Sala Filipina

Tamarind or Sampalok, Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:39:00 +0000

Philippine tamarind candies

Are you having issues with your "plumbing"? Is your plumbing in dire need of cleansing? If this gets blocked for days and weeks, the doctors will tell you this is not good. You are accumulating too much toxins in your body, if you ignore the symptoms. It can also induce infections in your stomach and intestines and thereby, attract cancer cells to grow. No, you don't want that.

Tamarind is high in antioxidants

Asians are fortunate enough to have a lot of natural ways to deal with "plumbing" issues. Take for instance, sampalok or tamarind. This fruit is widely used in Asian countries, particulary, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. The fruit is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Yes, fiber! Eat 2 tamarind candies and you'll be sure to go!

If you don't have access to tamarind, try, prunes, instead.

Other high fiber solutions are juice of bitter gourd or ampalaya, ripe papaya, string beans (sitaw), okra, camote tops (kangkong) and mung beans (munggo).

For more information on colon cleansing, this website has recipes of natural remedies.

http://www.coloncleansecorner.com/homemade-colon-cleansing-recipes

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The Best Mineral Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:09:00 +0000

For years, I have been wearing makeup. I started it when I was 11 years old. Why do I like it? Well, it was fun because of the colors, especially of the eyeshadows, the blush and the lipstick. In high school, we were not allowed to wear make up so, we wore the powder, instead.

Everyday Minerals Foundation

Through the years, makeup can really take its toll on the skin. Since I have oily skin, I did not care about developing wrinkles. My problem was that even with mature skin, I still have pimples. Then, mineral makeup was invented. I like the marketing of the product especially when they say you don't look like you're wearing makeup. It's au naturale.

Well, it's not true for most of the mineral makeup. Stay away from it if you have oily skin. But, there a couple of products out there that I highly recommend, especially for oily skin. One of them is the liquid based mineral make up from Maybelline, Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation. The foundation color choices are great. I only had to use a pea size amount to apply on my entire face and the coverage is great. But, hold it! Don't buy the entire line. Why? Because that's the only mineral makeup that works for oily skin. The best line that I found is highly rated at http://www.makeupalley.com/. The line is called Everyday Minerals (http://www.everydayminerals.com/). ShareThis

Minerals Kit

Everyday Minerals has makeup for oily skin. They have custom kits and sample sizes, too! There is a wide variety of choices for foundation color based on your skin tone. I am Filipino, so my skin tone is not exactly

Everyday Minerals Blush

dark or medium or medium beige. Everyday Minerals has choices for olive skin tones, ranging from light olive to deep olive. The finishing dust powder is the greatest. It really sets the foundation and it keeps everything in place the whole day. I used to be a devoted follower of Bare Escentuals, which is based in San Francisco. But since I've tried Everyday Minerals, I think I'll stick with it for a while! Oh, and one more thing, you can order samples for free! Just pay for the shipping (http://www.everydayminerals.com/store/try-me-free.html).

Here is a more detailed review on Everyday Minerals vs. Bare Escentuals.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/128629/everyday_minerals_vs_bare_minerals.html?cat=69

A Tribute to Leonardo Caparas Panganiban and Virginia Juco Panganiban

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:07:00 +0000

My cousin, Roy Gaviola, sent me this photo of my maternal grandparents in 2009. It immediately brought tears into my eyes as I remember them from the time I was a kid in Tondo, Manila to the day I left the Philippines to join Gulf Air for my first job. My grandfather was a humorous, happy go lucky kind of guy and was gentle. I remember lolo taking me and my brother, Rafael, to see the MRR (Manila Railroad) rolled on its tracks every morning when we were still very young. Lolo was the coolest grandfather because he was not strict with us. As I got older, I liked the time spent with him discussing Philippine politics and the Tagalog language. You see, my Lolo Nardo, was a Tagalog orator and a poet. My grandmother, on the other hand, was a headstrong woman. She had a lot of sympathy and compassion for her children and grandchildren who needed her help. Though financially unable to help them, Lola Viring, as she was fondly called by us, was always there, somehow with food for my poor cousins. She lived very simply, ate very little, mostly with fish and vegetables. She also cared for animals....she would feed and bathe our dogs whenever she was around the house. Lola was my TV soap partner...I remember watching Filipino soap operas and variety shows with her in the afternoon after lunch. Lola Viring taught me how to cook Kapangpangan dishes when I was a mere 11 year old who had nothing to do during summer time. She would scold me gently, whenever she would see garlic skin in my saute. She showed me how to cook Kare Kare, Pinaksiw na Bangus, Munggo Guisado, Apritadang Manok and boil rice.

I did not get to see Lola or Lolo before they passed away. When Lolo died, there was almost a strange visit from him. My bathroom door in the hotel in Bahrain got locked for some odd reason. It just so happened I had nothing else better to do, I decided to call the Philippines. Little did I know, my Lolo had died that day. The telegram sent to me was inadvertently sent to Saudi Arabia, not Bahrain. When Lola turned 90 years old, I did not get the chance to join the family reunion in the Philippines because I was still very new at my job. I did, however, talk to her on the phone. She fell ill the following year, when heavy rains and flooding hit Central Luzon. Pampanga was under water when Lola died. Her family literally had to put her coffin in a small boat and then, to make matters worst, the church where they took her remains was also flooded leaving her coffin raised on top of planks supported by bamboo stakes. Lola lived humbly, and died humbly. Lola Viring was a very spiritual woman, she stayed true to her faith all throughout her life, very loving and helped selflessly, her neighbors, especially, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Lola Viring was a saint. She died at age 91 years old on August 19, 1997.

My uncle, Martin J. Panganiban, the eldest son of Leonardo Caparas Panganiban and Virginia Juco Panganiban, wrote a short "progenies" about Lola Viring. He conducted an intensive research on the genealogy of the Juco clan.

Viriginia Coronel Juco, was the second child of Anacleto Manlulu Juco and Cersia Bacani Coronel. Here is her story...

Virginia married Leonardo Caparas Panganiban of Matimbo, Malolos, Bulacan, a Tagalog Poet. They met at the Alhambra Cigarette Factory in Tayuman St., Tondo, Manila. They say Nanay Viring had a beautiful singing voice, a talent inherited by daughter Buenviaje. The children are:

Gertrudes, Martin, Alfredo, Buenviaje, Luz, Melencio, Armando, Leonardo, Jr., and Virginia (Baby). Four others after Baby died in infancy.

In spite of many children Nanay Viring unselfishly, and without the least complaint from Tatay Nardo, had her younger siblings, nephews, and nieces stay in her home in Manila at one time or another until they found work, got married, or graduated from school.

Tatay Nardo was also active in the labor movement. He liked cockfighting and horseracing. In short, he like gambling. He was a very much sought-after speaker in Precint level political rallies and in pagpuputong ng korona of local beauty queens when this was still in vogue.

Before World War II, he bankrolled bookies inside the old San Lazaro Hippodrome so that, for a while, he owned two houses in Manila – a remarkable achievement for a man of humble beginnings. He also manufactured the Nepa Needle, his own version of the then very popular French Needle used in producing beautiful embroidered designs on Throw Pillows and on plain cloth which are framed like pictures. These were marketed through NEPA’s Rolling (trains) and Floating (ships) expositions throughout Luzon and the Visayas. NEPA (National Economic Protectionism Association) is the oldest non-government agency (NGO) in the Philippines.

The Japanese occupation was a bad time for everybody such that the only remaining house of Tatay Nardo and Nanay Viring was relunctantly sold and the family evacuated to Barrio Natividad in Guagua, Pampanga at big house of Nanay Viring’s cousin, Pedro Capati Juco. Just before the Americans’ return to Luzon at Lingayen Gulf, the family again evacuated, this
time to the inland Barrio Palusapis, Munoz, Nueva Ecija, in the company of the Manalangs whose mother is a sister of Nanay Viring.

When the Americans landed in Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and reached Guimba, Nueva Ecija, son Martin joined the US First Cavalry Division and the rest of the family, later on, returned to Manila and lived, for a while, on the ground floor (Silong) of Uncle Damian Dionisio’s house. Son Martin returned to the family just when classes opened during Liberation. At this time, Tatay Nardo set up, with some partners, the Allied Cigar Factory. If it were not for his gambling, Tatay Nardo could have been a man of means.

The marriage of Tatay Nardo and Nanay Viring produced one Hundred descendants as of 1997. Of the nine children, only Martin and Buenviaje became professionals. Incidentally, they were both reared by their Juco grandparents in San Antonio, Guagua, Pampanga. There was very little money but the rice harvest from grandfather Tatang Tetu’s ricefields sufficiently guaranteed food on the table. Majority of the grandchildren became doctors and professionals. Tatay Nardo died on Oct. 7, 1981. Nanay Viring spent her last years in San Antonio by choice – in her parents’ house reliving her childhood surrounded by her relatives. She could have lived in a more leisurely environment with her more successful children. But the pull of her parents’ love, though long gone, but very much alive in her consciousness, was far greater then anyone can imagine. She died on August 19, 1997 at 3:30 in the afternoon at the site of her parents’ house. She was 91 years old.

My uncle, Martin Bacani Coronel Caparas Juco Panganiban, BSCE, FEU, a retired civil engineer of a huge oil and gas company is now enjoying his life as a fulfilled husband, grandfather, inventor and writer. I will publish some of my uncle's works in a website which will be dedicated to his works and writings in the hopes that one day, they might be able to catch the eye of a publisher.

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Quirino Hostage Taking and Miss Universe 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Hostage-taker, Rolando Mendoza

San Francisco was in the 90s this week, the Philippines was in the news! Not good news, unfortunately....the hostage taking bloodbath and the loss of Miss Philippines as Miss Universe.

I was moved to tears when I read about Rolando Mendoza's⁽¹⁾ background. I also read from Inquirer.net that his appeal⁽²⁾ for his case addressed to PNP Internal Affairs Service was "returned to sender". Supposedly, there was a peaceful way out for Mendoza's case⁽³⁾. But, how? Did he know that he could approach the "Court of Appeals" as stated in this article? I question the Ombudsman, the PNP....so many things are going through my mind right now. I'm angry, I'm sad, I was affected emotionally by this whole thing. Imagine, I saw this whole thing on GMA!

PNP...the government is now investigating, not only the hostage taking case, but also what's been going on with the PNP. They are ill equipped, untrained, unprepared. I don't know anything about negotiations, etc. but reading from how Europeans handle hostage taking, there is always a profiler (for God's sake, I see that on TV here a lot, i.e., Flashpoint). Wasn't there a profiler? Oh, but wait! PNP has Special Action Forces⁽⁴⁾, an elite group trained by the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Critical Incident Response Group, Yamam & RAID. But, where were they? Where was SAF? Later, I found out, they were following protocols and the chief of PNP⁽⁵⁾, who later stepped down, was confident SWAT can control the situation. What type of SWAT? Apparently, I'm flabbergasted that there is an elite SWAT, called Super SWAT⁽⁶⁾. But, both SAF & Super SWAT were not used. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The SWAT, I feel so sorry for them...for their lack of equipment, lack of training.....demoralized, humiliated. The government promised to allocate a budget for this deficiency. Had they used a profiler, they would have been able to obtain a decent background of this man...he was a good man....he was well respected in his community in Tanauan, Batangas....he was a good policeman because he received awards. I feel so sad for his family, especially his father who was very upset when they were being interviewed, apologizing to the familes of the victims. They, too, need counseling.

The screw up in the PNP is massive....the corruption there has to be dealt with. Was this whole thing started by oligarchs with a clout in the country as this article claims? "The dirty trail leading to the death of Rolando Mendoza"⁽⁷⁾, sounds like a conspiracy theory. His arrest and 4 other cops ensued all because of a viral email⁽⁸⁾. Sounds too good to be true?

A lot of questions will be unanswered...it's always been that way in the Philippines...I am so very sad for the people of Hong Kong, but I'm also sad for Filipinos. I feel sad for everybody, from the victims, to the rescue mission, and most of all, Mr. Rolando Mendoza. The fault of one should not be the fault of many.

On a lighter note, when I heard Venus Raj's response⁽⁹⁾ to her final interview for the Miss Universe crown, I said, "What?" The major major answer was a major major turnoff. But, I still like Miss Philippines, Venus Raj because she took the negative reactions with humor and was quoted⁽¹⁰⁾ as saying "kalimutan na yan, let's move on". She got nervous, that's all. Asked why she didn't opt for an interpreter, she said she didn't need one, but later on, realized, that maybe it was a good idea. What she meant exactly was, if she did make mistakes in her life, she never looked at them as mistakes, but rather took them as lessons that help her grow with experience and knowledge. I think that's what she meant. Still, ok na ok ka, Venus. You're a major major beauty queen with bonggang bonggang smile!

You might see this article circulating the Internet now….a first hand account of a Chinese survivor from the Quirino Hostage Taking. My comments above were not based on reading this article. This supposed Chinese survivor with the name “Bang Lu Min”⁽¹¹⁾ does not exist. People do not realize that when they forward viral emails, they are actually spreading lies, inuendoes and half truths. Remember the parable of the feathers⁽¹²⁾? The modern day rumor mongers are in front of their computers, pressing the "forward" button of their emails. Turn to yourself and see if you are guilty of this.

Despite these, I'm very proud to be a Filipino and I will continue to visit the country and to promote it so that other people will be encouraged to visit my homeland one day. We live in the 20th century where there should be no social boundaries, no color separations, no hatred nor shame for what we are. Let us move on with our lives and let God be our judge.

Links:
⁽¹⁾ Inquirer.net, "Who Is This Hostage-Taking Cop?", by Alcuin Papa, 8/23/2010
⁽²⁾ Inquirer.net, "Hostage-taker's Appeal Didn't Reach Police, Kin Said", 8/24/2010
⁽³⁾ The Manila Times.net, "There Was A Peaceful Way Out for Mendoza", by John G. Cordon, 8/26/2010
⁽⁴⁾ Wikipedia, Special Action Force
⁽⁵⁾ Philstar.com, "Lim Headed Hostage Crisis Committee" by Christina Mendez, 8/27/2010
⁽⁶⁾ Inquirer.net, "Super SWAT Was Kept Out of the Loop", by DJ Yap, 8/28/2010
⁽⁷⁾ Digital Journal, "The Dirty Trail Leading to the Death of Rolando Mendoza", by Ron de Vera, 8/26/2010
⁽⁸⁾ Inquirer.net, "5 Cops in Chef's Case to be Transferred", Allison Lopez, 5/30/2008
⁽⁹⁾ CBSNews.com, "Miss Philippines Venus Raj Stumbled On Question", 8/24/2010
⁽¹⁰⁾ Philstar.net, "Venus Raj to Critics, Let's Move Forward", by Aie Balagtas See, 8/26/2010
⁽¹¹⁾ wwnn.co.uk, "Manila Bus Hostage Taking: Video and Survivor Account", by Charles Martel, 8/24/2010
⁽¹²⁾ SunStar.net, "The Parable of the Barrio Gossip", by Juan Flavier, 6/21/2004

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Is Noynoy Aquino Really For the Better Philippines?

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:41:00 +0000

At last, I'm seeing a lot of commentaries about Noynoy Aquino. I agree with the author of the post that Noynoy Aquino has to change his act. He doesn't have any other strategies to think of but to incite the masses to stand up for something worthless....him. I hate to say this but the man doesn't have the guts, the attitude to become the president of a country that needs a lot of changes. His slogan, "I will put a stop to corruption & poverty" is so old and so generalized, you don't really know what his platform or vision is.

He really is banking on the heroism of his father and the popularity of his mother. How many years was he in the Senate and had never done anything.....is it because he is a weak statesman or he is just lazy. Filipinos, especially the poor, need to look at other candidates who are tougher and have the experience and accomplishments to thwart corruption, poverty and terrorism in the country. I do not see Aquino doing any of that after he is elected President of the Philippines. Wake up, Philippines! Gising na kayo!

To Aquino: Be more Circumspect

Dear Senator Noynoy Aquino,

For the past few weeks you have been propagating all sorts of doomsday scenarios with the obvious intention of conditioning the public’s mind that your victory is already certain. You have been repeatedly saying that the only way you could lose is if you are cheated.

I certainly do not subscribe to your theory. Still, I could easly ignore that as nothing more than a politician’s braggadocio.

I am however deeply troubled by the latest pronouncement you made which ended up in the Bloomberg article entitled “Aquino Says Philippine Poll Fraud May Trigger Turmoil.” Here’s the relevant excerpt so you may know exactly what I’m talking about:

Aquino Says Philippine Poll Fraud May Trigger Turmoil
By Francisco Alcuaz Jr. and Haslinda Amin

April 27 (Bloomberg) — Philippine presidential frontrunner Benigno Aquino said only fraud can stop him winning next month’s election and any such attempt would trigger unrest comparable with the protests that swept his mother to power 24 years ago.

The 50-year-old son of former president Corazon Aquino, who has led opinion surveys since entering the race last year, criticized how a switch to electronic voting machines is being implemented and said a declaration that he is the loser of the May 10 poll would bring supporters on to the streets.

“If we have a correct counting of the votes, I think we will be very victorious,” said Aquino, whose mother toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos amid protests that followed a rigged election in 1986. If “the people’s will is frustrated,” demonstrations could make this month’s protests in Thailand seem “mild” by comparison, he said in an interview in Manila yesterday.

Continue reading....

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CRIME, PASSION and MURDER

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:02:00 +0000

CRIME, PASSION and MURDER

Grab a copy of George Webber's Crime, Passion and Murder from his website, No Cash Comics. This comic book has the style of "film noire" with funny dialogue and narration mostly from its hero, the Mook.

"With Mook as the private detective and "The Dame" as the femme fatale, these two stereotypical noir characters of the past put some fun back into twisting the knife.

Follow along as the Dame gets Mook in deep in her plotting and scheming in this cheesy harebrained spoof of classic noir crime films of the 40's and 50's.

If Casablanca had this plot ... it wouldn't have won an Oscar, but it would have been a funnier movie."

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Ma. Teresita Glinoga-Hizon For Mayor of Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:47:00 +0000

Ma. Teresita Glinoga Hizon is Teresa, Tess, Nognog to others, like me because of her curly hair. I know, it wasn’t politically correct, but the nickname was our way of being affectionate to her. I am writing about my best friend from high school….a friend whom I have not seen in years. We were both intense individuals, and, still are, very intelligent, innovative, creative and self-less. Tess also had a great sense of humor. It was not until I heard that Tess is running for Mayor of Manila that I was able to contact her. She is the same Tess I remember from high school at Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila in Gagalangin, Tondo.

High school was the best time for us. That was then. This is now. Tess is Tesay and is running for Mayor of the one of the largest cities of the Philippines. Through emails, Tesay shared the new Tess. She is running as an Independent and is campaigning on her own. Here I am, from the other end of the world, sharing to you, people of Manila, who Tesay Glinoga is.

Kilalanin po ninyo si Tesay Glinoga Hizon….

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

I love my name, Tess. There is a certain mystery in it— in the person who owns it. However, not in this part of the world, it isn’t! Nakakasira ng araw, no matter how Juliet rhetorically asks: What’s in a name? A rose is a rose and will smell as sweet. Dito kahit sa mall, sa kalye, sa palengke, if someone calls, “Tess,” sampu kaming lilingon. Sayang ang energy na lilingon ako’t sasagot tapos hindi pala ako. Nawawala ang uniqueness…and identity! I was in Australia n 1998. A group of excited children were running towards me and calling out, “Tess.” I thought: Aba, bakit ako kilala? Then I was taken aback when I realized they were running after their pet rabbit! Hanggang Australia ba naman?

Of course, we mean different to different people. So no matter how you call me, Tess or nog-nog or knogs, or nogs, or Teresa, Theresa, terry, or tesay would not matter nor change how you feel about me. I am so happy, thrilled, in fact, that you remember me.

TYPHOON ONDOY, THE TIPPING POINT TO RUN FOR MAYOR

That Saturday during the onslaught of the typhoon, I was trapped in San Carlos Seminary from morning till afternoon. The rains were strong and the traffic was not moving anymore. A neighbor called me up to inform me that floodwater was rising to knee-deep. I was not really worried kasi mataas ang lugar ng office. When there were floods in the past, people took shelter in my office. Nagpapainom pa nga ako ng kape pag minsang merong stranded sa harap ng office. But not this time; my office was not spared. Anyway, I could not return to check my office; everywhere was flooded. I went home to my condo unit here in Legazpi Village. I was able to check on the office on Monday afternoon yet.

I saw everyone was cleaning in the streets, nagbibilad ng mga gamit. When I opened the door of my office, it was like a tornado hit the place. The smell was like estero already. Black, everything was black from mud na madumi. Everything was damaged.

It so happened, that another condo unit in Quezon City, where I kept my belongings, was sold already. I had to move all my stuff from that condo to my office. So kung kelan ko pa nilipat mga gamit, dun pa nabaha. There was no memory of everything I worked so hard on—my personal effects, writings, everything. I just scoured through the ravage for my children’s photos and dried them.

That was the tipping point of my decision to file my candidacy for mayor.

I took it as cleansing of the past and starting with a new life. We all have to let go. I felt light actually. We have a strong tendency to be so attached to the past: Past glories, memories etc, for posterity. But posterity for what? I had a truckload of garbage I had to dispose.

SEMI-RETIREMENT IN QUEZON

Even before that, sumisiksik sa isip ko mag-mayor. It was not in Manila, though. I was about to buy an ancestral lot in Quezon. It is at the foot of the mountain, overlooking the Pacific. I planned on building a modest nipa hut with a roof deck for my meditations and a clean toilet. My uncle and other relatives used to be mayor there. Para kaming dynasty doon. Haha. Pero good kami ha. Walang nagpayaman. Yung mga associates ng uncle ko, pinipilit akong mag-mayor dun; they will support me. Ako naman, umandar na naman ang utak. You see, people there are starving. You know— the big farm owners, (isa kami dun;) and the kasama, the farmhands. I envisioned the things I’d do to make the place a big tourist attraction. Sayang ang tubig-dagat at mga isla na idle lang dun. I thought of national and international regattas, waterfun, etc. Ang laki ng potential. It’s mainly fishing industry there na hindi naman naalagaan ang dagat at isda. So I will come up with a scheme na maalagaan ito, at idevelop pa.

NO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Walang ganung programa ang Quezon, o ang ibang probinsya, o ang Maynila, kahit ang bansa. We’re stuck as a people, I see that clearly. Walang creative process na nangyayari kaya tayo mahirap. It is the perennial inferiority complex as a people that we accepted it as a fact that we are perennial victims of the West. Hindi tayo aware doon; but it is in our psyche.

If we assess our past actions and directions as a country, we are wasting our gifts as a people, as individual persons, as a country.

NO TELEVISION

So, going back to earth… I’ve not had television for the past 5 years or so; a personal choice. It’s trash. I just have a regular solicitation of Inquirer and Newsweek and other stuff. I have a decent library na nadurog sa baha. Nakakaiyak kasi I packed some books to donate them. Well…

GANG WAR

One day, I was reading the newspaper and I saw a seven-year old boy armed with rusty icepick on one hand; and a broken beer bottle on the other; geared for war. Gang wars, fraternity wars happen every night in places like Baseco, Parola, Sta Ana, San Andres, Moriones. Hindi na mapasok ng pulis yan. All police and the local government can do is impose curfew. By now, as we know from martial rule, curfews can only ba effective to a certain point. It’s band-aid solution, that’s all. Buti pa ang Newark, it is virtually a ghost town at 5pm. I’ve been there; I’ve seen it. Only the warring factions are seen in the streets at night. But here, it’s alive every night. People co-exist and they have accepted the situation as part of their life.

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

When I see street children, I cry a lot; and I really do not have an idea where all those tears are coming from. I have so much pity for them. If they are given opportunities, who would want to scavenge through the garbage?

I trained as Casa Gal or Court Ad Litem, where we are the voice of children in court. The training was undertaken by no less than the Supreme Court, Ateneo Law School, and the Unicef. But I was never called to duty. I don’t even know now if it was ever implemented in juvenile courts.

I was deeply involved in the Consortium of Metro Manila NGOs for children. But I was disappointed how the officers of the various NGOs used the money to suit their personal needs when I was sincere in giving my services for free to help them. Corrupted na rin. Actually there are many fly-by-night NGOs; however, even legitimate NGOs use the funds for their personal end. The NGOs would just report anything to justify their programs to their foreign donors who are most of the time clueless and approve their expenses which run to millions.

The system hurts me. Any system that is tainted with corruption hurts me. I decided to go solo.

One day I had a wishful thought: If only I could be a little like Mother Teresa who embraced smelly dirty children and touched and cared for the sick, then my advocacy would be complete. The rest of the story—I hope to tell you later, in person. Again, it was a mystical experience.

The advocacy for children, I called it Kulay Malaya. I expanded it to those “Mangangalakal” or those scavengers; and those who live in “kariton.” I called the project “Lambong,” or Mantle. I did my own research on them. Interviewed them one by one and each has his own problem.

So I concluded that the solution to poverty cannot be just linear. The solution should use social engineering to identify the problems; and address them accordingly. Hindi pwedeng housing lang; or feeding; or giving land titles. Those are band-aid solutions.

BILANCIA

That’s when I decided to put up Bilancia, Italian word for balance, our zodiac Libra, balance as in dance, or balance in music as in a symphony, balance of the mind-body-spirit. I set up Bilancia to house everything I do from arts and crafts, fashion design, to psycho-spiritual counseling that I designed myself , my advocacies for street children, abused women, abusive men, and any Juan and Juana who need to talk, healing, house visits for the sick, praying for the sick and the dead, and those who have various wishes.

Tesay Glinoga

Ma. Teresita (Tesay) Glinoga-Hizon's website for the mayoral race is at http://tesay.wordpress.com/

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Facebook, So True!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:35:00 +0000

From one of the famous HappySlip videos, Facebook Fever shows the many faces of the every popular networking site, Facebook. See how Christine Gambito created this humorous video about it. If you enjoyed this video, check out her other videos on YouTube or her website, http://www.happyslip.com/.

Take Me To The Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Alan Pineda Lindo (Apl.de.ap) is the new spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Tourism. Apl is a "Proud to be Pinoy" Filipino American. And proud we are for him because he did not forget his roots. Apl makes every Filipino American proud of his/her heritage. More power to you! :-)

Price Controls - Not the Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

From Business World Online, former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary to former and late President Corazon Aquino, Winnie Monsod, who was also my professor in Economics at the University of the Philippines, has this to say to the price increases in commodities happening right now in the Philippines after it was rampaged by two devastating typhoons.

"If the government wants to help the poor during these calamitous times, price controls are not the answer". There is more to the law of supply and demand. Economics is very broad and I have never really understood it until I enrolled in Professor Monsod's class way back in the 80s. Here's why....

Philippines' friend in US Congress: Jackie Speier

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Philippines' friend in US Congress: "The House mourns" - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

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Save the world, one Pinoy/Pinay at a time

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Save the world�€� one Pinoy/Pinay at a time - Features

October is Filipino American History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Filipino families share memories.

San Francisco cops led by Fil-Am officer donate to 'Ondoy' victims

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:52:00 +0000

San Francisco cops led by Fil-Am officer donate to 'Ondoy' victims - Pinoy Abroad - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

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Outcry!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:53:00 +0000

One week after the devastating blow of typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy, another one hit the Northern provinces of the Philippines. Parma, code name: Pepeng, arrived as a supertyphoon with sustained winds of as much as 210km/hr. It made landfall in Northern Cagayan and affected neighboring provinces such as, Isabela, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, as well as, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Benguet. It was reported last week that Pepeng weakened and was on its way out of the islands. However, Pepeng was stalled by another low depression area on its way out.

Hello! Melor, code name: Quedan, is preventing Parma from moving away from the Philippines. And so, Pepeng stalled for days on end over the Batanes islands, etc. dumping more rains and floodings. This weather phenomenon is known as the "Fujiwara Effect". And, it was yesterday, 10/8 that it decided to return as a tropical depression and made landfall and ravaged Northern and Central Luzon provinces bringing deluge, causing massive landslides, deaths and floodings just like what happened to Metro Manila.

When? When is this going to end? This is just the beginning of typhoon seasons in the Philippines. It is heartbreaking to see my fellow kababayans suffering. We need to be strong for them. We need to donate food, clothing, money as much as we can. And, most of all, we need to pray for them.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). But, why is there so much pain and suffering? Why is the Philippines going through a lot of tests? What did my people do? Lord, please spare them now. So many people are heartbroken! Let your spirit console them and spread your wings of comfort and love.

For the Lord hears the cry of the poor.

San Gabriel Valley Filipino-Americans put together Typhoon Parma relief efforts in native country

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:32:00 +0000

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13510799

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Boston.com on Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:56:00 +0000

As a a new typhoon approaches the Philippine Islands, victims, survivors, helpless Filipinos who lost loved ones, as well as, animals left in the dark struggle to move on with their lives. Boston.com published this article with photographs yesterday, 9/30/09. The photographs were taken from actual scenes at the time Ondoy struck Northern Philippines.

"About a week ago, Typhoon Ketsana (known in the Philippines as "Ondoy") made landfall, and according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Ketsana dropped 455 mm (17.9 in) of rain on Metro Manila in a span of 24 hours on Saturday - the most in 42 years. A month's worth of rainfall in a single day washed away homes and flooded large areas, stranding thousands on rooftops in the city and elsewhere. Ketsana later crossed over to Vietnam and Cambodia, where it is still active. Over 360 people are known to have been killed, and damage estimates are reaching $100 million. Unfortunately, another tropical storm may be headed toward the southern Philippines on Wednesday but is still 1,000 km (600 mi) off the coast. Here is a selection of photographs from the affected areas over the past week. (36 photos total in this link)"

Original article here...

A New York Deli in San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Yes, that's the name, New York Deli. You will not see the name in front of the deli. You will only see a fruit stand, the sign that says "health food". Well, folks, I've been going to this lunch hang out for years....I mean, years....like, more than 10 years.

I have known Mr. Lee for several years now and his head chef, Cesar. This place offers freshly squeezed juices with no sugar added. The salad bar has all kinds from prepared salad to salad you can assemble yourself. The hot food items have barbecued pork, sometimes, chicken, spicy tofu, stir fry veggies, roasted turkey slices, Jap Chae (Korean noodles), Kal Bi (Korean Barbecue).

My favorites are the calamari salad, tofu triangles, spinach salad, roasted turkey, Korean chicken (I'm not sure what the name is). They also have buckwheat soba noodles, Chinese noodles in the cold salad section. If you crave for some sushi, you can find mosly the California sushi roll. Old timers said they used to serve Kim Bap, but I have not seen them in a while. So, if you want a healthy lunch or breakfast, drop by New York Deli.

Visit customer reviews on Yelp. Check out New York Deli's Menu.

126 Sutter Street
(between Lick Place & Trinity Place)
San Francisco, CA 94104
Contact: Yong Lee at (415) 399-0631

Fil-Am photographer pays tribute to 'America?s second-class veterans

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Fil-Am photographer pays tribute to 'America?s second-class veterans' - Pinoy Abroad - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

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My Decadent Palabok

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:34:00 +0000

My Decadent Palabok

I like palabok, a noodle dish very popular in the Philippines. The simplicity of the dish is enhanced by the smoky flavor from smoked milkfish (tinapa), shrimps, the roasted minced garlic and the crushed pork cracklings. The sauce is key to palabok. It should be made from broth with shrimp heads and fish sauce.

Since I live in an area in San Francisco where Asian markets are not close by, I have decided to make one for dinner, but with a twist. I want to make it low carb, without the pork cracklings and the tinapa. I have decided to use mung bean thread noodles (sotanghon) since they have very low glycemic index, smoked salmon and smoked oysters in cottonseed oil, instead of tinapa, anchovies, instead of fish sauce and bonito flakes in place of pork cracklings. It turned out to be more flavorful than the traditional version and aromatic.

Here it is, my version of palabok.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. saifun noodles (sotanghon)
1 bulb of garlic, crushed & roasted
Olive oil
1 3.75-Ounce can smoked oysters in cottonseed oil
1 c. of smoked salmon, chopped
4 pcs. anchovies or 1 T. anchovy paste
1 c. clam juice
Anatto seed powder (achuete)
1T cornstarch
12 pcs. headless shrimps, in shells
Scallions
2 hard boiled eggs
1 handful bonito flakes
2 kiwi limes (calamansi), seeds removed

Directions:

Soak bean thread noodles in hot water.
In the pan, put in 1T of olive oil. Heat it through and then, roast the crushed garlic until golden brown. Remove from pan.
Add scallions and anchovies. Stir for a few seconds.
Add smoked oysters with the cottonseed oil and the clam juice. Cook in medium heat for about 1 minute.
Put in 2 t of annatto seed powder. Stir and continue cooking.
Put in the shrimps and cook for 2 minutes.
Dissolve 1 T cornstarch with 1T of water. Stir in the sauce.
Continue cooking until the sauce thickens just a little bit.
Drain the noodles and transfer to a pot.
Pour in the sauce. Squeeze in the lime juice. Toss everything until the sauce evenly coats the noodles.
Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with crushed bonito flakes, then, roasted garlic and sliced boiled eggs. Top with more scallions if you like.

Instead of eggs, you can use fried tofu. If kiwi lime is not available in your area, lemon juice is also good.

Enjoy!

Filipinos and High Blood Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:48:00 +0000

It is sad to hear that the no. 3 killer in the Philippines is stroke, which is brought on my uncontrolled high blood pressure. And it is also disheartening to hear that most Filipinos living in the United States suffer from high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be managed by proper aerobic exercise and a low sodium diet. Unfortunately, Filipinos are so used to eating food that has strong flavors....and that means, high sodium foods. Aside from that, we lean towards rich cuisine. We adapt well to other cultures, so we also adapt their wonderful cuisine, like Italian, Mexican, Spanish, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

And you know, folks, this shouldn't really be an excuse. Since we are high on the list for cardiovascular problems among our Asian friends we need to reform our eating habits. That does not mean to say that we have to eat very bland food (although, this will really help people with high blood pressure). You might want to examine little habits when you eat. For instance, we like to drizzle our rice with fish sauce or eat vegetables with bagoong (fish/shrimp paste). We like to eat Japanese food, for instance sushi, but we dredge it with soy sauce. Well, you know what, 1 T. of fish sauce, shrimp paste or soy sauce will cost you 1,000 mg. of sodium. The maximum allowed for a healthy diet is only 1,200 mg.

Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, you say, but all the food we eat is high in sodium. It is, if you eat out all the time, you buy processed (canned, bottled, instant, frozen) food. You might want to rethink about cooking at home, instead of eating out (besides, these days, you really have to do that).

For instance, you can still buy instant Mami noodles, but make sure you use only half of the flavorings so you can cut the sodium content from 1,600 mg. of sodium to 800 mg. Even that, my friend, is high in sodium. You can just totally disregard the flavorings & use low sodium soup stock & put plenty of veggies in your soup.

Keeping track of your sodium intake, not only helps you manage your high blood pressure, but also prevents water rentention (especially in women), and kidney diseases in the long run.

So, am I boring you? You still like that Kare Kare with the bagoong dip, don't you? Well, you can still eat Kare Kare, just flavor more the Kare Kare and get rid of the bagoong dip. Bagoong is nasty. My father's doctor said that the sodium in bagoong stays for a long time in your kidney. If you like eating boiled eggplant & then, drizzle it with bagoong, you will be a candidate for stroke or kidney disease. So, please, please.....do yourself a favor, be sensible with the way you use these traditional dips.

Also, if you love sushi, remember, the Japanese do not pour a pool of soy sauce in the dipping bowl. That is really, a no no! You just pour a little bit and dip sushi with the fish or rice touching the soy sauce just a tad. Do not make it swim in the dipping bowl with soy sauce.

Same thing with Chinese food...most of their food is already flavored, so just dip just a tad....for instance, siomai, dumplings, would be better with just a little bit of white vinegar with a little bit of bean sauce or hot sauce. Again, just a little bit, my friend.

Instead of our traditional pure fish sauce dip, I recommend, the Vietnamese Nuoc Nam sauce which is a diluted with lime juice, vinegar, sugar. Remember, use it in moderation, please. By the way, the Vietnamese have the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease, so, you might want to look into their eating habits, as well as their lifestyle.

Basic Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)

Makes ¾ cup

3 T lime juice (1 fat, thin skin lime) or 1.5 T lime juice + 1.5 T rice vinegar
2 T sugar or sugar substitue, like Somer Sweet
½ cup water
2 ½ tablespoons fish sauce

Optional additions:
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1 or 2 Thai chilis, thinly sliced or 1 teaspoon homemade chili garlic sauce or store bought (tuong ot toi)

Make limeade. Combine the lime juice, sugar and water, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Taste and as yourself this question: Does this limeade taste good? Adjust the flavors to balance out the sweet and sour.
Finish with fish sauce. Add the fish sauce and any of the optional ingredients. Taste again and adjust the flavors to your liking, balancing out the sour, sweet, salty and spicy. Aim for a bold, forward finish -- perhaps a little stronger than what you'd normally like. This sauce is likely to be used to add final flavor to foods wrapped in lettuce or herbs, which are not salted and therefore need a little lift to heighten the overall eating experience.

You can store this in a jar and keep in refrigerator.

For more information: http://vietworldkitchen.typepad.com/blog/2008/11/basic-vietnamese-dipping-sauce-nuoc-cham.html

Another recipe I would like to share is the Vietnamese Shrimp paste. Instead of using bagoong, try this. It is not hard to make and can be stored in a jar in the refrigerator. This recipe has lower sodium content compared to the Filipino bagoong.

Shrimp Paste Recipe

Ingredients :

500g Raw shrimp or prawns
1 Egg white
60g Pork fat, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Oil (preferrably, soybean oil)
1 tablespoon Fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Method :

Shell and de-vein the shrimps, wash well and drain thoroughly.

Put shrimps twice through mincer using fine blade, or chop very finely.

Then whiz in electric blender or pound until it is a soft paste.

If using blender add oil and fish sauce to facilitate blending and stop motor every now and then to scrape down sides of globlet.

Add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Remember, folks! Consume in moderation.

Note: Check out this blog for a wonderful Vietnames recipe on Eggplant with Shrimp Paste:

http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2008/08/ca-tim-nhan-cha-tom-vietnamese-eggplant.html

And, if for some reason, you craved for patis, bagoong or soy sauce dips, dips and more dips, well, you might counteract the high sodium meal with foods rich in potassium, like banana, prunes, raisins. But, no guarantee for people who had stroke, kidney disease or high blood pressure. Giving in to your craving is good, as long as you don't do it more often than you should!

For more on low sodium, low salt diet, please check out the "Dash Diet". Remember, too much sodium, too much salt, too much sugar, too much fat in the diet equals cardiovascular disease.

Best of luck to you! To our health! Sa Ating Kalusugan! Mag-ingat kayong lahat lalo na sa pagkain! ShareThis

Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila (ICAM)

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Not many people I have met have very good memories of their high school. Not me! Not my sisters! Not former ICAMITEs everywhere. We are proud of our high school. My sisters and I visited our high school located in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. It is a private school, yes. It is run by sisters from MIC, a Catholic Canadian Order (The Missionaries of Immaculate Conception. The history of Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila of Manila dates back to 1946 when two Canadian sisters from MIC opened a small school at the Ampil Annex in what used to be a cigarette factory.

Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila is one of the best private schools in the Philippines that offers the best quality education, spirtual guidance and social awareness. What used to be an all girls private school is now a Co-ed and has expanded its building occupancy by utilizing its expansive premises. When I visited it in 2007, I was very surprised at how the school grounds have changed from having a vast expanse of playgrounds and are now built on with the huge library and multilevel buildings. Sister Yolanda, the school principal, took us around and showed us the many changes that were made to benefit the ever changing needs of the students.

The school, however, is not free from its own problems. Aside from the scholarships sponsored by generous individuals and former ICAMITEs to assist deserving poor students, the administration needs help, too. One example, is the mounting accounts receivable related to tuitions. The school is generous enough to enable students to pay on installment basis their tuition fees. However, sometimes, payment is not received on a timely basis. In my days, I don't believe that benefit existed. Some ICAMITEs studying there who are under this program, are indeed very fortunate! But the school needs your help.

If you are a former ICAMITE living outside of the Philippines and is planning to visit, please send me an email and I will tell you more on how to contact the school administration for a school visit. Or, visit the website at http://www.icamanila.edu.ph/.

George Webber's First Comic Book Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:55:00 +0000

Featuring....Toxic Funnies, George Webber's first comic book to be launched at WonderCon. Toxic Funnies introduces Professor Numbnutz, Dead Sexy Baby Jane and Blue Baby as well as a few other minor cast members.

It's a story with Horror, Humor and Heart about your basic lonely Mad Scientist who after seeing an internet pop-up ad for "Love Dolls" decides to create a LIVING Love Doll (he is a Mad Scientist after all), but gets a little more than he bargained for in the process. He learns you should be careful what you create as you just might get it.

My husband, George Webber, a very talented graphic artist, airbrush painter, jewelry maker, tattoo artist, cartooning and comic book artist is launching his first comic book, "Toxic Funnies" featuring Baby Jane at WonderCon (artist alley table no. AA84)on February 27, 2009 to March 1, 2009 at the Moscone Center, which is located on 747 Howard Street, between 3rd and 4th streets in San Francisco.

In addition, the comic books are available for sale at the Cartoon Art Museum bookstore and Al's Comics, both in San Francisco. Or, you can order the comic book from IndyPlanet.

See the 6 foot, lifesize version of Baby Jane at WonderCon. Baby Jane has been gaining popularity at DeviantArt.

Happy Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Hope you have a great Valentine's day with your loved one or with your family! My husband and I did not plan anything today because I had to go for mammogram screening this morning. However, I arrived quite early at the hospital, so I had the screening early. We decided to go watch "Coraline", but couldn't figure out which theatre to go to: Metreon or AMC Westfield Cinema. I tried to use my IPhone to check the theatre but had a hard time getting reception in the car. We figured if we just park at the Fifth/Mission Street Garage, we can walk around the Westfield San Francisco Centre. We quickly found out Coraline was not at the AMC Westfield San Francisco Centre Cinema, but at the Metreon. We walked to the Metreon, bought the tickets in advance, had a wonderful lunch at Firewood Cafe.

My husband had his favorite Baked Rigatoni and I had my Chicken and Pesto pizza (thin crust). Then, we waited a little bit after lunch and finally, saw Coraline. This is a "must see" stop motion 3-D animation. They actually used puppets with different facial expressions. The storyline is pretty basic, but it's what happens in between that is built with suspense. After seeing Coraline, we headed off for the San Francisco Westfield Centre. ...Just walked around, checked out stores that are and aren't there anymore....then, a brief snack, ice cream for George, and tomato bisque soup (San Francisco Soup and Company) for me. Boy, that was the first time I've been back at the mall since the day I came back from my vacation in Manila. Wow, that was a year ago! Anyway, we decided to have dinner at "Out the Door", a Vietnamese restaurant in the mall. Out the Door is busy, busy busy! And, why not? The food is great! If you are in San Francisco, this is a good place to relax, wine and dine if you are not in a hurry. I would highly recommend the fish carpaccio on a bed of watercress with tangy sauce, top sirloin with onions and leeks and seafood (scallops, mussels, crayfish, squid) in red curry sauce. I accompanied the spicy dish with a glass of Riesling Strub (Yum!). For dessert, try the chocolate orange cake with caramel sauce.

And....I must not forget the big Hershey Kisses that my husband gave me with the card he personally made. Hershey's Kiss is 7oz. (198g) of solid milk chocolate (yum! yum! yum!). He got this huge Hershey's Kiss from Walgreens. There goes my diet!

Virginia Spencer, Fabulous at 60!

noreply@blogger.com (Jewel) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:35:00 +0000

My Auntie Babe, as I fondly call her is really, Tia Baby or TiaB to most of her nieces and nephews. She is now called Virgie or Virginia Spencer. Back in the days, when we used to live in the Philippines, Tia Baby, was my mom's assistant in terms of looking after us day by day. Of course, me, being the the little pain that I was, always gave her and the maid a bad time. But, despite that, I found her very cool because her age and mine are not really that far. Tia Baby is 7 years older than me, you see. But even so, when she was in her teens, I sort of liked her favorite singers, then, Brenda Lee, Nancy Sinatra, Lulu, the Beatles.....she used to buy the "songhits" in which she and I both used to sing our favorites to the dismay of the neighbors because we would sing at the top of our lungs in the quiet suburban neighborhood. Remember "To Sir With Love"?

Tia Baby used to take me to school when the private jeepney service was not able to make it. She also was very adventurous with her cooking, which sort of, caused a lot of grief on my mother. I especially liked the "palitaw", "ginataan", candied guavas, candied camias....her taste for makeup, dance, clothes. She also had a lot of suitors, and boy, they were handsome and rich! I remember this guy she almost married, but never did because she said the family did not care for her coming from a poor family. Tia Baby would constantly yell at me and my brother, Paeng, for being mischievous. She used to call me, "maldita". It sort of stuck in my head. She was right, though, I was one....hmmmm....and still is. For some reason, she and my mom, knew all the Spanish curse words when we did something wrong. Paeng and I must really be out of control for making these poor ladies lose their minds. Anywho, oh,, and she used to say that, too! Anywho, Tia Baby, eventually settled down and got married to a very nice Canadian man to whom my lola said, "please take care of her". That was the first time I heard my grandmother spoke in English and she meant it. Tia Baby moved to Whitehorse, Yukon where she now lives with her husband and her son. She is a devoted wife and loving mother. Tia Baby whom I call Auntie Babe these days, still takes good care of her health and herself. She is very unselfish when it comes to sharing and helping, especially her relatives. My Auntie Babe and my mom are instrumental in helping some of their nephews and nieces because either one of the parents died or is unable to financially. She is hardworking, persistent and very patient. Just don't make her mad, or else.......I got a chance to visit her in 2005. She looked great! The woman hardly has any wrinkles and has all the energy she had when we used to be in the Philippines, more than 20 years ago! It must be the mountain air. She still is the same "daldalera" (talkative), full of stories and jokes. I had a great time there, seeing her again and her husband and son. When I left, I felt sad because I thought she is all alone by herself there because she doesn't really have relatives close by. Filipinos tend to be close to their kin to give each other moral support. However, I told myself, she's a tough cookie....she'll be alright!

Well, Auntie Babe, I'm sorry I will not be there on your 60th birthday (1/27), but I have this to say to the Lord: I thank you, Lord for giving me such a wonderful aunt, who is fun, caring, helpful, thoughtful and so full of life! Please give her many more years of joy, health, peace and prosperity."

And to you, Auntie Babe, here's a saying: Time is like a river. You can not touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed, will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. (quote from http://www.blogger.com/www.pravsworld.com)

Happy birthday, Auntie Baby! Maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan, TiaB! May you have many more birthdays to come!