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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Savor The Rich And Mouth Watering Filipino Cuisine


The famed Halo halo a cold dessert treat for summer 





The popular La Paz Batchoy of Iloilo where it originates from Lapaz District of Iloilo City 





Lambanog, a popular Tagalog wine 




 

A typical Filipino Fiesta setting featuring the native Filipino dishes. Clockwise from the lowermost left: Kaldereta, Pinakbet, Kare-kare with Bagoong (Shrimp Paste sauce), Crispy Pata





Pinasugbo, a popular sweet treat from Iloilo 





Polvoron 





Pyanggang - a Tausug dish of barbecued chicken marinaded in spices





Sapin-sapin, layered sticky, glutinous rice cake





Tapuy - a favorite wine or sometimes alcoholic drink of the people of Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao and Ifugao 





Tuba, a favorite wine of the people of Panay and the rest of the Visayas    

  

          Philippines is rich in natural resources. It is gifted with lots of bounty from beautiful landscapes, flora and fauna and beautiful people. One thing that people in the world never noticed and appreciated about the Philippines is the bounty of food of gastronomic proportions all throughout the country.
       When people wants Asian cuisine, they always think about Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai and Indian food but not Filipino food. One reason is that Filipino food is a diverse mixture of Oriental and Western influences but they never thought it has some unique flavor distinct from other foreign food.
       People from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao has a good and discriminating taste that will not only serve your table but also make you salivate and makes Filipino food your epic and legendary palate. Although some Filipino food is fusion or at least influenced and inspired by Asian, Spanish, Latino and American cuisine, it has its own distinct, unique variation. Some of the most popular food you can try at home and ultimately, even start your own Filipino food restaurant:


Valenciana - Filipino version of the popular Spanish dish paella. It includes various diced meats, such as frankfurters/hot dogs, vienna sausage, chorizo de bilbao, carrots, celery, raisins, garlic, and onions mixed with glutinous rice. Named by the Spaniards who brought the dish to the Philippines after the town in Spain (Valencia) where paella originated.

Lechon - whole roasted pig

Longganisa -  A pork sausage similar to a chorizo.

Atchara - Primarily pickled unripe papaya.

Burong Mangga - A food made by mixing sugar, salt, and water to unripened mangoes that have previously been salted.

Binalot - Literally "wrapped". Food wrapped in banana leaves. Usually a meal consisting of a smoked or fried viand and rice sometimes accompanied by a salted egg, tomatoes, or atchara.

Chicharon - Pork Rinds Crackers or Chips. A dish made of fried pork rinds. It is sometimes made from chicken, mutton, or beef.

Tinapa / Tuyo - Fish preserved through the process of smoking (tinapa) or drying (tuyo).

Tocino - A cured meat product native to the Philippines. It is usually made out of pork and is similar to ham and bacon although beef is also used.

Batchoy - noodle soup made with pork organs (liver, spleen, kidneys and heart), pork rinds cracklings, chicken stock, beef loin and round noodles. It is the famous dish of Iloilo, Philippines

Bagnet




Kaldereta - meat in tomato sauce stew

Afritada - chicken and/or pork simmered in a peanut sauce with vegetables

Kare-kare - oxtail or pork shank and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce

Pinakbet - Ilocano dish made up of kabocha squash, eggplant, beans, okra, and tomato stew flavored with shrimp paste (bagoong)

Mechado - larded beef in soy and tomato sauce. Name derived from mitsa meaning "wick" which is what the pork fat inserted into a slab of beef looks like before the larded beef is cooked, sliced, and served in the seasoned tomato sauce it is cooked in.

Puchero - beef or pork stew in bananas and sometimes with langka (raw jackfruit) and tomato sauce

Sinigang - beef or pork meat or seafood in sour broth

Pinasugbo - fried, crispy bananas with sesame seeds. Popular dessert dish in Iloilo.

Champorado - sweet cocoa rice porridge

Bicho-bicho - Filipino sugar or honey glazed donut

Dinuguan - stew made up of pig's blood and innards

Butter scotch - popular pastry in Iloilo

Puto - sweet, steamed rice cake

Sinanglaw - Ilocano dish. A hotpot made from beef innards.

Pancit Lomi -      A Chinese-Filipino dish made with a variety of thick fresh egg noodles of about a quarter of an inch in diameter.

Polvoron - A pastry made from compressed toasted flour, milk, and sugar. Sometimes made with ground peanuts, cashews, and/or pinipig. May be coated with milk and/or milk chocolate.

Hojaldres, calchetas - pastries

Rosquillos - Philippine cookies made from flour, eggs, shortening, sugar, and baking powder. Originally created by Margarita “Titay” T. Frasco in 1907 in Liloan, Cebu. Its name comes from the Spanish word rosca (ringlet).

Utap - Variant spelling: otap. Oval-shaped puff pastry usually made with flour, shortening, coconut, and sugar.


Bulalo - A beef shank stew including the bone and marrow.

Dinengdeng -  A bagoong soup based dish similar to pinakbet. It contains fewer vegetables and contains more bagoong soup base.

Paksiw - generally means to cook and simmer in vinegar. Common dishes bearing the term, however, can vary substantially depending on what is being cooked. Paksiw na isda is fish poached in a vinegar and water broth usually seasoned with fish sauce and spiced with siling mahaba and possibly containing vegetables. Paksiw na baboy is pork, usually hock or shank, cooked in ingredients similar to those in adobo but with the addition of sugar and banana blossoms to make it sweeter and water to keep the meat moist and to yield a rich sauce. Paksiw na lechon is roasted pork lechon meat cooked in lechon sauce or its component ingredients of vinegar, garlic, onions, black pepper and ground liver or liver spread and some water. The cooking reduces the sauce so that by the end the meat is almost being fried.

Sinanglay - popular dish of Bicol region. A dish wherein fish, preferably Tilapia, is wrapped in pechay or mustard leaves and is simmered in rich coconut milk.

Misua - noodles soup

Different kinds of Pancit (noodles) dish using miki noodles:

1. Pancit Palabok - Rice noodles cooked in anato seeds, usually served with hard-boiled egg, chicharon, spring onions, and kalamansi

2. Pancit Canton - Chinese-Filipino version of Cantonese lo mein using flour-based noodles.

3. Pancit Luglug - Same as pancit palabok except with larger noodles.

4. Pancit Tuguegarao or Batil-patong - originating from the province of Cagayan

5. Pancit Bihon Guisado

6. Pancit Habhab

7. Pancit Malabon

Sotanghon - A clear chicken soup with vermicelli noodles

Bibingka - sweet rice cake made with rice flour, coconut, coconut milk. The hot rice cake optionally topped with a pat of butter and/or slices of kesong puti (Mozzarella cheese). It is very popular in cold December and January.

Sisig -  is a Kapampangan term which means "to snack on something sour".  Sizzling sisig, a Filipino dish made from parts of pig’s head and liver, usually seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers.


Cripy Pata - deep fried portions of pork legs including knuckles often served with a chili and calamansi flavored dipping soy sauce or chili flavored vinegar for dipping.

Bicol Express - a spicy Bicol region dish. It is a stew made from long chili peppers, coconut milk, shrimp paste or stockfish, onion, pork, and garlic. 

Curacha - boiled or steamed sea crab. It is a popular dish in Zamboanga

Giniling (Picadillo) - Ground pork or beef cooked with garlic, onion, soy sauce, tomatoes, and potatoes and frequently with carrots, raisins, and bell peppers.

Biko - A sticky sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. It is similar to Kalamay, but uses whole grains. It is also known as Sinukmani or Sinukmaneng.

Bandi - coconut and peanut brittle with sesami seeds

Bukayo - A sweet popular with children, it is made by simmering strips of young, gelatinous coconut (buko) in water and then mixing these with sugar.

Buko Pandan - coconut juice with coconut shavings, sweetened condensed milk and green gelatin.

Buko Pie - A traditional pastry, young coconut filled pie.

Camote cue - Deep fried kamote (sweet potato) skewers with caramelised brown sugar.

Cascaron - A dessert made of rice flour, coconut and sugar.

Leche flan - A rich custard made of egg yolks with a layer of soft caramel on top (as opposed to crème brûlée, which has a hard caramel top). Sometimes sliced and added to other desserts such as halo-halo.

Espasol - A cylindrical cake made of rice flour cooked in coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips, which is then dusted with toasted rice flour.

Hopia - A popular bean filled pastry originally introduced by Fujianese immigrants from China in urban centres of the Philippines.

Maja blanca - coconut milk made into gelatin with optional sweet corn kernels and coconut shavings. A version of blancmange.

Maruya or Kumbo - Fritters usually made from Saba bananas. It is called Kumbo in Iloilo.

Palitaw - They are made from malagkít (sticky rice) washed, soaked, and then ground. Scoops of the batter are dropped into boiling water where they float to the surface as flat discs which are then dipped in grated coconut and presented with a separate dip of sugar and toasted sesame seeds. Palitaws are used in Muasi, a popular native dessert in Iloilo.

Muasi - sweet chocolate soup using brown (muscovado) sugar and palitaw

Ube halaya -  Ube jam, made from boiled and mashed purple yam. Ube halaya (Or halayang ube; variant spellings halea, haleya; from the Spanish jalea, "jam") is also used in pastries and other desserts such as halo-halo and ice cream.

Kalamay hati - A sticky sweet delicacy made of ground glutinous rice, grated coconut, brown sugar, margarine, peanut butter, and vanilla (optional).

Bagoong alamang - Shrimp paste made from minute shrimp or krill.

Bagoong monamon - A common condiment used in the Philippines and particularly in Northern Ilocano cuisine. It is made by fermenting salted anchovies.

Piaya - a popular pastry from Negros Occidental. A flat pastry filled with a jam made of muscovado sugar and sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds, grilled on a pan. Different flavours include ube (purple yam), mango and chocolate.

Latík  - in the northern Philippines refers to coconut milk curds used as toppings. In the Visayan regions, it is called suman and refers to a thick, sweet syrup made from coconut milk and sugar.

Dodol - A toffee-like food delicacy made with coconut milk, jaggery, and rice flour. Sticky, thick and sweet, it is served mostly during festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

Pinangat - Pinangat or pangat also refers to a dish or method of cooking involving poaching fish in salted water and tomatoes. In Bicol refers to a dish of taro leaves, chili, meat, and coconut milk tied securely with coconut leaf.

Kaldereta - A dish made with cuts of pork, beef or goat with tomato paste or tomato sauce with liver spread added to it.

Rendang - spicy beef curry

Puto Cuchinta - moist jelly-like rice cakes made with brown sugar and lye. It is usually served with grated coconut.

Halo-halo - which can be described as a dessert made with shaved ice, milk, and sugar with additional ingredients like coconut, halaya (mashed purple yam), caramel custard, plantains, jackfruit, red beans, tapioca and pinipig being typical.

Leche con yelo - popular version of halo-halo made of shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk and food color.

Pyanggang - is a Tausug dish made from barbecued chicken marinaded in spices, and served with coconut milk infused with toasted coconut meat.

Sapin-sapin - are three-layered, tri-colored sweets made with rice flour, purple yam, and coconut milk with its gelatinous appearance. Takes its name from the word sapin, "to spread" or "to cover".

Palitaw - are rice patties covered with sesame seeds, sugar, and coconut

Siomai - Ground pork, beef, and shrimp, among others, combined with extenders like green peas, carrots and the like which is then wrapped in wonton wrappers.

Siopao -  Steamed filled bun. Common versions are asado, shredded meat in a sweet sauce similar to a Chinese barbecued pork filling, and bola-bola, a packed ground pork filling.

Linupak -  a dessert made from mashed cassava, sweet potatoes, or saba bananas with butter or margarine. The term came from the root word, "lupak" which means the process of mashing the cassava or banana to make it a mashed cassava or mashed banana using a big mortar and pestle called lusong.
   * lusong - a mortar conventionally made of carved wood and is used for pounding rice and other root crops so as to remove the hull from the grains or to mash root crops.

Pitsi-pitsi -  cassava patties coated with cheese or coconut

Turon - a kind of fried lumpia consisting of an eggroll or phyllo wrapper filled with plantain and jackfruit and sprinkled with sugar can also be found sold in streets.

Banana cue - Deep fried Saba bananas coated in caramelised brown sugar with optional sesame seeds coating.

Barquillos - popular treats in Iloilo and Negros Occidental. A flat, sweet flour-based pastry rolled into a hollow tube. Sometimes eaten with sorbetes or western ice cream.

Barquiron - Barquillos filled with polvoron.

Baye baye - A sticky dessert made from newly harvested rice.

Belekoy - A sweet pastry made from flour, sugar, sesame seeds, and vanilla.

Binignit or Linugaw - A dessert soup made with glutinous, sticky rice (pilit) coconut milk, tubers such as purple yam, sweet potato, and plantains as well as jackfruit, sago and tapioca pearls.

Ibus - A type of rice cake from South East Asia made from rice that has been wrapped in a woven palm leaf pouch or banana leaves then boiled.

Okoy -  also spelled as ukoy is another batter-covered, deep-fried street food in the Philippines. Along with the batter, it normally includes bean sprouts, shredded pumpkin and very small shrimps, shells and all. It is commonly dipped in a combination of vinegar and chilli.

Salabat -  sometimes called ginger tea, is brewed from ginger root and usually served during the cold months.

Tablea - chocolate cubes made from pure cacao beans which are dried, roasted, ground and then formed into tablets. It is an ideal desserts, candies or local sweet treats for everyone.

Tsokolate - Filipino version of hot chocolate drinks made using tablea.

Street foods which include:

a. balut - steamed duck embryo
b. fish balls / squid balls - skewers on bamboo sticks. A common street food most often made from the meat of cuttlefish or pollock and served with a sweet and spicy sauce or with a thick black sweet and sour sauce.
c. lumpiang shanghai  - are spring rolls usually filled with ground pork and a combination of vegetables, and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce
d. skewers
  d.1 adidas - chicken feet named after the popular shoe brand
  d.2 betamax - roasted dried chicken blood served cut into and served as small cubes for which it received its name in resemblance to a Betamax tape
  d.3 isaw - seasoned hog or chicken intestines
  d.4 proven - the proventriculus of a chicken coated in cornstarch and deep-fried
  d.5 kwek-kwek - deep-fried Penoy, a version of balut without the duck embryo. It is a hard-boiled quail eggs dipped in orange-dyed batter and then deep fried similar to tempura.
  e.6 tokneneng - a tempura-like Filipino street food, made by deep-frying orange batter covered hard-boiled eggs. Similar to kwek-kwek but uses balut instead of Penoy

Ensaymada - A pastry or a brioche made with butter (instead of lard) and topped with grated cheese (usually queso de bola, the local name for aged Edam) and sugar.

Pan de coco - A rich sweet bread with a sweet coconut filling.
 
Taho - is a warm treat made up of soft beancurd which is the taho itself, dark caramel syrup called arnibal, and tapioca pearls

Camaro - which are field crickets cooked in soy sauce, salt, and vinegar as it is popular in Pampanga

Papaitan -  which is goat or beef innards stew flavored with bile that gives it a bitter (pait) taste

Soup Number 5 - also spelled as Soup No. 5 or Soup #5 which is a soup made out of bull's testes and can be found in restaurants in Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila

Pinikpikan na Manok - that involves having a chicken beaten to death to tenderize the meat and to infuse it with blood.  It is then burned in fire to remove its feathers then boiled with salt and itag (salt/smoke cured pork).

Tuba -  is a  type of hard liquor made from fresh drippings extracted from a cut young stem of coconut palm

Lambanog -  is an alcoholic beverage most commonly described as coconut wine or coconut vodka. The drink is distilled from the sap of the unopened coconut flower, and is known for its potency and high alcohol content (80 and 90 proof).

Tapuy -  is a traditional Philippine alcoholic drink from the Mountain Province, Benguet and Ifugao made from fermented glutinous rice. It is a clear wine of luxurious alcoholic taste, moderate sweetness and lingering finish. Its average alcohol content is 14% or 28 proof, and does not contain any preservatives or sugar.

Basi - Popular Ilocano alcoholic beverage. Made from sugar cane. If fermented longer, it turns into suka or vinegar


Photo Sources:

Wikipedia
Niconica Wordpress
Gabino 3 Powered by Photobucket
Hub Pages
Lambanog.Org
Pinoyfoodillustrated.blogspot.com

Friday, January 10, 2014

Beauty Pageant Questions And Answers


Question: Some cosmetic companies are marketing beauty products for girls in the elementary schools? Do you think this is a good thing? 

(Question Asked by Activist and Dancing With The Stars Contestant and Ex-Wife of Paul McCartney, Heather Mills to Pennsylvania, LauRen Merola) 

Suggested Answer: While it is not a big deal for the boys in the school, beauty products being promoted in schools for young girls will not cause any alarm or something that can cause a negative impact on both the cosmetic company and the young girls intended by the products as long as certain things must be met and considered. Beauty products presented should be first and foremost general or basic beauty products only like baby powder and shampoo. It should be environment friendly and no harmful side effects. They must teach these young girls that whilst these skin deep enhancements will boost their self confidence and image, what matters most is that they have faith and belief in themselves that they are beautiful and powerful and that personality and just being who you are are still the most important thing because that defines who you are that no beauty products can conceal. 




Question: In some countries when you turn 18, you are required to spend a year in the military. Do you think it should be enforced in our country? Why or why not? 

(Question Asked by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman to Texas, Crystle Stewart) 

Suggested Answer: We are living in a democratic country wherein people has the freedom to choose. Military draft should only be for people, men and women who choose to serve their country in the armed forces in fighting and defending our country's sovereignty and safety and security of our people aiming for the welfare of our nation and its people. We can also be nationalistic and patriotic in serving our country in other countless ways in the spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie to show our love for our people and our country. 




Question: If you could help one famous person to better themselves, who would you pick and how will you help them? 

(Question Asked by Project Runway Season 4 Winner Christian Siriano to Oklahoma, Lindsey Jo Harrington) 

Suggested Answer: I would like to help President Barack Obama to better himself since he is the leader of a country whom people looked up to lead them and to inspire them. I will help him boost more confidence and to enhance and emphasize his charisma to capture the hearts of many to cooperate and be with him. I will teach him the power of empathy and to show more kindness when times really need it. Lastly, I will teach him the virtue of humility and simplicity to be more warm, friendly and more humane and to be a good example of a good public servant. 




Question: There are parents today who raise their children without letting them watch any television or look at the internet, what is your opinion on this? 

(Question Asked by N'Sync Former Member and host of NBC's The Singing Bee, Joey Fatone to New Jersey, Tiffany Andrade) 

Suggested Answer: I understand and believe that those parents who doesn't want their children keep in touch with the times and get connected to the world wants to raise them with good family values and virtues and a life that centers only about themselves. However, to avoid living the world of ignorance, they must have some exposure to these kind of technologies.These children also need to get informed, to get connected to the world to be aware of what is happening around them and also to keep at pace with the times. 




Question: Has being a woman, a beautiful woman giving you any special opportunities in your life and if so, how would you use it in a positive, constructive way? 

(Question Asked by FX's Nip/Tuck actress Kelly Carlson to Mississippi, Leah Laviano) 

Suggested Answer: Here I am now on this stage competing with other equally stunning, accomplished women being watched by millions across the country. So I think being beautiful does not only give special opportunity to realize your dreams, achieve your goal or even champion your cause or advocacy you believe in but also gives you the reason to reach out to many people, show some kindness and inspire the uninspired. This is the real definition of beauty, inside out. 


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Year-End Review Of 2013



Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina who became Pope Francis I in March after Pope Benedict XVI resigned, the first pope to resign in hundred years time.





Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton joyfully show their first baby to the public moments after it was born





Gabriela Isler of Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2013 in Moscow, Russia





Megan Young of the Philippines was crowned Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia





Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines was crowned Miss International 2013 in Tokyo, Japan 








Typhoon Yolanda wreck havoc in central Philippines claiming thousands of lives, injured others, affecting thousands of families and lost billions of dollars of properties and houses. It is the most destructive and strongest typhoon in recorded history.



Let us take a look at the noisemakers of 2013


Argo, Les Miserables, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jessica Chastain, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Christoph Waltz, Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Homeland among the big winners of 70th Golden Globe Awards - January 13


Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won their respective matches to win the 2013 Australian Open - January 27

Argo, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emmanuelle Riva, Christoph Waltz, Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck among the big winners of the 66th British Academy Film Awards - February 10

Gotye, Mumford and Sons and We Are Young among the big winners of the 55th Grammy Awards - February 10

Argo, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Christoph Waltz, Anne Hathaway and Ang Lee among the big winners of the 85th Academy Awards at Dolby Theater, Los Angeles, California - February 24

World renowned pianist, Van Cliburn dies in Fort Worth, Texas of bone cancer. He was 78. - February 27

President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez dies of massive heart attack due to complications of cancer. He was 58. - March 5


Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is elected the 266th pope where he takes the name of Francis becoming the first Jesuit pope, first pope from Americas and first from the Southern Hemisphere - March 13


The Iron Lady and United Kingdom's first woman prime minister, Margaret Thatcher dies of stroke. She was 87 - April 8


Two Chechen Islamist brothers, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev explode two bombs at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States, killing 3 and injuring 264 others. - April 15

Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia (men) and Rita Jeptoo of Kenya (women) won 2013 Boston Marathon marred by bombings - April 15

Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia (men) and Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya (women) won 2013 London Marathon - April 21

An eight-story commercial building collapses in Savar Upazila near the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, leaving 1,129 dead and 2,500 injured. - April 24

Chelsea FC won the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final - May 15

Bayern Munich FC won 2013 UEFA Champions League Final - May 25

Blue Is The Warmest Color took the Palme D'or and Ilo ilo won Camera D'or at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in France - May 26

American Edward Snowden discloses operations engaged by a US government mass surveillance program to news publications and flees the country, later being granted temporary asylum in Russia. - June 6

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Serena Williams of United States won 2013 French Open - June 9

Flash floods and landslides in the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh kill more than 5,700 people and trap more than 20,000. - June 14 - 30

Erin Brady of Connecticut won the 62nd Miss USA held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino is Las Vegas, Nevada giving her state the first Miss USA title - June 16

Amid mass protests across Egypt, President Mohamed Morsi is deposed in a military coup d'état, leading to widespread violence. - July 3

Asian Athletics Championship 2013 was held in India - July 3 - 7

Andy Murray of United Kingdom and Marion Bartoli of France won the 2013 Wimbledon Championships in London. Andy Muray is the first British tennis player in several years to win the prestigious competition. - July 7

Canadian and GLEE (tv musical drama series) actor Cory Monteith dies of drug overdose. He was 31. - July 13

France won the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Turkey - July 13

Miami Heats made a back-to-back win at NBA Finals 2013 against San Antonio Spurs after winning the title again it last won the previous year against Oklahoma City Thunder.  Most Valuable Player is Lebron James and gave Erik Spoelstra, the first Asian NBA champion coach his second championship trophy. - July 20

Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton welcome their first baby Prince George of Cambridge to the world - July 22

Chicago Blackhawks won the 2013 Stanley Cup finals - July 24

World Aquatics Championship 2013 was held in Spain - July 28- August 4

The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship was held in Manila, Philippines where Iran (first place) and Philippines (second place) secured berths for the FIBA World Basketball Championships in Spain in 2014 - August 1 - 11




The World Athletics Championship 2013 the fourteenth edition of the games was held in Moscow, Russia - August 10 - 18

Syrian Civil War: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad allegedly gasses several neighborhoods surrounding Damascus in the Ghouta chemical attack, leaving hundreds dead and sickening thousands of others. - August 21

British journalist and broadcaster, David Frost dies of a heart attack while onboard MS Queen Elizabeth on which he had been engaged as a speaker. He was 74. - August 31

al-Shabaab Islamic militants attack the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 62 civilians and wounding over 170. - September 21

Megan Young of the Philippines defeated 126 other lovely women to win the 63rd Miss World competition in Bali, Indonesia - September 28

American author and novelist, Tom Clancy dies of undisclosed illness at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was 66. - October 1

Typhoon Haiyan "Yolanda" (Philippines typhoon name), one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record, hits the Philippines and Vietnam, causing devastation with at least 6,149 dead in the Visayas region in the Philippines. - November 8

Gabriela Isler of Venezuela won the 62nd Miss Universe in Moscow, Russia beating 85 other contestants - November 9 / 10

Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift and One Direction among the big winners of American Music Awards - November 24

American actor, Paul Walker dies of a car accident on the way from a charity fund raising event for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. He was 40 - November 30

President of South Africa and anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela dies of a prolonged respiratory infection. He was 95. - December 5

Kenyans Joshpat Kiptanui Chobei and Margaret Njuguna won Manila's Milo Marathon 2013 - December 8

Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines won the 53rd Miss International in Tokyo, Japan beating 66 other lovely contestants. For the first time in history of the pageant, the reigning Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan is barred from attending the event and crown her successor due to her involvement in a scandal. - December 17



Photo Source:


Dailyfresher.com

Happy New Year Of 2014 Everyone!


Happy New Year Everyone! Happy New Year 2014 to everyone! We wish everyone with a very exciting and good wishes for the coming year. More surprises and thrilling fun would come our way this year and on the coming year. Hoping for a more productive, fruitful year ahead of us.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December 18 is Graciano Lopez Jaena Day

Graciano Lopez Jaena (1856-1896), the Greatest Filipino Orator and Propagandist 


Today December 18, 2013 is the 157th birthday of Graciano Lopez Jaena Philippines' greatest orator and propagandist from Jaro, Iloilo. The founder and first editor of La Solidaridad, the Filipino propagandist organ newspaper. He is one of the triumvirate of Filipino propagandists along with Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar. May your legacy continue to inspire the entire nation and the whole world. 


Photo Source:

Vibal Foundation 

Amelia Vega Resemblance, Philippines' Bea Rose Santiago Wins Miss International 2013

Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines received warmth kisses from her runners up. From left, Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker, 1st runner up and New Zealand, Casey Radley (right).


Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines (center) is flanked by 1st runner-up Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker (left) and 2nd runner-up New Zealand, Casey Radley (right)


Tokyo, Japan - 23 year-old Bea Rose Santiago from Cataingan, Masbate province in the Philippines beats 66 other lovely contestants from around the world to win the 53rd Miss International in a glittering ceremony held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan Tuesday night, December 17. She was the 5th Filipina to be crowned Miss International and the last time Philippines won the crown was in 2005 with Precious Lara Quigaman. She was crowned by Miss International 2008 Alejandra Andreu of Spain because the reigning Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Japan's first Miss International was barred from attending the event due to her involvement in a scandal where a media executive Genichi Taniguchi allegedly harassed and intimidated Ms. Yoshimatsu for not signing on to a talent agency with ties to the Japanese Yakuza or underworld facing death threats from her alleged stalker. This was the first time that the reigning Miss International could not crown her successor due to immediate concerns. She was touted by many as having the resemblance of Amelia Vega from Dominican Republic, who ten years ago won Miss Universe 2003 in Panama. 1st runner up is Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker who also competed at the Miss Universe 2012 and 2nd runner up is New Zealand Casey Radley and also Miss Philippines room mate. Rounding up the Top 5 finalists were Colombia, Lorena Hermida and Hungary Brigitta Otvos. The rest of the semifinalists were Brazil, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Iceland, Lithuania, Russia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand and USA. Miss Photogenic went to Lithuania, Elma Segzdaviciute, Best in National Costume went to Aruba, Erialda Croes, Miss Friendship was New Zealand, Casey Radley and Miss Internet went to Macau, Adela Ka-wai Sou. 

Philippines winning answer: "The whole world saw how my country, the Philippines suffered. The agony of my people was felt. But one by one, country to country came to help. I would like to thank all the nations that helped my country in our darkest hours. You have opened my eyes and my heart and how important it is if we all just support each other. If I become Miss International, I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit for sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. I believe that whatever calamities may come to us as long as we have each other, there will be hope. "


Photo Source: 
Miss International Inc. LP., LLP 
Rappler

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW


Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW poster





Dinagyang Festival 2014 Official Poster





Iloilo: HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES













































Some of the Dinagyang Festival 2014 Pamukaw photos 

Iloilo City, Philippines - The Dinagyang Festival 2014 teaser called "Pamukaw" was held last Friday, December 13, 2014 along the main streets of Iloilo City to jumpstart the start of the grandest street dancing in Iloilo. Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog who gave a warm greeting and welcome speech launch the teaser for Dinagyang Festival 2014. Iloilo City Vice-Mayor Joe Espinosa III and other Iloilo City officials also graced the event. Eleven (11) competing tribes showcased some of their moves and treated the audience of what to expect for next year's street dance competition. The theme for next year's festivities is "Dinagyang Festival 2014: Bringing MORE FUN to the world". Dinagyang Festival 2014 is slated from January 24 - 26, 2013 and the city expect hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors to flock the city and province for the said mardi-gras type of street dancing. Tourists and travelers who wish to visit Iloilo for the festivity are advised to book a reservation early in December because hotel and lodging accommodations are fully booked in January with no chance of vacancy.
          To see more photos and videos of the event and teaser performances of tribes, click on the following links below:


For Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW Videos: 

Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City, Philippines) Fan Page 


For Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW Photos: 
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Official Facebook Page  
Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office Facebook Page  
Dinagyang Festival Official Facebook Page 



Photo Source:

Marcos Detourist
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Official Facebook Page
Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City, Philippines) Facebook Fan Page
Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office Facebook Page

Monday, December 9, 2013

Western Visayas Region Achievements In 2013


Jonathan Yabut





Megan Young





Ilo ilo Film by Singaporean Director Anthony Chen




          Despite of the  violence, tragedies and calamities that befall the country in recent times, it is still a bitter sweet year for the Filipinos. The year 2013 proves to be an auspicious and productive year for the Philippines more specifically the Western Visayas region because each and every province in the region except Guimaras Island has produced and won achievements in the international arena something that every Filipino could be proud of. It is a banner year for the whole region because of its accomplishments so far this year. Here are the individuals or personalities and their accomplishments representing provinces in Western Visayas which brought fame, honor and recognition to the country, and won accolades by the Filipino people:


Aklan - JONATHAN YABUT, won The Apprentice Asia Season 1 in Malaysia. He will work closely with his boss, Malaysian magnate Tony Fernandes for a year.

Antique - MEGAN YOUNG, won Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia. She will travel to different countries as part of her job as Miss World.

Capiz - a CAPIZNON household service worker inherited six million dollars from her boss in New York, United States. Her reward was attributed to her great kindness, unwavering service and pleasant disposition which was greatly appreciated by her boss.

Iloilo - ILO ILO, a Singaporean true to life film by Anthony Chen about a Singaporean family who hires a Filipina maid during the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis. The film won the Palme D'or at prestigious Cannes International Film Festival and several other awards in different international film festival. It is Singapore's official entry to the 87th Academy Awards or Oscars 2014 Best Foreign Language Film. The film is based on true to life story of TERESITA "AUNTIE TERRY" SAJONIA of the town of San Miguel in Iloilo who spent several years working for a Singaporean family and took care of the child who grew up to be Anthony Chen

Negros Occidental - STEPHANIE RETUYA, Asia's Next Top Model Season 1  runner-up




Photo Source: 

Philstar.ph 
Rappler

Friday, December 6, 2013

Rest In Peace, Nelson Mandela













Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela. God Bless You! 


          We are deeply saddened by the passing of an icon and a legend whose legacy for humanity still lives on and continued to be exemplified by selfless men and women. His long battle and suffering with lung complication has come to an end.The vanguard of humanity who changed the world and make a difference has finally rested peacefully with the lord. We are so blessed to have a man who stand up against discrimination, segregation and oppression not only for his beloved South Africa but also served as a great inspiration to all nations in the world. One of the best man that walked the earth showed kindness, unconditional love and selfless service whose only noble desire is equality, justice and fairness among all men with no regards to color or background. What really draws deep in my heart is that after being imprisoned for 27 harrowing and depressing years he showed no trace of bitterness and anger in his heart and even granted sincere forgiveness to those who wrong him - what a kind and gentle soul. May we continue to learn from him, from his legacy and serve him as an inspiration in today's world that in our own little ways we could make a difference in the world. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Madiba family, relatives and friends of Mr. Nelson Mandela and also to the entire nation, South Africa. Our prayers are with you. God bless you, Mr. Nelson Mandela. Rest in Peace.