Santa Baby, are you real?

Yesterday, during our Noche Buena dinner, I asked my son when he stopped believing in Santa.  He paused and thought, "I don't think I ever believed in it."  And I presumed it had to do with a lot of reasons.

First, our houses in the Philippines don't have chimneys, thereby making Santa impossible to come to a child's home via 'that way'.  Then there's that bloody red suit with long fluffy white fur that probably could pass as a personal sauna, considering we have only two seasons--hot and hotter.  And the only possible snow we know of  are  those tiny bits of white styrofoam balls  that gets blown by a fan and recycled back into a machine to once again from it's duty of a replicate snowfall.  And one more thing, those  Reindeers (helpers of Santa) will never pass through any Filipino house without the guard dog that is normally tied to the front yard.

But here in America, Santa is such a huge thing.  You see him in every mall every Christmas season.  I once asked an 8 year old, if there is really just one Santa or are there many Santas.  And he just shrugged his shoulder not bothering with such a psychological question.  Who cares?  As long as I get my presents.

The concept of Santa was not really promoted in our household, because our resources were limited when my kids were growing up  and one gift of value is enough for every child, and this had to come from mom and dad.  Besides, there were conditions Santa made, you had to be nice--- and who kid is nice all year round?  In this world, everything is conditional.....but not mom and dad's love.

I did tell my grandkids some years ago, that Santa is really their dad.  And to which one replied, "but lola, daddy is not fat and has no white beard."    And yesterday, as my grandkids opened their gifts, I asked them if they got something from Santa to which they shook their heads. (our tradition of truth lives on)    But they also gave that look that says, "I don't mind, and I don't care.....because I got all what I wanted from my dad, mom, lolo, lola, titos, titas etc..."

So what more can I say?

My Not Ur day kinda!

Not all my weekend events turn out as I would expect.  And yesterday was one of those days.  I had already signed up for a free ticket to the AAWW Food and Book Festival and was anticipating an entertaining afternoon. (AAWW -Asian American Writers Workshop).

I left home about noon to catch the early workshops I was interested in.  As soon as I was out of the station and walking to the designated event, I turned on my phones GPS .  What normally takes me a couple of minutes , ended in a maze. I even had to look into my emails from the organizer to check on directions. 

It was an hour later when I texted my hubby to inform him that I couldn’t find the place and might just go back home.  He gave me the exact address of the YMCA and I explicitly said, the ticket called for YWCA.  Nevertheless, I took a subway train and went down 2 stations and walked to the YMCA.  I was informed that it was several blocks up but it would be better to take the bus, which I did.  The guy even said to tell the bus driver to drop me off at 3rd Avenue or something.

As soon as I got off, I looked around for some sign of the ‘Y’ or Roulette  but couldn’t find any.  I walked up 2 blocks but still no sign and realized that I was in the same spot just an hour or so ago. Hungry and frustrated, I went inside a ‘Subway’ fastfood shop and ordered a sandwich, drink and chips.  The lady before me at the cashier took awhile to get her order paid, and she apologized to me.  We then made small conversation and I asked her  directions for the YWCA.

She informed me it was 2 blocks down, which was right across the pharmacy but I wouldn’t find a sign, but she was definite that was it.  I thanked her, paid my veggie sandwich and ate quietly by the nook.  I would have played with my phone while eating, but my battery was low, so I was content in looking out the window.

After my meal, I hurriedly walked down to where the lady had told me earlier.  I was baffled because it was the same spot where the bus dropped me off.  The venue was in the big building across the bus stop and without a sign, anyone could’ve missed it.

I was able to catch the last portion of one workshop held at the ballroom event, about the ‘speculative city’.  Two authors were reading excerpts  from their book and it was fun how they read their own stories in their voices.  But I had wanted to really sit in on at least one whole workshop which was located at the basement gallery.  However, as soon as I got down, I was informed that they were 30 minutes behind schedule.

So I thought to myself, this is not good.  And I left.

Have you ever had that feeling that something seems wrong and that you had to take yourself away from that scene.  That was how I felt.  So to appease myself, I took the train to Union Square and scoured of what was left of Market day.  Sometimes, farmers would give their produce at cost just so they wouldn’t bring it back with them.

And I did get some good deals.  I got myself 2 bottles of organic wine, some cheese, yin yan beans  and some sprouts.  

And even if my afternoon didn’t quite go as expected, my  evening turned out fantastic with a quiet  ‘tapas only’ dinner,  good conversation and drum jamming with my only domestic partner...... : )

 the authors reading excerpts from their book

it's fall season and the pumpkins are out....decorative or otherwise

potatoes and root crops galore

all kinds of kale....if the cebuanos planted some it might be called "Kale-bangon" joke lang..

I got myself a quarter pound pepper cheese...yumm.

the farmer said these are called black eyed peas???? but inside it was white..

this is what I bought-- yin yan peas...

If Only

This is the article I wrote as an entry to the ad campaign of the Fancy Food Show: 
If Only....

The Winter Specialty Food Show was my first encounter in the exhibit some ten years ago and when I learned they were in New York where I reside, I became it’s regular attendee every summer.

ONe of my greatest concerns as a Filipino, was while other Asian countries were making their presence known at the show, the Philippines was lagging behind. Each year I would scour the aisles for anything from my country but only found a handful from various distributor’s booths.

Not until three years ago, a tandem of Filipino manufacturers representing the Philippine booth offered a variety of dried produces now found in leading groceries and supermarkets across the US . I was overjoyed and immediately established a fruitful rapport with them. Not only did I land a cookbook deal, but I have become an advocate of epicurean Pinoy specialties.

Lately however, marketing is done by major players in the food industry. There is little Philippine government support whatsoever.

If only the world knew of Iloilo’s black plum wine, Cebu’s ‘best pig ever‘, Cavite’s coffee Luwak, plus so much more..If only the world can taste world class tropical gourmet goodness the Philippines can offer…If only … If only….

Spring Fever

Women may be drama queens in their homes  but when the man of the house gets sick,   they are the worst patients.  They even out do their children in terms of complaining and whining.

It is a weekend, and as usual I look forward to exploring the first few weeks of spring out in New York City, but no sooner was I thinking when I saw my hubby in his favorite chair looking very pensive.  At first I thought he was mad because of something I did, but when i saw him squirming and saying “aray! aray!” while moving his body, I knew there was something wrong.

I guess the band tour with my son just took its toll on him. Maybe.  But then again, you know that your physical body is not as vibrant as it once was.  And the confirmation is manifested when you hear about your friend’s parents dying or that your contemporaries children are getting married and having children of their own.  Now that is some verification that you are  approaching  middle age or if not in it .

Recently I have been an advocate for natural remedies when it comes to the regular viruses.  Especially now that spring showers of pollen are causing allergies and the bipolar weather of sunshine mixing with wintry chills is the purpose of many fevers and chills.  Drinking lots of water, vitamin C from fruits - lemons, oranges and tons of ginger in soups or juices are but just a few of the remedies.  But when hubby says it’s not working, he then asks for  a quick fix,--an  instant gratification of ‘white man’s medicine’ in the form of ibuprofen or acetaminophen tabs.

Our bodies are our temples, and unless we take care of it, it cannot take care of us.  Being conscious of our eating habits is a form of control that we can adapt in our everyday lives.  I am saddened by the fact that the eastern world (especially where I come from) has been so influenced by the western world.  The fast food generation is taking the lives of our children and sooner it will be manifested in their health in the forms of obesity and man made diseases.

Food is the cause of many forms of diseases and unless we re-educate ourselves about what comes into our mouth, food will also be the solution for it.

Okay......so I guess my husband is awake and whining again about the typing noise I’m making...have to go.  And if all the white man’s medicine, natural remedies doesn’t work, maybe tons of  cuddle will help..now that’s a woman’s medicine for her man!

actually, this is what my hubby tells me all the time! but i beat him to it by writing about it...hahahah!!!!

NY Beer Festival

Beer is beer is beer as always and I’ve never liked it for its bitter taste.  However, as my knowledge increased, so is my appreciation for the beverage.  Initially, I was contemplating whether I was going to volunteer just to put my foot on the door but wasn’t so sure whether I would show up or not, after all beer is a beverage and part of the food industry.

The organizers have strict rules in these events for volunteers.  You must have a government issued i.d.  which will show proof of legal drinking age plus a valid credit card which they will credit a fee once they find out that you’ve been ‘drinking on the job’, thus charge you a fee of $65 which is the entrance amount for the festival. After all, volunteers don’t get paid for the job but can enjoy the festival after their shift.

I was assigned booth no. 10 with a  brewery called the 21st Ammendment.  The exhibitor said, “If they ask you what the name stands for, just say that it was because of the ‘prohibition’ issued known as the 18th Ammendment prohibiting the sale and use of liquor, and that the 21st ammendment repealed that prohibition.”......Okay, so I said, that’s some American history there..

Our booth had a table with a cooler that contained a tank inside which was covered in ice.  There were four holes each connected to tubes.  Two of the tubes were connected to the the two kegs that had the beers, while the other two were the tap handles where the beer comes out.  We had two black buckets which served as a waste receptacle while two clear ones we used to fill up with beer and pour to the guest’s shot glasses.

The exhibitor gave us a short explanation about the brews.  One was called , ‘Back in Black’ which was a dark colored beer, while the one assigned to me (regular yellowish) was called, “Brew Free OR DIE”.  Such a crazy name for a beer.  Anyway, the exhibitor rambled away, that ‘one was 6.7 percent that started with malt and ended with hops while the other was 7 percent and they are both IPA.  ”.....Deep inside me I had no idea what she was talking about, yet just like a robot, I did convey to the beer drinkers the information.  The only info I really understood was that the brewery was based in San Francisco.

As the festival was going on, I tried to size up the people who graced these events.  Of course there where already those that had beer bellies,  some where bartenders wanting information about having good beer in their restaurants, and the aficionados who just want to have fun .  Time flew so fast that you kind of know when it was over because some of the people were starting to slur, or that they looked sunburnt even when they were indoors the whole time. Others were cheery and calling me ‘love, sweetheart or dear’.  I can only count with one hand how many guys thanked me by my name and one was an editor of a beer magazine who thought our beer was great.

These festivals often leave me in awe at how such a small beginning can turn into something big.  There are over 5,000 breweries across the U.S. and most started as backyard hobbies.  I did try some of the beers but just enough to circle my mouth , the rest I threw away.  I did get some distinctions with some that were earthy,  fruity, gingery, citrusy , peppery kind.  Oh and I did get some knowledge that there are so called session beers.  Anything that has a 5% alcohol content or lower is called a session beer because a beer drinker can have multiple beers within a given period of time before they can feel the alcohol in it.......

As for me, I think I’ll stick to my wine

The Lost Wallet

A few weeks ago,  hubby lost his wallet.  He thought he left it at the grocery store while buying some fresh vegetables that we were going to juice up that morning.  So he went back only to be told his wallet was not there.  He then retraced his steps and didn’t find it as well.

A few hours later, we were going to the city for some activity, I told hubby to retrace again his steps that morning.  If I would ever want a second job, it would probably be a private investigator because I would have success on my hunches (I do have interesting tales to relate on this one,  to the point that I was  almost sued for libel which  turned out I was right, but that’s another story)

Anyway, hubby said he did retrace his steps earlier but succumbed to my request of doing it all over.  While we were walking down the sidewalk, he was looking towards the street, while I was looking at the alleys and walkways.  Then somewhere between a door and an alleyway I saw a bunch of call card strewn.  It was probably one of those trash cards one throws on the streets, but i saw the name “Xango Shola” which happened to be a friend of ours.  This led me to believe that these cards were the contents of my hubby’s wallet.   I then  gathered the cards and gave them to hubby. which was indeed the contents of his wallets sans his i.d. and the money which had amounted to twice a daily’s wage.

The confirmation that hubby’s wallet was indeed picked up and weeded out of its contents had left me with a feeling of pitiness for my hubby who worked so hard for his keep only to be enjoyed by another.  But what surprised me was his calm reaction to the whole thing.  His only response was, “the guy who got my wallet must have needed the money more than me.  I’m just glad I got my cards back and I can always get a new atm card.”

It is not our action that determines our attitude, it is our reaction to the incident.  

Sometimes, what could be our misfortune can turn out good if we look at it a different way.   And I had to share this incident because of the story I read a few minutes ago:

Indeed one of the best eye opener message:

It was their anniversary, and Aisha was waiting for her husband Rajiv to show up.

Things had changed since their marriage, the once cute couple couldn't-live-without-each-other had turned bitter.

Fighting over every little things, both didn't like the way things had changed.

Aisha was waiting to see if Rajiv remembered it was their anniversary!

Just as the door bell rang she ran to find her husband wet and smiling with a bunch of flowers in his hand.

The two started re-living the old days. Making up for fights, then was d plan for champagne, light music And it was raining outside! It was perfect.

But the moment paused when the phone in the bedroom rang.

Aisha went to pick it up and it was a man. "Hello ma'am I'm calling from the police station. Is this Mr Rajiv Mehra's number?"

"Yes it is!"

"I'm sorry ma'am; but there was an accident and a man died. 

We got this number from his wallet; we need you to come and identify his body."

Aisha's heart sank.!!! She was shocked!

But my husband is here with me?"

"Sorry ma'am, but the incident took place at 2 pm, when he was boarding the train."

Aisha was about to lose her conscience.

How could this happen?!

She had heard about the soul of the person coming to meet a loved one before it leaves!

She ran into the other room.

He was not there. It was true! He had left her for good!!

Oh God she would have died for another chance to mend every little fight! She rolled on the floor in pain. She lost her chance! Forever!

Suddenly there was a noise from the bathroom, the door opened and Rajiv came out and said "Darling, I forgot to tell you my wallet got stolen today".

LIFE MIGHT NOT GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE. SO NEVER WASTE A MOMENT WHEN YOU CAN STILL MAKE UP FOR YOUR WRONGS!!

at the rate we're going, we'll be so wrinkled up we wouldn't recognize each other...

My Encounter with Josh Groban

(notes by vanette on facebook)

“I love you” said Josh Groban after signing my CD of his latest album “All that Echoes”. So I am now declaring I am a cougar but only for Josh G.  But it’s not what you think it seems.  

Anyway, when I read about a book signing of J.G at a book store, I immediately planned my noon break just to grace the event.  After all I am a big fan after hearing him many years ago at an episode of Ally McBeal. 

My employer is very supportive of me when it comes to these events.  After all, she was the primary initiator of this action.  Many years ago, upon knowing that I had passion for anything culinary, she brought me to a mall and said, “Mario Batalli is doing book signings today. Go get his book and meet the man!”  And after that initial encounter,  every chance I get to meet a celebrity in person, I just go.

This is however, the first time that it is not culinary related but still my favorite.  The line of people outside the bookstore was already teaming with people when I arrived an hour early.  I surprised myself to brave the cold, wintry morning but nevertheless time flies so fast when the people around you just have endless chatter amidst laughter.  Those that were in line ahead of me were Canadian tourists and behind me were New York matrons.  And the stories they tell, whew! I could write a book!

An hour  or so later (but it seemed minutes), our batch queued up waiting for that  encounter with the celebrity.  As I was nearing the man seated behind a huge table, I held on to my undies thinking that they might fall off the minute I saw my ‘star’-- well didn’t they say that he has the charisma of ‘makataktak ug panty’? (panty drops)..Oh well!

We were not allowed to take pictures so the least I could do was to hold his hand longer and gripped it as best as I could.  He had the smile of a college kid that I just melted.  And as he was signing my CD, this was what we chatted about.

me:  I am such a hhhhhhuggge  fan!

JG ; thank you!

me:  and I’m from the PHilippines and I am so excited to meet you (my usual lines to every celebrity to know that as far away they are known)

JG:  Oh! great!  I’ve been to the PHilippines

me:   I know.  I read about it.

JG:   They are so good to me.  I hope to go back.

me:  You should...The filipinos really love you.

JG:  And I love you (pushing my cd to me and looking at me with a smile)

me:  thank you. (I smiled, took my cd, clasped my hand and made a ‘namaste’ bow)

And that my friend was how my encounter with Josh Groban happened.  I represented the Filipino people that he loves and I was very proud of it.  And as I left the book store the experience of that morning was all that echoes.

I stole a shot from the side as we were queuing up

my signed cd

Cuisine-nera looking for the 'Kusinerong Bakal ng Pinas' ....ikaw ba yan?

While the whole of America was busy watching Superbowl last Sunday,  I was doing apostolic work by watching over my ‘apos’ (grandkids).  After a game of junior monopoly and  that american version of ‘sunka’ with them,  my eldest grandchild then played with her mom’s  i-pad, while the other one was tinkering on her dad’s laptop.

As for me, I was watching the Filipino Channel with it’s various talk shows.  I was entertained by that immigration show wherein a lady kept on referring to the emcee as ‘ Attorney Gar-pang kehl‘ otherwise known as Mr. Garfinkel.  The show was very informative as well as amusing considering that many Filipnos would like to  hold on to the ‘American Dream’.  

The preceeding show  called the  Kulinarya tours  shocked me when the announcer said that the culinary capital of the philippines was Pampangga?...Where did that come from?...No offense to my sister in law who is a Pampangueno --but I don’t see how that came to be because all I know of their food are the unhealthy cured meats of tocino and longanisa.  Unless of course they might refer to specialties of bitute tugad which are frogs and the kamaru which are mole crickets.  But then again, it takes a strong stomach to take in the unknown.

But regardless, the cured meats of Pampangga can not even equal a small percentage of  the jamons (Iberrico or Serrano) of Spain or the Prosciutto and Pancetta of Italy.  However, let me remind you that Cebu lechon has been acclaimed as the ‘best pig ever’ by the renowned travelling chef Anthony Bourdain. ‘Anong say nyo?’

If not for that acclamation , our filipino cuisine is as mixed as it’s asean neighbors. And unless we reinvent, develop or recreate our gustatory palate into a healthier yet appealing one, then we are what we eat.  The adobos for instance is either dried and oily (known as pina-uga)  or too salty because it is swimming in its soy (with sauce). And as far as those noodle dishes are concerned, every Filipino family has it’s own version.  From the famous Cebuano Bam-i to the orange Pancit Palabok.

So.......am wondering, if we ever have a food challenge among the different foods in the Philippines, what region will reign supreme?  I’m up for that challenge as a Cebuano, any takers?

2

My R R (Restaurant Review)

I have got to see a Filipno restaurant that is close enough to competing with Asian counterparts in terms of presentation and ambience of fine dining.  Let’s face it.  Conditioning has cause many filipinos to salivate when they see a golden lechon sitting on a wooden tray beautifully adorned.  But show that to a 7 year old caucasian and you’d get a reaction of, “is that a dog? why do they eat that?”

Nothing comes close to the freshness of Vietnamese spring rolls or the savory crispness of the Pad Thais’.  I have concluded that most of the food that we have are cooked.  Even the ‘fresh lumpia’ we crave with it’s garlicky gravy and peanut garnishes are cooked on the inside before being wrapped by a covering made out of cooked batter.

About two weeks ago, we went to a resto called ‘Kuma Inn’ which was suggested as close to a Filipino fine dining.  I was disappointed.  The place was dim, therefore I only saw a glimpse of a nice presentation of a dish.  I am suspect to dim places because I would never really know what they put in my food.  Tastewise, it had more of the chinese flavor than that of  filipino.  The service needs improvement as there was only one waitress in the place that served a seating capacity of roughly 30 people.  I wouldn’t go back unless I was invited.

Last weekend, hubby and I were on a ‘ramen rage’.  Not intentionally, but because the weather just pushed us to eat something warm, we had to look for some Asian flare.  We were tired of having spicy Korean chigaes or gook soups, that we decided to try the Japanese Ramen House near Union Square.  We were not disappointed.  Very simple, flavorful and reasonable on the pocket.

It was the next day , when my hubby and I attended  a drum circle where we beat our drums with other percussion enthusiasts.  Hubby has a doumbek while I have a djembe.  Believe me, it was my first time to join and I didn’t care if I had the wrong beat because my sound was overpowered by my playmates who had bigger drums compared to my tiny baby one.

Anyway, after the play date,  we ended up in Momofuku, one of the busiest and most talked about ramen restaurant.  Owned by Dave Chang, a famous celebrity chef/restaurateur, his restaurant is simple and has that homey ambience.  Because there is a constant flow of clients waiting to be seated, his staff is always on the move ( front of as well as back of the house).  His dishes are simply presented, having that  savory taste  but bordering on saltiness.  The prices  are overrated for the food portions.  Maybe he has no choice considering his high overhead-  numerous expansions and high skilled personnel. But that’s another story.  But between Momofuku and Ippudo (another ramen place), the latter is still my choice.  The only problem is, I don’t like waiting 2 hours to be seated---that’s how good Ippudo is! And that’s a New York secret place!

 what my hubby ordered..a lemon grass panna cotta with an apple slice for garnish (Kuma Inn)

 see! even the entrance of Kuma Inn with it's accolades was dark-- no like

 really yummy...and check out the poached egg (momofuku)

 this was my ramen dish....it was kind of a salad mix...no soup (momofuku)

 this was my next seatmate's dish...they were koreans so they ordered kimchi (momofuku)

 the back of the house which was visible--momofuku

it was like eating in your own kitchen with your own cook....momofuku