Scenes From Amara

Amara Gate

No, I'm sorry that girl is not me. I think she and her brother went wading in the beach at the time we took the pictures.

Some lot owners came and had a picnic and availed of the amenities even if their houses are not yet constructed...

The project is not totally finished yet and I have not seen any resident owner moving in. Not much construction is going on, so probably people will be moving perhaps in the near future...

Of Religious Icons, Antiques, and Some Woodworks

One of my aunts has a weakness for them...

See those lamps above? Those are real working lamps made of glass that sadly, we do not use anymore these days (understandable, I mean who would want to use them when the electricity is just a switch away, and in case of brownouts - there are rechargeable lamps). But they must have been used as bedside lamps before... Very romantic.

That little table above used to be a sewing machine (which probably did not work anymore). Instead of throwing it away, my Aunt kept the wrought iron stand and transformed it into a coffee table (changed the top with glass). Very ingenious...

Chair made of wood...

More furniture made of wood...

Lola Gracing's Birthday Bash

Lola Gracing turned 84, and her children decided to throw a small party for her. But there were a few more well-wishers who came (more than what was expected), and we thought the food wouldn't be enough. But it was just right after all.

Just to remind you folks who are already based outside the Philippines, here are some of the food you might have missed - on the foreground are Balbacua (to the left) and Pasayan (to the right). Behind is Kaldereta (sorry, forgot to take a closer shot), at the center is - I forgot the name but it is Breaded chicken fillet with some stuffing. Behind the Pasayan is Sweet and Sour Lapulapu which is mostly covered by the carrots and its sauce. There was Bam-i, Dinuguan and fruits such as Mango, Watermelon, and a Baked Lasagna (not a Pinoy dish but among the favorite fare).

The crowning glory is of course - the Inasal! It was filled and cooked with lemon grass and dahong sibuyas which made it quite aromatic. The skin was crunchy and the meat was tender and juicy...
And the celebrant was asked to blow her cake amidst happy well wishers!

In Order To Survive...

She used to knock at our gates at around 7 - 8 a.m. everyday, one pail full of fresh fishes on each hand. One time I asked her how she could carry those weight, being petite and all, she just smiled and said "no choice...".

I found out that she is just 26, but she already had 3 kids in close succession. Like most stories we hear, she comes from a poor family, and had to stop schooling (after 2 years in high school) because her parents could no longer afford to send her to school. It was not surprising when she decided to get married early. She tried working at first in a factory but her income could not sustain her family's needs. That was why she decided to try selling fish. Instead of getting a spot in the market, she chose to carry her stuff and knock on doors. The strategy paid off because she was able to get regular buyers. That was how I came to know her...

Actually I was not too keen on buying from her at first because there is a slight difference between her prices and those from the wet market near our neighborhood. But what's a few pesos difference if I could help her find some means of earning. Beside I have to admit that I like the state of her fishes.
Lately however, she has not visited us. In fact I found out that she has not made her usual rounds in our neighborhood. Why? Nobody seems to know... I just hope that whatever the reasons for absence, should at least be something for the better. Her grit to stand the heat and burden is admirable. But then her story is our story too, in fact every mom's story. I believe that there is no mother who is not willing to make sacrifices and go an extra mile to secure a good future for her family.