A Prayer of Hope for Bohol and Central Visayan Region

October 15, 2013 is an unforgettable day for Filipinos in the Central Visayan Region.  A destructive earthquake of 7.2 magnitude shook the island of Bohol and nearby provinces. The epicenter is found in the interior of Bohol, 6 kilometers south of Sagbayan town .  My parents are Boholanos and I was born there.  My father is from Carmen and my mother is from Loay, Bohol.  Both towns were affected by the earthquake.  Although we now live in Laguna (Luzon Region), most of our relatives and friends are there in our home province.  I am deeply shocked and saddened by the devastation brought by the earthquake which is now recorded as one of the deadliest in our recent history.  People lost their homes and are staying in the streets and evacuation areas where they feel safe. The aftershocks made it very hard for the emergency workers to retrieve bodies trapped in the rubbles. The death toll now is over 170 people and rising. Infrastructures.... power lines, roads and bridges are heavily damaged making it difficult for relief goods distribution.  It is heartbreaking  to know also that the centuries-old churches are destroyed by the quake.  The churches in Bohol is a distinct collection of Roman Catholic Churches built during the Spanish Era and these are our National Heritage.  At least ten (10) churches are damaged and heritage experts will do an assessment and hopefully restore these national treasures.

LOAY CHURCH 

(Photos from Wikipedia and GMA Network)

This is the  Santissima Trinidad Church   (Most Holy Trinity Church) of Loay, Bohol founded in 1815.  I was born in Loay and I was baptized in this church. 

LOBOC CHURCH

(Photos from Time4teaparty and GMA Network)

Originally built in 1602, the Church of San Pedro in Loboc is the second oldest church in Bohol.

THE BACLAYON CHURCH

 (Photos from Wikipedia/Elysplanet)

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, Bohol is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines founded in 1596.

 DAUIS CHURCH

(Photos from Wikipedia and Inquirer)

  The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, Bohol on the Island of Panglao which was built with a mixture of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture.

 MARIBOJOC CHURCH

(Photos from Wikipedia and Rappler)

The Santa Cruz Parish Church is located in poblacion, Maribojoc and was founded in 1768.  It entirely crumbled to the ground.

LOON CHURCH

(Photos from Wikipedia and Inquirer)

The Church of Our Lady of Light (Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish) is the biggest church in Bohol which was built between 1855-1864. It was completely destroyed by the earthquake.  This statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was found undamaged.

 CHOCOLATE HILLS 

(Photos from  Bohol-Philippines and Philstar)

Bohol's famous chocolate hills in Carmen, Bohol was not spared by the quake.  The viewing deck to see these beautiful hills collapsed as well.

DAMAGED HIGHWAY IN GETAFE, BOHOL

(Photo from Interaksyon)

BRIDGE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CORTES COLLAPSED

(Photo from Channel News Asia)

A HOUSE THAT FELL IN THE RIVER IN BUENAVISTA, BOHOL
(Photo from Yahoo News)

The Loboc Children's Choir of Bohol sings "The Prayer" to bring hope for the people in the Visayan region affected by the killer earthquake

The All-Time Favorite...Pandesal !

 Pandesal is a popular Filipino bread roll

Today, I tried making Pandesal, an all-time favorite of every Filipino. This bread was introduced during the Spanish Era in the Philippines.  The name came from the Spanish phrase"Pan De Sal" meaning "Bread of Salt" or salt bread.  It is not salty though but slightly sweet.

Ingredients :

2        Cups all purpose flour
2 1/4  Cups  bread flour
3        Tsp dry yeast
1        Tsp baking powder
1/2     Cup sugar
1        Tsp salt
1        Egg
1 1/4  Cup milk
4 1/2  Tbsp melted butter
1        Tbsp vegetable oil
Bread crumbs for coating

Directions :

1.   In a small bowl, combine and dissolve the yeast and sugar (Get 1 tbsp from 1/2 cup sugar) in warm milk  (115 degrees fahrenheit). Let stand for 10 minutes and set it aside.

2.   In a big bowl, combine and mix the all purpose flour, bread flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar.

3.   Add the melted butter, vegetable oil, egg and the yeast mixture.  Mix continuously until the dough is formed.

4.   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 mins. or until the dough is elastic and smooth.  Kneading the dough manually is tiring but if you have a mixer or dough kneader it will be so easy.

5.   Prepare a lightly oiled bowl and transfer the dough. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise for at least an hour in a warm place.

6.   After letting the dough rise,  transfer it into a lightly floured surface so it will not stick.

7.   Divide the dough into four equal parts using a dough slicer.

8.   Roll each part until it forms into a cylindrical shape like a log and cut each log into equal pieces.

9.   Coat each sliced dough with the bread crumbs and place it into a lightly greased baking tray.  Make sure you place it flat side down.

10.  Cover the tray with a damp cloth and let it rise for 20 minutes.

11.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

12.  Bake for 13-15 minutes and serve hot.

Freshly baked hot pandesal

Hawaiian Pizza Delight

My Hawaiian Pizza

Craving for Hawaiian pizza ? This one is very simple to make as I used a ready made pizza dough or crust.  It saved me time in preparing the pizza dough especially when you are in a hurry. There are many variations of Hawaiian pizza but this one  is "easylicious" (easy and delicious)  with only pineapple, ham and cheese as toppings.

Ingredients :

1   Large  pizza crust or dough (ready-made)

1   Envelope Del Monte Quick and Easy  pizza sauce (Italian or sweet depending on your preference), 115 g

1   Small  can  of pineapple tidbits, drained

1/2 Cup ham, diced

2    Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions : 

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit.

2.  Brush the crust with olive oil and place it on a pizza pan.

3.  Spread sauce on pizza crust. Top with cheese, pineapple and ham.

4.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until crust is crisp and cheese is melted.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A Slice of Carrot Cake

I told myself that every week I am going to bake some pastries and goodies to improve my baking skills.   This weekend,  I made a moist, yummy and flavourful Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting. Carrot is  an excellent source of vitamin A, and a good source of vitamins C and K, fiber and potassium.

My carrot cake fresh from the oven

 Here are the ingredients of this soft and yummy carrot cake:

3     Cups  grated carrots
2     Cups  all purpose flour
4     Eggs
1 1/2 Cups white Sugar
2     Tsp. ground cinnamon
1     Tsp. baking powder
2     Tsp. baking soda
1/2  Tsp. salt
1     Cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 Tsp. vanilla
1     Can (8 ounce) crushed pineapple with juice
1     Cup chopped cashew nuts

Ingredients for the frosting :

2    Cups confectioners' sugar
1    Can (8 ounce) cream cheese
1/2 Cup softened butter
1 1/4 Tsp. vanilla
1    Cup chopped cashew nuts

 Directions  :

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit  (175 degrees Centigrade)
2.  Grease and put some flour into the 9x13 inch baking pan
3.  Combined the dry ingredients in a large bowl : Flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cashew nuts.
4.  Combine the wet ingredients in another bowl and mix  : Eggs, oil, vanilla, pineapple, carrots.
5.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until fully mixed.
6.  Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake in 40 mins.
7.  For the frosting, combine the confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla and beat until smooth. Then add, the cashew nuts.

Preparation Time : 30 mins.
Cooking  Time     : 40 mins.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Million People March to Luneta !

Million People March to Luneta

August 26, 2013

August 26, 2013 is Philippine Holiday commemorating "National Heroes Day."  Today, we do not only remember and honor the national heroes throughout the Philippine history.  This is a significant day for ordinary Filipinos from all walks of life as they participate rain or shine in the "Million People March to Luneta".  The controversy surrounding the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam which  broke out recently linking the now fugitive Janet Lim-Napoles to several legislators.  It was said that Napoles had established a number of NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) which were getting financial assistance for projects from some Legislators' Philippine Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).  The said NGOs turned out to be bogus and Napoles and some legislators were said to have pocketed the fund and benefited from the Filipinos' hard earned money.  This controversy was highlighted in various media which ignited the anger of millions of Filipinos prompting them to go out and hold a big rally versus "Pork Barrel" and corruption. It was very disgusting to hear this at the time that a number of Filipinos were affected by the heavy flood and torrential rains and who were in need of great help. 

Big Rally vs. Pork Barrel System at Luneta Park

Photo from Xinhuanet.com

Protest against corruption

Juana Change, a comedian disguised as a pig joins the Million People March

Photo from GMA Network

People and pigs call for the abolition of the pork barrel
Photo from Inquirer.net

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) show support to the anti-pork barrel rally
Photo from GMA Network

This message was shared in Facebook

Where is  Janet-Lim Napoles ?... I think she disguised herself into a frog (Posted in facebook)

Jeanne Lim-Napoles, daughter of Janet Napoles  and her lavish lifestyle (Posted in facebook)

This van which resembles like a pig was described as "The Senators' Van" which was posted in Facebook

No to Pork Barrel !

Yummy Banana Oat Muffins

Banana Oat Muffin

It was a special non-working day in the Philippines last August 21, 2013 to commemorate the martyrdom of the late senator, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. so this gave me some time to practice baking and to try my newly purchased La Germania 600 Series model :).  I sticked to La Germania brand since our old gas range and oven had been with my family for over 20 years now and is still working.  The oven feature is now out of order so I bought a new one.

I have some riped bananas at home so I decided to make banana oat muffins, a high fiber version of the banana muffins with the addition of whole-wheat flour, rolled oats and raisins. Hmmm, this is going to be so yummy !

Here are the ingredients :

*  1    Cup whole wheat flour

*  1    Cup all purpose flour

*  2    Very riped bananas, mashed

*  2    Eggs, lightly beaten

*  1    Cup brown sugar

*  1/4 Cup canola or vegetable oil

*  1/2 Cup rolled oats

*  1/2 Cup golden raisins

*  1  1/2 Tsp. baking powder

*  1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon

Instructions:

1.   Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit

 

2.  In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients - whole wheat and all purpose flours, baking powder, cinnamon and rolled oats.

3.  In a medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients - riped bananas, brown sugar, eggs and oil and mix until smooth.

4.   Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until incorporated and add the raisins.

5.   Place the paper liners into your muffin pan and distribute the batter evenly.

6.   Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Preparation Time : 10 mins.

Cooking Time      : 20 mins.

Total Time            : 30 mins.

Freshly Baked Banana Oat Muffins

The Wrath of Habagat Strikes Again !

Aerial Shot of the Philippine deadly flood

 Photo from the  Department of National Defence (DND) 

This week the Philippines once again experienced the wrath of "Habagat" (Southwest monsoon). Manila and most parts of Luzon submerged in water due to heavy rains.  Tropical storm "Maring" has been pulling the Southwest monsoon resulting to torrential rains in Luzon. Many Filipinos in affected areas were evacuated and needs HELP !

South Luzon Express Way flood near Southwoods

People traveling in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) were stranded due to flash flood.  Vehicles were engulfed by heavy flood.

Roads turned rivers and people are the fishes.

Despite the unfortunate event, this man did not forget his four-legged friend, his dog :)

A boy carrying his furry friend while walking in floodwaters.

Photo By Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

 Rescuers pulling a rubber boat in Las Pinas City. Filipino Bayanihan spirit in action.  Bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity and cooperation

From : Yahoo News

 The Town of Binan, Laguna submerged in water

This photo was shared by my friend in Facebook.  Prior to moving to Santa Rosa City,  I lived in Binan for more than 10 years.  I finished my high school in this town and became a member of the choir in the church you see in this photo, the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church.  Sad to say "Habagat" did not spare this town.

 Let's light a candle and pray for our country

The "I SHINE" Little Stars

 My dogs ~ Scotty, Pom-Pom, Rudolf and Cupid with some kids during the TV Filming

Yesterday,  I did an early morning walk with some of my dogs at  Nuvali man-made lake.   Nuvali Evoliving is an Eco-friendly and the largest self-sustainable community in the country developed by Ayala Land. 

 Nuvali 
 Photo from ayala-properties.com

I noticed that there were trucks and vans with the ABS-CBN logo on the vehicle's body.  ABS-CBN is a major commercial television network in the Philippines and the country's largest media and entertainment company. I guessed they were doing a filming for a TV program or a commercial that day.

While we were walking, a man approached me and introduced himself as one of the ABS-CBN production crews.  He said that their director saw my dogs and would like to include them in the filming with some children. He then ask for my name and mobile no. to get in touch with me. I lived 5-10 minutes away from Nuvali so I decided to go home first to take my breakfast.  I am sure the filming will not start soon.  I just got home  and I got a call from a lady named April from  ABS-CBN but I missed it since I was driving at that time.  She sent a text message requesting me to be at the venue near  Nuvali lake for the filming with the dogs at 9:30 AM.  I arrived at the venue with my dogs accompanied by two house members and my parents at almost 10:00 AM.  My parents were curious what the filming was all about so they decided to come along. We had to wait for an hour for the dogs' turn.  They were not done yet filming the dancing and singing presentation of the children.  It was already getting hot and my dogs were getting tired. It was good that  I brought water and food for them.

ABS-CBN Network was filming for the Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp.  Promil Pre-School is a powdered milk for children 4-7 years old and manufactured by Wyeth Philippines.  It contains nutrissentials, a unique combination of essential nutrients plus Lutein which is an important antioxidant for the eyes and DHA and AA which helps in the optimal visual and cognitive development of children.

Promil Pre-School Powdered Milk

 Photo from ishine.abs-cbn.com

Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp, in partnership with ABS-CBN, is a TV reality show where 12 pre-schoolers will undergo thematic workshops in an effort to bring out the best of their creativity, resourcefulness and sheer talent.

 Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp 2 is shown every Saturday at 10:00 AM at ABS-CBN Channel 2.  It is a nationwide search for talented kids ages above 3 to 7 years old.

Photo from facebook.com/promilpreschool

 Hosts of Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp 2  : Xian Lim, Dimples Romana, and Matteo Guidicelli

The children who were trying to memorize their lines.  The assistant director was helping and coaching them deliver their lines.

One of the talented boys holding my dog, Nina and getting ready for his part

For me, here are the REAL STARS of the day.... My little stars and I am proud of my dogs :

CUPID

 RUDOLF

POM-POM

SCOTTY

NINA

Okay doggies...Get ready ! Lights, Camera, Action :)