa isip mo’t puso and iyong pagbabago

Change is in your mind and heart

Kay tagal kong naghanap nang isang diyu-diyosin ko

For a long time, I’ve searched for the one I will call my Almighty

Siya pala’y naghihintay lamang sa puso ko

When He is only waiting here in my heart

Biyaheng langit pare ko ang pasada ko

Trip to heaven, brother, is my way

Umangkas na lahat kayo

Stand by/along, all of you

Makasalanan din akong sakay sa biyaheng it

I am also a sinner, as a passenger, in this trip

Pero, sa awa niya’y aabot din tayo

But, with His mercy, we will get there

Ipaubaya mo na lang sa Diyos ang buhay mo

Submit/offer to the Almighty your life

Magbigay ka nang lubos at babalik sa’yo

Give fully and it will return

Siya ang bahala sabi niya at maniwala ka

He will take care of it and believe in it

‘Pag ang bahala ay ang Diyos

When the Almighty takes charge

Lahat pare ay ayos!

Everything will be all right.

Biyaheng langit pare ko ang pasada ko

Trip to heaven, brother, is my way

Umangkas na lahat kayo

Stand by/along, all of you

Makasalanan din akong sakay sa biyaheng it

I am also a sinner, as a passenger, in this trip

Pero, sa awa niya’y aabot din tayo

But, with His mercy, we will get there

Aabot din….aabot din tayo…

We will get there… 

 Honestly, I really find it hard to do fasting….so, I will bring along a large bottle of water and some tuna sandwiches for my snacks. Summertime…. it will be really hot along the way…

Tuna Sandwich Filling:

1 regular can of tuna flakes in brine (drain and discard the liquid)

ample amount of mayo (just enough not to make the spread soggy)

pinch of salt and pepper to taste

chopped onion stalks ( just eyeball)

TO BE CONTINUED…

>>>click for more videos from romycherrera of YouTube…

I am also glad to have shared this week with Mahal. What a great time we had! And while we were jazzing around, Calamares was among the plates of pulutan that graced our table. A dish of Spanish origin that is easy to cook. No wonder it is now also becoming popular in the street food scene!

click for more videos from amazingraceRN of YouTube>>>

Calamares Recipe:

1 kilo medium-sized squids

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup all-purpose flour

oil for deep frying

calamansi juice (from about 5 pieces of calamansi)

salt and pepper to season

Clean the squids by peeling the skin off and removing the head, ink sacs, as well as the tentacles. Cut the body of the squids into rings. Marinate the squid rings in calamansi juice for about 5-10 minutes. Beat the eggs and season flour with salt and pepper. Dip the squid rings into the eggs before dredging each in seasoned flour then deep fry. Do not overcook because you don’t want to chew on “rubberized” Calamares! Drain the squid rings on paper towel to remove excess oil.

***I recommend a good dipping sauce for this. But, too bad I don’t have a recipe for that. This is also really nice if you season flour with spices that you like (garlic powder, chili poweder, etc.) Use your imagination….just eyeball each amount of seasoning. And, since we just had our anniversary celebration of the real Edsa Revolution, always have and keep the freedom…. tweak it and enjoy!

1986 Edsa Revolution

click: for more YouTube member’s videos>>>

2009 music video of Boracay by Blake Jarrel. www.armadamusic.nl

It’s February 2009 and it looks like summer is early this year. Whenever summertime and since Philippines is boasting with world-famous and incredible beach destinations, it’s impossible not to hear “Swimming tayo!” As a former front desk officer of Victory Beach Resort, located in the world’s most popular beach in 2007  (according to Yahoo!) and having a dad who is an Aklanon (meaning, a native of Aklan province. Dad is from Balete, Aklan), swimming means Boracay Island for me. I don’t want to sound bias but Boracay has a special place in my heart. Let me share why. It was the year 2006 and I was still nursing my self over a divorce. With so much things going on in my personal life, I decided to take a boat ride and find a job in the island. The island gave me more than a job within my stay of a year and five months. I met some of the most interesting people, I gained new friends and found someone special–”myself”. It was in Boracay Island where I found my self back. I love Boracay!

Click for more of YouTube member’s videos…

The island has a unique personality due to the presence of an international community in which one can easily blend in because it is also where you will find warm and friendly people. Due to its diverse community, you will experience a wide range of variety in food from local to international flavors; and when it comes to beverages, my most favorite in the island is, of course, the fruit shake. You will find a restaurant called Jonah’s Fruit Shake and Restaurant located in Station 1. It is acclaimed by visitors and locals as having the best fruit shakes in the island. I agree and, so far, I haven’t found any fruit shake that can beat the distinct flavor and texture of their fruit shakes. Hhmmm….must be the secret ingredient? I strongly recommend their Choco-Banana-Peanut Shake. Too bad, I am not in Boracay right now and how I miss it. But I really feel summer coming in fast! So, while listening to Armand Tajanlangit’s Boracay song and as a tribute to the Philippine’s national fruit with its peak abundance in summertime, I would like to share with you a mango shake recipe.

2 pieces ripe mangoes

3 cups crushed ice

3/4 cups milk

Scoop out mango flesh into a blender. Add crushed ice, pour in milk and blend. Serve in tall glasses.

*****

Bugsay Boracay: http://bugsayboracay.multiply.com/journal/item/2/Sabay_Kampay

Kiteboarding: http://www.islakite.com/

Restaurants & Bars: http://www.boracayrestaurants.com/

Aklan Province website: http://aklan.gov.ph/

>>>click for more videos from kookichard of YouTube…

I miss GNOs. I miss girls night outs with Kay. There’s never a dull moment with her. When out for the night in the city, we both like and prefer listening to Filipino live bands (such talents we have in the music industry!). We used to go a lot to Strumm’s just to watch and listen to our favorite band at that time–Mulatto; and, most of the time, we ended up going home at four or five in the morning! Those were our younger days. How fun and memorable! We would frequent branches of Strumm’s in Makati and El Pueblo and I just love their Tanqueray Tonic! In one of our GNOs, Kay suggested that I should try their Gambas and how thankful I am. Hhhmm….nice! Since then, I’ve included Gambas in my recipe collection. Whenever I eat Gambas, I remember Kay. Girls Night Outs….wonderful bonding moments with my bestfriend. So, here’s my version of Gambas:

1/2 kilo shrimps, peeled and deveined

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon kalamansi juice

1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil

1 tablespoon butter

6 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small onion, julienned

1 medium-sized tomato, chopped

1/2 cup white wine

chili-garlic sauce

In a bowl, season shrimps with salt and kalamansi juice then set aside. In a medium-sized pan, heat oil, add butter and saute garlic, onions and tomatoes. Saute until garlic is brown then add the shrimps and stir in the white wine. Cook until shrimps turn pink. Lastly, add in the chili-garlic sauce according to your desired amount. Make sure not to overcook the shrimps. Serve hot.

>>>click for more videos from junayran of YouTube…

We have a small backyard. I am not complaing, okay. It is a small but nice one. Our backyard witnessed my growing up years and I am thankful that we have that space. In our backyard, we used to have a handful of banana trees, a kamias tree, a duhat tree, plus my most favorites, the mango tree and aratiles tree where my sister and I had improvised swings made from an old car tire tied up to these trees. That was how we enjoyed our mango fruits and aratiles berries–while on a swing and, i’m telling you, too much aratiles can be intoxicating. S’an ka pa! Parang Sesame Street, di ba? In addition, we also had many veggies planted when I was small–pechay, tomatoes, alugbati and okra. That provincial appeal of our backyard was long before we had an extension constructed for the dirty kitchen. Now, the backyard is home to our guava tree, some ornamental plants (we have orchids in front) and, of course, you’ve got to still have some veggies in there. Since we can’t dig and provide a swampy refuge to my favorite kangkong, there is an ample space provided for talbos ng kamote. How lovely….and delicious, too. Vegetables and herbs you grow yourselves just tastes so much better than those you get from the market. Don’t you think so? As a nice accompaniment to the fried bangus we had for lunch, this is my mom’s ensaladang talbos ng kamote:

1-1/2 cups talbos ng kamote (leaves and soft stalks)

1 small onion, chopped

2 cherry tomatoes, chopped

For the dressing:

1/4 cup white vinegar (we love Datu Puti)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Ajinomoto OR 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (we love Mc Cormick’s)

olive oil

Wash and drain the talbos ng kamote leaves and stalks. Put the talbos ng kamote, chopped onions and chopped tomatoes all together in a bowl. Set aside and prepare the dressing. Combine all the dressing ingredients and mix well. Pour into the bowl of talbos ng kamote and toss the veggies. Serves 1 to 2 persons.

click for more videos from ArcApex of YouTube>>>

Today, in Marc Decarlo’s show, he featured Dungeness, Washington. A state famous for Dungeness crabs. His show brought a food memory when my daughter and I stayed in Sebastopol, California for a short time.  There, we also got to experience fishing in Bodega Bay. What a beautiful bay! How cute were the ocean ducks! But, I really enjoyed fly fishing  better because the ocean would make me sea sick. ‘Kainis! You see, a regular Filipino like me doesn’t always experience big waves like those we had there when we went out. If one wants real waves in Philippine Islands, there’s always Siargao Island in Surigao, Mindanao (Mom is from Surigao). The “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”. The home of Cloud 9. A reef wave bearing a worldwide reputation of having thick, hallow tubes.

This video is taken by surfer Brandon Perreira. Click here to YouTube member’s videos…

 And, there is also Aurora, Baler located in the Central Luzon region where you will find Charlie’s Point, famous for being the setting of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now surfing scenes. Okay, let’s go back to food….there was one time when we were given some crabs during our stay in California. Such huge crabs….whoah! I just couldn’t help but make a spicy dish out of it the way we sometimes do it here in the Philippines. True to my Filipino heart and how else does one expect am I going to do it? Because just like most Filipinos who love to cook, I learned cooking from home.  So, this is how I do crabs in spicy sauce the Filipino way:

Crabs in Spicy Sauce

2 kilos crabs

2 tablespoons cooking oil

4 pieces siling labuyo, minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 half a thumb-sized ginger, grated

3/4 cup tomato catsup

1/4 cup chili-garlic sauce

1/4 cup white wine

2 pieces chicken bullion, crushed

2 cups water

2 stalks onion leeks

sesame oil

Cook crabs in enough water with salt. Once cooked, clean the crabs by pulling out the shells, remove the lungs and split the bodies into quarters. Set aside.

Heat cooking oil in a kawali. Saute garlic, ginger and siling labuyo until fragant (make sure they’re not burnt). Add tomato catsup and the chili-garlic sauce. Saute a bit then add white wine. Crush chicken bullion in mortar and pestle and add into the kawali. Pour in water and simmer until sauce is thick. Mix in the prepared crabs, add the leeks. Season with a dash of sesame oil (love the smell incorporated to the dish!). Serve hot.