In Memory of CORON

For quiet time tonight (which was while I was driving on my way home), I was thinking about what the priest had said during homily today. “Choose courage over fear.” And as I got off the car, I got the chance to look at the moon and night sky. I felt a familiar feeling of anxiety. FEAR. And all thoughts about today’s homily drifted away.

I remembered CORON.

I remembered how 365 days ago I said it was our make or break vacation. It almost broke us, but we survived and managed to emerge victorious. In fact, it was blissful-- the feeling of being with you and the feeling of being inside our exclusive bubble. There were just us and strangers in an unfamiliar place. Everything was wonderful since then. Or so I thought it was. Too bad we do not exist in a vacuum. And ours was a bubble popped by external challenges.

For the past months I have been rushing into life with the hopes of getting back on my feet. I have been running through busy days, cramming everything before an arbitrary cut-off date. I suppose I was successful. That is until now. I wonder why the universe has been really playful this year? A muddled up situation together with life’s complexities on top of things that were left unsaid. I wonder why things get warped and why did it have to be us with it?

And then some lingering thoughts appear in my mind. Thoughts I expect that would haunt me again tonight. Tonight, I will embrace them like they were a part of me. Come to think of it, yes, they are a part of me. Tonight I will allow the hopelessness and helplessness to linger. But I will be praying for blue skies ahead of us again tomorrow. Together or apart.

Coron. One day, I will appreciate your beauty once again. One day I will have the courage to go back. One day, I will be able to smile as I look back and remember. Maybe one day, I won’t have to try so hard to forget. 

I miss you 

Because Something Good Always Happens :) Nomnomnom

This was painted on their walls

So again, during our regular after Sunday Mass dinners, my batchmate suggested we go to Nomnomnom. A vegan restaurant along E. Rodriguez corner Tomas Morato. She had been there a couple of days ago with the kids from school to cook. She was raving about the ravioli and tinapa pizza. The owners were parents from the school where she works. Actually, we’ve been through quite a number of restaurants where her students’ parents are the owners. :P She also told me that Tomato Kick and Nomnomnom have the same owners only that TK is a matu (drinking) place and Nomnomnom is a lot different.

Since I’ve always liked the food in TK and my batchmate has been raving about Nomnomnom for the past days we’ve been together, I said yes. J haha! Talk about a very wise decision.

Nomnomnom is very different from TK. Pola and I agreed that it would be a very nice date place. J haha! Well for one, I like privacy and my first statement was “ok dito ah. Tago, hindi madaling ma-spottan.” But that’s just me kidding. :P Seriously, I am never really fond of crowds, as much as possible I avoid jam-packed areas. They give me a headache and it makes me nauseous. (Yeah, only God knows why I don’t get sick to my stomach whenever my friends and I hit attica every Friday! This is probably one of the reasons why I rarely go to clubs.) Going back, they have a warm, close to home ambience. It was a feel good place. J No wonder it’s called “Nomnomnom Happy Food”.

By definition “nom nom nom” according to my fifth grade teacher is a figure of speech called onomatopoeia. It is when sounds are used as words to describe an action. According to the Urban Dictionary, it represents a sound made when someone is eating or chewing something and is really enjoying it. It also refers to the sound of cookie monster while munching on his cookies. All three definitions refer to enjoying delicious food. Nomnomnom got me raving! Pola and I ordered Enchilada, which according to the menu was a “Mexican version of Lasagna, made with flour, tortilla, filled with Kangkong cream & cheese topped with enchilada sauce”. We also ordered Malinomnom, a bestseller! It had tinapa, kesong puti, red egg and shallots. It was really good.

Why?

I’m a carnivore. I like meat. Period. But our meal tonight didn’t have any hint of meat at all but I enjoyed it. The Enchilada was kangkong filled. And my story of the kangkong also known as the cabbage swamp go way back 3^rd year high school. You see, my chemistry teacher, for reasons I forgot, told us that water convolvulus or swamp cabbages also grew in rivers or in damp areas where informal settlers without a “normal” toilet bowl lived. So there, I won’t even elaborate anymore. I have stopped eating kangkong since then. It was only in college when I started eating kangkong again but only when it was the following:

1. Crispy kangkong with dip cooked by someone I know,

2. Dencio’s Adobong Kangkong,

3. Mom’s kangkong in her sinigang.

In all these instances I would always ask where they bought the plant and how many times they washed and boiled it for cooking. Fine. I’m weird like that. And I couldn’t tell Pola my food issues because she’d tease me and call me “Madam” once again.   So going back to tonight’s meal, just the smell whetted my appetite. And with the first bite, I forgot all my unresolved issues with the swamp cabbage. Haha! I just kept on saying “batch! Ang yummy! Omg! I have to learn how to do this.” :P

Then the Malinomnom arrived. And yes, I don’t eat tinapa and red egg, and I have no mother freakin idea what shallots are. The only topping I was actually looking forward to was the kesong puti, which smelled, well, awful but still yummy because it’s cheese.  :P haha! People say, I’m maarte and pihikan when it comes to food. My mom would give sermons on how I refuse to eat food served on the table. For the longest time, I have never agreed with this, because clearly, my body fats prove otherwise, right? Anyway, I don’t know why I don’t eat tinapa but I do know why red/salted egg has been a no-no for me. Its’ texture is kinda weird and it smells weird too. It’s not fish related but it’s “malansa” for me. I just don’t like the smell and maybe it’s an acquired taste. (And I can’t believe why a lot of people actually, like it.) But moving forward, Malinomnom was divine! The tinapa, the red egg, the kesong puti, and the shallots were a perfect fit. What a great pizza innovation. J It was sapid, piquant and I loved it with their chilli oil. And there wasn’t any sign of the red egg’s awful smell. Yey! Nomnomnom, you got me to eat food I didn't like! Kuddos for you!!!!

  

Since Pola and I were full, due to the carbo loading we just did, we decided not to get dessert anymore. I also figured, since we came from Moonleaf before hearing mass and we had sweets there, not getting dessert was ok. The meals were still perfect. J

Because something good always happens. Thanks Nomnomnom!

too bad i don't eat talong :P

the ravioli Pola was craving for

P.S

And I now know what shallots are. :P They are commonly mistaken as onions but they are actually species of their own kind. They have a mild taste that combines the flavor of a sweet onion with a touch of garlic. (thanks Magic Valley Growers)

P.P.S

This is nothing compared to other food blogs and food reviews. These are just food as described by my taste buds in coordination with my “happy tummy”. J

          Unit 2, Lower Groundfloor, GYY Bldg.,

         1 Tomas Morato Cor. E. Rodriguez Ave.,

                                  Quezon City

http://nomhappyfood.wordpress.com/

facebook: Nomnomnom Happy Food

multiply: Nom Happy Food

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I confess...

That there were times when I would mentally delete you from family photos.

I wish you weren’t as weird and as old and as sungit as you are.

I planned to creep in from the terrace while you’re sleeping and scare the hell out of you.

I prayed for that weird boy that would come marry you and take you away.

I thought it was heavenly not having you around and that big sisters are really just..well...nothing.

I wanted to shave your eye browse while you were sleeping or burn all your clothes.

I thought it would be funny to put sand on your sinigang sa bayabas and cockroach inside your shoes. Haha!

And so on and so forth.

Today I shall cease playing God.

I confess... That during those times when...

I would mentally delete you from family photos, I would then find it incomplete and click the undo button.

I wish you weren’t as weird and as old and as sungit as you are but it’s your weirdness that actually makes me seem normal, and you being old makes me look young, and you being masungit makes people think I’m warm.

I planned to creep in from the terrace while you’re sleeping and scare the hell out of you i would then realize that  you’d beat the crap out of me after.

I prayed for that weird boy that would come marry you and take you away, I would then find myself wishing you’d take me with you.

I thought it was heavenly not having you around and that big sisters are really just...good for nothing. I ask myself who will I fight with when you’re gone? And I come to my senses and realize that it is through Ates, particularly you that I get a glimpse of adulthood and that one day I will (have to) be one too.

I wanted to shave your hair and eyebrows while you were sleeping or burn all your clothes, I’d know it’s futile  since your hair will grow back and you’d simply buy new clothes. You'd still be beautiful anyway. :)

I thought it would be funny to put sand on your sinigang sa bayabas and a cockroach inside your shoes was just because I never liked the food, and the cockroach was just to make you loosen up a little. :P

But despite all the angst and fury and all the imaginations I do, when my day comes to an end, I still find myself talking to God, asking him to keep you safe all the time. After all, I still trust that what he has given me is what he knows best and to lose you would mean losing the best. The truth is, no matter how often I deny it, I'm beyond lucky  to have you around.  And this still holds true despite instances when I just want to strangle you with a microphone chord or the tv cable’s thick wires. J  I am thankful to him for giving me an Ate like you. For one, it was because of you, (and my other older siblings) that I was able to experience what it is being a child fully. From hand me down clothes to hand me down parents’ UTOS-es. I’ve experienced it all.J And it is also because of older siblings that I am able to go back to being a child once in a while even if I am an adult now and the world expects me to act like one.

Despite all the heartbreaks, mishaps and misunderstandings I still wind up loving you unconditionally. And despite those times when we ourselves are in war with each other and I close my eyes and wish to not see you for a long-long time, I still find myself looking at you with so much awe wondering how a person can be so amazing. (Don’t push it. These are just random times, ok?) 


I guess all the wrath, hatred and fury has always been temporary. (Well either that or I’m just bipolar.J) After a while or no matter how long, even if we've never come close to understanding whatever pain we’ve caused each other, there always comes a time when it simply won’t matter anymore.Of course every now and then, Anarahath will still ring the bell on our doorstep or just come in unwanted. And I may say and act like I’ve never forgiven you from the shenanigans way back when I was ten (and you were twenty –how mature :P) or  I’d say that I’ll never ever forgive you for whatever misgiving until I’m eighty (you’ll be ninety by then), but the truth is, my heart will always find comfort with the thought that we will and always will be until forever and ever sisters.

Happy Birthday, Ate! I love you! 

Manang's Chicken vs. Bon Chon Chicken

11.13.2011

Pola and I tried the newly opened Manang’s Chicken in Katipunan after hearing Mass in UP. I have actually heard a lot of praises about it. Manang’s Chicken was also being compared to Bon Chon chicken (my favorite), so I had to try it.

I got the four pieces wings, original, which was similar to my staple(soy garlic)  order in Bon Chon; except that in the latter, the minimum is six pieces wings for a small order. In terms of food price, Manang’s chicken is a real buy compared to Bon Chon. My four pieces wings only cost me ninety-nine pesos. (And YES, believe it or not –I was on a NO RICE DIET that night. Haha)

Manang’s Chicken’s original, has a soy dredged coating. Something that I would usually like except that there were sesame seeds on it. (Too bad, I never really liked sesame seeds.)  It was good. But there was nothing really special about the chicken and I figured, it wasn’t something I would crave for. The chicken was not crunchy, in fact I found it stone hard. Maybe I should try their other chicken flavors. I have a thing for spicy food so I guess I’ll enjoy the mild spicy or extra spicy more than the original.

I read (from Our Awesome Planet) that Manang’s chicken traces its’ beginnings in the food stall of Mercato Centrale. And since foodies were craving for it due to its’ uniquely Filipino taste they were able to open their first branch in Garnet Road, Ortigas. They next opened in Burgundy, Katipunan, then Mega Mall food court. Strategic places, if you ask me. :)

Both Manang’s and Bon Chon’s chickens are bland inside. Maybe because the outside flavoring would be ruined once a salty taste is injected. But I think I would still love for them to do that.  Both serve small parts too, nothing compared to chicken joy or kfc. :P haha!

On the other hand, I have always loved Bon Chon chicken. I first tried it almost a year ago in one of the New Year’s party I have with my sorority sisters. It was potluck so Ria brought a medium box. She said, she bought it in Greenbelt 1. That was the only Bon Chon restaurant here in the Philippines back then. I have craved for it on random moments since then. One time, while I was in Makati with my other sorority sisters (mommies Audie & Ave), I satisfied my craving. J I was actually happy that they started to branch out in different places, particularly in QC. Thank God it would no longer entail long drives just to get it!

Although both Manang’s  and Bon Chon’s coating are soy based in general, there is something different about Bon Chon I find more delectable. “More” being the operative word.  I think the soy is mixed with a different kind of seasoning. Is it ginseng?  For me, it is an almost but not quite buffaloed recipe of chicken. And its’ crunchiness is just right. The spicy mayo, which is also a staple order together with the six pieces wings, answers for the bland taste inside. In terms of price, yes it is a bit pricey but I think the satisfaction I get after eating it makes up for the price. 

Oh and I love their chicken sandwich too! (Also with their spicy mayo. Haha!)

So in this case, Bon Chon still has my vote. J

P.S. This is nothing compared to other food blogs and food reviews. These are just food as described by my taste buds in coordination with my “happy tummy”. J

 

facebook: Manang's Chicken

Katipunan Branch: G/F One Burgundy Plaza, Katipunan QC

 921-0935, 400-4673, 0922-8164271

http://www.bonchon.com.ph

facebook: Bon Chon Chicken Phillippines

Katipunan Branch: 2/F Regic Center Bldg.,

Katipunan Ave. Quezon City

4421818/9900934

Libis Branch: 80 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., 

Libis Quezon City

Something New: Urban Heat Island Effect

11.18.2011

I learned something new in class tonight. :)

URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

 Photo Source: http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2011/10/21/analysis-confirms-global-warming-data-accounts-for-urban-heat-islands/


Read On...

http://www.urbanheatislands.com/

LAY BARE

11.17.2011

After months and months of persuasion from my sorority sisters and set mates, I finally decided to go to Lay Bare tonight to avail of their waxing services.

Yes, it was my first time. I am used to doing things on my own; from shaving legs, waxing underarms up to the other hairy parts of the body. :P  I don’t know why but I’m just not comfortable with the thought of complete strangers seeing the “secret” parts of me.  Yeah. I’m manang like that. Haha. But I didn’t have much time to do such things anymore. I am off to the beach this weekend so I needed an express way to the comfort of being able to wear a swimsuit.

I will not announce the specific services I availed. I don’t think anyone would ever do that. Or  again, maybe, I’m just manang like that. J

Anyway, so Lay Bare has many branches. I was supposed to go to their Katipunan branch with my sorority setmate Pola, but when I checked their website they actually have a branch in Robinsons Metroeast. I decided to have a “Me” time and opted to have my waxing appointment there.

I was greeted with happy smiles. Ate Lyn was the waxer (is that what you call it?) who took care of me. She was very warm and she appeared like she knew what she was doing.  She probably sensed discomfort on my part so she started to tell me stories and jokes. She kept on saying "ako lang 'to. secret lang natin." “mabilis lang ‘to, Ma’am. Relax ka lang dyan” and “ang beach Ma’am, sayang ang beach.”  I was trying so hard not to laugh at her jokes and she was trying so hard not to laugh at me whenever I squirmed. Great job, Ate Lyn. And I finished with flying colours. J

Happy Thoughts

11.12.2011

Moving forward from my previous melancholic post, I have had a couple of reasons why I was filled with glee last night.

After a couple of years of not being complete during meet-ups/catching ups/ hangouts, the babies and I finally found time to spend with each other. All four of us. It was our first time to be complete since our college days.  Call time was set at six to make sure that we were in Eastwood by eight :D. yeah, that’s how all of us are. Late is an “always” and to wait, (for those who are on time) is a must.

We know each other too well. J

Looking back, I am so grateful to have friends like them. I love and treat them like they are my blood sisters. It amazes me how I can maintain this certain kind of relationship with these people. A relationship that goes beyond distance and time. I rarely see them, (that’s for sure) but when we see each other it’s not like we were physically distant from each other at all. It’s true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I cannot even explain the excitement and the thrill my heart felt just with the mere thought of us setting a date for a quality time. 

  

 My exclusive bubble. I can naturally let my hair down with them. They are the ones who can take me despite all my flaws and imperfections, the ones who know that I am capable of being a total nincompoop but who loves me nonetheless. Funny, because with them, I don’t always have to seem I’m in control. 

I think I got to Eastwood first, contrary to Ciek’s claim that she got there the earliest and was just walking around and strolling. Juju arrived next. And kitel was the last, with the statement: “lagi akong on time! Kayo naman mag-intay. Ako lagi antay ng antay noon eh.“. So there.   We did some catching up over dinner and coffee. Happy news were announced, life happenings were discussed, decisions were consulted, opinions were shoved to each other’s throats, and pieces of advice were given and taken into consideration.  Life is good with these people and I just love ‘em. 

We may not be physically present for each other all the time, but whenever I think of them being part of me and my life, I come to my senses and realize that no matter how tragic the fall is or how excruciating the pain becomes, or how atrocious some scars are, life will always be at its best with them around.

And now that it has been announced, I guess we can all tell the world. J

The Sad News

I feel awful that my official first entry in this newly started blog is actually filled with gloom.  I have noticed that for the past months I have been sleeping with my stomach flat on the bed and my back against the shining stars of the beautiful night sky. A gesture that clearly demonstrates defeat, if you ask me.

A couple of nights ago, contrary to an ordinary day’s end, I read a text message that got me secretly crying the whole night. Nanay, the pillar of our clan was diagnosed with brain tumor and is currently confined in the hospital. I locked myself to my room after I told my parents and after what pop told me: “eh ganun talaga. Anong gagawin natin, matanda na sya.” I burst into tears, hugged a pillow in prone position and prayed. I remembered the nights when I would pray and whisper my requests and the first thing I would say was “Please God, make my mom live until I’m eighty and nanay until I have grandchildren of my own.” Needless to say, I slept through the night in the defeated position once again.

I don’t see nanay all the time, but my attachment to her is one of a kind. I know I barely have time to visit her now, unlike before when I can sneak out for lunch and have lunch with her in San Roque (our ancestral home). But the comfort and assurance of the thought that she’s still around works the magic and makes the difference. Her stories of how she took care of me when I was a baby would give me a different kind of calm. It amazes me how a person whom aside from my parents and siblings could have instantly showed me TLC when I was still a baby. A baby who has proven nothing to the world—except cries and wails to show signs of hunger, discomfort and sleepiness.   But there she was. She would tell me stories of how she took care of me, held my little hands, brushed my curly hair, and put me to sleep while the parentals are out working. My favorite story is how she would bathe me with tea everyday back then. She would say “ang ganda ng kutis, ang kinis-kinis, dahil yan sa tsaa na pinapaligo ko sayo nung maliit ka pa.”

Oh, and this wasn’t just me, she took care of each and every one of us. As in, all of us –from my older cousins up to the little ones, even now that we have Sam and Reece as our grandchildren (my nephews’s kids).

After that night, I told our relatives in FB that nanay is sick. On my defense, it wasn’t to make anybody worry neither was it just for the sake of having something to say in the FB group. I needed everybody to pray for her because I want her to live and stay with us for a much longer time. This is one news I cannot hide from our family because I feel like things like these should not be kept a secret. Apart from the miraculous possibilities and outcomes our united prayers can do, this may also pave the way for more help to come.

As what I always say, I am attached to my family in more ways anyone can ever imagine. But in a much broader sense, I can relate the kind of love I have for each and every one of them through Lilo and Stitch’s –OHANA.  “’Ohana is family, and family means no one left behind.”  I am not as rich as my other siblings or my cousins who would normally be in charge of monetary funds. That’s why my sole contribution to our family is my being the events planner/coordinator. I plan the annual reunions, the summer family trips and what-have-yous. And as much as possible, I try to accommodate everyone’s requests no matter how little or big they are simply because “’Ohana is family, and family means no one left behind.” I try to make them feel the comfort of a reunion or a vacation they would simply have to attend, participate in and enjoy. But these are all good times. Bad times should be taken differently but still with the comfort of Ohana. 


When I was younger and our family was in the most difficult time of our lives with mom not being around to take care of us, I  knew and experienced Ohana  with my uncles and aunties, cousins helping us get through our daily lives. These were all simple gestures like helping me buy stuff for school, making sure my uniforms are washed and ironed well by the house helps,  I eat a full meal breakfast, have money  for lunch, snacks and a decent meal for dinner, I have money for school activities and projects, attending PTAs, and a lot more.  This taught and instilled in me the value that family will always be family and no matter what happens we will always have each other; to be with, to eat with even to argue and fight with because “’Ohana is family, and family means no one left behind.”  

Going back, the same is true for the prayers I wanted for nanay. Again,“’Ohana is family, and family means no one left behind in praying for her. I think this is the perfect time for all of us to draw strength from each other, combine all our powers to help in her quick recovery.

After all, despite the daily nights of defeat, i still get up the next day because  of the thought of  having “’Ohana. Ohana is family, and family means no one left behind.”

The Beginning

One crazy, crazy night while driving on my home with the very beautiful moon shining, I thought of putting up a blog, and so I did. Hmmmm…so let’s see how far this one goes. J Enjoy.