Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Day I Run Out Of Cooking Gas

One day, I ran out of gas and cash! So I tried to cook the old fashioned way - using charcoal and unused wood cuttings. I must admit that the exercise turned out to be quite a humbling experience.

For some time I have been guilty of being used to convenient and fast cooking methods - like gas ranges, electric stoves, microwave ovens, and other electrical conveniences which require little physical exertion simply because all that is needed is plug them in or switch them on.

The cooking activity turned out to be taxing and took more than twice the time it normally does when cooking on gas or electric stoves. I had to run in and out of the kitchen because the make -shift cooking stove was set-up outside. I felt I spent the whole morning waiting for the rice to cook (Okay, an exaggeration). Now if you are wondering why there is no mention of an electric rice cooker, it is because I have none. I ditched it so I can save on electricity bill.

Cooking the sud-an was worse. It took a lot of fanning and some puffing to create enough heat. And it seemed like - I am again waiting forever for the whole thing to boil and cook. And because I was not adept in making a good fire, I was constantly enveloped by smoke. I thought it was a miracle I survived suffocation.
Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the whole process. In fact I wanted to experience this method of cooking. Why? because my lolas on both sides survived a lifetime of cooking by wood, yet there was never any complaint - of too much smoke, or of dirt by soot. In truth, a lot of households in our area, those who can not afford the expensive LPG gas or electricity, still continue to cook this way. Their little children would patiently gather tree cuttings, unused wood, or even wood shavings. Maybe because it has always been this way for them, they never complain. I realized if we need to survive hard times we must learn how to adjust and be patient...

And so my day ended... hands covered with soot, red eyed and all - but still able to survive gracefully. What did I accomplished? A delicious, slow-cooked, aromatic, smoky-flavored meal!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Fiesta of Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Fatima Parish in Basak Mandaue City, Cebu is once again celebrating its annual fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. There were series of activities which lasted for a week and culminated in a mass celebrated by no less than our beloved Cardinal Vidal. Take a glimpse of the fiesta...

People were seen arriving at the church for the fiesta mass celebration. Candle and balloon vendors can be seen hawking their wares. Of course, balloons are a fixtures even during ordinary Sundays...

People slowly filled up the church and it was starting to overflow...

Inside - the church was already full as people waited for the mass to begin...

While outside - the altar boys were seen preparing to line up and patiently waited for the Cardinal to start the mass...

The Cardinal is about to make the entrance to the church to start the mass...

Offertory part - people brought flowers and other offerings...

After the mass - people patiently lined up to pay homage to the Lady of Fatima...

While others lighted candles outside the church and offered some personal prayers.

This is how it was in the years that passed. How it will probably be for years to come, unless the people's faith will change...

See you again next fiesta!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Game Show Contestant

My sister sent a text to ABS-CBN Kapamilya text raffle promo and surprisingly received a reply and got invited to participate in their game show. We laughed over it because, oh well, truth is we are a bit skeptical about raffle promos. Anyway to make the story short, out of curiosity, she accepted the invitation.


The call time time was at 7:00 a.m. one beautiful Saturday morning. But they soon found out that the program hosts and other staff just start to arrive only around 9:00 a.m. It was not an actual live show but a taping for a future episode. My sister did not get lucky because she got eliminated in the first Round, and was not able to proceed towards the next round. As consolation, those who did not make it were given snacks and consolation prizes.


She said that all contestants are urged to show enthusiasm and energy during the taping of the show, or else the segment is going to be taped all over again. My sister noted that Katya Santos (the girl in pensive mood wearing black blouse and maong pants) is not actually chubby in person, but just voluptuous.

All in all my sister said the experience was not bad after all, she even enjoyed it!