The Adobonation

We Filipinos are known for a lot of things; mind you, because these things are distinctly Filipino (in many aspects) and distinct only in Filipinos. From the simple day to day conversation we have and the languages we speak, to the clothes we wear and the accessories we pair it with, to the house ornaments we choose, to the manner we manage it—all of these are aspects of life and culture that, we, Filipinos are particularly distinct at.

       But I know of another aspect whereas Filipinos are very well known for. Food. Our culture says that our national food is the “lechon” but this dish suggests extravagance, meaning not all Filipinos get to experience its taste; and it is only seen on a Filipino family’s table during special occasions.

The wide array of Filipino food (image from:joandreidesign)

          Why don’t we take a good look in to this Filipino dish which I know all of us are familiar with: The Adobo. 

Traditional Adobo (image from: www.latestrecipes.net)

        Adobo is a meat dish stewed (sometimes marinated) in vinegar, soy sauce, and seasoned with garlic and pepper (sometimes added with bay leaf for extra aroma). However, this dish is brought to us by the Spaniards, who conquered our country the longest among any other nation. But as time went by, adobo had been very Filipinized; and it became a true equal of the Filipino race. When you hear the word adobo, it is always associated with the Filipinos—and when you hear Filipinos, it is always associated with adobo.  A lot of versions, modifications, and personalization have also been done to it. In fact, adobo even has lots of varieties regionally: different versions that represent every ethnicity and different adobos that represent different but very Filipino tastes.

          According to Travel Time, an ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) lifestyle and travel program, there are as many versions of adobo as you can imagine of the different islands of the Philippines. Another discovery that was revealed was that soy sauce is just an, and one of the, optional ingredients of adobo. Surprising isn’t it, because it is the vinegar that defines a dish as adobo. The Spanish language would define it to be “marinated meat”.          

Adobong Puti (image from: pinoycravings.com)

          In the Kapangpangan region, they have the “adobong puti”. This variety of adobo is cooked in the absence of soy sauce. The meat (which could be pork or chicken) is simmered in vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper corns; then, they fry the meat to golden brown to let it lard in itself. The golden brownish color makes this adobo palatable as it brightens the pale simmered-to-dry meat. 

Adobong Batangas (image from: flickr.com)

“Adobong Batangas”, meanwhile, is the most similar version to what we traditionally have in our households. Soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, and bay leaf are used to marinate this delicious and fatty cuts of meat (as it being a requirement) before it is fried with “siling labuyo”—this is where the regional distinction comes in. How do you find those two?  Did it make you want to stop reading and just start eating?

          If the past examples already made us moisten our lips just by their descriptions, the next ones will surely make us want to try everything A.S.A.P. The usual dark adobo is delicious, but the moment you get introduced to this next variety, I’m sure you’ll be just as apetized. 

Adobong Pusit sa Gata (image from: www.kawalingpinoy.com)

          The Bicolanos have their adobo white because of fresh and pure coconut milk (which is what they have in abundance). Sea foods, shrimp for instance, is sauteed in onion, garlic, pepper, with a bit of salt and a sprinkle of vinegar before the coco milk is added to make it specially and distinctly Bicolano. Of course the Visayas region will not be left behind without having created its version of the fabulous adobo. 

Pork Humba (image from: www.delmonte.ph)

          This is the sweet type called: Humba. This variety of adobo is almost the same with the Batangas’s, just that they added sugar or honey to make it sweet. To even make special, chunks of pineapple is optionally added. This sweet adobo variety is also enjoyed in some parts of Mindanao; just that the Mindanaoeños are fond of using the leg parts instead of “kasim”, which is fondly used in Visayas.

         Apparently, our love for adobo didn't just stop with the famous dish’s different regional variety; surprisingly, the creative minds of some gourmet chefs came up with their personalized version. Like there is one dish named “Baked Adobo Rolled in Pinipig”. This specialty dish is made by marinating chicken breasts the adobo way, then rolling it over beaten egg and pinipig (flattened rice crisps), and lastly baking it in the oven. The final product is heavenly as it spreads its aroma upon taking it out of the oven and unwrapping it from the aluminium foil. 

Adobong Kangkong (image from www.gopixpic.com)  

       Adobo is also able to capture the taste buds of our heart-friendly brothers and friends. That’s why there was the innovation of Adobong Kangkong (swamp cabbage) and Adobong Pusit which I personally love because of its health-giving factor.

      So, those are just some of the so many varieties of adobo, there are still too many that this whole afternoon won’t be enough for us to talk about all of it. If we are going to look at adobo—this dish which is actually from our former conquerors—with a nationalistic perspective, it has been and will always remain a representation of the true Filipino in each and every one of us. On one hand, the numerous varieties it has represent the different ethnicities in the Philippines; and on the other, the race that bonds us all, being no other than Filipinos. This is another proof that the Philippine culture is rich in itself because it has the capacity to adopt different cultures and as well as to adapt itself towards different cultures.

          

people may be different from one another but those differences could never be considered a hindrance in their forming close (and tight) bonds amongst themselves…like these two drinks, they are hot and cold but they look as lovely, and taste as sweet! :)

Reflections on a summer road trip…

Writing about travels and travelling has always caught my interest. Whenever something is posted about good travels on the web, I never fail to give it a read, or at least a skim. I have already read so many, actually. But less about reflective travels (though I know that there’s actually a lot of it, and I just fail to chance upon them).

So I think it is about time to share mine…

I have been joining my best friend’s family for three consecutive years now, or I had joined them; since I am already writing this in Manila, after our trip. This is a Northern Luzon road trip while visiting their relatives and stopping-over their houses. For the record, we have gone to Pampanga, Pangasinan, and La Union. The places we visit are not the ones that you will see on travel magazines and websites, not the places where people are clamouring to be able to visit one day. BUT one thing I will tell you is that: these places were able to make me feel relaxed and very far from the busy stressful life in the cities. I was able to reflect on different things in life.

Our first stop—a house in Pampanga. This is their relative’s house. It is situated right in front of a corn field and surrounded by rice fields. Imagining the simple life the fields offer is probably “not so dream-like” for the people of the cities. Here, there is no mall nearby; low to no internet and cell phone signal; plus people’s daily routine revolves from waking up before the sun rises, preparing food, manning the fields, taking care of the animals and their children, and sleeping very early in the evening preparing for a similar activity the following day. This is not that exciting actually. But what I thought is that the simple life of the people here is what makes them healthy and stress free. Pollution and inorganic food is not a staple in this place. The men are very active at their sixties, only taking vegetables and few servings of meat (as it is expensive for them). And the women, they don’t really care about vanity as it is defined in the city; but they know hygiene in fact. What is the good thing about this? They don’t attract badly mannered men to maliciously treat them. These things I must say made me appreciate life I the province more and made me dream of one day living simply in the breezy fields of our OWN country.

Agoo, La Union—this is our second destination. The beach here is lovely. The waves high and almost ravishing. We played here like children and forgot all our problems, even for a short period of time. The important thing I pondered here was: you cannot attain maturity without accepting that you are a child once and immaturities will always come our way. It is acceptance that will make us the better and mature person that we always wanted to be. Plus being with your closest friend made me realize that life will really give you a whole lot of acquaintances, just enough friends, and 1 best friend…sadly life’s transition has its own course and will bring you a different set each time. The best thing to do is to treasure them and remember that proximity is not always the measure of “closeness”.

San Fabian, Pangasinan wasn’t that good at first (this was my perception). The humid ambience of the place made me feel uneasy and wanted to take a bath all the time. But this year’s trip was different: the hot weather is still there. Of course, it’s summer. However, the beach and the sea both welcomed us differently. It was like an unchartered beautiful scenery waiting to be visited by people. So we did. The fun and relaxation is just amazing. Looking at the horizon made me reflect a about a lot of good things in life, even the not so beautiful circumsatnces in life suddenly became positive. Well, of course I might be speaking subjectively or based on my own experience. But one thing’s for sure your view of the nature is your view of life. If you appreciate the simplicity of the surrounding and able to find beauty in it, then life for you won’t be that hefty even though at times bothered by problems. This is what I thought a beautiful place to live in could give to its residents…healthy body, peaceful mind, and positive attitude.

Lastly—not a place but an animal: a DOG. I am a person who grew up fearing dogs. Not wanting to pet them because of the thought of them being potentially harmful and stinky. I have had this perception until, again, because of my best friend’s affection for dogs and his dog—Arma, a female five-month-old Labrador Retriever; this dog is just very playful and cuddly at the same time. Despite her size, you will never feel scared because she is a very affectionate pet, someone who would lie on your lap and lick you every part of your body. Yes, I think it is my level of maturity which somehow told me that why not try getting close to dogs. However, Arma is just a dog (or a puppy, as she is still) who will not just make you get close to them but also will make you love them. She is, for me, a step up to what they call appreciation of the “life” around you. In fact, she made me more concerned and sensitive to animals in general. I think she made love animals and, all the more, value life in all kinds (be it humans, animals, plants, or the smallest unseen creature around us).

So this is why and what I enjoyed most about my vacation. It was fun, relaxing, and most importantly reflective—something that every traveller should do before and after an adventure. Like life: It is not on what you have and what you become, more important is the journey towards it.

IQ + EQ = Being Human

realistically, AN ENDING is not that exciting because there comes the fact that u have to start SOMETHING NEW all over again.

i can still remember posting this status a few days before my graduation. and this is what i really and always have in mind, ever since, whenever graduation will be discussed whether formally and informally. it is actually true! GRADUATION that almost all the students all over the world have been waiting for is not only an end but also, and most importantly, a beginning of something more challenging.

but lets go to the celebratory part first. personally, a graduation ceremony [or commencement execricse to formally put it] is not that important for me; because i used to think that what is more important-or what is solely important-is what the students have learned and what they will do and try to accomplish after gaining the degree. BUT this WAS...what and how i used to think. after attending my own graduation ceremony (though, honestly i would say that i tried hard to kill Boredom), i must say that this form of rite is significantly vital for every graduate. why? i can answer in three ways: 1.) this is the sign that students' challenges in school had come to its end, an achievement of some sort; 2.) culturally passing and continuing the legacy of the institution where the students belong-this could be a "poke" for the graduates saying "hey, you do good outside because you are an alumni of this institution!" and lastly, 3.) a wake up call for every graduate because they are now free to explore the outside [real] world and do whatever they are passionate about.

going back to the third celebratory reason for a graduation ceremony, i think this the most challenging part. regardless of the degree one has gained, there will be "countless" options for them to try out after. so this becomes the dilemma now for most (as far as what i have observed is concerned). many are still reluctant and unsure of what to do...or worse, are they going to do something? of course i am not excluding myself to the list. this goes for everyone who can think and knows that he/she should think along the way.

"make your passion your profession."

i quote this line from the movie "3 Idiots". a bollywood film that has really strengthened my principles and plans in life. this is what all graduates of today, and even those who are aspiring to accomlish something in their lives, should ponder and hopefully practice. a degree or a course we have finished, as i have said, really has "countless" options that woud give us; a graduate should decide to him/herself which path to take. lets not think of what others would say after our decision...of course criticisms and negations are always there (this is what make us strong individuals). lets prove ourselves by achieving something according to our own standards, according to our own wants. it is ourselves whom should be our point of comparison. lets ask ourselves from time to time: have i improved as a person, after a certain period of time? comparing our own unique life to others will either make us arrogant or sorry about ourselves. this is disorienting! and no two people are, and will have, the same passion exactly. passion is a personal choice or a calling. and this is the VERY REASON why a lot of passionate workers, artists, scientists have achieved and get their selves established in their own chosen field.

DISCLAIMER: no one, at the end of the day, should be passionate about something that will aggravate others, or at least, try to step on others' ego just to achieve something. a person who thinks rationally and kind-heartedly would always want to reach his/her own "finish line" like a good sport. IQ + EQ = Being Human.

Pink is the color of unrequited love...because when love is RED it should be happy, bright, and give-and-take. I have come to this thinking after having read Ricky Lee's 1st novel: Para Kay B.

Matagal ko na ding gustong magbasa ng novel in the Filipino Language (and this was the 1st). Matagal ko na ding gustong i-blog ang mga binabasa ko (and this was also the 1st). Nabili ko ang book na ito sa National Bookstore for 250php. Quite expensive for a Booksale junkie like me, but very cheap for Fullybooked customers and fanatics. I have decided to buy this book after seeing its author appear on ANC (the abs-cbn news channel) inviting people on the launching of his, already, 2nd novel. So ako si fan, gusto kagad bumili at bilhin ang novel nya; but when I'm already in front of the books I am considering to buy...I decided to read first his previous novel because this will give me more idea about the author. And his style. And this is what my literature teacher has taught me. Oh!

So i started to read Para Kay B after my finishing of a multi-cultured novel in English (na gustong-gusto ko din naman ang author). The transition needs adjusting dahil medyo mabagal akong magbasa. Until I realized that this will change my pacing. In 4 1/2 days natapos ko. Pero parang kung anong bilis ng pagbasa ko ay siya namang tindi ng impact ng novel na to sa kin.

I am not a romantic person and i don't enjoy love stories that much. The books I read, and the stories that interest me are usually about life in general (societal problems, perseverance, family, religion, culture, education, etc.). Pero hindi talaga naka-focus sa love per se. What this novel has that caught me is its good language...maganda ang pananalitang ginamit ni Ricky Lee, Taglish pero hindi ka maboboring. Frank din sya at the same time. The candidness in the texts is simply moving me gradually but relentlessly. The first story has not ended happily, pero nagandahan ako. The second story was hard to accept, pero naliwanagan ako. The third, it is beyond my imagination—pero naabot ko siya. Ung 4th naman eh parang maiinis ako nung una dahil tungkol sa tomboy…but I even shared emotion to the protagonist of the story and I liked her son, AJ, very dearly. Fifth, is Bessie’s story. I would say immoral siya, nakakainis, maldita at walang kwentang babae. But I liked her. Strong. Fierce. And finally the major and real star of the novel, si Lucas, who made me wanna go inside the book and kick him in the ass while telling him: Hoy ang tanga-tanga mo naman! Gumising ka sa katotohanan. But his character is the one whom I have related myself to the most…so I think I should also call somebody to do the kicking of my ass because of my stupidity on love. So anyway, this is not my story pero nakarelate talaga ako. Natawa ako. Natuwa ako.

Ricky Lee is one great story teller, writer, and artist. He is able to move the thoughts and emotions of, I’m sure, not only mine but all who have read this work of his.

I don’t want to make this blog a summary of what the book is about, I just want to share my wonderful experience with this book. Kung meron mang implications ito sa tunay na love story ng buhay ko, bahala na ang magbabasa ng blog na ito. Pero ang masasabi ko lang ay ang quota ay maaaring magkatotoo depende kung ano ang gagawin ng mga taong in-love. And that the color of my love is PINK.

Para Kay B: Para sa Lahat

Pink is the color of unrequited love...because when love is RED it should be happy, bright, and give-and-take. I have come to this thinking after having read Ricky Lee's 1st novel: Para Kay B.

Matagal ko na ding gustong magbasa ng novel in the Filipino Language (and this was the 1st). Matagal ko na ding gustong i-blog ang mga binabasa ko (and this was also the 1st). Nabili ko ang book na ito sa National Bookstore for 250php. Quite expensive for a Booksale junkie like me, but very cheap for Fullybooked customers and fanatics. I have decided to buy this book after seeing its author appear on ANC (the abs-cbn news channel) inviting people on the launching of his, already, 2nd novel. So ako si fan, gusto kagad bumili at bilhin ang novel nya; but when I'm already in front of the books I am considering to buy...I decided to read first his previous novel because this will give me more idea about the author. And his style. And this is what my literature teacher has taught me. Oh!

So i started to read Para Kay B after my finishing of a multi-cultured novel in English (na gustong-gusto ko din naman ang author). The transition needs adjusting dahil medyo mabagal akong magbasa. Until I realized that this will change my pacing. In 4 1/2 days natapos ko. Pero parang kung anong bilis ng pagbasa ko ay siya namang tindi ng impact ng novel na to sa kin.I am not a romantic person and i don't enjoy love stories that much. The books I read, and the stories that interest me are usually about life in general (societal problems, perseverance, family, religion, culture, education, etc.). Pero hindi talaga naka-focus sa love per se. What this novel has that caught me is its good language...maganda ang pananalitang ginamit ni Ricky Lee, Taglish pero hindi ka maboboring. Frank din sya at the same time. The candidness in the texts is simply moving me gradually but relentlessly. The first story has not ended happily, pero nagandahan ako. The second story was hard to accept, pero naliwanagan ako. The third, it is beyond my imagination—pero naabot ko siya. Ung 4th naman eh parang maiinis ako nung una dahil tungkol sa tomboy…but I even shared emotion to the protagonist of the story and I liked her son, AJ, very dearly. Fifth, is Bessie’s story. I would say immoral siya, nakakainis, maldita at walang kwentang babae. But I liked her. Strong. Fierce. And finally the major and real star of the novel, si Lucas, who made me wanna go inside the book and kick him in the ass while telling him: Hoy ang tanga-tanga mo naman! Gumising ka sa katotohanan. But his character is the one whom I have related myself to the most…so I think I should also call somebody to do the kicking of my ass because of my stupidity on love. So anyway, this is not my story pero nakarelate talaga ako. Natawa ako. Natuwa ako.

Ricky Lee is one great story teller, writer, and artist. He is able to move the thoughts and emotions of, I’m sure, not only mine but all who have read this work of his.

I don’t want to make this blog a summary of what the book is about, I just want to share my wonderful experience with this book. Kung meron mang implications ito sa tunay na love story ng buhay ko, bahala na ang magbabasa ng blog na ito. Pero ang masasabi ko lang ay ang quota ay maaaring magkatotoo depende kung ano ang gagawin ng mga taong in-love. And that the color of my love is PINK.

school's on and off...

Manila, Philippines--this is where i live (for the moment). this is a city normally, if not all the time, disturbed by typhoons and floodings. but almost all of the Philippines is actually like this. classes and works are usually suspended to avoid accidents due to bad weather. ironically, suspension comes late most of the time: resulting to citizens all over still experiencing and being exposed to the detriments of bad weather. this is something that the government should be responsible of. citizen preparedness is a national concern, so to speak. one cannot function well without the help of others.

on the other hand, what is the effect of these weather conditions' effects to students in particular? schooling, primarily is disturbed; when this is so, students' learning is disturbed as well. (I'm just wondering what the majority of the students will be learning at home.) this now, is not the problem of the government. with regard to the students' learning activities at home, it is the responsibility of their elders (parents and guardians) to facilitate and initiate whatever is to be done. in the case of college students, hey we are all old enough! let's study at home and don't spoil your brain nerves at home. what do i mean with this learnings that can be done at home? these are the academic to non-academic activities that will supplement the knowledge of every individual, for him/her to become a better person, at the end of the day (even s/he didn't come to school at the time).

i don't want this too long and wordy. i hope i was able to convey a message and, at least, a realization for everyone to ponder.