Merienda Cena.

My favorite time of the day is merienda.  

I'm like a kid whose favorite subject in school is recess.

I crave for Pinoy merienda now that I'm home.  At the mall earlier this evening, I ordered puto with cheese and a cup of coffee. 

Later in the evening at home, I had guinatan complete with ube bilo bilo, sweet langka and pandan.  The other day in Bulacan, I had the 

special neighbourhood halo halo and putong puti. 

I love pastillas de leche, pulvoron, chicharon, chocnut, an assortment of local chichiria, and fried peanuts.  

My mid morning merienda usually consists of taho and buko juice, and of course, my all time favorite afternoon merienda is turon. 

Once in a while, I crave for goto or arroz caldo with lumpiang prito. 

Back in Toronto, I cook my own pancit palabok, pancit guisado and pancit canton. I also cook guinatan, puto, bibingka, palitaw, suman sa lihiya, and cassava.

My Saturday morning breakfast in Toronto usually consists of fried rice with meat or fish, and pancakes or waffle with fruits (kiwi, strawberry, banana) and Activia yogurt.

Back when I was growing up, my aunt used to prepare hotcakes for merienda.  And my old man (father) cooked champorado with tuyo, boiled sweet corn or putong malagkit on Sunday afternoons, after his siesta. 

My mother ordered nilugaw and fried lumpia or tokwa from the neighbourhood carinderia for our morning merienda. 

And during the month of December, we had puto bumbong or bibingka as afternoon merienda back in Mandaluyong in the 60's.  In the late 70's, hot pandesal made its debut in corner bakeries, and became a part of midnight snack of many. 

During my college years in U.P,  I snacked on Milo and Skyflakes with Chiz Wiz while studying late evenings at the dorm. 

I'll drink to that.

Eye bag.  Wrinkles.  Too many chins. Grey hair.

Signs of ageing.

Women of today don't want to see these on them, nor even hear about these.

That's why Vicky Belo and the likes are earning pools of money from people who want to rid themselves of the signs of ageing, and who want to capture the effervescent youth.

'Cant blame them, though.  Peoples of almost all societies treasure beauty and youth.  But in some societies, we sometimes don't agree with their definition of beauty.

I want old fashioned beauty.  If a woman is fair, good.  If a lady is brown-skinned, fine.  If the eyes are round and clear, great.  If the eyes are doe-eyed or a bit chinky, yes, still. 

If a woman cares to wear make up, sure.  If not, swell. 

If the girl has firm, round chest, who would complain?  If the girl has flattish upper front, but carries herself well, that's passable.

I mean, men are looking for beauty but also wanting to love more than just the physical. 

One can lose everything in an instant, beauty included.  A bag and cellphone could be snatched. Money can be swiped by burglars or first class con artists.  Boy/girlfriend can disappear tomorrow.  Beautiful faces can be marred by accident, disease and ageing.  

But wisdom, practicality, wit, sensibility, self awareness or knowledge, humour, irony, love for arts and books could not be taken away from someone.  They stay with you.

I admire women and men who are happy with who they are and what they've got.  Even the taho vendor who passes the house each morning and who never fails to say "thank you," to me each time I buy.  He's working hard and gracious.

Fruit Plate.

At two p.m. we were ensconced in the seats at the Dome Restaurant in De la Rosa, behind Makati Medical Centre.  I wanted a banana waffle, period.

But I also hunkered for something hot to hit my stomach so we ordered clam chowder soup that came with two pieces of garlic bread. 

Then the waiter suggested a new sandwich not listed in the regular menu: the house special hamburger which comes with fries and a special mango tea drink.  Okay I said; then you can bring me the waffle later.

Mid through consuming the too greasy hamburger with its cheese melting as fast as the bottom bun, I had to order Coke Zero quickly to fight the grease off my tongue but settled for fresh orange juice when the waiter said they ran out of "zeroes."

After all the fat, I forgot all about the waffle, and coffee.  Anyway at that early afternoon hour, I had already drank four cups of black coffee.

The greasy hamburger alone costs 490 pesos.  Total tab for two was 1,067 pesos for two clam chowder, one hamburger with mango tea drink, and fresh orange juice.  That's more than $20 CAD.

So for dinner at home, I chose to eat a fruit plate, Pinoy-style.  A bowl of sweet yellow Papaya, apple and singkamas, and boiled egg. 

Trespassers.

We want to have more dogs in the compound. Two more fierce giants to prowl the property. One sister owns three,another, five, and the girth of their necks and legs and drool of saliva are enough to send "peekers" away.

A dog is man's best friend; I believe so. For cat lovers this may be offensive.

Guard dogs are essential to ensure safety in one's home, in addition to alarms, human guards and traditional safety gadgets such as window grills, locks, "pambambo," etc.

If one can legally obtain a gun, that's swell, too.

It's been said that the man is King of his home; as such, he is expected to defend it fiercely and feverishly.

Trespassers and thieves are pests and criminals. They can be arrested, jailed, or worse, be killed (by dogs or by so called "village vigilantes)."

Abetting or aiding trespassers is a crime,too, and punishable by law.

Beware.

Sweet Sweat. Sh_t!

I've been driving to and from Manila to Bulacan these days because of some little legal matters to attend to. Yesterday it was sweltering hot.

I put the car air conditioner to max but it could not beat the outside weather. Manila!

But why complain? My sister whose visiting San Jose, California emailed and warned me of the worse winter in North America - she's into layers of thick clothing and complete with socks at bedtime.

I'm returning soon to winter weather, and planning on a long driving trip to New York. I'm praying that the snow will melt soon...er. As a Pisces, my intuitive senses are supposed to be well oiled so I'm forecasting warmer weather upon arrival up Northwest.

I am still in a bind, though. My Pisces luck (I'm not Irish so luck is come and go) didn't work out last year, but 'am still hoping that the wind will straighten my sail, and my Universe will be complete.

On Friday, February 19th, the Pisces sign starts. People born between February 19 - March 20 fall under this Zodiac sign.

" The Astrological birth sign of Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

is usually associated with being extremely creative, sensitive, and artistic, as well as a healthy fascination with the metaphysical and spiritual.

Pisces are the most intuitive and spiritually developed of the zodiac birth signs

Aptly called "old souls", Pisces thirst for spiritual knowledge and personal growth. They are the twelfth, and last, of the Zodiac signs, and as such, tend to have a more finely tuned intuition, sixth sense or extrasensory ability to perceive others feelings.

The duality of the Pisces personality is best described as a constant ebb and flow,

back and forth, straddling the physical, material world and the ethereal, divine realm where Pisces vivid imagination, powerful intuition and creative daydreaming feel like home.

Pisces are creators

Pisces are common as inventors, writers, musicians, painters, and dancers. Pisces make great friends and mates. Pisces are extremely loyal and caring. Pisces often possess uncanny intuitive or psychic abilities."

Pisces are sensitive, humane and often idealistic. People born under this sign react emotionally to everything making them compassionate and sensitive to those around them. Rather than taking an analytical approach to life, pisces react to the feelings of others and as a result can be very influential when they choose to be. In the right situaltion a Pisces can be capable of incredible deeds. The positive nature of a Pisces and the fact that they are tuned into the feelings of others makes them socially popular.

Being able to read and react to situations makes Pisces one of the most adaptive signs in the Zodiac. They are very intuitive and as a result can be flexible and prosper in many different situations. The intuitive nature of Pisces also makes them a very creative and imaginative sign. Pisces are often artists, writers and dreamers. The strong intuition of a Pisces can also mean that they are very spiritual.

ELEMENT: Water

Pisces is one of 3 water signs in the Zodiac, all of which share similar characteristics. Water signs are typically sensitive, emotional (sometimes vulnerable), creative, sensitive and melancholic. The other water signs in the Zodiac that share these characteristics are Cancer and Scorpio.

PLANETS: Jupiter & Neptune

Two planets, the lucky Jupiter and sensitive Neptune rule Pisces. Jupiter, lord of the gods, fuels a thirst for knowledge and understanding in Pisces and provides a natural lucky streak for the sign. Neptune, king of the sea, provides the sensitive and spiritual qualities in Pisces. Neptune is associated with idealism and compassion, but also with confusion & deception making Pisces the most impressionable sign in the Zodiac.

PISCES QUICK FACTS

Symbol: Fish
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: Jupiter/Neptune
Birthstones: Amethyst, Aquamarine
Colors: Aquamarine, Amethyst, Mauve, Sea Green
Gemstones: Amethyst, Emerald, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Moonstone, Catseye
Flowers: Water Lily, Orchid, Lotus, White Poppy, Lilac
Metals: Platinum, Metallic Pewter
Body: Feet, Immune System, Lymphatic System

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL FEBRUARY AND MARCH BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS!

Suka, Pakwan atbp.

Bulacan is famous for a lot of things.  First off, is its fabulous Bulacan sweets such as pastillas de leche. Then there's  Baliwag pandesal, tosino, chicharon and any dish prepared by a Bulakeno/na which is supposed to be good food!

Of course there's the world famous Sukang Paombong; Pinoys abroad continue to look for this vinegar.

Since Bulacan is home to many farms, the province is also well known for a lot of harvests, rice being first. Then, there's pakwan or watermelon, corn, mani or peanuts, and mangoes.

On the way home to Manila yesterday, we stopped in Plaridel to buy sukang paombong, patis pakwan and kaimito.  Other times, we would stop at Sevilla's for their pastillas de leche and ube, and other goodies.

When I was a kid, my father used to make a pit stop at Fernando's Bakery on our way to Nueva Ecija and we would feast on nilugaw and Baliwag pandesal.

Nowadays, travellers make their pit stops at any of the big gasoline stations or bays along the stretch of NLEX, such as Petron, Shell or Caltex.  People forgo the hot nilugaw and opt for pancakes or hamburgers.

But who can blame these travellers?  These modern pit stops offer clean  and safe "restrooms" unlike the by-the-highway hideaways. 

In ancient times such as when I was growing up, travellers would use the wide rice fields and sometimes, the service roads as toilets.

Yesterday I was asked if I can drive to Baguio by myself.  I answered,  " I can drive from Toronto, Ontario to Manhattan, New York by myself."

Long driving is one of the many pleasures of summer in Canada and the U.S.A.

Do I Miss the Snow!

Winter is still in full blast in Canada and the U.S.  Cities are digging out of snow buried cars. This winter is brutal.

Do I miss Toronto's snow?  Do I miss the morning slow and treacherous drive in icy roads?  Do I miss heavy coats, winter boots, gloved hands, turtle necked sweaters, ear muffs and sometimes, ski masks? Do I miss defogging windshields, refilling windshield washers, and waiting for the car to warm up?

Weird, but Yes.

I miss the heavy blast of winter wind on my face, and my brown leather jacket.  I miss the heater's first glow of warmth as you enter from the outside cold.  I miss the hot cup of cocoa with marshmallows on it.  I miss the sight of kids playing on a snow-filled yard. I miss burying my body under thick blankets and comforter.

Even as a grown-up, I would sometimes doodle on dead-cold, icy-fogged window glass some cartoon characters, and my favorite is Casper the Friendly Ghost.  That's because he is easy to draw, and the words "boo hoo" come out real funny.

Home away from home.

For Pinoys who've been away from the country for so many years, staying around takes a lot of patience... including from people around him or her. 

It's difficult to adjust to 'foreign surrounding' again. Some would say, " chill out, nobody dies from germs," when I notice aloud about flies, mosquitoes, wet bathroom tiles, thin toilet paper, etc.

This morning on our way to the Megamall for the morning mass, I was forced to make a detour because the village church had a mass going on when a tricycle blocked my path on a narrow inside street.  There were vehicles parked on both sides of the road and I was passing a parked car on my lane when the tryke appeared on the opposite lane.  The driver just moved ahead and wanted to pass first.  I drove to meet his tryke.  He stopped and blocked my car. 

The tryke didn't move and actually wanted me to back up.  I waited and rolled down my window and yelled at this early morning pest; I reminded him that he was driving a public transport inside a private property. Of course he had to give way but he was mumbling something as I drove away. 

My navigator thought I was being aggressive.  I had to summon my patience and explain about "rights and privileges" and about homeowners paying maintenance fees in private villages and about rude public transport drivers menacing residents.

In TO, we also got rude public transport drivers, and they belong to strong labour unions.  One time a rider spat on a rude bus driver who immediately filed a sick leave because he felt threatened and depressed by the incident.  

Home away from home for me would always be P.I.  No matter what incident nor pest blocks my way.

Okidoki.

LEFT- Me. Big sis is partly seen.

Personal blogs are personal stories, notes, events etc. which are happening and had happened in the past.

People blog to shout out, to release creative juices, to share with family and friends.  With today's technology, people feel free in expressing their thoughts and feelings with just anyone.

So globalization is not only confined to economics or politics but to personals as well.

The Internet and its creations such as Facebook, youtube, and the other clones made this feel-free, feel-good feeling possible.

While certain celebrities guard their privacy to the annoyance of paparazzi, ordinary mortals throw caution to the winds and announce to the public their new love, their new acquisitions, even their secrets.

Okidoki seems to the be the name of the new game.  Everything is OK to be written about. 

Madness.

I remember a friend confiding in me how she's been verbally abused by her ex.  The ex would rant and rave but after the violent episode could still have a hearty appetite. The friend postulated that some people get their energy zapping energy from others.  Much like a vampire who gets refreshed sipping blood from the drained mortal being.

In a relationship there should be no place for insanity. No moment for hysteria. No hour for uncontrollable rage.

Madness drives lovers apart, creates chasm and lasting damage. That's how divorces and goodbyes begin. 

In Sunset Boulevard, the last line of Norma Desmond was "And now, Mr. De Mille, I am ready for my close-up."  

People in rage should look at themselves in the mirror to see how rage creates an ugly creature. No kidding. 

Courier.

My nephew called and said "Tito, they would accept LBC'd payment."  He was talking about a deposit to a resort that the Clan would be visiting on a weekend.

I said, "OK, just get the name and address of the person/resort and I will do it through LBC."  But getting the correct information is taking forever, and I am waiting and getting frustrated.

I am slowly discovering that a lot of Pinoys don't know the exact address where they live or do business. I told my nephew I cannot send money to a person who gives his address as plain Tali, Batangas or Pansol, Laguna. 

I had the same frustration last September.  I couriered a package and it came back to me and LBC said it remained unclaimed.  The package contained crucial item, and when left unclaimed, all the blue print collapsed. 

A courier delivers packages and/or information.  In the ancient times a courier could make or break a war.

When I called LBC last September to claim my unclaimed package, it took a while to re-possess it because the package was mailed in one location and I wanted to claim it in another LBC office.

Yesterday I received two of the Balikbayan boxes I shipped from Canada.  It was a re-delivery because the shipping company/warehouse/courier came last Sunday when nobody was home. I phoned  and inquired why they could not phone ahead; the home and mobile telephone(s) were written on the packing list, anyway.

If Cupid would get lost or mis-deliver, a lot of hearts would be in pain. 

A courier is no simple job.