My Top 5 Valentines Day Destination

Valentines Day is just around the corner. I can actually feel that love is in the air but are you planning to have an early summer vacation or a moment spent with your hobby or honey? Guess what... Here's my top 5 Valentines Day Destination

1. Baguio City - is at the top of my list because of so many reason. I also think that the cold weather of Baguio City compliments for every couple visiting Baguio.

Master Chief - Pinoy Edition

The only reality contest that I watch and that I really love is Survivor. For Philippine Reality TV so far the Master Chief Pinoy Edition has a soft spot in my heart. I literally stay awake to make sure that I watch the said reality TV.

At first, I am rooting on Ivory Santos Yat of Quezon City to be one of the contender on the Live Cook Off. I love her passion in cooking and it is showing on her dishes. However, towards the end it has declined but still I knew she would pass the mark and be on the Top 3. Still her passion placed her on the THIRD Spot of the said Cooking Reality Show. I really loved her presence without her the show could have been different.

Carla Janaban Marcaida is really good. For me, I think her determination placed her on the SECOND Spot of the competition. 

Photo Credit

For me, Romulo "JR" Lamaton Royol Jr. is really the star of the said cooking reality TV. I loved his passion and determination in the said competition. His cooking style is also brilliant just like the other contenders. I never think he will use PINIKPIKAN with a twist for his FINALE COOK OFF recipe. 

Do you want to know how Pinikpikan is cooked?

Pinikpikan is really a very famous dish amongst the Cordilleran or to the Igorot. In the olden times, it is served in special occasions like weddings and birthdays.

Photo Credit

Main Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• ginger
• pepper
• chayote
• 1/4 kilo Etag
• 2 cups of rice wine

Preparing the Chicken

Photo Credit

• Pick the best chicken. It is better to have native chickens but if it is not available then you can use any alive chicken available.
• Beat the chicken alive until the chicken dies. Beating the chicken is believed to make the chicken tastier.
• Remove the feather.
• Burn the remaining feathers of the chicken. This would add flavor as well in the soup of the chicken.

Cooking Process

Cooking Pinikpikan is somewhat similar to cooking Tinola. 

• Boil the chicken with the spices like ginger and pepper until the chicken is cooked.
• Add Etag and continue boiling it until etag is cooked.
• Upon adding the Etag add the 2 cups of rice wine.
• Once etag is cooked then add chayote.

Photo Credit

Served while hot. Please note that you have to make sure to have add more water to make sure it will last until the chicken is cooked.

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GMA 7 Newest Epic Fantasy Series

The newest Kapuso epic fantasy series Indio, after the long wait, is finally aired last January 15, 2013. I am glad to say that I am one of those many Filipinos who loved the fantasy series of GMA 7 as they produce the best of its kind in the television industry in the Philippines. I would say it is truly world class.

A bit of history: Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards for at least 300 years. In their stay in the Philippines the word Indio has become the racial term of the Spaniards to the commoners and or natives of the Philippines. Though it is just a terminology, the word Indio however is insulting because of its derogatory meaning. Accordingly, INDIO is a person in the lower class and misbehaves in the public eye. In my understanding it is near to an outcast, dirty, poor, etc.

The fantasy series of GMA 7 somehow talks about the history and cultural information about what Filipinos has believed in many years ago. Even before Spaniards conquered the Philippines, Filipinos already have a belief on God called La-on and the diwata's. 

La-on is and or considered as the most powerful being who created everything and provided the Diwata's the power to take care of all the things he created. This two terminologies may somehow differ depending on the demographic location.

Diwata on the other hand is compared to the goddesses. In the Philippine folklore, Diwata are deemed to be the protector of the air, water, earth, trees, etc. There also some Diwata's for mandirigma (warriors). In the olden times, they offer peace offering to appease the goddesses for abundance and forgiveness.

In the fantaserye, everything for me looks fantastic.

The costume is totally relevant to the story. In fact the costume itself tells a story. It provides a wider knowledge on how the Filipinos dress before the Spaniards came.

The story is also brilliant. It portrays the story with a very good taste. Kudos to the writer.

The characters are also very efficient. Everything in it should was portrayed the way it should be done. The diwata is a twist of the story making it a fantasy but also relevant to the story. However, I think Senator Bong Revila as the lead character is just too old. His partners Rosa played by Maxene Magallona and Esperanza Sanreal played by Jennilyn Mercado are also too young for him. I am rooting for Dominic Roco to be the lead role for the character as he is young and talented and plus the fact that he is a good match the leading ladies if not Dominic Roco then it could have been Jomari Yllana.

The plot is also amazing. I never thought that we have such a wonderful places in the Philippines as beautiful as it was shown in the TV series Indio.

Did I miss something? Comment so we can all learn.

********

All photos here are taken on Indio's Facebook Page. Like their page to have an awesome interaction to be in the know.

On Patriotism and Government Corruption

Love of country and patriotism always comes in different form. No one could ever judge a person of not being patriotic. Maybe they adore the foreign products but that doesn't mean they hate their country, I always believe that patriotism and love of country comes in different form and in different means.

However, one day while browsing my Facebook Timeline. I noticed a friend who shared a short essay of a Korean about the Philippines. He had talked about how Koreans envied the Filipinos before because we are one of the richest country in Asia which I thought they were correct because Philippines used to be the number exporter of rice and other goods but then those are the Philippines golden days.

Photo credit

What about today? I think even today, farm scientist usually come here in the Philippines to learn more about highland and hybrid crops. Philippines has every resources but what happened? Maybe they are correct. Severe corruption in the government and Filipinos lack of patriotism and discipline has been pulling us down.

I wanted to share his essay so it might be a good help for everyone and a little of inspiration.

Unedited version:

*****

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES 

by Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines . Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines ? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea . It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for Filipinos were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism…

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him, “President, when can we be well off?” That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea . So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea . He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines ? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people.. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines . I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines , I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun.. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame.. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.. I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love.

Let’s put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines . Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

I sincerely hope that this essay inspire us all and show LOVE for our homeland.

*****

Book Donation: The book collection are growing fast

The books are growing fast... Since we started collecting old books we were able to raise at least 3 boxes of old books.

And as a way of thanking everyone who supported our cause here are some of the books that we have collected.

Thomson Reuters: Manila Volunteers Club

Want to donate or help our cause... please do let us know...

We do meet up every weekend. For easier access to everyone we can meet you up at any MRT or LRT stations. Cash Donations are accepted as well.

My Smoothie Dinner on the First Day

I haven't take any hard solid for the past 13 hours and just taking my smoothie. At this very hour I had a feeling that my stomach is really adjusting. I think I am having muscle spasm in my stomach area. So what I did was, I had 4 pcs of soimai before taking my smoothie.

INGREDIENTS:

My Green Smoothie for Dinner

Note: It is better not to eat anything except for your smoothie for the next the first 3 days for the cleansing to normally do its course.

My Red Smoothie Diet

When I took my all fruit and vegetable diet. I felt that I needed to have more fiber intake. I felt that I need to do more than just 3 fruit and 3 green leafy vegetables, that's the usual combinations.

 However, I wanted to experiment. I wanted to increase the fruit and vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable are rich source of vitamin and mineral. It is also a very good source of fiber which is essential in proper bowel movement.

Ingredients:

2 pcs banana, 2 cups spinach, 2 pcs bell pepper, 1 pc green apple, 1 pc red apple, 1 pc cucumber, 1 pc beet, 2 cups fresh orange juice

Blend all ingredients until desired smoothness.

Day 1: My Own Version of Smoothie Cleanse (Breakfast)

Living in an urban community somehow offers a lot of innovative ideas from technological advancement to food. Ever since I know that I can always make a smoothie out of fruits and normally I add a lot of things there say for example sugar and milk or sometimes I will add sago for that matter just to add something different. I never knew that vegetable could play a very important role in making your smoothie healthier.

Kessa, a friend of mine, introduced a way of cleansing and detoxifying your body. So she told me that we could mix fruits and vegetable and so she showed me ways on how to prepare it. Well there's no harm on trying, its for my benefit anyway.

Well in my circle, we all love eating. We love to eat meat, fish and meat again then poultry products. Only once in a while where I would consider cooking vegetable with of course meat and most of the time, in the office we always have our lunch break to either Mc Donalds or starbucks or any other fastfood chain available.

This time around I would like to start my own 3 day smoothie war. My intention here is to get as much fiber as I can and to increase my fruit and vegetable intake in a day.

My First Day Ingredients

1 pc cucumber

2 pcs banana

2 pcs bell pepper

4 pcs Asparagus

1 stalk of Celery

2 pcs of tomato

1 pc  Red Apple

1 pc green apple

10 pcs grapes

2 cups of fresh orange juice

1 beet

Please note: wash your fruits and vegetable properly. You can also peel off the apple but I prefer not to. I also recommend to remove the seeds.

I was able to make 1.5 liter of smoothie out of this. I had 2 tall glass of smoothie for my breakfast. I was able to consume the rest before lunch time.

During the day I noticed that I am craving for a real meal (3 cups of rice and viand). Of course I have to force myself not to eat rice.

Not My Usual Shopping Cart

I decided to start my fruit and vegetable diet. So here's what I am planning to achieve in my shopping cart.

When I go all organic will it be called dieting? Maybe, to some it could be dieting since I am slashing my meat and fish and poultry products in my shopping list. I decided to go on a smoothie diet or detox. For me, this is the best way to slash out some of your weight.

The best way in dieting is taking an ample amount of food to give you energy to do your course in a day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner plus snacks are part of our daily life. But then, it is our decision as to what should be serve during those meals that would make the difference. When you go on dieting don't starve yourself to death! Let mother nature take its course by eating the proper food.

Watch out for my diet plan!

Favorite Tea House: MoonLeaf McKinley Hills

I would say I am a tea lover. It actually started when I was teaching Korean students way back 5 or 6 years ago. They were my greatest influence when I when it comes to drinking tea. What I love most is the wild mountain tea found mainly in the mountains of Cordillera. I love the aroma and fantastic taste of the said tea.

However, when I came to Manila to work I rarely had a chance to drink a cup of tea. May be I just don't know where the best places are. Of course it needs to be budget friendly but taste ridiculously good.

MoonLeaf has captivated my taste buds ever since I started drinking the tea and their employees at McKinley Hills are extravagantly friendly. They're addictive. The sense of humor is there that I love. The jokes they crack are really friendly and smart.

My Favorite MoonLeaf Crew team. They don't just deliver right into your desk they also deliver magnificent customer service. Photo Credit

Aside from the excellent customer service, the tea they serve is also wonderful. I love the taste. Sometimes though its pretty sweet but you can definitely adjust the sweetness according to your preference.

Here are my two favorite tea.

Wintertime Milk Tea

Pudding Milk Tea

The shop is also welcoming. The light is not that strong that makes it really relaxing.

The Crew at work.

And of course I always make a chance if given an opportunity to announce Project Mountain Alphabet's existence. I practically just wrote the name of the project on their free wall.