I must be getting old already, I should say for not getting the new trend of the younger ones. I had a conversation with my new helper. She came from the province not really far from GenSan. She was narrating to me how hard the life they had. How her dad is just staying home most of the time instead of working. Her mom and her were the ones going around in the fields looking for wild veggies for them to sell to the market. Her dad a lot of times asked her mom for money for his cigarettes and load for cell phone.

I asked her does her mom give the money? She said she has to or else her and her mom will be beaten or will receives not so nice words. I said why don’t you guys go to the DSWD or something to seek help that your dad be put to jail or something. But typical the wife will just let it slide and forgives the husband and moves on. My helper said that’s the reason why she wants to work to help out her mom. She said that lots of times they don’t have food. They just had to get some sweet potatoes or just drink some water.

So now that she’s working, I could tell that she’s really wanting to help. She just doesn’t know what her priorities are. She told me that the first thing she wants to buy when getting paid would be a cell phone. I told her I’m not trying to push or interfere with your plans, don’t you think that first thing you should buy would be personal things and clothing? She’s using our older model cell phone here at the house anyway. She said she wants cell phone that have camera and music. Hmm, that puzzles me because we have radio also at the house too. Well, when she got her money she immediately bought a cell phone. Really I don’t really say much to our maids now. They can do whatever they want to do with their money. I heard today that her mom was asking money from her for their food. So I asked her what did she told her mom? She said that she told her mom that she already bought a cell phone and that she had no money now. I just said okay.

Cell phone is the priority

My helper keeps on telling us that she had disabled sister that her mom takes care of too. That’s why a few times they don’t have food on the tables especially if her mom didn’t go out and find veggies in the fields. Her dad doesn’t help out taking care of his disabled daughter. The mom doesn’t trust him on taking care with the disabled daughter because he will slap and hit her sometimes. She’s even teary eyed when  talking to us about it, and I’m sucked to that sad story that I really wanted to help her out too. But hearing her priorities that really changed my mind now. I told her that I am willing to help out but that person that I am helping were so willing to help herself too. I even told her if she’s good and trying to improve herself that I will help her on her studies. I told her I don’t think she wants to be maid forever. I really want for her to succeed especially that she has a special sister to take care of. Bob and I are softies when it comes to special child. As you know we have one too.

I don’t mind my maids having cell phones but do the job first before texting and chatting. My previous maids listened to the FM radio stations with the Dear Abby kind of show. The DJ will give out cell phone number that those people wanting friends and one of the listeners was my maid.  Gosh, they were so busy with their cell phones then. Even washing dishes using just one hand. Of course the dishes were not clean. Man they can’t concentrate on work anymore especially if you are not around in-front of them. It’s quite annoying that the simple job it takes forever for them to get finish. So I told my helpers I don’t mind you guys texting and talking to your family as long as works done properly. I even told them that if emergency come up their family can call or text me or my nieces anytime.

Have to really set rules for helpers. I had to let go of my other helper a few days ago. She doesn’t want to work. Every time I saw her she was just sitting around and let my other helper do the job. When she applied she told me that she knows how to cook local dishes, when she came here to work she doesn’t know any Filipino dishes. Sus, I’m not happy with her. We had to part ways with her. I could sense also that she will do what one of my maid did. Going out in the middle of the night bringing stuff that didn’t belong to them. Have to say goodbye before its too late. I’m more at peace now than when she’s her. As always I am really hoping for the best of the worker that we have here.

UPDATE:  After only a few weeks of working, long enough to earn money to buy a cell phone, this maid quit.

You probably wonder why I am writing a post about malls here in Davao City. Well, I just want to share with you here the difference between the period of time since we first moved here almost 13 years ago. I can definitely say that from that period to now, there is an enormous difference. When we first moved here Davao just had few malls and to name we had Gaisano Mall, Gaisano Ilustre or Gaisano South CitiMall, Victoria Plaza, NCCC Uyanguren, One Gaisano store somewhere (I can’t remember the location), Newly opened SM opened 10 years ago, NCCC Mall opened a few years after SM, and Chimes about 5 or 6 years ago. The fancy one over the years was SM City mall & Chimes. With-in less than 2 years ago 2 more malls opened and they are the high end malls. Going around Davao was just easy and fast. No Traffic. Now, though, traffic is a nightmare!

Vic Plaza

Victoria Mall - located in Bajada. I think really most people that shop there are the masses. They just like the simplicity of the mall. People are not intimidated in entering the place just wearing shorts and flip flops. I like to shop there too because I like to see their kitchen stuff on the third floor. For me they have more kitchen stuff to chose from.  I also like to see their fabrics and craft stuff there, they used to have good selections, not that much now. Most of the second floor, stalls, were selling cheap brand of clothes which affordable to the masses, I like to window shop there. At the grocery stores some products were cheaper from the other stores. Lots of other stores and kiosk inside the mall. They had post office and other shipping courier there too.

GMall

Gaisano Mall or G-Mall - Located in Bajada too. I’ve heard people say it’s the largest Gaisano Mall in the Philippines.  Especially now, they just had an expansion and more parking space. Not too far from Victoria mall. They are also serving similar to Victoria. G-mall is way bigger than Victoria.With good restaurants upstairs at the expansion and also computer stores too. I’ve heard people saying that G-mall had the cheapest prices for clothing and other stuff. I like to go there personally, they have more imported products to chose from at the grocery area compared to others malls. I just like to browse around and see what they have there at the grocery store. Me and my niece like to see what they have for baking. They also have good kitchen products there. I also like to go to the hardware store there near to the kitchen wares store and grocery stores.

Gaisano South

Gaisano South Citimall Davao - Similar to the other malls. With grocery stores at the ground floor, kiosk and other small eating area. With pharmacy and hardware stores downstairs. With parking lot at the underground area. They also have good clothing lines  for sale with good prices too. At the fifth floor a very good Italian restaurant there, they serve good pizza and pasta. Love the osso bucco and the risotto there. Just talking about food makes me hungry here.

The C

NCCC Mall or Bob likes to call it “THE C” - It caters to A, B and C classes of people. People with sari-sari stores like to shop there. They sell large quantity of products. I tried buying at the wholesale area buying stuff for the less fortunate people it took me forever waiting for the products and it just slow there. But for the sari-sari store owners it’s worth the wait for them. I guess they get good discounts there. The “C” also has a department store, nice cinema, kiosk, computer stores, hardware store, drugstore, restaurant and others.

NCCC Uyanguren - The haven for the sari-sari store owners. They can buy bulk stuff from there with a good discount. They also have good selections of fabric there for any occasions. The place is located at the heart of China Town (Uyanguren) here in the city. Outside NCCC Uyanguren, you can shop and find almost anything with a really good and decent price.

SM City Davao

SM South in Matina - 10 years ago SM was the fancy mall in Davao. It’s clean and just a bit nicer than the other malls that I mentioned above. SM North & South Mall I think has the biggest space for parking among the other  malls, and they have a nice movie theater too same as the “C”. They also have appliance center, good place to shop around for a good quality appliances. The grocery area also has good products, but a bit more in price compared to the other malls above that I mentioned. We always buy our meat there.

Chimes Mall - The upscale mall here in Davao. They used to had good selection of kitchen stuff and bed and bath. They still had good stuff and furniture for babies and toddlers. Lots of name brand products. They also have a grocery store downstairs. Still with in the mall you can find restaurant, gourmet deli (you can order good and fresh herbs and veggies). With pastries and coffee shop too. With good parking garage on the second level.

Abreeza

Abreeza Mall - Located in the heart of Davao. The first Ayala mall in Davao. Really fancy place to hang out with. With the first TGIF restaurant in Davao. Few nice coffee shops inside the mall franchise from here and abroad. Name brand products. Franchise companies from abroad like True Value hardware, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, ArmyNavy, Mark & Spencer, Ace Hardware, Toys “R” Us, and many more. With a nice and clean grocery store with fresh fruits from North America.  Shopping there you have to bring along with you your thick wallet and plenty of cards (Visa, Master Card, etc).

SM Lanang Premier

SM Lanang Premier North - The second SM mall in Davao City.  The biggest shopping mall in Mindanao. Located in the northern part of the city.  With the spacious atrium of all the malls here in Davao city. With IMAX theater, the first in the city. Same with Abreeza, SM too has lots of franchise companies from here and abroad. They had one store there that I kinda liked, it’s “Our Home”, but when I asked the price of a bed sheet I was turned off. It’s way too much than what I was expecting. The price was Php 10,000 and its already on sale. Wow, was the understatement. The saleslady could tell that I am shocked when she told me the price. The sales lady then explained to me the count of the thread or something. I’m not even hearing what she was saying. My mind was just totally out. I was blown away. Ha ha ha. I’m not going to buy anything from there if they don’t have any good sale though.

Really we are looking forward to the opening of S & R Davao which is sometime in May.

Happy shopping everyone!

Well why I said that it’s going to be busy month for us? In our house we have 3 kids graduating from high school and grade school. Aaron and Jean are both senior year in high school and graduating in different schools. Jared will be graduating in grade school. Beginning of the school year Bob and I were so worried about the dates of the graduations. What if all 3 of them have the same date of graduation? See it happened with my sister. Her twins were studying in different school and the graduation rites were same day and same time. It was really hard for her. Both Bob and I can’t be at the same venue if it happens. We told them one of us will be attending on the occasion. We will make sure that one of us will be there. They understood about it. Luckily by the end of last year the schools already announced the date of the graduation. It was a relief that all of the 3  kids have different graduation dates. Jean will be the first to graduate followed by Jared and Aaron towards the end of the month. Really it’s just a day apart. Thank god for that.

Jean was looking good for the prom

Jared is graduating from elementary

We will celebrate (party time) their big day together (with Jared’s B-day too) right before the Holy Week. As you know that Holy week is quite big here in the Philippines. The 3 kids all agreed to celebrate together for our family from somewhere to join-in. Still in process of thinking what to prepare. I had some ideas in mind, but I have to let the kids decide on what to prepare. After they finalize what they want, of course me and my niece Glenda will be the ones arranging and preparing everything. Some we will cook and some we will order. It’s going to be a fun party for my 3 good looking kids. Sorry bragging time guys for me… Ha ha ha…We will invite also the nephew that I have from GenSan who is also graduating there and just a day older than Jared. We might continue on with the celebration for my late Dad’s birthday too since some of my siblings will be here to celebrate with us.

Really February was also a busy month for us. First with Valentine’s Day from our on-line business, followed by Bob’s birthday (really just a simple celebration, it’s just us here in the house). Then the Junior-Senior Prom of Jean (thank God we’re done renting with the gown,  and the buying of all the other accessories for it). Then followed by the Senior Bash of Aaron. I think Jared said they will have party before graduation. All 3 kids I think the final exam will be beginning of March. After the examination it’s going to be busy for them preparing for the graduation rites. They are all excited because they already have plans on what to do during summer. Jean might be going somewhere to see a really good friend of me and Bob. My friend and her husband, they’re like aunt & uncle of my kids. My friend knows lots of pastry chefs. They could show Jean some options about what to cook and stuff.  Jean really is interested to do pastry making. She’s already had pretty good knowledge with it but she has to be train by a professional. She’s good with doing some art, so I know that she’s going to be good on that.

Aaron with his Ninong Orman

Aaron has a good plan too and will post about that later. If it happens, it’s going to be a big thing for him. We are crossing our fingers for that though. He is a little scared and excited at the same time for it but it will be good for him to do if ever. It’s really up to him if he wants to do it. He knows that his mom and his dad will be always there to support him on whatever he wants to do in life.

Anyway, to those parents of soon to be graduates here in the Philippines may it be Filipinos or foreigners Congratulations to all of you. Pat your back guys for doing a good job on guiding your kids. Have a good celebration with your families too.

Again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I never thought I could make granola cereals here in the Philippines. But luckily Chef John has good recipe that we can substitute with our local ingredients that’s available here in the city. I am not a cereal eater but with the granola I am into it.  Well, really Bob was the one saw the recipe and gave me the link. Watching the video it was really easy to make. The trick part for me was finding the local dried fruits that my kids will eat. Our youngest Jared, he is picky when it comes to what food he eats. He is so choosy. But luckily with the granola he is liking it a lot. He eats it as his snacks too just like Dad and siblings.

Take a look at the video of Chef John making granola:

Here’s the recipe that Chef John made:
Ingredients for about 6 cups of Granola

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (pure coconut, not candied)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped candy covered chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)
• 1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped
• 1 cup mixed dried fruit (any combo of cranberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries.

My take on the recipe: Some changes from his recipe!

• 6 cups Australian oats (I like to used that brand since the oats were a bit bigger than the other brand)
• 1/2 cup or so of peanuts
• 1/2 cup cashew nuts
• a small amount of dried coconut from the dried mixed fruits
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pancake syrup
• 3 tablespoon of canola oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup or so of chocolate candy nips (similar with M&M, but you can use M&M too)
• 1/4 cup raisins, chopped
• 3/4 cup dried fruits (dried mango, dried pineapple, dried papaya)
• maybe 1/4 cup of dried cranberries

My Philippine Style Granola

It was easy to follow the video that he showed. Just put together the oats, dried coconut, peanuts, cashews and salt. To make the syrup, just put the brown sugar, pancake syrup, oil in a pan, try to mix it and put in the stove (medium heat). Bring to a boil, leave it in the stove for almost a minute. Pour it on the oats mixture and mix it thoroughly. After mixing dump the oats mixture into the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread it evenly. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. I did bake my granola for 40 minutes total, but take out and stir every 10 minutes. Like what he said the cooking really depends on how brown you like your granola. Bob wants it the way he said on the video. When I made the first time I did put more than enough dried fruits. It was good but the dried fruits over power the oats. So now I made a few times and know how much dried fruits to put in it. Taste really good.

I’m really trying to use the local ingredients because it’s much cheaper than the imported one.  Next time I will make I will add dried banana. I am looking for a dried mangosteen. Hopefully it’s not expensive. I’ve seen all those ingredients on our malls here, they had at the grocery stores and the store called Healthy Option. But I am not going to pay a hefty price for it. Bob and the kids were okay with the local ingredients anyway. Gotta use the local then.

Every place here in the Philippines has different fruits. Try what good fruits you have there in your area. Like in Camarines area they might try the local nut that’s famous in that area “the pili nuts”. Let us know what fruits you include on your recipe, maybe that fruit might be available in our area too.

Like what chef John suggested it will be good as a give away gift.

Have fun making!