Word of the Lourd – What if Kris Aquino runs for president?

I just saw this video today. It was hilarious. On one hand what Lourd said about Kris was all true. Knowing the Filipinos tendency to vote for the most popular candidate, Kris would indeed win over her brother Noynoy. I hope the Filipinos will vote wisely in the upcoming elections. We really need a good leader this time.

Birthday Lunch at Choi Garden

There’s a tradition in our small office that the birthday celebrant brings food to the office on their birthday. This year everyone requested that I treat them at Choi Garden restaurant since they keep seeing the food on my blog. So their wish is my command.

I ordered all my favorites since I knew they would like it. I forgot to take pictures of the fried rice and hot and sour soup. As if rice and noodles weren’t enough carbs they also wanted to try the fried man tao.

efu noodles

pepper beef ribs
I wanted to try the fried golden mushrooms because I remember eating them at Annapolis Seafood restaurant and they were delicious. Too bad at Choi’s they were horrible. All you taste is the flour batter coating the mushrooms. In the other restaurant they fried the mushrooms straight without the batter so you can taste the flavor of the crisp mushrooms.

salt & pepper fried golden mushroom

The spareribs was everyone’s hands down favorite. It went so fast this is the only picture I was able to take.

salt & pepper spareribs

I also ordered the hot prawn and chicken salad. It was amazingly crisp but a tad too sweet for my taste. It could have been super yummy if not for it being too sweet. No one else complained so I guess they liked it too. I’ll definitely order this again but I’ll be sure to tell them lessen the condensed milk.

hot prawn & chicken salad

My candle blowing skills were pathetic! I couldn’t even blow out a single candle. It took me 4 tries.

They got me an almond sans rival from Sugarhouse. It was one of my favorite cakes in Sugarhouse. The meringue layers were very crisp and the sliced almonds were abundant.


almond sans rival


Choi Garden Menu
abalone, shark’s fin soup, seafood
roasts & vegetables, meat, chef’s recommendation

Choi Garden Seafood and Shark’s Fin Restaurant
12 Annapolis St.
cor. Purdue St.
San Juan, Metro Manila
telephone: 727-6042

Typhoon Ondoy flood relief operations – pictures & videos

This is the true spirit of the Filipinos. See the bayanihan spirit in action.

I’m so proud of my alma mater, Ateneo de Manila for the tremendous work they are doing now.

I just keep thinking of all these plastic bags being used for the relief goods and hope they will be disposed of properly. Otherwise, it will just add to the garbage clogging the drains and the environmental waste. At least SM’s plastic bags are bio-degradable. They start to disintegrate in 3 months if under the sun. If not under direct sunlight it takes a little longer.

These are from Xavier school in Greenhills. Pictures were taken by Diosdado Ng who posted them in facebook.


These wonderful pictures of the efforts being done in my alma mater, ICA, were taken by Debbie Lim-Yulo who sent them to me via mms when I told Kathleen I was doing this entry. Thanks Debbie and Kathleen!! They badly need more products like instant coffee, milk, milo, canned goods and rice. You can deliver them by using gate 3 where cars can go in directly to the covered court.

These pictures are from La Salle Greenhills from I copied from here. Photos by Arianne Blanche Ramirez.

These pictures were taken by Elisa at SM Marikina on Monday, Sept 28. SM foundation with the help of volunteers from the Belo Medical Group and some ROTC from La Salle repacked food and brought medical supplies to Concepcion, Marikina. We would like to thank Deb and the SM foundation for this exceptional help.

The aftermath viewed from the entrance deck of SM Marikina.


SM Marikina’s stairwell going to basement open parking area.

SM Marikina’s stairs going to basement parking.

floodwater almost reached the 2nd floor level. note the mud level at the basement….

SM Foundation’s Mobile Clinic, loaded with medicines, ready to be distributed in Concepcion Marikina

ROTC volunteers from La Salle and doctors from the Belo Medical Group

Time to load the vans with grocery bags


Debbie Sy, Executive Director SM Foundation

This is just a small view of the relief operations ongoing in and around Manila. There are many, many more organizations, TV stations, civic groups that are holding their own relief operations. If you are in the Philippines go to your nearest school or church and help out. For those outside of the Philippines the best thing you can do is send money to the Philippine Red Cross or get more details here.

More pictures of bigger scale relief operations from Heart 2 Heart’s site.

Shopping for relief goods for the flood victims

Yesterday I went to Makro for my weekly shopping for my store, SOS. What I saw there touched my heart. There were almost no push carts available and the lines were long. Majority of the people in the lines were buying food and supplies to be donated to the victims of the flooding caused by typhoon Ondoy. I’m sure this scenario is duplicated in all the supermarkets in Manila.

From my count these look like 3,000 eggs. They’ll probably boil these and hand out hard boiled eggs for a quick and filling meal.

Someone bought all these sacks of rice.

Styro packaging for packed meals.

Cases and cases of instant noodles. Makro Cubao actually ran out of instant noodles. An employee told me that people have been buying hoards of goods since the day before. Instant noodles, canned sardines and rice were the most popular purchases.

Some bought what they can afford. That’s really the spirit of the Filipinos. Giving whatever they can big or small. Everyone comes together in times of crisis.

buckets of cookies


cases of powdered milk


instant noodles and laundry soap

This is my humble contribution. I thought that since many people were already giving food I would give bath and laundry soap. From the pictures and videos I’ve seen the people were all covered in mud. I figured they would need the soap. I bought 384 bars of bath soap, 492 bars of laundry soap and a case of instant coffee. I immediately dropped these off at my high school, Immaculate Conception Academy where they continue to receive and repack donated goods.

The rice and oil in the picture are for my store.


bath soap


laundry soap

So whatever you can share be it a loaf of bread or a case of sardines go to the nearest drop off point and do your share. Better still if you can donate your time and help repack and distribute the goods. The list of places accepting goods are here.

How to help the flood victims of typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines

These are some of the shocking and heart wrenching videos of the recent floods that hit Manila on September 26, 2009 . Most were taken by ordinary citizens who shot the videos of the scenes happening around them.

These pictures are closer to home. These were taken by the adventurous Salva brothers and posted on their facebook page and shared with everyone.

in front of GH West clubhouse

Wislon St. near P. Guevarra

Typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana has caused so much death and damage that hasn’t been seen in Manila in decades. The cost of damages will not be known for weeks. I’m sure it will be a huge amount. An amount that the Philippines cannot afford. Several tv channels are trying to raise funds for the victims. You can also help wherever you are in the world.

A subterranean walkway in Makati filled with flood water

Car pile up after the flood waters have receded. A very common sight in many areas.

I compiled some data on how you can help the families affected by the flooding in Manila. (Constantly updated)

Most urgent needs

  • Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
  • Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
  • Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

ABS-CBN HOTLINE: 416-36-41
SAGIP KAPAMILYA: 413-2667 / 416-0387
You can drop off donations at No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111
Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch
ABS-CBN Foundation US Office: Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820
GMA Kapuso Foundation calls for donations for families affected by Typhoon “Ondoy”
The following donations are needed:
Monetary Donation
Rice
Canned Goods
Noodles
Clothing
you may drop your donations at:
GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION, INC.
2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center
GMA Network Drive cor. Samar Streets
Diliman, Quezon City 1103
Telephone Nos.: (632) 982.7777 loc. 9901 & 9905
Telefax: (632) 928.9351 / 928.4299

METROBANK
Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM
BANCO DE ORO (BDO)
Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189
Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135
Code : BNORPHM
More numbers and information from Manolo Quezon’s site

From my friend Lila:
Those who are abroad who want to donate funds to the typhoon victims in the Philippines, please send money to Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) (a reliable NGO) or the Philippine National Red Cross. Please note that using Paypal is still the safest option.

More information on how you can help: (from here)

Businesses/ Commercial Establishments
1. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

2. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity will be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothersand sisters in need.

3. Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).

4. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.

5. Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.

6. Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.

7. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

8. Power Plant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Drop off at admin office, P1 level.

9. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

10. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.

Government/ Civil Society/ Others
1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation

3. Akbayan’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

4. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

5. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

6. Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

7. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

8. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

9. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

10. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

11. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

12. Philippine National Red Cross‘ different ways to Donate.

13. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

14. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)

15. Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC.

16. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).

17. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN

18. World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.

19. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

Schools & Universities/ Religious
1. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166).
ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)

2. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)

3. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

4. La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

5. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

6. Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.

7. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)

8. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.

9. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

10. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

11. ICA (Immaculate Concepcion Academy) is also accepting donations of food, medicines, water, clothes, blankets and cash donations. Pls drop it off at gate 2. Cars can go in gate 3b and you’ll end up right beside the covered court where they are repacking the goods. You can contact Miren at 0932-2857878. Any volunteers to help out in repacking the goods are most welcome.

Look at this spreadsheet for additional info on places to donate relief goods.

FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY WHO WANT TO DONATE:

  • Friends in the US and Canada who wish to help in the rescue/relief operations,you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669.
  • TXTPower.org has set up a paypal account for donations. Your money will be forwarded to Red Cross.
  • Kapuso Foundation is also accepting credit card donations.
    2/F GMA Kapuso Center
    Samar St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Diliman, Quezon City
    Call 9827777 loc. 9901/9904/9905.
    accepts relief goods and cash
  • myAyala.com account for Philippine Jesuits – you can use your CREDIT CARD and donate ONLINE. Go to www.myayala.com/sjph/. On the line “I would like to donate to:”, write “xs4ondoy“.
  • Ayala Foundation USA is appealing to our fellow Pinoys in the United States to help our kababayans affected by Typhoon Ondoy!
    You may send your donations through Ayala Foundation USA. Click on the link below and search for “AF-USA Typhoon Relief Fund” in the box marked “Donations For.” http://af-usa.org/donate_now_form.asp
  • For Filipinos in other countries in the Middle East, they may contact Monterona via phone number (00966 564978012) or email (migranteme@gmail.com) and they would be referred to Migrante coordinators.
  • Worldvision Foundation – For $ donations, BPI:USD acct #4254-0050-08

    In Kind donations

    • LOCAL: Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross ? National Headquarters in Manila. They could also arrange for donation pick-up.
    • INTERNATIONAL:

      1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
      2. A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
      3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.
      4. Much more ways to donate from abroad here. This link lists ways to donate from several countries around the world. Great list!
      5. Another list from OndoyManila.

      LATEST UPDATES HERE

    Birthday Dinner at Home

    The other day I posted a preview of the ingredients for the party I was hosting. Here are the pictures of last night’s dinner. I informed my friends that dinner was at 7:00 pm. Janet was the first to arrive and the last group arrived at 8:30. They all informed me the traffic was horrible due to the non-stop rains.


    table setting before chaos set in

    Chris is missing from this picture because she had to eat and run to another party.

    I wasn’t sure if I prepared enough food so my tactic was to stuff them with appetizers and salad. The big hit of the night was the dukkah and olive oil I served with Lartizan’s ciabatta that I bought at Santi’s.

    I discovered dukkah when I was in Perth where it was very popular and available everywhere. Dukkah is an Egyptian spice blend made of nuts, sesame seeds and a combination of spices. I made my own macadamia dukkah which everyone loved. You take a piece of bread, dip it into extra virgin olive oil then the dukkah. It was really very addictive.


    ciabatta, olive oil & dukkah

    I gave each person their own set of olive oil and dukkah. Everyone had at least one refill.

    I fried up some squid balls which I bought at Cold Storage. They have very good, dense, chewy and flavorful squid balls.

    squid balls

    The salad I made was a mix of romaine and arugula greens. I mixed in dried cranberries and chopped glazed pili nuts. I made raspberry vinaigrette to go with it. They finished two huge serving bowls of salad. By this point my friends were already half full. My plan was working!

    Deb brought this bottle of wine which we had with dinner. That’s the sum total of the alcohol we consumed for the night. Yes, I know that’s unbelievable but true. We did have a shot glass or two of chocolate liqueur after dinner. But that was really insignificant.

    I made linguine with 3 kinds of mushrooms, spinach, a bottle of tuyo in olive oil and tons of garlic and olive oil. I guess they liked it since they took home all the left-overs.

    The other bowl had more mushroom on top.

    For the meat course, I marinated thinly sliced Angus steak from Santi’s in soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This was simply pan fried in olive oil.

    thinly sliced Angus steaks

    For a healthier dinner, I served poached salmon in white wine with fresh dill. The frozen salmon was purchased at Cold storage too.

    poached salmon

    There was strawberry banana salad for dessert.

    strawberry banana salad

    And I also made an apple marzipan tart. I bought frozen puff pastry, topped it with marzipan and sliced apples then baked it. It was actually very simple to make.

    apple marzipan tart

    And Janet brought a box of Betty’s sans rival. It was my first time to try Betty’s sans rival although I’ve heard about it before. It was very crunchy and one of the best sans rival I’ve ever eaten.

    sans rival

    I hope everyone enjoyed dinner. I know they were full because I heard groans around me and a lot of tummy rubbing. This was one of the least stressful dinners I’ve thrown. Now I know it’s best to cook the main course only when everyone has eaten their salad. I have this thing about serving and consuming hot food.

    As I write this post half of Manila is under flood waters. One of my bff’s house has water already reaching her 2nd floor. Thankfully they have evacuated already. Please pray for the Philippines and the flood victims. I feel guilty that I am dry and safe in our house while so many are stranded in traffic or fighting flood waters in their homes. I hope all my friends stay safe.

    Santi’s Delicatessen
    The Promenade Bldg., 198 Wilson Street Corner
    P. Guevarra, San Juan City
    telephone: 381-2926; 381-2934

    Cold Storage
    Wilson St., San Juan
    telephone: 744-2288; 744-0265

    Betty’s Sans Rival
    101 M. Cuenco cor. Biak na Bato St.,
     Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
    telelephone: 712-1752

    Dinner at Jenny’s House

    We recently had a mini potluck to celebrate our own birthdays at Jenny’s new house. We usually treat each other but since everyone was busy (that’s their excuse) we decided to celebrate together. Vivian’s birthday was in April, Jenny in August and me in September.

    Their kids meet up once a year too. Girls, we really need to do this more often!


    adorable!

    I brought these fabulous vegetable quiche from Lartizan. I also brought French bread and a yummy herb and garlic cheese made from carabao’s milk and some sun dried tomato pesto. As usual I forgot to take pictures of those.


    veggie quiche

    Jenny’s hubby, Raymund is a wonderful chef. If he didn’t cook they would have to survive on take out. He cooked this delicious gambas which was very spicy.

    gambas

    Jenny bought this chicken pie from Uno restaurant in escolta. The crust was really good. I didn’t like the filling very much though. The white sauce was in semi solid globs and there were too much potatoes. The chicken chunks were plentiful though.


    chicken pot pie

    Vivian brought this spaghetti in clam sauce. The sauce is good but the noodles were a bit soft. Sorry Viv! She also made callos. It’s in the container next too the spaghetti.

    spaghetti w/ clam sauce

    The discovery of the night was the frozen choco lava cake Jenny bought. All she did was pop in the microwave for a few seconds and top it with some ice cream and she had instant dessert.

    chocolate lava cake

    Break the cake and let all the chocolate love come out. Yummmmmy!

    In the end it wasn’t about the food. It was about 3 long time friends getting together and catching up. It was a fun night. Another one in December I hope.

    Choco Lava Cake
    Fudgies by Jenny Silayan
    16 San Martin St.
    Magallanes Village
    telephone: 852-0557