Tin-tin's Cravings

Tin-tin is my buddy. She's like a second mom to my kid, always around in our house almost every weekend (ika nga, laging nakakalat sa bahay namin yan since college days pa!). First, she's one of Clark's (my brother) friends in Olivarez College, then eventually, we became friends. She's like a sister I never had.

Last Saturday night, she was pestering me about eating ice cream or ice craze in Jollibee. Like most weekends, she's here spending the night over. Though, she's still sick from abusing herself... several nights of not sleeping because of beadwork! (feeling mommy talaga ng anak ko pati sya super busy sa mga costumes!) I gave in to her request. I even went out to Jollibee with her in my pajamas... hehehe! Unfortunately, the ice craze products weren't available. We ended up going to Mercury Drugstore to buy ice cream and my hubby's medications. We tried Nestle's new product... "Trio" (cheese, chocolate & melon flavors), it's only php 149.00. It's yummy and cheap. Even Luigi, liked the cheese flavor! By the way, Luigi is the newest member of our family. My next post is all about him, our puppy (",)

The next day (Sunday), for our snack (merienda), we called Jollibee to deliver us the Ice Craze products, My hubby and I had the saba con yelo. Tintin and Lola got the ube-keso. My kiddo got his ever favorite, Jolly Hotdog. Kuya Arcel also gave us his version of "Pancit Canton". He used fresh canton noodles bought in Batangas. It's like miki minus the stinky smell (",)

Sbarro's Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Garlic Stick & Spaghetti with white sauce

Due to my little one's busy ice skating schedule last month. These pictures are one of those I weren't able to post on this blog. I love eating at Sbarro. Even my hubby who didn't like Italian Cuisine learned to love their food. It's my first time to try their "Chicago Deep Dish Pizza", it tasted good but still my favorite is their "Pan Pizza Supreme" and of course, "Ziti with white sauce". We even tried their "Spaghetti with white sauce and Garlic stick". Nothing to rave about like their "Ziti" but it's okay too!



Chicago Deep Dish Pizza



Garlic Stick and Ziti with white sauce



Spaghetti with white sauce & Garlic Bread

SM- Summer Skate Manila 2007

Last week, May 15-18, my son joined the "SUMMER SKATE MANILA 2007" held in SM-Mall of Asia. Out of 6 events he joined, he got 5 gold and 1 bronze medals.

GOLD
- Delta; Solo Program (Technical)
- Solo Spotlight (Light Entertainment)
- Couple Spotlight (Light Entertainment)
- Stroking
- Surprise

BRONZE
- Speedracing




My son's skating club (ELITE BLADES SKATING CLUB) & home rink (SM-SOUTHMALL ICE RINK) got the "Over-all Team Champion" for garnering the highest points and having the highest numbers of members joining the said competition.

Now, my little one is busy and having a great time with his swimming lessons everyday. But still, 2-3 times a week, he's still at the rink polishing his skating. He's getting ready for the upcoming international competition, "SKATE ASIA 2007" in August. It will be held here in the Philippines at SM- Mall of Asia. Our first time to host an international ice skating competition.

more pictures....

"Quick Pork & Squash Recipe"

It's been over a month since I post something on this blog. I've been very busy with my little one's skating. Almost everyday we are at the rink practicing and polishing his skating. If ever I'm at home, it's time for the household chores. Luckily, my hubby is around to help me. He's still here for his vacation, still thinking if he will go back or not to his work abroad.

I will post very soon my son's pictures and if possible his video c",)

Last night, we had a late snack (merienda), plain congee (lugaw) topped with lots of toasted garlic & tokwa't baboy at around 6pm. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of it, we were too hungry! We had our dinner at around 10.30 pm... hehehe! It's almost like midnight snack! My hubby requested something with veggie. So, for a quick fix, which by the way, I didn't feel like cooking, I came up with this recipe.


You'll need:

• 2 tbsps of cooking oil
• 3 cloves
• 1 large onion
• 2 red plump tomatoes
• 1 slab (250 grams) pork belly
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce
• 1-1/2 tbsp of soy sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 slice (300 grams) squash, seeded & skinned

Here' how:

Clean pork. Cut into 1/2" x 2" cube. Set aside. Cut squash into 1" cube. Set aside.

Finely mince together the onion and tomatoes. Using a mortar and pestle, pound finely the garlic.

In a wok, put oil. Heat thoroughly. Put garlic. Saute until rich golden brown in color. Add the onion and tomatoes. Cook until limp. Put pork, pepper & fish sauce. Stir-fry until pork changes color. Pour the soy sauce and water. Put the lid on. Bring to boil. Then, reduce heat to low for 18-20 minutes.

Add the squash. Increase heat to medium-high. Cover. Cook the squash until done, about 6-8 minutes.

Serve with warm cooked rice.

"Easy Menudillo"

One of my variations to the ingredient that is ground pork. A quick dish.... very easy to prepare. A common Filipino dish which is served in many ways and different names.



You'll need:

• 3-4 tbsps of cooking oil
• 4 cloves garlic, pounded finely
• 2 pcs red onion, minced
• 350 grams lean ground pork
• 1 medium size potato, chopped
• 1 small carrot, chopped
• 1-1/2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1-1/2 cup water
• 1 pouch (115 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded & finely minced
• 1 small pack raisins
• 2 tbsps grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp iodized coarse salt
• 1-1/2 tsp white sugar
• 1/2-3/4 tsp ground black pepper

Here's how:

In a pan, put oil, heat lightly. Add the garlic. Saute until golden brown. Follow the onion. Cook until translucent. Add the ground pork, potato and carrot. Stir-fry for 6 minutes or until pork changes color. Pour the soy sauce. Continue stir-frying for 2 minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix. Cover. Bring to boil. Then, lower fire, simmer for 15 minutes.

note:
if cheese is not available, just double the amount of salt.

"Chicken Gravy Surprise"

An experiment combination of food.... of what's left inside my refrigerator. The good thing about this dish, my little one loved it! (",)


You'll need:

• 2 tbsps + 4 tbsps
  
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 2 thin slices of ginger
• 2 tbsps of soy sauce
• 1/3 tsp ground black pepper
• 3/4 kg chicken thigh & leg, cut into small serving portions
• 2 tbsps all purpose flour
• 2-3 tbsps cream of mushroom powder
• 1-1/2 cup of water
• 1 tsp of iodized coarse salt
• 3 cloves of finely crushed garlic
• 3 pcs (200 grams) white onion, thickly sliced
• 2 pcs finger chilis, seeded and cut into strips

Here's how:

In a bowl, combine the first-five ingredients. Mix well. Stand while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

In a another bowl, put the cream of mushroom powder and water. Stir until it dissolves. Set aside.

Using a non-stick pan, put 2 tbsps of oil. Heat thoroughly. Saute garlic until light brown only. Add the onion and finger chilis. Stir-fry for 10 seconds. Remove from pan. Set aside.

Back to the pan, put the rest of the cooking oil. While waiting for it to get hot. Remove the garlic and ginger slices from the marinade (reserve the marinade please!). Then, dust the chicken with flour on all sides. Fry the chicken until half-done only.

Meanwhile, put the reserved marinade to the mushroom powder and water mixture. Blend well. When chicken is done. Pour the mixture. Add salt. Mix. Cover. Bring to boil. Simmer in low fire for 20-25 minutes (turning once) or until desire thickness of sauce. Remove from fire. Put the garlic-onion-chili stir-fry. Mix well.

Serve with hot cooked rice.

Candy Confetti Donut

A pasalubong from my kiddo and hubby. My favorite donut at Gonuts Donuts.

"Quick Cornedbeef, Potato & Cabbage Recipe"

A very quick and cheap recipe. Easy to find and prepare ingredients. This dish goes well with rice.


You'll need:

• 2 tbsps of cooking oil
• 1 tbsp crushed garlic
• 1 large red onion, saute'-cut
• 1 small can (155 grams) cornedbeef
• 1 pc (130 grams) potato, julienne
• 1-1/2 tbsp of fish sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/4 ground black pepper
• 250 grams cabbage, cut up

Here's how:

In a wok or kawali, heat oil. saute garlic until golden brown. Follow with onion. Cook until limp. Add the cornedbeef, potato and fish sauce. Stir-fry until fragrant. Put water. Cover. Bring to boil. Put the oyster sauce and black pepper. Simmer in low fire for 4-5 minutes. Add the cabbage. Cook until crisp-tender. That's it! (",)

"Togue at Tokwa Guisado" (Mung Bean Sprouts & Tofu Saute)

A variation of my recipe, "Mung Bean Sprouts Easy Saute". I just added fried and cubed tofu at the end of the cooking.

Durian Eating

Being in Davao, it's a must to try their popular fruit which is the "King of all fruits" known as Durian. For me, it's not really foul-smelling as everyone would think about it. I did try it and it's delicious but its too much for my taste buds.... too creamy and yummy! (na-umay ako!). Well, they say, it smells like hell but tastes like heaven (",)


Wikipedia defines Durian as...

the fruit of the tree of the genus Durio belonging to the Malvaceae, a large family which includes hibiscus, okra and cotton. Widely known and revered in Southeast Asia as the "King of Fruits", the fruit is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and a formidable thorn-covered husk. It comes from the Malay word duri (thorn) together with Malay suffix that is -an (for building a noun in Malay), meaning "thorny fruit".

There are 30 recognized Durio species, all native to Southeast Asia and at least nine of which produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market; other species are sold in their local region.

The fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter and typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lbs). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown and its flesh pale-yellow to red, depending on the species. The hard outer husk is covered with sharp, prickly thorns, while the edible custard-like flesh within emits the strong, distinctive odour, which is regarded as either fragrant or overpowering and offensive. The taste of the flesh has been described as nutty and sweet.



My hubby fondly eating the durian flesh at Paradise Beach Resort in Samal City.



My brother, Clark, munching the "Durian Pie". It's like our version of Buko Pie but with much more filling and with a different twist of flavor.



Blugre's "Durian Larchpuccino" (the white drink on the left side of the photo). It tasted like the real thing but in drinkable form.

Despedida (A Farewell Party)

These photos were taken the day before we left Davao that was last April 1. It was kinda-like a small get-together celebrating our 2 remaining days of our Davao summer vacation. My friend, Tin and I were wondering what's the taste of pizza in Yellow Cab. Yup, we're here living in Manila but still hadn't tried it. The verdict? We were disappointed, including my hubby. No good! Still, nothing beats the pizza in Sbarro!


Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza from Yellow Cab.



Takoyaki and Biko.



Spaghetti topped with lots of grated cheese.

Puto... Kutchinta... Kalamay!

On our first morning in Davao, we were awaken by the shouting of "puto... kutchinta... kalamay ..."(of course with the binisaya accent!) by the lady vendor who we fondly called "Manang". She goes around the subdivision every morning to sell her products. For the whole week we stayed there, we were her loyal consumers. Her three products are really yummy. I personally liked the kalamay c",)

Puto, Kutchinta and Kalamay are some of the sweet desserts a.k.a. "Native Kakanin" known here in the Philippines

Super Ferry 15

It had been a week of fun in Davao. It's time to head back home and do our everyday routine. My kiddo wanted to stay but we have plans and schedules that we needed to do and follow. This time we sailed back to Manila in Super Ferry 15. It was a three-day ride, with the route "Davao City - General Santos City - Cebu City - Manila". We left Davao City, April 12 at 11.45 pm. We arrived at South Harbor, Manila, April 5 at around 4.00 pm.

It was quite an enjoyable ride, my first time! We almost slept throughout the voyage. Eating all the time on our waking hours! hehehe! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of the food we ate on the ship (naalala ko lang kuhanan tapos na kaming kumain!)

Super Ferry's accomodations were okay. We got the stateroom. They have friendly staff though I must say their rooms needed some renovations (it smelled cockroachy to me!)... plus the airconditioning needed to be repaired, it wasn't able to make the room colder (malamig pa sa hallway!). They should also fix the receiver of the cable tv too! (puro chanel 2 ABS-CBN lang ang napanuod namin!) which by the way I hate watching because all the time it's telenovela! (wala ka man lang matutunan puro drama!).

And one more thing, about the food... I know it's a hassle to fall in line to wait for your food but it's worth it cause the food there is much more delicious than the one's being served inthe restaurant. My hubby and I having the accomodation for the stateroom and my friend, Tin, she got the cabin accomodation. Our food is served in a dine-in restaurant of the ship. While my son having the tourist accomodation, which by the way, we payed half of it only because he's under 12 yrs old, needed to fall in line for his food. What I did everytime it's meal time. First, I fall in line for my son and got his food, bring it upstairs and dine with us in the restaurant.

Super Ferry 15 sailing....



Super Ferry 15 Directory.



at the view deck.



The port of General Santos City.



approaching Cebu City...



In the background you can see SM- Cebu.



Room 301 (Stateroom)



Sunset at Cebu Port.



My hubby and I, playing with the camera (",)



sight-seeing while sailing ...



Addams Family (nognog na kami!)



We're almost home.... approaching South Harbor, Manila.

Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort - Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

These photos were taken at Samal Island, Philippines.


approaching Samal Island.



Angkan ni Corazon going to Samal Island.



Jarod & Maman.... riding the speeding boat.



having fun under the sun!



Yaban and Maman .... parehong siopao!



trio (Jarod, Yaban & Ogene)



after a day in the beach.... eto ang tatlong batang negnag at wasted na!



angkan ni Corazon with Tin-tin.

Jones Beach Resort - Davao City, Philippines

According to my brother, this beach is the version of Matabungkay (pang-masa baga!). The only difference is, the water here is still clean. The sand though greyish black in color still have shells you can pick and it's clean also.

Tumble Tots' International Moving-Up Ceremony

In our family, he's nick is Jarod. But in school, he's Ethan. He just finished nursery and this coming school year (2007-2008), he'll be in kindergarten. The baby of our clan (siya ang pinaka-bunso sa lahat kaya laging pinagkakatuwaan!)



Ethan having fun before the ceremony begins



Ethan with Mommy



Ethan with teacher.... crying!



Ethan and Tina .... tsoo-tsoo train!



Ethan with classmates --- dance presentation "Bop to the Top"