Move On Mo Mukha Mo!

Sinasabi mong wala kang pakialam kasi di ka naman direktang apektado ng Martial Law. Eh kung gayon, tongenuh! Bakit ka pa nag-effort magpost tungkol doon? Wag kang papansin. Kung talagang wala kang pakialam, tahimik na lang. Sinasabi mong move on na kami. Eh ikaw nga nangingialam ka sa di namin pag move on, kami pa kaya na nawalan ng magulang? Tongenuh mo! Sinasabi mong magpatawad na kami. Paano magpapatawad ang taong di hiningan ng tawad? Paano magpapatawad kung patuloy na dine-deny ng mga may sala ang kanilang mga krimen? Paano magpapatawad kung maraming nagsasabing hindi totoo at hindi lehitimo ang sakit na nararamdaman namin? Tongenuh mo! Sinasabi mong legal ang nangyari. Eh tongenuh! Paano na yung pag-aresto, pambubugbog, pagkawala, at pagkamatay ng libo-libong Pilipino, ano na?! Legal ba yun?! Tongenuh! Move on kami doon pero kayo di kayo matahimik kasi ayaw namin ipalibing ang isang kriminal?! Move on kami kahit na pinatay ang mahal naminsa buhay pero kayo di kayo makapag move on dahil di malibing ang isang kriminal? PAKYU PO!!! PAYASO AMPOTAH!!! Sinasabi mong marami siyang nagawang tama at mabuti. Eh tongenuh mo! Dahil ba nakagawa ng mabuti peke na lahat ng pagnanakaw, pagkitil sa demokrasya, pagpatay, at panggago…

Pablo’s Effects Still Felt by Survivors

It has been one year since Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) hit the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Norte but its effects are still greatly felt by survivors. Classified as a Category 5 Typhoon, Typhoon Pablo struck on December 4, 2013. It affected over 6 million Filipinos and over 2,000 were left dead or are still missing. Kinablangan, Baganga, Davao OrientalImage by Anj Nacorda of AnjNacorda.com. Save the Children is an organization focused on giving children "what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm." They have been on site for many months now and they assert that there has to be an increase in support to help families fully recover the impact of Typhoon Pablo on their livelihood. Below is an excerpt from their press release regarding the Typhoon Bopha anniversary: The storm caused widespread damage to agriculture, which account for the livelihoods of 80 per cent of the residents in the affected area. The Filipino government’s disaster agency estimates a loss of over US$700 million in agricultural damage, including bananas, coconuts, rice and maize. “The job that aid agencies need to fulfil shouldn’t stop at immediate relief,” said Tom…

Ria Jose in Binondo Chinatown Manila Philippines

Re-Discovering Chinatown in Binondo

I have been to Manila countless times and I kinda lived there when I was in college. So every time I look for something different to do each time I go back for work or vacation. When I made my November 2011 Manila Checklist, a Binondo Tour was one of my priorities. Binondo is Manila's Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in the world. It is where most Filipino-Chinese families settled during the Spanish era. It is located along Pasig River across the Manila's Walled City of Intramuros. The enterprising Chinese settlers made it into a bustling center for trade and commerce. Until now, a lot of Fil-Chinese families reside in Binondo and a lot of their businesses are still located in the vicinity. And of course, it is teeming with food establishments that specialize in various Chinese cuisines. I have been to Binondo only a couple of times. Both times, I enjoyed the tour despite the scorching heat of the sun. The combination of food and history was irresistible to me. I was happy that my friend, a Binondo resident (100% born and raised in Binondo) offered to be my tour guide. As a Chinese food lover with Chinese roots, I…

Miss Earth Candidates in Davao

Meeting the Miss Earth Candidates

Was still tired and sleepy when I got a phone call. One of my bosses asked me if I could attend the Miss Earth press con in around 2 hours. Errr... I agreed hesitantly. We waited awhile before the candidates arrived and when they entered the room, all I could see were legs, legs, and even more legsss. The candidates were lovely but two of them stood out for me, Miss Macau and Miss Japan. It was an interesting experience meeting the candidates. They're all so composed and it seemed like they didn't sweat at all even if it was very hoooot that day. And some of them didn't stop going to the buffet table and yet they were all so slim. Did I mention they're all so tall? I abandoned wearing heels to the press con coz I had a long day ahead. And I regretted making that decision. I looked like a midget beside them. The Miss Earth 2011 candidates are in the Philippines for the Miss Earth Pageant to be held this week in Manila. Some of them are visiting Davao (and other cities) to know and enjoy more of the country. It was such an interesting…

Goya Dark Mint Chocolates and More Goya!

Everybody first heard about Goya Dark Mint when AJ twitted about it a few weeks ago and also blogged about. Thus, began the bloggers' search for the mysterious Goya Dark Mint. Goya Dark Mint intrigued a lot of us since Goya is a local brand of chocolates and local dark chocolates with mint are unheard of. The Philippines isn't exactly known for high end chocolates. What were used to are local chocolates with a distinct flavor and texture that tastes better when not refrigerated. Goya is a brand I grew up with. I have recently seen and tasted the latest reformulated and repackaged good old Goya Milk Chocolate... ...and it didn't disappoint. Compared to the old Goya, it had a smoother texture. I can't exactly recall how the old Goya tastes, but this one is gave me a good chocolate fix for only PhP 14.75! Then, I saw they had a new variant... Dark Chocolate! As a dark chocolate lover... I just had to try it out. It's not as bitter or intoxicating as other dark chocolates I've tasted, but it's good enough. It packs in enough punch to give me a sugar rush. And it's only PhP 16.75! Goya…