Paybacks!

Do you realize how much sacrifices your parents have done for you? We are greatly pampered by the unconditional love of our parents, but oftentimes we take them for granted. We’ve caused them problems and heartaches but their love for us is never broken nor shaken.

When we were younger, our parents worry about the bills and we let them do most of the errands around the house while we are busy playing and having fun, not so enthusiastic about helping them out. They toil without complaining to continuously bring food to the table and to make sure that the family is intact.
Eventually, the table will turn. When we start our own family and have our own house and bills to pay, maturity kicks in! We learn to care less about ourselves and more about our loved ones. We try our best to always make them happy and we work really hard to provide the best care we can give them. The important things come first and priorities are set in stone. We become more like our parents!
I remember what our Mom tells us every time we make mistakes that upset or annoy her. She’ll say, “when you have your own family someday, you’ll understand what I’m saying!” And yes, she was not mistaken! Now that I am married, it’s like a déjà vu. What my parents have experienced in the past are happening again… but they’re happening to me! It’s indeed a vicious pattern and cycle of life! I love my parents a lot, and I have come to appreciate them even more… now that I am married and now that I have a family to take care of! What about you, how much do you value your parents? -Mabel-

Let's Talk Food

Living thousands of miles away from the Philippines can be difficult at times for Filipinas like me. I moved here about 4 years ago, and yet, my taste buds have remained a hundred percent Filipino. I have everything that I need here, but oftentimes I crave for food that is nowhere to be found here in the US!

Picture by MonkeyDLuffy of Flickr

Kinilaw: The freshness of raw fish cooked in vinegar is complimented by the flavorful taste of tomatoes, onions, lemons, and several other ingredients. This dish has marked a special place in the hearts of every Filipino- especially the ones abroad like me.

Picture by o sara of Flickr

Lato: I am crazy about this seaweed. My mom prepares this as a salad combined with tomatoes, ginger, lemons and onions-- dipped in a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar. Lato is a type of seaweed which is rich in iron, iodine, calcium, and vitamins A and C. It is grape-like in structure, and is soft and succulent in texture.
Picture by Geekdope of Flickr
Manggang hilaw: nothing can top the crunchy unripe mangoes in the Philippines. A few days before my “red week” starts, I get the urge to eat this fruit. It’s great when you dip it in shrimp paste or fish sauce (bagoong). Most pregnant filipina women experience an intense appetite for this fruit during the early stage of their pregnancy.

Picture by Simply Anne of Flickr

Bibingka: a classic Filipino sweet rice cake. It’s a delicious treat served during special occasions in the Philippines. I’ve always wanted to make my own bibigka here but never got around to it. I am not an expert cook too so I don't have much confidence in my cooking skills. I only know a handful of recipes and that’s about it!
Picture by The_geek of Flickr
Banana-q/Camote-q: commonly known as a street food coated with a thick layer of caramelized brown sugar, and threaded on a thin piece of bamboo skewer. This is traditionally served as a form of snack.

Picture by PocketLim of Flickr

Lechon Baboy: Roasted Pig is usually the highlight of every occasion and festivities in the Philippines- birthdays, fiestas, graduations etc. The crunchy skin is to die for! It is usually dipped in either soy sauce with lemon, or in ketchup. Sarap!!

Picture by Elmer Nocheseda of Flickr
Malunggay soup: This is a very affordable yet very nutritious meal for the family. You can add fish or chicken to make it a delightful soup recipe. In the Philippines, they say that lactating mothers and pregnant women should eat more of it to aid in the production of breast milk. How true? I don’t know!

Picture by eddie "gutierrez" de leon of Flickr

Biko: this recipe is made of glutinous rice (malagkit), coconut milk, and brown sugar. It takes a while to cook it and it requires a long period of constant stirring. My mom usually prepares this together with “Binignit” during All Souls Day.

Now I’m ready to book a flight for the Philippines!