Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 2

Part 2 was late because author was busy…. Gomen…

Crocodile Farm – Barangay Irawan, Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan

Crocodile Farm

top – Rio
middle – Mascot
bottom – Baby Crocs

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a cab ride away from Sta. Monica.

We arrived there just in time to miss the 2PM tour. So while waiting for 30minutes for the tour to start, we bought our ticket which costs 40pesos each, ate some ice cream and look around the souvenir shops. In the end, I bought lots of miniature crocodiles and stingrays for the fiends back home.

The start of the tour introduced us to Rio, a crocodile who was captured because he ate half of the spear and was injured. He was treated but sadly because of old age, was unable to adapt to the new environment and died of stress. Next were the baby crocs from the newly-weaned to the almost adult ones kept in tubs in ones, twos, threes, fours or fives. There are screens on top of tubs but there are spaces with no covers. Because of this, signs of “DANGER: Baby Crocs may jump and bite. Do not place hands on top of tubs” are placed around the holding area. Then, we went to enclosed area with a bridge on top where the adult crocs are kept. The biggest one is big all 60+ cm semi-hidden in the water but the head and jaws can be seen and the horror you will be experiencing when you fell into the pen to be his meal is beyond my imagination :D.

Crocodile Pen

After this, there is a booth where you can have a picture with a baby croc and have it printed as well for souvenir.

The animal park is a do it yourself tour, we roamed around for a bit. The 1st animal is the bearcat, when we approached he got out from his hiding place to have his picture taken. Lucky us. The 2nd one is the bearded pig, snobbish creature who kept his face hidden all the time as if telling us not to bother him in his mealtime. The next are the majestic serpent eagle, I think. They looked regal all the time sneering at us, mere mortals. Then the lonesome sea eagle who gave a plaintive cry when he was disturbed. His tail was magnificent though. Then we have the hornbills who doesn’t want their pictures taken and kept themselves to the foliage inside their cage. Next, the noisy mynahs. Then, the parrots who rarely made a sound while we were looking at them. There was also a wildcat which has no name plate, so we could not really know what it was. They also have monkeys. But the last animal we went to see is the porcupine and we think it’s dying because its pins and needles are falling off. And the skin is showing, with red pelts.

Bearcat, Eagles, Parrots

After this, we wander back to the crocos for the last time then walk back to the highway to go to the tiangge.

Tiangge-Tiangge – Barangay San Rafael, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Tiangge is a marketplace for souvenirs. We told the driver specifically to drop us off there but he thought that we are not getting off because when he looked at me I did not take that as a hint that he was asking if we were getting off. So, we had to walk back a few blocks to get back there. In there, we added a few more souvenirs. Some pearls and a shoulder bag. We also looked for croc meat for people who requested but we’ll, the souvenir meat shop is closed. So, we left the tiangge behind before we are tempted to buy more.

Kinabuch’s – Rizal Avenue, Puerto Prinsesa City

Kinabuch’s Bar & Restaurant

Kinabuch is a highly recommended place to eat in Palawan, so from the tiangge we rode a tricyle to get there for an early dinner.

We ordered the specialty of the house, crispy pata, baby back ribs, halo-halo and shake, a platter of rice as well. The serving is good for 5 persons for the pata and the back ribs for 2-3. We ate a lot but we couldn’t really finish all of it, so we had those wrapped up to be taken out. It was a very satisfying meal and the place is quiet to as there are a few other guests in the resto. We paid almost 1000pesos for that meal but we had lots of leftovers that we still ate the next day.

Puerto Prinsesa Capitol

After the meal, we bought some soap, shampoo and food for breakfast. There was a funny scene when a foreigner asking why liquor is not sold in that store when it is sold somewhere else even though its banned because of the recall election. He did not insist though.

We also passed by the Provincial Capitol but did not go in because it was already late 

Baker’s Hill – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Baker’s Hill

Before going back to WPU for the night, we decided to stop by Baker’s Hill to taste the tamilok. The driver finally dropped us off where we want to go and he said, we can walk or ride. We decided to walk, decidedly the longest walk in my life. Two almost uphill climb and stretch of land in between. Poor feet. But we arrived, passing by wagyu beef, mother of steaks advertisement and many other restos along the area. Baker’s hill is aptly named, many stores sell pastries, pizza among them. There is also a massage parlor. After resting a bit, we explored. No tamilok for us, as the resto serving is already cleaning up when we arrived. And as we are not really hungry, we just walked around the park.

Shrek Park, Cherry Blossom, Peacock Display, Flowers

It was very dark, and I think we disturbed more than one fowl creature. They had a golden pheasant, peacocks (stuffed and real), and other birds couldn’t recognize because its too dark. There are also over-sized vegetables. I am not sure if all of them are real though. Then there are swings, and see-saws for children. Shrek Park have Shrek, Puss, Donkey, Fiona and the kids and other figures as well. Then there’s the cherry blossom and flowers. After exploring, we decided to call it a day, hired a tricycle to WPU for bed and rest.

As the next day is for the Palawan Underground River adventure.

For the first day of our adventure, aside from the 7200pesos for airfare which is 2-way trip for 2 persons, we spent about 3000pesos for transportation, souvenirs, food and other miscellaneous things we bought as we go.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 1

Booking a ticket several months ahead bound for Puerto Prinsesa, the Princess of Ports (because any kind of sea vessel can take rest on its bay), we finally travelled on May 8-11, 2015. These series of posts will chronicle what we did, what we saw and what we conquered on this summer escapade bound north.

Puerto Prinsesa City International Airport

Leaving Iloilo International Airport at 8:40 in the morning, we arrived Puerto Prinsesa International Airport at 9:45 am. Our accommodation was booked ahead by a friend who teaches at Western Philippines University (WPU), she gave us a recommendation to stay at the university guest house. This allows to save a few bucks as the guest house is only for 350 pesos/pax for an overnight stay. We paid 2100 Php for the 3-night stay. There are also lots of cheap hotels and apartments around the city, you can always google it up ahead or ask the tricycle drivers that are fetching passengers to and fro the airport. The drivers are honest and recommends good places to stay at.

A Different kind of tricycle

Upon our arrival, we hired a tricycle driver to chauffeur us to WPU, Pajara, Sta. Monica; since we don’t know where that is. We paid 100 Php from the airport to WPU. The driver even offered to tour us around the city when he knew that we did not get ourselves a city tour. But we did not take his offer, this is our first time in Palawan and we are planning to tour it on our own. Plus, my friend advised that Puerto is too small to get a tour for it and she gave us a list of recommended places to visit. And so, let’s tick off the list one by one. There are also agencies who offers city tour for 500 to 1000 Php for each person.

Western Philippines University
(inset)Guest House Signboard

We deposited our bags at WPU, after 30 minutes or so of waiting. We arrived at the ungodly day of recall election for Puerto Prinsesa City. It was a holiday and the caretaker was not there to greet us since she was off voting. Good thing, the student residents were helpful and helped us get in touch with the Mrs. Conching. We left our bag, took a key for the room and searched for an eatery for lunch.
After eating at a small eatery just outside of WPU, we asked the ladies how to get to Butterfly Garden, our first stop. We rode a multi-cab to Butterfly Garden and got lost because the driver forgot that we asked to be dropped specifically at the garden. So we got off and rode the tricycle to get exactly where we want to go.

Butterfly Garden

Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden houses 10 species of butterflies that are being bred in the garden and by sponsors who helps populates the garden. The entrance fee is 50pesos each person. 

Butterfly Life Cycle
(top)caterpillar (mid)pupae (bottom) butterfly

An attendant informed us that the butterflies are donated by enthusiasts who also sells butterflies to other visitors. She showed us the different stages of butterfly life cycle from caterpillar to pupae to butterfly. She also explained that different species of caterpillars prefers a different plant where to lay their eggs. So depending on what butterflies are found in the garden, they also plant the preferred plants for these butterflies to lay eggs. Then she showed us the chrysalises, most are empty but there are some that are yet to hatch.

Aside from the butterflies, the garden also have other insects and animals under their protection. Scattered around the garden are pens and glass cases that houses the following: millipedes, stag beetles, stick insects, bearcats, a gecko, giant Malay scorpions, a baby croc, a box turtle, and peacock pheasants.

the animals (clockwise) stag beetle, stick insect, gecko, scorpion, pheasant, box turtle, bearcat, crocodile

The Tribal Village is home to the Tribu Palwan when they come down from the mountains to sell their goods. They are given a place to stay here for people to learn of their culture and traditions. Tribu Palwan is believed to be the descendants of the Tabon Man and they have weaponry and knowledge handed down from their ancestors that they still use in their everyday lives. This tribe reveres the monkey as a sacred animal.

(left) Ginger around bf, the tribesmen, their instruments & tools
(right)the spear

They also have musical instruments used in rituals and songs. They allowed us to hear bits of their music but the dancing is part of their sacred rites and is only perform during ceremonies. Their weapon of choice is a bamboo blowgun where they shoot darts and poisoned arrows by blowing on it from the other end. Their accuracy is amazing. The other weapon is a spear decorated with monkey bones for luck in hunting and sort of blessing from the gods. They also have a rock used to create fire in 2 strokes and it smells like resin. They also have a torch that lasts for a month if lighted.

We have our picture taken with their pet Ginger, a 5-foot yellowish python that wrapped up the tour on the Tribal village.

After this, we spent some time with the butterflies and then leave for our next destination: The Binuatan Workshop.

Binuatan Creations – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Binuatan and how the looms are created

Binuatan Creations is a workshop where Buri, Pandan and other native fiber-y materials in Palawan are used to manufacture handloom woven products. It is located in Sta. Monica just a few blocks away from the Butterfly Garden. We rode a tricycle to get there. 

front and back view of the loom

The lady in charge of the weaving showed us how to work on the loom, how patterns are made, what type of materials are combined to create different finished products/patterns. After the materials are woven into a certain length, it is then transferred to the item creation. From this, placemats, bags, cellphone holders, purses, ipad covers and other stuffs are produced then displayed in the showroom.

Most of the workers in the shop are mothers who just need extra money or has nothing to do in the idyllic afternoons. There are also students who work there for the summer and on weekends during school time to earn some extra cash, male and female. The lady told us that they really try to accommodate all individuals who want to work there. She said that she is very happy if the youth shows interest in these things, so as to avoid bad company and other influences that may hinder education or pursuit of a brighter future.

I bought a purse from the showroom because its’ beautiful and I needed one. Also, the price is cheaper compared to buying one from the malls.

Binuatan Show Room

This has been a long post and I am not even halfway there…
We still got to the Crocodile Farm, Baker’s Hill, the Tiangge, Kinabuch, and the capitol.
Please watch out for the Part 2 of this escapade.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Rest Easy Now!

Sometimes we wonder
Sometimes we know
For most times we fear
Still, we pursue

Not everything is clear
Not everything is certain
The most we can do is be aware
Even if we are uncertain

The world is not black and white
The world is not wrong and right
Why must we always divide
Whole into parts?

We always question our existence
We always deny a higher being
If the answer does not make sense
Begin at the beginning

Who can answer me
Who knows everything
Answers surround me
But who will be checking?

I have my doubts
I have my fears
But life must go on
So we get a move on

If I am wrong today
I trust that tomorrow
Everything will be OK
I will be allowed to redo

So rest easy now
Give me self a break
Lay my head on the pillow
Until dawn breaks...

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

Resto Review: Into the Rabbit Hole

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the new tambayan of yuppies and teens in Iloilo which is Smallville. I recommend you go visit a quaint little place near Atrium that will remind you of a childhood classic.

Let’s get lost together down the Rabbit Hole with the White Rabbit and your friends to attend the tea party.

Me and my friends are always on the lookout for new places to eat here in Iloilo. We heard a bit of a place called Rabbit Hole near St. Paul University but did not really know exactly where it was until I stumbled upon it by accident when I took the wrong turn when walking to Tibiao Bakeshop.

There was the small sign that said Rabbit Hole.

So me and the friends decided to try it out one Friday night.

On the door, it said Café + Bar. We hesitated for a bit before entering because none of us is much of a drinker, but decided to try the menu, if nothing else.

The café is small and one of the company said that it used to be an internet shop when he was in college. So that might explain the setup.

It has a high rise table (portion of the wall) that looks like it holds something and the cashier desk is somewhat further in with displays on shelves which now shows the menu but once upon a time displays available food.

Anyway, the place was small, about 10-11 small tables with 2 chairs per table. But it was comfy and dim lighting really creates a relaxing mood plus the music playing are the usual un-irritating top hits.

The neon lights and the art works displayed on the side does not cause loss of appetite at least. 

When we were handed the menu, I resisted a giggle because at the top it read Eat Me! for the Food Menu and Drink Me! for the Cocktails and other drink selections.

At the side, the menu is also displayed.

(That's the door to the kitchen)

So for the Food we ordered their Rice Meals: Honey Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Pork Schinitzel.

We also have 3 orders of Hot Box Burger, 1 Buffalo Wings and 1 Mozzarella Sticks.

For the Drinks, we only tried their Blue Turnate that turns the drink from Blue to Purple when Calamansi or Lemon Juice was added.

The food though was mouth-watering. Its presentation will really whet your appetite. And the taste, the taste of the food is heavenly. The honey chicken tasted sweet but you can really feel the tenderness of the chicken. 

 

Honey Chicken and Mongolian Beef

The Mongolian beef was easy to chew and the sauce in the Pork was creamy but not bland. 

Pork Shinitzel and an Exra Egg

The mozzarella was melted just right and crunchy even though it was chewy. 

Mozzarella Stick and the Hot Box Burger

I even nibbled on the Buffalo Wings even if I have a no-no rule for spicy foods. I think they added cheese in the Buffalo Wings and that added to the taste. 

Buffalo Wings

I only had problems with the Hot Box Burger because the patty was too salty for my taste but the other 3 people who ate the burger does not agree with me, they are highly recommending that you try the burger.

Hot Box Burger from the drinks

Purple Turnate

Don’t ask us about the drinks because we did not order any except for the Blue Turnate.

But I am recommending you try the place out and discover for yourself the wonders of their available cocktails.

You will get your money’s worth in terms of food quantity and quality.

That goes for drinks too, because even if we are no longer actively drinking socially, I am still aware of the price range.

So visit the Rabbit Hole, at Gen. Luna St., in an alley in-between Tibiao Bakeshop and St. Paul University, in front of Atrium.

Bring your own Alice or invite the Mad Hatter.

Youcan find them on Facebook:

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

Parenting 101

I am not a mother. I am not even claiming that I will be a good one if I will be blessed with a child. But there are just some instances in life which will make you realize that some women or men, for that matter, are not really ready to become parents. And even if they accidentally become one, they do not even try to learn how to be good parents.

I had interacted with a lot of parents in my life. Every family has a different kind of approach to parenting. Some parents try to be as strict as possible with their children, some are too lax. Others think of it as a way to test out their theories on raising children and train their children at a young age to become somebody or behave in a certain way. Some are Spartan in nature. Others have the well-rounded family, the perfect family you read about. There are also some, who are a disaster waiting to happen and you wonder why it didn't strike yet, the way they were going.

---

Earlier today, I was at the mall when a commotion perked the interest of me and my friends. A child, about six or seven or younger, was screaming at the top of her lungs. Tears streaming down her face as she cries that her mother is missing. Two high-schoolers were trying to calm her down to no avail while the security guard radios the paging system of the mall that a child is found and is currently at the custody information desk of the mall.

We went near the scene because we noticed that the high-schoolers trying to calm the child are students of ours. Good thing we did, because the lady at the information desk was not even trying to help them. She was just looking in. One of my companions pointed out that it is her responsibility to calm the child because she is an employee at the mall. When she touched the kid, the kid bolted out and I had to grab her and hold her down at the same time trying to calm her and reassure her that her mother is coming. She was fighting for all her worth trying to run away, anyway. But at least, she was not screaming anymore.

The moment the mother arrived, she spanked the kid and told her that she was stupid because she lost sight of her mother. She then dragged the kid away, without even acknowledging or thanking the people who found her child.


What really raised my hackles was that first, it was a child. At that age, a child is curious. So the tendency is that you will look from left to right, up and down, if there are interesting things in your environment. So she was scolded for being curious.

Second, if you are in a big place or a crowded place, you always hold the child's (friend's) hand so you will not get separated. Clearly, the mother does not know this because when she led the child away, she just told her to follow.

Third, I know the feeling of getting lost in a very big and crowded place at a young age. An unfamiliar one at that. To say that it scared the bejesus out of me is an understatement. But my mother has told me what to do in case the situation arises, not that she expected me to get lost but precaution is always good. The kid obviously was not oriented on this matter, because that scream was clearly for hopelessness.

Fourth, when a child is scared, you should calm her down. Never berate a child in public. The fear, shame, and humiliation it causes marks a kid forever.

I was so pissed, not because she forgot to thank anybody but because she scolded the kid in a crowd and blamed the kid for everything.

What the? Is the child a rational being who can think for herself? Was she raised to become independent? Is she of legal age, responsible for her actions?

The answer is clearly NO. If you bring a child to a trip, you are responsible for her. You should tell her what to do in certain situations. If you do not brief the child and bring her on a trip, then tie her down or rope her to you so you won't have to hold her hand. If you want independent kids, then train them how to act in public. Agree on meeting places, or agree on things the kid can do while on a trip with you.

Clearly, the mother was not aware of these methods or she was just not motherly in nature. Or she might also be panicking that she lost her child and so it was a defense mechanism that led to forgetfulness and attack on the emotional and mental state of the child.

Whatever the case was, the kid was found and reunited with her mother. She was certainly happy to be found. I hope the mother apologized to the kid or at least train her children what not to do in unfamiliar places, like not getting lost.

Just want to rant for a change.



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

Farewell Chester

Chester Bennington died on Thursday. I did not know about it until Friday when a colleague mentioned that Chester died when we were making small talk about various artists in and out of the country. It was so out-of-the-blue that I had to blink back tears hard to prevent myself from crying. (I even texted a friend and fellow fan if the news was true.) Calmly asking what's the cause of death and knowing that he took his own life did not really deter me from mourning the death of one of the power duo that made me realize screaming is not really that bad in music.

I am writing this article as a tribute to one of those artists that made my college days bearable. This is a collection of music forced on me by roommates who loved to listen to Linkin Park when we are on the verge of exams and studying with music blaring at 3 in the morning makes sense.

If the prospect of failing major subjects like Math, Physics, and various Computer Science does not force you to depression, LP music will surely do that but then you can just scream, right?

So here are some of the songs in the playlist of our study days with Linkin Park.

It was mostly songs from their Hybrid Theory, Meteora, A Thousand Suns, and Minutes to Midnight albums. So that gives away our age.

1. Numb
   
2. Breaking the Habit
   
3. Easier to Run
   
4. Leave Out All the Rest
   
5. Bleed it Out
   
6. No More Sorrow
   
7. Iridescent
   
8. Blackout
   
9. Waiting for the End
   
10. By Myself
    
11. One Step Closer
    
12. In the End

Linkin Park music, especially some of the lyrics are as sad as sad can be. It gives away the feelings of the artist when they write the song, and when they perform, they always lose themselves in it.

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but this band have songs that mirror their life situations, and ours for that matter.

We can lose ourselves in their music and scream out loud our feelings with no one to bother us because its a song after all.

So thank you for writing songs that we can relate to. I know you fight so hard to overcome your personal problems but in the end, being by yourself did not really helped matters.

Goodbye and Thank You, Chester.

Depression took him away from us. Let us be happy that he was able to hold out as long as he can. His childhood was not a happy one. He had experiences that would drove any one mad. His means of escape was drugs and alcohol abuse and later on, his music.

The music was no longer enough for him to hold on because in a way it also reminds him of the tragedies that have befallen his career and personal life.

At least he belongs somewhere now:

NOTE: All videos and links in this article belong to Linkin Park.
https://www.youtube.com/user/linkinparktv
https://linkinpark.com/



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

Recipe: How To Eat Avocado

It has been a long time since I posted anything and so to break the non-activity I am writing on something I do best: EATING!!!

Yesterday, a fruit cart passed by the house. I bought some avocado for 40 pesos per kilo so that's 1 large and 1 medium-sized avocado.

This is how you eat avocado in the Philippines!

Avocado Dessert

Ingredients:

• avocado
• sugar
• milk
• crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Cut open the avocado fruit, please be careful since the hard seed is found inside the soft flesh of the fruit.
2. Scrape the fruit from the peeling into a bowl.
3. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix well.
4. Add condensed milk or 4 tbsps of powdered milk. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add crushed ice or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

And that's that...

Enjoy your creamy dessert, perfect for hot days and even cold days.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D just because!

Movie Review: Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society is a movie that followed 7 boys and the teacher who made a difference in their lives.

credits to Rotten Tomatoes

Robin Williams starred as Mr. John Keating, the new English teacher who believes that his students must understand poetry from their own point of view and not because the books tell them that this piece is interpreted like this.

We also have Charlie Dalton who is too rich to care. Stephen Meeks and Gerrard Pitts who in their own way rebelling by creating a radio which is a banned experimentation. Richard Cameron who takes everything seriously. Knox Overstreet who in every sense of the way, fought the courage to go out with a girl engaged to someone else. Todd Anderson who is overshadowed by his more popular and more brilliant older brother. Neil Perry who dreams to become a theater actor but is prohibited by his father who wants to make him a doctor.

The rest of the classes in Welton's School for Boys are rigid academics which emphasizes the Four Pillars of education: Tradition, Honour, Discipline and Excellence.

The famous line from this movie: Carpe diem, Seize the day boys. Make your lives extraordinary was uttered by Keating on his very first lesson. After that, he practiced unconventional ways to teach poetry so that his students will get into the emotion and live the poem not just read it.

These 7 boys were so intrigued by him they look him up in the old alumni photos. Out of all the descriptions, they were curious about the Dead Poets Society and asked him about it. Upon learning what it was, they decided to recreate it. Breaking a lot of school rules in the process.

But everything wasn't made for perfection. So even though, the boys find their courage and pursue what they always wanted to do. It did not make the school happy nor their parents.

In the end, even though Neil got the part he always wanted and practiced for it. His father did not approve. It didn't matter that he got straight A's in all his subjects and could really perform well. His father wanted a doctor, not an actor. Neil felt suffocated and committed suicide.

The blame was placed on Mr. Keating and all 5 boys were forced to sign the petition to remove him from office. Charlie refused and was expelled.

When Mr. Keating said goodbye, half of his class said goodbye by calling him their captain.


Watching this movie made me miss Robin Williams. It was really one of those moments where you can really say that he was a very sad man. His eyes were in sorrow all throughout this movie. Even in the frames where he is laughing, they never really reach the eyes. It must be because he knows that the admin disapproves of his methods and that he is just waiting to be sacked. Or it is because we know that he is suffering from depression and making others laugh is his outlet for it.

Being able to think for ones' self is a great treasure, so please become a person who knows what you want to be and slowly aim for that goal of yours so that one day you can look back to life with no regrets.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

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

Movie Review: To Sir, With Love

To Sir, With Love is a movie as old as my mother and I did not really expect to like it. But there I was laughing as each prank is played and the odd dialogue and behavior accompanied it on-screen.

credits to Wikipedia

The story is all about an engineer named Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) who was seeking employment in London's engineering firm. To make ends met, he started a job as a teacher in East London. He was warned that his students are good kids with problems. It turned out to be more than that as his tactics are met with resistance after resistance, not counting all those pranks played on him.

When he lost his temper, he decided that the academic approach would not really cut it, so he decided to use the adult approach where he showed the class how to be responsible adults and become useful members of the society.

It actually worked for him, and he had reformed students to show for it. Even had one student hanging on to every word and falling in love with him which he of course dutifully ignored.

At the end of the movie, he was accepted as an engineer but was swayed to stay as teaching staff because his students liked him too much and acknowledge that if not for him, they would all end up in juvie.


The drama was minimal. It was quite entertaining.

The songs in this movie were all beautiful renditions from Lulu, which also played as a student in this movie.

The school staff were either people who have gone cynic, still hopeful, given up or just there for the paycheck.

The principal is a hopeful individual who wishes for the best of his students.

The community is actually quite helpful, like they do not let the teachers fall in line in supermarkets because they know that the break time is short, or they show support when Mr. Mark started going to the museums to educate his kids.

The students were kids with an attitude, and are rejects of other schools. They do not expect to be anyone greater because they would more or less work in blue-collar jobs positions or in the red-light district anyway.

But one man who has also in his past went through the horrors these kids are going through tried to make a difference. He showed that he cared and that he feels responsible for the future that his students will have. And that made all the difference in the world.


Every action we make affects other people, so we must mindful of what we say and do because we can never really know if what we did just make or break someone.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Chili Bomb

We had loads of chili pepper that needs to be disposed of. Feeding them to the chicken is a waste, so we decided to make some Chili Bombs, the kind sold in the streets with a bit of cheese.

Ingredients:

• Chili Pepper
• Lumpia Wrapper
• Cheese, cut into rectangular shapes
• Oil

Preparation:

1. Remove the seeds from the Chili Pepper.
2. Place the cheese inside the pepper.
3. Wrap it in lumpia wrapper and seal.
4. Heat oil in a pan, and fry the lumpia wrapper with chili pepper and cheese.
5. Once it turned golden, remove the bomb and drain all excess oil.

Enjoy eating, you can dip them in sinamak (vinegar stored with spicy condiments) for a chilier experience.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Meat Balls

Since eating is and has always been a hobby, cooking follows right after. Not that we became gourmet chefs because of it, but we try.

So today's recipe is Meat Balls, easy to prepare and consume.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg of ground meat
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp of flour
• 1 medium-sized onion, minced
• salt and ground pepper
• oil

Preparation:

1. Put the ground meat in a bowl, add the egg and flour and mix well.
2. Add the onion, some ground pepper and salt for taste. Mix well.
3. Take 1 tbsp of the mixture and form them into balls.
4. Place the formed balls on a plate covered with a bit of flour so it would not stick.
5. Heat oil in a pot or a deep pan, at least an inch of it to cover the meatballs thoroughly.
6. Fry the balls in the pan until it turns golden brown and floats to the surface.

Enjoy eating!!

Tastes great with mayo and ketchup dip.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

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

Restaurant Review: KSpice

I am not really into Korean Food or anything too spicy for my taste. But we found ourselves having dinner with friends in a quaint little resto just outside MegaWorld called KSpice. They have a wide variety of food on the menu but our friends ordered the 350 pesos Eat-All-You-Can set where meat and condiments are all unlimited, you just ask the waitresses.

The restaurant is located at Taft North, Manduarriao, Iloilo. Just a few feet away from the newly-opened Jollibee Fast Food. It is quite a small place but at least it has its own parking area, so customers won't be parking on the side of the road. It is easy enough to find, though not really noticeable when you are riding public vehicles going at top speed. You will have to walk or take a taxi, or you can ride the jeep whose route is to and from Mandurriao.

The place is clean and has table settings for different group types. Table for twos, fours, eights were arranged around the room. If there are more of you, I guess you can request for additional tables and chairs. Each table setting has a table with a single burner grill which is used by the customers to cook their own meat. The grill is also replaced from time to time depending on the amount of grease it has. Ours were replaced thrice.

The food consisted of 4 types of meat, Spicy Pork, Pork, Chicken, Kimchi Bacon. Then for the unlimited condiments, sotanghon, kimchi, and rice. Can't really remember everything since I don't eat them. The meal set is also accompanied with a glass of iced tea and unlimited rice or chinese cabbage leaf/wrap.

It was a nice dining experience. you have the illusion of cooking for yourself though its only grilling really. Still, the meat was delicious and I don't mind eating Kimchi Bacon and Spicy Pork though at a minimal amount and at a very fast rate of chewing.

I am not really the best person to recommend a Korean dining since I do not float this boat. But if you want a different Korean experience, visit KSpice and judge for yourself.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!

Recipe: Breaded Shrimp

Happy Labor Day everybody.

I have been spending the past few days being lazy, hence the No posts state.

Anyway, since today is a Holiday and if you can get lucky you can find some BIG Shrimps from the market and try this recipe out: Breaded Shrimp with Cheesenax.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp / Prawn
• Vinegar (2 tbsp)
• Breadcrumbs
• Flour (4 tbsps)
• Egg
• Water
• Oil
• Cheese
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

• Shrimp

1. Add 2 cups of water in a pot, add the vinegar then the shrimp.
2. Stir the shrimp constantly, and wait for some of them to float or get cooked.
3. Once some shrimps float, remove from fire and drain.
4. Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour cold water over it.
5. Peel the scales off the shrimp and set aside.

• Breading

1. Place 4 tbsps of flour in a bowl, add egg and water to create a mixture. Divide mixture into two. Add the first one with a bit of salt and pepper. Leave the second as is.
2. Place some breadcrumbs (5 tbsps) in a plate, continuously adding breadcrumbs until all the shrimps are cooked.

• Deep Fry the Shrimp

1. Heat oil in a deep pan. Make sure that amount of oil can cover the shrimp.
2. Dip the shrimp in the mixture with salt and pepper. 
3. Roll in breadcrumbs.
4. Dip in the 2nd mixture.
5. Then roll again in breadcrumbs.
6. Place the shrimp in the heated oil and wait for it to float.
7. Remove from pan and drain excess oil.

Since we had some mixture and breadcrumbs left, we mixed this together.

Then we cut some cheese (cheese stick cut), roll them in the mixture and deep fried this as well.

• Dip

1. Add some mayonnaise in a small bowl and add some ketchup.
2. Mix them well.

Hope you enjoyed making and eating this as much as we did.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article every two days... :D just because!