Cooking and Food Tips

Enjoying Tinapa  (smoked fish) pa more    

    

Eating smoked fish boneless is really enjoyable. Remove the flesh from the ribs and discard the head and the internal organs.

The Phenomenal Growth of the Church of Christ

To know about the humble beginnings of Iglesia ni Cristo, it is inevitable to learn about the man who started it all – from one man to the phenomenal growth of the church worldwide.

The movie depicts how Brother Felix Manalo received the calling and the humble beginnings of the church – the hardships and persecutions he has encountered as well as the event of world war that disturbed the country.

We as members of the ‘Church of Christ’ recognizes Bro. Felix as the God’s Messenger on these Last Days (according to the Holy Scriptures refers to the era where our Lord Jesus Christ’s advent is very near). He had been a pastor from different religions which gave him the chance to deeply examine each church doctrine which he later found out FULL OF ERRORS and misconceptions.  Seeing the conflicting doctrines upheld in each from what is written in the Holy Scriptures, the arduous desire to teach the FACTS without injecting personal opinions and beliefs has led him to know the PURE words of God but of course with God’s divine help as he prayed for enlightenment and guidance. 

Although his co-pastors/preachers from former religions oppressed him when he tried to reveal what he found out to rectify what they had been teaching the public, he was subdued and they never accepted it – telling him that the doctrines can not be modified respecting tradition and inherited teachings from pioneer religious leaders. 

Duterte is NOT Hitler

It is my daily habit to watch the News to be updated on the current issues about my country and even the international community.  I listen and watched only the trusted NEWS AUTHORITIES and presenters who received various recognitions locally and even from Readers’ Digest Asia. To be able to give worthy opinion or reaction, I deeply believe I should filter my resources carefully – that is my advocacy as a writer.

I hate the fact that our President is being identically compared to the heartless(?!) German, Adolf Hitler who had made the ‘Holocaust’ ( read see and click this link = you can read Holocaust by Wikipedia part of the History. The Jewish organization is but right in telling the victims of the Holocaust should not be likened to drug addicts there are even children. Yes, that is right there is nowhere in the context of the President’s recent speech that they are being called as such.  The Prexy was just insulted that the international media compared him to Hitler – to reiterate, he is ordering the killing of millions of innocent people (men, women and children) for a selfish reason (?!).

Why are We Not Celebrating Christmas

Many people thought that because we do not celebrate Christmas, we do not value or give importance to the existence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hear it from me, a certified member of the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) – that is absolutely wrong! In fact, the church I belonged to bear our Lord Jesus Christ’s name that is one great way to show we adore and worship him. 

Tagaytay Dream House for SALE

A pre-owned home just a few hours away from Metro Manila and adjacent to Dasmarinas, Cavite. Next to Baguio in terms of good cold weather, a scenic view of the Taal Lake and a real resting place for your family. Royale Estates Tagaytay is secured with 24-hour security.

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Jose Rizal: Philippines' National Hero

Why are we celebrating Rizal Day on December 30 and not on his birthdate on June 19? We often thought of celebrating a person’s being on one’s birthday, Dr. Jose P. Rizal being our National Hero – we remember his death.  Because on that day he died a hero.

Why he deserved to be our National Hero? Dr. Rizal displayed not only courage, strength, brainpower but also a noble heart of hero, indeed!  The revolutionary saga by our brave forefathers like Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo and his men can be considered as the result of Dr. Rizal’s mind-opening expedition.  The BOUNTY is of course our Liberty.

Reaction on Marcos' Burial

First of all, I respect the claiming victims of the Martial Law.  But above it, I respect the decision of the -Supreme Court.  We have the SC to settle issues that matter to our country that are deemed to be irresolvable by the lower courts or even issues that may put the people’s trust in the existing government in peril.

Being sensationalized are the victims who are said to be tortured during captivity, this is not to imply anything bad – BUT where are they when arrested for questioning? Are not they in the middle of protests (that most of the times become violently aggressive?). These testimonies had instill hatred and caused many of our fellow Pinoys rushing in the streets to rally, we can not also discount the social media reactions.

Our country is democratic, everyJuan can be heard.  BUT, democracy became boundless, unrespectable of the Government. The ones who threaten governance and incite sedition destabilize the country which has riffling effect in the economy.  BUT STILL, there is no license given to authorities to abduct, torture or murder implicated suspects. It is saddening to hear the unfortunate stories.

‘Libingan ng mga Bayani’ (Heroes’ Cemetery) is known to be the burial site of those who died in government service – soldiers, cops, and even former Presidents.  There is no requirements like medals, list of accomplishments needed to qualify as prescribed by the Law, no wonder why the Supreme Court favored Marcos Burial.

Useful Link:

Wikipedia on 'Heroes' Cemetery'

The once given to the former President can not be called ‘Heroes Burial’, he was just accorded based on his former rank in government. What is circulating around are just personal assumptions hearing that former President FE Marcos is buried in a cemetery with ‘HERO’ on its name (‘Libingan ng mga Bayani’ is ‘Heroes’ Cemetery’ in English). Why had most of the protesters had taken the cemetery’s name heartily? We have heard of a legislator who suggested to RENAME the cemetery – just to give justice (?!) to both sides and to stop the nonsense clamor this issue has brought to the nation, the international community is seeing it on the news.  This can hamper our economy, even the personal lives of these people who are spending time they could have spent at work or with their families.

Burying a former President in LNB did not change History BUT the literal burial address, let us grow-up.  If you are an educator, do not teach little children to protest, they have no clear picture of it and they can only be influenced by anybody who wants to inject ideas on them. They still do not have convictions of their own – I was distraught seeing on the NEWS elementary students of a private school protesting (either the teacher wanted to be seen on tv or she just wanted a rest day of teaching?!).

Who had started the MYTH that burying Marcos in LNB changes History?! That is exaggerated.  Nothing changes but the MERE BURIAL ADDRESS!  History is called such because it is in the PAST.  Where or in what dictionary or encyclopedia that the word ‘history’ is defined as ‘present’?! How can History already written in the books and instilled in the minds of the people may be changed in a wink of an eye by the present situation when it has passed? Are they nuts?! We are not in the movie where we can adventurously go back to the past.  Spelling PAST and PRESENT is totally different – what more their MEANING?! The facts remain the same ONLY the burial itself is NEW. What we do today will just be PART of History tomorrow. It does NOT have the POWER to INFLUENCE what has happened in the past. What will be added to Philippine History in the future? Marcos was buried in LNB that date, NO MORE. He did not become a hero nor erases his bad or good deeds either. He was just a former President of the Republic.

Philippines' Bilibid Drug Trade

An inquiry on Bilibid Drug Trade done ‘In aid of Legislation’ which means to help the legislators create laws in support of altering the existing condition of the prison system in the country and  NOT ‘of prosecution’ that is why most of the resource persons (esp. convicted drug personalities) were given immunity – whatever they have to reveal will not be used against them in court.

The recently concluded House Committee Hearing on Bilibid Drug Trade has yielded the REALITY behind drug proliferation in our country.  Summing it up:

Leniently manning the Authoritative Posts in running and supervising the National Prison (specifically Bilibid) has made drug trade inevitably existing mainly from the prisons as source point of transactions in the whole country. 

It was also concluded that Chinese Drug Lords are the main suppliers – finding out about floating drug laboratories in ships on sea dropping it off in large sealed heavy enough to sink containers to be fished-out by direct traders therein, it does not pass the scrutinizing of port authorities to be freely circulating around the country. What a wise tactic!

- Corruption in the System

Jayvee Sebastian, who is convicted of another case than drug-related was believed to be the latest frontrunner of the Drug Trade admittedly stated that the main culprit of the drug menace in the country is CORRUPTION from the lowest to the highest in ranks of the supposedly security guardians as well as administrative officials that instead of catching them while trading drugs had become their cohorts getting ‘payola’ bribe.

- Greed and Dirty Politics                       

National Bilibid Prison (NBP) is under the supervision of the Department of Justice, 

direct management of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCorr) with the intervention of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).  If these government agencies will be headed by unscrupulous people like what has allegedly happened during De Lima’s tenure as DOJ Secretary, the result is WORST – like where we are in right now.

 

- Connivance of Authorities

If there is no connivance anything would not be possible, there will always be the stop point but it is not hindered even by the Department of Justice.

It all boils down to corruption.

Generated Solutions

Signal Jammer

Because it was discovered that cellular phones can be brought-in secretly in many ways you can not imagine – in a slipper a whole cut beneath its back to fit the phone is really badly creative. DOJ Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre mentioned the recent acquisition of a costly but more powerful jammer.  The only setback is its effect on the surrounding community outside prison area - affecting phone signal.

Do Not Throw the Bikes, Please

I have watched a documentary showing Japan’s and US problem on disposing bicycles.  See these videos showing what I am telling you.

Unwanted Bikes for FREE by KTWONews

The Bike Dump by Cransor

Abandoned Bikes in Japan by Softypapa

I hope Japan can see the children in the rural areas in the country who are walking kilometers a day just to go to school when they are just throwing bicycles. I learned from the documentary that Japan citizens are abandoning bicycles in the train stations not wanting to pay for garbage collectors that impose separate fine for junked bikes. Contrary to that disposal, those bicycles sell like hotcakes in Japan Surplus shops around the country especially the folding bikes that is very compact to carry around in your car.

Our Favorite Wafer Stick

My daughters Angel and Riana loves chocolate wafer stick. I buy them in canister, worth PhP 110.00 (US $ 4-50. But I always remind them not to munch on excessively because two among the widespread market brands are really sweet.

I never thought that there is this really super-delicious brand that can capture even an adult taste bud – would you believe that this wafer stick cutlets become one of the CAUSES for me and my daughters bonding moments?! I usually do not mind them consuming all the wafer sticks I bought but NOW, they have to divide the contents in three (that includes me!).

Parenting the Only Child

Practical parents knew the importance of family planning especially those who are living in the middle class and below economic status. Although budgeting is a lot easier than having two or more children to account for, parenting in the real sense of the word may be really complicated having an only child.  There are things to put in consideration in raising the ‘only child’:

Boosting Emotional Strength

Inevitably, being the only child – he becomes the center of everybody’s attention. The scenario would be - there is always someone to look after him, do something for him, bring him presents and gifts and he is even showered with so much attention that in some way or another teaches him to be emotionally dependent.

Adversities even small become too much to bear being confronted alone. Emotional strength comes from ability to control one’s emotion, create logical decisions and choices – parents would not go wrong to regulate some circumstances to avoid such weakness surface in your child’s upbringing.

Mosquito Net Organizing Tip

If you are still using the conventional mosquito net (the ones with four corners that you have to suspend), we used to fold it like clothes where it really does not look great and it even falls out of place. 

Now, here is a trick to keep your bed neatly organized while you have it around. 

My Two Best Deodorizing Soap Brands

#1 Avon’s Deodorizing Soap

I find this soap really amazing, it really refreshes and easily eliminates body odors – that acidic smell we all abhor. Before going to bed at night or you can make it your daily soap companion too.

Bath Soap as Stain Remover

Because of the hot weather in our country these days, it is very likely for us to sweat and sometimes smell foul.  

I tried chlorine and other commercial bleach for white and colored clothes but still this works far better like miracle.  You would not have to wash the clothes till it is worn out like what I am doing before – my husband’s barongs and polo – especially those that are made from delicate fabric gets older and soon get torn on the neckline. Know the secret and how to's :

First 100 Days of President Duterte

Philippines as Independent Nation

The President never wanted the official residence of the country’s president to be called Malacañan Palace anymore, he wants it more to be called ‘Palace of the People’ instead. I agree with him when he said that it is not even of Filipino Language origin – a true heirloom from our previous Spanish colonizers.  He has been consistent with his ideal of the Philippines as Independent Nation – same is true with his plans of us making our very own International Foreign Policy.

That is also obvious with his objections and anger when other rulers try to degrade him with words/accusations – as he said he is not just a city Mayor now, he is now the country’s President!  He is but right to do that because those who pretend to be friends speaks on his back about their unsolicited comments when they could have meet personally and could have discussed it then for him to have defended his nationalistic efforts of conserving the future generation of our homeland.

In fairness with President Obama, MAYBE he really has no intentions of meddling with our affairs – it so happened that a representative of a media in a press con has asked his opinion about EJK.  If many had opined that Pres. Duterte should have been cautious of his words – the MORE caution must be exercised by the President of the deemed to be most powerful nation in the world.  His words could have influenced a lot of people worldwide – and IF he happens to misconceived what is really happening here, it would damage our President’s reputation as well as the senate’s and even the country as a whole. Because, his opinion is not based on FACTS and the real situation; it may IMPLY that we CONDONE IF THERE IS INJUSTICE and us Filipinos are blindly adoring the President. He is merely looking at the surface and maybe one of those who wanted to believe that all the killings are attributable to the administration disregarding the MIGHT of the syndicates running drugs as well as those who had been connected and protectors who were publicly exposed that could possibly be among the suspects who get those drug personalities dead so their dark secrets can be hidden forever.

It is but right for the President to stand his ground and speak-out and be furious about the baseless comments. Remember two policemen daily also dies in the drug campaign IF THE GOVERNMENT runs the drug campaign on its own liking there would never be a dead policeman nor a relieved men in duty. There is still justice prevailing in this country, if the president is a real killer – I think De Lima has not reached the senate because of her endless accusations or even Matobato- the ‘witness’ that even a lie detector machine will fail, what more to the members of the legislative body who are mostly lawyers in educational attainment.

The President may be TOO HONEST with his feelings towards those involved in drugs. And for his first 100 Days, he is brave enough to answer those who wanted us to ‘keep our mouth shut and bowing’ all the time.

The Launch of the National Complaints Hotline 8888

This VERY HELPFUL hotline was established to answer the public’s need for faster, reliable and ZERO-QUEUE service from public/government employees remunerated from their paid taxes.

It was known to have hasten processing of personal documents obtained from various government agencies such as NSO (Birth/Marriage/CENOMARCertificates) , LTO (Driver’s Licenses, Renewal of Vehicle Registration), NBI (NBI Clearance)etc. The became USUAL queuing of people from inside the offices to the adjacent street roads with duration from two hours to even days had become less than an hour to finish although you have to come back not later than TWO-THREE days after for the document,  not like before that you are there for that long and then asked to come back spending time, effort and money just to be told TO COME BACK AGAIN.

I think few months of adjustment from the pending jobs received by each government agency can soon make way for the INSTANT release of documents in the future.  It is understandable that they had to finish the backlog from the ‘turtle-like service’ they are providing before that no matter how they deny it or whatever alibis they have, had become the system in here in our home land . I am really hopeful that what the President wanted to see and experience by the public is the REAL use of modern technology – COMPUTERS – I remember him saying in one of his speeches that if a government agency can not act FAST having computers in their offices, they should junk them because there is no difference at all compared to not having one around.

Having the hotline, every public servant is guaranteed to please every Filipino because IF NOT, expect that it will no longer be tolerated. The Civil Service Commission is the frontrunner for the complaints hotline.