Ffffine Dining

*Late post

The latest news these days is the $20 grand (para hindi nakakalula sa mata yung zeros o mas matindi ba sa tenga yung grand??) dinner that the President had with her entourage. With the Philippines being a third-world country it is just UTTERLY INSANE for the the President to spend that much on one dinner alone!

Hello to you! People in this country are starving madam. No longer hungry, they are staaaaaaarving! And you get to enjoy a fine dining experience in one of the top restaurants in the world?WOW! I can so feel you not hearing the mad churning of your people's tummies!

While most of the people worry how the heck will they find their means for food, you lavishly cut your lamb ( or whatever you had on your menu) with those fffffine cutlery. Ayos ka madam! Ang mga tao dito kanin at isang ulam lang (swerte na nga kung may ulam o may kanin) ikaw at ang mga tropa mo may appetizer, main course, dessert at wine! Magsaya lang kayo habang ang mga Pinoy ay nagugutom.

Lamb saddle (I don't even know this. kambing at timtam lang katapat niyan!)

Rabbit-bacon terrine (huh?kawawang kuneho!)

It was rubbish to tell us that she was just invited by a Congressman. That he wanted to give Dear Madam a treat for her and FG's anniversary. I don't mind celebrating. But I DO MIND the manner how they celebrated it. They could have celebrated it at a different restaurant. Not one of the very costly restaurants in NYC. I'm sure there are much, much affordable ones. Plus a Congressman (daw) treated them out for dinner. How much does a Congressman earn eh??I forgot, old rich nga pala ang pamilya niya. Rrright! BS dude! What caught my attention was what Mr. Better Shut-up said, "Alangan pakainin natin sa hotdog stand yung Presidente?". WHAT THE HECK?! If she ate at a hotdog stand, people would admire her for that. Look at my homie, Obama. He and Biden ate at a burger joint. The people loved them for being just like a "commoner". They even paid for what they ate! If it was here, the politicians would seize the opportunity not to pay! So ganun na lang, dahil siya ang presidente dapat dun sa pinakamahal ang pinakamaganda? Ayos ka mama! Panalo ka talaga humirit!

Dining room

Wine lounge

It is famazing (f*ckingly amazing) how different she is from Tita C. While she lived a simple life, this one is like a princess. Goodness! Madam please, I beg you, like what Jun Lozada said, moderate your greed! Mahiya ka naman kahit konti lang. 'til then...

p.s so far, there were two other extravagant meals. goodness!

The Perfect Love Team Ever :D

Today is a very special day. Twenty-nine years ago, a boyfriend-girlfriend decided to spend a lifetime forever. They finally tied the knot for I don't know how many years of being boyfriend-girlfriend. Today is my mother and my father's twenty-ninth anniversary. :D

I don't really know their love story and I never really bothered asking them. I felt reluctant to know their little kilig story (if it was) and I don't really care. What matters to me is that on one fateful day, they met, probably went out on a couple of dates before making it official. :D Then finally, my pap asked my mum to get married. yiheee!

Their marriage is not all smooth-sailing. Oh! They had their ups and downs and I tell you there are a lot.

They had to wait for two years to have kuya. What a cute bundle of joy he was to them! (if kuya can read this, he would probably treat me to mcdonald's for a week . hahaha!). :D He was God's answer to their prayer of becoming a family. Naks!

Mama and Papa didn't have to wait long for another bundle of joy. Just a little over a year when kuya was born, ate came to this world and she completed their dream of finally having a princess in the family. :D Back then, they had a baby boy and a baby girl. Everything's complete.

So where do I come in??Hahaha! When I was a kid, my siblings used to tease me that I was ampon and I believed it 'til I was sixteen! Sira ulo lang ako. :)) Mum had to scold them (it was really just kuya!) for teasing me all those years and she told me that why did I ever thought of that. Since then, I was convinced that I am my mother and my father's child. With the big age gap I have with my sibs, one would think na putok sa buho lang ako. =)) Really, they weren't planning for a third child (that's what I know since they already have a boy and a girl) but then I came. My theory is that the Big Guy Up There wanted my parents to have that extra joy they can't get from my sibs. LOL Pagbigyan niyo na ako, pinilit ko na nga lang isali sarili ko eh. :)) No really, I am also God's gift to mum and pap. Imagine their lives without me. Imagine your lives without me. Ang lungkot di ba? See?? Kaya ako nandito. :D

Going back to my parents... They have raised us pretty well. I give them all the credit for grooming us to be good-natured. It's not an easy task raising kids especially if you are not well-off. We're not rich but they give the best to us. They mighty try to give us everything, if not all, at least the bare essentials. :D

My mum and pap as a couple is what I would call complimentary and complementary. :D Complimentary 'coz my mum makes my pap look good and my pap makes my mum look good (work out the gist!) and complementary 'coz they go hand-in-hand. Ika nga, "You complete me" ang drama nila. :)) Okay, that was cheesefest!!! *barfing all over the place*

They had their fair share of fights that scared me to death 'coz I thought they were going to separate. But my pap's got an enormously big heart for ma that after World War III, he makes it up to mama by being sweet (Ilonggo blood kicking in). Mama on the other hand, has this great control over her temper when pap starts talking and just remain quiet so as not to make matters worse.

That's the thing I love about my parents. They are sooooo different yet sooooooo alike. My mum loves to eat at fancy restaurants while my pap settles for cheap-o foodies. That's just one of the many things that they differ yet they connect at a totally inexplicable level. :)) By inexplicable, I mean L-O-V-E.

Love is indeed a two-way street. Give and take not just give and give nor take and take. I am pretty sure that is the secret of my wonderful, cool parents! :D They wouldn't have lasted twenty-nine years without that little secret.

So move over Judy Ann-Wowee (sorry Ryan), Jolina-Marvin, Brangelina, Romeo and Juliet 'coz the Perfect Love Team Ever is here... Lydia and Raffy. :D

Cheers to twenty-nine years and counting! I am Team Lydiaffy. wahahaha! :D 'til then....

Maraming Salamat Tita C!

This is yet another late post so I beg your pardon for that. I just can't find the mood to write in a snap of a finger. I am not that gifted. Anyway, I've been writing this blog in my head on nights that sleep does not come my way easily. I've done my research thru tributes for dear Tita C (it's really more of Lola C for my age) last week and I think it is quite sufficient for me to write this.

I don't really understand why people look up to her. All I know about her was when I studied her for my history class back in gradeschool. Sure she was the First Filipina President not to mention the one who ended the Marcos' regime. That's how far I got to know Tita C...back then.

Who wouldn't swell with pride with this cover? Woman of the Year in Time magazine :D

She was what they called reluctant politician having entered it due to people's demand. It takes balls to face a tyrrant and this woman had the BALLS to take him down. I know the fight was tough but she did it for the Pinoys. Ano nga naman ang laban ng isang simpleng biyuda sa isang kamay na bakal? But she proved to us that Goliath can be defeated by David.

From a simple housewife to THE President of the country. It's not an easy task plunging into the dark sea not knowing what to expect. Taga-alaga ka ng mga anak, ano naman ang alam mo sa pagsaludo sa mga heneral? This and a lot more things she learned and adjusted to. Bow down to her staff and Cabinet members for giving her a hand during her term.

Her term was not a bed of roses. She had her hardships and boy they were a lot! Seven coup attempts under her nose. Isang kudeta nga lang, ang sakit na sa utak, pito pa kaya?! But no, this woman stood firm and mighty amidst all the trials. I think the best weapon she had was her strong faith in God. Prayers can indeed really move mountains. :D

Tough, tough woman with the biggest heart

I know she had her flaws but more than anything else, the greatness of her heart will always and forever be remembered. :D I watched her necrological service and I know that she is one good person. Mabait, down to earth, generous and patriotic. Isang tulad niya ang kailangan natin. I think that's what sets her apart from all the Presidents. She had a good heart, the best intentions for the country and not power-hungry. Yun yun. Lahat kasi nasabik sa kapangyarihan tuloy nawala na yung essence para magserbisyo sa tao. Naging pulitiko para magkaroon ng kapangyarihan. Pangalawa na lang ang magserbisyo sa bayan.

I felt a deep admiration towards this woman 'coz she exemplified what a woman should be. Strong and loving. The outpouring support from the people during her dying days (weeks even), her wake and after her burial only shows how great of a person she was.

A sea of yellow. De javu of People Power Revolution

Maraming salamat po Tita C (gossip girl inspired) sa pagbalik ng demokrasya na tinatamasa ko ngayon. Hindi pa man ako pinapanganak noong panahon ng kaguluhan, alam kong ang buhay ngayon ay lubos na magaan at masaya dahil sayo. Hindi ka nag-iisa. Maraming maraming salamat po! Mag-date na kayo ni Mang Ninoy sa langit. :D 'til then.

Kamusta ka Pinoy??

Pardon me for the lateness of my blog. Also, this is going to be a mix of Tagalog and English, Taglish in short. I felt like I would need to tell some stuff in tagalog to make it more heart felt. As you would notice, majority of my blogs are in english that's because I prefer writing in english and speaking in tagalog. Para naman may balance. haha! Anyway, too much introduction already. Here I go...

Two days ago, the President had her last SONA (may it really be her last) and just like last year, I found myself glued on the boobtube, listening to what she had to say. I have taken it as my responsibility being a citizen of this country to know what is happening to us as a nation.

Back then, I was what you would call apathetic. :( But when I took eco as my major, I felt that I should be involved. That I, could make a change in my own little way.

So from then on, I watch the news even more. Parang umiikot na nga lang ang buhay ko sa news, news at news (oh sige, sama mo na ang uaap.haha!). Lalo na sa bahay namin, oras-oras nakatutok sa news hindi pa kasali dyan ung mga lunch and evening news ha.

I watched the other SONAs she had and some of Erap's but I never really understood what they said. Kasi bata pa ko noon at wala akong pakialam kundi pumasok sa school, pumasa at makagala. Yun lang ang importante sakin. So when I knew better, I watched it and took everything what she said and analyzed if that was really the case.

Lalong mas tutok ang mga tao sa huling SONA niya lalo na at may mga "pagtatangka" na pahabain ang kanyang termino.

The speech lasted almost an hour, her longest ever. Half way through it, I wanted to change channels but I knew that my mum would go berserk if I did. So I summoned all my will to finish it.

Once again, she was talking BS. Economists, rely on statistics big time. With out it, we are going to die. Umiikot ang mundo namin sa mga numero. At yun ang ginawa niya. Figures left and right. Kung titingnan mo, nakakamangha. Pero kung nakakaintindi ka ( it doesn't require being a genius), iba ang nararamdaman.

GDP growth (sorry,geek) has incredibly increased during her term. Our currency rate managed to appreciate from 56 to 47. It's 48. something today. Not pretty bad. But for OFW families, this actually hurts because they get less and commodity prices are still the same. Kumbaga, mura ang palit, pero ang bilihin mahal pa rin.

Madami pa siyang binanggit na datos. Pero sakin sapat na yung nabanggit ko bilang gauge (sorry hindi ko talaga alam yung tagalog) kung ano ang tunay na estado ng bansa.

Education is still one of the top problems that SHOULD be resolved. Hindi natin kailangan gayahin ang mga taga-Kanluran. Adding one more year is rubbish. Matalino ang mga Pinoy. Kaya nila makatapos ng pag-aaral sa edad na 20. Yung iba 19 pa nga. Ang dapat na ayusin ay ang pundasyon. Ayusin mo yun, aayos ang lahat. Chain reaction yan. Eh kung sa simula pa lang bulok na, paano pa pa pagdating sa dulo? Bulok all the way na yun. Also, give the teachers what is due to them. Wag niyong kuriputin ang mga guro. Haven't you noticed?? The best teachers are leaving to country to pursue greener pastures. Paano 80 bata na nga tinuturuan mo, kakarampot pa ang kinikita mo. Kaya saludo ako sa lahat ng mga guro na nagtitiis at nagtitiyaga na magturo dito satin dahil purong puso yun. Vocation if you must. :D

The economy is booming. The country has not been greatly affected by the Global Financial Crisis. This is all because of good governance. I say, BS. BS to the highest level.

The economy might have been picking up. The country has indeed survived the crisis. But you know why?? Because we have been perpetually under a crisis since the Marcos era. Hindi na tayo nakabawi-bawi. Kung nakabawi man, baby steps lang. Tapos darating na naman ang mga kurakot. It has been a vicious cycle. :S

Also, we Pinoys are known for being resilient. Umulan, bumagyo, masunugan, manakawan, kaya nating harapin ang kahit na anong hirap o problema. Haharapin ng buong tapang at may kasama pang ngiti. :) Siguro kaya ganun. Isipin mo mahirap na nga ang buhay, galit ka pa sa mundo? That's bad combination. Para naman balanse di ba? Mahirap pero masaya. :)

Ibang-iba ang nangyayari sa sinabi mo madam. Hindi mo dama kasi wala ka naman sa sitwasyon nila. Kung tunay na maayos ang ekonomiya, bakit may nagugutom? Bakit may natutulog sa lansangan? Bakit may mga batang hindi nakakapag-aral? Bakit may mga nangingibang bansa at iniiwan ang kanilang mga pamilya kung may sapat na trabaho dito? Bakit, bakit wala akong trabaho?? Bakit may mga mga masasamang loob na nanlalamang sa kapwa?

Back in college, a professor told our class that there is a natural unemployment rate and natural poverty rate. It's between 3-5%. Meaning, unemployment and poverty could never be eradicated. Because it would hurt the economy if it's zero rate. Right now, unemployment rate is somewhere at 11%. Sobra-sobra sa dapat. At hindi ako ligtas dito. I have a college degree under my belt and yet here I am, a total bum. Sige, may mga trabaho nga, pero hindi akma sakin. Sayang ang inaral ko. Ako afford ko hindi magtrabaho sa ngayon. Eh yung iba?? Kahit ano kakagatin para lang may kitain. Yan ba ang magandang ekonomiya??

At ang pinakamalupit dito, tinira niya ang lahat ng kanyang kritiko. Resbak kung resbak. Natiis mo ng walong taon, ngayon aalma ka? Personally, I think that she shouldn't have done that. Bahagi pa ba yon ng estado natin bilang nasyon?? Parang malayo yata. Oh well. Ang tingin ko tuloy para siyang bata na nagsumbong sa nanay niya kasi inaaway siya ng mga bully. Ganun. At panalo ang hirit ni Mr. Congress. "Her critics should stop criticizing her but rather help us." Errr, good point Mister... but that's why they're called critics right?? I mean it's their "job" to criticize.

I really hope and pray that by May 2010, Pinoys are wiser than ever to chose a new leader that feels how it is to be common tao. Madam, wag ka ng mag-asam pa. Utang na loob!

Ikaw, kamusta ka Pinoy?? 'til then...

Hardworking hard workers

This morning, I woke up early, 10 am to go to the mall with pap to withdraw some cash and buy some grocery. I only had eight and a half hours of sleep and was a bit cranky about it. But I knew I would hear it from my father if I didn't wake up for this trip.

Sleepy as I was, I managed to get set in twenty minutes. We withdrew first and went to raid the hardware. My dad is a big fan of the hardware. We can leave him there while we go shopping and would pick him up only to find out that he's still not finished going thru the entire space. Drills, and technical stuff fascinate him. Naloca nga ako kasi sabi niya pumunta na raw kami sa bulbs. Naglalakad na ko bigla naiwan na siya kasi may tiningnan na gas lamp. Sa lahat ng madaaanan namin sa hardware, ganun siya. Ang tagal tuloy bago namin narating yung pakay namin. whew!

The guys who assisted and tested our bulbs (before we paid for it) knows his stuff. My dad inquired about this black spot in the bulb when it was lit. He kindly explained that it was the filament and it was just normal for the bulbs to have that.

Also, my dad was busy looking at these water filter when the saleslady approached him and did salestalk to him. Ang galing! Kasi alam niya talaga yung product. Or was I just really dumb? But she sounded really convincing and you know she wasn't bluffing. We left without purchasing (pap said he had to consult with ma first) and the saleslady thanked us. I thanked her back for the information she gave us.

On the grocery, all the "employees" were more than glad to be of help while we grabbed everything that we needed. Our cashier was ever so friendly greeting us with a warm smile. Mind you, she did the bagging too. Nilapit ko na yung mga binili namin para hindi siya mahirapan. Ayoko magmagaling mag-bag kasi una hindi ako magaling at baka mainsulto siya na ginagawa ko yung hindi ko naman trabaho.

We had lunch in a Chinese fastfood (hulaan niyo) and as our order came, the waiter asked if we were expecting more food and when I said wala na po, salamat, he got our order number and said thanks as well.

As I was eating my lunch, I realized how lucky I am. There I was, enjoying my free, yummy lunch courtesy of pap while others have to work their a**es off just to earn a living. Mind you, most of these people I've encountered earn minimum or worse, below minimum. :(

The wonderful thing about them is their passion for work. Sige, siguro malamang karamihan sa kanila hindi yun ang gusto pero they do their best to get people to buy their products and they do! Some are pretty pissed off with nasty, rude, demanding customers but they mighty try to conceal their anger. That is something exceptional about them. That is plain control right there. :)

My parents have done a great job with me and my siblings. If there was one thing that they instilled in our young minds it was to be kind to others. Hindi man kami mayaman, kung may maitutulong eh gawin.

These people, the saleslady, the cashier, the bagger, the waiter, the janitor, the guard and all those who work the "least" wanted jobs, I salute them. If I could give them a hug, I would. Only I'm too jahe. Maybe next time, I could give them the two-thumbs up mark. :D

I instantly felt that I shouldn't be a brat about having a few hours' of sleep. Habang naghihilik ako, yung ibang tao nagbabanat na ng buto para kumita ng pera. Ano ba naman yung lugi sa tulog kesa walang kitain di ba? I felt sooooo blessed and I thanked these awesome people that made me realize this fact once again. :D

So next time you hit the mall, greet them back. It wouldn't hurt to spend some saliva on them. ;P Smile at them as you pass by. The most precious thing in this world is a warm smile that would lighten one's day. Give them that. Always say thank you or sorry whenever needed. This is my golden rule. It's not hard to utter these words. Say it with me, Thank you! Sorry! There. Piece of cake huh? :) Instead of asking the waiter for the gravy or ketchup, why not get it yourself? Nobody gets hurt with a few extra steps. :D

Our world would be a better place to live in if we all extend a helping hand to one another. Right? Right!

Kudos to all the hardworking hard workers. :D You are the BEST! 'til then... :D