Turning Boholano

An Artist Defines Her Role

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Panaw sa Alampat: National Art Month Exhibit by Boholano Artists

2012-02-24T00:49:00.003+08:00

Suggested read:

Our World Tuesday

Watery Wednesday

Beyond Just Black and White

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Lechon de Leche

2012-02-23T04:27:00.008+08:00

There are those who claim it as Chinese in origin, while others say it’s a Spanish cuisine; that leche means milk in Spanish and lechon means suckling piglet. Whatever its provenance, for some coronary artery bypass grafting veterans, lechon means the culprit.

Nevertheless, to this day, a party wouldn’t be grand without having a lechon as its centerpiece. Such is the power of lechon in our cultural psyche. Not only are these succulent roasted pigs esteemed with their very own parade in Balayan,Batangas, there is a summer lechon parada as well in La Loma, Quezon City.

The turkey, although an important American holiday staple, doesn’t have its own parade in New York City. Thanksgiving Day Parade, yes; Turkey Parade, no. More power to the lechon!

Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig, which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC.

Here at Palwa Restaurant at Bohol Coco Farm in Panglao Island, Bohol, the pork dishes that they serve come from pigs raised on natural farming method. Hence, it has a more flavorful taste and devoid of excessive grease.

Litratong Pinoy

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2012-02-21T15:12:00.001+08:00

This novel is a collaborative effort between Mary Ann Shaffer, a debut novelist who passed away earlier this year, and her niece, children's author Annie Barrows (who helped complete the book when Shaffer’s health turned for the worse).

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a heartwarming, bittersweet novel written in an epistolary style, between writer Juliet Ashton and her best friend from childhood Sophie Strachan and her brother Sidney Stark (who also happens to be her publisher).

It all started in January of 1946 when London was recovering from the shocks of war. While Juliet Ashton was looking for a new project to embark on, she receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name. Her pen pals will soon include some folks from Guernsey.

Through these missives, Juliet learns of Guernsey and its deprivations during the war, as well as the astonishing spirit of the people who live there. She eventually becomes more and more intrigued with the stories of the people who survived the occupation; leading her to decide to write a book based on their experiences. To do so effectively, Juliet moves temporarily to the island and soon finds herself immersed in its captivating culture.

Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands, nominally part of Great Britain but located in the English Channel, close enough to see mainland Europe with the naked eye. And, as the residents of Guernsey discover during World War II, close enough for the Germans to occupy. What started out as a layover -- during an intended full-out invasion of the British Isles -- resulted in a five-year occupation that changed the lives of these quiet, simple people forever.

Read Part One of the novel here.

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MV Logos Hope: Floating Book Fair

2012-02-19T19:28:00.000+08:00

This is the MV Doulos docked in Pier 15 during her final visit to Manila. Built in 1914 (only a couple of years younger than the Titanic) the Doulos was the world's oldest passenger liner still sailing the seven seas until it retired in 2010 in accordance with the international maritime law.

Following in her footsteps is the MV Logos Hope, the newest vessel in the GBA Ships fleet. She carries the world’s largest floating book fair and has docked in Manila as part of her maiden voyage around the world. The newer and larger Logos Hope features a greater space for visitors and more comfortable browsing in the air conditioned book fair and café area.

The book fair on board Logos Hope offers a wider selection of over 5,000 books at affordable prices. The subjects of the books include science, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, medicine, dictionaries, languages, and philosophy. With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases and more, the book fair is something the whole family can enjoy.

MV Logos Hope will open to the public at Pier 15, Berth 4, South Harbor from Feb. 17 until March 13. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Sundays; the ship will be closed on Mondays. Tickets cost P20; children under 12 are allowed for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Bea Wessels from Austria warmly greeted the visitors of MV Doulos. She was among the ship's 350 volunteers from various countries who are otherwise known as ambassadors of goodwill and peace.

Doulos has traveled to over 100 countries since 1978 and carries over 6,000 different titles of books, covering a wide range of subjects. The vessel has received over 18 million visitors; in some ports, thousands of people reportedly waited in line each day for several hours to come on board. MV Dolous has since retired.

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One's Giant Shadow

2012-02-18T01:01:00.002+08:00

Always remember the first rule of power tactics;

power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.

Saul Alinsky

Born in 1909, in the ghetto of Chicago’s South Side, Saul Alinsky saw the worst of poverty and felt the ethnic prejudices that fester, then blast into violence when people are crowded into tenements and have too little to eat.

He came to believe that working people, poor people, put down and stepped upon, had to organize if they were going to clean up the slums, fight the corruption that exploited them, and get a handhold on the first rung of the ladder up and out.

Along the way, Alinsky faced down the hatred of establishment politicians, attacks both verbal and physical, and jail time. He was a gutsy guy. Outspoken, confrontational, profane with a caustic wit, one journalist said he looked like an accountant and talked like a stevedore.

Read more here.

Suggested read:

The Shadows of Power

Shadow Shot Sunday

Camera Critters

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Brazo de Mercedes

2012-02-17T00:03:00.000+08:00

It is a rolled cake made from a sheet of soft meringue with custard filling. This is considered as one of the all-time favorites in the Philippines. The sponge-like texture of the meringue is balanced by the flavor of the rich custard filling. This is one delicious cake.

In Manila, if I wanted to bring a Brazo de Mercedes to a festive gathering, I'd order it at least two days in advance at Jade Vine Executive Inn's restaurant. This restaurant is quite popular amongst Manila's culturati, and it oftentimes provides the catering services for them.

Here in Bohol, the best place to buy a whole Brazo de Mercedes is at Saffron's. The best! The first time I had a piece of Brazo de Mercedes from this fine restaurant was when I attended a wedding reception held there.

If you'd rather try baking one, from what I understand it's easy to do so and recipes abound online.

Related links:

Brazo de Mercedes, Remedios, Victoria…

Brazo de Mercedes Recipe

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Litratong Pinoy: Continuity

2012-02-16T08:44:00.001+08:00

I took this photo at SM North when the Philippines was vying to
become the new record holder for the world’s longest painting on
continuous canvas. Their theme was Marine Life.

See my coverage of it here.

See more images of the event and paintings here.

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My entry to Litratong Pinoy Weekly Challenge

This week's theme -- LP189: Dugtong/Kabit

Litratong Pinoy

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Banana: Sex drive booster?

2012-02-16T00:16:00.002+08:00

According to this HealthDesign Magazine article, the banana is among the five fruits that can augment sex drive and naturally treat impotence.

Here are the five fruits and their aphrodisiac attributes:

Pomegranate

It is probably one of the most well known fruits for increasing your sex drive. Scientists found that drinking pomegranate juice can actually increase sex drive. Such efficacy of the pomegranate is attributed to its ability to help the body produce (NO) or nitric oxide, which aids in opening up blood vessels and increasing blood flow.

Figs

The high levels of amino acids found in figs are also very effective at increasing libido in both males and females. Amino acids play a vital role in normal sexual function and will help increase levels of nitric oxide in the body. Aside from increasing sexual stamina, figs enhance sexual appearance as well.

Avocado

The avocado contains high levels of folic acid to help metabolize proteins giving you an energy boost. Avocado contains vitamin B6 which help the production of testosterone. They are also known to benefit a women's libido due to the high potassium content.

Dates

They are packed with amino acids for sexual stamina, as well as a good dose of fruity sugars which make them sweet and an amazing pickup.

Banana

A great way to start the day, the bromelain enzyme in the banana will help boost your libido. Also, it contains the highest levels of potassium that help regulate energy levels as well as B vitamins.

Two of the five -- banana and avocado -- are always available here in Bohol. As for the other three, Boholanos might have to ferry it to Cebu, or fly out to Manila, to find some dates, figs and pomegranate at swanky supermarkets, or chichi charcuteries.

Since the banana is the most ubiquitous of the lot, here's more on its health benefits:

So often, the humble banana is often overlooked when it comes to providing nutritional and medicinal value. Bananas in fact have a lot to offer us, both nutritionally, as well as in relieving the symptoms of a myriad of physical complaints.

Bananas are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. They also provide us with a source of energy. They contain a lot of iron, which is extremely helpful to those suffering from anaemia, as it stimulates the growth of haemoglobin in the body.

They contain a lot of potassium; this helps to alleviate high blood pressure and prevent bone loss by countering the damage done by a diet high in sodium/salt. Potassium is also excellent for relieving menstrual cramps and is also excellent for fluid retention, making bananas a sure winner for women who suffer with these symptoms. It also helps minimize the risk of kidney stones. Vitamin B6 also helps to balance blood-glucose levels, thereby alleviating mood swings often associated with PMS.

Bananas are an excellent food source for those suffering with ulcers, as they lower gastric juice levels and build a protective coating in the stomach. Therefore, they are also excellent for helping to alleviate heartburn symptoms. Simply rubbing the inside of a banana skin on a mosquito bite can help to alleviate the itching and irritation caused by the bite. They are also known to alleviate morning sickness in pregnant women. They also contain pectin, which is known to alleviate constipation naturally.

Bananas contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine, which help alleviate depression and also help one to relax. The B vitamins found in them also help to calm and soothe the nervous system. Vitamin B6 also alleviates the symptoms of irritability and sleeplessness. They are a good first food to introduce to infants, as they are easily digestible and non-allergic.

Because of their sweet taste, bananas also help to curb cravings for sugar and other unhealthy sweet snacks. They are also helpful in preventing age-related macular degeneration and strokes. Even the peels serve a few useful purposes. They make an amazing fertilizer in the garden, especially for roses. Simply bury a few peels near the plant or bush, and they will normally cause the roses to thrive. Pimples are able to be dried out naturally by rubbing the inside of the banana peel on the affected spot on the skin.

Source: Natural News

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Related links:

Five other turn on foods

Dried Fruit

The prices at Dau Market in Tagbilaran for the lakatan variety of bananas (as lead photo above) is 40 pesos per kilo, while the saba is 15 pesos per kilo.

Natural Farming with Andry Lim

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Palwa Restaurant at Coco Farm

2012-02-15T06:30:00.009+08:00

Palwa Restaurant's menu boasts an array of delicious native dishes with ingredients of vegetables and meat products from the Bohol Coco Farm’s natural farming endeavors.

I love their Camote Top Splash and Veggie Burger. The camote top (talbos ng kamote) contains substantial amounts of polyphenolics that protect the body from oxidative stress that breeds many diseases that include cardiovascular illnesses and cancer.

Moreover, camote top is an excellent source of protein, lipid, calcium, sodium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. It is also a source of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid.

Veggie Burger

Pork dish (from a hog raised the natural farming method)

Incidentally, the Bohol Coco Farm will be hosting a 3-day Natural Farming Seminar with Andry Lim as resource speaker on February 28, 29 and March 1from 8am to 9pm.

Aside from the essential applications of natural farming methods on horticulture and animal husbandry, attendees will be introduced to various herbal healing techniques by using indigenous plants and vegetation.

For further details, contact: Efren de Guzman of Coco Farm at 0926-444-6186 or Andry Lim at 0917-705-1008

Suggested read:

Rural Journal

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Love: Time will reveal

2012-02-14T01:13:00.007+08:00

What can I do to make you feel secure?

Remove all your doubts

so that you'll know for sure that you're

the apple of my eye girl . . . fulfillment of my dream

time.....

Will show the value of just what you mean to me

More precious than silver

More precious than diamond ring

or anything that I can give you

It wouldn't mean a thing

If you didn't have my love beside you there to guide you through

so aint it good to know you do...

I know how just you feel

but this time love's for real

In time it will reveal this special love that's deep inside of us

will all reveal in time....

I'll tell you I love you

But you won't believe its true

More precious than silver

More precious than diamond ring

or anything that I can give you

It wouldn't mean a thing

If you didn't have my love beside you there to guide you through

but ain't it good to know you do....

written by El DeBarge and sister Bunny DeBarge.

"Time Will Reveal" is a song recorded by R&B family quintet DeBarge and released as the first single off the group's third album, In a Special Way, it was also the group's biggest hit prior to the group's 1985 hit, "Rhythm of the Night" and also became one of the most covered R&B singles.

Happy Valentine's everybody!

20 Uses for honey you never thought of

My Third Eye

Our World Tuesday

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Honey

2012-02-13T02:37:00.002+08:00

"When I add a spoon of honey to my tea, I give thanks to a dozen bees for the work of their whole lives. When my finger sweeps the final drop of sweetness from the jar, I know we've enjoyed the nectar from over a million flowers. This is what honey is: the souls of flowers, a food to please the gods. Honeyeaters know that to have a joyful heart one must live life like the bees, sipping the sweet nectar from each moment as it blooms. And Life, like the world of honey, has its enchantments and stings."

Ingrid Goff-Maidoff

The Honey Sutras

Known as Honig in German, Miele in Italian, Shahad in Hindi, Miel in French, Miel in Spanish, Mel in Portuguese, мед in Russian, Honing in Dutch, and μελι in Greek, there is hardly any region in the world where honey is not cherished.

Honey has been used by mankind since the past 2,500 years, all over the world. While the numerous health benefits of honey have made it an important aspect of traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, scientists are also researching the benefits of honey in modern medicine, especially in healing wounds.

What makes honey so popular? It is the ease with which it can be consumed. One can eat honey directly, put it on bread like a jam, mix it with juice or any drink instead of sugar, or mix it with warm water, lime juice, cinnamon and other herbs to make a medicine. It is savored by all due to its taste as well as health benefits.

The health benefits of honey include the following:

Sweetener: Sugar can be substituted with honey in many food and drinks. Honey contains about 69% glucose and fructose enabling it to be used as a sweetener.

Energy Source: According to USDA, honey contains about 64 calories per tablespoon. Hence honey is also used by many as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Further the carbohydrates in the honey can be easily converted into glucose by even the most sensitive stomachs. Hence it is very easy to digest honey.

Weight Loss: Though honey has more calories than sugar, honey when consumed with warm water helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly honey and lemon juice and honey and cinnamon help in reducing weight. Read more about benefits of honey in weight loss.

Improving Athletic Performance: Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.

Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The type of vitamins and minerals and their quantity depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture. Commonly, honey contains Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. Check for the vitamin and mineral content in sugar from any source, you will find it to be either nil or miniscule.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties: Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it can be used as a natural antiseptic.

Antioxidants: Honey contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved.

Skin Care with Milk and Honey: Milk and honey are often served together as both these ingredients help in getting a smooth soothing skin. Hence consuming milk and honey daily in the morning is a common practice in many countries.

Honey in Wound Management

Significant research is being carried out to study the benefits of honey in treating wounds.

Nursing Standard provides some of these benefits in the document - The benefits of honey in wound management. These have been given below:

Honey possesses antimicrobial properties.

It helps in promoting autolytic debridement.

It deodorizes malodorous wounds.

It speeds up the healing process by stimulating wound tissues.

It helps in initiating the healing process in dormant wounds.

Honey also helps in promoting moist wound healing.

The healing powers of honey are not hyped. The Waikato Honey Research Unit provides details about the world-wide research that is being carried out on the benefits of honey in medicine.

Further, BBC reported in July, 2006 that doctors at the Christie Hospital in Didsbury, Manchester are planning to use honey for faster recovery of cancer patients after surgery. Such research will provide scientific evidence to the so-called beliefs held by honey lovers all over the world and help in propagating benefits of honey to more people.

Now that you know the benefits of honey, how do you eat it? You can eat it raw, add it it in water and different beverages and you can add it in several recipes also.

Source: Organic Facts - Health Benefits of Honey

A bee only produces 1/12 tablespoon of honey in her lifetime. – Bohol Bee Farm

At Bohol's Dao market in Tagbilaran City, a 375 ml. bottle of honey retails for less than P200 or roughly less than $5.00. They come from the local farmers' bee farms.

Related links:

Health Benefits of Honey

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San Sebastian Church

2012-02-12T00:11:00.003+08:00

Unlike the ancient churches here in Bohol that were mostly built by the Jesuits, using forced labor in some cases, the all steel San Sebastian Church in Manila was fabricated in Belgium and then erected in Quiapo.

The Order of the Agustinian Recollect (OAR) Parishes Manual cited that the San Sebastian church “is the first all-iron church in the world and the first iron edifice in Asia.”

The church has its beginnings in 1621 when Don Bernardino Castillo, a generous patron and a well-known devotee of San Sebastian donated his lot for the church to be built on. The original church, which was made of wood, was burned in 1651 during a Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures were destroyed by fire and an earthquake in 1859, and 1863. They then rebuilt using stone, but it was also destroyed by an earthquake in 1880.

The exasperated parish priest, Fr. Esteban Martinez approached the Spanish Architect Genero Palacios who proposed the novel idea of a steel church. It was approved by the Recollect Provincial Council and Palacios was commissioned to design it. His concept for a Gothic revival structure was approved on June 14, 1883. Hence, San Sebastian Church also became known as the only Gothic church ever built in the Philippines.

In 1886, the Societe Anonyme d’Entreprise de Traveaux Publics of Brussels, Belgium was awarded the contract to undertake the construction of this grandiose design for an all steel church. The steel parts with a total weight of 1,527 tons were manufactured in the Societe Anonyme’s foundry in Binche, Belgium and were shipped to Manila during the steel temple’s fabrication phase.

On June 12, 1888, the ship William Burkitt docked in Manila bringing with it the first shipment of steel parts of the church. And for the next two years, the church was assembled with local artists and craftsmen joining the Belgian engineers in applying the final finishing touches on this magnificent new church made of steel.

The idea of fitting stained glass windows in the design of the Basilica was also conceived by the architect, Genaro Palacios. He thought of it while in Belgium monitoring the progress of the fabrication phase of the church and was introduced to the products of the Henri Oidtmann Company, a German stained glass firm which had won in various international competitions during the 1880’s. This company produced the stained glass windows for Palacios.

Eventually, the all steel San Sebastian church was completed and inaugurated in 1891.

The Augustinian Recollects quietly celebrated the church’s centennial. Perhaps, they consider it a sacred space -- a house of worship -- more so than an architectural gem.

Incidentally, the hearsay that this all-steel church was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel is false.

Another story was that the Recollects were the original owners of the San Miguel beer formula, which they supposedly sold to the Sorianos with a stipulation that they also receive a royalty fee of one centavo for every bottle of beer sold. This I do not know whether true or not. However, the church is a mere walking distance from the original San Miguel brewery compound.

Top Shot

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Dance

2012-02-11T06:18:00.003+08:00

This February, the NCCA aims to organize some 35 Philippine dance groups for its National Arts Month flagship project, Sayaw Pinoy 2012.

It is considered as one of the most popular event every February. Sayaw Pinoy 2012 aims to recognize the traditional roots of Philippine dances by creating quality performances and making them accessible to the audience, especially in remote regions, as well as providing new and upcoming dance groups their much needed, ample exposure.

As in the past, a variety of dance forms including indigenous/traditional dance, folkdance, ballet, neoclassical dance, modern/jazz, contemporary and hip-hop will be presented to delight the audience.

Through the years Sayaw Pinoy has solicited the participation of Bayanihan, the Philippine national folkdance company; Ballet Philippines; Ballet Manila, Philippine Ballet Theater; Douglas Nierras Powerdance; Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; Quezon City Ballet/Halili Cruz Ballet Company; Airdance; UP Dance Company; UE Silanganan Dance Troupe; Camellon Dance Troupe; PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe; Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe; Sining Bulakenyo; Kapampangan Sinukwan Dance Troupe; TUP Kalinangan Dance Troupe; Next to Innocence; Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines; Annie Divinagracia-Satorio Performing Arts; Quezon City Performing Arts, MEV Dance Company; Sining Kumintang Dance Troupe; Double J Dance Group; Poseidon Dance Group; Bungkos Palay Dance Troupe; Madayaw Cultural Dance Troupe; Kahayag Dance Company; San Carlos University Dance Troupe; St. Louis University Dance Troupe, Earthsavers, FEU Dance Troupe; ZSNHS Melengas Dance Ensemble; Kaagan Theater Collective; Irong-irong Dance Troupe; and Kaagan Dance Ensemble.

As for the Sayaw Pinoy 2012 schedule of performances, Concerts at the Park in Rizal Park have been held since Feb. 5 and will continue on Feb 12 and 18 with a finale show on the 26th.

The regional tours started with several places in Davao City last week and will be held simultaneously in more venues throughout the month: Feb. 6, Bukidnon State University and Central Mindanao University in Bukidnon, and Riverbanks in Marikina City; Feb. 10, Oton Public Plaza in Iloilo City, Leganes Multi-Purpose Hall, Anilao Public Plaza, and Paco Market; Feb. 12, SM Iloilo City and Quezon City Circle; Feb. 13, Roxas City Sport Complex and Star Mall Alabang; Feb. 14, Global City, Taguig; Feb. 15, Valenzuela City; Feb. 18, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; Feb. 19, Ozamis City; Feb. 20, Pagadian City and Aurora; Feb. 23, Paracale, Bicol; Feb. 25, Lucena City and Tayabas in Quezon; and Feb. 26, Lyceum of the Philippines in Batangas City.

For more information: Call 527-2192; visit www.ncca.gov.ph

Unfortunately, there is no Sayaw Pinoy 2012 performance scheduled here in Bohol. However, various local municipalities have programs arranged to celebrate this year’s Arts Month.

Lungsoranon Performing Arts Ensemble - Holy Cross Academy at Tubigon, Bohol

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Aguinaldo's Breakfast and More Looking Back Essays

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Turon de Bohol and Halo-halo

2012-02-10T00:03:00.004+08:00

All along, I thought the turon I frequently buy when in Quiapo was the best. That was until my niece treated me to a Turon de Bohol at Saffron's. Incredibly delicious it was!

And then there's also Saffron's halo-halo served in a coconut shell. Not only does it make a delightful dessert, or a refreshing merienda treat, the serving is quite plentiful, too. I dare you finish one all by yourself!

Merienda is a much favored pastime by Filipinos. It is often served at four in the afternoon; however, at households that begin their day at the break of dawn, there can be a merienda served around ten in the morning.

Typical merienda fares can be pandesal sandwiches, noodles, and salads. There’s also soup like congee or arroz caldo, bachoy, pancit molo; and dinuguan served with puto; and different kinds of sweets. Tea, coffee or soft drinks are offered as refreshments.

Moreover, some of the most popular local merienda fares are made with glutinous rice and coconut But then again, all in all they can be almost anything: bibingkang cassava (cassava cake), cuchinta (steamed rice cake with lye water), palitaw (sweet rice dumplings), puto keso (steamed muffins with cheese), pichi-pichi, biko (sticky rice cake with caramel topping), emapanda (meat turnovers), guinataang mais (corn in coconut milk), maruya (banana fritters),ensaymada (cheese buns), and siopao (steamed buns with filling).

Replica of a 19th-century ice box

Now, going back to Turon de Bohol and halo-halo, whenever enjoying these treats here in Bohol, I couldn't help but wonder when ice, or blocks of it, arrived for the first time in this region. I may never find out due to my limited access to historical data on Bohol, but I have a fairly good idea when it arrived in old Manila (Intramuros). It was when the country was still under Spanish rule.

Blocks of ice were imported from Boston back then. Smaller chunks of which would then be delivered house-to-house wrapped in cloth or rice husks on a horse-drawn cart. A typically-affluent household back then spent about a thousand pesos a month to get a daily delivery.

The fortunate owners of ice boxes (as in above photo) were not the only ones able to buy and store ice during that time. According to Ambeth Ocampo, the alternative method used to store a block of ice was wrapping it with a blanket and then putting it in the part of the house which was least cool, or inside a dry closet without any circulating air. Supposedly, with the exception of the sun and fire, whatever will keep a man warm will keep ice cold.

Also, according to Ocampo, the ice came from the Boston Lakes, famous of which was Wenham Lake ice. It was so pure and very clean, as well as stayed cool longer than other ices. It also proved suitable for putting in one’s drink or mixing with food. Hence the reason why the imported ice that Manilans enjoyed then came all the way from Boston.

But of more interest was the fact that had it not been the export of ice to India, in which Manila happened to be along the route, local folks back then would have never experienced any chilled refreshments or sorbet.

Ocampo wrote, “On Average, the trip from Boston to Calcutta took 103 days; the record breaking time was 86 days. Now, how much of ice melted? Well, to give you an idea, only 38 tons of ice reached Calcutta from the original 160 tons that left Boston. It was a loss of 76 percent, but the Tudor Ice Company still made money. It must have been very profitable, because it was not long before Tudor had about a dozen competitors.”

Before Manila's ice age, the locals enjoyed a glass of water cooled in an earthenware tapayan. Ocampo knew about this. What he was unable to find from archives and old newspapers were firsthand accounts of the Filipino’s first encounter with ice. He believes that such stories would definitely make an interesting footnote in our cultural history.

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Source:

The Ice Man Cometh by Ambeth Ocampo

Anvil Publishing 1993

Top 12 Organizing Tips, Plus Resources

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Thank you!

Stuff

2012-02-09T10:42:00.002+08:00

It is indeed a universal human foible that we dump in the closet things we have no longer use for until they’re actually forgotten. And once we have filled up the closets and every crook and cranny in the house or apartment, we begin to whine about not having enough space.

I had resolved such idiosyncrasy after having read an article that offered this suggestion: For every new purchase that I bring home, I must remove a similar but older item from my closet and donate it to a thrift shop, or give it to a friend who might have better use for it.

In other words, before I buy a new sweater, for example, I must go through the old sweaters I have in the closet, and whatever I haven’t worn for a year or so, I must discard; thus, same with everything else. This is to maintain a tidy and organized living space . . . and life, for that matter. It works, indeed.

The photo above shows some old and forgotten stuff in my cupboard that took much needed space. They had become useless for me at that point but useful to an aunt. She filled those glass containers with colorful jelly beans and home made cookies, while the coffee mugs added to her quirky but adorable mismatched breakfast setting.

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Suggested reads:

Glass Collectible Guide

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Check out George Carlin's timeless stand-up routine about obsessive consumerism:

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Lead photo is my participation to Litratong Pinoy Weekly Challenge

This week's theme -- LP188: Halaga (Worth)

Many thanks to Lino Almuenda and Thess

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Gratitude

2012-02-09T04:03:00.003+08:00

Daybreak over Cebu Strait

Today, be grateful. Be grateful for your favorite music, for movies that make you feel good, for your phone that connects you with people, for your computer, and for the electricity that lights up your life. Be grateful for air travel that flies you everywhere.

Be grateful for the roads and traffic lights that keep the traffic in order. Be grateful to those who built our bridges. Be grateful for your pet, for your child, for your loved ones, for your eyes that enable you to read this.

Be grateful for your imagination. Be grateful that you can think. Be grateful that you can speak. Be grateful that you can laugh and smile. Be grateful that you can breathe. Be grateful that you are alive! Be grateful that you are You!

Be grateful that there are two words that can change your life.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

May the joy be with you,

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret

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According to Cicero, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.”

Multiple studies have shown the correlation between gratitude and increased wellbeing not only for the individual but for all people involved. The positive psychology movement has embraced these studies and in an effort to increase overall wellbeing, has begun to make an effort to incorporate exercises to increase gratitude into the movement.

Read more here.

Skywatch

Watery Wednesday

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Please note:

Thank you!

Art Collective

2012-02-08T01:56:00.020+08:00

"Art for a Vision" opens on February 10 at the Crucible Gallery. It is a fundraising project that will benefit the Ophthalmological Foundation of the Philippines (OFPHIL), a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of blindness among the poor in the country.

Some 3.4 million Filipinos are visually-impaired and 62% of the cases are due to cataracts, with almost 500,000 blind in both eyes, according to the Ophthalmological Foundation of the Philippines. About 90% of people who suffer from blindness belong to poor communities.

“It is important to note that 75% of cases of blindness can be avoided through prevention and treatment. No person should be needlessly blind and we hope to reach as many people as possible who have no means for proper eye care,” said Dr. Felipe Tolentino, OFPHIL founder and president.

Gus Albor, Virgilio Aviado, Cesar Caballero, Valeria Cavestany, Igan D'Bayan, Ramon Diaz, Arturo Luz, Ramon Orlina, Impy Pilapil, Cid Reyes, Juvenal Sanso, Jaime Zobel and Betsy Westendorp had contributed to a selection of paintings and sculptures to be sold in this fundraising project that will benefit visually impaired indigents.

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There is a Vincent Van Gogh exhibition going on at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Entitled “Van Gogh Up Close,” the exhibit has been organized by Joseph J. Rishel and Jennifer A. Thompson, curators in Philadelphia, working with Ms. Kienle, a curator at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and Cornelia Homburg, an independent scholar. It examines van Gogh’s relationship to nature at its most intimate.

Meanwhile, a biography of Vincent van Gogh call into question the long-accepted notion — central to the myth of the troubled artist — that he committed suicide. Read New York Times article here.

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Christie's auctioned off this Roy Lichstenstein painting for $43.82 million. It was one of the ten priciest art pieces sold by Christie's in 2011. This goes to prove the highly lucrative world of collecting art. See the others here.

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Artwork for Art in the Park 2012 - “Birth” by Pam Yan-Santos

This February 18, the familiar white tents of Art In The Park will once again dot the grounds of Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati. From 2 p.m. to 12 midnight, art aficionados, collectors, or just the plain curious can pop into any one of the tents and, perhaps, come away with pieces that are not only beautiful, but easy on the pocket as well. In keeping with its tagline “an affordable art fair,” Art In The Park has capped its prices at P30,000. The majority of the pieces, however, are pegged at way less than this ceiling price.

Live jazz music will be provided by Soulful Mood, as well as progressive “chill” music from Diwa de Leon and his hegalong. For refreshments, there will be wine from Straits Wine Company and a selection of food from Window’s Café, Nic’s Bakeshop, Golden Spoon, and Rafik Shawarma.

Art In The Park promises an enjoyable, cool Saturday.

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Related links:

Investing in Philippine Art

Elizabeth Taylor's Van Gogh goes for $15.9 million

Businessweek: The art of collecting art

Oprah.com: How to collect art

Boat Rides

2012-02-07T00:32:00.004+08:00

The bancas, or motorized outrigger boats, are commonly used here in Bohol for inter-island hopping adventures, as well as for dolphin and whale watching trips. Renting one can be arranged with any resort offering island tour packages, or directly from boat operators

Bohol is well-known in the Philippines as a haven for divers and snorkelers; thus, most diving operators also have their own bancas for their respective diving trips.

Locals make use of the banca like a water taxi; that is, to take them to a neighboring island such as Sequijor. Tourists can also rent one to cruise the different rivers of Bohol, such as the Loboc River.

Incidentally, only just a ten-minute boat ride from Panglao Island is the pristine white sands of Virgin Island, a perfect getaway if one desires a quick respite from the usual resort offerings. Technically, it is not an island but a mere sandbar.

At low tide, the center part of this crescent moon shaped islet is submerged under 6 inches of water. This flooding divides the island into two islets. Photography buffs can get a kick out of the submerged part of the islet, because it gives an illusion of walking over the water. Virgin Island is only open for day trips, for there are no hotel accommodations on this island, or islet, or sandbar.

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A noteworthy read: Boatmen make good money

Saturday Sareenity

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Please note:

Thank you!

Fall of Giants

2012-02-06T00:41:00.006+08:00

The first novel in Ken Follett’s 'Century' trilogy, Fall of Giants, follows the destinies of five interrelated families – one American, one Russian, one German, one English and one Welsh – through the earth-shaking events of the First World War and the Russian Revolution.

The story segues seamlessly from Washington to St. Petersburg, from the volatile tunnels of the coal mine to the opulence of palatial banguets, from the ferocious politics of war mongers and revolutionaries to the maddening pursuits of true loves and illicit affairs. This epic tale illustrates the intertwined fates of the five families as they unfold in dramatic, gripping complexity.

Ken Follett has finely crafted a spellbinding tapestry of history and fiction in Fall of Giants, and I can hardly wait for the future volumes of this trilogy series – when subsequent generations of the same families will travel through the great events of the rest of the twentieth century, changing themselves and the century itself.

The second novel, Winter of the World, will be published in the second half of 2012.

Read Chapter One of Fall of Giants here:

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Please note:

Thank you!

On Praying

2012-02-05T05:33:00.000+08:00

Prayer that craves a particular commodity — any thing less than all good — is vicious. Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good. But prayer as a means to effect a private end is meanness and theft. It supposes dualism and not unity in nature and consciousness. As soon as the man is at one with God, he will not beg. He will then see prayer in all action.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo Gallery: Images of Praying

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Please note:

Thank you!

Gumamela

2012-02-04T00:02:00.005+08:00

Here in Bohol, no matter how modest the houses, the yards, however, are oftentimes adorned with fruit-bearing trees and attractive flowering plants. The gumamela is one of those commonly found in the local gardens and yards.

From what I was told, Boholanos nurture a certain belief that a beautifully tended yard will mesmerize the uninvited spirits who come calling at night; hence, captivated by the luscious scents and colors of the fruits and flowers, they will no longer venture inside the house.

The gumamela's scientific name is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and it belongs to the Malvaceae plant family. It’s also commonly known as hibiscus, Chinese Rose and the Shoe Flower, because it can be used as a shoe polisher. Aside from shoe polish, certain gumamela flower concoctions are used for hair care. They are also edible and used in salads, as long as the plant has not been sprayed with insecticides.

The hibiscus is also quite reknowned. It is the city flower of Manila, the national flower of Malaysia, and the state flower of Hawaii.

Aside from its popular ornamental uses, here in the Philippines, the gumamela is also used for its folkloric healing efficacies. The gumamela leaves, flowers and roots are commonly used for their medicinal values, such as emollient, expectorant, diuretic, anti-infectious antipyretic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, to name a few.

The flower also comes in a variety of colors, while its petals in different patterns and colors as well. You can see its various images here.

Suggested reads:

Tips and Hints: Cooking with flowers

Non-edible poisonous flowers

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