The Bewitching Ilang-Ilang

If you would choose between a green-colored fragrant flower and a bright yellow-colored odorless one, which flower would you choose? If your senses prefer something that smells good rather than something that looks bright and colorful, take the green-colored flower. Chances are – it is an ilang-ilang.

The ilang-ilang's ordinary green shade and its flippant petals seem indistinct as it clings to the branches of its tree. But stand even two or three feet away from a tree profuse with its blooms and you will immediately notice the indistinct flowers. Its bewitching fragrance will make you want to have your own ilang-ilang by your house.

Do you want to see an ilang-ilang? If you are far from the countryside, go out to the streets of Metro Manila and keep an eye out for street kids who sell sampaguita leis. Buy a sampaguita lei that has one or two green flowers at the end. Now smell the wonderful fragrance of an ilang-ilang... and be bewitched.

Looking back at the Manila Sound

The early 70s witnessed a rhythmic undercurrent that played to soothe the dark hotbeds of unrest brought about by the imposition of Martial Law. The Manila Sound played to youth reveling in the freedom that music gave within the confines of a largely conservative society innately religious and reserved.

Behind this backdrop, the alternately serious and carefree Filipino youth danced music and sang to songs describing life's problems and saccharine sweet lyrics of love and desire – Filipino style. Who else would dance to lyrics like “..ang puso ko'y dinurog mo, sinaktan at binitin...”! Filipino youth wept and shook their fist at life's hardships one minute and then danced and laughed to the beat of Manila Sound.

Listen once again to Manila Sound and see the face of the Filipino – reserved yet passionate, practical yet romantic, demure quiet, funny, and daringly aggressive.

The Fruit from Heaven (or Hell)

There are those who swear that the durian tastes heavenly. Then there are some who swear when they get a whiff of the durians' odor. Yes, the durian has had its fervent admirers and also its share of detractors. But even among the durian fruit's supporters, disagreements abound as to which variety is the best.

Some durian fans claim that the local or native durian (from Davao) with its creamy taste is the best. Others insist that the deliciously milky Arancillo variety is “to die for.” Still, there are others who swear by the deeper-yellowish tinged sweetness of the Puyat variety.

Nowadays, the durian is cultivated the whole-year round. You can purchase a kilo or more of this famous “odorific” fruit at most fruit stands in Metro Manila and in almost every street corner in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. No need to wait for the traditional durian season of September to October just to get a taste of this fruit which, they say, “tastes like heaven, but smells like hell.”

Lazy summer afternoons and Syato

Memories of warm summer afternoons pregnant with laziness that would be broken by extended shouts of “siyatooooo....” never fail to bring a smile to those who took part of this game in their childhood.

For the uninitiated, syato is a game using 2 uneven branches, a shallow hole dug in the ground, agile hands and a loud voice. It doesn't need USB ports, surround-sound speakers and compatibility isn't an issue. Syato combines bending, kneeling, arm swinging, catching and running – a good exercise workout combination without having to spend a thing. The winner in syato gets bragging rights, and the loser gets another chance to challenge him on the next lazy summer afternoon.

So, who wants to play a game of syato?

Passports then and now

For centuries, governments have issued passes of safe conduct to travelers. These passes came in various forms. Some were letters of confidence drawn on papurys signed by the Vizier (the Pharaoh’s right-hand man) or bearing the Pharaoh’s royal seal. Others came in the form of precious stone rings that were special only to the King or rings that bore the seal of the Kingdom.

The use of passports as compulsory documents of travel is a practice from the 20th century. Roman emperor Augustus was the first one who released a certificate of travel with these phrases: “If there be anyone on land or sea hardy enough to molest [the traveler], let him consider whether he be strong enough to wage war with Ceasar.”

Yup, that’s how precious and important passports were during the time of the Roman empire. Passports were designed to keep the traveler safe, even if he is in a different country.

Is this how you feel about your passport today?

Listening to VST & Co. once more

Traveling back to the music of the 70's, one group stands out for having brought to us, not only music, but songs that mirrorred the humorous and fun times in our lives that we could dance to. Yes, VST & Co. showered us with Pinoy-flavored disco music at a time when the music of Donna Summer, the BeeGees and ABBA were reigning in our airwaves.

For those of us who were lucky enough to have danced along Philippine disco hits such as “Disco Fever” and “Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko”, VST & Co. really made our younger years fun. They even made falling in love and courtship memorable with their songs. How can we forget “Ikaw lang ang aking mahal” and “Ewan Ko”, two of their more famous songs about love and devotion.

We can't really mention all their songs here. They have so many good songs and each one of us have our own set of favorites. So tell us, what is your favorite VST & Co. song?

Hilaga, Pampanga and Food

Did you know that Pampanga has a tourist village called Hilaga? This village showcases the beauty and culture of the four Northern Regions of Luzon. Hilaga features each region through its exhibit walls and food booths, and it also houses a bird and botanical garden.

But this isn't the only attraction in Pampanga. What it is most famous for is its food. Which is not surprising considering that Kapampangans really take their food seriously – each dish having the right amount of spices and having the appropriate accompanying dip or sawsawan. In other words, if you will be eating Nilagang Baka, be sure to have patis with kalamansi on the side. Almondigas? Prepare toyo and kalamansi since that goes best with it. Fried Pork Chop? Chopped onions swimming in vinegar with a little siling labuyo thrown in for that added bite is the perfect companion.

Pampanga has produced some of our more famous dishes. This province gave us the longganisa (sweet and spicy sausage – pork, chicken or fish), kalderetang kambing (goat stew), and sisig (which is made from pork cheeks and ears)!

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to have some of that Kare-kare (partnered with bagoong alamang, of course).

The nipa hut and our land

Travelling by land on the Ro-Ro Nautical Highway to Mindanao, you will notice the profuse growth of 'nipa' as the road traverses by the seaside. Once in a while, after rows and rows of of nipa, you will notice clumps of houses made of nipa, with women and children washing clothes in the middle of the nipa growth. Water is plentiful in the area where nipa thrives.

Even before the Spaniards arrived, our ancestors used nipa for their houses. Commonly used for the “bahay kubo” (nipa hut), the nipa is thatched for the roofing of the hut. It makes the hut cool and keeps out the rain. If the nipa gets too brittle, it is replaced and a new roof made of nipa is built.

The bahay kubo in the middle of a vegetable garden, an image preserved by the traditional folk song – bahay kubo, serves as a symbol of our country's simple nature and rich natural resources. Small yet surrounded with nature's bounty, It is a very apt image of the Philippines, a small country that has been blessed with the sea, the sun, and arable land.

The Fruit from Heaven (or Hell)

There are those who swear that the durian tastes heavenly. Then there are some who swear when they get a whiff of the durians' odor. Yes, the durian has had its fervent admirers and also its share of detractors. But even among the durian fruit's supporters, disagreements abound as to which variety is the best.

Some durian fans claim that the local or native durian (from Davao) with its creamy taste is the best. Others insist that the deliciously milky Arancillo variety is “to die for.” Still, there are others who swear by the deeper-yellowish tinged sweetness of the Puyat variety.

Nowadays, the durian is cultivated the whole-year round. You can purchase a kilo or more of this famous “odorific” fruit at most fruit stands in Metro Manila and in almost every street corner in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. No need to wait for the traditional durian season of September to October just to get a taste of this fruit which, they say, “tastes like heaven, but smells like hell.”

Sharing pasalubong. Sharing happiness.

We love to bring home pasalubong to our loved ones – even if we just came from a trip to the  city market and not necessarily after coming back home from a trip to another part of the country or to another country. The word 'pasalubong' comes from 'salubong' which means 'to meet'. This means that we give gifts to those who care enough about us that they even meet us when we arrive from our travels.

Most pasalubong are food items or delicacies. Travel to the various regions in the Philippines and you will find that most of the items being offered for pasalubong are the regional delicacies which the people are proud of. These would also be the items your family or friends would expect you to bring to them. For example, if you went to Bicol, we would be expecting some pili nuts from you. If you had gone to Cebu, your bags would be smelling of danggit or dried pusit, and some packs of dried mango would be peeking out of your carry-all. And what if you came from the North, say from Vigan? Some longganiza would surely be appreciated.

Giving pasalubong makes both the receiver and the giver happy. For the giver, it is his way of saying, “I want you to see and experience what I saw and did.” And for us who receive pasalubong, our thanks simply means, “thank you for bringing to me a part of your trip that I may see and feel it myself even if I didn't go with you.” Yes, pasalubong not only means sharing food and what-nots, it means sharing happiness, wishes and blessings to everyone. 

Summer time. Baguio-time!

Each summertime, hordes of families troop to Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines.” It seems that everyone wants to escape from the intense summer heat and feel the cool mountain air of Baguio City, filling its streets and parks, and causing gridlocks around the center of town.

Aside from the cool climate, Baguio is known for its fresh vegetables and, of course, the strawberries. You can find vendors hawking small strawberries and large-sized strawberries in abundance or you could easily take a short trip to a strawberry farm nearby. One of the city's top snack offerings though is verbally offensive as it is called “sundot-kulangot” which sounds even worse when translated into English (poke the booger). Once you get over feeling squeamish at the idea of eating booger, it's actually very nice. This snack is actually made of milled glutinous rice, cooked with mollases and placed in pitugo shells. To eat it, you have to poke the small, “kulangot”-sized portions in the shells with a stick – hence it's name.

Hmm...do you think we could recommend eating “sundot-kulangot” as one of the obstacles the next time a foreign reality show steps foot in our country?

Reminiscing APO

Listening to music from the '70s and '80s, you will surely come across songs like “..pumapatak na naman ang ulan sa bubong ng bahay...” and “..tatlong beinte-singko lang ang aking kailangan...” These songs were made popular by the group APO Hiking Society. Originally made-up of 13 students from the Ateneo de Manila, this number slowly whittled down until the Apo had only 3 regular members left – Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo.

Though many years have passed and the three of them have been sporting gray hair, the Apo Hiking Society can still pack a crowd in their concerts. Their wit and humor are the reasons the Apo has a good following (aside from their singing, of course). Their songs have never failed to touch a chord within us as they mirror the joys, hopes, fears, tears and heartaches that we struggle through every day.

Let's take some time to relax a bit and unwind while singing along to Panalangin, one of the songs found in The Best of Apo Hiking Society Vol.1.

Panalangin

Words and Music by Jim Paredes

I. 

PANALANGIN KO SA HABANG BUHAY 

MAKAPILING KA, MAKASAMA KA 

YAN ANG PANALANGIN KO-OH 

AT HINDI PAPAYAG, ANG PUSONG ITO 

MAWALA KA, SA ‘KING PILING 

MAHAL KO IYONG DINGGIN

II. 

WALA NG IBA PANG MAS MAHALAGA 

SA TAMIS NA DULOT NG PAG-IBIG 

NATING DAL’WA… 

AT SANA NAMAN MAKIKINIG KA 

KAPAG AKING SASABIHIN 

MINAMAHAL KITA…AAAH

(REPEAT I & II 2X)

III. 

PANALANGIN KO SA HABANG BUHAY 

MAKAPILING KA, MAKASAMA KA 

YAN ANG PANALANGIN KO-OH 

AT HINDI PAPAYAG, ANG PUSONG ITO 

MAWALA KA, SA ‘KING PILING 

MAHAL KO, IYONG DINGGIN

REPEAT III 3X

 

SOURCE: http://www.apohikingsociety.org/music.shtml

Long Live Philippine Cuisine!

Most Filipinos know what happened on June 12, 1898 – the date of the declaration of Philippine Independence from Spain. But few of us know what the significance of September 29, 1898 is. Care to guess? (Hey, no fair…don’t google the date!)

On this day, the town of Malolos held a celebration to commemorate Philippine Independence. And what a celebration it was! Arcos de cogon, arcos de ramage, and arcos de cana y nipa decorated the Malolos train station and the whole town. The streets were filled with lines of soldiers and bands played national airs. But the highlight of the celebration was the special lunch that was prepared for the VIPs and for the common people.

Of course, the government officials and other important people at that time had French-sounding food to eat (according to historian Ambeth Ocampo, they even ate ice cream!). But the rest of the people in town feasted on tinolang pugo, inihaw na isda, agachonas (snipes), sesos (carabao brains), lengua, menudillos, tortillas, gallinas, mazapans, and lots of fruits!

Hmm…carabao brains anyone?

Bridging the Gap with Harana

Ask the young ones what is harana and they’d probably say, “Oh, the song of Parokya ni Edgar!” Those days when the harana was a popular and cherished past-time among the young crowd is gone.  

The harana was a widely-practiced form of courtship way back during Spanish colonial times. It was practiced with a set of protocols, a code of conduct, and a specific style of music. The practice of harana was passed on through generations and until the use of electricity was widespread, the harana was at its peak. In some far-flung barrios, the harana is sometimes still practiced to this day. Few are aware, though, that the harana’s origins are actually older – from pre-colonial Philippines. 

The harana is a traditional form of courtship music. A young man would court a young woman by singing underneath her window in the evening when it is cool. Bringing along with him a guitar and friends who will give him additional courage (or help him sing if his singing voice isn’t that pleasing to the ear), the young man serenades by the window, offering love beyond compare, and hoping to gain an invitation into the house from the young woman.  

The Mabuhay Manor brings back the experience of the harana to this generation. . Guests and diners at The Mabuhay Manor’s Sutukil Restaurant can experience the harana as they take their dinner by the poolside. Unlike the traditional harana, the young man who sings and his guitarist-friend do not seek to be invited into the house. The Sutukil’s harana wants to share the experience of listening to the intimate sound of soft guitar playing to the lyrical poetry of the Filipino language in songs all throughout the cool, tropical night. 

Bugtong

The bugtong is made up of a sentence or question carrying a double meaning that challenges the listener (or reader) to discover and solve. And what makes the bugtong so pleasant to the ear is that it is a riddle (palaisipan) in rhyme!

There are bugtong’s that require sharp intelligence to decipher the metaphors that lie hidden in its meanings. There are other bugtong’s that are hiding behind humorous characterizations. Whatever the form, the bugtong always makes us laugh and think at the same time.

Let's stop awhile and treat ourself to solving a few bugtong's. Can you figure all of these out?

1. May isang prinsesa, nakaupo sa tasa. (There was aprincess, seated on a cup.)
   
2. Balat niya'y berde, buto niya'y itim, laman niya'y pula. Sino siya? (His skin is green, his bones are black and his tissues are red. Who is he?)
   
3. May langit, may lupa, may tubig, walang isda. (There is sky, there is land, there is water but no fish.)
   
4. Isang magandang dalaga, di mabilang ang mata. (There was a beautiful lady, whose eyes you couldn't count).
   
5. Kumpoi-kumpol na uling, hayun at bitin-bitin. (A bunch of charcoal, hanging here and there.)
   
6. Nakatalikod ang prinsesa, mukha niya'y nakaharap pa. (The princess has turned around but her face is still facing us.)
   
7. Baboy sa pulo, ang balahibo ay pako. (A native pig, with nails as hair.)
   
8. Binili ko ng mahal, isinabit ko lamang. (I bought it for a high price but i just hung it.)
   
9. Bawat dahong itinatapon ay lumilipas na panahon. (Every leaf that is thrown is time that passes.)
   
10. Limang magkapatid, laging kabit-kabit. (Five siblings, they're always together.)

Have fun! :)

Jumping to the Tinikling

One-Two-and-one-two-and… This is the jumpy beat of the Tinikling dance. Amidst the clashing of two long bamboo sticks, dancers twirl and jump in and out of the bamboo sticks, making sure not to get caught between the sticks.

The Tinikling comes from the province of Leyte. The dance was said to be an imitation of the movements of the Tikling bird as it tries to escape the bamboo traps left by rice farmers.

Whenever the Tinikling is danced in another country, there is an audible gasp as the rhythm of clashing bamboo gets faster and faster. The contrast between the fleetness of the feet and the sweet flowing arm movements lends a charm to the dance that “wow’s” the audience every time.

Would you want to try dancing the Tinikling?

Sutukil Restaurant: Where you can find the true taste of food

The first settlers in the Philippine Islands cooked over open-fires, roasting and stewing freshly caught fish and fowl, game and root crops. Years passed and our islands were ruled and influenced by foreigners yet we still retained our culture: our stories, traditions, songs, dances and, most specially, our food. Healthy and tasty, food and flavors were handed down from generation to generation.

Sugba, tula and kinilaw are traditional cooking techniques which do not overpower the palate with fancy sauces and fatty mixes, rather, it brings out the simple but rich innate flavor and aroma of good food. The Mabuhay Manor’s Sutukil Restaurant specializes in using fresh ingredients and utilizing these Filipino cooking techniques, passed on lovingly through generations. Guaranteed to bring out the sweet fresh taste of food that only the finest natural ingredients can produce, the Sutukil Restaurant promises to bring you home to where food tastes as it should – fresh, tasty and healthy.

What’s in an ordinary Balikbayan Box?

Seasoned travelers know how to pack their own stuff but ask them to pack your Balikbayan box and be prepared to be met with blank stares. The challenge of packing a Balikbayan box is one that has taken most of us years to master. To those who are unaware of the significance of the Balikbayan box, you might ask “But what is so difficult about packing stuff in a box?”

The Balikbayan box has its social role and significance. Tied to it are the pride, joy, love, anticipation and hope of each balikbayan. Every balikbayan who is about to visit the Philippines wants to cram everything inside the box – as if wanting to let his loved ones experience all that he saw, tasted, touched, smelled and felt in a country so far, far away. Nothing gives balikbayans more joy than the excited ‘ohhs’ and ‘ahhs’ of ate and kuya, tito and tita, inay and tatay, and everyone else in the barangay!

Yes, the Balikbayan box is not an ordinary thing. It’s where you can find love, pride and joy – where else in the world can you find that in a box?

Send Money? Find the Best Way

With so many portals for sending money all over the globe, it is so hard to know which is the more reliable AND economical portal. Let's list some of the more commonly used portals for sending money to the Philippines.

• Western Union – Funds get transferred almost immediately, in pesos or US dollars, and there are a lot of Western Union branches all over the country. Catch: quite pricey.
  

• Money Gram – Funds get transferred almost immediately and rates are cheaper. Catch: not so many branches in the US and in the Philippines.

• U.K. MoneyGram – Funds can be deposited at main post offices in the UK and can be withdrawn at any PNB branch in the Philippines. Catch: fee for sending up to £100 is £12 rising to £150 for £5000.
  

• RemitHome.Com – Online payment portal that transfers cash, either deposited in a bank overseas where the recipient can withdraw it, or a courier delivers it, in cash, to the recipient's home. Pay a flat fee of $10 to send up to $1000. Catch: slower than the other methods.

to be continued...

Easy-living

Passing by their breakfast table, I greet James and Nelly Walek, two of our long-time guests. Whenever they come home to the Philippines, they stay at The Mabuhay Manor.

“Come join us for breakfast!” says James. As I sit with them, Mark serves him a platter of bacon and bacon omelet. “That's one thing we like at The Mabuhay Manor,” says Nelly. “If there is something we want, like that bacon which is not available in your breakfast buffet today, they try to give it to us.” Of course, I say. We always try to give what our guests want – as long as it is possible, I hastened to add.

As Nelly adds a squeeze of kalamansi to her orange juice, she shares to me how James now wants to live in the Philippines permanently. “I love the weather here,” interrupts James,. “it's so unlike New York...oo cold for me there now.”

Amidst more laughter and stories, I reluctantly leave the lovely couple who happily smile and wave goodbye. Riding the elevator, I pray that God grant James and Nelly all the happiness their gentle souls deserve.

Breakfast with a Heart

Hotels usually serve breakfast buffet to their guests, and The Mabuhay Manor is not an exception to this. But guests of The Mabuhay Manor all agree that breakfast here is special.

For balikbayans who have been away many, many years, breakfast at The Mabuhay Manor's own Lola's Restaurant is where balikbayans feel that – yes, they are back home. As the buffet tables burst with the smell of crispy dilis, salty tuyo, smoky tinapa combining with the special aroma of paksiw, dinuguan and adobo – images appear - of home, of fun and laughter, of lovingly prepared dishes by lola years and years ago.

Breakfast at Lola's Restaurant means coming home to warmth, love, and tummy-filling satisfaction.

On Beaches, Paksiw and Travelling

While having breakfast at The Mabuhay Manor's Lola's Restaurant, I chanced to chat with a couple who had just arrived from touring some of the best beaches the Philippines has to offer. Lou and Maria Hirota are both from New York and the last time they came home to the Philippines was last 2000. “We've been to different countries. We love to travel,” shared Lou. In between bites of paksiw, Maria regaled me with funny (and not so fun) stories of their travel to Bohol, Boracay and Palawan since they arrived last February 8. But despite the occasional 'irritating' incident when they were going around the beaches, all-in-all Lou and Maria said they still enjoyed their vacation. Their relaxed and happy veneers showed how true this was.

I finally say my 'goodbyes' as they happily munch on the kutsinta (topped with grated niyog) and puto from the breakfast buffet and wish them a good journey back to New York. Hope to see you again, Lou and Maria!