Thoughts On: Iloilo City PRISAA Math Challenge

The Iloilo PRISAA(Private Schools Athletic Association) is currently ongoing.
And as different sports team seeks to destroy each other physically on the field, some students battle it out in talent, skill, and intelligence on stage.

Last Saturday was the Math Quiz which ended with Hua Siong College of Iloilo taking home the bacon. The 2nd place was a tie between Paref Westbridge School and Ateneo de Iloilo, not that the students did not try to duke it out with 5 clincher questions that failed to select a winner so both were declared.

Our team contestants ranked 6th or 7th depending on how you look at the ranking and they are happy with it though we hoped for a better result, same as with the other 26 teams that did not cut it.

For me, as a first timer in this type of events was just happy that I was able to contribute a bit to the students' preparation for the contest. It was a matter of giving questions and making sure they got the correct answers based on the answer key provided or be able to justify the answers if it was different. It also involved practicing trial time and some shortcuts that are not really taught in general classes.

I also learned new things during this sessions and that's good enough for me. It was worth the effort.

During the contest, it was really fun to watch students enjoy answering Math questions and debating on which answers are correct and why. Debating in Math. Yay!

Made me wonder what would it be like to have 87 students, all brilliant in the subject in your class.

Must be what a NASA office will feel like. All have the answer, but which is the best?

I can resent it or embrace it.
Such simple choices, but really hard to act upon.

I guess I'll answer it when I am given a roomful of Einsteins next time.

For now, I am just happy to have one.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

 I post an article once a week... :D

Resto Review: Monkey Grounds

If you're a yuppie and wants to drown yourself in coffee, Monkey Grounds is the place to be.

If that sounds rhyme-y, blame it on the literature stack, the place has.

This quaint little place is located just below the overpass in Barangay San Rafael along Benigno Aquino Avenue (Diversion Road) and Donato Pison Avenue.

I have been here 3 times and I ordered a different pancake each time. And so far I have not been disappointed. As for the coffee, I am not a fan but my friends always orders, so far no complaints, so you will just have to take my word that they loved it.

The price ranges from 50 to 250 Philippine peso depending on what your order is. They have pancakes, sandwiches, pasta, coffee, some fruit juices and yogurt, and they also have brownies and cakes and yeah! milk and coffee.

Monkey Grounds Menu

This week, we felt like chilling out on a Saturday night, so there were only a few people. The place is not too crowded, though that also depends on the time and day because sometimes when I pass it also has a full house especially on weekdays.
But I guess the relaxing atmosphere and good music always draw people in.

As seen from inside.

Our orders were: Funky Monkey is a pancake with attitude, that's Peanuts and Banana Toppings with Chocolate Syrup. The yogurt tasted like Dutch Mill, so tangy with a hint of strawberry.

Funky Monkey Pancake with a glass of yogurt.

 Garlic Bread and the Dip is made up of Mozzarella and Spinach and some other cheese.

Garlic Bread with Spinach Dip or somethin

 Spinach and Mozzarella Melt Sandwich: The name I think suggests what its like, so no need to explain. It comes with a Tomato Dip and French Fries as a side, so it's really worth it.
The Fried Mushroom is a different appetizer though.

Spinach and Mozzarella Sandwich and Fried Mushrooms

 And for dessert, it's brownies because, with chocolate, one can never be wrong.

Brownies

I forgot to take a picture of my friends coffee.
I got distracted by the food.


Anyway, let me know if you liked your own visit.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Recipe: Fish Burger

Because we usually buy a big tuna mackerel (budlisan) from the market to make fish fillet. We always end up having lots of excess tuna since some parts cannot be sliced well.
When I was young, my mother always do this to make us eat fish without us knowing.
I adapted this one to give you my version of the Fish Burger. (You can use any fish)

Fish Burger

Ingredients:

• Leftover fish
• 2-3 pcs Calamansi, we use the juice
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 onion,minced
• 1 cup flour
• water
• 1 egg
• salt (and pepper)
• 1/4 cup oil

Preparation:

Fish:

1. Place the leftover parts, like head, tail, and parts of the body that where not filleted inside a pot. (You can either have fish adobo or sinabawang isda, your call really).
2. This time, we have sinabawang isda, so add 1-2 cups water, salt, crushed ginger, 1 medium onion, and pepper corns inside the pan and wait for it to boil.
3. Taste the broth if the flavor is just right for you and remove the pot from the fire.
4. Separate the fish parts that you will use for the burger like the tail and body parts, the head does not really have much meat, so you can eat that with the soup.
5. Allow to cool.

Fish broth

Fish Burger Mixture:

Na sipad-sipad na isda

1. I cannot find the English translation for the word, sipad-sipad. Basically, you separate the bones from the meat while crushing the fish meat to fine texture.
2. Once its fine and the bones have been removed, add one cup flour and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the calamansi juice and soy sauce.
4. You can have fresh onion or use the onion from the fish soup, mince this and add to the fish meat and flour.
5. Beat the egg and add to the mixture. Mix thoroughly.
6. Add a bit of salt and ground pepper for the egg and flour.
7. Add water slowly while mixing the ingredients. Stop adding water once the desired mixture is achieved. It should be not be too sticky but definitely not watery. The mixture texture should be similar or close to meat balls.
8. Set aside.

Sticky Fish Mixture

Now to fry.

1. Heat oil in pan over medium heat stove.
2. Form burger patties by taking 1-2 tbsp of fish burger mixture and flattening it inside the heated pan or in a separate plate.
3. Fry for 1-2 minutes and flip. Flip from one side to another until patty is golden brown.
4. Remove from pan and drain oil by placing it in a strainer or on a plate with tissue paper.
5. Serve with ketchup, or ketchup and mayo dip. :D
   OR  Serve inside a burger bun with all the burger trimmings. :D

Note:**

1. The thinner the patty, the crunchier it is.
2. I do not recommend super thick patties and high heat because there is a possibility that the inside parts will not be cooked.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article every two days... :D Just because!!!