Nomiya Izakaya

 A rare opportunity to eat out during the pandemic with the family. A small Japanese resto. along Scout Santiago, QC is Nomiya, Izakaya. I was looking forward to grilled dishes like yakitori but there were none. We were not disappointed though. The maki, ebi tempura, agedashi tofu and seafood with vegetables were great. Looking forward to our next visit. Kampai!

Spicy Salmon Maki

Califronia Maki

Ebi Tempura

Seafood Tepan

Agedashi Tofu

Selfie infront of the Izakaya

Visita Iglesia - Holy Week 2022

Infront of the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish

On Holy Week 2022, specifically Maundy Thursday, our family ventured on Visita Iglesia where we visited 7 churches in our vicinity. This was also an opportunity to go out after almost two years of staying at home due to the pandemic. So what churches did we visited? 

1. Parish of Mary Imaculate Concepcion - Carmel 1, QC
2. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church, Project 6, QC
3. Our Lady of Hope, Bagong Pag-asa, QC
4. Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Village, QC
5. Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila, QC
6. Church of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Diliman, QC
7. Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Mira Nila, Tandang Sora, QC

Parish of Mary Imaculate Concepcion - Carmel 1, QC

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church, Project 6, QC

Our Lady of Hope, Bagong Pag-asa, QC

Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Village, QC

Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila, QC

Church of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Diliman, QC

Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Mira Nila, Tandang Sora, QC

Our Family - PINK Fighting!

 They say the greatest gift parents can give to their children is to be good examples. 

Our 1st Pink rally for Leni-Kiko at Quezon City Memorial Circle

Since they were young, Andy and I have always shared our social and political views with our children.  During meals, we talk about society and politics, and occasionally would ask our kids for their views, too.  But being naturally quiet, Geof and Julia most of the time simply listened.

I get to know about their political views on issues when they ask me to edit their essays for school.  When I read their compositions, I truly marvel not just at the writing skills of both these kids, but also at the firmness of their beliefs and convictions. 

 We bring them with us in rallies – mostly EDSA anniversary celebrations and (Presidential) campaign rallies. From the time they were small until today, when they are already young adults.  

We took part in a Holy Mass  at ADMU House of Jesu for the Sumilao Farmers

This 2022 election season, Andy and I were very much involved in the campaign, supporting Leni, Kiko, and the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TROPA).  So when Leni and Kiko had their mass mobilization at the Quezon Memorial Circle last February, the mass for the Sumilao Farmer in Ateneo de Manila University chapel, and the Meeting de Avance (MdA) in Makati in May, we went together as family.  Since both kids are now grown up, we checked first with them if they are joining us because they feel compelled because we are their parents (Julia even had to skip her class party to join us in the MdA); but they assured us that they are doing it because they also want to join, and believe in what the mobilizations stand for.  That made my heart skipped a bit.

We stayed overnight at a nearby hotel so that we can be part of the miting-de-avance for TROPA!

Perhaps this is what the elders always remind us of when we were young – that the greatest gift our children can give us is to become good and responsible human beings. We are indeed proud parents for having children who understands the value of fighting for what is right, noble, and true.

Samgy Garden Unli Grilled and Shabu Shabu

 

If you are looking for a Korean Barbecue Grill Garden with a good view of Manila Bay especially during sunset, Samgy Garden at Seascpae Village near Sofitel Hotel is the restaurant that you should visit. Samgy Garden serves unlimitted grill meat and seafood and shabu shabu. Your order is accompanied  by unlimited rice, side dishes like veggie, appetizers, cheese & sauces. The staff are very warm and assist the costumers in the grilling of the meat and seafood. They even serve the grilled meat to your plate. We were not heavy eaters so we may not have fully maximized the unli offers but we were satisifed with the food. If you are a heavy eater and would like value for money, try Samgy Garden.

Welcome to Samgy Garden, Sea Scape Village, Pasay City.

https://www.facebook.com/samgygarden/

U N L I M I T E D Samgyeopsal & Healthy Shabu- shabu with the view of Manila Bay’s Sunset

Come M E A T & G R I L L with us!

Prices are as follows:

UNLIMITED PORK SET: P599.00

UNLIMITED ALL MEAT & SEAFOOD: P699.00

UNLIMITED ALL MEAT & SEAFOOD & WAGYU CUBES: P849.00

UNLIMITED SHABU SHABU: P699.00

UNLIMITED SHABU SHABU + UNLI SHABU SHABU BALLS: P 799.00

Every set comes with UNLIMITED: Rice, Side Dishes, Cheese & Sauces and Different kinds of Meat

Papang's Sizzling House and Bulaluhan

If you are craving for sizzling pork steak or steaming hot bulalo at very affordable price somewhere at Banawe Street, Quezon City I highly recommend Papang's Sizzling House & Bulaluhan, a new fastfood. 

Apple and I visited the place for lunch and I asked for their house specialty. Japoy, the manager, recommended their special bulalo and I added the T-bone steak for our order. Unli rice for an extra fee is preferred by those hungry and monster eaters specially the employees in the vicinity. 

I have been craving for the special bulalo after I saw the photo in facebook. The bone marrow of the bulalo is really soft and easy to pull-out from the bone. With kalamansi and patis as sauce the special bulalo was really good. I was just controlling my rice intake but an extra rice is worth it for the dish. Apple was the one who devoured the T-bone steak. I tasted a few pieces of the steak especially the "taba" that Apple avoids. The T-bone steak was really tasty and soft. We noticed the couple just beside us who ordered the T-bone steak and I think the guy had three extra rice. Sulit yung order niya sa murang halaga.

Ofcourse, we have to share Papang's specialties to our kids. So Apple ordered for take-out two orders of special bulalo and one order of T-bone steak. So guys, what are you waiting for? Punta na sa Papang's Sizzling House & Bulaluhan at mag-enjoy!

Apple, Andy, Chef Carlo and Manager Japoy

Tara kain tayo!

Can you resist this very tempting hot steaming special bulalo? Pamatay talaga ang bone marrow!

T-bone steak - juicy and soft with tasty gravy!

Feedback and Rating:

• The place can accommodate about 20 pax only. It's a small but cozy place. Good for quick dine-in only. When it rains, the tables in the outer area will get wet because the place is open. Also parking will be a problem.
• Since their dishes are really tempting, tasty but sinful (cholesterol overload), there is a need to balance with something healthy. Maybe a small piece of fresh fruit (pineapple, apple, orange or mango) will reduce the guilty feeling of too much eating cholesterol. An extra order of side dish of fresh salad will also be good. 
• The special bulalo is outstanding compared to some popular bulaluhan from Batangas. Iba talaga yung recipe ni Papang Pedro!
• The T-Bone steak is really tasty with the gravy and rice. The gravy, though was quite thin (malabnaw) - the gravy for take-out. Or is this intentional to match the sizzling plate?
• Dine-in is better than eating take-out. Perhaps a special packaging strategy is needed for this kind of dishes if packaged for take-out. In Japan, they do not allow take-out ramen because the quality will be reduced compared to dine-in ramen. 
• Over-all rating: Quality of Food: 4/5, Value for Money: 5/5, Place: 3/5 

Visit their fb page at https://www.facebook.com/papangssizzlinghousebulaluhan

My EDSA by Apple Santiago Oreta

My EDSA

Apple Santiago Oreta

August 21, 1983. Sunday afternoon. My Sangko (3rd eldest brother) was glued on TV, watching the news. I was a bit annoyed since we were running late for mass. My parents have gone ahead with my other siblings. I was supposed to walk to church with him. Finally, he stood and told me it’s time to go. He was so quiet and serious while walking, his face was sad, and he was also constantly wiping his face. I think I saw tears but was afraid to ask. Later that night, my parents and elder siblings were talking about the death of Ninoy Aquino. I was 14 years old, on my second year in high school. I was the bunso in a brood of six, the only minor in the family. I don’t know who Ninoy was.

When I was in Grade 6, I was defending Marcos. I told my siblings that Marcos was a good leader and Imelda was really beautiful, and I can’t understand why they were mad at me in saying those things. I took my elementary studies in a public school so I had my weekly dose of nutribun and “Current Events Digest.” My social studies teacher would have us read (and memorize) the Digest and have a quiz after. I have no significant memory of having thorough class discussion of the contents of the Digest. Only memorization. And occasional stories if a news pique his interests. The Digest was where I learned about all the good things that the government was doing, under the leadership of Marcos. I was a proud member of Batang Maharlika, the youth group organized by the school, where only the “elite” students (the bright ones and those with leadership qualities) were invited to join. For a 12 year old child who’s still struggling to come to terms with self-worth, just being part of an elite organization does wonders to one’s ego. When news came that Imelda would visit Malabon and pass by our school, the Batang Maharlika were mobilized every 7 am everyday to practice flag-waving. We were excited to get a glimpse of Imelda, and was eager to wave our flags to her. That visit didn’t happen. I also regularly visit the Kadiwa store near our school, where you can buy items that are from different parts of the country. I believed that the Marcos government made that happen.

This was me. And so the 14 year old me was really confused on who Ninoy Aquino is, and why would his death have such an impact to my brother and my other siblings. So I started to ask. And read. I began to read the UP Collegian that my sister brings home occasionally. My Sangko and Ate were also patient enough to explain contexts and situations. Those were my first real discussions on political issues – the corruption of the Marcos family, the kleptocracy of his cronies. The human rights violations, the killings and disappearances of opposition and critics. The construction deaths in the Manila Film Center. The cancellation of the airing of Voltes V. The massive poverty of majority of the people. My neighborhood barkada became my “study group.” I also had a history teacher in 4th year high school that allowed us to think critically. I don’t remember her saying any radical ideas, but her questions allowed us to poke and analyze events.

By the time I graduated in high school in 1985, I have come to terms with my politics.

February 1986. People began to amass at EDSA. My Diko (2nd eldest brother), my Sangko who was then working as an accountant at Central Bank, and my Ate, then a pre-med student at UP-PGH, were glued on TV and radio, searching and scouting for whatever news they can gather. On February 23, the three left the house separately. Later that night, I learned that they met somewhere and went to EDSA, and was planning to return the next day. My mom didn’t know. I begged and begged to let me join. (Classes were suspended then) So we concocted a plan – the excuse was my sister would accompany me to buy shoes in Carriedo – the place is exactly on the opposite side of EDSA so my mom would not be suspicious. My Sangko will go to work, and my Diko will buy something for the store (he’s co-managing the family store with my parents).

EDSA was a good 2 hours away from where we live. We had to take a jeep going to Monumento, and that trip takes about 30 to 45 mins depending on traffic. From Monumento, it’s another bus ride of 1.5 hrs. That day, the bus can only go as far as Cubao. So we walked towards Camp Crame/ Camp Aguinaldo area. There were so many people along EDSA. Some were glued to their transistor radio, others were clustered together listening to a speaker in a make-shift stage. Others were sitting together praying; some were singing; some were sharing home-made sandwiches. The atmosphere was a mix of festive, anxious, prayerful, picnic, militant. And the area was flooded with yellow – yellow shirts, headband and wrist-band (more like yellow cloth or towel, or yellow plastic tied on one’s head or wrist), yellow confetti, sampaguita flowers with yellow ribbons.

We have our transistor radio, extra batteries, extra shirts, towels, umbrella, food and water. We were ready.

June Keithley of Radio Bandido announced that ABS Channel 2 was occupied by government forces and people are needed to barricade the area. So we trooped to Mother Ignacia where ABS Channel 2 was then located. There were only a handful of people, maybe 30 or 40; no organized group, only individuals who also heard the call of June Keithley. We settled outside the gate. From the crevices of the gate, I saw a young soldier stationed inside. I started a conversation with him, asking him where his troop came from, how old is he, what province is he from. He’s 18 years old, he’s from Visayas, and his troop came somewhere from the northern part of Luzon. He has no idea why they were occupying Channel 2; all he knows is that they were following orders to secure the station. I asked him, ‘if they tell you to disperse us, even shoot at us, will you also follow orders?’ He didn’t answer, and walked away. Things were uneventful, close to boring since we were just sitting outside the gate. Then June Keithley announced that orders have been given to disperse the people outside Channel 2. It only took seconds before it dawned on us that she was talking about us.

There was also immediate commotion happening with the soldiers inside the station - some shouting, some running. Immediately we sprung to action and locked arms to form a barricade. We won’t be dispersed. Strangers become comrade-in-arms. Then someone shouted, “mga babae at madre, sa harap” (women and nuns in front of the barricade). So my sister and I, huddled together, locked arms with some nuns and women in front of the barricade, my brothers behind us. I was 17 years old. All kinds of thoughts flashed in my mind. “Is this it? What if they shoot? Will we die here? What about mom -she’ll be heartbroken. I haven’t even had a boyfriend and I’ll die now?” I strained my neck to see if I can have a glimpse of the young soldier I was conversing with earlier – maybe he’ll feel compassion since we had that short conversation, maybe he’ll defy orders if the commanding officer tells them to shoot. I was afraid, so afraid I felt my heart beating so hard and fast. Half of me wanted to get out of the barricade, the other half emboldened in seeing the firm resolved that the nun beside me had on her face, and the assurance that I have my Ate on my other side. That commotion only lasted for 15, maybe 20 minutes. June Keithley announced that the order was withdrawn (or it was a false information – I can’t remember which), and we shouted to the soldiers inside that the order was withdrawn. When the troop inside the station relaxed, we also relaxed and sat down. And prayed. That was the first thing we did after letting go of the barricade. We prayed together, strangers no more.

We went home, and was planning to return the next day, February 25, but mom found out. By then, news was out that Marcos and his family has left Malacanang. (The news turned out to be false; the Marcos family flee that same evening). The feeling was euphoric.

Every year since, I celebrate the February EDSA event. It was, in my view, a glorious moment when Filipinos came together and stood for the common good. And boy, did we show the world how non-violent uprising is done.

I write this essay for my kids. And my students. I was at EDSA. It was our brief tryst of pursuing what was noble, pure, and true. But we are not yet done. Like the chant at EDSA then, we still say it now:

“Bayan ko, hindi pa tapos ang laban mo.”

25 February 2022 

Kitchen City Ready-to-Heat Frozen Meals

Food delivery has become the new normal because of the pandemic. Ordering fresh meat and vegetables is sometimes expensive since there is a minimum order like 500 g for vegetables or 1 kg for fresh meat. The amount of order for meat and/or vegetables is sometime too much especially for a small family. Hence you must  manage and schedule wisely the dishes that you will cook to make sure that the food especially the vegetable stay fresh and will not rot. Because of this, I sometimes resort to ready-to-heat frozen meals. One frozen meal is good for one or sometime two eating depending on the quantity. I discovered Kitchen City as one supplier of ready-to-heat frozen meals. Their frozen meals come in two packs or quantities: 300 g and 600 g.  A 600 g meal usually is good for two meals in our small family. For an order of P1000.00, delivery is free. So what are our favorites at Kitchen City?

Some of their beef meals are little bit "malitid" or "mataba" but the flavors are good. Our favorite beef meals are:

• Beef Lengua (3/5)
• Giant Swedish Meatballs (4/5) - you can mix these in pasta
• Korean Beef Stew (3/5)
• Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy & Rosemary Marble Potato (4/5)
• Beef Caldereta (3/5)

Still we haven't tried yet the Beef Bistek, Beef Salpicao and the Arroz Ala Cubana.

KC Roast Beef 

For pork meals, we have tried the following:

• Pork Bicol Express (4/5)
• Pork Liver Steak (1/5) - Did not pass when compared to UP COOP 
• Pork Baby Back Ribs (3/5)

They have other pork meals like dinuguan, dinkdakan, caldereta, binagoongan, sisig, lechon paksiw, menudo, embotido and more. 

For the chicken meals we have tried the following:

• Chicken Curry (4.5/5) - the sauce is good (we used it for roti dip)
• Chicken Tinola (4.5/5) - the soup is good, you can add more chicken.
• Kung Pao Chicken (3/5) - the marinade is good but breading too much
• Chicken Adobo sa Gata (4/5)
• Chicken Pastel (3/5) -  add quail eggs to increase quantity

Still for tasting are Black Pepper Roast Chicken, Giant Chciken Meatballs and Chicken Teriyaki. 

KC Chicken Tinola

For the fish meals, we have tried the following:

• Stir fry fish filet with black beans (3/5)

For vegetable meals, their giantaang langka is good but too creamy so add water according to your preference. Still to be tasted are the Chopsuey and the Steamed Kangkong in Oyster Sauce.

For dessert, we love their frozen decadent cake! Yummy at P350.00 Only!

KC Frozen Decadent Cake

If interested to order: Go to https://kcfrozenmeals.com/

STAR WARAK JOKES at ERIC & ANDY BITSTRIPS

Eric and Andy Bitstrips features a special series about STARWARS jokes from GOOGLE. The series  dubbed as "STAR WARAK" was inspired by the words of our DOH Secretary as he embattles  COVID19 and his critics on the alleged corruption and misuse of the DOH COVID19 Bayanihan Funds: "WINARAK NIYO KAMI!". Enjoy the series and relive your stress with this STAR WARAK Jokes! Here is a sample Episode I. 

You want more. Watch the Episodes II to XX at this link.

https://issuu.com/andyoreta/docs/bitstrips-star_warak_series

STAR WARAK JOKES.pptx from andyoreta

Roberto's SIOPAO at Iloilo's Calle Real

 

Filled with exotic pork adobo, egg ad ham chinese sausage, Roberto's King siopao is something not to miss when you visit Iloilo city

Infront of Roberto's at Calle Real

I am sure everyone has his/her favorite siopao. During my younger years when my Dad was still with us, we were exposed to Mamonluk siopao. During my college years, our favorite was Kowloon's siopao - jumbo, asado, pork, longaniza and more. Of course, there are varieties of siopao from other restos like Chowking, Ling Nam, Causeway and more. 

When I visited Iloilo city's Calle Real - the CBD Heritage zone of Iloilo for our CHERISH Project, our host, Dr. Bimbo Ibabao of UPV, made sure that we pass by at Roberto's so that we can taste the special siopao. We (from Metro Manila) are not aware of Roberto's so we are not excited. But Dr. Bimbo, lined-up and bought the siopao for take-out and we were returning to Manila so we were able to taste Roberto's siopao only at the airport. SURPRISE! Roberto's siopao is indeed very good. It has tasty fillings and the size is generous and the price is reasonable. So whenever, I visit Iloilo City, I made sure that I have a take home of Roberto's Siopao. 

Roberto's siopao comes in four varieties - each variety has a unique or extra filling like longaniza, egg.  The varieties are Pork Adobo with egg, Jumbo is a pork adobo with egg plus  Chinese sausage chicken, Queen (Pork Chinese Adobo with egg plus bacon) and King (Pork Chinese adobo with egg plus Ham-Chinese sausage). And which variety is my favorite among the four? I like them all. Roberto's siopao is one of a kind. Roberto's siopao beats the other siopao's that I know.  Roberto's siopao is part of the culture of Iloilo and I hope the owners will continue to serve the same quality of siopao for the future generations.

Another secret of Iloilo Calle Real Heritage zone is the Buho Bakery. "Buho" means hole in the wall. Indeed the bakery has a hole in the wall to serve customers during the night since it is open 24 hours. 

The Hole in the Wall of Buho Bakery

Sample pastry from Buho - tasty and affordable

When in Iloilo City, make sure you visit Calle Real Heritage Zone and you will see the heritage buildings of Iloilo. 

Geof's "A Travelogue of Modern Architecture"

Jan Geoffrey aka "GEOF" for short, our son will graduate at Ateneo de Manila University with a degree on Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Information Design this year 2021. "Information Design roots its relevance in problem solving through the effective presentation of relevant information so that it can best be received, understood, and utilized by a target audience. The program provides its students with opportunities to develop their own skills in design which they are tasked to use in attaining specific goals that can aid personal growth, growth in industry, and change in society." 

Geof has a very imaginative and creative mind even when he was a child. He designed the logo or banner  for their Grade 1 class at Ateneo. Recently, I just found out his work posted at https://www.behance.net/geoforeta, website where artists and digital designers exhibit their works. One of his exhibits is "A Travelogue of Modern Architecture" and in this set of digital designs, he presented landmarks he had visited during our out-of-the country vacation trips. 

Exhibit 1 - Atomium 

The Atomium is a landmark building in Brussels, (Belgium), originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair Expo '58. "It stands 102 metres (335 ft) tall. Its nine 18-metre-diameter (59 ft) stainless steel clad spheres are connected in the shape of a unit cell that could represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Tubes connecting the spheres enclose stairs, escalators and an elevator (in the central, vertical tube) to allow access to the five habitable spheres, which contain exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere includes a restaurant which has a panoramic view of Brussels." - Wikipedia

 It was 2017, when our family travelled to Belgium and our friends, Art and Gina Fabia toured us around Brussels and the Atomium was one of the landmarks that we visited. Nearby, we also visited the Mini-Europe museum.

The Atomium

With Art Fabia

 

Atomium, Brussels, Belgium (June 2017)

Exhibit 2 - Berlin Tower

“Soaring 368 metres into the sky, Berlin's TV Tower is the city's most visible landmark. But the tower on Alexanderplatz is not just literally a must-see sight, it is also the highest building in Europe open to the general public. The Berlin TV Tower was inaugurated on 3 October 1969 – shortly before East Germany held its twentieth anniversary celebrations. In 1979, during the days of East Germany, the TV Tower was already classified as a heritage building. Today, it welcomes over one million visitors annually from 86 countries. The viewing platform, over 200 metres up, offers spectacular views of this bustling city with its heady mix of history, cutting edge modernity and change. The TV Tower’s aptly named Panorama Bar and revolving Sphere Restaurant are also ideal places to linger over drinks and refreshments and enjoy the breathtaking views.” - https://www.visitberlin.de/en/berlin-television-tower

In our EU trip in 2017, Berlin, Germany was one of our itinerary. We just had a photo opportunity with the Berlin Tower at the background. Berlin has interesting tourist attractions including the Checkpoint Charlie where the Berlin wall used to divide East and West Germany. 

Berlin Tower 

Exhibit 3 - Fukuoka Tower 

Fukuoka Tower is “a 234-metre (768 ft) tall tower located in the Momochihama area of Fukuoka, Japan. It is the tallest seaside tower in Japan. The highest observation deck at 123m has a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, the most popular time to visit is at sunset.” - Wikipedia

Incidentally, it was also in 2017, this time July, when I stayed for about two weeks at Kyushu University for the AUN/SEED-Net visiting researcher grant. My family joined me in the last five days. One of the landmarks we visited was the Fukuoka Tower. In the vicinity, is the Fukuoka Citizens' Disaster Prevention Center where we experienced virtual simulations of fire, wind and earthquake hazards. Awesome!

Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka Tower (2017)