Alternative Concept

Drawing Personality Test

2009-03-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

I had an online personality test through drawing and this is the result:

This is my drawing:

The results of my analysis say:

You tend to pursue many different activities simultaneously. When misfortune does happen, it doesn't actually dishearten you all that much.

(My comment: This is true. I get bored when doing just one thing, I need to be busy)

You have a peaceful mind, viewing the world with calm and serenity.

(My comment: I simply hate chaos. I don't like noise that is why I love living in the countryside)

To you, life is not about struggle and strife but about existence and co-existence.

(My comment: Just enjoying life and it is beautiful to be spent worrying)

You like following the rules and being objective.

(My comment: I surely am)

You are precise and meticulous, and like to evaluate decisions before making them.

(My comment: I am calculating. I don't say and do anything until I am certain)

You have a sunny, cheerful disposition.

(My comment: Hahahahahaha........ I am a happy person)

Check out yours at http://drawing.feedbucket.com/

Altered can

2009-02-19T23:36:00.001-08:00

An empty oatmeal can, some gift wrapper and fancy papers, I was able to recycled a thrash and produce a nice container for Nicole's hair clips and other hair pieces. So inspired by those mumsies doing the stamping (too bad I don't have any stamps), so I challenged my creative mind and turn something supposed to be heading to rubbish bin into a work of love and art.

2009 Taipei Lantern Festival

2009-02-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

The annual Lantern Festival (15 days after the Chinese New Year) has kicked off and with a new motorcycle, we cruised around Taipei and headed to the 2009 Taipei Lantern Festival in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. Large colourful lanterns were spread around the park's ground, and the place was almost decorated with lights. The event officially closed on February 15.

My first chocolate

2009-02-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

My first try of chocolate-making in Taiwan and I reckon it turns out just fine. I used high premium white and milk chocolate and with the two molds in hand, I made several flavor. With what's in the pantry - there's strawberry jam, peanut butter, and raisins, I experimented on different flavors and use coloring (red and green) to come up with several looks. The strawberry jam-filled chocolate came the winner. The not so soft outside and when you bite it, the jam just explodes in your mouth....yum....

Goodbye Grissom, hello Dr. Langston

2009-02-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

It has been weeks since my bug friend Grissom bids goodbye to the world of CSI and honestly I feel sad up to now. I am missing Grissom and how could I not? For eight and a half seasons, it was Grissom, Grissom and Grissom every and after episode. He is the reason I watch CSI, not because he is good-looking and I have a hot for him but he seems to be real for a character. He does not pretend to be the superhero unlike Horacio of CSI Miami. I like his integrity and intelligence. He has strength and depth and CSI was built on that character of him.

Before Petersen left CSI, they introduce Dr. Langston character played by Laurence Fishburne (a criminal pathologist, Grissom was an entomologist by the way). I already watched the 2 episodes with Dr. Langston and he seems to be doing just fine. His character did not come as a "hey guys I am a doctor and you should bow to me" kind of attitude. His character is learning (not showing his soft side or not bringing the whole lab to the crime scene), he seems to show humility/modesty as a Level 1 CSI. He was not trying to impress anyone, not to Hodges anyway. He stumbled but he is a first-timer, and he is intense with his will to learn.

Can Dr. Langston replace Grissom? No. But he will make his own mark in the show and his expertise on criminal pathology is a great weapon for CSI LV. Good luck Dr. Langston (and Laurence).

By the way, the bottled pig is back in Nick and Riley's office.

Flickr Toys fun

2009-02-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

With nothing else to do, I thought I have to explore my artistic side. Play with my pictures and come up with fun and unusual pieces, only from Flickr Toys .

It's not all about money

2009-02-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

Many of our customers would ask why our products are so affordable (the cheapest we have is P20.00 = US$0.40 , the expensive is P75.00 = US$1.50), my reasoning is my main motivation is not money but satisfying myself by utilising my talent in crafting. Though it is not flawless but I believe that I have the talent and I want to share it to others. I am at my happiest when people acknowledge my work, and I am satisfied with that. It is a God-given talent and why not share.

Anyway, here are some of the custom giveaways I made for my customers, all of which are weddings.

About my small online business

2009-02-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

May 2008 when I started my small online wedding shop called Cole's Wedding Giveaways and Invitations and so far I am enjoying it. My first product was towel lollipop and a week after I posted a picture in my Multiply site, I had an inquiry for a christening. I thought I could make a deal out of the inquiry but I did not. Still I explored some more and added new products - like mini towel cakes and it was my original design of cake in a cup(image below) that inquiries started coming in and eventually my first sale. Encouraged and inspired with the feedback of

my customers, I experimented on some new designs like a hand towel wrapped with a lace and topped with styro strawberry called Lacy Cake , a Cake Roll in a box, or a muffin. Though my resources are limited, I make use of my innovative mind to utilise whatever materials available in our city. There are thousands of them, I just have to think of how to use them.

So far, I am gratified with what I am doing. I am happy though the work sometimes can eat my time and profit is not that much (my mark-up is not huge since I am still a newbie in the business) but knowing that your customer is happy with the product and service, that is enough consolation for me.

I am back....and here to stay

2009-02-05T21:11:00.000-08:00

It has been ages since I made a visit to my very first blog and honestly, I miss it. Been concentrating on my little business, raising Nicole and travelling to and from Taiwan and the Philippines.

I still have to gather my thoughts and see what else I can think and post.

I miss home

2005-11-05T04:32:00.000-08:00

Being here in a new place with new "family", I am starting to miss home (Tagum) and my family. Though my husband's family has been very accommodating, supportive and nice there will always be no place like home. I am now looking for familiarity which I could not find here. There will always be some strange feelings which does not exist if I am with my own real family. No matter how good my husband's family to me, I know for the fact that I could not get the same warmth and level of symphaty that my family can provide.

I miss everyone. The only consolation I have right now is my brother is here with me.

San Enrique, Iloilo is new home

2005-10-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

I am now here in San Enrique, Iloilo. A township at the north centrsl part of Iloilo with a population of 28,000 + . The municipality can be reached for about an hour from Iloilo City. It is a very quite town with not much to see and do.

So the question is, what am I doing here? Firstly, my husband's family is in this town and secondly, we had set up our business here. Though I wanted to stay in Davao where my family is, I was left with no other option but be here, have my baby, manage the small business and be one of the locals. The laid-back lifestyle of the people only added to my sadness of being in a town that I supposed far away from where I've been. It seems like I am so far away from everything. I am not totally comfortable but I respect my husband and his decision. I know he wants the best for me and the baby.

only wish things will be brighter and fulfilling in this my so-called new home.

Welcome home

2005-10-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

October 22, 12:00 noon...Philippines at last. The short flight from Taiwan to the Philippines has been pleasant despite the discomfort I felt on the plane (Eva Airways plane is kind of small so I can't really stretch my legs). When the pilot welcomed us, reality started to sink in....I'm home. The very first sight I had of my country is the old airport (NAIA) and the very beautiful voices of the airport singers welcoming us with a very familiar song "musika ang buhay na aking tinataglay, eto rin ang dahilan kung bat ako naglalakbay". I am amused and felt so welcome. After the immigration, logn wait at the baggage carousel and customs, another reality had kicked me once again..... a different kind of warmth had embraced me. It was the warmness of the weather. It was totally hot and sticky! Lots of people lining up waiting at the sunduan area... I was in a rush to get into the car and head towards the hotel.

As we cruised from NAIA to the hotel, I finally realised I am in the Philippines - the traffic, the people, the noise, the heat, the congestion - they all remind me that I am back.

Last day in Taiwan

2005-10-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my last day at work and today is the last day of staying in Taiwan. It's kind of weird because I always looking forward to leave the country but I am not excited at all to go home. Yesterday, I said goodbye to my Taiwanese workmates and to my boss. They all wish me goodluck especially for the baby. It's sad to leave the country which had been my home for three years and been a witness to all of the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things that happened. I am still grateful for the fact that Taiwan and its people had taught me so much that money just can't buy.

I will miss Taiwan...its people, its culture, its traditions (though still some of them I can't seem to understand), its food, its ambience, its smell, its everything.

Word trivia

2005-10-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

I am fascinated with the word trivia today so I asked Mr. Google for the following:

Longest word/s in the dictionary:

supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
antidisestablishmentarianism
honorificabilitudinitatibus

Double Letter Sequences

AARDVARK, ABBOT, ACCENT, ADD, FEED, OFF, EGG, WITHHOLD, SKIING, AVIJJA, BOOKKEEPER, ILL, IMMUNE, ANNOY, HOOP, APPLE, HUQQA, ARRAY, KISS, LITTLE, VACUUM, SAVVY, SLOWWORM, WAXXENN, CUBBYYEW, and DAZZLE

Triple Letter Sequences

AAADONTA, FLYING JIBBBOOM, PEEENT, FREEER, FREEEST, ISHIII, FRILLLESS, WALLLESS, LAPAROHYSTEROSALPINGOOOPHORECTOMY, BRRR, GODDESSSHIP, COUNTESSSHIP, DUCHESSSHIP, GOVERNESSSHIP, HOSTESSSHIP, VERTUUUS, UUULA, and YAYYY

Quadruple Letter Sequences

ESSSSE, BRRRR

Many Vowels

EUOUAE, QUEUEING, AIEEE, COOEEING, MIAOUED, ZAOUIA, JUSSIEUEAN, ZOOEAE, ZOAEAE, HOOIAIOIA

Few Vowels

RHYTHMS, SYMPHYSY, NYMPHLY, GYPSYRY, GYPSYFY, and TWYNDYLLYNGS. WPPWRMWSTE and GLYCYRRHIZIN

Girl Talk

2005-10-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

I've been a constant visitor at a site called GIRL Talk. It is an online network for ladies and the topics are so vast. Everyone is free to discuss anything from love and relationship to shopping. There is a network of GT Sellers where new and upcoming entrepreneurs are selling new and sometimes pre-loved stuffs. I love it there and it's really fun. You can have your rantings, ask and give advise, inspire people, make money, share stories. It's always worth a visit everyday.

The website is http://www2.femalenetwork.com

Night Markets in Taiwan

2005-09-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

It is a huge business in Taiwan. Night markets are everywhere but the queen of them is the Shihlin Night Market in Shihlin.

Shihlin Night Market is bursting with merchandize, food, teenagers, and foreigners (mostly Japanese). Mock brands and authentic are sold side by side, sellers laid their goods on the center of the main street... its chaos in fun way. The prices here are not as low as any other night markets though. And the food....yes...the chipay (chicken cutlets) is huge but there is only one thing I desire whenever I visit the place - the marsala sold on street stall. Chicken and beef marsala are the best!

Kongkuan Night Market is a haven for university students since it is located right in front of NTU. Very convenient to commuters with MRT and bus stations just across the street. This is where you can find NT 100 shirt which you can't find in Shihlin. There is a Christian bookshop nearby but they are kind of expensive to my standard. The goods are relatively cheaper than Shihlin though.

A big sign of "Zau Ho Market of Tourist" is my husband's favourite goat meat. The center of the street caters for food while the opposite sides are for clothes, shoes, toys, etc. We seldom visit the place because of its distance but its worth a visit especially that open-oven baked bun with meat inside thingy. I don't know the name but it is yummy but you have to queue for, let say, 10 minutes to get your one bun.

Snake Alley (Hwahsi Jie), been here once and never tried again. I just don't like the sight of the snakes and some exotic animals eaten in restaurants. You can really see live snake being slaughtered, milked of venom and blood... there are turtles as well. Not a place for me.

Ching Mei is one of the night markets we frequently visit because of its distance to our house. Lots of cheap goods and good food. We like the steak house (only NT100). There used to be a second hand shop that sells clothes at NT 1o0 and the merchandize are mostly from Hongkong.

Nahsieshao night market is one of my fave because of the NT 98 store. Everything is NT 98 and they have cute stuffs as well. We have a fave shoe store there and they always have items on sale. My husband likes the street stall selling catfish.

Pinoy Games

2005-09-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

No single kid in the Philippines hasn't played the traditional street games of patintero, touching ball, hulaan, suot lungga, it it bulaga, pitik-bulag, jack en poy, siklot, rubber band game, day & night, siksik bulak, where's the ring, sipa (for boys and for girls), sumping, bunong braso, greased bamboo pole, bilao, going to market, open the house, cat and mouse, laglag panyo, bending body with bakya or tsinelas, kapit bakod, statue, patintero, taguan, takip-silim, aso at pusa, luksong tinik and tumbang preso.

My siblings and I used to play these games when we were young usually in the afternoon and early in the evening. My mother used to get mad at us coz after the games we became so tired and sometimes we peed on the bed (lolz). The computer games nowadays is nothing compare to the enjoyment that a kid would feel with these interactive games. I reckon most of the Filipino children seldom played these games because of the computer games, television and gimmicks.

Pictures Source:
Patintero: www.globalpinoy.com
Tumbang Preso : www.cyberdyaryo.com
Siklot: www.seasite.niu.edu

Philippine international airports

2005-09-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

As a tourism management graduate, I understand the importance of infrastructure in bringing quality and efficient service to international tourists. The airport is the very first landmark a visiting foreigner can see and say about the destination country. It's role is very vital in portraying a certain image the country has. The services and facilities are very crucial on how a country would like to be perceived by the visitors.

I've been to many airports (in different countries) and without hesitations, my very own NAIA I is the worst. Excluding the Centennial aiport, NAIA I is a picture of chaos, mess and inefficiency. The last time I was there the toilet bowl flush was not working (if you want to flush your thing you have to get water from the bucket using the tabo), the tap has no water, no toilet paper, no hand dryer....nothing. It was primitive. Outside was a total chaos as well... with so many people standing around with their heavy bags saying goodbyes and hugs to their relatives who were being nudged by the security guards to leave the area. No visitors lounge. No lockers. The guards are unfriendly and rude. One thing that compensate for all those lackings is the scene of a Filipino family having the last time to be together with the loved one who is leaving. The tears of the wife, the hug of the sister, the smiles of the children, the reminder of the parents... they are all worth to be remembered though than the (non-existence of) toilet paper.

Hacienda Luisita - controversy

2005-09-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hacienda Luisita case is in the hot seat these days for the DAR has recommended the revocation of the stock distribution plan that has kept the vast landholding under the control of the Cojuangcos. HL was supposed to be under the agrarian land reform program spearheaded by the former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino but instead the landowners issued stock distribution option (SDO) agreement with the 5,000 farmers way back in 1989. The SDO allows landowners, who run their farms as corporations, to distribute shares of stock to farm workers in lieu of a land transfer. It is supposed to alleviate the lives of the farmers but when it never came to realisation. Instead, the farmers quality of lives have deteriorated and demanded torevoke the SDO and to distribute the 5,000-hectare hacienda to them. The farmers did not receive the benefits and dividends stipulated in the SDO.

Now, I have little concern on how the DAR and the Cojuangcos will settle their case, however the one thing that appalled me most was the comments made by the oppositions regarding this case.

According to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel:

the recommendation to cancel the SDO was a "gross retaliation" against Aquino (who actively participated for the ouster of Arroyo)
"It's an act of gross retaliation by a vindictive President, who's now at her wits' end trying to intimidate those who could be threatened just to prolong her stay in power"

Sen. Pimentel's statement was irresponsible, illogical, pathetic and far-fetch. He should keep his bulging eyes away from this case because his stupid statement could done no good to the poor farmers of Hacienda Luisita.

It has been known to the people in the Philippines the chaos the land ownership has bring to the people in the hacienda. There had been riots and rallies by the farmers demanding their rights for land ownership. These happened even before the Arroyo vs oppositions case and to say that it is a ploy by the Arroyo government against Corazon Aquino is totally pathetic. Aquino is not the sole owner of Hacienda Luisita, she is just one of the six.

The case of DAR vs. Hacienda Luisita is a pure land reform issue and the recommendation by the DAR is long overdue. It should not be perceived as political vendetta by the president to Mrs. Aquino. It is about the 5,000 farmers in Hacienda Luisita who have been deprieved of the land reform rights! It is about the rich against the poor....not about Arroyo against Aquino.

Binibinang Pilipinas 2005 is Miss International 2005!

2005-09-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, our very own Precious Lara Quigaman was crowned Miss International 2005, the 4th Filipina to win the crown and the first after 26 years (the last one was in 1979 by Melanie Marquez). Ms. Quimagan is a 22-year old, born in Manila (Taguig), raised in Laguna and based in London.

congratulations!

Photos:
www.inq7.net
http://www.asiafinest.com/

The richest among the richest in America

2005-09-23T02:47:00.000-07:00

Forbes has recently released the names of the richest people in the world, and looking at how much these people have....geez.... I don't know they are going to spend their fortune. Anyhoo, here they are. Bill has to spend more than US$ 3 million a day for 41 years to consume all his wealth of US$ 51b. Not bad for a shopping spree! Bill, you can adopt me.

No. 1 William Gates
Net worth: $51.0 billion (up)
Source: Software, Microsoft
Self-made
Age: 49

No. 2 Warren Buffett
Net worth $40.0 billion (down)
Source: Investments, Berkshire Hathaway
Self-made
Age: 75

No. 3 Paul Allen
Net worth $22.5 billion (up)
Source: Software, Microsoft, investments
Self-made
Age: 52

No. 4 Michael Dell
Net worth $18.0 billion (up)
Source: Technology, Dell
Self-made
Age: 40

No. 5 Lawrence Ellison
Net worth $17.0 billion (up)
Source: Software, Oracle
Self-made
Age: 61

No. 6 Christy Walton
Net worth $15.7 billion (new)
Source: Retailing, Wal-Mart inheritance
Inherited
Age: 50

No. 6 Jim Walton
Net worth $15.7 billion (down)
Source: Retailing, Wal-Mart
Inherited
Age: 57

No. 8 S. Robson Walton
Net worth $15.6 billion (down)
Source: Retailing, Wal-Mart
Inherited
Age: 61

No. 9 Alice Walton
Net worth $15.5 billion (down)
Source: Retailing, Wal-Mart
Inherited
Age: 56

No. 10 Helen Walton
Net worth $15.4 billion (down)
Source: Retailing, Wal-Mart
Inherited
Age: 86

Source: http://moneycentral.msn.com

The CSI's

2005-09-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of CSI and among the three I like the CSI (original one), CSI NY then CSI Miami. I love Grissom. My husband says Grissom is cool and collective, more of a scientist (very convincing) unlike Horatio who "seems to know everything" and seldom has his hands dirty....and this one - the pose and the sunglasses. Some some CSI is more on forensics while Miami has a balance of forensics and investigative thing, well it's maybe because in CSI there are more scientists than cops (Grissom is a scientist while Horatio is a cop). Nevertheless, Horatio can't convince me he is better than Grissom with that pose.

What does the US think of our politicians

2005-09-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

The US embassy in the Philippines has been profiling the known politicians in the Philippines and these are what they say.

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II: well-placed for the 2010 race
Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson: clearly want[ed] to be President
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando: Was similarly interested
House Minority Leader Francis Escudero: Was emerging as a dark horse
Sen. Manuel Villar: projecting a "nationalist posturing" that pitted him against certain US interests
Sen. Richard Gordon: Seen as a politician who got things done and was "not afraid to get his hands dirty."
Camarines Sur Representative Rolando Andaya Jr. : Was eyeing a Cabinet post after his term as congressman
Ilocos Norte Representative Imee Marcos: Most politically ambitious child
Susan Roces: Her "public appeal," while "strong," was "still more potential than real." (For me, Susan is not a politician, she is just a mere movie star riding on the political ranting)
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada: A potential leader "regardless of the outcome of his father's ongoing trial" for plunder and his own case
San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito: Appeared to be in line to inherit the political mantle of his father

INXS new frontman is a total crap

2005-09-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe JD won as INXS new lead singer. The guy is an absolute talentless and an Elvis Presley's impersonator. I am furious. I should have been Marty or MiG.....not JD. I totally despise this sucker.

Philippines sari-sari store

2005-09-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Philippine's sari-sari store is unique in its own way. It is not the typical convenient you can find on the street corner in Australia or the 7-11's in Taiwan. It is retailing the Filipino way. What makes the sari-sari store in the Philippines unique? In sari-sari store, you can:

1. Buy oil, soy sauce and vinegar by cupful
2. Buy sugar (white and raw) and salt packed in cellophane
3. Buy a bottle of Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, etc. and later return the empty bottle
4. Purchase on credit, have the goods listed and pay at the end of the month
5. Buy a stick of cigarette
6. Have all the daily necessities - from rice to candy to vegetables.
7. Double as a mini-restaurant (have those pots with ginataan, adobo, pancit, etc) - all ready for take-out
8. Find all those product ads posted on the outer store wall

Sari-sari store in the country has became part of the cultural and social scenario in the country. It is in the sari-sari store where you can find villagers come together for a conversation and having a drink of Tanduay with pulutan. It is where all the gossips in the village either start, stop or multiplied. It is where the postman ask for directions. It is where families rely for daily survival. It is so personal that a trip to a supermarket is never quite like a trip to the neigbouring sari-sari store.

Infant Girls are not "welcome" in India....by their parents

2005-09-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was watching CNN this morning when the feature a woman in seclusion because her husband kicked her out from their house because she chose to have her baby girl. That was her crime... having a baby girl!

Every year, thousands of infant girls in India are murdered by their own parents. Many women went to abortion upon knowing that the fetus inside them is a girl. Female foeticide is a phenomenon in India. Why is this happening? In India society, baby boys are considered lucky because they can bring food on the table, earn a living once they grow up. For the girls, they are considered economic drain because families have to pay expensive dowries once they get married.

This is a total manifestation of deep-rooted gender bias. In a world where equality and the right to live are highly spoken and broadcasted, India has different perception on what and how a woman can contribute to the society. In a society where dowries at the time of marriage can make or break a child's future is inconceivable to me.

I am pregnant and I am having a girl, and the thought that if I am in India, I might be one of those women. However, I'm afraid I won't be. A child is a child regardless of gender. Life is more important and precious than material possessions. Giving your child the chance to live and shape her future are the best gift parents could give. Parents should not predetermine their child's future, you'll never know she will bring more honour to the family than a male child.

Cherry

2005-09-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

Taipei 101

2005-09-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Just a view of the towering Taipei 101. My husband and I went to Page One (a bookshop located at the shopping area of the tower) when I took the picture.

Shopping with US$ 32

2005-09-19T02:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I went shopping for some gifts for my family. I have about NT2900 (about US$ 93) and I only spent about US$ 32.00 (NT 1000). So what did I buy with that amount?

Cup & Saucer Set (2 set in a box): US$ 3.20 (on sale price)
Chinese Pouch: US 2.25
Chinese Charm: US$ 2.25
Mugs (2 pieces): 2.00
Tiger Eye Gemstone Bracelet: US$ 3.25
Fashion Bag (big): 6.50
Fashion Bags (Medium - 4 pcs): 13.00

the 4 bags I bought for US$ 13.00 (around NT 400.00)!

I think I was shopping in bargain. I am happy with what I bought. I still have lots more to buy though.

Driving a scooter in Taiwan

2005-09-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

My husband and I go around the city (to the church, work, supermarkets, night markets, everywhere) with our old 125cc Sym scooter, which is very realiable to our standard :-)

Driving in the city has taught us one good thing....be very cautious. Watch for the buses which will nudge you off to the very side of the street. Bus drivers taught they own the road with their megaton buses. Stay out of their way when you see one. We've experienced it for so many times, so whenever we see bus coming or on the side, we try to slow down so we won't be on their way.

Another is the impatient drivers. Man, some of them are colour blind as well.... can't distinguish the red from green. My husband had raised his middle finger for countless times to those drivers. I've been in Australia, Thailand and Philippines and I've never seen drivers as impatient as the locals here....maybe they are always on the run. They can run you off if you are not careful. Some of the taxi drivers will skid to the sides without the blinking lights indicating right or left turn. It's terrible.

Chinese Moon Cake

2005-09-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Chinese Moon Festival and as a non-Chinese in a Chinese country I got used to celebrating it though I don't have the slightest clue what the celebration is all about. The only thing I care is eating the moon cakes. Here in Taiwan, moon cakes come in different sizes and flavours - some of them I can recognize the taste but some are kind of strange to me. There's tea-flavored, with yolk, red bean, chocolate lotus seed paste, coconut paste, etc. They come in pretty packaging too (the kind of packaging you don't want to tear off).

I am looking forward for my box of moon cake before the week ends... we usually have 2 boxes - one for me and one for my husband.

Last night dinner

2005-09-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

My husband had to work overtime last night and I have to be home alone until 10 p.m. So, while he was out, I made dinner for us. I cooked pancit canton guisado, adobong manok at baboy, fried chicken and made lettuce, corn and carrots salad with TID. Well, my husband said the pancit was kind of salty but he ate it anyway. I am not realy a good cook... I am a frustrated one but I am always trying to be a good one.

Well, my husband appreciated my effort. It was like a feast to him last night. Tonight, it's his time to cook - fried moon fish. What a culinary adventure.

Enhancing Relationship

2005-09-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

My friend Joy sent me this by email. I have no info on the main source of the article, so credit is due when author is known.

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation. A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated, "PUB."

There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB.Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whosenumber it is." Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB".

NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?" The father-in-law answered in a smile, "Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you." We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves. If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mista ke too.

CREATING PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS?

A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested "I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one." The SDU officer said, "Your requirements, please." "Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest." The officer listened carefully and replied, "I understand you need television."

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband ,because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.

NO OVERPOWERING

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another,or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character."

It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.

It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..

RIGHT SPEECH

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation." Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other,we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted,"Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary sch ool." On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, "Luckily you married me.Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker." She answered ,"You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you."

Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.

PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home,a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?"Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman." The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear.

BE PATIENT

This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.

Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently s aid, " Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father went home & committed suicide. Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge.

Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.

People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

Floral Container Ideas

2005-09-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

Save On Crafts (www.save-on-crafts.com) has wonderful ideas for floral containers. You don't an expensive ceramic or glass containers to display the blooms, just your imagination.

ROSE TREE

A rose tree lasts longer than a rose bouquet because the stems are closer to the source of moisture. Wilted roses are easy to replace.

1. Bundle together a group of dried twigs keeping the bottoms even. Cut the tops of the outer twigs even allowing the core of twigs to extend 1-1/2". Bind in together in two places with floral wire.
2. Take an Oasis floral foam ball and soak it in preservative solution until it is saturated. Carefully impale the foam on the core twigs, on the top.
3. Cut the rose stems to 1" long and insert in the floral ball. Work from side to side and from top to bottom to achieve a color and design balance.

CINNAMON STICK POT

Fragrant and charming all year round, the cinnamon stick pot looks great with fresh or silk flowers in it. This makes a great housewarming gift.

1. Wedge a piece of saturated floral foam inside a plastic pot.
2. Cover the pot with plastic or paper parcel wrapping tape. Hot glue the cinnamon sticks around the edge of the pot. Keep the bottoms even and the tops irregular.
3. Tie a twine or raffia bow around the middle of the pot if you want.

Take My Son

2005-08-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

This is great, take a moment to read it, it will make your day! The ending will surprise you.

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Still lucky

2005-08-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

I received an email today with some disturbing photos. The images made me realize how lucky I am to be in this state and yet it seems like I have not done that much to truly show my appreciation for all the graces I have. It broke my heart to see these children suffer in a web of hunger and poverty. Just this morning, I threw half of the guava in the rubbish bin. Prior to that, I threw some rotten foods because I forgot all about them or I simply don't feel like eating them anymore. Then, these images. No words are enough to describe these...I just can't.

Pictures are from a thread of forwarded emails. Original source is unknown to me. Credit is due when source is known. According to the sender, the photos are Pulitzer winning photos.

Computer School on Wheels

2005-08-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

I read from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (27 Aug. ed) about the school-on-wheels cruising the barangays in Quezon City. I reckon this project is brilliant. It is an ingenious way of reaching to the poor with no political clout, just the authentic desire to extend help. If a mere city councilor (a woman I should emphasize) came up with the simplest idea but with greater result, how much more our congressmen, mayors or even governors can do to help the plight of the lowly residents in every barangay who have none or little access to the technology that would eventually increase the possibilities of gaining employment. Our congressmen have million of pork barrel funds but little can be seen where these funds went to... If every congressman , along with the mayors work together to create a similar project, our poor children won't fall behind with their international counterparts. Many of these kids will be computer literate, and won't feel intimidated with the sight of a computer.

The article:

An answer to the "digital divide" between the rich and the poor in this information age is parked right across a squatter colony in Barangay Pag-asa along Agham Road in Quezon City.
This school-on-wheels taught Jason, a young man in his 30s, how to use a computer. It also gave him a stab at a decent job. Today, he is the secretary of his barangay.

Jason owes his luck to a secondhand 20-foot van that served as his classroom for five weeks some time in the summer of 2004.

For more than a year now, a computer school-on-wheels has been quietly cruising the city streets, teaching needy residents like Jason the basics of computer learning.

From out-of-school youths to their grandparents, Quezon City Councilor Bernadette Herrera's brainchild, the Bagong Henerasyon Computer School-On-Wheels, has taught some 2,500 poor residents in more than 20 barangays - for free.

Four instructors, who are themselves graduates of Herrera's computer school, teach eager students courses such as Basic Application Software, Basic Secretarial, Desktop Publishing and Basic Technician inside the air-conditioned van. The students get hands-on training through the 20 computers inside the van, said Herrera.

The van is now parked in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Pag-asa where it will stay until the end of the month for a five-day course on Basic Application Software. The course has attracted 80 students.

The project is the result of a P1.2 million grant from the Aus-AID PACAP of the Australian Embassy, after Herrera's concept paper on a computer school-on-wheels won during the first Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace competition conducted by the World Bank in January 2004.

Herrera's concept was simple enough: Recycle a used 20-footer container van, convert it into a mobile classroom, outfit it with computers and peripherals, haul it to pre-identified barangays, park it beside the barangay halls or any suitable vacant lot, tap the electric mains of the barangay hall and turn on the power. "Presto, you have a fully operational computer learning center," Herrera said. The school will stay parked for five weeks in each location.

Initially, the target was to educate out-of-school youth or out-of-work youth in each barangay. But Herrera said the project soon involved much older students. "When boys and girls come with their parents, of course, we can't turn them away," she said. The youngest graduate so far was a five-year-old; the oldest was 82.

She said there had been many success stories from the roving computer school. "I was walking along SM North, when this girl approached me and said she was a graduate of COW (computer school-on-wheels), Herrera said.

"She was thankful because she was able to find a job at Gift Gate after learning how to use a computer," the councilor added.

Herrera said a digital divide threatens to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. "Educating the less fortunate youth of our country is necessary in order to bridge that gap," she said. Source: http://news.inq7.net

Bread Pudding

2005-08-26T01:09:00.000-07:00

BREAD PUDDING II

I found this recipe from http://bread.allrecipes.com/az/BreadPuddingII.asp

6 slices day-old bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Banana And Pineapple Bread Pudding Recipe

3 bananas, peeled, sliced
1 cup pineapple, chopped
1 cup of bread, cut in dice
1 cup sugar
2 cups milk, scalded
2 eggs, beaten

To prepare this Banana And Pineapple Bread Pudding Recipe, first mix the eggs with the sugar and add gradually the scalded milk. Put bread, bananas and pineapple in a pudding dish. Pour over them the egg, sugar and milk mixture. Set pudding dish in a pan of water. Bake in moderate oven for 45 minutes.

Source: www.freerecipe.org

Bread Pudding from http://southernfood.about.com

4 cups bread cubes, about 1/2-inch pieces
3 cups milk
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 eggs
strawberry preserves or dessert sauce

Place bread in 2-quart buttered baking dish. In saucepan, scald milk; stir in sugar, raisins, butter, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs; gradually blend in the first mixture. Pour over bread in the baking dish.

Set dish in shallow pan on oven rack, then pour hot water in the outer pan to a depth of about 1 inch. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.Serve bread pudding warm, topped with preserves or your favorite sauce.Makes 8 servings.

Cupcake Recipes

2005-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Easy Cupcake

I found this easy cupcake recipe from www.scholastic.com

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup of milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
In a medium bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy with a mixer on high speed. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed to medium. Beat in eggs, one at a time, egg yolk and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk until blended.
Spoon batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Banana Cupcake (www.cooksrecipes.com )

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided use
1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 1 (8-ounce) container plain lowfat yogurt 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large egg whites
WHITE GLAZE (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups (2 1/2 inches in diameter), with foil bake cups.
Stir together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl; set aside.
In medium bowl, stir together yogurt, banana, milk, oil and vanilla; set aside.
In small bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating well after each addition until stiff peaks form.
Stir yogurt mixture into flour mixture until moistened; fold in one-third of egg white mixture. Gently fold in remaining egg white mixture.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.

Drizzle WHITE GLAZE over tops of cupcakes. Let stand until set. Store, covered, at room temperature.

Makes 20 cupcakes.

Easy Bake Shoppe Cupcake (www.cooksrecipes.com)

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 can vanilla ready-to-spread frosting
Any bag of HERSHEY'S Baking Pieces (optional)

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin cups (2 1/2-inches in diameter) with paper or foil bake cups.
Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt, water, oil, vinegar and vanilla in large bowl; beat until thoroughly blended. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Spread with frosting; decorate with baking pieces.
Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes.

Lessons in Logic

2005-08-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

An email from my friend Aida in VA.

If your father is a poor man,it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,it's your stupidity.

Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect......
so why practice?

Money is not everything.
There's Mastercard & Visa.

One should love animals.They are so tasty

Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two

Every man should marry.
After all, happiness is not the only thing inlife

The wise never marry
and when they marry they become otherwise

Success is a relative term.
It brings so many relatives.

"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep

There should be a better way to start a day
Than waking up every morning

"Hard work never killed anybody"
But why take the risk

"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours

God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.

A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station....what more can I say........

Melanie Marquez jokes

2005-08-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

It's joke time....my apology to Tita Mel Marquez. Type ko lang i-post ang mga statements nya. Classic!

MELANIE MARQUEZ ANSWERING ATE LUDS QUESTION: Paano ka nag-susurvive sa mga trials mo?2) Ano kasi , she is, I mean she was, kasi past tense na nga pala...
Eddie Mercado: Angie Dickinson has insured her legs for a million dollar, would you also do the same?
Melanie Marquez: NO, of course no, because I am proud and contented with my long legged.
With this answer, she bagged the crown and eventually won the Miss International in 1978.
I won't stoop down to my level.
Hello? Bulag ka ba? Bingi ka ba? Are you dep?
'Yung STD, baka sa maruming toilet lang niya nakuha yan.
Eh, ikaw ba naman, durugin ang ari mo... Pag di ka ba naman manutok ng baril.
We are lovers, not fighters.
My brother is not a girl; he's a gentleman.
That's why I'm a success, it's because I don't middle in other people's lives.
Don't judge my brother; he's not a book.
Kapatid ko pa rin siya. We are one and the same.
I don't eat meat. I'm not a carnival.
Eto na po ang pinakamaligayang pasko at manigong taon sa inyong lahat. (During her acceptance speech at a Metro Filmfest awards night where her bioflick, directed by her late father Temyong Marquez, won an award.
Sumasakit ang migraine ko.
Ang tatay ko ang only living legend na buhay!
Period na talaga; wala nang exclamation point. (When asked on S-Files if her present husband, Adam Lawyer, is her Mr. Right.).
At a talk show after her break-up with Derek Dee, Melanie was asked if she had some words for Derek's mother (whom she partly blamed for the separation). "Oo nga," said Melanie, "pero i-English-in ko para maintindihan niya." She looked into the camera and, with the peremptoriness of royalty, said, "And to you, Mrs. Dee, I have two words for you. Ang labo mo!"
When asked for a message to her daughter who was allegedly abused by their houseboy: "Don't worry little angel, big angel is here."
On what they should do to the houseboy who molested her kid: "He should be put behind bar."
"You can fool me once, you can even fool me twice, you can even fool me thrice. But you can never fool me four"
While waiting backstage during a noontime show, after watching Nikki Valdez do her dance number. "Nikki, you're so galing. You should go to the States. You will sell hotcakes"

Extreme weather in Europe

2005-08-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

Raging fire in Portugal and Spain due to intense heat, towns and cities in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Romania are submerged in water, and drought in France. One continent but with extreme and opposite weather - could this be a sign of climate change? I am not an expert on this but the pattern is somewhat disturbing because of its extremity. Some experts says that the current occurences can not be attributed to climate change, some choose to believe that the greenhouse gas emission is warming our planet. A research director in the UK has stressed that "Europe could flip between flood and drought conditions in alternate years', meaning Europe could have flood this year and drought the next.

The contrasting scenes in those countries have caused another round of debate among the weather/climate authorities. Could this be or could this be not? One thing I am sure though, the weather is getting extreme these days - too cold winter, too hot winter, too long and heavy rain.

Davao del Norte's ecotourism potential

2005-08-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Davao del Norte is strategically located at the southeastern part of Region XI, bounded by Agusan del Sur on the North, Bukidnon on the Northeast, Davao City on the West, Davao Gulf on the South and the Province of Compostela Valley on the East - Philippines ofcourse (info from Davao del Norte government site). The province has 7 municipalities and 3 cities . Davao del Norte has diverse topography - from rugged and mountainous terrains to flat coastal land to broad plains. The province boasts a promising potential for tourism, as a matter of fact the Island Garden City of Samal is highly popular for its beaches and diving sites.

Though the province is blessed with natural sites - 11 falls/springs, 25 caves, 9 lakes and rivers, 9 mountains/forest/view decks and 37 beaches (fully and partially developed), most of these are haven't been developed yet because of lack of investment, remoteness and simply no private or government interest for development.

An ecotourism destination doesn't have to have a world class facilities. The mere term of ecotourism suggests that a destination's primary focus is experiencing on its naturalness that fosters environmental and cultural understanding in order for the people to appreciate it and lean towards conservation.

For instance, New Corella and Kapalong has several springs and caves which remain untouched. In order to gain visitors to wake these restful towns, substantial ecotourism developments can be done. Several infrastructure has to be constructed and activities to be facilitated. A footpath or wooden boardwalk will be constructed (environmental phasing has to be done to identify which area should contain that much or less visitors), cultivate forest/flower garden for biological study and research, perhaps cave guided tour or adventure caving, or put up camping facilities.

There are enormous sustainable development can be done without harming the environment in the province. Development has to conform to the shape of the environment and not the other way around.

Photos taken from www.mindanews.com

My husband's royal taste

2005-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I rented a VCD titled The Prince and Me (starring Julia Stiles) along with the Machurian Candidate and The Aviator. He never watched the Manchurian and the Aviator, instead he watched The Prince and Me - not just once but twice. I have observed that my husband likes movies with princes and pricesses. I remember, everytime The Princess Diary is shown on cable, he'll watch it! We even have the part 2 of the movie. My observation was confirmed. He likes fairy tale movies - light, funny, inspiring, and-they-live-happily-ever-after-movies.

He likes other movies too like Man on Fire by Denzel Washington (he watched for like 5 times), Meet the Fockers, Bad Boys (2), etc. but for a man in his 30's liking teeny boopers movies is something that intrigued me. It must be the child in him (we always have a child in us) that has never been satisfied while he was young. Maybe he never explore the world of imagination - on believing to be a prince or a princess, a knight in shining armour, of dragons and dungeons. He must have played different games when he was young.

I see no problem in it. He only showed that he is never afraid and ashame to satisfy the needs he never done while he was young. I totally adore him for that.

Latest Aussies in Indonesia jails

2005-08-25T02:24:00.000-07:00

The latest addition to the numbers of Aussies in jails abroad for drugs cases - model Michelle Leslie and kindergarten teacher Graham Payne. Add them to the Bali Nine and Schapelle Corby whose case in on appeal.

For Leslie, it's a terrible scene of from the cat walk to jail cell. Police found 2 tablets of ecstacy in her bag while in Bali. She's on the same prison facility with Corby and could face 15 years imprisonment if found guilty. Leslie's possession of the drug was blamed on her girlfriend named Mia, who put the drugs on her bag. The police could not confirm her story for Mia is MIA (Missing In Action).

For Payne who was arrested in Sumatra for allegedly with 2000 assorted tablets and syringes, he could face the firing squad. I supposed these are not for personal consumption. As of this writing, he is yet to be charged.

With the cases of the Bali nine and Corby still hot like pikelets, these kids should have been more cautious if they want to bring/use drugs in Indonesia. The Australian embassy had warned the Aussies about drugs in the island. Indonesian police are in a crackdown for drugs from local and foreigners, I could not say that the Australians are singled out. However, with the detained and arrested Aussies on drug cases, it can't be denied that they are on a hot plate. Taking, buying and carrying drugs in Indonesia is not just worth the risk... they can wait to go back home and be stoned.

Corby should be a clear lesson for Payne and Leslie. The bottom line for this - drugs can never be your friend. It will ruin you and leave you to rot.

False....false...false marketing

2005-08-25T01:54:00.000-07:00

When I was in UQ, my brilliant Aussie prof had made a brief discussion about false marketing. I have forgotten all about that (not that I heading towards the age of senility - I am still young to be there). This afternoon, a colleague has asked me to write a promo letter about our new product which has not been produced yet, as a matter of fact it is still in its conceptualization stage. Our boss asked her to ask me to write a marketing letter to inform our existing customer that we have this product. What the hell! I told her, we don't have this product yet and what if the customer wants to buy one, what product should we give - a nicely illustrated product?

Then false marketing came to my mind. We are misleading the customers into believing that the product is already existing and that we can deliver the good to them when needed. Our boss is not intending to announce the "coming" of the product but actually let the customers assume the product is in production. I want to puke! I can't even start to think. This is a total deception. It is bloody wrong. However, I'll be the one to make the draft and I will make mine different from what he wanted. Let's see what will happen.

My friends knew nutin' about blogging

2005-08-25T01:38:00.000-07:00

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Am i the only one in the circle who knows what blogging is and actually is active doing it? Millions of people are blogging, dude.. not to mention the thousands (or maybe millions) of Filipinos addicted to it. Not that my friends are not at all internet savvy but I supposed they have better thing to do with their time. They don't even read my blog lol (can I blame them, they don't even send me email sniff sniff sniff). Nevertheless, it is not too late for them to start though. Should I introduce them to the world of blogging or just leave them live their lives in the real world? Isip isip.

Recipe Card Templates

2005-08-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

I am at the moment becoming very artistic (sort of) that I would like to take advantage of it. I am making recipe card templates which I'd like to collect some good recipes and eventually send them to my friends. I am working on Mila's recipe card and planning to send some to Mayme, my Auntie Bebing and Manang.

Here are some of the templates I've made. The graphics are from Microsoft.

Even my inbox is lonely

2005-08-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

No emails for me for the past few days, except for the annoying spams. I wonder where my friends are. I miss reading emails. I sent some to my friends but they never replied. I wonder why. They might be hibernating or just lazy to type. Anyways, I won't be checking my mails for 2 days and fingers crossing - loads of emails on Monday.

Changes

2005-08-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am heading back home this October and settle in San Enrique, Iloilo (San Enrique is 45 minutes drive from Iloilo City, in the Western Visayas). It is an agricultural land with more than 25,000 residents. Not much to see in this place except for hectares of rice fields and few hils and mini forests. There are no big establishments (there are schools though) like shopping malls or cinemas. They have a very small market and a not-so-developed park and the people have not much choice for recreational activities. Having lived in the cities for so many years where access to libraries, malls, cinemas, etc. are easy, my stay there would be a real challenge. Though I am kinda of laid back person but the call of the city life has not evaded me at all. I love to go out, walk around the streets, see lots of people but the sudden change of environment would put my self into another challenge and gain different perspective.

I know I will be busy preparing for the coming of my baby late this year but the lack of avenues for the sake of self entertainment will pose a great thing to face up. I asked my husband what should I do once I get there and he told me I could start cultivating orchids (I get some good ones from Davao) or have a mini-garden. I just smiled coz I am a career woman and shifting to being a mini Martha Stewart or Better Homes and Garden person is something I could not imagine right now. Staying at home is not my cup of tea.

However, this circumstance is inevitable. My baby is the priority. I have been looking after interest and others for so long and I think my newborn child deserves my full attention. I can adjust but it will be an uphill battle. I supposed I have to recondition my mind on to my new environment and situation.

Being inside the house at 6pm is something I look forward to.

Nothin'

2005-08-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

I was looking at a friend's online album and I felt envy seeing them visiting those lovely places in the Americas. Seems like they are having a great life after migrating from the Phil. Though I live in a foreign land, life here is not that great - I dunno I just don't like this country. I've been to Australia, Thailand and now Taiwan but the concept of actually living in a country like Australia, New Zealand, the US or Canada is something I've been aspiring for a long time. Seems like I'll be stuck in the Phil soon. There is no way for me to get out of the country....geezzz I can't even stand the traffic and heat. If only I could denounce my citizenship and live in another country :-) .....well, life as it is. You can't expect things to happen the way you want them to be.

It's my bday today

2005-08-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday today. My sis Jeck, Manang and Chinggay sent their greetings through text. So far, I received no personal greetings or even a card ( I reckon I'll buy myself a card and send it to me). Some people just forget it. Anyway, I am so glad and thankful to the Lord for the wonderful blessings He has given me. He has given me much and all I can say is thank you.

Anyways, my husband asked me where I want to have dinner. I simply said "Sizzler" I miss dining at Sizzler so I thought of treating myself for a hearty Aussie steak is a good idea. When it was time to go home, my husband told me instead we are heading home and not Sizzler. I was disappointed but once we got home the boys (Pinoy co-workers) were busy chopping veggies and meat. They are all cooking for me. We had a very simple dinner along with the Thai flatmates. It was great though.

Recipe Sites

2005-08-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

Collection of recipe websites.

The Star Online - Kuali: collection of different world cuisines http://kuali.com/

Unique wedding centerpieces

2005-08-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

I am on my wedding mood again. I think I should be a wedding planner lol.

With rising costs, having a wedding in a fancy restaurants adorned with abundant decorations seems to be impractical nowadays. Anyone can have a beautiful, simple and yet elegant wedding but making some of the decorations by themselves and if it is a house reception, saving is greater since you can use anything you can find without taking the last cent from the pocket. I have here some ideas for table centerpiece if a couple choose to have a house reception. I think this one is appropriate in the Philippines.

Transparent bowl with scented fresh flowers: Don't need an expensive bowl or champagne glass for this. Fill the bowl or glass with water then spread with scented fresh flowers you can find in your garden or neighbours backyard. Flowers such as mums, daisies, baby rosies, bouganville, dendrobium, plumeria, sampaguita, or even the humble gumamela and gardenia. To have a scented water, you can soak pandan leaves overnight and use the water to fill the bowl.

Wrapped Leaf Table Top: I found this at www.save-on-crafts.com but I would like to make an alteration since some of the materials can't be found or expensive to buy in the Philippines. One can use a glass or can container and use any large leaves such as anthurium to wrap the container. If floral foam is expensive, fill the container with water instead and place the fresh flowers.

Confetti and candies: Satisfy the sweet tooth of your guests by having confettis and candies placed at the center of the table. For Chinese, having sweets such as candies in your wedding is a sign of goodluck.

Terra Cotta Pots: Small terra cotta pots can be bought at a very low price and after the wedding, you can use them to start cultivating your small garden. Paint the pots with your colour motif and filled them with either ornamental plants, fresh flowers or dried flowers. Can be double as wedding favor. See www.romanticflowers.com for examples.

Garland/Lei: Having thought of having a garland or lei made of fresh flower as a centerpiece? A plumeria lei with some leaves at the center of the table with lighted votive candle looks elegant.

Boracay's unsustainable development

2005-08-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

I never been to Boracay but I supposed the beautiful island is swarmed by domestic and international tourists. I've read some articles about its beauty at the same time how the island is on the verge of destruction.

I am a tourism planning graduate and I understand the impact of unsustainable development to the place and how it would ruin the economic, environmental, and social attributes of a destination. The development in Boaracay was rapid and unplanned. Developers have no gauge of how much is too much. There was no balance between development and the carrying capacity. I remember my environmental impact study professor who has been to Boracay,and she said Boracay is a beautiful place but once you dig into the bottom of the ocean and the unseen corners, you would discover that the island will soon collapse. It has been used & overused by so many for so many times.

It has only been recently that several overseas and local sectors have conducted study on Boracay in the plan of reviving its image as an international tourism destination. Studies found out that environmental carrying capacity thresholds have been exceeded. The environment is taking more than it can carry and it won' t be long that the environment will soon give up. Without the pristine water, Boracay will be nothing but an island with white sand.

It is a sad phenomenon how developers and government agencies sided with abrupt development for the sake of profit without considering the impact of it to the environment and community. Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present while preserving the needs of the future, without comprising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. It also involves cooperation between the local people, developers and the government so each sectors will be guarded.

We have seen the exterior beauty of Boracay but we have not seen the interior damage (festering garbage hidden, no proper sewage system, etc). Only those who truly care about the fragile environment and understand the impact of mass tourism can fathom how destructive the current development in Boracay is.

I'd still love my kid to enjoy the island.

Leaf-Laden Pots from Better Homes and Garden

2005-08-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

Perfect seasonal show-offs, these terra-cotta pots shimmer with vivid colors. From www.bhg.com

What you need:

Leaves
Heavy book, if needed
Terra-cotta flowerpot and base
Gold enamel spray paint
Rubber cement
Burgundy, purple, or other desired colors of spray paint

Instructions:
1. Choose leaves with interesting shapes. Be sure the leaves will fit on the terra-cotta pot. To flatten leaves, place them under a heavy book until they become flat (but are still flexible).

2. Paint the flowerpot and base. Wash and dry the pot and base. Then spray two light and even coats of gold spray enamel on the outside and inside of the pot and the base. Let the paint dry.

3. Attach the leaves to the pot. Brush rubber cement on one side of the leaves. Let dry. Brush on a second coat. Let it dry to a tacky, but not wet, stage. Position leaves onto the pot to create desired pattern. It can be all around the pot, or you may want the design in only one area.

4. Add the second color. Spray a light coat of the desired paint color over the entire pot. Spray a second light coat if necessary. Let the paint dry.

5. Peel off the leaves. Rub off any remaining rubber cement from the pot.

Just 44 US cents

2005-08-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was watching CNN this morning before heading off to work and the report was all about dying children in Niger. I saw distrubing images of babies and children - dehydrated, malnourish, sick and dying. These little angels are dying because of one thing - starvation. They don't have enough food to support their frail bodies, not enough nutrition to survive. They have big heads and skeletal bodies. It's devastating. It's horrible. As a mother to be, the images are unbearable for me. I could not imagine seeing my own child passing every breath every day. These children are the victims of, according to the reporter, not famine but poverty. Just few meters from the hospital is a market with abundance of food ready for consumption but the parents could not afford to buy at least a bag of wheat worth US$ 44 cents (22.00 pesos), enough for the family of 8 to survive for the day. Extreme poverty drove death in villages. The world is responding but is it too little, too late? I don't know.

A ten-month old and two-year babies died. I cry for those children. At the same time for those who are still struggling, I pray for their survival. I pray for those you can't and didn't that God will welcome them in His kingdom where they will never be hungry again.

Planner

2005-07-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

My mother has told me that my brother might be getting married soon but not sooner. So by now I was thinking of planning a budget, practical and yet elegant wedding that would not hurt anybody's pocket. I know for sure, I will have my share on this wedding which I don't mind. For now, I have ideas which I would strongly recommend to them.

Invitation: You don't need a large, bulky invitation for a simple wedding. 2-3 pages are substantial and the simplier it is, the better. I think having an invitation in nature theme is a wonderful idea, and having it handmade would add a personal touch. Handmade paper, cardstock, flysheet, ribbon or even dried flowers can make a difference.

Recommended Sites:
Paperzone (www.paperzone.com)
InviteSite (wedding-invitations.invitesite.com)

Wedding Cake: My previous blog featured cupcake wedding cake and I intend to have such to have a unique, simple and practical wedding cake http://alternativeconcept.blogspot.com/2005/07/wedding-cupcake.html . Cupcakes in the Philippines can be bought for as little as less than P10.00 (less than US$ 20 cents) if you buy in a local bakeshop but if you choose to have it done by known bakeshop, I'm pretty sure it will cost about US$ 40 cents each. We can do the frosting and decorations by ourselves (my sister and my aunt are good in this).

Lunch/Dinner Feast: I am always an advocate of small family wedding and done in the privacy of your own home. If I have my way, I prefer these easy to prepare and exotic dishes. Most Filipino weddings are done in buffet since having a plate-in would cost so much time and money (to pay the server), this is because wedding is regarded as a feast - your invited guest will bring his/her own guests as well. Some opted for restaurant or hotel reception to limit the number of pax and to save as well. But if it is a house reception, expect to see unfamiliar faces.

Appetizer: Lumpia Shanghai and Lumpia Vegetable, & Ham/Asparagus Rolls

Salad: Egg Salad or Coleslaw
8 eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons chopped pimento

Note: Filipinos are not keen on salads but to extend the variety of dishes. This salad will bring a shock for sure for some people because egg is not usually served in weddings, but it will boils down to taste and presentation.

Main Dish: Chinese steamed fish (whole fish served in wedding is considered by Chinese a good luck)
Crunchy Fish Finger in Tartar Sauce
Orange or Pineapple Pork Spareribs
Beef Stroganoff
Buttered Vegetables

Dessert: Coco Bico (a new recipe I found on the daily paper)
Fresh Fruit Flatter
Leche Flan

Chicken macaroni soup

2005-07-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

My husband cooked this few weeks ago. I was on my eating mood of having chicken macaroni soup. With pasta available, a left over chicken and a dozen of egg, my husband was so wonderful enough to gave in to my request. He usually cook without any measurement, just perfect approximation. I don't know how he made it but the addition of hard boiled egg was a perfect combination. It was yummy and creamy!

Fish and Chips

2005-07-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

I remember the fish and chips shop in Toowoomba near Coco's Fresh Food Market (along Hume Street), and they have the best f & c in downtown Toowoomba. Last Saturday, I fancied eating fish and chips. Though my chips are actually french fries (Aussie chips are thicker and larger than the shoe-string fries of the Americans) but it is still potato. I used two kinds of fish (I dunno the names) but they are very fleshy and flaky and a good choice for my own version. Instead of having beer as a batter, I used water. With no exact measurement, I mixed the ingredients to make a batter

All-purpose flour
Baking powder (I have no self raising flour)
Salt
Pepper
Water

I try not make my batter so watery so the mixture will coat the fish thoroughly.

Deep-fried some ready-made chips, and voila! A hearty (?) lunch for me and my husband.

With no tomato sauce around, I was forced to buy a sweet chili sauce from a nearby small convenient store. The sauce is not as tasty as the one from Thailand, but better than nothing.

What's wrong with my inquiry?

2005-07-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

I found a website that sells handmade paper in my country Philippines. With a plan of expanding our range of products, I inquired about getting locally produced handmade papers. I sent an online inquiry and after a week I received nothing. Then I sent an email to the address and until now (almost a week) received nothing from them. I am not sure if there is a problem with my inquiry, seems this company is not interested with my query. I supposed they don't like pesos, insted they prefer dollars. Tsk tsk tsk....isn't business not to discriminate? It's their loss not mine. I could still find some small business who are producing this material.

Jacaranda

2005-07-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

When I was still in uni, when the final examination is fast approaching, we try not to pass through under the jacaranda tree. There is a myth/belief that when a single petal of the flower fell on your head, you will fail the exam. It was such a ridiculous belief but never in my uni years I tried walking under the jacaranda tree. I am not sure if it is only the Filipinos have this coz I saw most of the Aussie didn't care at all. Nevertheless, October is a beautiful month when in uni because of the blooming trees.

Brisbane University

2005-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Brisbane provides excellent universities, three are reputable ones - UQ, QUT and Griffith.

The University of Queensland (UQ) www.uq.edu.au

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's premier learning and research institutions. It is the largest and oldest university in Queensland and has produced generations of graduates who have gone on to become leaders in all areas of society and industry. US has 3 campuses - St. Lucia, Gatton, and Ipswich. Other UQ locations include teaching hospitals and health centres, veterinary science centres, agricultural science farms, marine research stations, physics research stations, seismograph stations and an underground mine. UQ is one of Australia's top eight universities. UQ is my alma mater.

St. Lucia Campus

Gatton Campus

Ipswich Campus

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) www.qut.edu.au

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is one of Australia's largest universities, enrolling 40,000 students, 12 per cent from overseas . We can offer you a broader range of undergraduate degrees than most other universities, with the flexibility to choose a combination of study areas as well as participate in exchange programs with overseas universities.
QUT is the largest provider of bachelor degree graduates into full-time employment in Australia each year and its graduate employment rate is well above the national average for Australian universities. QUT has campuses in Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove, Carseldine, and Caboolture.

Gardens Point Campus

Kelvin Grove Campus

Carseldine Campus

Griffith University www.gu.edu.au

Griffith University is one of Australia's most progressive and dynamic tertiary institutions. With five campuses in the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor, and a total of some 27,000 students, Griffith University is acknowledged as one of Australia's top universities. A wide range of degrees are offered, from biomedical science to international business, aviation to education, law to music, engineering to fine art, IT to psychology, the environment to the humanities, laser sciences to languages, and nursing to physiotherapy, to name just a few. GU has 5 campuses - South Bank, Nathan, Mr. Gravat, Logan and Gold Coast.

South Bank Campus

Nathan Campus

Mt. Gravat Campus

Logan Campus

Gold Coast Campus

Gatton View

2005-07-25T02:40:00.000-07:00

I found this pix from the net (www.australianbeers.com/ pubs/gatton/gatton.htm) and this is truly amazing coz it's the pub that me and my African mate used to hang out and where is always bought her XXXX beer- the Gatton View Hotel.

The pub/hotel is just across our flat along Railway St. I never had a picture of Gatton town so it is kind of nostalgic.

I am not a bank

2005-07-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

Just received a text message from my sister forwarding the text she received from my elder sister talking about needing money. When it comes to money matter, my name always comes up. It seems they expect me to take care of all their financial problems, not considering that I am also looking after my own family. Me and my husband are not earning millions. I already have my own share of responsibilities - I am sending my sister to nursing school and providing allowance to my parents. Now, even the problem of my sibling who is married and has a husband, they expect me to solve it for them. I am not a millionaire. I only have enough to sustain my sister and parents needs, I can't take care of everybody's problems. I am not a bank or a financial institution who has a ready supply of money all the time. Since 1995, I have been supporting my family, until now that I am married I am doing the same thing. I don't know when I can get out from this - it's just too much to bear. Their problem is my problem, but my problem is mine alone.

I know it is not a good attitude to count what I have done for them but sometimes their expectations are beyond my means. I already sent my sister some money help - it was not a loan rather I gave it to her. Now, the text message is implying that I am not willing to help (she said it seems no one is willing to help them). I guess my help wasn't enough, they still want more from me. What more can I give? I still have to send P13,000 by August and now,they expect me to shell out more. I am saving for the birth of my baby, my husband is saving for the small shelter I'll be in once I get home.

She has a husband who is a slob, who doesn't give her money and seems to me is relying so much from us. Why should I shoulder the problem? If I let them borrow now, for sure they won't be able to pay for it.

I am so tired with all of these.

Exotic Tagum

2005-07-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

We don't have apples, grapes, apricots, kiwi or nectarine fruits but we have santol, balimbing, saging and durian. These are just few of the exotic fruits our farmers provided for the people in the city. For those living abroad, the sight of these fruits not just bring nostalgic feeling but also salivation :-) . Just the thought of santol and green mango is enough make us drool.

Santol (Sandoricum koetjape): Although a native of Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, santol has spread all throughout the Philippines and Tagum has an abundance of it. It has to be peeled before eaten and the flesh is sour (s0me variety are sweet) while the stone is sweet and slimy. Most people swallow the stone but I could not dare to do it. You eat it with salt, vinegar, combination of salt and vinegar, soy sauce, sugar or soy sauce-sugar mixture (this one is weird). Can be bought in the market or be taken from friend's backyard.
Mango: Green mangga (unripe mango) is more popular to the Tagumians,not because it is cheaper but because of its exotic taste. It is often eaten with bagoong (fermented tiny shrimps) or a soy sauce-vinegar-sugar mixture can save the day. Most green mangoes are sour while the ripe ones (yellow) are sweeter and has that soft texture.
(while writing this, i was salivating)
Pomelo: We call it buongon. I can still rememeber, my grandma had two varities of it - yellowish and pink. Best eaten with salt or vinegar, even tried it with shrimp fry paste (sweet,salt and tart). Most people in Tagum don't buy it, they just ask from friends or friends of friends who have pomelo trees. We used to steal some from my grandma's neighbours before.
Lanzones: A sweet fruit that comes in cluster (just like grapes) but you can't eat the skin, you have to pinch the fruit near the end so the white, soft and sweet inside will come out. When in season, it can be very cheap (less than a dollar) but expensive when not.

Banana: This type of banana is called cavendish. Many towns around Tagum have vast plantation growing this fruit for export (mostly to Japan). Honestly, most people in Tagum don't eat this one, the prepare the other varieties (binangay, tundan or senorita). However, this variety is highly preferred for making banana cake because of its texture.
Marang: A yummy tropical fruit having a mass of small seeds embedded in sweetish white pulp. Need to cut in half (you can do it by just using your hands coz the ripe ones are very soft). It has a distinct smell that you can recognise from the distance. One person can eat a whole marang in just one sitting.
Balimbing: Ahh, the humble balimbing. We don't usually buy this one, we just steal it from the backyard of somebody else. There are small variety of it as well. It is very juicy and yellow or bright orange when ripe. It has a five sided shape and there is no need to peel. You just dunk it with salt and bite!

Durian. The famous durian. The foulest-smelling fruit ever but the taste is sooooo good. I think the variety in Tagum is much better than the ones in Thailand or Taiwan. The custardly meat and the stinky smell makes it the king of the fruits. It is rather expensive compares to the other fruits but it is worth the spending.

Pineapple: Tagum is strategically located between Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Davao City where pineapple plantations are located. The ones from Del Monte and Floreindo farms are the best I've tasted so far. The locally-grown ones (by the small fruit growers) are good as well but not of export quality.

Jackfruit: Nangka, that is. An enormous fruit with yellow exterior and interior of large edible bulbs of yellow, banana-flavored flesh that encloses a smooth, oval, light-brown seed. The unripe nangka is used in cooking such as ginataang nangka (jackfruit with dried fish and coconut milk), jackfruit salad, nilaga na bukog sa baboy with nangka (boiled pig bones - with lots of ginger!).

Rambutan: A cousin of longan and lychee. It is like lanzones but sweeter and juicier. It feels really good when the fruit is rolling inside your mouth :-) . Can be expensive sometimes.

English Scones

2005-07-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Talking about scones, I found this recipe from www.mrbreakfast.com

Traditional English Scones
(This recipe yields 10 servings)

2 and 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup bread flour
6 Tablespoon sugar
1 and 1/2 Tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 and 1/2 Tablespoon chilled unsalted butter -- cut into pieces
1 Tablespoon soymilk
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 cup raisins (optional)

For glaze: 1 egg yolk beaten with 2 Tablespoons water.

Preheat to 375. Butter and flour heavy large cookie sheet. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Add butter, cutting it in with pastry blender or two knives, until mixture resembles fine meal. Add milk, eggs and yolk, then raisins and mix intil fully incorporated.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.

Press dough into 1-thick rounds with floured 3-inch round cookie cutter. Gather scraps and reform into 1-inch thick rounds.

Transfer rounds to prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.

Brush with glaze.

Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

A reader suggested to add one more egg to the recipe. I don't like my scones with raisins coz I reckon scones is best when plain ....no traces of dried fruits or anything.

Baking website

2005-07-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

I found this baking website and I think I should visit this one more often. I haven't done any baking attempts but I will try it once I get home, waiting for my baby to arrive.

www.baking911.com by Sarah Phillips. She has a book as well Baking 9-1-1 (some sort of emergency line for baking disasters/FAQs).

By the way, she has the recipe for English scones (which no bakeshop I have visited in Taiwan ever made this). Ohhhh, the taste of scones with cream...... i'm drooling.

Wedding (cup)Cake

2005-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

I was on my wedding mood the other day and the only thing came to my mind is wedding cake. I search the net and found the latest trend in wedding cake.... the humble and yummy cupcakes. In my country, people are still into that three to five layered cakes you usually find in weddings but as I read some articles, in the US the wedding cupcakes are taking the place of the more traditional wedding cakes. For reasons - cupcakes are cheaper, easy to serve (no more cutting/slicing and mess with the frosting/icing), simple with a touch of elegance and uniqueness, and I reckon a kind of hip.

I found some good ones from the net (link to the site to see more of the variations). If I have to make one for my friends or families weddings, I would incorporate fresh flowers/leaves to the table decorations, have the frosting the same colour as the wedding motiff, and stick Bible verse, and one round cake at the top for the traditional cake cutting.

www.weddingcaketastic.com

www.freedsbakery.com

www.sugarcraft.com

www.carlocksbakery.com

www.aboutthecake.com

www.cakes4fun.co.uk

Pangga

2005-07-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

My husband...taken during a trip to Taiwan's high mountain in Nantou. The place is a small replica of the aborigine's typical house. He wasn't pounding anything though, it was just for a show.

Shortest Marriage

2005-07-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

For us, Christians, marriage is a sacred sanctity bound by God to be forever. However, there are many marriages that only lasted a day or less than a decade. I checked the Internet and I found these.

Jennifer Lopez & Ojani Noa = 13 months
Jennifer Lopez & Cris Judd = 8 months
Drew Barrymore & Jeremy Thomas = under 1 month
Drew Barrymore & Tom Green = 5 months
Shannen Doherty & Ashley Hamilton = 5 months
Shannen Doherty & Richard Salomon = 9 months
Nicholas Cage & Lisa Marie Presley = 3 months and 15 days
Lisa Marie Presley & Michael Jackson = 20 months
Carmen Electra & Dennis Rodman = 5 months
Mike Tyson & Robin Givens = 1 year
Jim Carey & Lauren Holly = 9 months
Julia Roberts Lyle Lovett = 21 months
Charlie Sheen & Donna Peele = 4 months and 24 days
Alyssa Milano & Cinjun Tate = 10 months and 19 days
R. Kelly & Aaliyah = under 3 months
Janet Jackson & James DeBarge = 4 months
Robin Givens & Syetozar Marinkovic = 1 day
Robert Evans & Catherine Oxenberg = 12 days
Dennis Hopper & Michelle Philips = 8 days
Zsa Zsa Gabor & Felipe De Alba = 1 day
Rudolph Valentino & Jean Acker = 6 HOURS
Britney Spears & Jason Allen Alexander = 55 hours

Well, they have the money to spend for the wedding, they also have to dispense for the divorce. To quote Britney and Jason "Let's do something wild, crazy. Let's go get married, just for the hell of it.'' There you go.

Furniture business

2005-07-11T02:54:00.000-07:00

Early this year, we started with our small furniture making business. The business is picking up slowly but not bad for a biz with just a start-up of less P100,000 (including all the machines). I have here some of the pieces custom made for the customers.

6-seaters dining set

Solid wood front door

Overseas nurses, goldmine for their families?

2005-07-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

I read numerous stories of the families of Filipinos nurses working in the US and UK claiming that their children/sisters/brothers,etc. are earning around P100,000/month (about 1,400 plus Euro), which is equivalent to almost 3 years of salary in the Philippines. So these families in the Philippines are expecting for a large monthly remittance from these nurses. The thing that disgusts me is when these families are boasting of the nurse earning without realizing that these men and women are spending their money not in peso but in dollars or euro. For instance, if you are a Grade D Staff Nurse, the salary would range from £16,525 to £18,240 per year. These numbers would afford any nurse to send money at home. However, you should be aware that the salary reflects the cost of living in UK: food and accommodation prices are in line with the money someone earn. With the rent alone, you will be spending £200 to 300 a month rental for a flat share. Grocery for about £300 a month, not to include household bills of maybe £80 a month. With the amount of money you are receiving and the amount being spent, anybody won't feel like being rich and yet those families in the Philippines thought they have found a goldmine. Needless to say, it is better off than working in the Philippines where salary is not enough to buy a box of detergent and a bottle of bleach for the white uniform.

The countryside - a safe haven

2005-07-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Even though I am just on my 16th weeks of pregnancy, I already have the growing concern on how am I going to raise my child in a chaotic world. With the news of London bombing yesterday only confirmed that there is no safe haven. Though we won't be living in a city (we will be settling in a farm in the province), I can't confine my child in that safe environment, every now and then we will be visiting the city. I think that’s when the fear creeps in. However, compare to those who live in high profiled countries or cities, we will be better off living in a laid-back community. That's the consolation we have in exchange for the glitter of the city. Having lived in different cities of different countries, I began to appreciate the humbleness of being in a countryside.

My photography thing

2005-07-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have been doing this photography (very amateur and no technical stuffs) for less than a year. I took some good ones (well, for me they are), most are flowers coz they are easier to take. Here are some of them.

Things that make me ummmm

2005-06-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

There are things that I really LIKE and couldn't help but take a look or indulge at them longer than any normal being can. Are you ready? Here they go!

1. Cakes: I love cakes but not all of them. I love mud cake. I love pavlova. I love cheesecake. I love carrot cake.

2. Watching Tele: Sitting infront of the telivision set can't bore me. I can stay in a house with just a TV, and my day is complete.

3. Cooking shows: My obsession with cooking shows is out of this world. I can watch the same episode for the nth with no satisfaction.

4. Dried Flowers: I love dried flowers. It's a pity I could not find them here easily in Taiwan. They come to me as fresh as the fresh flowers.

5. Country decor: Any decors with country touch are very close to my heart. They made me feel like I'm at home.

6. Skirts: I am obsessed with skirts. I don't like the ones with so much prints. Minimal prints is okay for me but the one I really are the ones with little decorations on the hemline. I like them in pastels.

7. Hopia: I drool with just the thought of it. I have never eaten it since I left the country in 2002, and can't wait to taste some once I get home.

8. Pizza: Ofcourse!

9. Joshua Kadison's songs Beautiful in my eyes and Jessie: Songs that bring wonderful memories of my time in Gatton and Toowoomba.

10. French Fries: Though not a recommended for for healthy buff, I always try to grab one once in a while.

11. Secondhand clothes: I dunno but I find ukay-ukay clothes to be unique and fun. I have some clothes I bought from secondhand shops and they stayed alive much longer than the new ones.

12. Internet: Should I say more?

13. Forums: I love shouting my views online, to prove than I am smart , yeah right!

14. Reading: Though not much to read here in Taiwan (well in English I should say), but I remain to love this hobby. It provides me with so much information and knowledge.

15. Writing: Anything. it's like a rejuvenating experience once I put my thoughts in words.

16. Arts and Crafts: An avenue to express my creativity, if there is.

Philippines politics

2005-06-29T00:32:00.000-07:00

With the political crisis happening in the Philippines now, it made me feel like not going home. I am tired with all the politicking surrounding the governing body of the country. Everyone wants to be a president. Everyone accused someone of being a cheat. Everyone is hungry for power and wealth. Everyone has forgotten what he/she is supposed to do. Everyone only think of oneself and forget the lowly Filipinos.

It's pathetic and nauseating. No one is good enough in the eyes of these crocodiles. No one is fit enough to govern the country except for herself/himself. No one thinks of the Filipino masses anymore.

As far as I can remember, I knew 5 presidents, except for Marcos, Estrada is the worst of all of them. Estrada is the epitome of stupidity and arrogance. He can't rule a country but he still insists up to this very second. Aquino was like a transition president, though she lacks the experience she performed better than Estrada. Ramos was good in pushing the economic reform in the country. I remember during his term, the Philippines was moving fast track and every time I read any international paper (I was out of the country then and now), foreign business sectors were praising Ramos administration. And yet, he wasn't spared from malicious accusations by his detractors (fellow politicians). And now. Arroyo was accused of cheating during the election. The tape illegally obtained during her conversation with the Comelec bloke was released to the media and GMA admitted it was her on the tape. However, the conversation did not insinuate that she asked to rig the votes. And yet, the opposition is pushing the far-fetch fact that she cheated. GMA has made the economy much better than that of Estrada's time and yet her opponents insisted that it should have been (the late) Fernando Poe Jr. who win. For pete’s sake, if he won, where must this country be right now. He had no leadership skills. He knew nothing about the economy. He knew nothing about governance. He had a good heart but you can not govern an 80+ million people with half of the population are poor, with a good heart alone. You need to have a good mind – intellect, knowledge, experience!

I can go on forever here but I am just tired of the whole situation.

Spurs is the champ!

2005-06-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

S.A. spurs won and that's all that matters! Way to go Tim and Manu.

Laziness

2005-06-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

The lazy bug bit me again. I am just too lazy to think and type. My mind is not intact lol. It is everywhere. I am not inspired to criticize, ponder or even just to think useless throughts. Now, I am thinking why I am not thinking (confusing, grrrrrr). I have to gather my so-called intellectual sense and maybe come up with a very inspiring piece.

2005-06-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday, I playfully took the online psychology test (how well do you know about psychology). I got 7 right answers out of the 10 questions. So I am kind of psyched. My fascination of psychology started when I was doing my education degree way back home. A semester was spent studying the basics of psychology, so for 5 months I was feeding on B.F. Skinner and E. Thorndike, Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget, Ivan Pavlov, Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow, Joseph Breuer, etc. The most intriguing and controversial of them all is Freud, while I supposed the most popular social psychology is Maslow.

Freud is most popular with his theory on Psychosexual Development or Stages of Development. While still at school, I am so into this discussion not because of its controversy, rather because of its complexity.

Skinner is the stimulus guy, his S-R theory (Stimulus-Response) can be easily understood as most people are more familiar with it. While Skinner is into operant conditioning( changes in behavior are the result of an individual's response to events that occur in the environment), Thorndike is connectionism ( the association between stimuli and response).

Piaget is more focused on cognitive structure, that accordingly are patterns of physical or mental action that underlie specific acts of intelligence and correspond to stages of child development. As a teacher, Piaget theory opne up a new perspective into understanding the children that sorrounds you most of the day. It will left you unclueless.

Pavlov is the most popular among us students. His theory (classical/operant conditioning) is using tangible objects to explain it in its simplest way - dog, bell. Well, with the food =salivation, and bell=salivation, it was much easier to discuss Pavlov on the paper during exams.

Why Africa is home of the world's ultra-poor

2005-06-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

According to the statistics, of the 20 poorest countries in the world, fourteen (14) are from the African region. The poorest of them all is Somalia ($ 500 GDP-per capita). The African continent is composed of 54 countries and covered 20.3% of total land area on earth (bigger than Europe and South America combined). The natural resources form the basis of the economies, which agricultural products and mineral resources are of primary importance- both for local consumptions and export.

So, I am wondering why Africa is a haven for the poorest countries in the world? According to the study, Africa is home of the world's ultra-poor, which 46 percent of the continent's inhabitants survive on less than $1 a day and 21 percent eke out an existence on less than $0.50 -- the ultra-poor. About 6 percent live on less than $0.25 (source: University of Cape Town's Development Policy Research Unit) . And the number is swelling.

Africa has a very intriguing history. Most of the countries were colonized, the indigenous people suffered so much on slavery. Why they remain to be more is not just a colonial agenda rather a combination of natural calamities, civil war, despotism, and shrinking economy. These factors combined together gave birth to poverty, debt, and displacement.

According to New Internationalist (http://www.newint.org/), what is making Africa even poorer is this:

Africa must buy what it does not produce - anything from railway engines to transistor radios - and that means earning hard currency, or foreign exchange’. Most African economies depend for their foreign exchange on the export of just one or two raw materials: either cash crops or minerals. And here they are at the mercy of world markets: prices are fixed in New York and London and with nothing else to sell, a slump in cocoa or copper, tea or tobacco, spells immediate crisis.

The manufactured goods that Africa buys with its foreign exchange rise steadily in price. A large proportion are luxuries for the wealthy or expensive weapons for the military. The basic needs of the majority of Africans are frequently ignored.

The gap between what is earned and what is spent is covered by borrowing. Paying back interest on these debts becomes yet another drain on scarce foreign exchange. Pressure grows to increase exports in order to meet debt repayments. When this fails more borrowing follows, and so the debt spiral takes another upward turn.

The basic indicators of human well-being - health, life expectancy and literacy - reveal that Africa is very badly off indeed. Worse off not only than industrialised countries but the rest of the Third World as well.

Sub-Saharan Africa's population of 362 million is expected to double in the next 25 years. Meanwhile agricultural production is in decline and expensive food imports are on the increase. The result, predicted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAQ), is that Africa will provide for only half its food needs by the year 2020.

Many rich countries have extended the much needed help to rescue Africa but the story remains the same. Only God's mercy can save this beautiful continent.

I don't like them

2005-05-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

With all the places I lived in, Taiwan is the most unfriendly of them all. There are nice people I met but majority of them are hostile, proud, and they think they are the most clever people in the world. I wish China will kick their ass by taking all the world investment to China and leave Taiwan with nothing, so someday, the Taiwanese will go to China in search of work.... and they will be alienated.

Fit for the house of the Lord

2005-05-16T01:19:00.000-07:00

I am a regular churchgoer and I usually don't have a prying eye on other parishioners. However, I have noticed recently that there are so many young and not-so young women are attending the church wearing something which I reckon is not in the principle of propriety.

While sitting at the back bench, I can't help but noticed these women in jeans with tiny, body-fitting tees (sleeveless or with sleeves mini T-shirt). I supposed there is nothing wrong with that but the offensiveness comes in when they are sitting down. Pardon my words but with a low waist jeans and a tiny top, you can imagine what can be seen. You can see the underwear protruding from the jeans waist (well, you can certainly conclude she is wearing a red underwear) or the fine line dividing the two buttocks became highly visible. Some are wearing sleeveless tops and the black brassiere's straps spun out from the tops sleeves. I apologize for the blatant descriptions but I myself as a woman find it embarrassing to the men who are sitting at the back. Though these men have no primary intention of going to church just to see these unsightly views but the very thing is placed right under their eyes. As a woman, I find it disturbing, what can it be for the men? I am dishearten with the lack of proper dress and manner inside the church.

I know the church does not impose proper code dressing inside the house of God. The Bible has made it clear in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:2-5 about the proper dress for women. However, some like wearing veils can be ignored but the principles of modesty and propriety can still be applied. One doesn’t have to wear flashy and expensive dress, or she doesn’t have to look like she’s going to a ball, rather a descent attire that does not send an opposing message to the church values. Granted that its summer time and we all want to be cool and casual. Women can wear jeans and tees but once inside the church they can put on something over it.

How the parishioners dress in the church is a reflection of attitude and intention. I don't want to sound preachy because I am not a theologian but isn’t it the prime purpose of going to the church is to “meet” the Lord who is present in the Holy Eucharist? Aren't we dressing to meet the Lord and to participate in the mystery of His salvation? Or aren't we in Christopher’s Church just to flaunt what we have? We all come to Christopher Church not because it is a building where we can have free air-conditioning, meet with our friends, be with our sweethearts but we come to St. Christopher's Church because it is the house of the Lord. When we come to the house of the Lord, we should look our best, and showing half of your bottom is not I supposed what we can afford to be the very best for the Lord, who gave His very best for us (His life).

If a woman have to meet the parents of her boyfriend, she wants to look presentable. She'll wear the best dress she has and she'll see to it that she looks neat, clean and properly clothed. Why is that? Because she wants to gain their respect. It is the same thing with going to the church. You want to be presentable to God. You don't want to look trashy.

God always look for the hearts of the people rather than the physical aspect. However, what we wear to the house of the pure God is an indication of where are hearts are. Filipinos are fashionable people and societal behavior is subjected to trends but fashion should not dictate what to wear inside the church. St. Paul stresses modesty in 1Cor.12:23. Modesty, is “propriety in dress, speech, or conduct”. Proper church etiquette requires that men and women come to church not only properly clothed but also ready and willing to conduct themselves accordingly and respecting the sanctity of God’s House.

Not short of miracle

2005-05-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

I read the online news this morning and one particular story caught my attention. A 44-year old man who had been mute for 10 years after suffering from a left-brain damage, for the first time uttered a word. The doctors are trying to put the puzzles together to determine what triggers this man to speak up again. For his family, he missed ten years of his life but for him, he thought he's only been away for 3 months.

There has to be medical explanation as to why this happened but I consider it a great miracle from God. This man has been blessed and given a new lease on life so he can enjoy the love and companionship of his family and friends. We never knew what went on his mind during those silent and dark days, but for sure, he prayed and asked for mercy.

A wonderful and amazing day indeed.

Corby's trial

2005-04-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

Schapelle Corby, a 27-year old Australian is on trial for drug smuggling in Indonesia. She was caught with 4.1kg of cannabis in her unlocked bodyboard bag in Bali airport. Schapelle is believed to have been an innocent victim in an Australian domestic drug smuggling racket between Sydney and Brisbane. The criminals however, did not remove the drugs in Brisbane according to the plan and Schapelle, unbeknown to her, arrived in Bali with drugs that had been planted in her bag along the way. Corby's lawyer revealed that a man had confessed that 3 handlers had planted the drugs in Corby's bag however the man can't be presented in Indonesia court because he is in prison in Australia.

Corby has pleaded the judges for leniency but considering the justice system in Indonesia, the judges can impose any sentence they wish. Corby has slim chance of mercy in the Indonesian court as during the proceedings, the judges were showing indifference to her, one even smiled wryly and other read a book on philosophy. Corby delivered her emotional plea to the men who do not speak English and have no translator in hand.

The challenge for Corby's legal team is not foe her to come out innocent but to get a fair sentence from the not-so-fair Indonesian legal proceedings. The Indonesian proceedings works in the prosecutors favour.

Corby is facing life imprisonment or firing squad.

My opinion. Indonesia passed a light sentence on someone who blew up many bodies in Bali including many Australians, and here's a woman who has no criminal records at all will be facing a life of ? .... well.... well.... well....

Cruising the Holmes

2005-04-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Tom is dating Katie. 42 and 26. He was twice divorced and she was engaged. What a twist of fate (is it?). So, Tom was 16 years old when Katie's mom gave birth to her. Tom was on his puberty stage and Katie was no idea then if she has a vagina (tsk tsk tsk). Another Ashton and Demi. I am looking forward for Lindsay and Bruce affair. Or should I wait for another 5 years to hear Dakota Fanning cuddling with Collin Farrel (oh, please no! Dakota is an angel.)

You are sentenced for committing unsolicited O.S.

2005-04-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

First time I heard ever! A 23-year old Norwegian woman was sentenced to nine months in jail and a fine of US$ 6,355 for compensation. Her crime: performing unsolicited oral sex to an unconscious man. Norway, being known for its egalitarianism, contended that all sexual acts with someone who is "unconscious or for other reasons unable to oppose the act" are considered rape. This is disregard whether you are a woman or a man.

Whether the guy was pissed off because he was taken advantage of, or he wasn't satisfied (lolz) or he felt degraded ( big smile there), it just shows that whenever you want to perform bj , you have to ask permission first (grrrrr....kick me!).

Well, Samantha should be cautious this time. She might end up in jail.

We are expecting

2005-04-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

I had a home pregnancy test and it was positive....meaning I am pregnant! Not confirmed yet coz I haven't been to the doctor.

100 Best Things About Being A Filipino

2005-04-21T00:57:00.000-07:00

From the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else but in the Philippines is it normal to eat five times a day?
2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
4. Pinoy humour and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
9. Beaches! With 7000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.
10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best
16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower class mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalapeso peppers. Messy but delicious.
19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
21. Pakidala or padala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
29. Tricycle and trisikad, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as P3, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
32. Sarsi. Pinoy root beer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities are endless!
34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Jay, Gary V.
35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori.
36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar & franks (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA and basketball. How the vertically-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We'll survive Cory, Fidel, Erap, Gloria, and whoever comes next.
43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.
46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East as well?
50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!
53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
54. Hand-woven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.
56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.
58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig (good-looking).
62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, over-accessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package. Mangoes.
69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
70. Street food. Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.
74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers. "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.
76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!
77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.
78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.
82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.
86. Filipino Christmas. The worlds longest holiday period. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
87. Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
88. Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, karinosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materializes during a wake?
92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?
94. All Saints' Day. In honouring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
95. Handicrafts. Shell craft, rattan craft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo wind chimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!
96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spolarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed rice fields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.
100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.

Paedophiles

2005-04-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

An adult sexually attracted to a child or children. There are many of them lurking in the neighbourhood looking for victim/s. A devious mind seeking sexual gratification with young and innocent children. Nothing can be more devilish than that. These men often believe there is nothing wrong with their behaviour but they know they are breaking the law.

The case of Jessica Lunsford have ignited my interest on this kind. She was sexually molested and buried alive hugging her stuffed toy. Though I am not a mother yet, I can feel the pain of the parents. Then the case of sexual molestation against Michael Jackson, whose so-called vistims were young boys.

These paedophiles are everywhere.... they are in your workplace, community center, neighbouhood, or maybe even in the church. The best way for the parents to do is be cautious and alert on the environment, educate the children about the danger of this kind of people.

We can't stop them from doing what they want not unless they are behind bars, but we can avoid this kind of company.

Miss

2005-04-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

I miss Toowoomba. I miss Gatton. I miss Brisbane. I miss UQ. I miss St. Lucia. I wonder when I'll be able to visit those places again? I really wanted to go back and visit those old familiar places but Roncil seems to have no interest at all.

The Pope

2005-04-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

He lived his life according to the teachings of Christ, from the very moment he became an altar boy up to the last rites of his eartly life. The Pope has touched so many lives like no other human being has. He crossed boundaries by visiting communist countries, he broke taboos by visiting synagogues and mosque (the very first Pope ever!), he criticized as well as praised world leaders, and the closest to the hearts of the youths. There are so many superlatives and adjectives we can attached to his name but the ultimate of it all is ...he was the living symbol, manifestation and example of God's love and how should every God's children and prophets should be. He was not perfect and he was not trying to be one because he knows he is the perfect image of God and his life is patterned according to the will and plan of God.

Though I haven't seen him personally but the magnitude of his sincerity and love for humanity vibrated even to the utmost corners of the world. One thing that strike me most is he never compromised because he knew his views are based on the bible. He never doubted his faith because he is comfortable with it.

Movie List

2005-03-23T01:28:00.000-08:00

Movie critics have their own biases and limitations when coming up with best movie list so I made my own. This list is based on the movies I have seen so far (I am not a huge movie buff, and you can crucify me if you see me hanging out in cinemas or video shops). I randomly select the movies I’ve watched and so far I have some which made a quite few visits to the VCD and others were left in the corner, gathering dust.

Again, this is not in particular order. Just what comes on top of my mind right now.

Schindler’s List:

The Godfather: You don’t

Pulp Fiction:

The Silence of the Lambs:

Forest Gump:

The Color Purple:

Casino:

Raise the Red Lantern:

The Joy Luck Club:

To Kill A Mockingbird:

The Sound of Music:

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner:

When Harry Met Sally:

Sleepless in Seattle:

Armageddon:

The Ghost:

Places in Our Heart:

The Lord of the Rings: 11 Academy Awards. Should I say more.

Harry Potter:

Kill Bill:

Chocolat: It struck me first as very intriguing.

Dead Man Walking:

The Fisher King:

Malcolm X:

Man on Fire: Peta and Creasy.

Muriels’s Wedding:

Working Girl: Sexy Mel (Melanie Griffith)

Selfish

2005-03-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

I don't want to pass judgement but I have an innate way of looking and understanding people's attitude. I have been observing my colleague Marion and eventhough she is a Christian, but she has some kind of selfishness. She refuse to share her load thinking somebody will take it away from her and the recognition and praise won't be given to her alone.

I don't know but it's disgusting.

Escape from urban jungle

2005-03-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

I am so stress out. I have been working non-stop (and so is my husband). We go to the office from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Even after working hours at the office, we don’t just lounge and be couch potatoes at home. Right after dinner, we start with our sideline job and that would last until 12:00 midnight. It has always been like that for the past months- started last year. Even on the weekends, the only time we never think of work is when we are at the church. The church is the only place where we live everything behind at the door, and after that pick it up again and continue working. We never spent a time away from our house and work- a quality, stress-free time which we don’t have to worry about the work we left behind.

I miss going out in the woods or bushes just to spend time with myself, listening to me, catching up with myself. I never communing with nature. All I can hear now is noise. Deafening noise.
I am always longing to go to a very calm, pristine and secluded place where I can smell the grasses, hear the chirping of the birds, touch the dew falling on the leaves, play with the rushing water of the river, marvel at the blooms of the wildflowers and have my feet get wet and dirty. I wish….I hope…. I want to get out of the urban jungle, it is becoming to congested for me.

Nasty

2005-03-21T01:33:00.000-08:00

The latest incident that happened last weekend has caused a stir and rift between my mother and her father. My grandfather has always been overly protective but the recent conflict had made my mother realized how little she was to my grandparents and one of my aunts. We are poor and we have nothing, except for the love and respect that we built for so long. My aunt has been pushing my mother to the edge by criticizing her on the way she brought us up. There is nothing wrong with the ways my mother raised us…we grow up to be a respectful, dignified, and individual with integrity. Unlike my aunt who has no other intention from her children except getting financial support from them. My aunt criticized my mother for allowing us her children to give “not enough” money. Me and my sister give financial support to my mother at least P14,000 a month. My mother thinks its enough, for she deeply appreciate the help though she never asks for more. My aunt wants my mother to ask for more, in a way that she branded us stingy. She criticized us through my mother. My mother took everything she heard and never spread the nasty comment from my aunt. I really pity my mother, it made me cry on how she take everything humbly.

My grandfather has been over protective especially on my younger sister. My siblings are my mother's responsibility and he has no right to say the first word, for he will definitely step on my mother toes. I don't know how my grandfather perceived his ways and attitude. He should be gaining more wisdom for he is already old.

Me and my sister Chinggay thinks that they are treating my mother like that because she has nothing to give to them except for her service. The only thing I can do for these heartless people is to pray that God will touch their hearts and realize how cruel they are and there is more to this world than money. I pray that my mother will be stronger to face another hardships she'll face.

Global Warming

2005-03-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

Himalayan glaciers receding fast. Mount Kilimanjaro stripped of its snowcap. Arctic lakes have undergoing drastic changes over the years. Heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather. Ocean warming, sea-level rise and coastal flooding. Glaciers melting. Arctic and Antarctic warming. Downpours, heavy snowfalls, and flooding. Droughts and fires. Earlier spring arrival. Very cold winter. Very warm summer.

Some say it's not real but it's too real. It is not a myth rather a more realistic environmental concern. This year, as far as I can remember, is the coldest winter ever. Taiwan's high mountains, for the first time were capped with snow. If you watch the TV, European and American countries suffered a lot with the coldest winter so far.

It's a scary thought that our planet is getting warmer. If emissions of heat-trapping gases are not brought under control, our planet is leading towards a catastrophe. We have not took care of our mother nature well, we used and overused the resources without replacing it back with much care. We might not be feeling the ultimate consequences, but the coming generations might be deprived of a clean, safe and beautiful environment.

Coming home

2005-03-13T23:42:00.000-08:00

My father is coming home today…as of this writing, the ship will arrive at 7pm (Philippines time). I wonder what will be the ambience, the reaction, the emotion (or lack of it)… I asked my sister to keep me posted. For now, all I can do is wait for any news and upcoming events. After a decade of total hibernation and two decades (in total) of on-off communication, it’s the event of the year in our household.

Mr. DJ, can i make a request?

2005-03-13T23:21:00.000-08:00

There are songs that can make you cry , laugh and remind you of someone, someplace and some memories. Songs that give you goose bumps because of how they transform your mind set and leading you to the almost and exact moment you heard them. So, here they goes… the most requested songs (in my life radio, I supposed).

1. Jessie (by Joshua Kadison): Reminds me of Gatton and one particular Aussie girl whom I shared a college with. I don't even know her name. Everytime I played the song, she always ran into my room and laid in my bed….seems like she's all by herself. She called me Jessie- not because she doesn't know my name but because of the song.

2. Beautiful in my eyes (by Joshua Kadison): Not really a fan of Joshua but this particular song was the one I always played everytime I rode in McCafferty bus from Toowoomba from Gatton. Well, traveling can be boring (seeing nothing but bushes) but the song kept me entertained.

3. Butterfly Kisses (by Bob Carlisle): Toowoomba. Definitely Toowoomba. I bought the CD at a store along Ruthven St. and since I'm hooked to it. It's a lovely song about the love of a father to his daughter and vice versa. A wonderful piece to be sang at a wedding.

4. Do You Know Where You're Going To (Gerry Goffin and Mike Masser): My friends in Tagum. One afternoon, we listened to the song and we just cried. I think we were so uncertain of what life will bring after college and the song brought that poignant feeling. I love this song and it will remain to be a special song to me, just as my friends are special in my heart.

5. Father's Eyes (by Amy Grant): A Christian song, the very first one I like until this day. It reminds of my high school days way back in Tagum.

6. Amazing Grace: Reminds me of my friend Cherie Tafatu. Cherie used to play this on her guitar.

7. Breathe Again (by Toni Braxton): Bevs, of course, Beverly sang this during the PISO Christmas party 1996. Won't elaborate for more, she might not like it lolz.

8. 25 Minutes (by Michael Learns to Rock): Toowoomba and Dondons Chinese-Malaysian friends. I used to go to their place and whenever these uncircumcised guys (hahahahahaha, Dondon told me so) played the song, they sang along ,screaming at the top of their lungs. So much fun with those blokes.

9. Mama and 2 Become 1 (Spice Girls): Michelle (my friend Mila's daughter) sang, and recorded these songs once. It was really cool coz Michelle has a very nice voice.

10. Mmmmmbop (by Hanson): Not really a fave but it reminds me of two beautiful girls, Nikki and Miles. They used to like Hansons a lot – Nikki for Taylor and Miles for Zac. I can't really describe how insane they were but I supposed they outgrown the mmmmmbop thing and forget all about the blokes.

11. Ballade Pour Adeline (by Richard Clayderman): My mama loves this classical piece. My father gave her a tape (no CDs at that time yet) titled Somewhere in Time and she instantly love the song. I am looking for the same record but could not find one.

12. Actor (MLTR): Friends,College, SMC.

Craft Sites

2005-03-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Crafts sites for templates, ideas

Printable Tea Bag Envelopes

Printable Seed Packets

Paper Box Templates

Paper Basket Patterns

Danielle's Paper Making Craft

Bookmarks

Making Stuffs

Paper Craft

Other Sites Lists - a must to see

Printable Recipe Cards

Hobby Craft Ideas