Major, Major Thanks To Venus Raj

Most people say that Venus Raj should've been more creative with her answer. Some say that she should've given her "title-stripping" issue as an answer . I could agree more, but hey, she bagged 4th runner up. Not bad at all. At the end of the day, she still brought honor and pride to our country considering what happened the day before the pageant. I am already happy with what she achieved.

Here is a link of her thank you message.

Yes, I'm Thirty!

It was my 30th birthday yesterday but there was nothing grand. It's enough that I have my family to celebrate it with. I am also grateful for having wonderful friends and I want to thank all those who remembered. I love you all!

This is not a speech nor a "Thank You" letter. LOL! What I really wanted to show is the food I got from Mama (Cagayan Valley) when she arrived yesterday. She is always sending/bringing us food even if there is no occasion. She sends it through a provincial bus then my husband fetches the "box" from the bus station.

Inside the box are local delicacies like suman and bibingka. Our own version of suman is triangular but it is also wrapped in banana leaf. We call our bibingka "royal bibingka" because it really is special--I was not able to take a picture of it though.

Mama also brought pop rice which is my daughter's favorite and longanisa which my husband and my mother-in-law really loves.

Cagayan's longanisa is the same as Ilocos' when it comes to taste. It is a bit salty but you dip it in vinegar, it becomes perfect! The ground pork has lots of chopped garlic and other seasonings then it gets stuffed inside a pig's intestine. I know for a fact that the pig's intestine is clean because I saw our neighbor once while cleaning/scrubbing the said part. I was amazed by it's elasticity because it does not break.

I did not like longanisa when I was younger but I am now a total convert!

Election 2010

Millions of Filipinos casted their votes in the first automated election in the country.
People braved the scorching summer heat to exercise their right to vote and be part of a very historic event in Philippine Politics.

Some fear the failure of the said election and we can't blame them for feeling such. Last night, we sill heard and seen over the news that there were cases of PCOS machine glitches and failures. Add the violence happening in some parts of the country.

I am hopeful. I believe that we need change and we were give the opportunity to do just that. Let us all be wise. I am sure that violence in any shape and form will not persuade or prevent us from doing our civic duty. Congratulations to all of us and MABUHAY PHILIPPINES!

*Photo courtesy of Irish Urmatam

Excercise Your Right To Suffrage

May 10 is election day and I hope for an honest and clean election. We should all be vigilant of at least our vote--never let your family's future be bought for a couple-of-hundreds. Be wise enough in selecting since our decisions will greatly affect our children's future.

We are all empowered to select and elect who we think is the best man or woman for the job. We need to look beyond the surface and examine. Ask ourselves, is this person capable? Will he be the one running the country or people around him? Will he become a puppet of the people who helped him during the campaign period? Will he be paying non-stop political debts and forget what he was elected for? Is this person just plain hungry for power? Is this person wanting to protect his own interests only?

I am sure we have more questions. The list goes on and on but at the end of the day we still need to select. I say be wise, don't sell your vote and think of your loved one's future.

8-Course Degustation

Degustation is the action or instance of tasting especially in a series of small portions. I was invited by no other than my husband to do just that.

My hubby is a student at CCA (Center for Culinary Arts) and he is now at level 8. Two more levels to go! I am so proud of him . I know how he worked so hard to get this far and I am sure that he is excited to become a Chef already. I am very confident that he will finish his course because he is a very hardworking man and is very much dedicated to what he does.


I have been invited to some of their activities at school, some I was not able to attend to. The latest was their Degustation which was held last night at CCA. They prepared an 8-course meal for their guests. They occupied a classroom and 3 laboratories (kitchen) for the said event. There was a seating arrangement and I was really surprised because what I thought was just a card where the guests names were written for seating arrangement purposes, was actually a card with a personal message written inside. I'd say it was romantic.


It was an 8-course degustation. The menu includes Amuse Bouche, Bulalo Consomme, Kilawin Tanigue, Sisig Ravioli, Kalamansi-Basil Sorbet, Pan-seared Besugo with Laing, Steak Kare-Kare, Maja Blanca Cheesecake and Sago.


The food was sumptuous, I should say. I loved the liver sauce for the lechon, the menu was called Amuse Bouche. Their Bulalo Consomme was the best. Consomme is a clear soup made from stock. Ingredients like the beef, corn, and vegetables were wrapped and fried. It was very interesting how they made the bulalo ingredients into a dumpling.


Other favorites were Sisig Ravioli and Pan-seared Besugo with Laing. The Sisig Ravioli was served with two sauces--pesto sauce made of olive oil, pine nuts, basil and garlic and a white sauce made of pork brain. The Pan-seared Besugo with Laing was sinful. The plating was so inviting, you can't help but dig in.

I hope I get invited again soon and I wish that it will be their own restaurant next time.

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

My daughter was so excited about the Easter Egghunt that she insisted on buying plastic egg containers. We filled it with coins, chocolates and candies. She may not fully understand the whole concept but she is aware as to why we celebrate Easter Sunday.


Easter Sunday is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Chist. According to scriptures, it was the day Jesus came back from the dead. To celebrate this, modern Christians and non-Christians alike go egghunt. It is relatively a new element.


Easter eggs are apparently hidden by the Easter Bunny for kids to hunt down Easter Sunday morning...and that is just what we did!

Aside from egg hunting, we usually get together as a family. Time for catching up and for sharing old memories. Sharing food each family prepares and kids just having fun and playing with their cousins. It also is a family reunion of some sort I guess.

CROCS MEGA SALE

I was at the Crocs Mega Sale today and managed to get two pairs, one for me and one for my son. My daughter insisted on buying a Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe instead of a pair of Crocs. She got what she wanted of course...such a Daddy's girl.

Entrance was free since I have a Citibank credit card (one of the sponsors for this year's sale) and you are allowed to have one companion. I was alone though. For those who do not have Citi cards, the fee is P50.00. The sale will run until tomorrow.

It was very hard to get a pair because you have to search for sizes and their pairs in the sea of footwears. Adult sizes are either 8-9-10 or 4-5-6. My shoe size is between 7 to 8--depending on the style. I was lucky to get what I really wanted.

Most of the items on sale are for kids. From tiny footwears with different colors to sizes that fits a 13-year-old. Since I only planned to buy two pairs, I did not bother bringing a plastic bag but for those who plan to buy a truckload, I suggest you bring one.

HOT AIR BALLOON

My hubby was at the 15th Hot Air Balloon Festival held last February 5, 2010, Friday at Clark Field Pampanga. I was not able to join because I have work so I have to make do with the pictures taken by his friend. Thanks to Aldrich for lending me this wonderful pictures.

The activity started as early as five in the morning. Participants started preparing. There were about 20 to 25 participants according to my hubby.

There were interesting balloon figures like the turtle, the house, the sun (my daughter's favorite) and the beer. There was of course the usual balloon shape but they come in different colors and sizes.

Aside from the usual hot air balloons, there were gliders who added excitement to the show.




I assume that the Gliders are members of the Philippine Air Force. I could be wrong but never the less, they still are an added attraction.

Below are some of the pictures of the balloons at the Festival. These are the interesting ones.

When you say Hot Air Balloon Festival, you think of balloons only. Make this an exception. Aside from the usual flying of hot air balloons, there were booths (although there were no enclosures) where you can take pictures wearing military gears, guns, ammunitions and gadgets.

It also includes taking pictures with the military personnel and their toys/vehicles like the pump boat, military jeep, helicopters and planes. There were no fees involved...surprisingly.

All in all, it was probably an exhausting day but it was full of fun activities.

Grammy Awards

The recently concluded Grammy Awards was a sham. I am not a musician or a critique but TS winning album of the year? Seriously!


Aside from winning album of the year, TS also won the Grammy for the best female vocal performance. She was not able to give justice for the award she got that night...shammy.


Just a thought...what if Lady Gaga omits the production?


I love Lady Gaga but I love Pink more. It was an awesome performance...Pink, you ROCK!


Almost all had a production that night...It was all Lady Gaga's doing. She did set a trend.


RIP Michael Jackson. I love you.


Lady Gaga's costume freaked me out. Did she have it taped? LOL. I saw still pictures of her--she wore nothing!


There was a few close ups of Nicole Kidman. She was beautiful and all but I saw B-O-T-O-X spelled across her forehead. Her skin looks like it's made of plastic. She must have undergone polymerization...LOL


Grammy host Stephen Colbert was funny... I sooo love the iPad part.


I really liked Beyonce's eye shadow but not her performance. Enough with the production!


Green Day and American Idiot cast sung "21 Guns"...simply awesome!




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Valentine's Gift Ideas For Her

It's February and we all know that it is the LOVE month. Some may have bought their gifts for their wife's or girlfriend's already but for those who have no idea what to get their partner's, here are some gift ideas that might help.

Bib Necklace

This will really look nice on her plain white shirt-- price varies depending on where you purchased the item.

The Beat by Burberry

The last time I checked, this was around P4,700. You can grab one from almost all department stores.

Omnia Green Jade by Bvlgari

A 100ml of this costs P4,500 to P5,000. She will definitely love this!

Juicy Couture Wrist Watch

I saw this at Gateway...be ready with P9,000 to P12,000.

Flowers

Roses, roses, roses! You can never go wrong with flowers.





Whatever you decide to give your honey, at the end of the day it's still the thought that counts... I hope :)