Blue Christmas

a blue and white christmas for ateneo's back to back championship and my kinder to high school alma mater's school colors too haha! and yes, world peace! merry christmas to all!

baked parmesan crusted pork chops

you may want to try this out for the new year or whenever.



• 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 4 bone-in center-cut pork loin chops (each about 1 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Orange wedges (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, sage and lemon peel in pie dish. Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend. Place flour on plate; season generously with salt and pepper. Coat pork chops on both sides with flour; shake off excess. Dip chops into eggs, then coat on both sides with breadcrumb mixture.
Melt butter with oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer skillet with pork to oven. Bake until pork chops are crisp on the outside and meat thermometer inserted into pork registers 150°F, about 20 minutes.
Transfer pork chops to plates. Garnish with lemon wedges and orange wedges, if desired, and serve.

Melt butter with oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer skillet with pork to oven. Bake until pork chops are crisp on the outside and meat thermometer inserted into pork registers 150°F, about 20 minutes.
Transfer pork chops to plates. Garnish with lemon wedges and orange wedges, if desired, and serve.




i'm not fond of religiously following recipes though especially as far as measurements are concerned. i just lumped them all and there it is. i love how the crust is flaky and tasty and crunchy and the meat so tender and yummy. sweet surprise, we all love it. happy eating!

Mga Napapanahong Bayani

To launch our new search for the Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2010, we conducted a mini search for local heroes the typhoon Ondoy has produced. This was mainly inspired by the story of Muelmar Magallanes, the 18 year old construction worker who risked his life to save many. Upon careful research by our staff, we managed to name 14 personalities each exhibiting unique stories of selflessness and heroism. This once again proves that our country is indeed never in dearth of noble people. Below are our Top Ten personalities with their stories. They were given apt recognition last Dec. 8 at the Dolphy Theater of the ABSCBN Complex.


CARLITO PABON, 27



from Montalban, Rizal is a tricycle driver who with the aid of an empty mineral water bottle and rope managed to save almost 5o people including little kids who were already trapped on top of their roofs. Their house was already submerged in water and the streets all flooded. His neighbors eventually helped him out and they were able to help more.

ERIC BOQUIRON, 33



I am pretty sure that you have seen this much publicized video:



Eric and his family including his wife and 2 kids aged 3 and 6 were in that make shift raft. He unfortunately lost them when their raft collided with some debris. He also struggled to save and old woman with them but he lost her just the same. Eric is still on the process of accepting his loss and dealing with the trauma the family has encountered.

CATALINO MERCADO, JR., 44



Mr. Mercado saved a family trapped inside their hut by using a raft made of banana trunks which he propelled crossing to and from a flooded area about 50 meters away. He also had with him some empty mineral water bottles and rope to tie little children and brought them to safety.

He is already 44 years old and makes a living mainly by accepting lotto bets. This humble life didn't deter him from not thinking about his own safety and proceeding to help out others instead.

SALVARIA BROTHERS



In two different areas, Joel and Joseph Salvaria who are both electrical repairmen in their neighborhood proceeded to cut off electric lines in their areas after having sensed the danger of the fast rising waters.
They then went on to save their neighbors trapped on their rooftops using rowboats and life jackets. This they did until dawn and till most of their neighbors helped out too.

VICENTE ORDOYO, 43



works as an equipment manager at an ongoing construction of church building at the Holy Family Parish in Provident Village, Marikina City.
On September 26, 2009 at around 10:00 that morning, he was to go home to their residence in San Joaquin, Pasig. However something was stopping him
until he saw the water rose up. Meanwhile around 50 or so senior citizens were having religious activities when the waters rose trapping them inside the church.
Vincent climbed rooftop, made a hole on it and took as
many old folks as he could. Using a rope as life line, one by one they swam from one fence to the other until reaching a higher building for safety. His story was featured in ABS-CBN’s The Profile, Oct. 03,2009 segment.

ROSALYN ALBERTA, 46



trapped along with hordes of others in Robinson's Junction in Cainta due to highly impassable roads, Rosalyn waited it out and had to pass along her mobile phone to those who had to call or text their loved ones. Unmindful of who she passes her mobile phone to, she was able to help them out communicate with their families.
She didn't also hesitate to charge her phone inside her car if only to accommodate more callers. The following day, she went around their neighborhood to ask them what they need. She gave them extra clothes and food and even mineral water from her own filling station.

ROGER CABALIW, 38 (+RIP)



Mr. Cabaliw was a vegetable farmer who after relocating his wife and children went ahead to save more people by transporting them to safer areas. Their house was heavily ravaged by the floods but this did not stop him from going out and helping other people. A few weeks after, he succumbed to leptospirosis which he contracted after having waded in flood waters in spite of a wound he got while saving more people.

His family did not know about his heroism till they all went to his wake to pay their last respects and show their gratitude for having him saved their lives.

MATTHEW GALANG, 31



Matthew Galang first saved his family to higher grounds and went back to save more people in spite of the dangers the high waters posed.

Being a resident of a rather secluded area, rescuers had a hard time reaching their place but using an empty mineral water bottle and some rope, Mr. Galang went back to their place and was able to save at least 50 more from their neighborhood.

ALBERT ROMMEL MENDOZA, 41



Using some rope and life jacket, Rommel swam from house to house to save stranded residents in their area in San Mateo. Some people even offered to pay him but he refused such offers. The following day, he also went to Provident Village to help out more people in need even if their own house was also submerged in flood waters and he had to relocate his family.

MUELMAR MAGALLANES, 18 (+RIP)



known to people close to him as Toto, he is but an 18 year old kid who was full of dreams and aspirations for his family. On that fateful day when Ondoy raged, Toto helped out and saved almost 30 people mostly women and children from drowning. A fast swimmer, his lithe an agile body wasn't enough to save himself though when a part of a wall collapsed and buried him alive after saving one last person. His body was found a day after floating in flood waters. His heroic act made it into the front pages and became an inspiration to many. He was also given several posthumous recognitions the latest of which is from Time magazine.

going green

i just have to share this.

i know my past blog entry was about a fish dish and here i am presenting you with another one *teehee*.

it's just simple fish and shrimps in green curry and although i thought the recipe at first was too daunting what with its numerous variety of spices and condiments and ingredients which i don't really know existed, i somehow manage to concoct something instant yet equally filling.

ingredients:

fish fillet (the lady at the supermarket tells me the variety that they had then was malapad na hasa-hasa, i don't know how it looks like when un-filleted so i didn't bother asking)

medium sized shrimps, shelled except for its tail (for effects i guess)

a tablespoon of green curry paste (which i merely picked up on the shelf)

ginger

green apple

chili leaves

green peas

a cup of coconut milk

soy sauce

chili flakes (optional)

steps?

saute ginger and curry paste
add fish and shrimps and saute it for about 5-10 minutes
add coconut milk let it simmer for 10 minutes
add in soy sauce, chili leaves and green apples
serve hot

and yes, when i mean hot it's really steaming hot and spicy. i must have eaten too much rice.

adding green apple was a technique i learned when we had this dish at Les Caraibes in Batangas. i'm not a fan of sayote nor cucumber and potatoes seem so ordinary. the crispiness of the apple was a refreshing contrast to the spicy kick of the curry and creaminess of the coconut milk. heavenly!

washing it down with Gilbey's Premium with green tea extract may also be a good idea. happy green friday!

something fishy

the truth is, i'm not really that a big fan of fish dishes. i find it malangsa and tinik ng isda irritates me. i don't mind having grilled or fried fish once in a while though. but frying fish in my tiny home with poor ventilation just gives me headaches. i can't stand the smell. and i don't eat paksiw and only tries out sinigang or tinola once in a while.

but since i'm not really getting any younger, i am slowly cutting down on red meats and now prefer concentrating on fruits, veggies and white meat instead.

i am now on the look out for simple fish dishes. i know i can't just forever have fried fish after all. i am currently a fan of this website http://all-fish-seafood-recipes.com/ and hopes to be able to prepare varied recipes.

here's my first attempt, baked fish fillet with mushrooms:

a few slices of filleted maya-maya
sliced mushrooms
olive oil
salt and pepper
onion powder
basil

it is fairly simple, i seasoned the fish with salt, pepper,basil and onion powder (fresh onions may be used, i can't stand it's smell so i'm using powder instead hihi).
drizzle some olive oil on the pan and arrange the fish and mushrooms on it. bake for 15 minutes (well, i don't have a real oven so i merely plopped it in my oven toaster for 15 minutes).
and just like that, it is done!
you may want to add a zest of lemon and some butter for added flavor.
or some more seasoning, your choice.


if you have any other fish dishes please let me know, but nothing complicated please.

experiencing summer

watching 500 Days of Summer made me realize that i am really not the pseudo-relationship type of girl. i could well relate with those free-willy, unlabeled, take-each-day-as-it-comes stuff but eventually both of you has to decide as to what the relationship should truly be about.

back in junior year, i learned this kinda big word from Fr. Dacanay for our Theo 131 class which is the "cathexis" from Scott Peck's the Road Less Traveled, it generally means "the collapse of one's ego boundaries". we let another person into our lives. we suddenly become bold and open, brutally frank and honest to this person. we are no longer coy in showing our true selves.

for a while i thought it so alien, so much more of a mystery to this rather proud self.

but you know what, time would come and you do find that person and have that eureka! moment.

you find yourself blushing and smiling by yourself. you would feel that icky, tingly sensations in your tummy. you might deem it as corny, cheesy, embarrassingly giggly but whether you admit it or not, being with the person and sharing yourself with them is just so freakishly wonderful.

but it doesn't end there. it should not end there. cathexis is not yet love.

one needs to decide to love.

love is not that bubble gum-my, strawberry scented feeling.

it involves a conscious act. an informed decision.

do you really want to go on waste each other's time playing and feeling giddy without really giving the other that security as to where it should lead to?

i once thought i could be that all-too modern girl who could feel all those wondrous feelings without having anything to hold on to.

to continue going on with the flow.

to merely allow it to take you wherever it is going to take you.

but labeling, boxing, putting words and tags in to what you have could actually make it feel so much better. you don't need to impose any more regulations, you only have to admit to both yourselves that "yes, i am with you, and i want you to stay with me",

and have that love story you have always wanted it to be.

otherwise, yeah, at some point in time you would have to let each other go and allow that person to find and be able to write the love story of their lives. and in the process, you open yourself up and get to find your own story too.

They made a statue of US!
The tourists come and stare at us
The sculptor's momma sends regards
They made a statue of us
and it's contagious
and it's contagious

Us (Regina Spektor)

Filipino Time

i hate waiting. i know it's a seemingly simple act but i do find it excruciating. i am generally patient with life but i simply hate it when i have to wait for something or someone.

i remember a long time back when we had a staff meeting but we could not start yet since one of the staff has not arrived. we all sat uneasily inside my boss' office, sat in silence and waited. then my office mate came in panting and apologetic but my boss seethed and said, "you don't do that again! have you no respect for other peoples' time?"

that just struck me. and i would remember it each time i have to wait up for someone.

respect for someone else's time... in meetings with friends or even for business meetings, we don't really have an exact time schedule right? we don't say 8pm instead it's dinner time or 8ish or between 8-9. and yet some people would arrive at 10pm, lol!

did you know that a year ago, Pres. Arroyo actually came out with an order that says November should be the National Consciousness Month for Punctuality and Civility? yes, there is such an order. maybe it's really about time we try to be punctual and not have to make people wait up for us unless we give advance notices. what's the use of mobile phones anyway.

i don't know why it has be on November. must be because the days are extra colder and it becomes such added effort to get up earlier? or maybe because DST in other parts of the world starts to take effect. whatever.

i am a bit guilty of being late too especially during mornings which is exactly why i don't like making appointments in the wee hours when my senses are still asleep. otherwise we have alarm clocks to SuperPoke us silly just for us to get up, don't we?

anyway, here's something from Lourd De Veyra which i caught on the news weeks ago. by the way, i am also currently hooked on ABC 5's TEN, i find their news bits more interesting and their discussions and commentaries more engaging. ;)

finding our own piece of heaven

i was browsing the net and asking people around for resort suggestions in the Batangas area for our staff retreat and felt stressed out after having been given so many, many choices. i had to draw a matrix, listed down the ideal resorts based on the location, price and amenities. i had to work on a low budget but i also didn't want to compromise quality. i finally chanced into one resort called Les Caraibes (pronounced as lei cara-ee-be) in San Juan, Batangas. it had the most competitive price, we had the option to cook or just order ala carte meals from their restaurant and it shares the same stretch of beach in Laiya with all the other resorts. i deemed it good enough and all i needed to do was hope their website and good reviews and the erratic weather work on our favor.





after about 4 hours of travel from QC passing through SLEX, Sto. Tomas, and finally San Juan in Batangas we reached the resort. we passed by Kabayan, Coco Grove, Blue Coral, Acuatico, Sabangan, Tivona and Tiramindu. farther down the beach stretch is La Luz Resort. it was drizzling a bit but the place looked calm and serene. we had a reservation in their cluster room which has 4 bunk beds and could accommodate 8 people but we saw the nearby kubos and just fell in love with its rustic, simple style. it was nearer the beach too. the kubo cost us 4000 for 2 nights and could accommodate 4 persons per room. it had a nice veranda too which served as a perfect venue for our retreat sessions.



i was initially apprehensive with the food because of the prices but it proved to be all worth it. their website after all boasts of their in house French Chef Philippe and so yes, each meal was an experience in itself. the food is delectable and truly well-prepared with all the flavors, spices, garnish and all.

these are some meals we had:




this is grilled blue marlin with lemon zest. it costs 800 but is good enough for 8 persons even more.



this pork sinigang costs 350 pesos and is said to be good for 3-4 pax but of course it was enjoyed by all 8 of us! it's not your usual maasim na sinigang sa sampaloc. we don't really know what the chef added their but it had a lot of pepper and some red spices and a lot of vegetables. it was perfect for my hangover!




this is called Moroccan chicken, it is grilled and added with orange slices, garnished with eggplant and bell pepper, parsley, etc. and added with flavored tortilla. they say it's an authentic Caribbean cuisine. it costs 800 for 8 people but we had a lot of left overs we were able to have it again for breakfast the following day.

meals cost us 1600 to 1800 for all 8 of us, it reached a whopping 2600 though on our final dinner when we had three main entrees and drinks and ice cream dessert. the price is all worth it though and we were all sated.

the sun shone brightly the following day that we were able to enjoy swimming and sunbathing. the water was cold but clear, the sand was fair, a bit coarse but not that rocky.




all in all we had a truly perfect experience. the sand may not be as powdery fine as Boracay and all those other white sand beaches but this one is good enough. and it is much nearer to Manila. the staff are all warm and accommodating, the basic amenities are well thought of and provided for. and their bar is open for 24 hours! they have great music selection too from rock, alternative, house and old blues and sounds.

given the chance, i would not mind going back and enjoying the place once more. their website is at www.lescaraibesresort.com and can be contacted at 0920-9706985.