Budji's List

Things I learned So Far at the Graduate School

2011-10-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

Hah... grad school might be as well as grad(e) school for me. After being in the professional field for many years, including teaching college, I am back in school. The only difference is a former teacher is now a classmate. I wont say if I am doing better than my former prof, :) that would be too nasty of me.

I went back to my old (400 years old university) alma mater. I am taking up Master of Fine Arts, major in Painting and Sculpture. Its a totally different ballgame as I was a designer most of my professional life. Me? An artist?? hah, that remains to be seen.

Anyway here goes my 'learnings':
1. Autonomy is really the key in being successful in graduate school. It is mainly up to the student to submit their projects on-time and to do very well or to keep on making-up excuses (has anybody not learned anything from undergrad??). If one has the maturity and driven to do well, one is bound to do great in grad school. The pressure is on to oneself, there is no parent pressuring you not to fail or to get high-grades.
I have many classmates who shouldn't be taking masteral studies because they are not prepared to live up to the expectations and have the passion for their courses.
2. Its easy to get very high-grades than undergraduate studies.
3. A 'no-grade' means that the professor is taking his sweet time reading your class voluminous report papers, so he has not encoded the grades yet. That gives me enough time to pray to high heavens for a great grade! (As if it matters!)
3. Its ok to be absent once in awhile and not to be punished for it. Yey!
4. No bogus excuse letters to make when one goes absent. Just say up-front that you were lazy getting up early on a Saturday morning. Period!
5. Its fun generally because its ok to 'talk-back' to the teacher.
6. Its alright not to get scholarship, one is not 'bound' to any agreement to finish on-time and be liable to anyone if one does not finish it. Its fun to pay for one's matriculation this time, unlike an undergraduate academic scholarship, the pressure then was abnormal.
7. Its alright to admit to the teacher that you don't understand his concepts and make him clearly explain it.
8. Its great to challenge a professor for purposes of further 'academic clarification and further enlightenment'. Have no fear this time, especially is the professor is younger than you! Hah! But be careful nevertheless, one should be prepared for a lengthy discourse and one must admit defeat when the other succeeds in the 'argument'. be a man in accepting defeat.
9. Grades are really immaterial, minimally the diploma is the only result one should expect. But having an honorary distinction wouldn't really hurt :>
10. The best of all, its alright to 'eat' in class and 'celebrate' with pizza every now and then.

Everyday Small Pleasures

2010-04-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

21. A good book to read on a holiday.
22. A great weekend meal cooked by the Hubby.
23. A nice Weekend drive out of the city.
24. Great buffet at the Spiral Restaurant in Sofitel Manila.
25. Sunset along the Manila bay.
26. A good funny film.
27. Rubbing my Teddy's tummy.
28. Basil-lemonade with ice on a hot Sunday afternoon.
29. Finding an unused notebook amidst the pile of notes and what-nots
30. Spaghetti and meatballs, fried chicken and Vannilla ice cream.

Everyday Small Pleasures

2010-04-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

11. Watching plane tracks in the sky on a lazy afternoon.
12. Eating a good Halu-halo on a hot afternoon.
13. Drinking a cold beer while watching moonrise over a horizon of a calm sea.
14. Seeing my old favorite teachers from elementary.
15. Birds chirping on my window sill.
16. Getting a good bargain for something I wanted to buy for a long time.
17. Browsing at a Japanese Surplus store near my place.
18. Making things work.
19. Getting a new flashlight.
20. Finding about a wedding engagement of a good friend.

Food find: "Curry Pancit-Canton"

2010-03-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

I eat occasionally at this small Taiwanese eatery along Amoranto St., a walking distance from our building in Quezon City. It's one of the places I visit when there is nothing in my fridge to cook or when I am just way to lazy to cook.

So yesterday, a late lunch at 3.00 pm, while checking the places I regularly order food from and there are lots of places to choose from along Banawe and Amoranto St., I finally decided to eat at Shuin Food Eatery. I let myself be adventurous by ordering not my regular fare of Taiwanese pork with dry noodles and steamed chives dumplings, but their Pork Curry Noodles. From the photo on the tarpauling on the wall, it looks like any other Pancit Canton. I have been warned by the waitress that the noodles are a bit spicy. So being a Bicolana, I know I can take the heat.

So when it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised of how the curry blends with the Pancit Canton! The heady combination of the cultures of India, Thailand and China blended so well in this dish. The pieces of Siling Labuyo (small hot peppers) added the kick and bite to the dish. This dish is different from the curry noodles in Thailand because the noddles are not swimming in curry broth, but just-enough sauce of curry and soy-sauce. The noodles are not your Thai flat egg noodles, but regular Pancit Canton noodles. The price is Php 120 per order.

Truthfully, it was one big dish for one person. I guess a bowl of rice is needed to taper off the spicy heat for anybody likes their food to taste mild and who likes to share big servings such as this dish. The accompaniment of hot Jasmine tea was a the best compliment for the said dish.

This is what we Bicolanos do when we eat spicy-hot foods, we do not drink any cold water to counter the heat, but we eat hot rice to counter the heat of the spice. Hot Jasmine tea at a Chinese restaurant is a "de rigeur" to enjoy the cuisine.

After that, a dessert of Special Halu-halo (Php 40) at Bok-Lene, the other Cantonese Restaurant at the corner of my street and Amoranto, was the perfect ending to my wonderful lunch.

Little discoveries and pleasant surprises like these are enough for me to be thankful of a good life in my little world in this corner of Quezon City in the Philippines.

Everyday Small Pleasures

2010-03-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Starting from today, I will be writing at least 10 things of everyday pleasures that anyone can enjoy. So, indulge me...

1. Great breakfast of plateful of fruits, mushroom omelet, great drip/americano coffee and a freshly-squeezed orange juice.
2. A call from a long-lost friend, just to stay in touch.
3. A cool but bright morning.
4. Watching planes go by from my bedroom window.
5. A great movie.
6. Singing my favorite song "don't stop believing".
7. Eating my favorite "ginatan" at the DLS-CSB Taft Cafeteria, especially in the afternoon after a tiring school day.
8. A freshly squeezed orange-grapefruit-lemon juice during a hot afternoon.
9. A cute puppy.
10. Watering a plant and watching it grow everyday.

So there. I hope you will start you list too. Be happy. Stay happy.

Basil lemonade

2009-10-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have been dreaming of a cold drink with lots of basil leaves. I got this recipe from one of the blogsites that i follow, "A Dinner Party". For those who are basil fans (that includes you all basil valdez' fans), this is a nice cold drink on a warm day. Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 cup water, plus 5 cups cold water (regular or sparkling)
A handful of basil leaves, plus additional for garnish
Ice

Combine sugar, 1 cup water, and basil leaves in a pan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside until cool. When cool, remove the basil leaves, squeezing their juice into the syrup. Juice the lemons into a pitcher. Add the basil syrup and 5 cups of water. Refrigerate until cold. Serve with ice and extra basil leaves in each glass.

Asian Food Channel

2009-03-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

One of the things I found, by accident thanks to my defective tv remote as it only goes forward, is the Asian Food Channel. This channel is based in Singapore, it showcases Asian food shows from all over Asia and even Australia and New Zealand. There is a fun show from Singapore about this guy who explores the cheapest and delicious street-food eats. I also like this Australian food show that focuses on the varied food influences in Australia. Watching it makes me want to go and explore Australia. But my most favorite shows are City Cooks and "Chef at home". The "Daniel after Hours" of Chef Daniel Boulod is one show that makes me feel I am part of his after hours party with celebrity chefs and actors and writers. The food is fabulous!!! Yum yum

Late last year, a travel and cooking show of Angel Aquino and Chef Sam debuted on AFC. Although I am not a fan of Chef Sam and Angel Aquino, I felt proud that they are doing our country good by showcasing different food and cooking techniques around the country. So there, the secret of Filipino delicious cuisine and hideaways is out. Good for the Pinoys out there!

Viva Asian Food Channel!

Packing for a flight

2009-02-25T01:59:00.000-08:00

I have travelled to some places around the world for the last twenty years so I think I know a thing or two on how to prepare and pack when traveling, esp. abroad.

1. Bring a zip locks or resealable packs, in three sizes. This is useful for jewelry or extra shoes or underwear. Anything that you want to keep dry while traveling. Ziplocks useful for liquid toiletries in the airport. Do bring only liquids in 100 ml. A lotion of 250 ml is too big and it might get confiscated by the airport police. Who needs to pay excess luggage anyway?

2. Bring toiletries in small packs. A small liquid sanitizer can go a long way. Small packs of tide, is useful for those who plans to wash their clothes. Small bath soaps may be used for washing delicates. But soaps are given for free in the proper hotels, so sometimes its not necessary to bring these. Be ready to dump these toiletries when needed, especially when your luggage home is overweight.

3. Do bring oatmeal or packs of breakfast. I bring small servings of instant oatmeal and my favorite powdered milk. I am so particular with my breakfast. It is something I want to control in my meals. I was once served dog meat (gasp!) in South of China. I was horrified but did not want to embarrass my Chinese hosts so I politely declined after downing one serving. I was short of vomiting in front of him. Some people bring packs of Instant Mami, I am not a fan of this. I find bringing canned goods or instant Mami keeps you from experiencing local culinary delights. Who needs instant Mami in Paris... Puh-leeeze!

4. Bring stuff such as rubber slippers, comb, etc that you are ready to say goodbye to when you will overload in your luggage allotment. These things are easy to buy at home and they’re cheaper.

5. Foldable clothes hangers. Useful when there is not enough clothes hangers for your delicates.

6. Bring tea bags and coffee singles. Sometimes coffee and tea cost too much where you are traveling to, so bringing few wont hurt.

7. Medicines in single packs or bring enough for emergencies. I have allergies and my allergy-meds are lifesavers for me. Do bring headache meds, cold meds, tummy-aches meds and ache plasters. And do not forget band-aids.

8. Small notebook or smallish sketchpad and small pen or pencil. Whenever inspiration strikes you or you need a piece of paper to look for the location or even just to write something useful/funny/interesting notes.

9. Electronic chargers, batteries and memory card readers: phone / laptop / PSP2 / iPod / camera. If bringing your laptop / MacBook, it is better to bring USB chargers so that your electronic charging piggybacks from your laptop but be warned to charge your electronic while you are charging your laptop at the same time.

10. Travel Tissues in small packs.

11. Extra plastic bags for the just in case scenarios.

Enjoy your trip!!

Wonderful People I Met Last Year

2009-01-16T00:44:00.000-08:00

These are the list of people I met last year that made a lasting impression on me.

1. Mother Lily Monteverde: meeting Mother Lily was specially fantastic, being a celebrity we mere mortals are always in awe meeting them. I was surprised she looks better in person than on print of TV. Mother was my classmate at the Foundation of Leadership Training and seatmate in the Advanced Leadership Course. She was also my classmate at the LEAP course. One thing with her, she is fun and funny to be with, none of the image that we know her from the showbiz stories. We love hanging out at ther hotel.
2. Agung Alit: Agung is the coolest guy I met. He is the coolest dude in Bali, Indonesia. He espouses the Fair Trade principles to the core that he had the IFAT logo tattood on his arm. He loves singing and has a very good sense of humor. His wife Hani, is the rock that provides direction and grounding to this wonderfully insightful, funny and successful man.
3. Benji Leoguardia: smart and the sexiest guy I've seen. His bald pate adds to the mystic of the whole package.
4. Gemma Rances: Gemma defines what dedication and perseverance is.
5. RJ Geotina: smart and very artistic. RJ changed my life and had given me back my confidence!

Happy First 15 days of 2009!

2009-01-16T00:15:00.000-08:00

Hello, folks! Happy New Year, if after 15 days it still applies...

I have not been blogging for a long time now. My reasons are... I was busy with this Leadership Program called LEAP at the last quarter of 2008 (See seleted LEAP 38 members photo) and I got caught up with other projects and events. But hey... I do have many things to list this year. Let us start with my list of "non-resolutions". Its been three years since I dropped doing this "resolutions" thing, my life had been better, trust me. Its a sort of reminder for me to do the things that worked last year, so I am going to continue doing them.

Budji's Non - Resolutions:

1. Decide to be happy always. I believe that happiness is a decision, always!

2. Shift moods and thoughts when feeling suicidal or homicidal.

3. Drink coffee with no sugar... "my coffee is as black as night and dark as hell".

4. Eat healthy, more fruits, fish and fresh/raw veggies.

5. Exercise everyday, aero / dancing / free weights / yoga. 6 hours / weekly.

6. Cleanse, tone and moisturize.

7. Eat Breakfast regularly

8. Call Mom and Dad

9. Cook adventurously and find new and exotic foods

10. Sleep 8 hours a day always.

My Addictions

2008-09-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

1. Imported magazines: brand-new and old ones. I still read time and newsweek whenever I could afford them. Its my secret pleasure whenever I have some money, I can blow it with Magazines. I get my fix from “Booksale” in this building fronting WHO at Taft corner UN Ave. I feel dirty and sinful when I have a bagful of old magazines. Mi Esposo complains that I have tons of magazines for disposal. I try giving some of the very very old copies out to other people whenever I get bugged by him. After so many years, I now again have a subscription to Reader’s Digest. Mi Esposo thinks that RD is an imperialist propaganda instrument... well, so you communist and socialist can sue me for reading a “propaganda instrument”! I send my Mom my RD one month late... heheheheeh
2. “Oprah” is my addiction, so are millions all over the world.
3. “Today Show”: Matt, Merrideth, Anne and Al, everyday! I need to have my fix of the Today show.
4. Bali Kopi: Strong and bold and wonderful. Coffee in my small cup in the morning... I like it black with half teaspoon of brown sugar, muscovado, if you please is simply heaven.
5. “ET as in Entertainment Tonight” is my guilty pleasure, this nonsense hollywood news! Its totally brainless, nevertheless I am hooked. With what’s happening to the world (high-cost of fuel, foodstuff, war, American elections, corruption in the country), its my respite from my daily battles in life.
6. “Project Runway” I can keep on watching old episodes over and over again. No one can touch my TV once its on. I love Tim Gunn, I imagine him as my fave gay uncle.
7. Salad.. all green stuff, vinaigrette dressing of all kinds! No pasta salad or potato salad please!!! I grew up eating them and just a sight of them, makes me want to throw up... same goes for the yukky thousand island dressing, its just too boring for me!
8. BBQ, of any kind: cheap ones, expensive one, as long as its not innards or those yukky weird stuff, just plain pork will do, thank you. I even bought an oven-top grill pan to feed on my addiction.
9. Anderson Cooper of CNN. He’s one of my top guys to replace Javier Bardem anytime now. The white hair is even sexier. Dont you know that he is the son of Diana Vanderbilt, of the Vanderbilt clan? Bet my Mom doesn’t know that.
10. Peanuts, my all-time favorite snack!

Men I love

2008-09-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

1. Ewan McGregor: Ever since I saw this guy pre-Obiwan-Kenobi roles, he is smashingly handsome, not to mention the toothy smile! This guy also can sing, remember him at the Moulin Rouge??? I fell in love with him, good thing Nicole Kidman's character had to die.. then he was mine! My brother, Dino, said it would be fun to Imagine Obiwan singing a song while brandishing a lightsaber... George Lucas would have been horrified! hahahahah
2. Diego Bunuel: he is the cutest journalist ever and very courageous. Well, just don't tell his mother where he'd been lately (watch him at National Geographic channel on Mondays).
3. Matthew Fox: I'd like to get "lost" with him... heheheh
4. "Wenty" Wenthworth: If you are a fan of "Prisonbreak" then you would know why... I don't really follow the story myself, I only watch if he is on the scene, otherwise its too macho for me.
5. Nate Berkus (Oprah’s decorator): I'd like him to decorate my house. He's the cutest designer ever, only if he's not gay... sigh.
6. Anthony Bourdain: Matured, sexy and, man!, he can cook. I'd imagine him to be my tour guide anywhere in the world. I wont ever go hungry!I really love a man who can cook well... hmmmm
7. Jamie Oliver: This guy can out-talk me anytime and can cook up a storm!
8. Terence Howard: He is now the cutest African-American for me, goodbye Denzel! He has dark grey eyes..so lovely. I just saw him at "Today" this morning promoting his first album... he can sing!
9. Orlando Bloom: Cute, Cute, Cute. Even when he has the long and too-girly hair from Lord of the Rings, he was still cute!
10. Javier Bardem: Brooding and dangerous, and most of all, Spanish... very passionate, need I say more?

My Very Own Nasi Goren

2008-08-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

I cooked my own Nasi Goreng thanks to a spicy-ready mix. I mixed my left-over porkchops, then added fresh julienned cabbage and carrots not to mentioned my sauteed onions and garlic. One thing, I tell you, it was a big hit! Now I know the purpose of the cucumber and tomato side sidings... to balance out the spiciness of the Goreng dish!

Nasi Goreng To Go

2008-08-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

What I love about the efficiency of Indonesian food is the way they pack their take-away food (that's "take-home" for Filipinos). Indonesian use recycled brown paper coated on one side then folded to make a cone, see photo on top. No tapes are used or staple wire, just like that, simple and easy. Its even fun to eat, of course the way to eat is with your right hand. Bon appetit!

Kites

2008-08-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Indonesia may have a high-level of crafts, some are ridiculously expensive yet there are many also that are affordable and fun to bring home. These are kites being sold by the beach in Jogja. Kiteflying is a very popular sport and past-time for Indonesians.

Bali High

2008-08-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

Bali is touted to be the “island of the gods”. Bali is still in Indonesia but stepping out of the plane feels like coming into a different country. Bali is the only place in the Indonesian archipelago that is heavily populated by Hindus and Buddhists. So there was no blaring call to prayers as early as 4.30 am. So waking up was pure bliss.

Food in Bali can be a killer (really spicy - hot!). Food is really hot but delicious nonetheless. Our first meal was in this fish-restaurant that is distinctly different from the Chinese or Filipino seafood restaurant that we are all familiar with. None are the saucy or grilled seafood and the numerous selections in the menu. In this restaurant, there are only about 6 set menu-offerings. The best is this ground fish-meat bundled in a skewer and slightly grilled, which means, there was not a part that was burnt. The soup was very tasty (but very spicy), it was unlike any Thai soup. That restaurant was the hottest food I have ever tried, not even the authentic Szechuan can compare... I coughed hard. One bottle of cold water wasn't enough to douse the flame in my throat! But, hey I survived!

In Bali, various types of food is offered, from roadside offerings to five-star cuisine. All types can be a culinary adventure.

My smelly feet at a no-footwear restaurant

2008-08-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Arriving at the center of Jogjakarta after our five day stay in the south of the city brings us to a different vibe. The streets are busier and most dense. It gives me the feeling that we are in a different city now, yet the place we were prior was just 20 minutes away.

We were taken to a fish barbeque place. In this joint, the facade looks like any low-class “kainan” in the Philippines. So obviously I was not impressed. Yet we were led into the inner part were there are low-tables and the place had cozy lights. The tables are facing a small open courtyard. It was no wonder couples are sharing tables. It had a very nice atmosphere. My only concern was I had to take off my sneakers and could imagine the aroma of our food mixed with the scent of my smelly feet! Yikes!

The food was meager compared to the serving we have been having for the past days. But the taste is very western. The sauce was sweet bbq sauce and the “kangkong” was cooked in garlic-oyster sauce, much like home. The food was light and a nice respite from the long heavy servings we have been having for the past weeks.

As usual we ate with our right hand. Filipinos eat with both hands. From middle-east to these parts in Asia, it is a practice to use the right hand as way of serving, eating and working as the left hand is considered unclean. Being a Filipino sometimes can forget about these practices. I sometimes hand out things with my left hand! But most understand that I am not used to this practice. Oh, I can only imagine how lefties would survive in countries such as Indonesia.

Eating Muslim Food

2008-08-11T17:03:00.002-07:00

While in Bali, we had the pleasure of having dinner at one of the best Makan Padang restaurant in Bali. Our friend, Rahaji, in the lower photo, took us to their favorite Makan place. The system in a Makan Padang is that there is no menu that is given to the customers. All the food is placed in front of dining customer and whatever is eaten or touched from the multi-layers of plates will be paid for. An option of having a pack of Fish or Prawn crackers is placed on one side of the table. It is known as kropek to Filipinos, its called krupuk in Indonesia. As usual, people here eat with their right hand, without the utensils, as using the left hand is considered as “unclean”. For a Filipino like me, I tend to forget this crucial table manner :)

I liked the dried beef that looks like beef jerky but is more like a crackling (think: chicharon) and it tastes like a good beef tapa but its dried out. There was also this beef dish that taste like Pinoy’s Kare-Kare but without the need to put in Shrimp Paste or Bagoong. But for me the star of the meal was the Beef Rendang. After this meal, I became a Beef Rendang fan, as I looked for an instant mix from the supermarket the following weekend.

The only downside to my meal was when I ordered a cold tea, they gave me this “Tehbotol”, which taste really awful. Aside from the funny name (Teh = Tea and Botol = Bottle, get it?) the taste is really bad. I've been told its the most popular brand in Bali. I miss the C2 lemon tea now... But anyhow, we didn’t finish the bottle and thankfully no one noticed. Incidentally our very own Filipino brand, C2 is being introduced in Indonesia, I saw from a billboard in downtown Denpasar. Way to go, Universal Robina!!!

Indonesian Breakfast and Snacks

2008-08-11T03:37:00.000-07:00

Whenever I go abroad to a new country, I always have this feeling of anticipation of how breakfast is prepared in a particular country and region. Being billeted in this particular hotel in Jakarta, I was hoping to get a taste of Indonesian breakfast. The first day, the serving was a Nasi Goreng (thats fried rice for you, but with tomato sauce and vegetables) and chicken marinated in soy sauce and fried until it was so hard to chew. But we survived. Tita Carina, a marketing consultant with me in this project, also had to contend with the same breakfast. The coffee was strong and good, this is the island of Java after all, where the other term for coffee, "Java", comes from.

Our second day, the same Nasi Goreng but with fried chicken and sunny side up. At least the chicken was easy to chew this time. On the third day, I knew what to expect... Nasi Goreng again. Indonesians really like eating rice three times a day and they really want them well "embellished" with different colors and vegetables. Truthfully, I liked their Nasi Goreng's, Gado-gado's, chicken satay's and the Mie Gorengs.

It is just that I sorely missed my oat meal with cinnamon powder and milk chocolate or my omelet with asparagus and cheese with an ending of a fruit and a fruity yoghurt and strong coffee. On the minimum, a toast bread with a strawberry jam will do or just “Reno” Liver spread is ok.

I guess, I shouldn’t be complaining about the rice breakfast here in Indonesia. So, do what Indonesians do... eat a lot of Nasi Gorengs.

But the best in Indonesia are the snacks, they come in several types but the best ones are the rice-based snacks. I get a kick taking a photo on each of the serving placed on the table. I easily get distracted by a nice plateful of goodies in front of me. No wonder after this trip, Im adding poundage to my chunky thighs, hips and even arms! ARGGGGH

Indo Food Diary 1

2008-07-31T02:28:00.000-07:00

Jogja is a city in South Central Java in Indonesia, like most of this country it is predominantly Islamic. It is a place where tourists also go after Bali for great shopping. There are western type food available, but when you are in this place it is best to go out of your comfort zone to try Indonesian and Javanese cuisine. Pork is available somewhere but we are not too keen on having it right now. The vegetarian food is very interesting and also good. One can easily do a South Beach Diet here less the rice and roti (bread).

The halal food also is very interesting. I guess we have been eating halal for nearly three weeks now and to think that nothing I eat has been fried, boiled, sauteed with pork fat is really quite comforting. Because trying all the delicious offering here is really a nice culinary adventure. This trip is making me think that this is actually a one food trip rather than work. Hmmm, this experience and my interest in food will qualify me to host my own culinary adventure show!

Eating their national dish of “gado-gado” their version of the Filipino’s Pinakbet can be a nice pastime, without the grease. Yet we were introduced to a similar type of vegetarian dish, “lotek”. This lotek is much like gado-gado but the vegetables are mixed and it taste a little sweeter. It can be nonetheless a killer if one would want three pieces of the deadly small red chilis or "labuyo".

The preparation of this dish is very interesting. The most important utensil is the stone mortar and pestle yet the mortar is wider than the usual and it resembles a stone plate and the pestle is shaped like an inverted tobacco pipe. Peanut powder is grounded on this stone, mixed of fresh ginger, brown palm sugar, garlic, salt, kaffir leaves and water to make the sauce. Then blanched bean sprout, cabbage, spinach, and tofu are tossed onto the sauce with a short wooden ladle, cut packed rice, like the “puso” in Cebu, is optional for dieters. Crunchy prawn/fish crackers or Kropek for Filipinos (called Krupuk here) are added on top. Simply healthy and delicious.

Indonesians are fond of adding these fish crackers to their dishes. It is rather interesting element. It provides a crunchy texture to the rather soft vegetables and meat. It is also a sort of an appetizer to the meal. It is normal to see a big antique glass canister full of these crunchy crackers at the center of any table in all restaurants and sidewalk food hawkers.

Bon Appetit!

Another romantic place for a date in Metro Manila

2008-05-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

Bellini Restaurant
Marikina Ex, Cubao, Quezon City

This is a very unlikely place to take your "amore", it is located in the most unromantic place in the Metro... Cubao! As in the old Cubao - Marikina Expo! This restaurant is owned by an Italian - Filipino couple. Senor Bellini still mans the cashier and makes sure each customer feels at home at his restaurant.

This place is a little secret of those people who frequents this Expo area. If you are not part of the Lomography-photography groups, you wouldn't know this fine Italian restaurant! Because it is in the innermost area of the marikina ex area, after the antique shops, ukay ukay, art bars and shoe shops. Just enter one entrance to Marikina Ex until you reach the far end.. you will see "Bellini's". Its very romantic, very old italian... it smells even "musty". Some waiters are fluent in Italian. To complete the romantic ambiance, there is blind folk singer! The whole atmosphere is familiar and romantic.

The food is very good, and after you have your fill they will offer you a "digestif" (French term), a sweet wine made by Mr. Bellini himself, on-the-house! Don't me wrong, the wine is sweet, yet it still has alcohol content. Yet it helps a lot after you downed plates of antipasto, pasta and pizza not to mention the sweet desserts. Burping would be a compliment, I guess.

Highly recommended is the pasta sampler plate and don't to ask for the Chilli Oil. Guaranteed you will enjoy your date! Wink Wink.

Bon Appetito!

Shrimp Tuna Tomato Pasta

2008-03-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe from my Hubby, something that evolved from his Scampi-Shrimp-Pasta. This was our Good Friday Lunch fare. Serves 3.

1 pc/slice of fresh Tuna
200 g peeled and deveined Shrimps
1 head Garlic, peeled and mashed whole
Olive Oil
200 g Angel hair pasta or any Pasta of your choice
4 pcs ripe Tomato
Dash of Oregano, dried or fresh whatever is available
Dash of Basil, same as above
Dash of Cracked Pepper
Dash of Salt

Steam tomatos whole, when cooked and soft, peeled and cut into cubes.
Cook Pasta according to the package directions
Lightly saute tuna and shrimps on olive oil and 1 clove of garlic. Cook until the pan is dry or drain the water from the seafood.
Drain pasta (Angel hair cooks for about 2 minutes!) and mix onto the tuna and shrimps.
Add the tomatoes then the garlic mix. Then add the oregano, basil, pepper and some salt.
Optional: Add Olive Oil and Chili (this is the kicker! this makes everything taste great!)

Plus: Garlic Bread

Brush some olive oil on bread (any bread, crusty bread is best), sprinkle with garlic salt (or rub a clove of garlic onto the bread). With a non-stick pan, cook on the pan. Brush olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt on the other side. Serve with pasta.

Take it from me: Olive Oil is better than butter.

New Hobby: Reading Brian Gorrell's Blog

2008-03-24T01:16:00.000-07:00

I got a new hobby that got me hooked since last week... I read this blog, http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com, all the time. A lot has been written about it in the papers, the newest an article in the South China Morning Post, a newspaper in Hong Kong. It got all those juicy juicy stories about Manila's high society (Celine Lopez, Tim Yap, etc). Even readers posts their own stories... which are all very interesting. A lot of the skeletons in their closets are now out in the open.

Like I said, it is habit-forming. Dont blame me if it gets you hooked!

Cheers!

The best and most romantic date place in Manila

2008-03-02T02:14:00.001-08:00

This year's Valentine have come and gone but its never to late to suggest the best and the most romantic place I have ever been to in Metro Manila.

La Cucina de Tita Moning: This one is for the record, this is the most romantic place and its not cheap! You have to call ahead because this colonial-house-cum-museum does not accept walk-in customers. It is an old house that was built at the turn of century at the affluent part of Manila, near Malacanan Palace! Going there gives you a short time in time of the Calezas as the old gated properties can still be found in that area.

It was the ancestral home of the Legardas and Valdez'. Anyway, once the guests arrived at a pre-ordained time, a welcome snack of cheese-topped bread is served together with a complimentary glass of ginger-pandan juice. Then a tour around the mnasion is given. The dining table set per customer couple/group is decorated with murano blown glass items. Its candle-lit with rose petals strewn on the table. The pre-ordered food is served individually (the gazpacho is wonderful!) on the finest and old china from the heirloom collection of the family. The fantastic dessert of pudding is so heavenly.

There was even this romantic proposal told to us by the tour-guide: One of the grand children of the owner of the house did an unusual and surprising marriage proposal to his girlfriend inside the "train room" The old owner was an avid train collector and all the mechanical trains were displayed in this room. So this guy made his proposal by putting the ring at one of the toy train car that opens mechanically. Imagine the girl's surprise when a diamond engagement ring appeared right before her eyes. You know what happends next, the guy went down to his knees. I guess even before he did that the girl was screaming "Yes!Yes!"

Im hoping to go back there again this year. But we got to save first...

You can google "La Cucina de Tita Moning"

What to do in Paris When You're Broke

2008-02-05T14:34:00.001-08:00

1. Go to the top of Eiffel Tower and holler "ang ganda ko!"
2. Visit Musee O'rsay and kneel by the portrait of Van Gogh.
3. Have your picture taken with Mona Lisa at the Musee du Louvre, if you can wrestle the throng of people taking photos in front of the painting. Good luck!
4. Eat lunch at a fine French restaurant and order roast beef and say, in French, that you want it Medium well. Good luck if the waiter understand your loopy French... heheheheh
5. Cant pay Php 90 , EU 1.50 for train/metro pamasahe? Walk! Just be ready with a good pair of shoes!
6. Shop at the fine stores, the whole of France is on sale right now. Habitat sells EU 1.00 items! Good bargain... for last year's christmas decors. Then you have a big savings for your decorations this Christmas 2008! Sosyal pa!
7. Have a photo taken with a street performer. Its fun... you have to shell out some coins to make him perform or move for you, in the case of a "statue" performer.
8. Cheap cultural tour: visit churches and cemeteries, they're free and you get additional indolence from heaven.
9. Cheap pastime: order espresso and sit outside a cafe and people watch. The French are widely known for their good fashion sense (fashion runway) and their amorous ways, couples are kissing everywhere. You get a free show for necking couples or just kissing sweetly (free show).
10. Pretend your cool. Buy a cheap beret and act like any Parisian... its fun!

Things to bring to a trip to Europe

2008-01-26T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have travelled to Germany many times, but its always either Im too prepared or under-prepared. Its either I travel too light or too heavy. What is a girl got to do??

Aside from the basics here are the things you would need to bring is you are going to Europe during Winter:

1. A reliable thick coat.

2. A plug adaptor with surge protector. Make sure it is working.

3. 3 shoes. One trainers if you are hitting the streets. One formal shoes, in case you get invited to dine out in Paris. One good pair of boots, for business meetings.

4. Allergy meds.

5. Moisturizers, lip balm and lotions. Its a dry dry world during winter time.

6. Lots of tissues.

7. Nescafe 3-in-1s or single serve sachets. Paris and Frankfurt may offer the best coffees from all over but it is still one thing... EXPENSIVE.

8. A water bottle. Again, everything is expensive. Generally the water from the tap is potable, so its ok to ask for your water bottle to be filled up. It may raise some eyebrow, but give them a cold shoulder,its not their money that you are using to pay for your food and drinks. So have the bravado to do this.

9. Extra batteries for your camera or a realiable charger.

10. A good hat to keep the cold from your head.

11. Extra shopping bags and I dont mean plastic here. You will never know when you might need them.

12. Funky mufflers and shawls.

13. Floss. You dont know when you need them.

14. iPod.

15. Extra 1 GB memory card for your camera.

16. A stuffed companion to talk to whenever you feel homesick. But dont show this off if you are in the age range of 30 years and above. People might think you are sick.

17. Clorets or anything to freshen your breath anytime.

18. Extra keys for your luggage locks stashed in your bag.

19. Rosary or prayer books.

20. Extra books to read during travel time or lull in your schedule.

Ok, what do you think about this??

10 Allergy Solutions

2008-01-12T01:13:00.000-08:00

For allergy-sufferers like me, nothing is worst than the cold December - January season, where pollen is abound and the house-mites are deep in their mating-season. Even thinking of it makes me sneeze! Because of this bad condition (mainly for me!), I met (by fate) my new favorite doctor... Dr. Wilbert Ang of St. Luke's Medical. He is the most audacious-straight-shooter-lovable/as/Dr. House - gay/as/Boy/Abunda - honest- doctor I've ever known. Consultation with him is not for the faint of heart, yet he gave me the most extensive (comprehensive, as he corrected me) advice for my allergies.

So he has this list of my allergy-triggers that I am following right now:

Rule #1: Always go natural, go organic, no artificial additives to food. Natural food is the safest.
#2: Avoid dust, baby powder, pollen. Which means I have to veer away of bouquet of flowers, gardens, the great outdoors! Which proves the fact that I get bad allergies if I stay overnight at the memorial parks during all soul's day. He even adviced me to tell my husband to refrain from giving me bouquets of flowers (which he never does) and chocolates (I seldom eat them) and save the money to buy me a diamond ring instead and princess-cut is the best! That is coming from an ernest doctor.
#3: Avoid smoke. My hubby is a smoke stack. The Doctor adviced me to replace him with a non-smoker instead (hahahaahah).
#4: Avoid perfume and strong odor.
#5: Use mild smelling shampoo and body soap. I can only use Pantene (best brand), Head and Shoulders, Dove and Clear. My J & J baby soap will do. But his highly recommended to use for both body and hair is Perla soap, which works best for him.
#6: Avoid extreme change of temperature.
#7: Avoid chicken, eggs, cheese (my favorite), chocolates, nuts, chips, seafood and any with fishy smell, any food with preservatives, and beans.
#8: Swallow your sticky cold: This is radical for me as I love blowing my nose! He said that the intestines will excrete it anyway and its less messy. More importantly I get to save my ear from the incessant nose-blowing. This I have not really followed.
#9: Change pillows every 2 years to part with the well-grown multitudes of pillow mites that feed on your "libags", dandruff, etc. Buy the magic pillows. Better yet starch the pillows and iron them hot to kill the bugs and mites regularly.
#10: Sleep in vinyl bed. This is yukky... but sensible.

So there you are, some relief for you during this allergy season.

Gifts I Received this Christmas

2007-12-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

I had several gifts this Christmas, nothing too exciting yet Im thankful for friends who took time to buy/wrap/give me their presents. Here they are:

1. Most practical gift: Chips bag clips.
This one is the least when it comes to the worth (read: price) yet the most practical of all. It keeps my bread and chips fresh, not to mention that it would keep my hubby's chicharon (pork rind crisp) fresh. I saw last night that bag of chicharon twisted and had the coffee jar over it to keep it from opening, this was my Hubby's own doing. So this one is really practical and most welcome.

2. A little weird gift: 2 bottles of mouthwash.
I got it from our school's exchange gift. Of course the giver is unknown to me. Yet, I had the feeling that someone up there one me to gargle more! But thanks anyway, it still has its price tag on, so the recipient would know its a little over the prescribed budget. But the cheap me is really ok with it, anything brand new and free is ok with me. =)

3. Most cool gift (literally): Macbook cooling pad
This one I got from my husband who had to search the electronics stores in Raon, in downtown Manila for this. This one has a USB that I can hook up to my Macbook and it has small electric fans that sucks the heat away from the Mac. and I can easily slip it inside my bag. It cheap at the same time very practical. Almost all the accessories sold for Macs are always over P1000! So this one is way below that, great!

4. Elegant gift: Stainless wine holder
For a wine drinker like me, this one is special.

5. Practical gift: Melamine trays
Nice for the putting and organizing my dining stuff here.

6. Yummiest: Banana-walnut cupcakes with a cream spread
I forget the word "Diet" with this one. Its nice as snack, breakfast and midnight breakfast. It was all mine!!!! I dont like sharing this... heheheheh

7. Too many of the same gifts: Body Lotion
People should know that my Allergic-Rhinitis gets triggered by overly nice smelling lotions. So I stay away from them. This one is one that I would happily recycle and give to somebody else. I hope people would think twice of giving me nice-smelling stuff, its not that I dont like them but my nose doesnt. 'Nuff said.

8. Cheap stuffs
I kind of expect from people who have money to get me a little more decent gifts, but I tend to get the same cheap gifts from the same person. Whatever happened to the nice and delicious big box of macaroons I gave her? I guess the gifts we give says so much about us. I've done hoping but there is little improvement with her. So I finally conquered my misgivings of her, so her gift would be something my Mom's maid would be happy receiving this Christmas time.

So what about yours? What was the wackiest and most special you have received this Christmas?

2007-12-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

My Wish List

Dear Santa,
Here is my wish list. Its okay if you will not get the most of it but I'd be great if you get Item number 9 for me:

1. iPhone
2. iTouch, the new iPod.
3. A new two-seater sofa + dining table + dining chairs
4. i-Mac, brand new with the Mac OS Leopard.
5. A complete wardrobe change courtesy of DKNY (or Mango Brand)
6. 32" Flat TV, preferably Sony brand.
7. A Carribean all-expense paid cruise for two.
8. A brand new red Honda Civic, preferably the new eco-car of Honda.
9. Php 10 million, in cold cash
10. Peace on earth.

Thank you and may my wishes and your wishes all come true!

I hope I made you laugh or, at least, amused with my wishes. But who knows someone out there may grant all of them for me?

I sincerely wish you a happy Christmas.

12 Eco - Friendly ways to enjoy Christmas

2007-12-16T02:55:00.000-08:00

12 Eco - Friendly ways to enjoy Christmas and save our Mother Earth!

1. Re-Use: Old Christmas Trees or Use dead branches. Spray with water-based paint...you now have a White Christmas Tree!

2. Re-Gift: No shame on this... how much can you add to that ever-growing mug collection? What, another mug? its your 39th mug? And you are not even a collector... so someone might be happy to receive them.

3. Food give-away: yummy and they wont be taking that precious space on your shelf top.. in your fridge, maybe, but it will get eaten soon anyway.

4. Doggie-bag party food: if there is much food left, give it away to your guests or receive happily from your party hostess. Our friendly street tanod enjoys the doggie-bags that I give him.

5. Give gifts that matter and give gifts to people that matter: Stop being a hypocrite, so stop giving gifts to people that you dont really like! My stress has gone down because I crossed-out people that I dont really like from my list, people that I am usually plastic with. I now give gifts to people that only matter (and of course those who needs gifts, such as everyone's favorite 12th-flr security guard, our janitors, the nice laundry ladies downstairs, the water-delivery guys and my Mom's maids).

6. Give away reusable cotton bags: this is in vogue (this had gone mainstream, not just to the green-activists type) these days, shops are selling their reusable bags and they're nice too. This is a nice gift, plus dont forget to put in some goodies too! Throw-away those unnecessary gift-baskets that gets moldy after a month in storage.

7. Re-use ribbons, boxes and gift-wrappings. I'm a conscientious "cheapskate", gifts are nice to receive with a nice ribbon wrapping.

8. Gifts that are really thoughtful and would do our earth good: potted plants, E-cards, Gift checks.

9. No-cost gift-wrapping: magazine pages and newspapers! Then add your re-used ribbons or better yet some discarded raffia twine or cotton twine.

10. Use reusable plates and cutlery, other option is buying biodegradable food containers: disposable ones are so old news and it eats up garbage bin's space. I truly truly hate it. I don't even order McDelivery anymore because of this!

11. Order take-out but bring your food containers: this is a new trick I learned from the Chinese customers who frequent my fave Chinese cafeteria in Banawe St, Mr. Zhang's. They bring their own lunch boxes to bring home so that they wouldn't be cooking their Sunday dinner. I go there bring my lock an lock boxes (these are the 21st century Tupperware boxes).

12. Give-away old clothes, bags, household items to the needy and tuck in some money. 'nuf said!

Merry Christmas

Worse Place to Watch a Movie In Manila

2007-11-03T01:11:00.000-07:00

We are not talking about the seedy moviehouses in downtown Quiapo or Recto Ave., these palces are off the charts. I dont even go there... But its the decent movie house like SM. The SM San Lazaro movie houses stink with roach smell and the water, no matter how many times you flush, it comes out yellow. I dont know from urine or what. So there...

Best and Cheap Food Stalls in QC

2007-11-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

1. Banana-que stands: Retiro near Amoranto Park / Mayon Street.
Cheap at P7.00 per stick of sweet whole bananas smoothered with caramelized brown sugar. The stall that is manned by gay-guy is far better service-wise, but either of the two will do. The stalls at Banawe are much expensive at P10.00 with a generous serving of soot and dust from the cars rolling by Banawe St.
2. Bibingka Street Stands: Lourdes Church in Retiro/Amoranto St.
There are three carts selling all-year bibingka. Cheap at P35.00.
3. Best Barbeque Stand: Matutum St. -Sct. Alcaraz St., Brgy. St. Peter, QC (this is a secret among the banawe-retiro people). This BBQ by night stand starts setting-up at around five pm, by 7, all their goods are sold out. This secret is not exclusive to us people living in these parts, there are a few cars hanging out at 6 pm to pick up their orders of pork bbq, fish and the usual innards bbq... yum yum
4. Maki Rolls and other Japanese rolls: Suki Market along Mayon St, Brgy St. Teresita, QC.
The cheapest at 75 rolls P300. Go inside the market, look for the tables that sells ready-cook - ready package food. They're cheapest and yummiest. You will forget buying your california makis at Tokyo Tokyo of Furusato. Its maki overload!!!!

More yumyum to come...

2007-10-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Budji List blog!

Welcome to my weekly blog! This post will consist of list of things... so it is a bloglist!!!! Im doing this bloglist for the good of humanity! But dont take me seriously, these are just the things that I like to think of when Im not doing anything productive. So to formalize things, Im doing this blog for all you OCDs out there. These list may be just about anything in this world... But I hope they will be informative.

Like for this month of October:
1. Best side-street foodalings (cheap food) in Quezon City, Philippines.
2. Best/worst places to watch a movie in Metro Manila, Philippines.
3. Best places to get caught in the rain in the Philippines.
4. Best places to go to for halloween in Metro Manila.

I hope you guys would be interested in whatever catches my fancy for each month... Im going to enjoy this, I hope you would too!

Cheers!
Budji