Are you coming home this December?

It is December and I remember while I was still working in Makati, I would brave storms, traffic, human multitude in the airport, sleeplessness, and aching back just to get the chance to come home to my parents and siblings. In October I would already file my leave since I am not the only one vying for the December vacation schedule…

Anyway for those Cebuanos who’ve been away for more than 10 years, when you come back these are some of the things that will greet you:

1. You will find that dili na suroyanan ang Colon. People now flocked to the huge cold supermalls (SM City Cebu and Ayala). Grabe, world class na ta.

Colon Street

2. You thought you are still in Cebu City, but realized nga miabot na diay ka sa Carcar. Yes, Talisay and Carcar are now cities. From N. Bacalso Ave up to Minglanilla, commercial buildings are lining up the streets on both sides. You can not deny progress.

South highway is so wide already we need crossing points and bridges to get to the other sides. Kapoy kaayo mosaka pero kung mohasi jud ka ug tabok, daku ug chance nga maligsan ka sa mga suicidal nga drivers (daghan ni sila), resulta - patay ka.

Fuente Osmena Cebu

3. Talisay and free beaches are now just memories. Congested na ang Talisay sa kadaghan ug people. Resorts na ang uso sa Lapulapu, pero dollar lang sab ang bayad. Kung gusto gihapon ka ug libre nga payag-payag lang, go further as in further to the South or North. But I am not sure anymore if there are places left unexplored because even Bantayan is now frequently visited. If you still have provinces and relatives maybe it is better to stick there.

4. You will also find that global na ang Cebu. Although a lot of our young and not-so-young work force are leaving us, napulihan man sab ug mga foreigners. Many of our dalagas and not-dalagas are getting married to foreigners, thanks to the Internet. Some of them are staying here in our beautiful islands. So do not be surprised if you see a lot of fair-skinned men holding hands with our morena beauties.

Alegre Beach Resort

5. Grabe kadaghan na ug mga tawo, in fact mora na ug Manila kay sobra na sab ka-traffic. Daghan na man gud ang naay sakyanan. I think this is probably because of the proliferation of second hand units from Japan and Korea, which offers prices much lower than the brand new and branded ones. Ang uso karon, multicab. Pero naa sab mga Mitsubishi, Toyota, ug Isuzu SUV's (for the rich).

People have also flocked here because of available jobs. Once upon a time the big two in MEPZA were Timex and Fairchild, now MEPZA is so full of business locators. I should have been happy. However I have reservations that perhaps developments are too much for the area. It is showing signs of congestions. But still there are many businessmen still interested to put up their business there. That’s just my personal opinion.

Okay, I think I will just have to stop here. There are probably a million things I have missed. everybody is welcome to add their piece…

Photo credits: Google Images

Stone Steps...

It is not our home... It must have been built sometime in the late 50’s or early 60’s because it has stone steps. When bungalows became a fad in Cebu in the mid or late 60’s, slowly in time outside stone steps were scraped off from house designs. Houses were either flat or 2 floors, maybe even higher, but without stone steps and porches anymore. I think that one of the most probable reasons is perhaps because lots are becoming more and more expensive these days and there are not enough spaces to include those things in the house designs. Or simply because maybe they have become passé and perhaps impractical. I don’t know…

I love stone steps and even porches. But today only old houses have them… and old houses like old people are slowly dying out from our sights. How sad! I wish heirs to these old houses should (if possible) try to maintain or if not preserve these heirlooms. There are still people (like me) who may not like living in old houses but are quite appreciative of their aesthetic values.

PayPal Is (Finally!) Here...with Union Bank

What I actually mean is the complete circle of Sending and Receiving features since only the Sending facility was initially available...

A few days ago I received an email from PayPal that new Withdrawal and Receiving features are (finally!) now available here in the Philippines! Well alleluyah!
I think Union Bank should be given credit for innovative products. Long before online banking system became common, Union Bank was already breaking grounds by introducing the first bank account to be opened via the website with zero deposit. That is the EON Cyber Account, and that was sometime back in 2000 I think. I also remember they were perhaps the first to offer online inquiry via the internet. What was probably experimental, must have hit off and shook the grounds, because everybody seem to follow suit including the giants in the banking industry. Anyway, go check out Union Bank EON at their website www.unionbankph.com. Something might just interest you...

The Road Where We Live...

One day our lord and mistress (the Baranggay Captain and the Congresswoman) were finally able to grant us that grace that we have been wishing for quite sometime already. Our old stony not to mention very dusty road was replaced with a concrete one. The plan to make it concrete was actually conceived some ten years back, but it sat in the City Engineer’s office waiting for the right signature, the right time and most importantly that much needed funding. 

Finally after 10 long dusty and muddy years, after 2 Baranggay captains, a few elections in between, and perhaps 2 meteor showers (which were probably instrumental in granting our wish), our road has finally underwent a facelift and became concrete.

The kids immediately showed their appreciation, took control of the road, and played to their hearts' content. Thank God, these kids chose to forego the internet games and decided to play street games instead. Or else they would have missed enjoying the freedom and the highs that comes from running around under the clear sunny skies...

The Eight Commandment

An Ode to Dan and Agnes D.

Our neighbor Nong Tering raises turkeys which he allows to roam across the sprawling vacant lot behind his house. The turkeys actually love to parade around the lot and even lay eggs among the bushes. But Nong Tering has a mother cow and a calf as well, and that keeps him busy sourcing for banana peels or fruit peels and grasses which he gives to the cows as additional feeds. What he does not know is that he is not the only one watching over his turkeys, especially when he is not around.

One day, as he was coming home bringing a sack of banana and nangka peels, he chanced upon a man just a few meters from his house carrying a turkey in his arms. Now the turkey looked very very familiar, while the man of course was not! In our baranggay, nobody wants to get Nong Tering’s ire. He can be a good neighbor but a hell of an enemy. I guess the thief must have known this because he threw the turkey and ran as fast as he could before Nong Tering could react. Nong Tering was lucky. He got his turkey back.

Not all of us could be as lucky enough to get back what we may have lost. I know of a lady named Shirley, who trusted a man named Dan who promised a possible job in Canada for her daughter. Her story turned out to be the usual sob story.

Dan has credentials, he is also a Pinoy, has a staffing agency in Maryland (which boasts of an infinite resources), and the trust of a friend of the family who happens to be a priest. Dan according to the priest-friend gave the assurance that if nothing will materialize with the application, the placement money will be returned. Of course, we all know how it ended. Pffftt…Shirley will never get her hard earned money back.

In the first story the thief was an ordinary man, probably hungry or lazy, and that probably propelled him to steal. But Dan on the other hand, gave the deed a more sophisticated touch which made it more grave. In the society that he moves around, he pretends to be this nice man who supports church projects and other good causes. How pathetic! Hey! Be a MAN and find a fair match, not old ladies who could not fend for themselves.

"Sakit man gud palandongon nga isig ka Pilipino ra sab ang mounay ug ilad sa iyang isig ka Pilipino." Although it is something that has happened to many Filipinos. It is a sad fact that it is still happening to a lot more (one can not say we have learned our lessons). Sadder still is that , eventually it is still going to happen over and over again.

Must Have Been 3 Months...

Must have been 3 months since I posted my last entry. And I think that's quite a long time really. Yeah, I truly missed tinkering with my blog. The feeling is like leaving home for a little while, and coming back. And you are greeted with mixed feelings of familiarity and unfamiliarity, of a certain sadness and a little joy, and a whole lot more... The feeling I guess is more like coming back from a vacation and wanting to clean your room so it will go back to that state you left it in... crazy? I hope not. Okay then, let's rock and roll! Start things rolling once more...

Here Comes The Rain...

End of summer?

I've seen it coming... for the last few days there were... Soft rains in the afternoon...early morning drizzle...morning mists...wet grasses and wet leaves in the early mornings...

But because the mornings would still turn hot and sunny, I haven't officially declared that summer has already ended. And besides the month of May is not over yet...
But today, the skies are dark and cloudy. And a continuous rain has fallen...Maybe gotta accept, the rainy season has definitely arrived!

A Sari-Sari Store

We go to a sari-sari store for just about everything! Shampoo, soap, rice, soy sauce, vinegar, cooking oil, cigarettes, soft drinks, biscuits, sardines, ready-to-cook noodles, and probably a thousand other things (would you believe even a Biogesic!). Taken from the word "sari-sari" which literally means, assorted. It is a miniature supermarket, has almost everything that a supermarket sells, but the only difference is – everything is sold a piece. We can buy a sachet of shampoo, a bar of soap, and if we ran out of cooking oil, vinegar, or soy sauce, they are re-packed and sold in smaller volumes.

We (as a culture) have totally embraced the concept of the little store, that it would be unthinkable not to have a sari-sari store in the community! Aside from being the source of just about everything, a sari-sari store in the community is also the information hub of the baranggay and landmarks for directions. Anybody who would like to find somebody or an address could always enlist the help of the tindera or storekeeper.

There is however a little catch… the little sari-sari store can horrifyingly replicate itself, much faster than a blink of an eye, and can not be stopped.

This road is just a few meters long however at the end of it is...

Lo and behold! Another sari-sari store...

Actually I have already lost count of the sari-sari stores sprouting in our area... Nobody seems to mind anyway.

Happy Mother's Day, Shirley!

Words are not enough...Cheers! We love you...

We pray to see you up and about soon...

Time Warped?

Feels like being transported back in time...

Balay Nga Tisa  Carcar, Cebu

Are we back in the Spanish era?

Argao, Cebu

But what is that black thing below?

St. Michael Archangel Parish  Argao, Cebu

My goodness! It's a Karaoke occupying the center stage of the altar...

St. Michael Archangel Parish  Argao,Cebu

Inspite of the seeming antiquity of the place, a modern thing stuck out like a sore thumb and held court!

The Pulpit

Behind the beautifully handcarved chair, as we can see, is the pulpit. It is now rare for a church to have this kind of pulpit, and the fact that it is still beautifully preserved, deserves some credit. I think the only remaining pulpits can be found in old churches in far flung towns.

December - May Affair?

Whether they went blooming last December... or whether they have just bloomed this hot summer month of May... doesn't matter. What matters is - they look beautiful!

I love orchids, but for me, they are vain little creatures. I have tried to pamper the few that I bought. Shower them love and care, but alas they would rather sulk and wilt. Now these flowers that you see here are not mine. One belongs to my mother's loving care, while the others basked under my Auntie's attentions. Because I haven't found success on these spoilt creatures, I have turned my attention on colorful wild perennials who are just too happy to be watered. My reward? I get fresh new blooms every morning. Unfortunately they would not last the whole day... I guess I became sentimental on flowers because May is our month of flowers.

The Abstract of Sio

"Departure"

"The Great Divide"

"The Pain Within"

Taken from the Art Exhibits of Sio Montera. I'm not actually the artsy type, nevertheless I was struck by the vividness of "The Pain Within", as I stood in front of it. It is quite imposing too because it is somewhat large measuring 139 cm x 183 cm. It is more of the type that is hung in foyers or lobbies of buildings. (If you are the type who goes for the abstract, you can check Sio's works at: http://www.siomontera.com/ ). I guess the Cebu artists are emerging to be world class players.

Onli N Da Pilipins (The Trip continues...)

While marvelling at an altar of an old church in Argao which looked uncannily similar to the altar of Basilica Del Santo Nino De Cebu, we chanced upon a wedding...

In the mean time, the rest of the guests were waiting outside the church in a truck. After the church rites, they shall be heading off to the most awaited activity, the much-anticipated wedding reception.

In fact we witnessed the bride climbing up at the back of the truck in her wedding gown, but unfortunately we were not fast enough to record it.

The Driver's Seat

Summer isn't over yet. So let's take a break and get out of the city for a while...

Going to Argao...


Going to Boljoon...

For those living abroad, don't you feel like coming home and bask in the hot summer sun?

What! It's Been a Year Already?

A year ago I wrote: "Hey, I am new here! In fact I am groping blindly (as in literally) around the site. I am not sure what I am going to write on my blog and how to go about it. But it does not matter anyhow because I am excited, and learning can be a lot of fun. This lady here is trying to enter into the blog scene!" Didn't notice it's already been a year since then. I guess my blog is still a work in progress...

Perpetual Succour and the GSIS Hospitalization Program

On the third day after our mother suffered a stroke, upon the approval of her doctor we moved her to Perpetual Succour Hospital because (my mother who is a retired school teacher) we wanted to avail of the GSIS Hospitalization Program initiated by Atty. Winston Garcia. Thus we were able to avail of considerable discounts in Room Rates, CT Scan and 2D Echo procedures, a little of laboratory exams, but most important of all, we were able to enjoy I think a whooping 30% discount in medicines bought from the hospital pharmacy. (Why don’t hospitals put an extra ER in their pharmacies so buyers who felt like gasping for breath or experiencing fainting spells upon seeing the medicine bills can easily be assisted?) Anyway, I just want to acknowledge that the GSIS program is a big help but I wish it should be the government’s thrust to launch similar programs nationwide and not just on selected sites.

That Monday, and North Gen Hospital

On March 26, I woke and heard Nanay (my Mother) calling me from her room asking me to help her stand up. Warning bells immediately rang! We were used to her rising up ahead of us in the mornings, having her breakfast alone, before moving on to tend to her little garden. Suddenly she was asking for my help? When I tried to move her up and she slid down back to her bed, my niggling fear was confirmed. STROKE! Our cousin was kind enough to bring us to the Emergency Room of the Cebu North Gen Hospital. And thus our journey begun...

I now look back to that day and pondered on the impact of a mere single event, that totally and probably irrevocably changed long-time practices or patterns in our daily lives. Sometimes a family member's sickness, and perhaps death, can take some time to sink in and be finally accepted. And that's what happened to us too. My sister and I went on for a week with little or no sleep at all. And to top it all, we have to contend with the daily battle of astronomical medicine expenses. All these aggravated our already taut nerves, and I thought that perhaps we were already near our breaking points. But the heavens gave a little mercy, and gave us little strength everyday to cope with all the worries. Perhaps our only regret was that we were not able to thank the staff of North Gen Hospital properly, because we left in a hurry to move to Perpetual Succour Hospital. We felt that they truly cared for us during those times...

Squeeze That Butt In!

Take a peek into an ordinary life - a tricycle ride! A motorcycle that is supposed to carry only 2 or a maximum of three people can now accommodate 7 passengers excluding the driver. A contraption is attached to the bike that seats 4 people while 3 others are asked to sit behind the driver. Comfort is definitely out of the question, and nobody is complaining. Rather than walk a long way, people would rather suffer to squeeze their butt in to fit in the small claustrophobic space.

Nice To Be Back!

I feel sluggish like someone who just woke up from a deep sleep. After a lengthy period of absence (thanks to the internet connection problems) and also due to some projects which piled up during those times, I am now finally back!

But because it feels like starting all over again (can you imagine 2 months of inactivity!), I am at a loss for words. But one thing for sure, it feels nice to be back! Yeheey!!!

There is a little peeping flower up there. Because there's already a hint of summer in the air (can not ignore the dusty roads and the heat...)

Cleaning the Christmas Clutter...and the Virtual Tsunami

I have taken down the Christmas lanterns from my site now that Christmas season is officially over. At home, the task was more backbreaking (okay its exaggerated, but partly true). I don't know why when the decorations were set-up, I haven't noticed that it was a tiresome task. In fact, it was even enjoyable. But the cleaning-up after is another matter. It took twice as long to get the decorations and the lights back to their boxes than to put them up the tree. I can not understand why I seem to put items in the wrong boxes. Its frustrating actually. Okay, maybe in truth I am just lazy. hehehe... But my mother has this knack of not only matching items to their boxes, but she can even return them properly as if they have never been taken off from their individual boxes. Yeah, thats right. Much as I admire her for that, no please, I am happy being myself.

The year 2006 was good for me, but the opening salvo of 2007 was not quite welcoming. An earthquake in Taiwan brought havoc to internet connections, and our connections went dead. As of writing, although there have been sporadic connections and seeming normalcy, connecting to sites is still much slower than the usual normal speed. I have called Globelines probably a million times to air my frustrations, and switched back and forth from being glumly despondent to being a raving lunatic. I realized, Ahaa! these reactions clearly pointed out that my addiction for internet surfing and blogging is probably deeper than I thought. Got me into thinking that maybe it is time to re-evaluate my fondness for the wide world web. It is not my intention to go overboard. Therefore I decided to include in my new year's resolutions (there are none actually) to go easy on surfing and blogging. Thats all that I can say for now.

Adieu Christmas 2006 and An Antique Corner

Two more days, and we will be saying goodbye to Christmas and the year 2006. The gifts underneath the christmas tree have long been gone (actually since after the Christmas eve). And the Christmas Tree which once reigned with splendor with all its glittering lights will once more go back to obscurity.

This is my Auntie's antique corner. It is beautiful isn't it? There is a growing appreciation of handcarved wooden furnitures that looks like those our lolas used to have. Actually we have our own set of wooden sofa, a dining table, and 2 rocking chairs made purely of wood that were once owned by my grandmother. I used to hate them when I was a child because I find them hard to sit on. However now that I am older, I do appreciate them more for their worth (they are my lola's furnitures), than their looks (because they are more functional than beautiful). But what make them more endearing is, they were made long before I was born, yet they have remained sturdy and still useful to us. Thank you Lola, for your gift!

Kinsay Tiguwang? (Dili Kami Uy!)

Ayala Scene...

"Who says we are old? Definitely not!" - Who says that only teenage girls want to hang out in the malls? Even golden girls enjoy hanging around too! Which will only prove that having a ka-BERKS is not only for the teens.

After raising kids, sending them to college, watching them raise their own families, a group of mothers (retired school teachers) re-live moments of youth!

Ayala Center Cebu

There is a little park tucked in Ayala Center Cebu. It has small pathways, trees, and a little lagoon in the center. Compared probably with other parks in other big cities in the world, it may seem insignificant. But I like walking around it. I took one picture from my camera but never did the place justice. Then I found this picture from skycraper. To the artist who took it, Thanks for making it look nice. Please take a walk with me. At the end of the pathway is a door to Max Fried Chicken. My sister and I spent some beautiful Sunday lunches here sitting beside the windows watching people go by.

Midnight Mass

Christmas for us is not complete without the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, even if we have already adopted a lot of Western Christmas practices due to cross-cultural influences, I am glad we are able to keep this tradition year after year.

This year, there were fewer faces around as we celebrate the Noche Buena and it was a bit lonelier. A cousin and her family left for the United States to work. Another cousin is in Dubai. While a brother is in Taiwan. Although you are not here with us physically, you are all present in our hearts as we celebrate Christmas. But of course, nothing can compare with having your presence with us. We miss your laughter...

Trying Hard

I went through a sleepless night. Doing...? Blogging! Joined sometime in April. Tried to stay away from it. Went into hiatus (in the pretext of doing something more important). Eventually came back to it (as in full circle). Why? I do not know! Sa Bisaya pa – Na-u-ngo! In English – na-Addict. (the literal translation of this Bisayan term really refers to being a witch. But it could also mean being addicted to something). Bisaya ray maka-sabut! (only a Bisaya can get it. But for the benefit of the global community, translations are provided).

Here is my story…

I went from being someone indifferent to being totally over-zealous in my blog. Armed with total ignorance of website designing and everything that there is to it, I have tried to read instructions from the internet maybe a thousand times in the hope of being able to fully digest them. But still I could not comprehend a lot of things. I thought the writing part would be a breeze, but I could not stop myself from re-writing things a million times over, because I was afraid my write-ups were incomprehensible. From all my readings about Blog designs, the only words I could remember are “tweak” and “widgets” because they sound cute. But honestly I am still piecing the two together. But am I giving up? Nope! I guess I will still be around for years (?). Hopefully.

The Second Bridge

This is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the second bridge that links the bigger island of Cebu to the little island of Lapu-lapu (Mactan). The photo must have been taken by an artist because it looks dreamy. The bridge was named after a famous Cebuano legislator.

The bridge is only about 30 minutes from our place on a regular-traffic day. It was finished in 1999 and I remembered that it was causing massive traffic everyday while it was being built. So those who have left Cebu sometimes in the 80’s or early 90’s may have surely missed it. But no worry, visitors and balikbayan can always choose to pass by it upon arriving to Cebu. It is nearer to the airport than the first bridge.

Piniritong Buwad Nga Danggit!

This morning I had a hearty breakfast consisting of piniritong kan-on ( fried rice), piniritong buwad nga danggit and hotdog. Why the choice of hotdog together with the old time favorites, it’s my sister’ favorite breakfast treat. I would have wanted sikwate (Bisaya chocolate drink made from cacao) to go with all these, but I have long gone easy on sikwate, and besides the morning is not chilly. One of our suki nga tindera passed by and offered puto, unfortunately she was late because we had already prepared the danggit and the rice. We promised her that we’ll probably have puto next time if she can come earlier. And by that time, I would definitely prepare some sikwate to go with it, and some mangga of course.

Buwad danggit (dried fish) is a favorite not only among the Bisaya but it has also won the hearts of the Manilenos. To cook a perfect buwad nga danggit is not to over-cook it. Just heat some oil, drop the danggit and tossed it around for a few seconds, and voila! It would be perfectly crunchy. It is best with suka nga may siling kulikot.

Used to be sold only in tiangge (as in real market), but they have now invaded the air-conditioned supermarkets as well. However if anyone would like to buy in big volumes, it is advisable to buy in Tabo-an where one can still haggle for some hangyo (or discounts). There are some other dried fish actually, but some of them are too salty for my taste. This is the reason why buwad danggit has an edge over the others, because it is not too salty and not too overpowering. But unlike other buwad which can be used to complete other dishes like as part of utan bisaya or utang monggos, buwad danggit is best eaten alone on its own merit.

P.S.

(I forgot to mention the most important thing. One is advised to eat kinamot for this dish to enjoy it fully. It means best eaten with bare hands. Just make sure that you will wash your hands thoroughly after eating...hahahaha!)

Tinuwang Isda

No fuss. No frills. Just plain simple boiling.

This is how tinuwang isda is cooked. It is the first dish I learned to cook as a young girl because all I have to do then is simply drop the fish and the panakot (or spices) in the boiling water, then wait for a few more minutes and presto! I 'm done with my cooking.

But that is not the end of the story. When I got older, I learned that the secret to a real good tinuwa is in the fish. Got to have it fresh because it is the fish that will give the soup its distinct taste. When one can afford, one can choose the likes of lapu-lapu , tangigue, mamsa and other big fishes with white meat (mga isda nga hiniwa or sliced fishes). However for us ordinary folks, we can readily settle for smaller fishes like anduhaw or tamarong.

The spices are sliced tomatoes, green onions (although sometimes I used the bulb onions), sili (medium green pepper) and tangad (or lemon grass). Okay, the lemon grass lives up to its name by giving out a lemony scent, but it is the green sili that perfects the aroma and gives the tinuwa that hot sting. How hot it is going to be will depend on the cook’s discretion. A few more sili could be added to make it really HOT! One could stop there already. But other people would like to add ginger. And then, for the true blue Bisaya, lukot (or sea weed) is added to complete the dish.

Actually one can make a hundred and one variations by simply adding some vegetables here and there, the most common vegetables of which are kamunggay and agbati. However most often people would prefer to keep it very simple, so that only the flavor of the fish will be the most dominant feature. This simple dish is actually a favorite in all social classes. The only difference would lie in the choice of fishes. Otherwise, it is a leveler of sorts. For a Bisaya “makalipay ug maayo ang makahigop ug init nga sabaw aron panington ug bugbog” (sipping hot soup can give happiness to a Bisaya, especially when one breaks out in sweats). I am not sure if I have translated it correctly. But just try to get the gist. Thanks!

Let's Pause For Some Break...

I have been quite busy this past month tinkering with my website. I got into an epiphany of sorts and realized it was getting lonely blogging alone, so I decided it was about time to get in touch with fellow bloggers who share the same interests. In fact I have become ambitious and experimented doing some link exchanges although I am not sure of my site’s acceptance since it does not have any traffic to boast of. I just wish those communities I am interested in, will be patient with me.

My site is actually just a one-page blog, but because I am not a techie and never knew anything about web designing, I am totally dependent on Blogger.com. Sometimes I wish I could add some pages or rearrange some topics or articles. There are actually a thousand and one things I wanted to inject to my Blog because I want to bring it to a new level, but unfortunately I don’t know how to go about it. Anyhow, while I am mulling on my next move, I will just have to continue blogging on….

By the way, I just might take a Christmas break…

Utan Bisaya...

Kalbasang puwa, kalbasang puti, sikwa, gabi, okra , tawong, batong, kamunggay, agbati, sibuyas bombay, kamatis, subak nga piniritong isda nga gikunis-kunis (fried fish flakes). Each of which are cut into bite size except for agbati and kamunggay. For these two, only their leaves and udlot (tips) are included. The fish flakes and the vegetables are then boiled together (but for best results, the gabi should be very soft before the other vegetables are dropped in). Kamunggay and agbati are the last to be cooked. Boil and simmer in plain water. And voila! You get the most "lami-an nga Utan Bisaya" (literally means “most delicious Bisayan vegetable stew”)!

For me, utan bisaya is the most delicious soup because it is simple, clear and bereft of any animal fat. The agbati and kamunggay give it a peculiar aroma but not in a distasteful way, while the okra provides a slightly creamy texture. According to my mother, this vegetable stew is “walay kontra unya maayo sa lawas” (nothing hurtful to the body yet very healthful)! If I have taken it for granted when I was younger, now that I am much older, I do truly appreciate its real value. To complete a divine meal, it is best eaten with hot rice and piniritong buwad (fried dried fish) or else piniritong isda nga i-sawsaw sa suka nga naay patis (toyo) ug siling kulikot (fried fish dipped in spicy vinegar with small chili and soy sauce). Tungod ani, panington ka ug bugbog (should I have to translate this?). And as husbands here would say, “sa kalami gyud sa pagka-on puede nang malimtan ang asawa” (with food as delicious as this, any husband could readily forget his wife!). Which I think is the best compliment any vegetable stew could ever get!

Seriously, I believe that utan bisaya is worthy of a tribute because not only has it embodied the frugal lifestyle of our Bisayan forefathers, it has also survived the passing of time and continues to be appreciated until now. In the past, parents stripped themselves to the barest of essentials and tried to live simply so that children can go to college. People then, not only share food among neighbors and visitors, but help each other in times of dire need. But progress has demanded some price. And some of our well-loved traits are no longer practical in these times and age. As we welcome fast-foods and globalization, it is probably nice to at least keep something from our past and pass it on to the next generation. Whatever changes we will encounter and adapt, it is good to know that we have something that is probably uniquely Bisaya.

Banana Cue!

It is unassuming, cheap, and we grew up on it! I remembered pooling money together with friends in school, in order to buy pan-init (it means hot bread), or banana cue for snacks. If we were lucky enough to stretch our money a little further, our snacks would be a feast consisting of a family-sized Coke or Pepsi, and a large-sized Chippy.

For those of you who have left home and who have settled somewhere in other continents, but who at some point in your lives came to love the banana cue, I would just like to let you know that it has remained the sweet, unassuming, cheap snack that is still sold in those simple carts (tables actually). If for some of you, the memory of the banana cue has somewhat dimmed, let me remind you that it is best eaten HOT (meaning fresh out of the fire) and skewered in a bamboo stick, with dripping melted brown sugar, lavishly coated all over it!

Christmas Is Just Around The Bend...

Christmas is just around the bend… As a child I thought Christmas is some kind of a ritual that is celebrated in the same way year after year. How can a child forget twinkling Christmas lights, glittering trees and gifts with ribbons. Or the memories of delicious food on the table (which was always more than the usual)…There were new dresses, and sometimes toys. In my eyes as a child, it was the most magical time of the year! 

As I grew older, I came to realize that Christmas is not actually the same every year. Not all Christmases are merry. There were times when Christmases were celebrated joyfully. But then, there were Christmases when we were in mourning. Not all times that food was abundant on the table. There were also quite a number of times that there was just enough to get by. But my childhood memories of Christmas were quite happy! Over the years, Christmas took on a different shape and persona. From simple family gatherings to extravagant corporate productions, each Christmas has given me joy. And for as long as I live, I will probably look forward to it every year. 

Now it is time for me to take out the boxes of decorations once more and light up the Christmas tree…

Ghosts...

In the usual tradition of honoring our dead, we took a day off and trooped to the cemeteries on November 1 to be with our dearly departed. On this day, we brave the human traffic and endure the heat. We even forgive the vendors for their over-priced flowers. My father has been dead for more than 10 years now, but we tried hard to be there for him every year because we would not want him to feel alone when all the other dead have their families at their graves. Funny, because it is as if he can still care...

I remember when he died, we have never experienced anything out of the ordinary. He just silently slipped out of our lives leaving a void. There were no weird noises or sighting, except for one instance in my boarding house in Makati (where I worked during that time). That was in November 1 of 1991, about 3 months after he died. There were only 2 of us left in the whole house because all of our board mates went home to their respective provinces. At around six in the evening, my boardmate and I heard a knock. But when I came to open the door, there was no one outside. Just the empty darkness.

It should have felt spooky but instead, I felt desolate and really sad. I felt in my heart that it was my father who came to visit me, perhaps to say goodbye.

Are ghosts real? I bet they are! But the ghosts that really haunt us are actually the ghosts of our past. Like the ghosts of our past mistakes... Or maybe the ghosts of past failures... Or perhaps the ghosts of unfulfilled dreams. Ever wondered why we feared them? Maybe because their sheer memory still have the power to inflict pain even after they have long been gone...