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.

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!

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!

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!

Go Buyot!

"Buyot" is the Bisaya or Cebuano word for the Pinoy "bayong". Those are the bags you can find hanging at the right portion of this photo. The one in the middle is made of native materials while the colored ones are made of plastic.

As concern for the use of plastic bags increases, people are on the lookout for alternative replacements. Some are turning towards bags made of cloth.

But me, I would prefer to use the buyot anytime! I remember way back when I was a little girl, my mother (and according to her my lola too), used the native version when they make compra sa tiangge or mercado (wet market). When the supermarkets went in vogue, women stopped using the buyot and native baskets maybe because the supermarkets prefer to use plastic grocery bags to pack their purchases. However, I believe there are still a few who remained loyal and use these bags when buying in wet markets until now.

Between the native and the plastic buyot, I would rather choose the plastic one because it is sturdier and washable. It also lasts much longer, which translates in big savings since we do not need to buy replacements regularly.

So before those killer plastics will overrule our world, it is high time to think green and Go Buyot once more!

My Friend Kate...

Kate P. was a pretty girl in her early twenties when I met her. We used to work together in the same floor (3rd floor) at the bank we were both working for. We had a closely knit group composed of quirky and funny personalities, and we shared unforgettable lunches and even gimiks. (Sigh!) I realized now it was one of the most enjoyable episodes in my working life....

We were not aware of the changes that were to happen in the bank. And then all of us have to part ways...

I knew most of our group went overseas in the hope of better opportunities. And our lives evolved... Suddenly to my surprise - lo and behold! I found Kate via the internet. The little teacher turned banker has now turned into a pastry chef! And she is now the proud owner of an online business. Wow!

And she is producing not only delectable confections but little works of arts... I'm proud of you friend.



Photo Credits: Bewitched Kate

Flowers In Almost Everybody's Backyard

We call this fuschia colored flower - Bangkok. It is hardy, loves the sun, and does not demand too much attention. Blooms all year round too.

There was a time when everybody went gaga over this rose cactus. There are actually several colors for this variety but the most common or popular is red. It is thorny and needs cool shade. I wondered why I have no success in growing them. Eventually I lost interest in it.

Oh I love this one. I even made my own name for it - grass flowers! They only bloom in the morning and wilts around 11:00 in the morning. But on the the following day new batches will open their flowers once again. They can grow anywhere. However mine demanded to be watered everyday.

These yellow flowers are actually of the vine family which can be draped around trellises or posts. One of my cousins had them and they look pretty on her porch. They just need to be trimmed constantly to avoid over crowding. Hers almost covered her door.

Nanay used to have a shrub of these peach colored double gumamela. Both of us used to love it dearly. Unfortunately we never saw the ants that were building their homes around it's roots. When the aphids attacked the shrub, it gave up and died. My mother and I both mourned its loss.

These gumamela here and the one below are actually not the local variety. One of my auntie has shrubs of these varieties and they can grow as high as the roof tops. But they are really very pretty.

I remember back when I was still in elementary school, we were always asked to bring a gumamela whenever we study the parts of a flower. I wonder if the students today are still asked the same...

Photo Credits: My Best Homes Realty

Last Dance...

The year 2008 has been a roller coaster ride for me. It's opening salvo at exactly January 1 is the second hospitalization of my mother due to stroke. And for the next 4 to 5 months, we weave in and out of the hospital for various treatments.

I had to give up some of my projects to attend to the caring of my Nanay, and this really put a great pressure on our already strained financial resources.

Even my blogging activities which afforded me enjoyment and relaxation, have to take back seat too. Just recently I found I lost my page rank! Oh well! misfortunes do come in torrential deluge...

I will be finishing 2 more write-up for product reviews, and I am contemplating of taking off indefinitely... I need time to nurse my pain and disappointment.

Inasal, Puso, Ug Coke!

My brother and his former buddies from ERUF banded together again, this time for the love of a sport! Each one pursuing different lives from each other but together took the time to unite for biking activities...

We were happy to know at first that - at last! my brother has finally decided to really start on some physical sport. Until we saw these pictures of ughh! Inasal...and coke (coca-cola)!

All the while we thought that biking would have paved for a health program. Palami man lang di-ay ug kaon! By the way, inasal ni sa Talisay. No matter how many inasal makers have sprouted all over the city, the orig is still the most remembered...