My Favorite Filipino Delicacy

Fish Escabeche

INGREDIENTS FOR ESCABECHE

one whole fleshy fish
(lapulapu, red snapper, carp or mackerel)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
some flour to dredge the fish in

1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp ginger root,  cut into thin strips
1/2 cup sliced onions
1 cup red and green bell peppers, cut into strips
2 tbsp lard or oil

2 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp cornstarch (dissolve in water)

PROCEDURE FOR COOKING FILIPINO-STYLE ESCABECHE

1. Rub the fish with salt and pepper. Dredge with flour and then deep-fry in very hot oil.  Set aside.

2. In a skillet, lightly saute garlic, ginger, onions and bell peppers in lard or oil. Don’t overcook the onions and bell peppers. Set aside.

3. In the pan, mix together the water, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, corn starch, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the starch is cooked and thickens the mixture.

4. Place the fish on a platter and pour over it the sauce prepared in step 3.

5. Arrange the sauteed ginger, onions and peppers on top of the fish and serve.

Reaction:

 My favorite dish is fish Escabeche. Because I really loved sweet and sour taste especially if my mother is the one cooking. I starting living this food because its very nutritious and delicious. Besides from pork, meat or chicken, I also admire fish dishes. 

Favorite Filipino Poems

Tracing You

by Kristina Aquino

Imagine the train tracks,

the train speeding away from you.

We were somewhere

and someone else a minute ago.

So I give you this,

the poet, the imagined martyr,

unmoving in her seat--she is one

of the firsts, she is daybreak today--

it does nothing but stare back.

She is so still the train stops with her.

"Cubao", she mouths.

Imagine the train tracks,

the train speeding away from

you, Cubao.

We were with you

some minute ago.

There are buildings

on the way to the end of the line,

but structure

eliminates the idea of a horizon.

It is sad when imagined things

start dying, too.

No rest

by Kyo Zapanta

It's time for me to rest for a while

My condition is not that good

But hell, I can't seem to leave behind

Whatever it is that I must do

I know it’s been in overtime

I shouldn’t be here anymore

But that workaholiart of me

Seem to like the stress in store

But then again by head’s in pain

My body is just saying no

My eyes are swollen and tears are forming

I could cry in stress ever so

But I wouldn’t cry even if I feel it

For when I do I’ll be okay

Then I would again want to work

And I’ll be working for the rest of the day

Who Am I

by Brian Joseph Sy

Who am I to blindly believe that?

I can become parcel of this sacred ground?

To pretend that I am a strong wind

to guide your ever sturdy wings

Who am I to change this persistent blue rain?

To pretend that I can wash the sorrows away

from your ever beating heart

Who am I to care for this mortified soul?

To pretend that sanctity ascends in my

figureless touch…

I am none. Transcending only the littlest of

existence only meager eyes could see.

In the skies I plead alms

to catch your merciful grace;

To rescue me from this

lonesome cloud of misery

that I call self.

Last Love

by J.D. Mariposa

Best of friends

together took a leap

Now true friends

ahh! feelings run deep

Two hearts fused

hands ever entwined

Ti's all worth the wait

to care for one as kindly

Never never too late

to love but not blindly

So, to you my friend first,

my last love, i say

I'll be true every and

each of my waking day!

Now I Know

by Jose Paulo Tolentino

Seven months felt like seven years

and now I face my greatest fears

Why before I could never wait

but now I know the heavy weight.

In a strange world, a mad city,

it is tough to be an adult

you take responsibility

to bear frustration and insult

There are days I would like to die

life is not pretty as it seem

Leave this and what do I redeem?

many I have learned is just a lie

They say I should create a goal

Love and life is what you make it

but somehow it just could not fit

All I have is a hollow soul

From here I don't know where to go

Being an adult, now I know.

My Favorite Filipino is Last Love by J.D. Mariposa

Reaction:

I choose this poem because of all the poem's I've read, I think this is the best one. It shows how love conquers every problem and difficulties we thought that it would never exist. As long as the person you loved is with you, you became motivated and active in every walk that you take. You can do things beyond limits and then you also learn that when you loved, its risky. So take every step of your way and learn from your mistakes.

My Favorite Filipino Hero

Jose Rizal's Biography

Personal Background

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or popularly known as José Rizal (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the tail end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after an anti-colonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. Though he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence. He is widely considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines, and is implied by Philippine law to be one of the national heroes. He was the author of the novels Noli Me Tángere, and El filibusterismo, and a number of poems and essays.

Reaction:

He is my idol in the field of poems and writings. He's brilliant enough than all can ever be. He leads the Filipinos to fight against colonizer. Through his writing, not through wars. He become a hero not by gun or sword but with his pen and brilliant mind he open our eyes to defend what's our. He's brave even though he show criticism to Spanish but what he brought is freedom for his country.

Kanlungan by Noel Cabangon

Noel Cabangon's Biography

Personal background

Noel Cabangon comes from a modest family. He grew up in a small town in La Union province called Rosario. As a kid he remembers performing at home every time his parents have some guests for a visit. Mesmerized with the sound and playing of the guitar by his relatives, he started learning how to play the instrument at the age of 10. Patiently he never stopped playing the borrowed guitar from the neighbor until he finds his fingers turned into green or get all the rusts of the strings. 

He grew up a shy and insecure boy running away from people who enlist his name every time there is a singing contest in there town. He was too scared to perform in public - on stage where the town's people would watch him. Lack of confidence made him repulsive from joining any contest or doing public performance. Not knowing that his talent for singing coupled with his songwriting skill would soon be his instruments in paving his own journey and creating his life-story.

Reaction:

Kanlungan is one of my favorite song because of the message of the song which refers to the days of ones lives. One's life is very important because according to them we only live one's but for me he live everyday and because of that we should enjoy our lives and do good to others. I'm really afraid of death because I know if I die first, my family will be in sorrow but if they go first, ill be in a great pain. I will give importance to the people I loved because life is just a tick of the clock. No one could ever know his/her time.

Summary of Region 9 Zamboanga Peninsula

The Zamboanga Peninsula is Mindanao’s smallest region. Located in Southwest Philippines, its 958 islands and islets make up the Diadem of the Philippine South. Two bodies of water form a ring around it, the Sulu Sea to the north and west, the Moro Gulf to the south.

Three provinces and five cities make up the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. The provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay; and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga City, and Isabela. Zamboanga, Pagadian, and Dipolog are the major hubs of trade, commerce, industry, and education in the region.

The region hosts one freeport and special economic zone and an international airport in Zamboanga City.  Ten other secondary airports operate in the region.

About a third of the Peninsula’s population is made up of ethnic communities that give the region its unique culture and color.  These include the Tausugs, Samals, Yakans, Badjaos, and Subanens. The Tausugs, Badjaos, and Samals were fishermen; some still roam the seas. The Maranaos and Yakans were traders and artisans; they’ve left their imprint on traditional weaves and fabric that are still produced today.

Roughly half of the population speaks Chabacano, a dialect heavily influenced by Spanish settlers. Spanish-speakers are sure to pick up on quite a few familiar words.

Each part of the Zamboanga Peninsula shines on its own, but there is a common heritage. This is a region of beauty, history and culture. It’s been blessed by nature. It is cherished by its people.

This is what the early Chinese and Malays saw when they came over and made Zamboanga the cynosure of Southern Philippines centuries ago. Up to today, the Zamboanga Peninsula has an undeniable allure.

THE LEGEND OF ZAMBOANGA

            On the origin of the name “Zamboanga”, there are no hard historical facts to go by, but two popular legends, both emanating from Sama traditions, provide credible insights into its origin. One relates to bamboo pole and the other to a flower garden.

            One version claims that the name “Zamboanga” came from the word “samuang” which in the Sama vernacular means “to drive a bamboo pole into the mud silt, between the vinta, or canoe and its outriggers in place of the anchor.” If this it to be believed, it could well be one of history’s classical comedies of error. For, as the story goes, a Spanish soldier who happened to stray into a river bank chanced upon a Sama boatman mooring his vinta with a bamboo pole. The soldier asked the boatman what the name of the place was, to which the latter, thinking that his inquirer wanted to know what he was doing, replied “samuang”. The soldier, believing in turn that he was understood, took “samuang” to be the name of the place.

            The other version is that in the ninth century, an ancient maritime group headed by Salingai Bongau went in quest of the fabled flower garden called Jambanga and sailed eastward from Srivijaya Empire in the direction of Zamboanga, which was then renowned as the Garden of Asia.

            In the course of the journey, one group away, headed southeast and landed in the place now known as Sandakan. The group called the place Jambangan. Soon, another maverick group broke away and landed in what is now Siasi Island, and they too, called the place Jambangan.

My Family Tradition

                My family has a unique tradition that we inherited from our great grandparents who were Spanish like; we do not eat bare hands. It should be using fork or spoon. Women and young ladies are not allowed to go out during night for some security reasons. Nuts it’s not really necessary at all due to modernization and newly invented technologies.

                There are still few of our tradition that we have been practicing until now. Early in the morning, late in the afternoon or during night time, when we see older person that us we greeted them and then kiss them in the both side of their checks. It’s really awkward when you’re not used to it. And the next one is during Christmas. Every year we usually have a reunion. A small getting together party where each of my relatives come and celebrates with us, even if their miles away, they still have time to be with us. Because of family believe that when we get together the more we love each other.