Project Pilipinas

A Job in the City or a Work in the Farm - What makes me happy?

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:04:34 +0000

In the Philippines, which is both an agriculture-based and economic-dependent country, having a job is everyone's objective. While it is already difficult to apply for one, staying committed is also becoming a part of that survival instinct. What it really takes to work here, as a Filipino? Let me tell you my story.

It was a rainy day back in September 2024, that was my first day in the job for a consulting firm located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, Metro Manila. I was ready for it, prepared my self mentally, physically, and financially - for the position holds a lot of responsibility as what the job description mainly says when the orientation kicks off that day. I am already here and this is what asked for, so let the game begins.

All the needed stuffs were provided - laptop, smartphone, mugs, and bags. The office gears are customized to get you going with your job inspired, focused and committed for the role.

As days, weeks and months goes on, I started getting acquainted with my colleagues. Some office gatherings, occasional company events, and the rest is all about working to earn a living. Working in BGC, one of the busiest business and financial district in the Philippines, is not as easy as you would imagine. The hustle and bustle of the city - which includes heavy traffic, floods along the highways, and crowded transport systems - it is a way of life for the Filipinos.

On the brighter side, however, a decent paycheck will provide you that extra money to drive thru at McDonalds or Jollibee in going to and from home. There are days when dinner reservation is on a popular restaurant nearby. More importantly, you now have the right to visit the grocery store to buy the next month's inventory.

There are days when you just listen to yourself on what you want to do - walk alone, drink coffee, eat with friends, go home early, extend an hour or two to finish the job. And there are days when your only option is to do what the job tells you to do. As a consultant, it is expected that you are ready to handle the pressure the job would bring over you. Probably, like any other job, you have a boss to satisfy, a client to appease, and an organization's vision to abide with. Afterall, this is the definition of work we signed for.

Now there comes a time I ask my self, "Masaya ba ako sa trabaho ko?"

Then I realized this is what makes me happy.

I started farming back in 2020. Early February that year, my wife and I started planting several fruit-bearing trees on a small lot we purchased in my home province. We were still not living in the land at that time, but only when the Covid-19 pandemic ends. That was sometime in 2022, when we built a small nipa hut and started staying there as part of our weekend escapades.

Plants, vegetables and fruits started to come into our table. I call it the fruits of our labor, literally. As a farmer, I could honestly say digging the soil, watering the plants, and pulling out the weeds is totally different from typing and staring on a laptop. They are completely two different endeavors. Simply stating in my own thought process - the laptop provides you a salary, the hoe gives you a harvest.

I really love farming. I am into this venture even when I was still a teenager - I can still clearly remember those days when I am helping my Lolo plowing the rice field. I see it as a "magic", whenever you make a plant bear flowers or produce fruits. Some old folks will tell "You have a green thumb", which means you have that unique ability to grow plants naturally and easy. I tend not to believe on that, but as I grow older, what is not to believe.

Today, with the support and help of my wife and brother-in-law, our banana and ginger plantation is starting to take shape. Some of our fruit trees are starting to give back. Tiring but truly satisfying when you now have the food from your farm served at your own table.

Ikaw, masaya ka ba sa trabaho mo?

I know that the question is subjective. Any answer is right for we have our own personal reasons behind our life decisions. But what I want to imply is that as we grow older and face different roles and responsibilities, we think of our retirement, our family's future, the education of our kids, and definitely our finances. We also take into consideration our health, our well-being, our life's desire and ambition. Then there comes the day when we need to decide and choose which path we want to go.

Think of this reality for a second.

Think of the OFWs, their decision to go the distance to work and earn for their families. Think of the ordinary workers who are facing the dilemma of heavy traffic, heavy rains and flooding, and long hours of travel going to work. Think of the farmers exposing themselves in the scourging heat of the sun, everyday. Think of the fishermen who risk their lives against waves, navigating the farthest and deepest part of the seas, and facing the uncertainties on whether they will catch a fish or not. Think of yourself - your tired body, your financial struggles, your vanishing hope of what tomorrow may bring. I am with you - it's not easy to become a Filipino in this economic times.

But please, continue to fight. Continue to get out of bed and get your self ready for the day. Keep on striving. Keep on moving. That day will surely come when you can definitely say:

"Masaya ako kasi natupad ko ang pangarap ko!"

About Project Pilipinas

This is my personal campaign on bringing positive changes to the beautiful Philippines. With my writings, photos, and videos, I want to bring courage and inspiration to the Filipino people wherever you are in the face of this planet. Our beloved country the Philippines needs you more than anything else. If by any chance you were inspired by this blog, kindly share the information to others.

You may also visit www.knowriel.org, an educational portal I created for Filipino business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Thank you for you time reading this post till this very end.

Welcome to Baguio Series - Featuring Living Gifts Nursery & Mirador Hills

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:43:50 +0000

Hey! Welcome to this adventure blog channel. In this series, I will share with you our 2026 tour of Baguio and beyond. Happy reading!

Living Gifts Nursery

We were really amazed with the way "Living Gifts Nursery" was developed into an eco-tourism destination. Going here is not an easy adventure, believe it or not. From Baguio City proper, we drive up north of Benguet traversing zigzag roads, uphills, downhills, one-way traffic zones, cliffs left and right, and that feeling of nervousness the entire one-hour journey. We arrive there at about nine in the morning, under a cold drizzly weather, and what welcomes us is truly unimaginable.

After about a minute or two of registration and orientation at the welcome booth, the grand entrance is all about excitement. We were suddenly looking at a fairytale land of flowers, ornamentals, trees, greeneries, and on a variety of artistic creations of flora. All we can do at that moment is pull-out our cameras and enjoy the almost-endless photography sessions of the day. Here are some of the highlights to begin with.

Then we enter the kingdom of cactus - giant ones, dwarf ones. Seeing a plethora of cactus is beyond my imagination, for you can't just find them gathered in one nursery. As I rove around, all I can do is wonder on the huge effort and hefty investment they put into this dome of cactus. Please have a visit here and see it with your own eyes - this collection is truly beyond limits.

When its about time to say goodbye, we make sure all angles of beauty were captured. We tour the whole place, about 3 hectares or more. Noticeably, they have an excellent water system here. The landscaping is well thought-of considering that plants truly thrives in every corner of the nursery. This a must-visit spot in Benguet. Plan your travel during summer months for getting here could be challenging even for the experienced navigators.

Mirador Hills

Another breathtaking destination in Baguio is the "Mirador". From this map alone, you'll get to know why this place is not like any other tourist spot. There is about two-dozen places to go inside this heritage and eco-spirituality park. And here is a friendly caution - don't push yourself to visit them all for it will absolutely test your endurance to the extremes. Spoiler alert! That scenic spot of tall bamboos where picture-perfect angles are captured from, that's right here at Mirador!

This is the Mirador Hill Peace Memorial. Looks very familiar, right? To get a solo photo, you need to queue up, no joke. Lucky we are for the rainy weather give us the freedom to capture the moment without that guilt of having other visitors wait for their turn. There we go.

And the bamboo forest walk, this will surely complete your day. You might feel like you're in Japan or maybe China when you get in between these giant grasses. And to get here is like finding a missing gold mine in the map. It is somewhere down the hill concealed with trees and rocks. And once you find it, great memories comes next.

Did you know that Mirador is the extension of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto? Well, this is what I happened to discover myself just when we are about to leave the place. I have no clue when we first get there, since we are driving a car. Until I noticed these hundreds of steps downhill and when I looked uphill, the grotto was right there.

Here's more of Mirador. Almost a walk to the heaven - that was the feeling we got. Spending a couple of hours here is a treasure you wouldn't forget for the rest of your life. Sit under the pines. Or maybe hop into an Ifugao house. Lean on giant trees or touch the rocky hills of Mirador park - stress all gone. This is a spirituality park and people from all walks of life are welcome to pray, meditate, and express their faith. I encourage you to come here once in a while. Serene and quite place.

There is really something about Baguio that make us come back. Maybe the cold weather and the exciting travel. Maybe the people and the environment. Maybe the food and the local market. Our first setting of foot here was back in 2007. Then we went back in 2014, 2024 and then this 2026. There were lots of changes, big changes, including me and my wife ages. We aged a bit but our desire to see more of Baguio, experience more of Benguet keeps on growing. We fell in love with this place.

I will be sharing more of Baguio and Benguet in my next blog post. The Valley of Colors, Bell Church, Strawberry Farm, and Baguio Museum are just some of them. Whenever time and budget allows, visit this place. These days, buses from Manila to Baguio are there to bring you safe. Accommodations in the city, even in the outskirts, is not that difficult to find. And to give you an idea, you're Php5000 to Php10,000 would be more than enough to enjoy Baguio. See you soon at Baguio.

Knowriel.org

Thank you for visiting this blog. Are you an OFW or an aspiring entrepreneur? I invite you to visit Knowriel.org, my other personal website that offers webinar, learning, coaching, and consulting on business and entrepreneurship. Here, you can learn for free. And if you feel the need to speak with me, a Business Coach & Consultant with years of experience on implementing Business Solutions, just give me a message. Explore the pages of Knowriel.org and let me know how can I help you.

Your Business Startup Journey Starts Now - Knowriel PH is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:29:27 +0000

Filipino business owners, OFWs, entrepreneurs, learners, starters - wherever your are or whatever your social status is, student or worker, I wholeheartedly welcome you to Knowriel PH - www.knowriel.org.

Now is the best time to learn, prepare and start a business of your own. While this is also the time where the Philippine economy is facing the tough challenges of times - rising fuel costs, declining value of peso, increasing cost of basic goods and commodities - opportunities in doing business are also there to lift us up from where we are today. What we need is right preparation, good planning, and focused execution - something that most aspiring business owners are lacking of in this advanced technological era of our time.

At Knowriel PH, you'll find plenty of learning resources that are free. Just visit the Info Central page. And with my over 20 years of experience helping, assisting and supporting clients across different industries in improving their business operations, I believe it is about time that I render my professional expertise to my co-Filipino citizens as well. Yes, I am here to help and guide you on your business journey. That is a commitment.

A Free Webinar to Welcome You

This webinar is just a primer. As you explore my website, you'll get to watch, download, and view learning materials that will help your thrive in your career, business, and life.

In this video, I will discuss four (4) key areas of business startup every aspiring entrepreneurs should weigh-in before making a go/no go decision in starting a business. These areas includes:

Business Idea
Opportunities (Potential Benefits)
Financial Check
Risks (Potential Challenges)

Are your ready to start your own business? We are here to guide you.

About Knowriel PH

Knowriel PH aims to provide helpful contents to all Filipinos students, professionals, entrepreneurs, OFWs, business owners, business partners, executives, and key decision makers. Visit our Youtube channel @Knowriel PH - or go straight to www.knowriel.org today. Please feel free to subscribe to our social media channels and leave your questions or comments as well.

Cafeño Manila Cafe - Getting Back in Time at San Juan, Batangas

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:42:00 +0000

In the town of San Juan, in Batangas province, there is a small restaurant that would take you back in time. Situated just right around the corner, a few walks from the public market, is this lovely place known as "Cafeño Manila Cafe". Travelers may not notice it right away, but the key to finding it is to really visit this wonderful municipality home to wonderful beaches, the Laiya Resort, creatively-designed potteries, and fresh fish of many kinds.

Let me take you to a short tour and let us see what's inside this café.

The Sewing Machine

This old, rusty, but kind of functioning pedal of a sewing machine is something that will remind you that back in the old days, our clothes are made from our own land. I stepped and began to pedal, I remember a very kind and giving person, my Lola who's now 84 years old. And she has this sewing machine too, all working and running! Would you believe that!

The Local Products

Ever seen "Barako Coffee" in a beer bottle? Here you go.

The products you can see, touch and buy from this shop is truly amazing. If you read their labels, you would confirm that they are made from native produce or raw materials. And the way they are wrapped, packed and presented, something worth taking as pasalubong.

Here's a display of handicrafts, made from Batangas and the neighboring provice of Quezon. Such products will remind you that skilled hands and brilliant minds are living here in the country, not anywhere else. Filipinos they are!

Try the Paborita Biscuit. It is a biscuit simply made from dough if you say, but the taste is one of a kind. Coffee plus paborita will truly give you a perfect merienda experience.

They also have here soap products, preserved fish in jars, and crunchy snacks made of bananas, camote, and the like. Packed in handcrafted materials is also something that will catch your attention.

The Food and Ambience

And the rest is up to you to explore. Here are some more angles that will give you more a glimpse of the past. Food is great. Ambience is awesome. Such experience also reminds me and my wife that our visit here not only delighted us, but also gives us an idea about what to venture into in the coming days.

The Ancestral Home

The café' is also a heritage ancestral house and as I read some documents hanging in their wall, this has been here since the old days. Some good research will get you to discover more about this café and the town of San Juan. The café was established in 2006 and it is owned by the Marasigan family.

Want to get back in time? Explore more this blog site to learn more, see more amazing stories like this.

Project Pilipinas

Thank you for visiting this site. Project Pilipinas is my advocacy of introducing the Philippines and the Filipinos to the world. Were are home to hardworking people, talented workforce, and beautiful places. In this blog site, you will get to know more about our way of life, the places we are most proud of, and the story of our people.

This post is made possible by JN FarmGarden, a farm located in Taysan, Batangas home to bananas, papaya, Brahma and Rhode Island chickens, and luscious fruits and vegetables.

When You're Harvesting the Fruits of Your Labor, It's Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:40:00 +0000

In 2020, a few months back before the Pandemic hits the country and the world, we were busy in our small lot in Batangas province. The area is like the size of a basketball court, with nothing but grasses and a small Ipil-Ipil tree. I was like thinking then, where do I want to go from here?

Until I started something great.

The process is not easy, but painstakingly challenging and complicated. We were still residing in Cavite that time. What we only have is a motorcycle and it takes about two to three hours of driving from Cavite to this remote place in Batangas province, my hometown. I remember the quarantine protocols induced by Covid-19 restrictions posed a lot of difficulties in putting up this small lot from dry land to now a thriving farm and garden of lively creatures.

In the beginning, we plant whatever plants we have grown in Cavite. So early Saturday morning, as early as four o'çlock, I am all geared up and my motorcycle all packed up with these plants. The driving adventure starts and just right after the sun rises, I am sipping my coffee beside my mini tent in the farm. At around eight, I'm tilling the soil and layering dried cow manure in the planting pit. The entire day is all about planting.

It was totally exhausting, tiring, but really enjoyable. I love what I'm doing, to be honest.

The process repeats for about a year. Each weekend is an adventure. There are times when travel time takes a bit longer than usual due to checkpoints. There are days when I am not able to go due to other priorities. Some days when me and my wife are together doing the farm stuffs. Rain, shine, typhoons, intense summer heat, we are there. And we did not give up doing this routine.

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We did not give up our dream of having a farm. And in some regard, we made it this far. And the best thing is, we keep on going and going.

Our fruit trees are starting to bear fruits - avocado, pomegranate, jackfruit, guava, guyabano, cacao and coffee. Yes, we do have all of these trees right in our farm. Then our Ilang-Ilang tree keeps giving off the sweet smell, as well as its cousin the Sampaguitas. The fragrance is try relaxing, plus its free. We have banana and papaya that shares their fruits at anytime of the year. Blessings from Above are starting to pour down on our farm.

And our ornaments, whoa, you won't believe how beautiful to see them everyday. We have this plant called Songs of India. They're as high as the rooftop now. Then the Birds of Paradise, it always give us that feeling that paradise is just around the corner of our farm. The bamboos, oh goodness, look at them now. They give off shade to our farm.

Almost every living creature inside the farm have now the connection to thrive for sustainability. They communicate in a way that the common goal is to bring life to people living in this place.

Birds keep on coming. Butterflies keep on visiting. Insects we've never seen before are jumping from leaves to leaves. In summer, these dragon flies and fireflies are there playing around. What a lovely sight, indeed. Then in our rose garden, I couldn't imagine roses are red, white, peach, yellow and pink. I mean, the colors are truly fantastic to witness. Our zinnia, marigold, and irish flowers is truly a wonder. The gumamelas and the bougainvillas of different variety and colors is an absolute scenery.

Almost everything has grown up. Our Elephant Ear plant has grown up. Our Fiddle Leaf Pig has grown taller than us. Our Alagaw tree is huge now, which at first we taught it was a tree of no use. But good thing my Lola Sayong introduces to us the benefits and uses of the tree, and they're many. It can cure itchiness, can wipe out skin diseases, can heal stomach problems, and a lot more.

And the coconut trees, goodness gracious. They're not just amazing to look at, they're also a testament that bad neighbors will be kept off. Well, need not to expound on that, but those coconut trees really serves as our fence, the demarcation line that signals no trespassing to people and animals with intentions to bring harm or destruction to our farm. The coconut trees are not yet bearing buko, but in a few years time buko juice definitely is just one hop away.

Almost three years passed, living things are getting livelier. We are on our fourth year and our passion to build a food hub, create an artistic park of ornaments, cultivate food for the community, and bring inspiration to people who has the same taste and perspective as ours; it keeps on going.

We have beds of ginger, ube, kamoteng kahoy, sweet potato, chili, pechay, eggplant, lemongrass, and plenty more of vegetables and food for the household. We harvested a lot and from here is where we are getting most of the food we bring to our own table. We sell some. we give some. We continue to plant for we know this will bring us not just food, but friends.

May this post become an inspiration to you. You too can build great things from nothing. Our farm-garden can be your reference model. A lot of things has changed here. I'm still driving my motorcycle and my family is over here helping one another to thrive. Happiness is what we have here.

We are now expanding our farming venture to a nearby lot. And the good news is, we will invite people to come in and see what we have in here. Hope to see you there, soon. For now, have a look of what we achieved thus far.

What is JN Farm Garden?

Photos on this post are taken from our lovely farm garden in Batangas. JN FarmGarden is our online shop. You can visit our Facebook Page to learn more about our products and offerings. You may also go this sites Our Products page to see our latest line of products.

What is Project Pilipinas?

Project Pilipinas started in 2011. This blog site promotes Filipino culture ingenuity, hospitality, and beauty. Hundreds of blog articles have been posted in this site by the Noriel Panganiban since 2011 and the goal is to open up to the world what Philippines is really all about. Visit Our Bloglist page to discover more.

Worries All Gone in a Place Called Northern Blossom

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:51:00 +0000

We're one of the early visitors. Juliet and Noriel, that's us. At past six in the morning, we are already in the place. It's cold, really cold. People are queuing up on the ticket booth. We are so excited!

Good morning Northern Blossom Flower Farm! Jackets on. Feet ready. Here we walk to the flower farm.

Yes, it was our first time and that first time is truly memorable. Flowers here, flowers there, flowers everywhere. And the cold weather of Atok, Benguet makes the experience even more different. You are like in Canada, New Zealand or perhaps in North Pole if you experience the morning breeze of Atok mountains.

But there's no place like home, our beautiful Philippines, isn't it?

Look at the farmers or should we say gardeners. They bring beauty to the place, with their hands, and their passion to bloom more flowers day in day out. It's great to see everyone doing their part to amuse visitors. Flowers from their heart and soul attracts travelers like us. We were delighted, enjoyed and relaxed.

Thank you dear Atok farmers! We appreciate your hard work and dedication.

As we wonder around, we noticed something even more pleasing to the eyes - the Sea of Clouds across the mountain ranges of Benguet. At this elevation, it's typical to witness the skies down rather than up. And that pretty much something to cherish about having been here to Northern Blossom.

Oh dear, look at the sky! Lovely!

We did not waste any time visiting each section of the flower farm. Purple, red, blue and yellow...all the colors you can imagine, they're thriving here.

And Chubby the Saint Bernard dog. We couldn't resist but scrub his thick fur. This adorable dog adds happiness to the place. Chooooo....Chubbeee...

Our trip to Northern Blossom is just one of the many during our stay to Baguio City. Down here is me together with the Strawberry Farm farmers of La Trinidad, Benguet. Stay tune on my next story for I will tell you why strawberries of Baguio is the sweetest.

Plus, the Colors of Stobosa is something worth stopping for. I mean if you travelling with your car, pull over and take a good shot of the houses. I will share our lovely experience in this part of Baguio City as well. See you on my next blog.

About Project Pilipinas

Project Pilipinas is about the beautiful Philippines and the hospitable Filipinos. It's great to be here.

From Mountains to Mountains and Back Home - a Travel Story to be Told

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 12:11:00 +0000

We walk. We climb. We run. We drive. We paddle. We fly. We travel.

In some occasion, we stretch out our feet and arms to the limits just to reach places that we'd love to be in. Our adventure-seeker mindset brings us to places, and we feel the excitement going there. There is something in that journey that makes us fulfilled, be it travelling in foreign lands or just in the nearby towns and cities where we live.

What about that experience? Could there be something deeper behind it?

Well, let me tour you to the places I've been into over the past couple of months and let me share something about the experience of being there.

Pagbilao, Quezon Province

It's a hell of a ride! Driving through the mountains of Pagbilao town in the province of Quezon is truly a scary but exciting one. We start the journey from my home town in Taysan, Batangas. Then we cross the boundary of Quezon and Batangas right in the towns of Sariaya and San Juan.

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In about an hour, we are at Lucena City, Quezon. If you've been into some of the great places in Bicol region, then Lucena City is where the adventure begins. The chain of forests and mountains will surely amaze you while traversing the Pan-Philippine highway.

Another hour from Lucena City and we reached the town of Pagbilao. What holds our breath is the way up to the mountain barrio of Hinguiwin.

What's in this place? Have a look.

The road up is rocky, shaky and there are cliffs to test your adrenaline-response level. Lots of coconut trees here and there. Zigzag roads, uphill, downhill - yes, it's a hell of a circus ride. But when we reached the top, it feels like heaven.

The agenda of the trip to Pagbilao is to visit the auntie of my father, whom is my lola. I'm grateful for one time in my life I've been to her homeplace, in the mountains that is full of freedom and hope. The short visit if full memories most especially to my father, mainly because he grew up there some time back. It's a recollection of the past for him. Lots of good stories were exchanged.

And to complete the tour, we brought home some delicacies of Pagbilao. Tasty and nice.

What a day at Pagbilao, Quezon!

How about you, what is your agenda behind your travels? This one may inspire you.

The thrill of mountaineering ignites in me right after that tour of Pagbilao. After a few months, we then decided to visit another relative of ours in the mountainous places in Rosario, Batangas.

Calantas, Rosario, Batangas

Well, welcome to Calantas!

I was about eleven or twelve years old when I first came to this place. Back then, I can't even remember how I've got here, in our Kakang Julian's house. The road to Calantas back in the old days is truly a path-to-curse. The shock absorbers are no match to the rocky road, muddy in rainy months, and landslide-prone during typhoon season. Today, it's a bit different.

Goodness! Since our car cannot pass thru the narrow road, our walk is a long and winding one. But we reached the house of my uncle just in time. And from there, it was all good memories.

We tour the eleven-hectare land of our clan. And at the summit point of Calantas is where I realize how beautiful nature is from above. I've seen the wonder that my uncles and aunties have seen and experienced themselves when they were just young. This is their birth place, their grass roots. The story of this land is something worth telling. This is where success and failure exchanges their desire for our ancestors.

After our short stay in my uncle's house, we drive more to the nearby sitios of Calantas. We visited our relatives and it was memorable. I've seen a lot of rare plants like the ones you will see here. I was able to connect my passion for plants and nature to this productive trip to the mountains.

The experience was short but complete - for I met the objective of understanding and seeing for myself the story of our land, the lives of my ancestors, the old house of our grand parents, all from my Kakang Julian's word-of-mouth.

Back Home in Taysan

And there is no place like home. I mean, it's so true. From the place where I've been into, then that hope of always getting back home safe, that's the deeper reason why we travel.

Because in our travels is where we gather good memories that we can bring back home. More especially nowadays that we have the smartphone to instantly capture those perfect moments, what a great experience therefore to collect images that captures our imagination and then later share them with families and friends. The beauty of Pagbilao and Calantas is of no excuse, surely.

Isn't that meaningful?

Like what I'm looking after, always find the deeper meaning behind your travels, your tours, your getaways. This is not far from understanding the traditions in the city or town we visit. Or that crave for food that boost our appetites of getting there, that could be the sweetest reason.

When we speak with the locals, ask them questions and we get answers to, that's something that makes our travel fruitful. Even the little stories about the place, that travel is the validation. If we aim to discover the connections, the purpose, that makes sense.

What about your travel experience? What is your purpose?

About this Blog

Project Pilipinas is about the Philippines and the Filipinos. This is about our beautiful country, our lovely people. This blog aims to introduce to you what this place has to offer. Explore more our blog posts and you will certainly learn, discover and be amazed with our story. For questions, comments or suggestions about this blog, you may reach out to the author at norielpanganiban@gmail.com.

Living with Nature While Working From Home - An Eye Opener for Us Filipino Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 13:33:00 +0000

It's the job that enable us to bring food on our table - to our family, for ourselves. It's the job that help us pay our bills and financial obligations. It's our job that make us feel we belong to the society - of earners, workers, business owners, investors.

But are you happy with that job?

Me Working from Home

I mean, honestly, do you feel the worth of hardships and sacrifices going to and from the workplace? Would you say "I love my job?".

(This is how hard working is nowadays: A Day in the Life of Juan dela Cruz, a Filipino Commuter)

I got you. We need to work to live and therefore, it's the job that we really need.

But, would you be surprised if I tell you there is always happiness we can find while fulfilling our job duties and responsibilities? The same holds true in studying, doing business, even working far away from our love ones. It's no secret but it is simply this.

Work with nature.

Learn with nature.

Live with nature.

My Home at the Center of Nature

How's it done? While it is easier said than done at the initial stage of adjustment, the next stages would be about happiness and more happiness while we're on that job.

If you're working in the city, the first thing I would advise you is visit the park nearest to you tomorrow before work. If the park is too far, find a nearby place where there are trees and grasses. Lucky you are if you see birds and butterflies. Stop there for a while, maybe fifteen to thirty minutes.

Just stare at nature - that's what you all have to do!

Our Dogs Staring at Nature

Nature heals. And trust me, if you whisper to nature what you have in mind, nature listens. Quite mind boggling that statement is, rhetoric in way, but you'll find out sooner or later why nature can be your best companion.

(Here's a good read on how to spend your time with nature: Beautiful Life in the Philippines in These Times of Pandemic)

Let's get into this more sensibly.

Next thing, have a plant in a pot. Buy it, grab it, plant it your own. Whatever it takes, have a plant. After work, water it. Before work, breathe out to it. Grow it while you are attending to the most stressful, hateful responsibility in this world - your job! Now, have another plant. Carry on, until you already have a garden of your own right in front of you - a month after or maybe a year.

Remember! All these activities are being done while you're into your job.

Me Looking at Nature with a Cup of Coffee

That moment will come for sure. That you will say to your self "I want to plant more". And the funny thing when that time comes is:

You have a job!

Now, you'll start to realize this. Hmm, I have the money to plant more. I have the money to be with nature more. I think I can split a portion of my income visiting a farm so I can discover more about nature.

And great! I have a job.

Well, along the process, you can still go with your interest, with your hobby, that thing you really want to do. You can become a gamer. You can ride your bike. You can pursue you investment plans. You can put up a business you always dream of. But hey, nature. Nature is that bridge in between. Nature is that advisor that can provide you better ideas. Nature will be the mediator.

Nature is just there - to guide you on your job.

Look How Powerful Nature Is

As a Filipino worker, if you want to be better in what you do, nature has the answer. In nature is where you will find great ideas. In nature is where you can discover ways and means to proceed. Literally, if you see, touch and feel nature, it will guide you all the way.

Tomorrow, it's Monday again. Time to work again. That tiring job again. Those co-workers and bosses again, people you want to see the least, maybe.

But here's an eye opener!

If you aim to improve your life starting from the bottom, try bringing with you the power of nature. We're all heading there actually. We want to purchase a piece of land - a part of nature. We want to build a house - materials of which comes from nature. We want to have that car - which we will drive along with nature. We will definitely get married, have our own children, a natural process of nature.

It's Nature that Makes Us Happy

To the next level, working while with nature, that so called "WFH", it's fulfilling. I've experienced it. I'm loving it. I'm into it. And how you can do it? Remember, start having a plant in a pot.

(How I started to love nature, have a quick read of this: I am Planting for the Economy of the Philippines – "Para sa Ekonomiya")

Work with Nature - Whenever Opportunity Knocks

I encourage you to work from home with nature. If your company allows WFH, bring that job with nature. Find a way, make it happen. It's way way better than having a five-digit salary. Working with nature? That's ten times better than receiving praises and recognitions from your bosses. A hundred fold relaxing than flying to Disneyland.

From my experience working with nature, it's totally forgetting everything while making your hands wet and dirty. Problems are gone for some time, while I'm busy with my plants and dogs. While sweat is running out under the heat of the sun, you'll feel energized and inspired. While you're seeing those plants sprouting to life, goodness, I feel blessed and empowered. When you happened to taste that very first fruit or vegetable harvested from your garden, I felt overwhelmed. Was that me who planted it?

You connected with nature, experience it yourself and see.

Working with Nature is Planting for Nature

Haven't seen nature yet? Here you go seeing me working more with nature.

Me and my Wife Ready to Plant

Me Ready to Cook What Nature Provides

The Making of the Hottest Chili

My co-Filipino worker, here and abroad, best of luck on your job. Stay safe as always. See you with nature.

About Project Pilipinas

Tell the world there are hardworking, peace loving, kind, smart and happy Filipinos living in the land known as the Philippines. This is what this blog is all about. Disseminate the information that Philippines is a great country to visit, to invest. Let everyone knows Filipinos are here to serve at our best in terms of work. We are happy to accept that job that helps us improve our lives.

For more interesting blog posts, please visit our Blog Archive Page.

Here's a must read post about our life in the farm: Simple Life at JN Farm Garden: One Year After Update.

Simple Life at JN Farm Garden: One Year After Update

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:40:00 +0000

Welcome to JN FarmGarden!

Here's how it has been one year after. Enjoy watching!

Introducing "JN FarmGarden" of Organic Plants and Natural Lifestyle in Batangas

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Fri, 27 May 2022 11:02:00 +0000

It is great to live our lives in the way we want it, that's true. However, more often that not, it doesn't really happen based on our plans, even from our brilliant ideas. Life as I learned it, works differently in this world. There are factors that makes life happier, sad and sometimes beyond our expectations.

But why don't we look at it in a more positive and engaging way, despite the odds out there. I mean, if something makes you happy, why don't we focus on it rather than on the ones the stops you from doing so. Let me share my experiences as an example.

In 2019, everything is just a dream. Like on this first photo, this is just the simple dream - a simple house in the bukid.

The First Papaya

Then about 4 years later, this red ripe papaya was the first of its kind to be harvested in our mini farm here in Taysan, Batangas. A lot of things, good and bad, happen in between.

And this cute little dog we named "Oki" or "Okee" or "Owky" suddenly came to our life.

And there comes more happiness...

Farm and Garden Life

There is a saying "Pag may itinanim, may aanihan". Putting it in English, "When you plan something, you'll harvest something". And this is really so true, except of course if you didn't invest time and energy to take care of what you've planted. Well, for this saying to happen into your life, you need to exert efforts in between planting and harvesting.

And so that's what we did. We planted and took care of it.

And planting more...

And exploring more ways of planting...

We were amazed of course. My wife and I did everything together to make this farm come into life. There are times when we need to water the plants at 9 or 10 in the evening because water runs dry during the day. There are also times when rain is too much and we need to create drainages to avoid flooding. In summer months, we double our effort watering the plants. During rainy months, our slippers and boots are filled with muds while doing everything to nurture the plants. Imagine that! Tiresome but very satisfying.

Remember, all those things are what makes us happy.

The Natural Visitors

Then one day, we start to notice something that maybe only nature can explain. Lots of creatures are visiting our mini farm. That is from ants, to butterflies, to frogs, to birds, to neighbor's dogs, and even creatures like these ones.

And who would have thought that animals are really that close to me and my wife. This dog we named "Mazie" is an adopted dog. Back in 2016, we find this dog all alone in our backyard in Cavite. Very thin, obviously hungry for days, and vulnerable to predator like snakes and reptiles, there's a connect that triggers us to pick up this dog and become one of our growing family.

Here is what she is now; a beautiful, lovely and a smart dog - and she's an Australian Kelpie dog. Mind that! We're lucky enough to save a dog and in return gave us some glory and success for we believe the dogs are praying and talking with the Almighty God. And she's running here and there at JN Farm Garden right now. How amazing is that!

The Organically Grown Plants

Have a few more look around our mini farm and here's what you will see.

We know we are just starting. The road to happiness is unknown. But what is good in going on that road is you will experience different kind of things. In our case, nature calls during typhoon months and long hours of travel to get into this farm. As in literally, we have to traverse long and winding road just to get into this happy place. And we were lucky enough to have "Sora", our vehicle to happiness.

Welcome to JN FarmGarden!

So yes, what is it? JN stands for Juliet and Noriel - as you might wonder why. The idea is to make a beautiful, productive farm, and garden at the same time. Maybe we will fill it with farm animals too in the near future, we'll see. Right now, what we do focus on is planting trees, vegetables and fruits the organic way.

In what organic way? Well, it's done by using organic fertilizer like cow manure, dead leaves, and good soil. Natural way since we are using typical farming tools like asarol, dulos, sibak, bareta, and harabas. Sorry for those who are not familiar with these tagalog words - giving you the opportunity to research it.

See it yourself this organic and natural farm and garden and discover why.

Our God will provide, definitely. But only if you do something, the Provider will bless on you. Pray, work, eat, love, repeat. And in times of troubles, call upon Him to ask for guidance.

Today, we are enjoying the fruits of our labors - happiness. One day or two, times could turn different. But that wouldn't matter if you always focus yourself on becoming happy - that is doing what you really love and want.

There are more stories to be told. But this time, it's your time to tell your story of road to happiness. What about it? What are you doing or what have you done so far?

An Invitation to Follow JN FarmGarden

Over the next few weeks, I will share more stories about our life in the farm - the JN FarmGarden. On what it is more on organic and natural. You'll be amazed for sure. An FB Page will be launched. A new website will be live. And a Shopee or Lazada store will come to life soon. Thanks for your time and appreciate if you will share your post to someone. To get to know more about JN FarmGarden, you may directly reach out to the author.

Beautiful Life in the Philippines in These Times of Pandemic

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 02:24:00 +0000

Life is beautiful if you will find ways to make it beautiful...

This is what I learned from life experiences here in the planet. As the line from the poem Invictus states:

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

We are responsible for our happiness, at least in a world where everyone has freedom. Now, as to what happiness would mean to you, it something you must know. But defining happiness should not be complicated. Perhaps, this blog post can explain...

Cows Freely Eating Grasses in a Green Field

A Lady Witnessing the Rising of the Sun

Morning Sun as it Climbs Up to Start the Day

We all experienced the horrible impact of pandemic over the past two years, and yet we still feel the difficulties and challenges up to this very moment coping up with the so-called "new normal". Maybe its already too much to say what this COVID-19 virus bring us...that's enough!

An inspiration may cure our broken hearts and souls. This is the best way to calm us down, make us feel better in a sense...and get rid of those burdens and stresses.

A Panoramic View of an Open Field in Batangas Province

A Foggy Morning Near a Farm Land

Green Grasses with Morning Dew

In my hometown Taysan, Batangas in the Philippines, I've seen a lot of beautiful things. From cows feeding themselves on the grass, to chirping birds on the trees, to frogs jumping here and there, and to the view of nature one fine morning, I've seen them.

I'm lucky for I can breathe in the fresh air. I might be good for I can feel the gentle heat of the morning sun. I feel great for I have experienced life this beautiful and lovely.

The Famous Taal Volcano Island in Batangas, Philippines

Taal Volcano is Batangas Province Emitting Vog

A Scenic View of Taal Volcano Eruption

A picture paints a thousand words...so let these pictures paint the words of your own.

A Beautiful View from Inside a Camping Tent

One Fine Afternoon in Rural Neighborhood

Let this heal the pains in your hearts...

Cloud Turning Orange During a Sunset

Let this view comfort your lonely soul...

A Rare Flower Found in a Nearby Forest

Let this scenery captivate your imagination...

A River Surrounded by Rocks and Trees

Water Steadily Flowing in a Calm River

Let this be your motivation to move on...

Captivating Blue Sky Over the Mountains and Lakes

An Amazing View of Taal Lake

Let this be your sign that life can be beautiful...

From Dark to Light Transition of the Morning

Picturesque Nature View

Blue Clouds of the Afternoon

In our small farm in Taysan, Batangas...

A Day in the Farm

Summer in the Province

A House Construction in a Farm

Gigantic Clouds

Make your life beautiful by visiting nature. Once you fall in love with nature, you will see how beautiful life is.

Thank you for reading this post.

Sonya's Garden: A Walk with Nature, a Great Day to Celebrate

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 07:36:00 +0000

It was a fine Friday morning when me and my wife decided to hit the gas handle heading to a secluded place in Alfornso, Cavite - at Sonya's Garden. A 40-minute motorcycle drive then take us to this beautiful nature place recommended to people searching of inner peace, calmness and serenity.

Sonya's Garden

We then find ourselves surrounded by colorful flower, green leaves of different varieties, rustic gardens, and fresh air blowing here and there.

Time to Celebrate!

At Sonya's Garden Bread and Breakfast is where we spend our 11th Year Wedding Anniversary. With my wife's enthusiasm to be in this nature's place, what we experience is enjoyment, true couple's bonding, and best of all a memorable anniversary dining at Sonya's Conservatory.

Have a look on what we discovered here.

Oogoo

Who greet us upon our arrival at Sonya's is this cute dog named Oogoo. The blonde golden retriever is known to welcoming guests at the place, though not all experience the humble animal act. Sometimes she's there, sometimes she's not. Lucky we are for she's around by that time. Out of nowhere, there she comes wagging her tail in maybe in the animal's voice, she happily said "Welcome Juliet and Noriel".

After the dog encounter, we rove around the place where plants of almost all kinds can be seen.

Magical Garden

It is Sonya's magical and amazing garden that invites us to be with nature - the thing we have always loved. The best description of how we truly enjoy that walk is through this brilliant-to-the-eyes photo.

Sumptuous Breakfast

Next to that is breakfast time. We entered a dining hall so spacious, comfy and good thing there is still a few diners present at that time. We were escorted to our table, and then without further adieu, there comes the food hot and nice. Have a taste or should I say glimpse of what is served to us for breakfast.

We simply enjoy each bite, each gulp and every chew. What compliments our garden adventure is this kind of dish serve to us - the garden salad made of edible leaves, flowers and of course vegies. Our first time to taste some of the flowers mixed there, and they tastes really good. Always a healthy option to take garden salad as part of our meal, even better when it has those edible flowers teasing both your eyes and taster buds.

Proposal Garden

After the sumptuous breakfast, next is another garden tour. There is always a spot that will pull you over and examine what species of plants or flowers are they. Patios and hallways lead us the way to the Proposal Garden.

Walk with Nature

Then we walk next to the houses that are open of accommodation. There we see lots and lots more of flowers and plants and even friendly bees. There are signages that says be quite but since we can't contain our amazement of the beauty of the place, we sometimes express our delight with a loud voice. Well, this next photo might explain why expressing happiness together with nature can be both fun and noisy.

Panaderia

After about 30minutes touring Sonya's Garden, our last stop is at the Panaderia. Breads and pastries are available here and they really flavorful. Taste justifies the price - this could be the simplest description to the breads sold in this place.

We left Sonya's Garden fulfilled, satisfied and full of wonderful memories. This is something we will surely not forget celebrating our wedding anniversary.

Project Pilipinas

We thank you for reading this post. We hope that you are getting inspired by the stories we shared. 2020 is a very challenging year, yet we still find time to enjoy the beauty of nature, celebrate for a while. With all these, we also hope that you may always be strong in enduring the challenges of times. Project Pilipinas is here to inspire, to share lessons, to help you get up from downfalls or incompleteness. When its time to reap, time to harvest, time to celebrate, do it with all joy and purpose. We are humans, we fight and we triumph. Thank you.

Vlog: Batangas Lomi and More - Our Amazing Filipino Foods Encounters

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 12:35:00 +0000

Tayo mag-lomi!!! Sino gang sasama?

This is the typical line you will hear from a Batangueno or local of the Batangas province. Why? Because in this place is where lomi is born and for that reason alone, lomi is the food almost everybody wants. Don't believe it? Well, you better be.

In this vlog, my my wife and I go places just to get a taste of this lomi. Specifically, we ordered lomi from several restaurants in Batangas and Cavite. We tasted it, commented on it, and there you go, a vlog that speaks the truth about Batangas lomi or simply "lomi".

Yes, lomi has undergone innovations over the past years. Lomi is now more decorative, with toppings almost filling half of the bowl. The tasty lomi is a must-try for you, for everyone who wants something different, something special.

And of course, the authentic "Mga Pagkaing Pinoy. These foods will always be there, in every resto or canteen you will dine it. We always love to order kaldereta, pancit, lechon, dinuguan and sisig. These menus are always a big part of the Filipino life.

Lomi will always be there. I can in fact cook a lomi for you; for when I was a kid, we used to have this Lomi House - a canteen or karinderya as we say it here in the Philippines. And there is a legit lomi recipe, to be honest, and that's the one with pork liver. So look for it whenever you want to order one.

Want lomi? So there you have it.

About Project Pilipinas

This blog speaks about the Filipino, our way of life, our weakness, our strength, and everything in between. It tells about our culture and tradition, and why we are like this. Project Pilipinas is a campaign for changes, good changes. We want to share what is really in us, the Filipinos. That way you can gauge whether we deserve your attention, or if we can be someone whom can pay attention to someone who needs it. Project Pilipinas is about our Asian heritage.

Vlog: Tree Planting in Our Mini-farm "JN FarmGarden" in Batangas, Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 12:05:00 +0000

Hello mga ka-Pinas!

Here is my first vlog which I am excited to share here in Project Pilipinas. In this vlog, me and my wife are planting together in our mini farm garden.

It was a great day, with the weather in our side, a little bit cloudy and the soil wet due to an early day rain, we managed to plant about ten plants that day. It was exhausting to be honest. I mean like you start from soil digging, planting, and then putting fences on each plant - that's a whole lot of effort. But despite all the hard work, I think I could also say that the activity is very fulfilling. We are happy and tired at the same time.

Well, here is that one-big-day planting for the economy activity. Hope you will enjoy, learn and share it.

So yes, as a start, we have the lemon, avocado, rambutan, dates and African tulip trees now living in our farm garden. Yehey!

And of course, here are more photos to complete everything about our tree planting activity at "JN FarmGarden". Yes, "JN FarmGarden" will be the name of it. We have lots of plans for this farm lot. And that is what's going to be the contents of my vlog over the coming weeks, months and years.

About Project Pilipinas

Project Pilipinas has been there since 2011! That means we are already one decade sharing stories, realities and solutions to all the Filipinos here in the Philippines and abroad. The author or blogger, Noriel Panganiban, is very much aware of the facts about being a Filipino living in this beautiful yet vulnerable country the Philippines. This is what sparks in him to write eye-opening blog posts revealing the good, the bad and everything in between. The main intention is to create awareness. But the most important thing is the goal of helping the Filipinos survive the battle of life in the country. Here, you will not only learn, you will also be advised of the right thing to do in life, as a Filipino or as human being of any race. Noriel is also the author of Knowriel.org, a free learning portal for all.

Vlog: Our Batangas Buko and Camping Adventure - Very Refreshing and Relaxing!

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 07:26:00 +0000

Hello mga Ka-ProjectPilipinas!

In this video, I am sharing our short but memorable camping adventure in Batangas - reminiscing simple life, good environment, and happy thoughts. Here, you will also learn how to open a "buko", as well as understand the basics of rooster and hog raising in my province.

The experience is truly rewarding. That feeling of being in clean environment, in a farm, priceless!

About this Vlog

ProjectPilipinas is extending its information campaign, this time through videos or vlogs. The intention is the same, to share the good, the bad and everything in between in the lives of the Filipinos here in the Philippines. Hope you will give our videos a like and a share.

What a Year 2020 for the Filipinos!

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 04:54:00 +0000

2020 - Oh what a year! We pronounce it "Twenty-Twenty". On a side note, the ophthalmologist will always want us to have the 20-20 vision. This year was supposedly the 2020 Olympics to be held in Japan. The outlook for 2020 by the economists, by the Feng-sui experts, and by majority of Filipino people is that this is going to be a great big year.

A Woman Vendor getting back on her feet after the devastation brought about by a typhoon in the Philippines. Here, she's selling corns that were left to her by Typhoon Ulysses.

Including me, I was hoping that this year is going to be prosperous. Until these things happened:

Taal Volcano Eruption

Thousands of families lost their homes. We were shocked, saddened by the impact of ashfalls not only to the nearby towns in Taal Volcano but also in provinces as far as those in Central Luzon. Death tolls were recorded in the following days, both humans and animals. Restrictions to enter danger zones were imposed, giving residents more pains and agony. We've seen lots of tears during these darkest times.

The Taal Volcano eruption that happened on January 12, 2020 is shown in this photo. Days after the explosion, Batanguenos or locals of Batangas province felt the magnitude of this natural disaster on their lives.

Here is my post about Taal Volcano eruption: The Grays and Golds of the Taal Volcano Eruption

ABS-CBN Shutdown

An ABS-CBN report van is spotted in a nearby market in my town. During this time, COVID-19 pandemic is mostly the coverage of the media while at the same time, the TV network is facing possible shutdown.

Engulfed by legal actions from the government's side due an expiring franchise, one of the biggest television network, ABS-CBN, was brought to an end its broadcasting across the Philippine nation. Months before the supposedly stoppage of airing news, programs and entertainment shows, people are worried that they will no longer see and hear their favorite TV personalities. More than that, thousands of jobs would be at stake. Until the feared shutdown happened.

COVID-19 Pandemic

We don't see this coming to the Philippines. Covid-19 get into our bodies and up until today it is ruining the lives of many Filipinos. Doctors and nurses were the first to feel the pressure of treating COVID-19 patients. Day by day, month by month, there is a recorded surge, much worst - death.

Locals are patiently queuing up in a supermarket in Gen. Trias Cavite. Community quarantines were already imposed across the Philippines during this time.

Community quarantines were then imposed all over the country. People was at first hesitant to comply, but with the government's initiative to curb the spike, or this what they call "Flattening of the Curve", GCQ, MGCQ, ECQ and MECQ seems to be working, if not totally. As of this writing, the number of cases is still there only difference than before is that it is way manageable.

Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses Typhoons

The tragedy of the past repeats itself when these catastrophic natural events brought Filipinos down on their knees once again - with floods in populated communities, destructions of properties and lost of lives. Typhoons are typical visitors of the Philippines the whole year round, the most devastating of which arrives during the last quarter of the year. Wiped out by strong winds barangays, pulled-off from the ground trees and infrastructures, buried to the ground communities, sunken to the floods towns and cities, and damages here and there to agricultural lands are what these typhoons gave us. Not talking about the billions of pesos equivalent losses to the economy, but the lost of lives is something cannot be accounted for in terms of monetary value. We were downed, so much downed.

A picturesque view of West Philippine Sea days after typhoon Quinta hit the country.

The year 2020 is yet to end, and we are hoping for the best, at least for the remaining days. All the negativity, hopefully, will stop for a while and give us the Filipinos a Merry Christmas, and if its not too much to ask, a Happy New year. We all want these pains and sufferings to end, even just for the last few days of 2020.

In Failures We Learn and Become Better

Just imagine what those hard facts, plagues or disasters brought us. Lives killed, houses gone, sources of living wiped out, jobs lost, normalcy out, and a lot more consequences. We were badly affected, millions of us. We cried, we suffered, we got stressed or depressed, we mourned the lost of our love ones, we lost our jobs, and probably some us, our faith dwindled down. We often asked:

"Why is this happening to us?"

Hard question, indeed. But here we are. We move-on despite hardships, difficulties and adversaries. Look at our smiles, that Filipino signature smile of confidence, of resiliency. Whenever you see a Filipino smiling during an interview in TV, even to seriousness of a topic, that means we have more reasons to be happy. And look at our courage to fight our struggles out till we win. Look at our resiliency, that a day or two after the floods, we have the strength to clean up, organize whatever is left to us.

Bayanihan is all about teamwork, helping each other in times on needs without any condition or favor, be it on our regular day jobs or a typical day in the community. Filipinos are known to this century-old humanitarian practice.

And look at the spirit of "Bayanihan" we have here in the Philippines. Donation in cash and in kind from foundations locally and abroad, rations of foods and voluntary services from different groups, these are pouring to every devastated town and barangay. The helping hands are there, and will always be there in this beautiful country. Bayanihan is something we Filipinos are proud about.

Here's my post to inspire you about the Filipinos spirit of Bayanihan: Bayanihan - Filipinos' Last and Only Hope in Beating the Odds of Times

Look at us world!

We are standing back again from our defeats!

We are the Filipinos.

A Friendly Advise

Personally, this year has been good for me and my wife, somehow. There were bad times of course. Like many of you, we felt the stress. We got depressed, sometimes shed tears due to the stay-at-home measures. But the seeds we planted years back became good harvests this year. I am sharing that experience not to annoy people who did not make it to harvest the fruits of their labor and sacrifices. We understand that for many, it's not even close to getting a leaf, because calamities took everything away from them. Rather, that is to tell everyone that great things can come in any year, even if bad things surround us. It is the circle of life, or the cycle of life. There are good times and there are bad times. Not 2020, but the coming year might be a good one for you.

And with that, I want to give this advise to everyone, especially to every Filipino out there who have been into a bad situation this year 2020.

Let our failures become the source of our courage and strength to strive for betterment in the coming years. We fall down, we slowly stand, or maybe take a seat first until we regain our strength and then be back on our feet. The fight is not over and will never be over. So the best and right thing we can do is:

Maging matapang tayo harapin ang anumang pagsubok na darating.

Harapin natin ang bagong taon ng may pagasa.

While many of us are still struggling to be back, then by becoming focus, we will surely bounce back soon. We will find a new job or be back on our job. The doors of our business will open and customers will come. We will harvest more fruits from the trees, more vegetables from the garden, more crops from the fields, and more money from our investments. With the lost of our love ones, our aching heart and soul will slowly heal, in time. All these will happen for there is hope upon us - always.

We could have been fooled that 2020 has a very clear vision or outlook, but obviously, it is not if we are to based on the realities we faced this year. But then again, there is hope.

Eat. Pray. Work. Love. Repeat.

These are what will keep us alive, what will make us hope for the better. May this coming Christmas we feel better, forget our bad experiences even just for the day, and let us all be happy being with our families. And in the coming New Year, may we realize what things, acts or plans will make us even better, more prepared and more resilient against the challenges ahead of us. Eat. Pray. Work. Love. Repeat - always remember this.

God bless you. God bless the Filipinos. God bless the Philippines.

About Project Pilipinas

Launched in 2011, this blog shares the stories of the Filipino people in their beautiful country the Philippines. This is about the realities embarked in our culture, tradition, ways and mentality. The intention is not to make us, Filipinos, be clean in front of other nations, but rather to expose what is good and bad in us as a race. Project Pilipinas is campaign for good changes. It admits the negative we have here in the Philippines but it also strive to get more positivity, by creating awareness thru blog post, for this nation to become better.

We encourage you to share our posts to the world with the goal of helping people understand why we are like this and at the same time solicit ideas that could make us change for the better. You are most welcome to comment and give your thoughts about this piece.

My Motorcycle Adventures Featured Destination: Ginger Breadhouse

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:29:00 +0000

Here in Cavite, there is a place called Gingerbread House. Sounds like a place from a childhood fantasy movie or play, or from a television program for kids back in the 90’s, right? We’ll, it’s a kind of that, full of fantasy for a kid or teen to be experienced here. Though we’re not kids anymore, going here reminds me of two things: Christmas and Adventure.

The Tricky Drive to the House

Driving to the Ginger Breadhouse in Alfonso, Cavite is quite an adventure. The place is so hidden, far from the main roads. But if you're a kind of driver who’s used to checking your Waze app or Google maps or simply that GPS device, you can be there. Alternatively, a combination of asking people on the streets would definitely make everything easier for you. And to cut the story short, after series of checking the map and asking for direction from good people of Cavite, we arrived at Ginger Breadhouse at around eight in the morning that fine sunny day.

Christmas is in the Air

When we got there, there were lots of kids lining up to the main entrance with excitement in their eyes. Who doesn’t want to see the Ginger Man, the Ginger Breads, and all the creatures made of ginger there? Haha! Well, to be honest, there are lots of wonderful and colorful stuffs inside and outside the house. Here’s a first taste of that.

The Famous White Big Bear

Yes! We found the big white bear that we've been long looking for. It is here at Ginger Breadhouse.

It’s a Christmas-themed park. It is full of Christmas decors, lively booths, statues or figures like the snowman, Santa Claus and the giant White Bear. Getting a picture of them is definitely a must. You may say “Whoa!”, “OMG!”, or “Ah-ah naman” once you see these stuff yourself. Interestingly, you are allowed to touch them, hug them or play with them. And we didn’t let that opportunity passed, so here we are with them.

The House of Gingers

Inside the Gingerbread House is a restaurant full of amazing figurines, art displays, miniatures, chocolates, candies and ginger dolls. I am not that good in giving fantastic descriptions to these stuffs but maybe you can give it a try. Have a look around the house and say something on what you see. Did I hear “Wow, ganda naman”?

Picture-Perfect Spots

As the morning sun rises up, so is our energy to tour the whole place. So we stepped out and walked on the hallways, patios, garden and underneath trees and gazebos. It’s a home for the kids and kids-wanna-be alike, like me and my wife. There are tons of activities waiting for you here. Like a carnival, it has some setups to catch your attention. To give the right idea of what I am saying, why not enjoy seeing these photos instead.

All About the Ginger

What makes this place even better, as the names speak for itself, is the ginger garden area. Here, you will be taught how to plant ginger, I mean not just planting but cultivating this super-crop. I call ginger a super crop, a native root crop of the Philippines, because of its healing components. I used to plant ginger in my home place and I find a lot of benefits from this root plant. The ginger tea will certainly give you an aroma that could heal your stress. And when you drink it, it soothes your inner soul, giving that great comfort or relaxation. And of course, adding ginger to our menus is enough to explain why it is a great condiment.

I think you now know why it is called Ginger Breadhouse. There’s ginger in it!

The Museum of Ginger

Now, have a look at the Museum. It is kind of dark inside the reason of which is because it has the Christmas Village miniatures under the night theme. You will also see here the story of the Ginger Breadhouse, on how it came to be. And to inspire you more, there are some quotes posted on the wall of the museum. Let these photos complete your tour inside the museum.

Our Moments to Share

As we enjoy our last few minutes in Ginger Breadhouse, we pose ourselves on the photography sites and there you go…

I want to take this opportunity to give you some words of advice, words of encouragement, as you go along with your daily lives during these pandemic times. Our visit at Ginger Breadhouse was way back December of 2019, almost a year ago. That time, it is still free to drive around, with no any condition or restriction under quarantine protocols.

Stay Healthy. Stay Safe.

As this year’s Christmas season is nearing, we want to go outside and feel the spirit of Christmas. While it is uncertain where COVID-19 might take us, I think the best thing we can do in the meantime is to be with our families. Maybe, let’s make this year’s Christmas a bit different, for our health’s sake. Maybe once all our necessities are secured (food and groceries in particular), let us just then enjoy the season by being together in our homes, as much as we can.

I suggest that you open those photos from your past tours or travels and share good stories while looking at them. Watch those video clips when you have a great time with. That instead of going out and face the risks of getting the disease, why not just be on our backyards, living rooms or nearby streets and make ourselves enjoy of what’s there for us. I know it’s a bit challenging, but again, for our health’s sake.

There are more times to come and then we can again be in the places like Ginger Breadhouse, malls, themed-parks and restaurants the way we used to. That being said, I am sharing you this great travel experience by me and my wife in our motorcycle last year for a good purpose and that is:

Looking back on our great holiday experiences through photos and videos we have on our smartphones, laptops or PCs are great enough to make us happy, if not exactly the same of being in that same place. If you do this together with your family, there would be joy for sure. If you exchange memorable photos with your friends and colleagues in a virtual meeting or chat, there would be laughs and tears of joy for sure. And if you yourself would paint a thousand words from those photos you took years back, and then share those words to your loved ones through the technology, it can be the same good feeling of being together.

While those are merely suggestions, going out is still a matter of choice for us. Let us just keep in mind that protecting ourselves should always be our number one priority. So to end this post, let me leave you a message:

Stay safe during the upcoming holiday season.

About this Blog

Thank you for reading this post. Project Pilipinas is all about us, the Filipinos and our beautiful country the Philippines. Here you will read true stories, stating the good, the bad and everything that tells who we are. The goal is to create awareness, encourage Filipinos to lift up the country and its people. Explore this blog site and you will get to discover more what's in this country. This blog site is made possible by www.knowriel.org, a free educational portal for all.

Moral of the Bee and Spider Story: Solutions to Fight COVID-19 Crisis in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 03:11:00 +0000

Sometime in April this year, while my wife and I are doing our typical gardening activities, I saw this bee flying around. All of a sudden, the bee stumbles down the ground. At first, I thought it got hit into a branch or wire. When I looked after the bee’s condition, if it’s okay, I realized it is somewhat dizzy and unable to open its wings again. So I picked it up carefully using a shovel and put it in one of our hanging pots where it can rest and eventually recover.

Then after about two or three days, while painting our garden walls, here is a giant spider right in front me. For several minutes, it is not moving at all as if it's dry dead. Even if my paint brush gets closer and closer, no sign of movement. I inspected if its okay or if its eating something reason why it doesn’t move. Surprisingly, after about four minutes, it finally changes its place. Great for it’s alive and well!

What about these insects?

Well, for me, such encounters are just ordinary things happening around us, everyday. For some reasons, we observe things differently or pretty much not the usual way. It happens to anyone. Some of us even connect beliefs or philosophies to those kinds of encounters.

In this post, I would want to establish the resemblance of that encounter with the insects to the current situation of the country and the rest of the world. Please go on reading this post.

What’s Wrong with 2020?

For instance, this year, most of the veggies we’ve planted don't make it to our dining table. Years back, we’ve been harvesting kilos after kilos of vegetables just from our backyard (You can read my post “I am Planting for the Economy”). Sadly, vegetables this year get destroyed by tiny pests or insects within just a week or two after they sprouted from soil. I should have tried spraying insecticides but I intend not to because I chose to be organic as much as possible.

People Queuing Up in a Local Supermarket

This year also, by coincidence, we Filipinos are being hit by the worst effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Losing our jobs, sources of income, our savings, even the lives of many; these are what hit many of us this 2020. And the adversities keep on hitting.

In a sense, there are really things we cannot foresee, plan, control or manage. As human beings, they are beyond our knowledge and comprehension. But is there still something we can do about it?

We ask:

What’s going on? What is being done? When would this last? Is there a cure or vaccine for all of these hardships and pains to end? When will it be available? Will we ever survive this pandemic?

Like many of you, I am looking for concrete answers too.

The Real Picture

After about five months, the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose from 1 to 100,000; and counting. We have the updates or news from everywhere around the globe that it is worsening. We know what’s really happening now. The virus is spreading fast and it is bringing us down.

Supermarket Imposing Social Distancing

In search for answers, and asked this to myself:

Given the chance, how do I want to solve this biggest issue of our generation?

This is a question to myself; but could be the same question you have in mind too. Allow me to share what I have in mind.

Moral of the Story

Going back to the bee and spider encounters, the bee unfortunately died after about four hours since I picked it up that same day. I tried saving its life by picking it up, thinking a rest in a somewhat safer place will do something good. It has its life extended for four hours for I did something - I picked it up. The spider is alive and just changes places as I am doing the wall painting activity. I did not hurt the spider knowing it is somewhat delaying my painting activity. Instead, I just gave it time to move away and it did.

My solution to the worsening effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is typically similar to how I responded to those encounters with the insects. Here’s my realization:

I have to do something to solve the pandemic crisis. I think I can act in two ways: 1) Pick up a solution or do an act, or 2) Not hurt the emotions of the frontliners, law enforcers and government officers, instead, listen to their advice and directives. Either options will have a significant impact.

Small and Big We Can Do

We should not just sit down and watch the day to day crisis as it happens in our country.. For the second optio, for instance, these are the small acts we can do:

Follow the mandate of wearing facemask, observing social distancing, washing our hands, and cleaning the products or items we are buying.

Avoid going outside for non-essential things or activities but rather stay at home.

Be fair and considerate of our actions towards others in social media and in our community on issues related to the health and safety of everyone.

Local Bakery Requiring Buyers to Observe Social Distancing

For the first option, this is not an obligation but out of our free will, we can make a move. For instance, we can:

Volunteer in our respective barangays during food relief packaging or as a contact-tracer.

With proper coordination with LGUs, provide assistance to those in need in cash or in kind.

Directly offer help to someone or families in great need.

But are these the only available solutions? Let's dive to the bigger issues in the society.

The Bigger Issues

Economy or health? Undeniably, we will be affected on whichever our government will stand between the two. If we are not allowed to go outside and work, eventually, we will lose our income and end up having nothing to eat. If we are then allowed to work, the reality of which we will have to blend with the crowd going to work, while at work and back home, our risk of getting the disease is higher and this is what’s exactly happening right now. It is a tough decision for there is a trade-off between the available options.

People Outside their Homes Doing their Transactions at the Height of COVID-19 Pandemic

Here is the underlying issue here:

According to experts, the number of cases keeps on rising because many of us are outside our homes doing our thing. Transmission form person to person happens on crowded areas, events, gatherings, workplaces, and inside transport vehicles.

If I am to solve or decide on that, I would not just select one of the choices. What I will do is analyse, strategize and execute the option or options that will side with the main objective of reducing the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. I’d prefer going with both options with extra caution.

Police Officer on Duty of Implementing New Normal Policies

Yes, if you look at it a positive way, the government is making sensible decisions. However, it’s poor execution. My stand is this:

GCQ, MECQ or ECQ, if it is implemented right, it will balance the trade-offs between health and economy. Simply state, it will work reducing the cases.

Strict Implementation

Selective lockdowns is something I agree on. Strict observance on allowing only Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) is another thing I support. Implementing schedules based on surname or place of residency when entering malls, supermarkets and local public markets will also help a lot and I agree with that policy too. Prohibiting drinking or get-together sessions is something I highly support. On the issue of putting a standard plastic barrier between motorcycle driver and “angkas” or rider, not a bad idea for me. However, the implementation should be gradual in consideration of the safety of the riders.

Community Quarantine Measures Posted in a Public Place

Where I do not agree?

People rallying or protesting during this time of pandemic is something I strongly disagree with. Social or religious gathering is something that needs to be prohibited or regulated for this is where the spread of disease happens. Local officials including barangay health workers, police officers and LGU workers getting together as a big group when conducting community services or programs, be it related to the pandemic response or not, is something that must stop immediately. Conducting those activities or programs with a limited number of persons or officers will do a lot in terms of avoiding the virus spread among officers themselves and people they are helping with.

In the case of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI), obviously, the overcrowding situation on designated temporary staging areas is a high-risk situation. This is a no-no for me. It’s about time to solve this by implementing strict observance of social distancing. LGUs, authorities and transportation management should do something so that ports and terminals will not be fully occupied. Individuals who intend to travel back to provinces must be properly scheduled before they are allowed to leave their homes. It requires more coordination from the involved parties.

Schedule of Going Out in Observance of Community Quarantine Protocols

We are all new to this kind of response and we have different opinions on everything. But we always have to understand that main objective: reduce the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases while waiting for the real cure to come.

Small Solutions with Bigger Impact

Discipline Among Ourselves

Social distancing, personal protection, and cleanliness are our key weapons in fighting COVID-19. If we do not do or observe these at all times, even for a second, we are prone to getting the virus, and eventually put our lives to danger. Be disciplined at all times.

Huge Tarpaulin for Health Advisories from Health Experts

Check Points

Do not be afraid of the military checking on you on checkpoints. Do not be afraid of being stopped for a Quarantine Pass check and body temperature monitoring. Do not be afraid to be advised to just stay at home. Just please comply with the protocols on roads, establishments and offices.

Hunger

To the issue of hunger as a result of the pandemic. I can see that the government together with private sectors are doing something about this. Through the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) or the “ayuda”, we are being helped with in our worries about hunger. I trust that our government will not just let us die out of hunger. I could not see that the government is heading towards that direction.

Relief Pack Provided by the Local Government in Response to COVID-19 Crisis

Losing Jobs, Sources of Income

To the jeepney, bus, tricycle, taxi and pedicab drivers, I am with you in your battle against permanent loss of your source of income. I am not in your shoes to really know how it feels to hold a signage asking for assistance instead of the driving wheels. It is painful and no words could be enough to comfort you in these darkest chapters of your lives. No one should say stop to what you’re doing, because if survival is at stake, I will also do exactly the same thing - “mamalimos ako kung kinakailangan”.

And if this is going to be the case for many of our “kababayan”, the street vendors, dispatchers or barkers, “takatak” boys on buses, sidewalk sellers, I believe our government is not that deaf and blind not to see our situations. They will act before it’s too late and that is the solution I can only think of that will alleviate our hunger, frustration and helplessness. Let us be patient and have at least a small trust with our government.

Adjustments on Our Habits

We also need to help ourselves by doing some adjustments on our menus and recipes. We need to set aside our wants for delicious or expensive foods. I have experienced eating “tuyo”, “toyo”, “talbos”, “asin” and “asukal” not just for a day, but several days and I understand how it feels. I do feel and understand where every poor family is coming from. “Mahirap” and “nakakasawa” but we need to live with it as our sacrificial contribution to stopping this plague from ruining our nation and the world today.

“Konting tiis at pangunawa pa po mga kababayan.”

Give Back if You Can

For those who have more than enough, I encourage you to share. Please give back to the helpless, to the needy ones. Ten or twenty pesos will save them a meal. Bread and water will solve a moment of hunger. Please share whatever you can. This is the simplest yet has a big-impact action we can do to our countrymen.

Be Not an Expert if You’re Not

Professionals in the field of medicine have the best solution for all of this. Health experts, doctors, medical researchers, medical technologists - hear their words. While there could be contradicting facts or statements, leave it to them to analyze and decide on. Even these experts are baffled with this deadly virus. Let’s give them the time to figure it out.

Please do not become a disruption to them. Do not inject political biases or anything that adds insult to the field of medicine. The cure, the vaccine will come from them, and not from anybody else. Kindly let them do their jobs for us.

All the other agencies are next in line to act. In times like this, it is not from the president, not from a mayor, not from a governor, not from an economist, but the real cure would come from the health experts. And we citizens must follow.

That’s the way I want to solve it. How about you?

The Story is Yet to End

Like the bee, we will come into a point when we will meet our final destiny. But if four hours to live can become four months, four years, or four decades more, by acting and doing our part, why not? And if by giving the spider a chance to change places by not harming it, we can do the same to the responders of COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. The spider is the frontliners and the painter is us the people. Let’s not hurt each other, but give everybody a chance to live and do their part in this society.

It is still not too late, even if the number of cases becomes doubled or tripled in the coming weeks or months. Why am I saying that? Because we are acting, “may ginagawa tayo”. We are not just sitting, “nagiisip at kumikilos tayo”. We can solve this in time, “hindi tayo tumitigil”. The vaccine will come. Everything will be back to normal - only if we become part of the solution.

Thank you for listening. Salamat po.

About this Blog

The objective is to create awareness of what's really going on in the Philippine nation today. The intention is not to criticize but to encourage everyone from top to bottom to do their part in solving the problems, issues and challenges we're facing. Each one of us has a role to play in this fight against COVID-19. The fight is just starting and we need to become united as one to win this fight. ProjectPilipinas is here to bring encouragement.

Let's help our government. Let's help our frontliners. Let's do our part.

The Best Filipino Dishes Ever Cooked

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 02:59:00 +0000

During these COVID-19 days where almost everybody is at home because of the community quarantine, cooking is life. And in cooking is where most of us discover our creativity and passion. Here is a post to inspire you and the same time open up our minds in the reality of the pandemic crisis we’re into.

Let me give you some facts.

Cooking by ourselves brings us a lot of benefits. First, we get to ensure that the food is clean for we prepare it on our own. Second, we tend to cut our expenditures since the price of a typical one-order-meal from a “karinderya” or restaurant can be equivalent to be about two or three servings when we cook. Indeed, that is true. Third, we learn as we cook as well discover our potentials in this kind of house chore; and that thing alone is priceless!

In this blog, I would be happy to share with you my personal style of cooking. Probably one of the most satisfying hobbies of mine is cooking (together with planting and writing), for in here, I can experiment, I can create delicious meals, and best of all, it is already an exercise both of the body and mind.

Speaking of experiment, this is my version of Caldereta, a popular Filipino dish.

Let’s get started.

Here are the ingredients:

¼ kilogram beef
3 pcs beef patty
1 pc footlong hotdog
1 medium-size potato (sliced in strips)
1 small-size carrot (sliced in diced)
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
½ red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 tomatoe (sliced in strips)
1 teaspoon pepper
1 can greenpeas
1 teaspoon margarine
1 pouch caldereta mix
1 spoon grated cheese
1 spoon pasas (dried grapes)
1 beef cubes
1 teaspoon sugar
10 pcs of Paborita, pulverized (Note: This is a secret ingredient of Caldereta and I just shared it with you now.)

How to prepare this? It's just a 10-step process. Here we go:

Boil the beef until they are tender or approximately in about 30 minutes. Cut them in strips afterwards. Set aside the broth.
Fry the beef strips, footlong and beef patty. Cut the patty in strips while the footlong in about half an inch then set aside.
Saute the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomato together with the beef.
After 2 minutes, add the potato, carrots, green peas, and red bell pepper.
After 3 - 5 minutes, add 2 cups of broth and let it boil.
After 10 minutes, add the Caldereta mix, grated cheese and the pasas.
Season it with pepper, pork cubes, sugar, and margarine.
As an option, you can add pulverized paborita or bread crumbs, whichever is available.
Wait for about 10 minutes and the caldereta is ready to serve.
Topped it with the sliced beef patty. Garnish it if desired.

I know this is just as good as in the photo, but you’ll never know if it's delicious or not until it lands on your taste buds. I remember the popular Chef Boy Logro. He’s style of cooking is truly practical and at the same time delightful to the eyes. But in any case:

Halikayo, kain po tayo.

(Let’s us eat.)

One might say, “This is not how Caldereta is cooked.” Well, I got it and it’s totally fine if that would be the comment (even harsher than that). But the idea behind my Caldereta recipe is this: In cooking, there are a lot of ways you can do to produce a good dish or meal. You are the captain of the kitchen. You are the eater of your recipe.

Now, let me ask you a question:

Sa mga panahong ito ng krisis, may nakakain kayang sapat ang ating mga kababayan?

(In times like this, do our countrymen have enough food to eat?)

Filipinos are born cooks. I believe this is one of the best characteristics we have here in the Philippines. Name a province in the country and I bet there is one popular or unique recipe they can offer. For instance, Bicolanos have the Bicol Express, Ilocanos have the Bagnet, Cebuanos have the Lechon, Pampanguenos have the Bringhe, and Batanguenos have the Bulalo. And the pancit recipes, like Pancit Malabon, Pancit HabHab, Pancit Lomi, almost every region in the country has a version to be proud of.

Here are the posts that speak more about that:

The Filipino Ways: Stories of Our Lutong Bahay Foods (Part 1)

How Filipinos are Loosing Their True Identity

Exploring the Beauty of a City in Progress - Naga City, Bicol, Philippines

Wonder how creative Filipino cooks are? We really are! We are everywhere in this world as chefs, cooks, and bakers.

But let us set aside those impressive, delicious and delightful dishes. Why? Because in times of crisis like this, what we need is something that will feed our stomach, day in, day out. And you can be creative even if you only have canned goods, a few ingredients, and some vegetables. You may have a family of five and the food relief from the government is insufficient. There could be no other ways we can do but to improvise, take alternatives, and be resourceful as much as we can.

Kailangan po nating maging mapamaraan sa ating pamumuhay. Sa pagluluto, maari po tayong maging madiskarte sa kung ano man ang mayroon tayo.

(We need to be creative in our lives. In cooking, we can become strategic in whatever we have on hand.)

The reality is that not everybody has the capacity to buy enough and produce good meals for their family. Therefore, many Filipinos don’t have enough food on their plates. The best thing we can do today is to become creative thinkers, particularly in cooking, for this is where our life highly depends on.

This is the time when we can convert rice into “lugaw” (porridge), canned sardines into a soup with sotanghon or bihon, and vegetables into what we call “farmer’s soup” or bulanglang. If we live in the barrios, we can tap into plants nearby. If we live in the city, we can produce meals out of our limited stocks of canned goods.

Those kinds of dishes are the best Filipino dishes ever cooked in times of crisis. Believe me.

For now, while we are in crisis, we have no other choices but to endure the difficulties, most especially if we are caught unprepared. This is how life goes on. But what is more important is that we have something to eat that is still healthy and in a way delicious. Let us prove to ourselves we are the most creative Filipino cooks.

Kailangan natin mag-tiis. Ang lahat ng ito ay lilipas din.

(We need to sacrifice. All of these will passed.)

The Message
What this post wants to impart is that given the reality that many Filipinos were temporarily out of their jobs or have no basic sources of income, getting enough food to provide every family is a huge challenge. Food ration or relief distributed by the government is insufficient, even the cash assistance will not reach every family. Igniting that cooking ability within us can at least alleviate the hardships, and the same time improve our great potentials - in cooking.

Philippines is battling COVID-19 and it is doing what it can to win it. The role of this blog site is to deliver a message of hope. By sharing this post, you are becoming a key to deliver this message.

A Strong Message: Filipinos Will Win the Fight Against COVID-19

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 09:12:00 +0000

We will survive this battle against COVID-19. If we follow government directives, we will. If we impose disciplines among ourselves, we will. If we think about the welfare of everyone, we will. In times like this, winning is about cooperation. Filipinos will fight. Filipinos will rise. Filipinos will win. Humanity will survive this serious battle.

A lady guard in a grocery store told me: “Sir, nakapamili na rin kayo sa wakas”. (Sir, you’ve finally bought what you need.)

And I responded: “Oo nga Mam, nakaraos din sa mahabang pila at paghihintay”. (Oh yes Mam, I finished it despite the long queue and waiting time.)

The situation outside is obviously not the usual. Buying your groceries, fish or meat, and even medicine takes a longer time than usual. You will have to queue, spend some time outside under the heat of the sun, and be extra-careful when handling food items, when entering doors, and when speaking with people. Social distancing is observed and wearing of face masks is no longer an option, but already a requirement in most open stores and shops.

People in the streets in a given time is few. Almost all is wearing a mask. Vehicles can be counted on a given time. Many stores are closed. Many are queuing up on pawnshops and remittance centers. Grocery stores only allow five to ten people to shop at a time.

From what I am seeing, Filipinos are generally cautious in dealing with the COVID-19 threat. While news on TV, radio and online about “pasaway” or “violators” of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) rules cannot lie about the reality on the ground, on the other side of this, authorities are seriously doing what they can to contain the spread of the virus. And they have this one important request to us:

Please stay at home.

Moving forward, there are some aspects of the Filipino lives that may explain why we as a nation will win against this COVID-19 crisis.

Why Filipinos Will Survive the deadly COVID-19?
In a small nation like the Philippines, most people are skeptical about the future. You will often hear the words “Bahala na” (Come what may) and “May awa ang Diyos” (God have mercy) signifying that if the worst thing happens, it is what’s planned and they will have to deal with it in any way possible. Struck by countless natural calamities, man-made disasters, and economic-triggered hardships in life over the past decades, Filipinos never back down.

That so-called “bayanihan” during these tough times, is what makes us resilient. In fact, that familiar smile, which is known here as “umis”, “ngiti” or “tawa”, is a Filipino trait that symbolizes resilience, and that life goes on as long as we’re alive.

But can the “Bayanihan” spirit help the Philippines in this battle?

We are hopeful, yes.

I heard these two people speaking while I’m on the public market near my place.

One said,”Kumusta sa inyo, nakapamahagi na ba ng relief goods”? (How’s in your place, did they distribute the relief goods?)

The other one responded with a smile, “Oo, kaso e kulang na kulang sa aming lima sa bahay. Pero pagkakasyahin na e wala tayong magagawa kung yung lang ang kayang ibigay.” (Yes, but it is not good enough for the five of us at home. But we would make it work if that’s only what they can provide.)

This is the typical conversation almost anywhere in the country today, at the height of COVID-19 pandemic. It is sad to hear that people are getting hungry or there are shortages on their foods, particularly the poorest of the poor. But on the brighter side, the government finds ways to at least alleviate the hunger and hardships of the Filipinos.

In a way, isn't that a true display of the "Bayanihan" spirit?

In the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic, we Filipinos are on our feet. And that despite lockdowns and enhanced quarantines across the country, we Filipino people are fighting our struggles out and finding ways to survive.

I want to share my contribution, by at least giving some words of encouragement. So this is my strong message to everyone:

Too All Drivers and Conductors of Public Utility Vehicles

Konting tiis pa po. Babalik din ang lahat sa dati. Alagaan po natin ang ating mga sarili, maging ang ating mga sasakyan.

Jeepney, tricycle, bus, motorcycle and taxi drivers are among of the most hardworking Filipinos. Summer or rainy days, they hold the steering wheels and handles tightly to bring passengers to their destinations. I’ve been a commuter for so many years, from Metro Manila to my residence in Cavite and I also felt what these drivers felt. Without these drivers, me and millions of Filipinos cannot go to our work and back home. Drivers are the workers’ lifeline in terms of improving the economy. Thanks to your service dear drivers.

To All Construction Workers
Magpahinga po muna tayo ng konti, dahil sa mga darating na araw tayo’y muling mapapagod ng may ngiti para sa ating mga pamilya.

Construction workers which includes carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and laborers are the builders of our country. Day and night, they stretch out their muscles to build infrastructures like buildings, bridgers, houses and roads. For a while I became a construction worker, and it is not easy. It is literally sweat because of hard labor, sometimes tears because we were far from our families, and once in a while blood because of accidents in the workplace. Rest for now. Our jobs will be back soon. Thanks to your service.

To All Vendors, Baggers, Disers, Food Crews, Cooks and Delivery Personnel
Alam naming patuloy pa rin kayo sa paggising ng maaga para magtrabaho. Nawa’y lagi kayong malakas, malusog at masaya sa kabila ng pagod at pag-aalala para sa inyong kaligtasan.

Because of them, we have foods on our tables. They are also frontliners in a sense, considering their exposure to a greater number of people as part of their daily job. Be it on a public market as fish vendor or rice retailer, inside supermarkets as cashier or promodiser, or food chains as waiter or cooks, your service to the people deserves commendation. Thanks to your sacrifices.

To All Public Servants, Volunteers and Uniformed Personnel
Nakakataba po ng puso ang makita kayong masiglang nagsisilbi sa bayan. Ito po’y aming tatanawing isang malaking utang na loob.

Your actions today will surely be rewarded in the near future. From Barangay Captains down to their councilors, tanod or police, health workers, and staffs, without your “malasakit” and “serbisyo sa bayan”, we may end up sick, hungry and at risk. We understand you follow orders from above, and you are just doing your jobs. There will be times when you can hurt someone, or be hurt by someone in the performance of your duty to the country. In spite of that, we believe in your dedication in helping the public avoid getting the deadly disease. Police officers, soldiers, firemen, rescue volunteers, and barangay police, you play a big role in making the Filipinos safe from the threat of COVID-19. Keep up the good work Sir and Mam. Thanks a lot to your sacrifices for our nation.

To All Doctors, Nurses, Health Workers, Medical Practitioners, and Hospital/Clinic Janitors and Crews
Hindi po sasapat ang aming pasasalamat at pagsaludo sa inyong kabayanihan. Sa matinding hamon na inyong kinakaharap, na maari pang mahantong sa pagbubuwis ng inyong buhay, kayo po’y aming pararangalan sa takdang panahon. Mabuhay po kayo. Gabayan po kayo ng ating Panginoong Diyos.

Maybe like you, I’ve been hospitalized quite a few times in my life. Doctors are there to provide the cure. Nurses are there to speed up the healing process. Workers in hospitals including janitors, maintenance crews, and guards make us feel comfortable and secured. They are the only experts on what they’re doing and during these times, we should put our 100% trust on them. Please continue to defend us from the COVID-19. Tell us what to do and we will listen. Please be strong and take care of yourselves more. We believe in you. We pray for your safety.

To All Leaders of the Philippine Nation and of the World
Kayo po ang aming inaasahan para sa aming kaligtasan, kapayapaan ng isip, at kakayanang magpatuloy sa buhay. Wag po ninyo kaming pababayaan. Amin pong dasal na kayo’y palaging malusog at ligtas. Salamat po sa inyo.

Despite the lack of resources, knowledge and capability in our healthcare system when compared with rich countries like of the US, UK, South Korea and Singapore, our situation today is still far from worst. I am neither an expert nor a wise leader to say that, but from what I can see, we are still in control of the COVID-19 situation here in the Philippines. The leadership shown by our President, cabinet members, members of the Department of Health, owners of private businesses, and leaders of Local Government Units (LGUs) is playing a huge role in containing the spread of COVID-19. The number of cases keeps on growing, but underneath that figure is the reality that measures are being implemented across the whole nation. That will surely have a positive and acceptable impact on the safety of the Filipino people and of the entire humanity, when the time of accounting comes. Our support and cooperation is with you. We pray that all of you will be healthy during the entire course of this nightmare.

To All Filipinos and People of the World
Maging maingat po tayo ng husto. Sumunod po tayo sa kautusan. May mga kaakibat pong hirap, takot at lungkot ang laban na ito. Magdamayan at magtulungan po tayo para sa ating kaligtasan. Huwag po tayong susuko, ni mawawalan ng pagasa.

This battle will end with us the humans winning against the deadly virus. Lives were lost and might still take a few more. There are signs that this disease could end, though we are not sure when. This is a big lesson, partly because of the abuse done by humanity against nature and wildlifes. But let us not panic. Let us listen to our leaders, to the health experts, and more importantly, let us ask the guidance of the Almighty.

About Project Pilipinas
Since 2011, Project Pilipinas has been posting blog articles that tackles lives, culture and stories of the Filipino people. The agenda is to reveal the realities of life here in the country, discuss issues and challenges faced by millions of Filipinos, and offer solutions to them. In doing this, it is the objective of the blog site to improve the lives of every Filipino through giving encouragement, awareness, and recommendations. Underneath those visions is also that motivation to share to the world the beauty of this country.

Filipinos Will Fight COVID-19, the World Will Survive this Tough Time

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 03:13:00 +0000

I’m just an ordinary Filipino, like many of you. I listen to the news. At some point I become confused about the situation, about the quarantine, the lockdown, and their impact on our lives here in the country. Your hardships, your anger and frustrations, your impatience, I do feel it too.

Nararamdaman ko po ang inyong pag-aalala at pagkalito. Batid ko po ang inyong pangamba. Sa kabila po nito, mga kapwa ko Pilipino, nais ko po kayong bigyan ng lakas ng loob kaakibat ang matalinong gabay upang mawakasan natin ang epekto ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa at sa buong mundo.

The number of affected Filipinos is on a rising trend. So I used to ask questions: What will happen next? What would it be months from now?

I captured this photo from a restaurant I used to occasionally dine. This photo will remind us to become a strong family, a stronger nation. That during tough times, we eat as one, we fight as one, we pray as one. Our combined prayers and intelligent actions will protect us from COVID-19.

Everyone’s Health is Our Ultimate Concern
Many of us are deeply impacted in a lot of ways, no question about it. We are worried about our jobs, our businesses, and on top of everything, our own health. Undeniably, many of us are going beyond the normal when it comes to our ways of interacting with others. We wear face masks almost all the time. We rub alcohol several times a day. We wash our hands repeatedly. We sanitize our homes, offices and business places. It is our health that is at stake, at risk if we don't do these extraordinary things.

Let us do what is appropriate. Let us be cooperative. Let us act with caution.

With all the reminders, advises, mandates and rules given to us over and over again by the experts, government officers, doctors, reputable news anchors, and medical practitioners, all we have to do now is put those into serious practice. Everything is happening for a reason, even if that action is against our thoughts or will.

BAYANIHAN - Become a Hero to Everybody
I would not stress it anymore, but for the sake of our good health, good life, safe country, let me give you this advise:

This picture depicts the true exhibit of BAYANIHAN of the Filipinos in the Philippines. Like the people in this photo, we all need to become heroes with each other in order to fight COVID-19. We can become a hero to our countrymen in simple ways.

Sa panahong tayo’y nalalagay sa matinding pagsubok dulot ng COVID-19, ang tanging magsasalba sa atin bilang mga tao sa mundong ito ay ang pagiging BAYANI sa isa’t isa. Ang ating maitutulong sa pagsugpo sa pagkalat ng virus at sa tuluyang pagkawala nito ay ang matinding pag-iingat, pagiging disiplanado, at pagsasaalang-alang ng kapakanan ng iba.

BAYANIHAN - atin pong isa-puso, isa-isip at isa-gawa ito. Sumunod tayo sa pinaiiral na quarantine. Huwag tayong mag-hoard o bumili ng sobra-sobra sa kainaman. Tulungan natin ang ating kapwa sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng pagkakataong makabili ng kanila ding pansariling mga pangangailangan. Ang pagkilos ng ganito ay isang KABAYANIHAN sa ating komunidad, sa ating bansa, sapagkat ito ang magsasalba sa atin sa krisis na ito.

My Thoughts and Prayers is for All Humanity
To all people of the world, I am personally expressing my sincerest thoughts and prayers that we will all survive this huge dilemma of mankind. In my prayers, everyone is included. I am praying that God Almighty will guide us in battling the coronavirus; that we will be spared from the deadly disease caused by it; that if we are infected we will be healed faster; that if we have a family member who unfortunately lost his or her life, may God give us the courage and strength to deal with the pain; that in the near time, this virus will be gone forever.

To all nations battling COVID-19, I pray that you will have the energy, resources and courage until the last patient is healed.

Dear Leaders and Medical Experts, Salamat Po
To all medical experts, technologists, lab researchers and everybody who's in line with the research and discovery of the vaccine that will protect us from COVID-19, thanks to you.

To all leaders, from top to bottom of the organization, of all nations, may our God Almighty guide you on your every decision relevant to the safety and protection of all people in your land amid the corona virus attack.

Please be strong, be wise, and be healthy always for the future of your nation and the whole world highly depends on you. I am thanking you for doing your job. I know it is not easy, it really takes sacrifices.

Mga Magigiting Naming Kababayan, Maraming Salamat Po
Sa lahat ng Filipino doctor, nurse, medical practitioner, health worker of private and public sectors, police officer, military personnel, and volunteer, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo. Ingatan at gabayan po kayo ng ating Panginoong Diyos. Kayo po ang aming sandigan sa mga oras na ito.

I’m just an ordinary people like many of you. And I will do my part to fight the corona virus the best I could. Let us all be calm, be focused, and be a hero in simple ways. We will survive this tough time soon.

My Motorcycle Adventures Featured Destination: Caleruega

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 07:57:00 +0000

Driving a motorcycle has always been a dream. Though the reality on the road is that it is not that favorable to most motorcycle riders, keeping in mind your safety and security while on the handles will bring you to your chosen destination always safe and sound. So when I got my first motorcycle, I wanted to drive it with my wife of course in going to places we’ve never been before, places we always wanted to be, with safety always on top of my mind.

One amazing place we drove our motorcycle to is this place called “Caleruega”. Here is a glimpse of it to start with.

If you would research more about Caleruega, you would get to discover the spirituality and nature concept of this solemn place in Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines. Needless to discuss how Caleruega came to be, what is lovely about this place is the beauty of its surroundings. It is full of plants, flowers, trees, and lively birds and fishes.

The Entrance Chapel
At the main entrance of Caleruega is the Transfiguration Chapel. When we arrived there early in the morning that day, there were already visitors doing their photography sessions right in front of the church. And we also did ours. Luckily, there was a bridal car parked down the stairs. Here’s that shot that made me awe and wonder of the church’s architectural beauty.

The Beauty of Nasugbu Mountains
Then here’s a peaceful walk down the road going to the relaxing and refreshing spots of Caleruega. Before we got into the koi ponds and its board walkways, we were delighted by the scenery from afar. The brown and green fields give us an inviting call to examine the magic of agriculture. The greenish to bluish to golden mountain ranges of Nasugbu acting as background to the fields reminded us of dreaming as far as you can, the farthest our eyes can reach. Trees and bushes scattered everywhere, in between fields and on riversides, made me realize that randomness is what this life on earth is built upon.

The Amphitheater
After about fifteen minutes gasping the fresh air blown from the breathtaking fields and mountains, we continued our walk to the hidden sights of Caleruega. We then found ourselves sitting in the Amphitheater surrounded by tall ferns, abaca leaves, tiny bamboo and plenty of other wild plants. In the middle of the theater is a huge pan with firewoods ready to be fired up for theatrical events.

Hanging Bridge
As time moves on, we then made our first steps on the Hanging Bridge, which we discovered was the key entrance to another exciting world of Caleruega. The bridge is made of giant columns, ropes as big as our hands, and wooden steps lined up in an engineered fashion. Since it is hanging, you can feel the bounce whenever some energetic teens made their fearless jumps right in the middle of the bridge. But thanks to the trees, bamboos and green leaves for these really helps to fade away fear of heights, not of mine but of the many visitors doubtful in passing by the trail. The creek underneath the bridge is about fifty meters deep by the way.

The Mountain Chapel
The excitement yet tiresome adventure continues, this time on the steep climb going to the Tent Chapel of Transfiguration. Oh goodness, you wouldn’t believe it if I tell you the trail is one of the most inviting spots in Caleruega. It’s a zigzag walk uphill, but the beauty of plants and flowers seems to be pulling you up and get on the top. And yes, we were pulled. We finally reached the chapel in about ten minutes. Well, it could be around twenty minutes since you wouldn’t resist to stop and take shots of what’s in front of you, flowers and plants. It is really beautiful.

On the chapel is where we cited our prayers. I would not like to connect it, but in a way motorcycle brings me closer to my spiritual side. Like anyone of us, we pray, we say thank you to our Creator. We close our eyes and while the Creator is listening, we pray.

My verdic:

Caleruega is a place to be if we want to forget our worries in life, for a day or two at least.

What to do in Caleruega?
This is your question now for sure. Well, aside from you just heard from me, there is more.

The going-back to the starting point adventure still feels the same, exciting. For after all those catching of breath, still here is nature to comfort you every step of the way. A fine normal walk in Caleruega will make you say to yourself, “paying the entrance fee and parking is worth it”. It was relaxing, calming and best of all I have with me the good memories of this eco-tourism and religious park combined that I am now sharing in this post. You can go there whenever time allows.

There is still a lot to discover in Caleruega. But because we still have this important event to go to as part of our itinerary that day, we decided to kick the starter and hit the motorcycle’s accelerator. That discovery is for you to get into. So before we part ways, let me share with you this brochure. Enjoy your visit to Caleruega.

About the Author

Noriel Panganiban is a blogger for more than a decade and writes on the subject of tourism, tradition, events, culture, people and way of life in the Philippines. Whenever he explores places, he find time to write interesting and mind-awakening post about it. As a motorcycle rider, Noriel is now ready to share more stories about the Filipino and their beautiful country, the Philippines.

You may get to know more about Noriel and his interests by visiting his website, www.knowriel.org.

The Grays and Golds of the Taal Volcano Eruption

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 04:25:00 +0000

The grays of ashes brought us down but the golds in our hearts will lift us again. For me, this is one of the clearest message this natural phenomenon has delivered to the Filipinos.

About two weeks before the surprising January 12 Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas, Philippines, my wife and I were driving our motorcycle along Tagaytay-Nasugbu road, then the Diokno Highway traversing the towns of Laurel, Agoncillo and Laurel, the Palico-Balayan-Batangas road passing by the towns of Taal and Santa Teresita, and the National Highway connecting Alitagtag, Cuenca and Lipa City. All of these areas were devastated by the unprecedented explosion of ashes from the popular Taal volcano-island. The eruption just happens, without any sign or warning from the volcano itself that it would be that catastrophic.

Taal Volcano eruption in the afternoon of January 12, 2020.
(Credit to owner of the photo - a college classmate)

The Instagram-mable Eruption of Taal Volcano

Calamity strikes the lovely province of Batangas, even the neighboring province of Cavite where we live experienced the havoc of a tiny yet unpredictable volcano of Taal. Famous for its panoramic scenery viewed from the highlands of Tagaytay City, Taal island-volcano this time shows the Batangueños a different color of nature - gray and black.

Picturesque photo of the Taal Volcano eruption on January 12, 2020.
Taal Volcano is an island-volcano located at the center of Taal Lake in Batangas province.
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate)

Emitting molten magma and thick smoke, for some, is nature’s wonder. However, for many, it is a disaster waiting to happen on the surrounding towns of Taal lake.

Picturesque, instagram-mable as they say; maybe, this photo is enough to describe it.

The Legendary Taal Volcano - A Look Back
Who will not enjoy seeing the beautiful Taal volcano? We keep on coming back to Tagaytay because engraved in our hearts and minds is the scenic beauty of Taal lake, the green mountains of Batangas and Cavite, and the volcano-island. In fact, because I’m really amazed by the view and cold climate, I have written interesting blogs about Tagaytay. I’ve been here many times and like you, I want to come back over and over again.

View of Taal Volcano in the middle of Taal Lake from Tagaytay City highlands

In the lake you will see fish cages erected by villagers. This is their source of income. The popular “tawilis” fish is harvested here and it tastes so good. Named after the town of Taal, the volcano has been there for centuries.

A post in FB showing books and photos about the legendary Taal Volcano in Batangas, Philippines
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate and Facebook friend)

And I can still remember the song “HIMNO NG BATANGAN” where the Taal volcano was a part of. Here is a portion of that song.

Batangas, bukal ng kadakilaan
Ang pinakapuso ay Bulkang Taal
Kaygandang malasin, payapa’t marangal
Ngunit nagngangalit kapag nilapastangan

Batangas, hiyas sa katagalugan
May barong tagalog at bayaning tunay
Mabini, Laurel, Recto, Diokno, Kalaw
Agoncillo, Malvar sa bayan ay dangal.

Batangas kong mahal, ngayon at kailanman

The song tells about the richness of our province in terms of people, places and history and the depth of our culture. And if I may share, Batangas is known for this one-of-kind Christian wedding tradition the “Baysanan”. A day before this event, people of the barrio, mostly relatives and friends, attends the "Tulungan" or "Manulungan" where the share a hand without asking any in return. How people of Batangas act as a community, as neighborhood, as brothers and sisters in the spirit of BAYANIHAN during this kind of occasion is one that we're truly proud of.

This volcanic eruption proves that BAYANIHAN is very much alive in this province. It is a common practice everyday, if I may add.

An Unusual Wonder in Tagaytay
Old friends who were near the surrounding towns of Taal lake share their photos of the rumbling volcano. It is breathtaking but at the same time a nerve-wracking scene not everybody is experiencing in their lifetime. But it is up to you to describe it on your own.

Captured explosion of volcanic ashes seen from a town near the Taal Volcano
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate)

A week before the eruption, I captured this amazing beauty of the volcano. The sun shines brightly on its top one Sunday morning, as if all is fine and peaceful. Nothing to worry about because it’s the start of a brand new day. We were in Twin Lakes, one of the popular spots along Tagaytay-Nasugbu road. A few hours later, from a coffee shop in the city, I then captured another magnificent photo of Taal Lake showing all the beauty of life, nature and earth. Undoubtedly, this cinematic view is very well-known to the world for many decades.

Sun shines over the Taal Volcano, an amazing wonder from Twin Lakes place located along Nasugbu-Tagaytay road

View from the deck of a Coffee Shop of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano

Indeed, Taal Volcano and Taal Lake made it not only to the books of both adventurers and wanderers, but also to the scholarly papers of many scientists and volcanologists of the planet.

What Just Happened is a Blow from Nature
Whenever typhoon hits the land, people of the Philippines are badly affected. Filipinos are used to this kind of situation year-in, year-out. On the average, at least 20 typhoons visit the Philippines each year. That’s unbelievable! Earthquakes rumbling the crust of the country several times a month is not at all a surprise to many. We were shaken, and will be shaken more because we’re on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”.

Beyond the cries of the children, panic of the adults, and mourning of those whose family members were taken of life, is that spirit of standing up again from getting stumbled. We will survive! What a culture! Filipinos are there for their brothers and sisters during tough times. Probably a loud noise that reaches the many corners of the world, this catastrophic volcanic eruption is one that sends a different message about humanity.

Close-up view of Taal Volcano eruption that occurred on January 12, 2020
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate)

The earth is round and it is dangerous. That’s the natural, the normal. That’s nature. But that danger is no match to the hands reaching out after each other! This natural phenomenon reveals the kind side of the Filipinos.

A Reaction that is Natural
In the afternoon of January 12, 2020, I started seeing live pictures of Taal Volcano erupting tons of ashes. Facebook walls by this time are certainly overfeeding with news about the unusual activity of the mountain. As time passes by, television channels begin airing updates of the on-going smoke activity of Taal volcano.

Ashes filling the sky of northern Batangas province and nearby Cavite province
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate)

And the fear of many just happened in an instant. Those towns where we drove by our motorcycle felt the rain consisting not of water but of volcanic ashes. With alert level 4 declared by PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology), the call for immediate evacuation quickly reaches the ears of local town officials and of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council). At the height of eruption that evening of January 12 to January 13, thousands of Batangueños migrated to nearby towns outside the 17 kilometers danger zone.

From 11:00 PM of January 12 to around 5:00 AM of January 13, we’ve witnessed the ashes falling on our rooftops, streets and garden for the very first time. In the morning, the surrounding is completely grayed-out.

(Credit to the owner of the photo - a Facebook friend/connection)

Social media or the internet is literally flooded with photos and videos of the erupting Taal Volcano. But then photos of evacuees airing their concerns, worries and wishes unfortunately followed that. A day or two after the explosion, help, aids and donations captured the attention of many netizens. Posts about the coming of relief goods, medical assistance, rescue trucks, military personnel, private organizations, and volunteers from all over the country filled Facebook with such enormous contents.

It’s unusual that an obvious calamity turned-on the eccentric side of the Filipinos, that urge to help no matter what.

I took some screenshots of those care-for-humanity efforts of people from the Philippines nation. Credits are to the owner and poster of these photos whom are my connection in Facebook.

(Credit to the owner of the photo - a Facebook friend/connection)

BAYANIHAN is What Will Save Us All
As a long-time blogger about Filipinos and our beautiful country Philippines, I was struck with this unbelievable human effort to care and save humanity; and of the animal kingdom too. I always discuss Philippines as beautiful but many of the Filipinos living here are characterized with habits that has negative effect or influence to Filipinos themselves. For instance, many Filipinos tend to not care about the cleanliness of the environment, about the traffic rules and regulations, and about the well-being of the constituents of elected-officers-of-the-land if talk about politics.

(Credit to the owner of the photo - a Facebook friend/connection)

But who am I to judge anyone? Nobody knows how kind or stupid one is, until you’ve seen him or her in action. What we just saw, heard and felt during the tough times brought by the Taal volcano disaster is that true and undying spirit of BAYANIHAN. You can jump for a while to blog I wrote about this:

BAYANIHAN – FILIPINOS’ LAST AND ONLY HOPE IN BEATING THE ODDS OF TIMES

Let this be a pattern for continuous change in the country. Why not? BAYANIHAN should be practiced not only during disasters, but everyday.

As of this writing, people of Batangas specifically of the directly affected towns are still out of their homes that are covered by thick ashes. Evacuation operations are still on-going. Several towns are under lockdown and entry of local folks is either restricted or conditional due to the possible threat of another explosion. Many houses collapsed, some were badly cracked due to volcanic earthquakes, and trees are heavily devastated by the weight of the ashes covering them. Even the neighboring province of Cavite declared State of Calamity.

(Credit to the owner of the photo - a Facebook friend/connection)

Dogs, cats, horses, chickens, pigs, ducks, birds and other kinds of domesticated animals are still being rescued by several animal rights groups. Government officers, volunteers from private groups and amazingly, Batangueños not affected by the eruption, are present in many evacuation centers doing what they can to ease the fear, worries and discomfort of many of our "kababayan". Help is coming all over the place, so to speak.

In no time, given the camaraderie and the true BAYANIHAN effort, all will go back to normal, hopefully.

A Campaign for Help and Support
May this blog help the Batangueños in any way possible.

Mushroom of clouds composed of volcanic ashes from Taal Volcano
(Credit to the owner of the photo - a college classmate)

I am a Batangueño, a native of Batangas province, and I know what life is in this province. I speak our dialect (also known as Batangueño) and I eat our native dishes. I love my home province and if I can help, I will. But at the moment, this piece of writing is the immediate help I can contribute.

May people of the Philippines and the world be reached by this message, that this story be heard, and then help be given to our people in need. The struggle is still on-going and even the experts cannot say the eruption will be over. What is confirmed is that in the meantime, people will stay in evacuation centers.

This is why they need your help and support, in whatever kind.

In weeks or months time, affected Batangueños would want to start all over again. They will rebuild their broken houses, fix their damaged barangays, and be back on cultivating their land and livestock once again. It would be difficult for sure. They will need financial assistance and may their plea for help reaches groups and individuals who has the capacity to help when that time comes. While help keeps on coming for evacuees, may long-term plans for their quick recovery be put into place as soon as possible.

The Help We Could Share
To end this post, on behalf of the Batangueños, allow me to give you this message in our local dialect. What I'm saying here is “Thank you very much for your care, help and support”. If it so happens that you can’t understand it, please approach a Batangueño and he or she will surely translate it for you.

Tunay nga bagang kamiy hinabok nareng bulkang Taal. Wari’y bagay kami’y sinusubok kung talagang buo ang loob.

Kamiy karibok nay patikar pa e sa pagmamadaling makalikas. Kainaman na areng bulkang are, ala ay asbok maigi e. Sadyang kainaman na, ay kahit ang taguriy kamiy matatapang ay lasa koy dini sa naranasang arey medyo ika ngay nahagingan ng kaba’t takot. Lambot ang tuhod e sa tutuo laang.

Pakiwariy kahit ang maalamat na si Mamay ay bahagyang napalupage sa pambubulabog ng bulkan. Ay pero paaanhin pay nangyari na, ay di maigiy bumaligwas na laat kahit gapang e tuloy ang buhay.

A sya, salamat ng marami sa inyong mga nagrasyon ng tulong. Kahit sa hindi rin, ay alam ko namang kamiy ipinagdadasal ninyo, di ba ga. Ay sadyang kamiy tuloy ang tanggap ay walang-wala eh. Ay arimuhanan na pag gay-un. Di kung ano laang mayron ay di pagkakasyahin.

Kako bagay di ito malimit maranasan (harinawa nga namay wag ng maulit) pero yang minsang yaay tunay na maigi kesa wala. Pasasaan at kamiy makakabawi din sa inyo, piho yun. Kami pa. Pag kamiy nakabawi naman, ay paano, ay di kayo naman ang aming pupuntahan kung kayo ika ngay nalagay din sa alanganin. Sa lagay na arey baka hindi muna makapagsabong, ay nadale ng sabog e.

Kapatid, kaibigan, kapuso, kapamilya, saan istasyong ka man, koh po, ay salamat sa iyo mula sa kaibutaran ng aming puso. Pagpalain ka ng Panginoon iho, iha. Narine laang kami sa mga evacuation center ha. Iintayin ka namin kahit ang dala moy kapit asukal ay huhusto na yan. Miski nga wala, di kahit ikiy lumipon laang ay malaking bagay. Sadya naman.

Ala e, parine na’t tayo’y makapagkape. Magandahan pay may pandesal din sa ating lipon at huntahan. Salamat uli.

The grays of ashes brought us down but the golds in our hearts will lift us again.

God helps the Batangueños. God guides the Filipinos. God saves the Philippines. God bless us all.

The Filipino Ways: Our Beliefs and Divisiveness (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 13:13:00 +0000

In a certain point of view, Filipinos beliefs and the differences between them, is what divides us as a society.

For sale Sto. Nino and other statue of saints and Jesus Christ are shown in this photo. It is a religious tradition, a belief system engrave in the Filipino Catholic's minds.

In the Philippines, you would be surprised if beliefs varies from towns to towns, cities to cities. While we speak a common language, the Pilipino or natively known as Tagalog, we still think in different dialects - about 180 of them. When one speaks in his tongue, it could mean different on the other tongue. Putting it another way, our wide mixes of dialects and languages is putting a barrier to our unity. The same goes true with ethnicity. Our manners and actions somehow differs from one another. With about 175 ethnic groups now blending together in major cities, there occurs misunderstandings. The ways of one could mean an insult to the other.

To the curious eyes, those truths are easily noticed. Filipinos themselves treat Mangyan, Aeta and Badjao people differently when they are in the city streets.

But those are just the numbered facts and visible to they eye reality of our times, and of little to none implications on the way we treat each other here in the Philippines. Deeper into our thoughts and values there lies more complicated issues. It is the intention of this post to give awareness in light of a goal to change what is unethical or unacceptable.

Politics and Religion

First is religion, of who’s the true God.

There comes a time when a basic belief or religious practice erupted into a chaotic war of words even leading to hatreds and then violence. The Christian-Muslim war that happens in Mindanao up these very days is a centuries-old effect of colonialism dating back the 1500s. Meanwhile, the existence of a huge number of religious sects, denominations or types, depending on where you want to look at it, has something to do with beliefs - that each has a God superior to the others.

This is a procession of Jesus Christ statue, a tradition held in many towns and cities in the Philippines.

A religious group promoting the use of Bible or Holy Scripture is being escorted by a Police car as a sign of respect to their religious beliefs and practices.

Next is politics.

The politicians we support and the politicians that others support are dividing us into groups. Technically speaking, not the political personality per se, but the culture and system of politics we have is dividing even killing us in certain ways. The period of Martial Law is something many Filipinos could never forget. Many thinkers of the present-day society consider those days as a serious response of a government threatened by rebellions and wars. On the other side, many political leaders oppose those claims, instead say that the Marcos’ regime is the darkest days in the Philippine political history. Today, a political candidate would spend thousands to millions to win a seat, and alarmingly, would even kill a foe to secure it.

A finger marked with indelible ink captured in front of a news channel broadcasting the 2019 National Election in the Philippines is shown here.

Both in politics and religion, you would always hear or see two versions, at the very least. That's a clear indication of divisiveness linked to our loyalty to a belief system.

The Stories of our Divisiveness

Then here comes the different views in life - about laws, lifestyle or personal side of every issue. Our view of climate change, for example, that for some it is just a propaganda in the ambition of money and fame of the elites, contradicts that view of others that the consequences of such phenomenon are really felt not only in the Philippines but in many parts of the world. Disagreement, hence, leads to divisiveness among Filipinos.

Shown here are Filipinos from many parts of the Philippines are queuing up at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila to apply for passports, a proof a their national identity wherever ethnic groups they belong.

And so what if we are divided? If you would look at it, the Philippines society continue to exist - maybe good, maybe bad, depends on how you look at it - economically, socially, politically, etc. We can continue this way if we want to.

But there are some intriguing questions that I want to raise about the sad reality of divisiveness.

Are there groups or individuals benefiting from our being divided?
Are we Filipinos still under the influence of the stigma of colonialism and we behave this way?
Will there still be a cure to our cancerous society?

Let me answer these questions by digging out a bit of the pasts.

Many, and it’s true, still cannot move-on from the oppressions we felt during the colonization of three major nations namely Spain, United States of America, and Japan. There were substantial claims about the abuses of Catholic leaders during the times of the Spaniards, abuses related to slavery during the American rules, and sexual abuses during the invasion of the Japanese.

Stories from our grandparents are relayed from mouth to mouth and most of them are believable though there are no concrete records or evidences. The pains brought about by capitalism resonates to many Filipinos up to these days and you would observe it in terms of rallies and protests denouncing the US intervention in our sovereignty. Some brave individuals speak up against the Catholic Church’s oppressions to these days. Many elderly Filipinas whom were once called “Comfort Women” are still voicing their anger and frustration regarding the unjust compensation for the evil things did against them by the Japanese soldiers.

Still not included here are the thousands of Filipino lives lost during these eras of colonialism. Our long list of national heroes is enough justification that abuses, killings and discrimination happened in our soil.

A wall painting depicting Catholicism in the Philippines

We cannot move-on. We really can’t.

But, here’s the story of the modern days.

Today, many claims “they stand for truth”. Others suggest false claims should not be tolerated. And yet the societies of different views tend to co-exist. Why so? I mean, a neighbor who’s a Catholic living next to a Born Again Christian, is just living his days as ordinary days. They greet each other in the morning. Perhaps you’ll notice in the workplace, everybody is most welcomed, whether he or she is a supporter of the LGBTQ community or not, of the Death Penalty or not, of the Federalism government or not. People tend to be defensive when it comes to their beliefs yet there comes a point where giving way or letting go just happens unnoticed.

Divided in terms of beliefs, united in terms of social functions - are we, really?

Imagine a community or barangay consisting of families from various parts of the Philippines. They speak different dialects. They worship different Godly names. And they vote different political candidates. But then as a community, they abide by the rules and ordinances and laws. Peace and order is observed in general. Violators if there are, are being apprehended. One continues to do her daily functions, as a worker, as a law enforcer, as a student, as a political leader.

That is the ideal view of a community today. But buried underneath the heart and soul of many are wrong acts and evil intentions.

We do our role, but do we do our part?

We rally. We condemn wrong doings. We express our anger on social media for corruptions and abuses. Yes, we do that. But are we really into the right and acceptable things?

Being functional in a society is not only limited to what we do individually. You work in the factory and that’s it. No. You watch after law violators and that’s it. No. You drive your jeepney to earn a living and that’s it. No. Not because it is your job, your day starts and ends with it. We have a so-called “Social Responsibility”. Filipinos, obviously, is lacking a lot of sense about it.

What is Social Responsibility
For a society to thrive, to function, to be sustainable, it needs people who shares what they have or exchange what they possess, as free as possible. In other words, we must help each other in exchange of nothing. “Salamat Po” is enough. And from helping each other is where respect of beliefs becomes automatic.

A signage reminding Filipinos to take care of the environment

That kind of help, however, is not present in most of the Filipinos’ minds. Thus, we fail to become united; and divisive instead.

Look on the streets. You will see beggars, junk collectors, children as young as two selling stuffs, families with no permanent homes. Doesn’t all of these proves that we are divided, that we are dysfunctional as a nation?

Filipinos walking to and from their respective workplaces

As to who would help them is always a chicken and egg question. It’s the government. No. It’s the parents. No. Leave them as they are. Where is social responsibility then?

The Changing World
Let’s look into social media. Facebook is one of them and we Filipinos are really into it. Can’t skip an hour without scrolling down to the posts of our friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, workmates, celebrities, political leaders, even of our enemies. By all means, we want to get updated with the so-called “social news”. And of course, we want to create the news, as much as we could, for most us seeks attention, if not sympathy or fame.

Filipinos inside the bus leaning towards their smartphones to check for social media news and updates is shown here.

Is this helping the community to thrive? Or is it dividing us more?

The spread of the news is too fast, that we labeled it “viral”. And if an act or scenario is something unusual, it then becomes contagious. Others even tend to mimic it. And it’s fun – well, not for all. Here comes a situation when “bashers”, as they labeled it, become the protagonists. And you probably know where the story would lead. This is how the digital era is disrupting the Filipino culture. And it is so sad to see that the candle we chose to light up is melting too fast. The supposedly light to our lives can't last.

I would give here my honest opinion as tentative answers to the questions I raised earlier.

Now, despite the fun or bashing or news that is going on, Facebook gains money. And we are just talking about Facebook; there are tens of social media platforms out there.

Despite the fact the there are beggars on the streets, politics goes as usual - laws are created from time to time. And for every law enacted or denied is money to compensate our nation’s good lawmakers and law executioners.

News about violence and TV programs about immorality are aired as usual insensitive of the viewers reactions, sadly, for revenue sake. And for every advertisement in between programs are money.

Aren’t these facts enough to state about those benefits out-of-divisiveness?

Inside the bus are passengers paying attention to the morning local news.

The scandalous truths are next.

We no longer love our brown skin. We no longer like to wear native hats. We no longer feel comfortable about saying “Mano Po”. What we are inclined too are the expensive whitening products, explicit prints in western-inspired shirts tagged as “imported”, and the shout-outs of disgust and frustrations when we play MMORPG games. Many of you can relate to that for sure. We are under the influence of the Western World! And it is dividing us long time ago.

This is a blame to no one.

Many of us are victims of deceiving promotions, speeches and schemes, or maybe, of the changing world. Suspects even want to defend themselves that they do evil things as a way to skip from poverty, from the poor situations they have. And those are claims we cannot just judge as invalid or immoral. Even a holy saint committed mistakes and sinned against others before they become one. Robinhood is good in the eyes of the people to whom he had showered the money he stole, but not to those whom were stolen of. No one can claim he or she is clean.

Our divisiveness today is the effect of what we've done in the past.

Filipinos lining up in a train stop

What are we going to do now?

I’m excited to see a Philippine nation where “bayanihan” and “respect of beliefs” exist. But I feel bad for I now it would not happen if we continue to thrive this way. Guns and roses cannot make us united. Not even ribbons of different colors. Religion is not enough, even belief in God. We were created in flesh consisting of earthly elements. With need sources of physical energy other than prayers. We may not agree on that but that is what my God told me. There is no best or perfect type of government and there could never be a greatest-of-all-time (GOAT) political leader who can transform the Philippines into a wonderland.

What all of us need is a thinking heart and a lovable soul, joining forces as ONE. In a straightforward manner, we need to let go of our past and restart. You as an individual need to do something about your country right now.

The point here is simple - extend your hands to others in need.We must help and respect each other no matter what their beliefs are. If we do that, it would end divisiveness among us.

This photo shows members of an Emergency Response Team standing by for assistance during the Holy Week break.

Time to move-on and start all over again. You can go on with your beliefs, practice your religion or support your political leader, and at the same time do acts of kindness to others in exchange of nothing, in consideration of no religious or political beliefs. Stop the blame. Stop the hate. Show love, care and respect.

About this Post
This post highly considers the differences in our beliefs, both in religion or politics point of views. It has no intention at all to single out one person or religion or country or political group. While major religions in the Philippines were mentioned, as well as countries who colonized the county, those are for references only. The author of this post expresses his respect to all belief systems.

If you feel that this post will encourage unity among Filipinos, please feel free to share it. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below or send the author an email.

The Filipino Ways: Stories of Our Lutong Bahay Foods (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Noriel Panganiban) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 08:21:00 +0000

Hello! Welcome to the Philippines, the land of tasty menus, amazing recipes, and delicious meals. This is my country, the country of the Filipinos, and if its about food, it is something that we are so proud of.

In this post, I would share some stories, some origins, and some wonderful experiences of the foods I tasted here in the Philippines. Perhaps, many of you could have already tasted a lot of these foods and that's great. But let me try to discuss what's in these menus; what is it that makes Filipinos love to eat them at home, inside restaurants, at the park, in our office pantry, in our school canteens, and even inside our cars during road trips. Some of the trivia, you may not believe they're true.

Let's get started.

Lydia's Lechon

Ms. Lydia de Roca and her husband Mr. Benigno de Roca started it all in the late 80's. With lechon or roast pig as the prime menu, Lydia expanded her restaurant and now includes "lutong bahay" or home-cooked dishes. And guess where the finest restaurant of Lydia's Lechon can be found? Well, it is nowhere but in Baclaran, Manila. In fact, Lydia and Benigno started everything here.

What you can see below is a perfect combination of a lunch meal served inside Lydia's Lechon restaurant. The chopped lechon and its signature sauce, then the pakbet or pinakbet (vegetables with alamang), lumpiang ubod topped with grounded peanuts, and this one-of-a-kind lugaw (congee or porridge) will satisfy not only your taste buds, but also your heart. Rice will never be gone in our meals of course. It's our national food.

These days, an order of this meal will cost you around Php150 to Php200. For a hungry driver or tired police officer, this is a sure-reliever of fatigue. When my wife and I gave it a try, right on Lydia's Lechon Baclaran main branch, it was truly a conviction - that Lydia's cooking way is truly very Filipino.

Now, here's the chopped lechon kawali, a variery of lechon dish. This one is deep fried and it's really flavorful. This is served in another good restaurant near my place in Cavite - Lolo Claro's restaurant.

The Origin of Lechon
This is lechon baboy when it's still whole. The well-roasted pork is presented right this way because this food must first delight everybody in the occasion. This one costs around Php6000 (could be a bit more). Did you know that there are Lechon festivals held in many parts of the country? See the bamboo platform where the lechon is sitting? That means tradition. The bamboo serves as handles. The parade of lechon is something we Filipinos truly embrace. In Balayan, Batangas, Philippines, for instance, "Parada ng Lechon Festival" is held each year.

Historian's would agree that lechon is Spaniard's influence to the Filipinos on their more than 300 years colonization of the land. But as the centuries unfold, lechon is more sophisticated in terms of its contribution to the Filipinos' identity as a race. In some perspective, it means prosperity for cooking one means you have a lot of money.

Now, this is how lechon is made. This fat pig is rotated hours-long in a hot charcoal grill. It's a lengthy and delicate process for you want the lechon to be golden brown, tasty inside and out, and presentable. I was one of those who grilled this pig, for a birthday occasion. A bite of lechon wipes away the tiredness of grilling it, for after about five hours.

Now, let's get cooler.

The Halo-Halo
I've mentioned halo-halo numerous times here in my blog. If there is one unique food Filipinos have in the house, tadaaa, it's this - the cold Halo-Halo. It's the crushed ice that is the foundation of it. It's a combination of different sweetened fruits namely banana, nata de coco, beans, ube, macapuno, and dessert components like gelatin or gulaman, ice cream, leche flan, sago, sugar and milk. And the rice flakes will complete the toppings.

From this long list of ingredients, wonder how long would it take you to prepare this dessert? Believe it or not, it's one day or even more. Each ingredient, you'll have to cook it individually and that alone takes time. I used to help my aunties making halo-halo and it's not easy to be honest.

It is best to have the halo-halo during summer. It takes away the body heat, at least for a moment. The colorful appearance adds delight both to the child and adult's eyes. You can order halo-halo from anywhere - near a basketball court where a league is held, in a stall near the school or office, in famous restaurants in the country, and even a few steps away from your home.

Here's another version of Halo-Halo. We call it here "Saba Con Yelo". And we do have "Mais Con Yelo" too.

How Halo-Halo Came to Be?
This Halo-Halo is a special version according to the resto's waiter. The ice cream adds a twist on the flavor. According to historians, Halo-Halo is a Japanese's influence. Well, not something to argue about for during the old times, ice is nowhere to be found but in the cold country of Japan, our closest Asian neighbor.

In my observation, the restaurant ChowKing gives Halo-Halo an inviting twist on its flavor. That by seeing it just on a giant billboard or in a few seconds commercial on TV, the next plan in mind is to order one from the famous resto. Halo-halo for me is a symbolism of Filipino's food artistry - the colors, the flavors, and the serving presentation are enough to prove that. It is where the now modern food designs could have all started. Look at halo-halo; on why it tastes so good and refreshing! You wouldn't left a drop of halo-halo when it's sunny hot, believe me.

Mang Inasal
This is what you will get at less than a hundred pesos when you eat inside the Filipino's resto Mang Inasal. Pancit palabok is the one with yellow sauce topped with chicharon, egg and onion chives. Then there's a fried lumpia on the side. The chicken inasal is down below. To complete the meal is the rice. Now what makes this tasty is the combination of just two kinds of sauce and one kind of lemon. The soy sauce, the oily sauce and the calamansi. Red hot chili is an optional mix.

Best to eat this meal bare hands. Inasal means lechon manok or grilled chicken. There is something in it, the way it is prepared and cooked, and the mix of sauces, that invites the taste buds to bring in some more. Well, chicken is one of Filipinos most-preferred foods on their plate. Especially when grilled over charcoal, that burnt-wood smell is so appetizing.

Chicken Inasal Origin
In 2003, a young guy in the name of Edgar Sia, brought inasal to the Filipino resto's in a very appealing fashion. He started the chicken grilling in Iloilo City and in about five-year time, Mang Inasal is widely spread all over the Philippines. That smoky smell, oh goodness gracious. That's the invitation of inasal you wouldn't dare reject. With this extraordinary effort of a Visayan entrepreneur, inasal is now a popular term, that many claims they're the first.

Take a look at this well-cooked chicken recipe. That's inasal's another version.

In this table of foods, in a paper you'll read "Andok's". That's another signature inasal Filipinos love to take out and eat in a family dinner. Andok's inasal is present in many Filipino occasions - birthday party, Christmas Noche Buena, and even Friday nights beer sessions with the barkada (friends).

Of who did it first, Mang Inasal, Andok's, Baliwag Lechon, Sr. Pedro, or Chooks to Go, I'll leave it to you as an assignment. Maybe buy one whole inasal from each store each day. Why not?

Batangas Lomi Noodle
If it's about this kind of noodle dish, they say that the Batangas version is one that greatly stamps into the Filipinos' taste buds. I'm from Batangas, and without any bias, I would say the claim that ours stands out among the rest is quite true. Go anywhere in my province, ask anyone where the lomi store can be found, and they will likely suggest one or two.

What's in this recipe? A lot! The lomi noodle is known locally as miki. A typical lomi has fried pork, blanched pork liver, and chicharon. Nowadays, the ingredients are quite more than usual. They add fishballs, kikiam, onion chives, fried garlic, dice onion, dried chili powder, and more. What makes lomi special is the soy sauce, calamansi and chili combination. In the cold months, lomi is absolutely a perfect companion. It makes you feel hot and full.

One of lomi's ingredient is chicharon or fried pork fats. In this photo is a plate of crunchy home-made chicharon. In our present-day culture, chicharon is best partnered with gin or vodka. Dip in a spicy vinegar, and then a shot of a glass of gin, and you'll surely fight the cold frosting you out during the rainy months. Pampanga's chicharon is one of the best varieties in town to try.

Origin of Noodles
Noodles originated from the greater Chinese regions, from China to be exact. It has been in the Chinese table for over 4000 years. And when it reached the country during the 12th and 13th centuries, Filipinos started to like this amazing creation of hands out of dough. Lomi is just one of the many noodle recipes that Filipinos truly love. There we have the pancit canton, pancit malabon, pancit palabok, pancit habhab, pancit guisado, pancit bato, pancit bihon, and a lot more tasty pancit menus.

I am proud to share here that we were among of the first starters of lomi stores in the province of Batangas, during the late 80's. My father, who's a great cook, introduced lomi in a very unique way. I used to help my father and mother in cooking lomi, reason why I know how to cook it today. As a family business, lomi once became our entry to education.

Noodle or what we commonly call here "pancit" is always part of our meals. It's inexpensive and it can feed more people, for it expands with hot water. In these two photos, you can spot two kinds of noodle menus. And did you remember the pancit palabok in the earlier photo? Okay, good. I bet you're now craving for it.

Lutong Bahay
Filipinos never runs out of recipe and that's so true. Be it western or eastern-inspired, or a flavor of our own, we cook the best dishes for this is who we are. Here, you will see menus of different kinds. I took this photo from a restaurant somewhere in Ongpin, in the city of Manila. I was not only delighted with the presentation, but I was also inspired with Filipinos wide imagination when it comes to culinary.

There is something mysterious with our "lutong bahay" or home cooked foods. Maybe the ingredients, maybe the way of cooking, or maybe it's more than that.

Be it in the ordinary days when "sinaing na tulingan" and "sinabawang kabute" are good enough, or during the holiday season when we fill our tables with a huge variety of foods, we cook and eat with passion and love. That statement sounds intriguing but it's actually not. It is just that there is something in the Filipino's style or way cooking that makes us different, and you may completely agree with it once you know it. Got a clue?

That is what I will attempt to explain as a concluding thought in this part 1 of the post.

In Our Foods is Love
When I was in college, I became a part-time waiter in a food catering business. It was a huge business where big clients come in day after day. We serve the VIPs with not just ordinary menus, but international cuisines. I've tasted many kinds of foods, so to speak, for when there are leftovers in the platters that client no longer wants to bring home, we were allowed to give it a taste.

But eating those expensive and delicious foods without good conversations is like eating just to fill-in a stomach, and not the heart and mind. I've felt that way many times. And the same goes with cooking. When you cook for a purpose, with love, it feeds the whole body, even the soul. That being said, I believe that Filipinos "lutong bahay" is more than a tradition of cooking. It is what builds a family.

In a sense, while eating lutong bahay menus, it reminds you of your tatay and inay, ate and kuya, lolo and lola. Whoever cooks the menu of the day, it is special for it was cooked and served for a purpose - build love among family members.

The connection might be difficult to be noticed if talked about Mang Inasal, Lydia's Lechon, ChowKing Halo-Halo and Batangas Lomi. But if they have one thing in common, they could have been still being ordered by the Filipinos for in these kinds of food is where we find love - the same love we felt from our lutong bahay. Our OFWs working on different countries, no doubt, they're looking for lutong bahay. Either they cook on their own with the ingredients available or they drive hours just to taste the Pinoy's lutong bahay in the country.

Whether you're eating from a karinderya or an exclusive restaurant, always find that lutong bahay kind of love. It matters, really.

In Part 2 of this post, I would share more stories about our true Filipino identity. Stay tuned.

Food-related blogs you may also want to read:

Why Do We Share Photos of the Foods We Eat on Social Media?

How Filipinos are Loosing their True Identity
A Time to Unwind for Filipinos Like Us at Charito Bag of Beans, Tagaytay - Part 2

About Project Pilipinas
This blog is about the Filipinos, our culture, traditions, foods, ways, economy, everything. It's about the Philippines, of what we have, nature wonders, white beaches, beautiful Filipinas, hardworking OFWs, and people who fights from the heart. You can learn something different or something that may grab your attention. This blog is created for a huge purpose - unite the Filipinos.

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