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“The Pandesal Kid” named Delmer!

My daughter and I did our early routine, walking in our neighborhood early in the morning. When we were almost home a kid showed up on the corner and yelled “Ate you want pandesal? It’s still hot”. I said to Jean we will just buy later at the bakery shop  since it’s too early. While following the path of that kid, I told Jean I think we’ll just buy so that the kid will make a little bit of money. So we then called the kid and told him we will buy some. I asked him how much per pandesal? He said it’s 2 pesos each Te (kids here called the older to them female “Ate” or “Te” – short for Ate).  So we bought 20 pieces. I gave him 50 pesos and told him to keep the change.

Delmer

Delmer

Then I was asking him what’s his name? Where does he live? How old is he? And what school is he attending? He answered my query. His name is Delmer. He lives in Maa, a bit far from us. So I asked him if  he walk from Maa to our subdivision? He said yes. Wow, he must starts waking so really early. He said he’s 13 years old. He’s attending public school in Maa. The sad part is he already quit school before and now again because the mom gets mad at him every time he comes home late. He said he comes home late due to he had to stay later in school because the teacher still teaches the slow reader kids. And he is one of them. So to satisfy his mom, he quit school. I guess the mom would rather have Delmer sell pandesal than go to school everyday. Delmer looks like a really good kid and very respectful. He probably thanked me a dozen times.

Delmer the pandesal kid

Delmer the pandesal kid

I was really telling Delmer before we walked separately away from him that he should try to go back to school next year and not stop. I told him if he won’t finish up at least high school he will be continue on getting lower job since he had no education. His mom works as a stay out helper for somebody near their house. The dad’s job was collecting plastic bottles, cardboard and metal stuff (They call it here “bote bakal”). So really they don’t make that much. I think he said he has 2 other siblings.

It really makes me sad that so many kids here have to stop school because they have to help making money for the family at a young age. It’s one of those unending cycles going on here in the Philippines.

I wish those families that struggle to live in the city will go back to the province and try to raise poultry and pigs for meat. And make a small garden for a start then maybe expand later to sell. Sad part for so many of these people they don’t want to live in the farm. Even though they struggle living in the city, still they stay. I know for one family, our laundry lady, they have a farm not far from here in Davao. But she said she doesn’t want to live there because it’s too quiet for her. Her husband and kids said the same thing.

Anyway, I’m really hoping for the best for Delmer. By the way, he is a 5th grade student. I’m really hoping he will continue his studies next year and will continue on until he graduates high school. I’m crossing my fingers for him. So many kids like Delmer here in the Philippines. Hoping for the best to all of them too.

Cheers!

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Have you tried Ginataan? How about binignit?

I am writing here about one of the famous dessert “The Ginataan in Tagalog Binignit in Bisaya”. It is  one of famous dessert in the Philippines!

Made most especially during All Souls Day and All Saint’s Day. You probably wonder what’s that event I’m talking about? Really it’s the day to remember and honor the people that close to us who passed on. It’s on November 1st (All Souls Day – they said for the adult that died), November 2nd (All Saints Day – for the young one that died). It’s one of the big holidays here in the Philippines. People will gather in the graveyard of the loved one. Some even stayed in the cemetery overnight or the 2 day event. Some offer food for the loved one that died. I think to some of you that are from abroad that lived here already and experienced the event, I’m sure you’ve observed that people will be staying at the cemetery overnight having a party. Big restaurants even put kiosks near the cemetery. I’ve seen Pizza Hut, Greenwich Pizza, Jollibee and others have booths there. Those cola companies sell there too.

Ginataan - Binignit

Ginataan – Binignit

But one of the desserts that almost every Filipino household has during that event, that would be the ginataan or binignit. I know it is present in my family. But in every family the recipe of the ginataan and binignit will not be the same. I know for certain in my household there are certain ingredients that I don’t and won’t include and that would be the taro root, ube and squash. But with other household that might be their favorite. So really to each his own. LOL. I will be sharing with you our recipe.

“The Bayoy-Martin Ginataan/Binignit Recipe“

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups coconut milk
  • 8 cups of water
  • 2 cups of brown sugar
  • 1/4 lb langka (jackfruit) julienne cut
  • 4 pieces of banana (Saba here in the Philippines) (plantains) cut into cubes
  • 3 pieces of sweet potato (kamote) cut into cubes
  • 1/4 lb landang (palm flour jelly balls in English, not sure what you call that in Tagalog))
  • 1/2 lb of ground sweet rice (glutinous rice balls)
  • 1 lb sago (tapioca pearl or tapioca balls) different colors (red,green, blue, beige, yellow & white)

Procedures:

  1. To make the glutinous rice balls, moisten the rice flour with water just until it sticks together. Roll the dough into 1/4 inch balls.
  2. On the side, boil water for the sweet potato and banana to be cooked. It is better to cook it separately so that it will be quicker.
  3. First put around 8 cups of water in the pot(big pot preferably) and let it boil. Then gently drop around half cup of sweet rice or regular sweet rice will do and the sweet rice dough balls, let it simmer until the rice becomes soft and the sweet glutinous rice balls will rise on top when its cooked.
  4. Next, put the palm flour jelly balls (landang). When the landang softens put the coconut milk about 4 cups and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Then, put the one cup and a half of sugar, stir, add more sugar if needed. Keep tasting until you reach your desired sweetness. Then, add the rest of the coconut milk and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Next, drop the tapioca balls and let it continue to simmer for 10 minutes and keep stirring it, so that it will not stick to the bottom of the pan since the coconut milk makes it thicker. Then put the jack-fruit and let it simmer for maybe 5 minutes, then put the pre-cooked banana and sweet potato and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste again if its the sweetness you desired. if lucking add sugar before it cools down. Enjoy!!!

What’s the food that you are preparing during the All Souls/All Saint’s Day? Ginataan? Binignit? It might just be for us here in this part of the country. This might not be so famous in your area. Would like to hear if this is one of the fave in your family? What you guys do during that day? Feel free to share here.

Have a good visit to the cemetery. Stay safe too. Many people drink there too. I’m not talking just drinking pop though. You know what I mean?

Cheers!

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Would you buy medicines at Generics Pharmacy?

I was really pondering over this very topic for a long time now. I noticed that a lot of Pinoys will not really buy their meds at Generics drugstore. Reason being they said that they don’t trust the place, Generics pharmacy selling good medicine. They really think that those medicine that were being sold there were all fake. I was shocked with their reasoning. You know who is really the one that doesn’t believe in the pharmacy? The people that can’t even afford to buy medicine.

I was talking to a few of my previous laundry ladies and helpers, they said they needed medicine and I told them to get it at  The Generics Pharmacy and even told them the nearest Generics, the location near their house. I could tell the sour faces. I asked them why they acted like that? They said their neighbors said and heard from somewhere that the medicine there were all fake and not good. I told them that we’ve been using medicine from there for a long time and we are still alive and okay. I even told them we know lots of doctors get meds from there. It’s really hard to explain to people when their mind is already made up. As if you’re talking to a concrete wall. I just continue on telling them that it’s their choice, not mine. If they have so much money to buy the branded meds then go for it. To each his one I guess.

The Generics Pharmacy

The Generics Pharmacy

We are buying lots of our medicine there. I was asking my family what pharmacy they’re buying their medicine from. They told me that they buy majority of their meds from Generics too and one other pharmacy that similar to Generics (I can’t remember the name of the drugstore) they sell cheaper meds also. Some medicine were not available with Generics then we’ll buy it in the other pharmacy like Amesco, HB1, Watson, Rose pharmacy and to name a few are good too. Many other good and reliable pharmacy all over the place  the Philippines. Mercury is the famous one here in Davao. I was thinking they’re the first famous pharmacy in the Philippines. I just Googled the company. The largest pharmacy chain here in the Philippines. Founded in mid 1940’s.

If a person is admitted in the hospital here mostly they will give the prescription to the patient’s family and they can either buy the medicine from the pharmacy at the hospital or go out and go to the pharmacy that you are comfortable buying it from. After buying the medicine just drop the medicines at the nurses station where your patient is assigned to. You can buy plenty of over the counter medicines there. Lately all pharmacy now are asking for the prescription for all amoxicillin/penicillin products. Really too bad some people just abuse the medicines. Then they get hooked and it so hard for them to kick the habit off. Not too many rehabilitation places here in Davao for the people that get hooked. I don’t think the government will pay for it. Not even sure if PhilHealth pays for it.

Anyway, is there a Generics Pharmacy in your area? Give them a try. By the way, I’m not paid from the company. I was just thinking too many expats talking about not so much money and can’t afford to buy medicines. So why not try buying at the Generics pharmacy and see for yourself.

Cheers!

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Prejudices in the US & here!

I’m writing about the prejudices that I’ve experienced in the States while living there for 10 years. Not really too many instances but it happened to me. It’s not really shocking but in many ways I also wonder why would some people do that kind of thing.

Really it happened to me when Chris was about a year old or two. Bob and I really liked to go for a short drives to small towns in either Washington or Oregon area & the coast. We went near to the town where Bob grow up in Oregon. He was showing me the places that he and his sibling went for their grade school. It was a nice little town. Good to raise young kids. Plus he also was introducing me to the lady that was close to his family that resides in that small town. She’s kind of the lady to go to with the kids. She’s a good and special teacher. On the way there Chris was sleeping. As we were approaching the town Chris woke up and wanting to eat. So since it’s still not eating time we decided to get him some fries. So Bob stopped at a small restaurant. Its really just a take out place.

On the Oregon Coast - I loved my time in the States

On the Oregon Coast – I loved my time in the States

 

So Bob & Chris stayed in the car and I jumped out of the car and went to the small take out place. I was standing just at the take out window and wanting to order, there were 2 white ladies inside and they can see me. They’re just like a few feet away from me. I started talking to them wanting to order. I was being ignored. I figured maybe they didn’t hear me since they’re chatting. So I said it again and they didn’t listen they just continued on talking and ignoring me even though they saw me. I waited for another minute and still they didn’t turn around and take my order. That hits me, Bob & his parents kind of mentioned to me about some people in small town has tendency to be against other races. So it hits me that this must be one of those small towns that had narrow minded people. So I decided to just go back to the car.

At Mount St Helens

At Mount St Helens

Bob asked me where’s the fries? I told him they don’t want my money. They’re ignoring me. Bob was gonna go to that place and give them some piece of what’s on in his mind. I told him to just not worry and just let them be. They’re just idiots and uneducated. But honestly inside of me was already boiling. Bob told me to not accept that kind of behavior of others. I guess he taught me well. After that it really did change me a bit. I’m not accepting those kind of attitude anymore. Especially now with my kids being bullied. Not going to accept it.

But the sad one was Bob’s best friend in high school. Before I came into the picture, Bob was talking to his best friend regularly. He lives in different State. He would call Bob or Bob would call him. After he found out Bob was married to me and I came from different race., that really changed everything. Bob would call him and he never called back at the house. Not sure if he called at Bob’s work (I can’t remember). I did talk to him once just a few weeks after I got there in the US. He seems nice but I think because he grew up differently, its hard for him to change. We never met in person though. I guess not my loss, it’s his. Bob told me that whoever would not accept me as his wife, he is dropping them. So far that best friend of his was the only one. Every one in his family and friends were so nice and so friendly to me. With Bob’s cousins the kids especially and his nephew. Lord have mercy they go gaga over me. LOL… At least some were so loving with me aside from Bob. :-) All in all my stay in America its good. Love my time there. Was happy to be with Bob’s family and my friends and neighbors. I’m happy knowing lots of people there. Same thing if any of my friends/family won’t accept Bob, I’m dropping them too.

Here in the Philippines was another story. It’s funny now but it was hurtful at first though. We came back to the Philippines I was just a month after giving birth, C-section, to my youngest son. During my pregnancy I really gained. I had some problems with my pregnancy. After giving birth with the moving and packing and preparing to come here I didn’t think of losing weight there. So I came here I weigh like 145 lbs. It was a good transition. A friend already had a house ready for us to rent here. It was really nice and in a good neighborhood. Did you know that the tricycle driver told me that I had to pay double because I was big. Then my helpers told me that some of those drivers said to them “Oh your employer is that big lady?”. Wow, I was hurt but I can’t just blow them off. How can I get to them, they didn’t even pass grade school. If I get mad at them as if I’m also not an educated person. What will I gain on that? But OMG, I really would like to give them a piece of what’s on my mind. God knows how much I really held back. Thankfully I still had my self control. Thank God for that. LOL

I guess really anywhere we will experience prejudices in our lives. Just know how to handle it that it will not hurt your life. I know it’s not easy to say. Some people really suffered hard. I wish with the internet people are more open and accepting.

Cheers!

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Are the in-charge doing their job right?

I was just reading my Kindle and Bob just told me something that really bothered me. He said something about a winner of the beauty contest in Bukidnon who was stripped of her title and her other awards. I asked him what’s the reason for it? Bob told me about the girl being an American citizen. He told me that he will give me the link. The name of the lady is Miss Marah Luz Smith.

So I read the link. So Miss Smith was born in the States, at the age of 3 the family moved back to Bukidnon. The mom is a Filipina. The thing that gets me on this, before the contest there supposed to be a committee, supposed to be overseeing all the contestants. It showed she passed all the requirements or she’s not gonna be there on stage and be the winner. Then, all of a sudden they felt that she’s not eligible to be the winner so just take it away from her. Is there rules on the contest that mix race were not allowed? How can you justify the stripping of her winning if the committee even said she was good to join before the contest? What made them change? It’s mind-boggling to me.

Ms Bukidnon Pagent

Ms Bukidnon Pagent

I’ve seen some contestants for our beauty pageant here the big one contest for Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth and others that compete abroad. Some of those contestant were born abroad and grew up there. You can tell they even had the accent from the country there from. Then the beauty contest committee were okay from it. They’ve been sent to other countries to compete. What’s the difference with the one from Bukidnon?

With the dilemma of Miss Smith it got me thinking of when my son was thinking of going to Philippine Science High School. When we went there to inquire wow the paperwork of a mixed race kids to be admitted to the school were just slim. When we saw the requirements to get to be admitted it’s just like  going to get a Philippines passport. The list were just endless. :-)  Even studying on the regular school here the mixed kids really had to pass lots of papers. Which I’m not complaining about. At least they had someone there to tell you that your papers are good or not. Same with the papers with Miss Smith they gave her the A-okay.

How could they miss looking through the papers of Miss Smith? She’s probably the only mixed race contestant on that contest. Or one or two of them. For me it’s just not fair to strip the title if the committee missed out doing their job. If Miss Smith doing bad stuff to shame the title holder then that could be justified.

What do you think guys? Feel free to share your thoughts here. I’m just hoping that the committee will see what they’re doing to the young lady. She’s really devastated right now. Hopefully they resolved the matter soon. Good luck to Miss Smith and her family. Hoping for the best for her.

Mabuhay!

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