178/365: Wok With Balut: Vegie Omelette

27th of June

I woke up too early today and thought I could whip something in the wok for breakfast.  Maybe I’m feeling tired of eating quick breakfast of bread, butter, spreads cold cuts etc. And I don’t know but I’m starting to frown for consecutive mornings that I’m seeing my youngest pouring her favorite cereal on her bowl.  I don’t know but I’m not a cereal fan and I don’t sort of believe that kids get enough energy they need in the morning from a bowl of cereal.  I’m still biased with that rice and something in the morning.  I’m Filipino hey!

So with my eyes still half-close:

1. I grab some potato, carrots and chayote, butter and eggs from the fridge
2. Chopped the potato, carrots and chayote in small cubes
3. Sautee them altogether in just enough amount of butter
4. Beat eggs in a bowl then added some salt and seasoning
5. Pour some amount of the beaten eggs in the same pan where I sauteed the cube vegies.
6. Then added just enough amount of the buttered vegies on the half cooked egg.
7. Roll the eggs and voila!



Kids and adults surely do enjoy this in the morning!  And mind you it’s healthy!

170/365: Something About “Joe” On His Birthday

19th of June

Believe it or not I had several units of Jose Rizal courses back in college but if I will be asked “What happened to the remains of our national hero Jose P. Rizal after he was executed?”

– I can not answer that.

Not so long ago I heard the same question was asked in a TV show similar to the concept of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and nobody among the contestants was able to answer.  I remember researching for an answer for this question but failed to find the answer I was looking for.

So this question remained parked on my head unanswered until one day while I was exploring the historical Paco Park I found the exact answer.

The tomb stone says:

Jose Rizal

Executed 30 December 1896.  Interred secretly in this spot by the authorities on the same day.  Guarded for fifteen days by the Guardia Civil Veterana.  Remains exhumed 17 August 1898.  Placed in an urn made by Teodoro Romualdo De Jesus.  Deposited in the house of his mother in Estraude Street, Binondo.  And on 30 December 1912 laid beneath his monument at the Luneta.

This a special post dedicated to our National Hero José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda who was born on this day - June 19 in 1861 and executed on December 30, 1896.

168/365: Ramblings Of An (Un)Deserving Soldier

17th of June

A platoon consisting of mostly new soldiers went to war.
The captain is either late or gone missing.
Halfway along the early part of the battle the lieutenant got wounded.
One private is watching in silence while fighting,
and saw that the battle is being manipulated by a double-faced ally
The private without being tasked volunteered to front the battle defying the odds from the double-faced ally.
She offered her own weapons and even covered her wounded comrades with her own shield until she was able to pull them to safety,
She did all that she could in the very limited resources that she has as a private.
Eventually this private got wounded but the battle is currently being won.
The captain is happy and proud.
He asked this wounded private soldier and asked
"Why are you wounded?"



… from the rambling thoughts of a soldier who's in the battle field for quite a huge part of her life but never desired for a title nor a medal.


Photo Credits: Google images

167/365: Warning: This Is A Rant Post On A Monday The 16th!

16th of June

Rant 1 Prelude
Just when I set my mind that this first day of the week will not just be fine but great.  So I tried inhaling all the positive vibes to start my day right and promised to stretch it through the whole week, then suddenly baaam! it’s ruined!

“I'm no political I'm no showbiz. I say facts straightforward because I believe I don't need to please people in stating the facts”

This is me – always do and always will be.  Sadly most people (especially at work)  will not appreciate your straightforwardness, honesty and frankness.  They choose to hear sugar coated things rather than the truth.  Their stupid egos can’t handle the truth!



Rant 2
Do you know a person who has gotten a minor title (maybe) for the first time in her life suddenly went floating from her own-created hurricane wind and wants everybody to bow down to her “power”? The phrase “I’m the Queen of the world!” is written all over her face?
Well it would be lovely to tell her …

“Jeez!
Get out and expose yourself to the real hurricane so you’ll see for yourself that you’re nothing but a piece of object among the tons that can be tossed around and smashed into oblivion. If you survive then that’s the time you can be proud! But for now keep calm and be humble!

Because if you don't, someone who's experienced enough to handle the worst hurricane will come along and blow the strongest wind right into your face and you'll be tossed and smashed the way you never experienced before.”

Rant 3:
Government offices always have the service that s*cks BIG TIME especially to ordinary citizen like me who happens to be one among the people paying their salaries through my taxes.  But I’ve learned to adapt and be patient to their inefficiency  no matter how frustrating it is.  It was like “for the sake of world peace I will bear with you.”   And then I will just maximized the stretch of my not-so-elastic-patience”.

But when it comes to private service provider it is so d*mn frustrating when you get poor service. You wanted to shout…

“Hey people we are paying you extra!
You see I came from a sh*tty day at work and you’re making me wait here? This is my third visit from my pre-approved schedule for five visits.  Why do I need to wait for an approval confirmation on each visit while in fact it was approved from day one?
I hate waiting especially if the cause is senseless.  Who loves waiting anyway?  And mind you I have another itinerary after this so it’s not funny that you are making me wait for a senseless reason!”

Rant 3!

Traffic!
What else can I say? I can’t do anything about this and it’s stupid to rant – I know right?
The only thing I could do is to wish that this vehicle will miraculously grow a unicorn wing and fly me out of this one-hell-of-non-moving line of horn-blowing metals with wheels so I can reach my destination in time.

Enough said. Enough rant.

By the way, congratulations to all people who’s having a good day today.  You are so so blessed!

166/365: Happy Father’s Day and Happy More

15th of June

Happy Father’s Day to you all great FATHERS out there!

Happy Birthday to my dear blogger friend BLUE! Wish you all the best!

Happy Sunday to all! Or whatever day you are in right now!

Just be happy!

164/365: Randomness On A Friday the 13th

13th of June

Seemed like I woke up at the wrong side of the bed today that I somewhat I feel this day would not be at it’s best.  Well I am not actually hoping for a best or better day.  A good day would be enough for me just as long as it would not be “bad”.

I checked on my calendar and realized that today is Friday the 13th!  And marked on my today’s schedule is a visit to the doctor for my second shot of anti-rabies. Whew!  what a good day to have an injection – on Friday the 13th huh! 

Not that I’m superstitious about this day but… there are lots of days in the calendar hey!  Why does it need to be today?  Injection is not everybody’s favorite anyway.  I’m sure a lot will agree with me that going to the doctors is not fun – emotionally and financially

My husband is one example of a “no doctor visit policy”.  So it’s another challenge today that I’ll drag him to the doctor’s clinic not only to drop me off but also to get that medical certificate that he needs in order to register for the 38th Milo Marathon – his annual physical challenge.  This medical certificate requirement is just a new policy by the way thus hubby didn’t need to go though  a medical check up before he could register to a half marathon.

Anyways, so after (half) successfully convincing hubby, off we go to the doctor.  I automatically cringed at the sight of the wide screen televisions installed in almost all the waiting areas and every floor of the clinic.

We left home that my favorite NBA team Miami Heat is losing.  And now I’m seeing in all corners of the clinic that Spurs’ lead is going higher.  More so my husband decided again not to have the check up (sigh). 

I’m not sure what was more frustrating for me at that moment, seeing the Heat losing or convincing my husband again to have the medical check up (another sigh).

Finally my husband gave in and had the check up which turned out ok.  He’s physically fit to run the half marathon (of course). My injection went normally as well.  The only thing that was not fine for me was the Heat losing BIG TIME at home!

163/365: Happy Independence Day To Us. Freedom!

12th of June

Today the Philippines is celebrating its 116th Year of Independence or as what we call it in the Filipino language “Araw ng Kasarinlan” .

Independence Day (Filipino: Araw ng Kasarinlan; also Araw ng Kalayaan, lit. "Day of Freedom") commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. It is considered as the country's National Day. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Philippine Independence Day is a legal holiday in the Philippines so most business establishments are closed.  Not for me though.  I’m working today so I will have the independence of being paid in double ha ha.

I invited my BFF who is not working today to come over to my work place in Makati City so we could have some bonding time after I get off from work.

As the nation observed the traditional Independence day celebration, me and my BFF is having our own version of independence.  The independence to…

1. Eat
We ate in a Donut and pastry house. 
2. Stroll.
We went from city to another.
3. Eat again
We treat ourselves to street foods.
4. Register ourselves to two fun runs.
One in this June and another in July of this year
5. Shop.
I bought myself a pouch bag, a new memory card and some more stuff.
6. And eat again.
This time to an Italian restaurant where we had a huge pizza just the two of us!

We went home tired and broke but definitely happy!  Aaah!  This is what we call independence!

What about you?  Did you feel some sort of “independence” today?

161/365: Cat Misery – Bitten!

10th of June

How ironic it is that it was just yesterday when I was sharing a story about the mystery of a dead cat and my usual passion towards stray cats.  Today a very unfortunate incident involving a cat happened again.

It was raining hard all night and it was still raining in the dawn when I woke up today so I decided to get up early and prepare for work.  Living in Manila for years I am certain that heavy traffic is expected on this kind of weather.  Most likely the roads are flooded.  As I was preparing for work I was also stressing myself on how can I go to work early.  Today is an important day and I can’t be late.  Leaving home the earliest is the only solution so I’ll have extra time if ever an untoward incident happens.

So it was still dark when I hurriedly stepped out of our door all dressed up with my heeled shoes on.  Suddenly there was a wild sound from a cat who got hurt followed by a searing pain in my lower right leg.
I stepped on a cat and it attacked me!

I realized that seconds after hearing the cat cry and consecutively feeling the pain in my lower right leg. The cat hurriedly scoured away. It may have seek shelter during the rainy night and probably get comfortable with the doormat on our doorstep.

I took a hurried look on my right leg and saw a mark but I was still hurrying so I really didn’t had a clear look on how serious the wound was.  I went back inside the house and found the bottle of alcohol that I usually use to sanitize my hand when I’m working on my lappy. I hurriedly poured an amount of alcohol to the wound and ouch!  That was really painful I thought.

I then hurried out again because I can see hubby is now waiting holding the gate open for me waiting for me to be out so he can close it and then drive me to work. He asked about hearing a hurt cat and I casually replied that I stepped on tit.

It was still raining and I can feel the splatter of the water on my legs particularly on the wounded part, when I walk the distance from the door to the gate.  Along the drive I noticed that the pain is persistent and when I take a look there seemed to be some blood and that it looked like a prominent wound.  Hubby reminded me to check on it but I said that I’ll just go to the office clinic which I did.

It was in the clinic when I realized how the wound really looked like.  It does looks nasty! However the nurse is unable to tell if it is just a scratch or a bite.  After the interview, cleaning and a lot of “sweet scolding” from the company nurse on the manner I handled the incident I was instructed to consult a doctor as soon as possible. She said the doctor will be the one to examine if it’s just a scratch or a bite.

When I went to the doctor later that day, the doctor took just one look and confidently declared – BITE!



The result?
Two immediate injections for today. One is the first shot of anti-rabies together with the very painful and “arm-crippling” anti-tetanus shot.  There are four more shots to go which will be given in the span of 30 days.  I feel more pain when I was told of the total cost of the injections - a whopping PhP11,000 ($255.00)!  Aaw!  Thank God it is covered by my health insurance. 

I was advised by the doctor to observe the cat for a certain period.  If it dies I’m in serious trouble (sigh and sad face insert here).  The problem is that I’m not sure which among the four cats who adopted themselves on our compound who attacked me. I did not bother to check because I am hurrying to work.

There’s a lot of lessons I learned from this including the very basic that health is important above all else. I exposed myself to a more serious damage because I gave more importance to work rather than taking care of my wound and doing what should be done.  I would gladly share these lessons learned in the next post.

I’m not blaming the cat nor my liking for them will change.  It was an accident caused by my carelessness.  I accidentally hurt it and it defensively bit me.  I know that is part of their being a smart creature.

I’m sure everything’s gonna be alright.  After all I am cat woman!  Meow…

160/365: Cat Mystery

9th of June

My family’s schedule did not match yesterday Sunday which resulted for me catching the last Sunday mass alone at 8:00PM. 

There is just one church is celebrating the 8:00PM mass which is a walking distance from home so I walk myself to catch this last mass.  I was enjoying the traffic-less Sunday night while I’m taking the short cut way to the church along the residential areax when suddenly something broke my peaceful walk.

A dead cat is lying in the middle of the residential street that I’m taking.  It was obviously ran over by a vehicle because I can clearly see the head injury where the blood was still coming out. 

As you know, there are just few things that can make me stop and stare while I’m on the street and one of them is (stray) cat.  When it’s alive and needs help I usually pick them and placed on a safe place.  But this one is dead.   I was considering to pick-up the dead cat but I am aware that it is unhygienic if I won’t be able to wash my hand immediately.   I also don’t know where to put it plus that I will be late for the mass.

I did not notice that I had stopped and was staring at the dead cat for several minutes until one of the residents said something that it was ran over by a passing vehicle.

I left the dead cat as it is and walk the rest of the distance to the church with a heavy heart thinking and hoping that one of the residents would pick up the dead body of the cat so it won’t be ran over again by another vehicle.  I know it is dead but it’s cruel to think that it would be ran over and over again.

When the mass ended I was hesitant to take the same route on the way back because I don’t want to see the dead cat again.  I vividly remembered how it looks like.  The size (estimated age), the color which is the very common color of stray cats – white and orange combination.    The same color of the four cats who adopted themselves on our compound.  I also vividly remembered its head oozing with blood and that it's dead.

I finally decided to take the same route on my way back because that route is familiar and safe for someone walking alone. I was hoping that the cat already resurrected and now consuming one of its nine lives.  Yes I seriously believe that cats have nine lives not because it is true but because I just want the cats to have nine lives or more.

To my surprised I did not find the body of the dead cat from the spot where I saw it.  Also, the street seemed extra clean compared when I took it on my way to the church. When I walked some more miles the mystery of the missing dead cat body is answered. There was an on-going street cleaning and the cleaning people were not only sweeping the streets but pumping the streets with pressurized water hose.  Hmn... this is something strange.  I walk this route on the same instance but this is the first time that I see people cleaning the street this way. Plus it's a Sunday?

Past forward to today…

I came out of the office building an hour over lunch time to eat out. Look at what I found leisurely lying just outside the main entrance of our building.

Seriously?
A stray cat right in front of our building entrance fronting a busy road in the busy business district of Makati City? 

And yes it looks like the dead cat I saw last night….

159/365: Sunday Song and Photograph: In My Dreams

8th of June

There was a time some time ago
When every sunrise meant a sunny day, oh a sunny day
But now when the morning light shines in
It only disturbs the dreamland where I lay, oh where I lay
I used to thank the lord when I'd wake
For life and love and the golden sky above me
But now I pray the stars will go on shinin'
You see in my dreams you love me

Daybreak is a joyful time
Just listen to the songbird harmonies, oh the harmonies
But, I wish the dawn would never come
I wish there was silence in the trees, oh the trees
If only I could stay asleep
At least I could pretend you're thinkin' of me
'Cause nighttime is the one time I am happy
You see in my dreams

We climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams

I keep hopin' one day I'll awaken
And somehow she'll be lying by my side
And as I wonder if the dawn is really breakin'
She touches me and suddenly I'm alive

And, we climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams

And we climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams, oh oh oh oh
In my dreams

The photograph is taken at a local park while I’m cooling down from a short run on a weekend. The insects scared me at first but then their behavior got me curious so I take a photo using my mobile phone.

The song just pops out of my mind while I’m taking the photo. One of my favorites from REO Speed Wagon and is my current LSS.

153/365: Philippine Festivities in the Month of July

2nd of June

It’s June and after this month is over the year’s second quarter or the first half is over!  Can’t believe I am now posting the feast and festivities for the seventh month o the year – July!  

July festivities is highlighted by the very popular SANDUGO Festival which is being celebrated by the Boholanos for the whole month of July in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

SANDUGO FESTIVAL, Tagbilaran City, Bohol July 1-31

The Sandugo festival is the commemoration of the blood compact between Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.  The highlight of the festival is the Sandugo street dancing – a mardi gras type of parade.  The dances are depicting the theme of “friendship among equals and international diplomacy”.

Here are the other festivals for the month of July:

SINUGDAN FESTIVAL, Maasin City, Southern Leyte July 1
SAN CARLOS CHARTER ANNIVERSARY. San Carlos, Negros Occidental, July 1
TANGGOGOAN FESTIVAL, Mati, Digos City, July 1
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUIBANG, Gamu, Isabela, July 1- July 2
FESTIVAL OF OUR LADY OF PIAT, Piat, Cagayan, July 1- July 2
FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF WAWA (PAGODA SA WAWA), Bocaue, Bulacan, July 3 (1st Sunday)
BANANA FESTIVAL, Tagum, Davao del Norte, July 1- July 10
ARAW NG DAVAO DEL SUR, DAVAO DEL NORTE, DAVAO ORIENTAL, Digos City, Tagum City, Mati, Dvo, Oriental, July 1
GATAS NG KALABAW FESTIVAL, Cabanatuan City, July 1-7
ARAW NG PASIG, Pasig City, July 2
SAGAYAN FESTIVAL (MARANAO WAR DANCE), Tubod, Lanao del Norte, July 4
PHIL-AM FRIENDSHIP DAY, Baguio City, July 4
BANIG FESTIVAL, Badian, Cebu, July 3
ALEGRIA DE ISABELA, Isabela City, July 8
HUDYAKA FESTIVAL, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, July 12
LUBID FESTIVAL, Malilipot, Albay, July 12-16
SINARAPAN FESTIVAL, San Buenaventura, Buhi, Cam. Sur
July 14-15,
S’LANG FESTIVAL, Malungon, Sarangani Province, July 15
SUBAYAN KEG SUBANEN FESTIVAL, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental,
July 15-16
BINUHAT FESTIVAL, Tagum City, July 17-23
TINALAK FESTIVAL, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, July 13-18
CORDILLERA DAY, Baguio City/ CAR provinces, July 15-30
PAHINUNGOD FESTIVAL, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, July 16
EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL DAY, Baguio City, July 16
PADIGOSAN FESTIVAL, Rizal Park, Digos City, July 19
KALIGA FESTIVAL (STREET PAGEANTRY), Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, July 22
LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL, Libon, Albay, July 22- 25
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLNARIO MABINI, Talaga, Tanauan , Batanagas City, July 22
IBID FESTIVAL, Caibiran, Biliran, July 23
SUBILAN FESTIVAL, Batangas City, July 23
SINULOG DE TANJAY, Tanjay, Negros Oriental, July 24
KINABAYO FESTIVAL, Dapitan City, July 24
KINABAYO FESTIVAL (BATTLE OF COVADONGA), Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, July 24- July 25
KUTOO FESTIVAL, Cateel, Davao Oriental, July 25
KAUMAHAN FESTIVAL, Barili, Cebu, July 26
PAKAPYA-AGTIKE, Socorro, Mindoro Oriental, July 26
PANAGSOGOD FESTIVAL, Sogod, Cebu, July 25
KADAGATAN FESTIVAL, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, July 25
BUGANIHAN FESTIVAL, Compostela Valley, July 25-Aug 1
BALIKCARCANMADCARLAN CELEBRATION, Cantillan, Surigao del Sur,
July 25- July 31,
STA. ANANG BANAK TAGUIG RIVER FESTIVAL, Municipality of Taguig
July 26
ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF PAYE, Balimbing, Boac, July 30
ABAYAN FESTIVAL, Butuan City, July 31
SYENSAYA LOS BAÑOS SCIENCE FESTIVAL, Los Baños, Laguna
July ( no definite date yet)
KALAKAL FESTIVAL, Santa Maria, Laguna, July ( no definite date yet)
ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF PAYE, Brgy. Balimbing, Boac, Marinduque, July 31
SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA FIESTA, ComVal, Monkayo, July 31m

Photo Source: Google images
Festival information source: DOT Website