Proudly Filipino, Uniquely Filipino

Filipinos are an inter-racial mix of different cultures that came to our shores to trade, live or colonize. The original inhabitants of our islands were the Malays. They engaged in business with the Chinese, Dutch, Indian, and other cultures long, long before the country was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.Since then, we have been colonized by the Spanish, Japanese and Americans. So, here we are. Distinctly called Filipinos but bearing a tiny bit of the different races that came and called our islands their home.

In this present time, you would always find a Filipino anywhere in the world. Most of them are contract workers while others have found a new home in a another country. Despite this migrant flow, Filipinos have never lost their distinct traits or habits regardless of where they are in the world. Some of them amusing, some are just uniquely Filipino.

Respect for elders: 

"Pagmamano" - This is the act of taking the hand of an elder, putting in on your forehead while you assume a slightly bowed position. This is a gesture of respect and submission to an elder person. To initiate this act, you would say "Mano po" ("Your hand, please") and the elder would in turn say "Kaawaan ka ng Diyos" ("God have mercy on you" or God Bless you.") Although this is not commonly seen in children born and raised in the big cities, it is still a common practice in the homes of families who kept this tradition alive. 

Photolink

Calling an elder by their first name is not allowed. We use certain terms to convey respect. Someone a few years older than us is called "Kuya" (elder brother) or "Ate" (elder sister). If a person is old enough to be your parent, a prefix is attached to their name, hence they may be called "Tito" (Uncle) or "Tita" (Aunt), even if you do not have any  blood relations with them. Those who are in their 70s or 80s are everybody's grandparents. They are "Lolo" ("Grandpa") and "Lola" ("Grandma") to the entire community.

We use the words "po" and "opo" when conversing with people who are older than us. There is no exact English translation to these two words. It is used to convey respect. Example. "Salamat" is "Thank you," compared to "Salamat po" which is "Thank you," said with respect.     

Non-verbal response:
Pointing with the lips is body language that is very Filipino. The lips are puckered and used like a finger to point to a direction or thing. I have no idea how this came to be. Maybe because the Filipinos in the earlier centuries had both their hands too busy with work that they used their lips to point. That could be one reason, I am not really sure. So remember, when asking a Filipino for directions and we start to pucker their lips and turn our heads, we are not asking for a kiss. We are pointing you to the direction you asked for. 

Photolink

Eating Habits:
For the first time traveler to the Philippines, you would want to try restaurants that do not give you a spoon, a fork, or a knife. You have to eat with your hands. Eating without the use of utensils is a skill we learn as children. Get a piece of meat, a few vegetable slices and rice. Form it into a small mound, pick it up with your fingers and use your thumb to push it in your mouth. Its that easy. A true Filipino picnic is having a bamboo table lined with banana leaves and all the rice and meat, fish and vegetables are piled on top of it. You find a space and just dig in! I miss this so much.

Filipinos have 6 meals a day. Yes, you read it right. SIX. These six meals are breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and the late evening snack. It would just make someone wonder why the population is not obese. As the saying goes, "Filipinos eat not because they are hungry but because it is time to eat." 

The love for food is even incorporated in the common greeting. People from other countries would start a conversation with "How are you?" This is not true when Filipinos greet each other. We would start a conversation with "Kumain ka na ba?" ("Have you eaten?").

It is also a fact that no household in the Philippines is without garlic. It is a kitchen emergency to run out of garlic! We use it for everything - in our dishes, in fried rice, in eggs and salads, in dips. A few months ago, the prices of garlic skyrocketed and that was a major cause of concern. Now that the prices are back to normal, we can once again use generous amounts garlic in everything! 

Aside from our staple food which is rice, we always have a sauce or dip with our meals. It could be as simple as catsup or vinegar or it could be specially made, like different kinds of gravy. The everyday dip that goes well with any dish is a combination of soy sauce, lemon juice and bird's eye chili pepper. My husband is Caucasian and he thinks it is weird to always have some kind of dip with a meal, but I explain to him that it gives the rice some flavor. 

The National Past Time:

Dubbed as the "National Past time of the Philippines," the videoke is present in most, if not all Filipino gatherings. We just love to sing! Whether you have a good singing voice or not, it is the company of family and friends (plus beer and bar chow) that makes videoke an enjoyable activity. We either rent the machine or head over to a videoke bar. 

Photolink

Filipinos are clannish.

Compared to our western counterparts, the Filipino family has more than just a mother, a father and their children in the household. We have an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, grandparents, a cousin, even a great aunt or great uncle. We do not necessarily have one of each, however, we do have at least one in our household. It has its financial benefits, because the more people in the household, the more there are who will split the utility bills with you. It is just a bit of a hassle when it comes to privacy. The extended family also allows us to save on costs to have a baby sitter or a live-in nurse for the elders.

Photolink

Faith and superstition.

Filipinos are deeply religious. We are the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia. If the parents can afford it, the children are sent to Catholic schools to guarantee a good education and religious upbringing. However, the superstitious beliefs have never waned. We still think a black cat brings bad luck, just the same as breaking a mirror. Two siblings cannot get married in the same year. We arrange furniture in the house to conform with norms, like the stairs should not have 13 steps, a mirror should not face the bed, and the masters bedroom should face the east. I grew up in an extended family and although I know there is no scientific basis to believe in all these, I still had to follow because the elders know best. 

We are waterproof.

The country gets battered by up to twenty (20) tropical cyclones a year and that means flood, flood and more flood. We have learned to live with it. When I was a college student at the University of Santo Tomas, there was no email blast and no cellphones. I had to listen to the early morning news to wait for class suspension. If there was none, then I had to brave the rain and flood to get to school. My children have to go through the same experience every time there is a storm, however, they are now better informed through text and email blasts from the University. 

In some areas in the metro, flooding can be unimaginable. Half an hour of heavy downpour can bring about floods that are knee-deep, waist deep or even chest deep! The city of Marikina is always under threat of the river overflowing its banks. We live near Marikina and we can hear the warning sirens when the river swells. That siren is the notification for the residents to evacuate to higher ground immediately. We are lucky that we live in a higher part of Quezon City. If we get flooded in our area, I am pretty much sure that the whole city of Marikina is underwater.

All these disasters have not affected the naturally jovial spirit of the Filipino. We still find it in ourselves to smile and find humor in the situation. We pick ourselves up and rebuild. Life has to go on. An great way to describe our spirit is shown in the meme below: 

Photolink

I was born and raised in the Philippines. 

I love my brown skin and dark hair. 

I love my people. 

I love my country. 

I AM PROUDLY FILIPINO. 

Dehumanizing Acts against Women

Recently, there were two incidents that caught the attention of the general public and the media. 

Ben Chan is the owner of a very popular local clothing line, Bench. They held a fashion show entitled "The Naked Truth" to showcase their new line of underwear. This is almost always a yearly event and people look forward to seeing their favorite Bench models clad only in their underwear.

Nothing wrong with that, I guess, because it IS a fashion show. There was one segment in the show, however, that caused a big stir. It was a woman on a leash and made to act as if she was a wild animal. Personally, I found this very offensive. Women are not animals. Women are not slaves. To make women portray a role like this is downright degrading. Here is the video of that segment in the show. Please pay attention to the first minute of the clip. 

The second incident was a t-shirt sold in the Philippines' largest department store chain. SM (Shoemart) Malls had a shirt in (of all places), the teens section that said, "Its not rape. Its a snuggle with a struggle." I am correct in thinking that this statement shirt is glorifying rape?

How could this thing that get into the SM stores? The SM Malls, owned by Henry Sy, have a total of 49 establishments all over the country. It is the destination of choice of the common Filipino during weekends. Can you just imagine how many minds were corrupted seeing that shirt on display? I understand it would not have been the mall owner's fault but what about the purchasing officers? Shouldn't they have known better? Don't they have daughters? or sisters? We should not make a joke about the act of rape. Any victim can attest to the horrors of it and is now living in fear and shame brought about by the experience.

These two incidents have violated Section 16 of Republic Act 9710, known as "The Magna Carta of Women"

SECTION 16.       Nondiscriminatory and Nonderogatory Portrayal of Women in Media and Film. — The State shall formulate policies and programs for the advancement of women in collaboration with government and nongovernment media-related organizations. It shall likewise endeavor to raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women and the role and contribution of women in the family, community, and the society through the strategic use of mass media.

I have signed this petition in Change.org. 

The public has the right to demand that Shoemart and Bench must prove how they will put into actions their respective promise to end this dehumanizing and demoralizing culture they've promoted. Boycotting these companies, bringing them  to court for their violation of the Magna Carta of Women are options which the public will consider if they do not respond to this call.   

Women are not class B human beings. We do not deserve to be degraded, discriminated or dehumanized.

This is an appeal for women to rise up and be heard. All you need to do is to sign the petition to effect the change. Do it now. Do it for yourself, your daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and for all the women you know. 

Here is the link where you can digitally sign and be part of this cause.
https://www.change.org/p/mr-henry-sy-shoemart-and-mr-ben-chan-bench-we-demand-actions-not-words#share

I am not "just a woman." 

I AM A WOMAN.

To Coach or to Counsel? How to Help Your Child Achieve Their Goals

There are business designs that are applicable in parenting. After all, parenting IS a business. It is about nurturing and guiding to achieve success.

Photolink

Coaching and counseling are two things that are constantly applied in the corporate world. I take these things to heart, for the main reason that these are also good parenting tools. How would we know exactly when to coach and when to counsel?

Coaching is the act of teaching and training to increase awareness and to improve focus on the goals and objectives. 

In the corporate world, coaching is done to drive performance by setting goals and expectations. In parenting, coaching is the day-to-day interaction with your children, praising them for their work, focusing on their strengths and encouraging them to give their best. Parents, as coaches, also provide feedback and speak to their children about certain attitudes and practices that needs improvement. It is a balance of praise and constructive criticism that gives that "nudge" to keep them on a straight path.

Coaching sessions, whether done in the corporate setting or at home should follow certain standards. Coaching focuses on the present, the behavior at hand and the solutions to address it. Here are some tips on how to do effective coaching:

1. Choose a time and place that would be conducive for the interaction.

2. Smile and build rapport

3. Learn to diffuse anxiety

4. Establish an open communication. Listen in an open minded way and respond with a positive or neutral attitude.

5. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals. (S=specific; M=Measurable; A=Achievable; R=Realistic; T=Time bound)

6. Monitor and provide immediate feedback

7. Offer help. This would entail providing support to acquire resources, when needed, to achieve the goal.

Photolink

There are some instances when coaching should not be done.

1. When you want your children (or employees) to learn from their mistakes. As the old cliche goes, "Experience is the best teacher." When my son got actively involved in sports, I talked to him and reminded him that it is okay for him to do what he loves, as long as his academics would not take the back seat. He did excel in his sport, however, the time that he should have spent studying was used for practice. I provided feedback and advice, reminded him of his goals. Eventually, he lost his scholarship because he failed in two subjects. He had no other option but to shift to a different college course to regain his scholarship. That gave him a big life lesson of setting his priorities straight. If things go smoothly as planned, my son will be graduating from college in 3 semesters from now, with a degree in Marketing Management.

2. When "Finding the Right Behavior" is deemed part of the learning process. An effective coach or parent would always have a keen eye to determine the right time to step in. Letting our children explore things on their own is built on trust. We should allow them to learn things, to discover and find their niche. However, there is always a risk that they may cause harm to themselves or to others in this process, which is exactly why we should always be on guard. A phrase that I keep in mind when I do this step is "Keep them on a leash but cut them some slack."

3. When you do not have enough time. Positive outcomes are achieved when we have time to sit down and talk. Coaching is an exchange of thoughts, ideas and suggestions. It is planning a goal and laying down the blue print to achieve it. If you only have 5 minutes to spare, reschedule! Try to think about it, which would be more effective? To tell your child - "I want you to finish your book report by the time I get home" or "I see you are having difficulties with your book report. Let's talk about what we can do to help you meet the deadline."

“A good coach can be a caring parent, a wise teacher, an exemplary pastor, a passionate friend or a devoted mentor. Keep in touch with all of them especially at the time they are needed.” 

― Israelmore Ayivor, Shaping the dream

COUNSELING, on the other hand is done when repeated coaching has not changed a behavior or provided the results that were agreed upon. Counseling entails corrective or disciplinary action. A better way to differentiate between "Coaching" and "Counseling" is that the former addresses a "skill issue" and the latter addresses a "will issue." Let me provide an example. In this day and age, children are so attached to their gadgets that they neglect their responsibilities like doing homework or going to bed at a certain hour. The first time this behavior is noticed by the parents, a coaching session is provided to the child and SMART goals are laid out. If the behavior does not change, then counseling will step in. This may be done in the form of taking the gadget away from the child until such time that they learn to attend to their responsibilities without being constantly told to do so. Another route to take would be to determine the root cause of this gadget addiction. The example above is clearly a will issue.

With counseling, the progress may be slow and painful, because it deals with feelings and the subconscious mind. Some behavior may have its roots in a certain traumatic experience which causes the individual to avoid anything that may be associated with the trauma. In the example above, a child who shuns schoolwork and favors playing with gadgets may be a sign that he/she may be extremely shy in school, an underachiever, or worst, a victim of bullying. Watch and see what kind of games the child is engaged in. It may be that the child finds that they can "win" in this realm instead of facing the reality that they are "losers." As parents, we should immediately step in and counsel before it gets to be a habit that would be more difficult to address later on.

"If any parent feels like their child could use some counseling, they should call the school."

-Bethanne Bradshaw

In my job, I have been coached as part of a routine requirement for measuring performance. I have provided coaching sessions too, for my agents who are having difficulty meeting their key performance indices.

My mother has provided valuable coaching for me and my siblings. I have been counseled too, many times, by my mom, and it was all for the best. 

So now, I am a mom working to manage a full time 8 hour job, run a household and send my two youngest children through college. Weekends are aptly described as "mayhem days" because I attend to Everything (with a capital E) that I was unable to do during weekdays.

Despite this crazy schedule, I find time to talk with my children. I follow up on their activities, and encourage them to treasure the gift of education. I ask my sons how their girlfriends are doing and I ask my daughter about her challenges in her work. I may not be a perfect parent, but I know I am doing good somehow.

Your choice now. Would you COACH or would you COUNSEL?

Teach Your Kids to Learn Multiplication With #FingerMath

I never did like Math. I guess I just have a really big dislike for numbers. When I was in second grade, my mom had to drill me everyday after school to memorize the multiplication table. I would recite it over and over and when I made a mistake, I had to start from 1 x 1 again. I would say that started my dislike for math. Not to blame my mom, I knew she meant well, but it was way too much for me as a 7 year old.

Technology has made learning math easy and enjoyable for the early learners. However, I learned a trick that would not need any gadget. I passed this on to my children when they were young. It is simple Finger Math to help kids remember the Multiplication Table of 6 up to the Table of 9.

Hold your hands palm up facing you. The forefinger will represent the number 9, the middle finger will be 8, the ring finger will be 7 and the pinky finger will be 6. See picture below:

Now that we have assigned a particular number for every finger, let's do some finger math. Let us first try the equation seven multiplied by eight (7 x 8). Simple join the finger corresponding to the number 7 on your left hand with the finger corresponding to the number 8 on your right hand. Once you have done that, the fingers joined together and all those below it will be counted as multiples of "10" which gives you "50." All the other fingers above the ones that are joined together is counted as "1." Multiply the number of fingers above the joined one on your left hand with the number of fingers also above the joined one on your right hand. Looking at the picture below, that will be three (3) times two (2) equals 6. Add 50 and 6 together will give you 56. Therefore, the answer to 7 x 8 is 56.

Did I confuse you more? It is really easy with practice. Try experimenting and you'll get the hang of it. I still use this method when I get attacks of "selective amnesia." Below is another picture to show how to do finger math on the equation eight multiplied by nine (8 x 9):

Try playing around with this simple learning aid. Teach your children how to do finger math. Its free, it does not need batteries and you can take it with you anywhere you go.

If you need other tools to make learning easier and more fun for the kids, search the web for printable materials that would teach young learners about other subjects too.

Get more activity sheets and coloring books from Printable Learning, the free educational resource website from Carrot Ink, a leader in providing first-rate aftermarket ink and toner cartridges.

Love is Bigger than Hate: Stop the Cruelty. Put an End to Bullying

This is a heartbreaking story of a young 15 year old boy in Bay Village, Ohio. He has autism, and despite his disability, he showed his compassion towards people suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. He was convinced by schoolmates to do the Ice-bucket challenge, to which he readily agreed. Little did he know that he would be the subject of a cruel prank. 

It was said that the victim, clad only in his underwear stood in front of garage door expecting to have ice water poured over him. The bullies got up on the roof with a bucket filled with feces, urine, spit and cigarette butts which they poured over the unsuspecting victim. Watch the video here.

This is not just bullying. This is assault! I feel for the parents of this boy. How can people be so cruel? I have first cousin who is mentally impaired. His mental age is comparable to that of an 8 month old infant. We are very protective of him and so far, he has not been a victim of bullying or any other form of cruelty. 

I am writing this post to make people aware and make a stand against the cruelty of bullying. This boy had the purest intention to help those suffering from ALS, however, he was turned into a victim of such an inhuman act. The family is heartbroken and is doing everything they can to help their son go back to his usual self before this incident happened. 

GiveForward, through the efforts of Ethan Austin has started a fundraiser to help the family and to give a shout out to the world that LOVE is bigger than HATE. (#Love>Hate). Let us show our love and support for this brave, caring, boy by leaving words of encouragement on the fundraiser page, or donate (any amount will do) to help the family cope.

Bring Your Fundraising Ideas to Life

Suaviter en Modo, Fortiter in Re! Viva Santo Tomas!

The Men's Seniors Basketball team of my beloved Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers failed to make it to the UAAP Final 4 this year. I felt sad because they have gotten so close to winning the championship last year and now they are out of the competition. It was not a good year for the Tigers. They had to adjust to a new coach, whom I thought was a far cry from the talent of Pido Jarencio, UST coach from 2006-2013. Some players suffered injuries which put them out for the entire season. 

Oh well. There's always a next season. As we Thomasians say, "The wounded Tiger is hungry for a kill. See you next year." 

Indeed there is sunshine after the rain. Yesterday was the Cheerdance Competition of the UAAP. After 8 long years, the UST Salingawi Dancers are back on the podium. We bagged 3rd place! It was National University who won, followed by the University of the Philippines and then UST! I could just like hear the crowd shouting the ever famous cheer - Go USTe, Go USTe, Go, go, go, go, GO USTE!

Here is a video of their performance. I am so happy I can't help but blog about it and share.

Tomorrow is Tiger Day at UST. I wish I could be there to celebrate with the Thomasian community. However, my work schedule would not permit it. I will be one with them in spirit and that's for sure.

Growl loud and proud! We may have not made it to the Men's Seniors Basketball, but we can go for the overall UAAP Season 77 Championship! #GoUSTe! 

The Heritage Town of Taal: The Batangas Chronicles Part III

Taal, Batangas is the birthplace of my father and his ancestors. A quiet town located 111 kilometers (68.97 miles) from Manila, so rich in heritage that first time visitors would feel that they were transported back in time to the Spanish colonial period.

Photolink

My Dad's stories

My dad had lots of stories about growing up in Taal. His aunts were all teachers, so at some point in time, he had an aunt as his homeroom teacher. My dad had stories about the war. Born in 1934, he had first hand accounts about the American and Japanese occupation. I remember him telling us about how he would clean out a coconut shell and walk to the public market which was then used by the American soldiers as a camp. He said he would bang the coconut shell on the iron fence and ask for the soldiers' food rations. He said his ever-convincing line was "Hey Joe, give me food!" That was how he got to have corned beef and chocolates to eat. He said he did not have shoes then, and used only slippers to protect his feet. At that time, he said, owning a pair of slippers was considered "lucky." Their family had a moderately sized farmland where they grew sugar cane, and they had a small business of making and selling cigarettes. Although they had money, they found it best to live frugal because of the war. During the Japanese occupation, my dad said they had to leave their home to hide in the hills, because my aunt was then a teen-ager and they feared she might get kidnapped and turned into a comfort-woman. When the time was right, they returned to their home but they still kept my aunt hidden (rolled up in a woven mat and stored under the bed) whenever Japanese patrol would be in town. When the country was liberated from Japanese rule, my dad said their lives went back to normal, even if they had to start from scratch again.

My early childhood visits to Taal

When me and my siblings were still little kids, Taal would be our weekend getaway. My dad would drive down south to their ancestral home in Poblacion 1 to the welcoming arms of my grandparents. I had regular "weekend" playmates who I now only remember by their first names - Alita, Marisol, and Boyet. I had a blast riding a calesa (horse-driven carriage) rented by my grandfather to take us down to Baranggay Butong where we can swim in the beach (part of the Batangas Bay). Sometimes, we would drive to the neighboring town of San Nicolas to get to Taal Lake to view the volcano and feast on grilled fish that is only found in that lake. The maliputo and tawilis, served with rice, tomatoes and salted eggs was a gastronomic feast. Thinking about it now makes me drool.

My sisters and I had been "sponsors" during flower festivals (I don't even remember what its called). We would lead a procession around town, little children carrying baskets of flowers and ending up in the Basilica to offer them to the image of the Virgin Mary. After the procession, all the children (and their parents too) would go to the house for a meal.

As a young girl, I loved going to my grandfather's farm. He would make me ride the carabao (water buffalo), or make me watch how raw sugar is made. My grandfather would take his bolo (machete) and cut a piece of sugar cane, peel it and give it to me to eat. The pulp is so tough, that the only thing you can do with it is chew on it to get the sweet juice and then spit out the pulp.

My grandmother had a small store and I absolutely loved spending hours selling stuff to her regular customers. She sold homemade vinegar, caramelized fruits, cold softdrinks, biscuits, laundry soap, and other things. My grandmother even paid me "salary" for minding the store for her. I remember getting paid two pesos! That was a whole lot of money back then. I would run to the nearby public market, treat myself to a tall glass of halo-halo (caramelized fruits with shaved ice and milk) for 50 centavos.

The ancestral home

It has been more than a decade since my grandparents' ancestral home became the subject of a family dispute. After my grandparents, my dad, aunt and uncle passed, my dad's cousins (whom I barely knew of) resurfaced and claimed ownership. They alleged that their parents (my grandmother's siblings) helped build the house. My mom decided not to get herself involved in the dispute, saying that she has no right to it anyway, being only an in-law. We tried to convince her to stake her claim, but my mom stood firm in her decision. Oh well, it would have been tough to maintain the property anyway. Now, I have no idea if the house still exists.

The People and their traditions

Taal today is the same closely knit, heritage rich town as it has been. Compared to its neighboring municipalities that have grown into commercial hubs, Taal is still the quiet, residential town where one could always return to and call "home." The hospitality and friendly smiles greet you the minute you set foot. People would ask "Whose grandchild are you?" "Are you the daughter of....?" which is a sign that they keep abreast of their lineage. I used to have a standard spiel when we were still frequently visiting the town. I would say "I am the granddaughter of Emilio and Maria. My father's name is Reynaldo." Then I would get smiles and hugs and invites to their house for rice cakes and hot cocoa. Warm hospitality is a trait ingrained in the blood of every Taaleño, or every Batangueño for that matter.

Like Filipinos from other regions, Taaleños and Batangueños respect and care for their elders to the last of their days. They provide for the needs of the sick and aging, each member of the family taking turns attending to a parent, grandparent or even great-grandparent. The younger children are called by a "standard" pet name. A young girl is called "tagay" and a young boy is called "takeng" (similar to "nene" and "totoy" in other places). Every little child is taught early on to respect their elders and use "po" and "opo" everytime.

Despite being deeply religious, the people are also very supertitious. I know of this first hand because I "suffered" through it growing up. Some classic examples that I was reminded of when I was a child:

1. Never sit on the ground after 6pm, because I might sit on an unknown/unseen being who could put a spell on me

2. Don't trim fingernails at night or else my life would be cut short

3. Sprinkle vinegar on the windows during a thunderstorm. It will keep the lightning away.

4. Don't shower on the first three days of your menstrual period. You will get ill.

5. Never celebrate birthdays before the actual date. It is considered bad luck. Do not also plan a party on Tuesdays and Fridays because those days coincide with the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

6. Do not sleep on your back when you're pregnant. An evil creature (the "tiktik") may get up on the roof and slide its tongue into your belly to kill the baby.

7. There are a lot more and I would stop here or else I would need another blog post to list all of them.

Industries

Taal is known for its beautiful hand embroidered shirts, known as the Barong Tagalog, the National attire for Men. The cloth is made of Jusi, a delicate fabric woven from either abaca or banana fibers; or Piña cloth, made from the fibers of pineapple leaves. Hand embroiderers work on a custom made design on the cloth and then washed, starched and stretched on bamboo frames to dry. It takes weeks, even months to complete an fully embroidered Barong Tagalog. Although there are many cheaper versions found in department stores in the metro, the best is still the "Burdang Taal." Aside from the Barong Tagalog, there are other hand embroidered items that are simply elegant - formal dresses, blouses, wedding gowns, table cloths, table napkins, fans, etc.

The Balisong (fan-knife, butterfly knife or switchblade) is synonymous with being a Batangueño. People from other regions tend to avoid getting involved in a fight with Batangueños because they believe that they never leave their homes without their balisongs. The best balisongs are hand-crafted in Taal, in a small barrio called Barangay Balisong.

Photolink

The Tapang Taal is thinly sliced pork loin marinated in soy sauce, calamansi (Philippine lemon), freshly ground black pepper and a little brown sugar. It is pan-fried and served with garlic fried rice and egg. A common side dish is a salad made of salted duck eggs, chopped tomatoes, pajo (a variety of green mango) and cilantro. A cup of hot cocoa, called "tablea" is served after the meal.

Who does not know of Kapeng Barako? The signature coffee of the province of Batangas. The aroma is just heavenly! In my mother's hometown of Lipa, Batangas, their house is surrounded by coffee trees. Can you just imagine how wonderful the house would smell during light breezy days? I grew up loving kapeng barako and tablea. As a kid, I would ask my mom to pour coffee or cocoa over my rice and it would really make my day.

Taaleños love to cook. There are dishes that are uniquely Taal. These are the Adobo sa Dilaw, which is an adobo dish, substituting soy sauce with sea salt and adding turmeric. Tamales is a favorite of mine. It is a sticky rice cake with pork slices in it. A little salty and spicy at the same time. Panocha, or peanut brittle is the favorite "pasalubong." Not to forget, the staple "Sinaing na Tulingan," a dish made of baby tuna, seasoned with sea salt and a sour fruit (Kamias), cooked in a clay pot over low flame for several hours.

Places to visit

The Taal Basilica is situated on top of a small hill. It is the largest in the Philippines and in Asia. It measures 291 ft long and 157 ft wide. Since its construction in 1755, the church suffered damage from natural calamities, most notable was the earthquake in 1852. In 1974, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 375, the Basilica was named a National Shrine. The Feast of the patron saint, St. Martin de Tours is celebrated every November 11.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay is located in Labak, Taal. The people celebrate the feast day of their patron saint, Our Lady of Caysasay every December 9. The Shrine of our Lady of Caysasay was granted by the Vatican the same privilege as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Pilgrims and devotees who go to the shrine and pray receive the same plenary indulgence as those who visit the Basilica in Rome.

The Marcela Agoncillo Museum. Marcela Agoncillo created and sewed the first Philippine Flag. The ancestral home has been converted into a museum and is worth a visit. The house and its furniture are very well preserved. There is a sculpture depicting Marcela Agoncillo sewing the flag.

The Well of Saint Lucia. Situated near the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay is a well that is believed to have sacred waters. This was believed to be the place where the image of Our Lady of Caysasay was found after it went missing from the church in 1611. People believe and stand witness to the healing powers of the water drawn from the well.

Places to dine and stay

There are many restaurants offering native Taal dishes, so finding a place to eat will not be a problem. Just ask around and the townsfolk will be happy to point you to get your cravings fulfilled. If you want to stay longer in Taal, there are hotels and resorts, garden/beach front motels and bed and breakfast establishments. Most are spanish style large houses that make you feel like you were back in the era.

Pictures of my kids' visit to Taal.

My ancestors have been laid to rest in a mausoleum in the Taal public cemetery. Once in a while, my mom plans a trip to Taal to pay respects to the relatives of my father. Two years ago, my mom, my sister and my sons went there and spent the day going around town. Of course, I got my share of tapang taal, tamales, tablea and kapeng barako.

I encourage you to take a road trip to Taal, Batangas. It is only a few hours drive from Manila. Feel the warmth of the people and bask in the rich heritage of the place.

I am a proud Batangueño. Always been. Always will.

Be What You Want To Be With One Direction Limited Edition Make-up Kit

Who would not know of the extremely popular band, One Direction? This group of 5 English-Irish boys has been consistently hitting the top of the charts. Girls swoon over them, women absolutely love them and men can relate to the lyrics of their songs. Proof of their artistry is their three albums, namely, Up All Night, Take Me Home, and Midnight Memories. The group has already bagged several awards and their are on their way to superstardom!

One Direction, or 1D, as they are more popularly known has been inspiration of #thelookscollection to come up with a unique line of make-up that every girl would want to have. The #makeupby1D Up comes in a limited edition tin case that includes everything you'd need for that perfect occasion, whether it be a night out with friends, watching a rock and roll concert, or simply being that sweet, girl next door. Perfect colors to match your mood for the day. Another great thing about it is that it also includes a 5-piece decorator stencil set that you can use to decorate yourself, your friends or your stuff. Bring out your creative side while having fun! 

Here is a peek into the contents of the three different make up kits you can choose from:

For the "Girl Next Door" Look

For the "Fun Party Girl" Look

For the "Rock and Roll Girl" Look

 

Now isn't that amazing! We can even get all three kits and mix and match the colors as we desire from #markwins, which is a reputable, high quality cosmetic company. Oh, the perks of being a girl! 

For more product info, go to https://www.facebook.com/MakeupbyOneDirection. 

Want your own kit? Well, then scroll down and join their contest giveway below. So easy and no purchase required.

Visiting One Hundred Twenty Three Islands In One Day

Almost a month ago, on August 8, my youngest son went on a school field trip to learn about resort operations. It was a three day, two nights seminar. On the last day of their tour, they were given a "free day" to explore the beauty of Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan. 

Located along the northwestern seaboard of the main island of Luzon, this National Park has 123 limestone islands spread out on a total area of 16.67 square kilometers (6.47 square miles), roughly 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Manila. Getting there would consist of a travel time of 4-6 hours by land, either by private vehicle or public transport (provincial buses).  The islands vary in shape and size and are believed to be millions of years old. The tranquil blue-green waters are simply breathtaking!

Photolink

Only three of the islands however, have been developed to provide lodging and other basic amenities. These islands are Governor Island, Quezon Island and Children's Island. Governor's island provides a viewing deck to showcase the beauty of the natural formations. There are many activities that one can enjoy while visiting the place, aside from enjoying the sand and sea, you can also go island hopping, snorkeling to view the giant clams, kayak, trek, and explore the caves.

Here are pictures of my son's trip:

Arrival at the site. He does seem excited, doesn't he?

Doing the "Rose and Jack Titanic Pose" while standing on an outrigger

A happy boy he is

Mickey on the viewing deck of Governor's island. Great view!

Riding the ferry to start the island hopping adventure

"Alright now, we're done with those. Let's move on to the next." - Mickey

And now, time for some snorkeling fun!

Back on the beach. This is a tiny lighthouse.

He loves the beach so much.

Enjoying the nice breeze and warm sunshine.

"Perfect!" - Mickey

On his Facebook page, Mickey tagged this photo as "Future Chefs"

No field trip is complete without those wacky jump shots!

Before they started their trip back home, Mickey took the rare opportunity to have his picture taken holding the super moon in his hand. 

Mickey got me a souvenir shirt! Isn't he thoughtful?

Hundred Islands is worth a visit. Its won't cost much, its accessible by land, and it gives you the opportunity to see how beautiful our country is. The best part of it, though, is after you have visited the place, you can be proud to say,
"One hundred twenty three islands visited! Only 6,984 more to go!"

Photolink

The Philippines.

Definitely more fun.

Enhancing the Acoustic Experience

Technology has brought about so many innovations in the field of music. It is a welcome change for artists because it produces more quality sound and provides better listening experience for their audience. It is for this reason that a sound investment must be made in choosing a pre-amp equalizer. A pre-amp, sometimes called a processor, is an intelligent device that decodes or "processes" incoming audio.

In the market today, you may find pre-amps with built in equalizers that adjusts the volume, tone and sets distances. A good pre-amp equalizer by Fishman is one of the best finds in the market. It boasts of an all analog digital path with parallel digital effects that give the best sound quality for acoustic players. This high quality pre-amp, combined with a 4-band equalizer provides superior tone control enhances the purity of the acoustic instruments. 

It is an exhilarating experience to perform and listen to music with sounds so clear and rich even when you are at the farthest end of the concert venue. Everything seems to get better and better everyday.