Sardines with Odong (OTIN - Odong with Tinapa)

I so wonder why this type of food is so especial and a favorite of my hubby. Aside that it's easy to prepare, the ingredients are readily available even in the smallest sari-sari store in town. This also won't cost you that much. I'm not a cook but trying to be one, yet I can prepare this food right away because of its no sweat procedures.

Here are its ingredients:

• One (1) can sardines (you may try the hot flavoured one) (the number of cans also varies in the amount of food you prepare)
• Three (3) to four (4) packs of Odong (Odong is a type of noodle)
• Small amount of cooking oil
• Shallots (Pulang Sibuyas, Sibuyas Bumbay)
• Garlic
• Salt

Procedure:

1) Prepare all the ingredients.

2) Sautee the garlic and shallots in the small amount of cooking oil.

3) Add the sardines.

4) Add the noodle (odong).

5) Add a little amount of water.

6) Pour small amount of salt.

7) Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

This is best served and eaten while hot. So, just prepare enough of it to savour its taste while hot.

ICE - In Case of Emergency

We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. 

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as "ICE."

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Share this to everyone. It won't take too many "sharing" before everybody will know about this.  It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.

Remember: ICE will speak for you when you are not able to !!! 

Holy Week 2011 in St. Francis of Assisi Maa Parish

I so long to participate in any church activities since I left my ministry three (3) years ago. This time in 2011, I found time and grab the chance do it in the holy week, I am limited because I am on my waiting period for delivery. Nonetheless, I see to it that pregnancy would not be the hindrance to still go with what I've been love doing in my youth days.


HOLY WEEK, as far as I can remember, is the week of Lent and the week before Easter. It includes activities such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) and Good Friday.


To start with my faithful participation on Lenten Activities, Taweng and I joined the Holy Mass for the Celebration of the Last Supper of Christ in the parish where we both grew with spiritually, St. Francis of Assisi Maa Parish. We thought that we're late already in the mass. But, when we arrived, we were informed that we're an hour early. And so, I've got the chance to take pictures around the parish that were randomly captured by my eyes and my camera.

I so miss the altar, the garden altar as well as the stained glass above it. This is the only church in Davao City with a garden altar. No wonder that a lot of couples who plans to get married loves to book their weddings here especially if their concept is a garden wedding.

This is new to me. The ceiling is almost done and painted with white with lights hanged on it.

Oh! Here's the Lenten schedule and I was able to peep on it.

A sneak peek of the parish adoration altar for the blessed sacrament.

The closer view.

The Our Lady of Lourdes in their white and light blue uniform.

Just noticed that they already started to assemble stained glass around the church walls. Below is the closer view of the first stained glass at the right portion of the church wall.

There are special people that I so long to meet again were also there to attend the Holy Mass. My Parish Youth Core Group, Janet with her little darling, Ty and Yupi, Ghie and Meljohn.

And of course, my friend nun, Sister Rogelia, an ever-dearest to me. I could always remember her in every meetings we had in the church way back my youth leader's days. She's always ready with her meryendas and superb meals. "Walang nagugutom pag-anjan si Sister Rogelia sa meeting". I so miss her.

The youth in action thirty (30) minutes before the mass. Putting all the letters for the mass' caption.

And it says:  

"Paghigugmaay Kamo Ingon Nga Ako Nahigugma Kanimo"

And as the mass went through, the highlights of the celebration is the "Washing of the Feet" of the twelve (12) disciples of Jesus Christ.

As what is often taught in the church, washing another's feet is an act of humility while doing it in a humble attitude. Christ performed the basic task that is done by most of the lowliest servant. He was submissive to the will of His Father in heaven. Through this act of Christ, He made it clear to us that he doesn't expect anything from all us. He served us, instead that we are the ones serving Him.

We were once washed and completely cleaned at our baptism, we still occasionally commit sin as we walk through this life. Thus, we need to be cleansed and need Christ to wash our feet to be completely clean again. This symbolizes the forgiveness of all our sins. 

Taking Christ as an example, he simply teaches us to be humble by doing good for others, by doing acts of service or kindness for our fellowmen. 

And as the mass was about to end, I realized how time flies so fast. People I've work with in the church, grow old, others come while some of them go. There are new sets of active servers, new faces of young generation in the youth ministry. Other ministries have the old ones still remained loyal and delighted to serve. But whoever is there, one thing is for sure, the annual tradition keeps on repeating and repeating bringing with it the same message as before. It continues to remind each one of us that wherever we are and whatever is our present status in life, the message and love of Christ to each one of us is always there unfadingly.

I am just so lucky that I've come to encounter Christ, worked with His mission and able to served His people at a younger age. I am also thankful to the people I've worked with. I've learned so many things from all of them. And now that I am soon be a mother, all the learnings and experiences I have in the church are my best guide in raising my child to be a God-fearing and a good citizen in this country. I've always thirst for service but I know In His time, I will be satisfied.

P.S.

I saw this posted outside the church bulletin board. Please support this upcoming activity of the parish.

Thanks and continue to be a blessing for others.

Hospital Pregnancy Checklist

This is really is it! In a few weeks or days from now I'll be experiencing one of the most memorable days in my life. Giving birth to our precious baby. I'm counting the days 'till I've got to kiss and hug my little angel...


But before anything else, there are things that I need to prepare for my labor and delivery. Lourdes, a classmate of mine in masters and in pregnancy gave me this simple checklist of what things to pack for hospital. She researched this in the internet (credits to her source of information). I have most of them now and there is really a need for me to complete the things listed in this checklist before pain comes. And if you are also at this stage of pregnancy right now and bothered of what things to prepare and pack on your labor and delivery date, better check this out.

Mom Checklist for Labor and Delivery: 

1) A small backpack is ideal as it don't take up much room

2) 2 comfortable nightgowns or  a hospital nightgowns

3) 1 comfortable going home outfit and shoes

4) Bathrobe, nightgown, slippers and a couple pair of socks. Typically, you and your baby will be staying in the hospital for 3 to 5 days.

5) Nursing bra, breast pads, nipple cream, sanitary napkins and maternity underwear.

6) Bathroom items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, hairbrush, soap, lip balm, towels and deodorant.

7) Eating or drinking anything during labor and delivery is not allowed so therefore you may take a gym bottle or water spray bottle for drinking fluids during labor and delivery.

8) Your favorite books and CD player. You may not be in the mood for any of these. But labor may take very long periods of time like 24 hours.

Use this what to pack for labor and delivery list and pack your things in a bag and keep it aside several weeks in advance so when the pain hits you, your partner just needs to grab it and take you to the hospital.

Baby Checklist:

1) Infant carseat

2) 2 onesies, newborn hat, socks and mittens

3) Pacifier

4) Burp cloth

5) 2 receiving blankets

6) Going home outfit and jacket if the weather is cold.

7) Newborn size diapers, wipes, changing pad and diaper bag.

8) Plastic bags for dirty diapers.

9) Baby bottles, nipples and formula if you are bottle feeding

Labor Partner Checklist:

1) Cash and change for food, vending machines and phone calls. 

2) Change of comfortable clothes.

3) Digital camera and camcorder, if you wanna capture those initial moments. Do not forget to charge the batteries.

4) Something to keep your partner from bored - books, computer or magazines

5) List of phone numbers and cell phone for calling your family and friends after the baby is born.

6) Basic bathroom items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo and towels. 

Other Important Checklist For The Hospital:

Pregnancy Checklist:

1) Birth plan

2) Insurance cards, check book and credit cards

3) Address book with phone numbers

4) Hospital Preregistration paperwork, hospital address and phone number.

So, I guess we are all set for the upcoming labor and delivery. This is quiet helpful since I don't have any idea really on what things to bring. So start packing up now and ready to face the most challenging yet worth the pain of giving birth.


pic from google

Banana Plantation Visit in SOCKSARGEN

It was a very hot afternoon when we conducted our field inspection in the banana areas of Surallah. My 2-day stay in the place confirmed the hearsay about El Nino affecting the area...Well, it's pretty obvious in the pictures where I have to cover my whole body to avoid the ouching heat of the sun's rays...

I had the long walk under the heat of the sun in the huge banana plantation...seeing and touching the leaves and fruits hanging on the mother banana tree...weeeh!

...and this tractor doing its thing in preparing the land at 2 in the afternoon...

Its supah dupah hot, promise...

And with this trip, I've got the chance to meet also an old friend, Hera...We had lunch together in Gensan before I went back to Davao. With us also are Kuya Jun and Raymond...

Looking forward to more trips and sidetrips as well...Kahit na akoy isang babaeng byahilo...

Blue Carabao

...the BLUE CARABAO
the place you must try

This is just a few steps away from our office in Monteverde. As what the boys usually described..."sa unahan lng sa mga bumbiruhan".
Exactly! The place is just in front and before of 2 fire stations.
And since I am the only girl with them, I took them this pic. hahahha! di nila alam na candidate na sila ng EMI award...wanna know what's EMI? I'll tell you next time...hehehheeh!
     
      Me and Iking shared the same chair...nagkabunggo-an na nga mga siko namin...marami kayang tao sa kainang ito kaya masikip kami...pero okay lang...enjoy naman...
we also watched each others amount of rice..kac nga we are on diet...grrrrr!






These 2 boys are "Frankitita (left) and Earlititoy (right)...(Franco & Earl)
Savoring the mouthwatering "Kalderetang Kambing" and "Pinaugang Adobo ng Baboy"
Namit ter? Dili na gud katingog si Soy-Soy.






Psst!
Look at them, halatang hindi sila gutom ano? heheheheh! so focus with their food...


I dont think this eatery replaces Kuya Luk's Place in Sasa Head Office, iba naman din kac ito...but this new found lunch hide-out of the boys offers different kinds of viand.
Inato lang gud ang dating pero lami...
And the price? hehhehe!
Syempre, it's for you to find out deary...;-)

Durian

DURIAN...been longing to eat this fruit since it started populating the market, sidewalks and anywhere in the city. Been deprived with so many things since I went back to school. And now, that I am done for this term, this is my reward from Taweng...to eat as many kilos of Durian of any variety...hehehehe! Ma-high blood man sad ta ani part! But promise, a lab it! wew!

so sweet and delicious...

facebooking while eating durian?

matakaw talaga ako sa durian, promise...

wow! i so lab dis fruit...