Konted's Make My Day: March 2012

3.30.2012

The Pink Sisters

The Pink Sisters

Praying is a religious practice which I learned from the Capuchin Fathers. Through prayers, I ask for divine guidance, make petitions or request assistance from a being I consider as my God. Though I can pray anywhere as God is said to be everywhere, there are appropriate places where I can communicate with the One who created me. And with an unwavering faith, it is with fervent hope that my prayers will be answered.

Before embarking on a journey to a distant land, I pray for a safe trip to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage shrine at the Antipolo Church. When I am not feeling well or when a friend or relative is sick, I do my praying at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Quezon City or at the Father Pio Chapel in Libis, also in Quezon City. When the burden seems too heavy, I kneel for some time in front of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church or pray to the image of Our Lady of the Redemptorist in Baclaran or, if I have the time, I travel and pay a visit to the centuries- old icon of Our Lady of Turumba in Pakil, Laguna.

Now, if it is a very special request, or a specific intention is sought, there is a special place I go to. It is a place where cloistered nuns spend most of their time meditating and praying. Their whole life is entirely devoted to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This place I am referring to is in Tagaytay City, near the Rotunda. It is a chapel where strict silence is observed.

The nuns wear pink-colored habits, and for this, they are called the Pink Sisters. Pink or old rose symbolizes joy. One can pray for whatever intentions. Or he may ask the Pinks Sisters to do the praying for him. He writes on a piece of paper his petition together with his name. He then puts this in an envelope and any donation is appreciated.

When I first dabbled in politics and sought an elective seat in our Municipal Council some years back, I drove for more than 70 kms from Manila to that secluded place to be able to pray. I was a virtual unknown and was a long shot. Nobody seemed to take me seriously. But in what appeared to be an upset, I clinched a seat. Thanks to the intercession of the Pink Sisters.

Upon reckoning, prayers give us inner strength, provide us with a clear and open mind and grant us the courage to face adversities or stand up to pressure. In the end, we realize that we can, on our own, clearly think of measures to be taken to be able to achieve what we want. And we are ready to do battle and accept whatever results it may yield. Now, do I always expect miracles when praying there? As the eminent English writer Charles Dickens would say: "Oh lor, no !!!! "

- Konted

This is what you see when you reach the end of the narrow road.

Right flank of Chapel

Front view of Chapel

Taken from the left flank

Warning

Stations of the Cross in concrete

11th Station -- Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

Beautiful landscaping

Clean and green

Hazy image of a Pink Sister praying

The Pink Sisters

In front of Chapel

Concrete walkway around the garden

Founder of the Congregation

Founder was from Netherlands

More warning signs

Quiet surroundings

Wide parking area

Pine trees abound in the area

Souvenir shot

Upper part of big garden

A long shot of the Chapel

3.25.2012

A Nation of Rice Eaters

A Nation of Rice Eaters

Rice is the Philippines' staple food. With the country being ranked as the 8th biggest rice producer in the world, it creates the impression that we are self sufficient as far as production is concerned. But that is not the case. The Philippines is also the number one rice importer in the whole world.

If the Philippines is the 8th biggest rice producer on record, then why do we have to import rice? Simply because we have a population, more or less, of 97 million and still growing. Production cannot keep up with the demand for rice. We are a nation of rice eaters. Most Filipinos need to have rice as part of their meals. And they are not content with just having a cup of rice. They need to have two or three servings. That is an indisputable fact.

This indisputable fact is used as basis by some marketing experts in launching promos seeking to attract customers in food outlets, thereby, increasing their sales. One fast food chain, Karate Kid, offers "unlimited rice" to go with its Beef Teriyaki, Katsudon, Tempura, Tonkatsu. etc. That means you can eat all the rice you want without additional charge. A food attendant goes around, holding a rice container and serves extra rice to those who want more. Steaming rice at that.

Another fastfood chain cashing in on the Filipinos' propensity to consume more rice is Mang Inasal. Starting in Iloilo and then branching out nationwide, Mang Inasal offers grilled Ilonggo specialties such as Chicken Inasal and Pork Barbeque and with all the rice that you can eat. With free soup also. Mang Inasal is such a great success that Jollibee Food Corporation bought it for P 3 billion. There are now more than 400 Mang Inasal outlets throughout the Philippines. Inasal means "barbecue".

Not to be outdone, a new player in the fastfood business is also offering "Ëat all the rice you can" to go with its Cebu Liempo, Cebu Lechon Manok, etc. Chicboy, short for Chicken at Baboy, has served notice and has drawn diners to its fold as shown by the number of outlets sprouting all over Metro Manila and the suburbs. Chicboy is operated by the Pier One group.

Undeniably, rice is a basic need of Filipinos and it is the centerpiece of their regular meals. The value thereof is their primary concern and a major consideration in their day to day existence. I remember Pascual, the man whose main job at the billiard hall was to set up all 15 balls preparatory to each game. This was in my college days at DLSU. Everyone knew him and he was often referred to as " the man who has a face where no pimples grow anymore as there is no more space for them to grow." "Punong puno siya ng tigyawat.", as one batchmate, Rouel Quito, would describe him. Pascual, in between games, would sulk in one corner, obviously complaining of the economic hardship at that time. And in a loud manner that it would reverberate throughout the billiard hall and in such a way that billiard players would be jolted, Pascual would cry out: "Jesus Christ, no more rice !!!! "

- Konted

Nearing harvest time

Banaue Rice Terraces

Drying rice In the Highands

Carabao -- the uncomplaining beast of burden

Drying rice by the roadside

What used to be an agricultural land is now a site for low cost housing units

Sacks of rice being unloaded in a big warehouse

Rice imported from Vietnam

Rice Retail Store

Free extra rice at Karate Kid

Japanese-American Cuisine at Karate Kid

Refreshing Punch

Chicken Teriyaki

Katsudon

Spacious

Mang Inasal started doing business in Iloilo

Inasal means barbecue

If you want extra rice

Chicboy means Chicken at Baboy

Rice all you can promo

Cebu Liempo with vinegar as sauce

Affordable prices

Pascual 's Billiard Hall

Narrow stairway to Pascual's Billiard Hall

The billiard hall occupies the upper floor

** some pics from google

3.20.2012

That Sunday Meeting in New Manila

That Sunday Meeting in New Manila

The special guest from Houston, Prof Nong Umali, begged off at the last minute. He had laryngitis, had no voice and was not feeling well. So did the Man from San Francisco, Ted Aquino, who was complaining of body malaise. Ever the optimistic one, Francis Pacheco, hoping against hope, decided to push through with the scheduled event. And he proved himself right, as always.

For despite the odds, we managed to have a quorum at Andy''s place in New Manila last Sunday. Mediatrix West, who hails from Illinois and had lived for 35 years in San Francisco with brother Louie, came as she did in our get2gether at Club Filipino about a month ago. There was a motion to adopt her as honorary member of Class 62/66, representing her late brother Louie. This was seconded and there was no objection. Dennis Araneta was also there. He came rushing after a Hands-On photography session at Fort Santiago.

Captain Ronnie Cunanan flew all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he is on an intensive on -the- job training for Air Asia while Boy Siwa took the plane from Butuan City so as to be able to attend this special event. These circumstances were major factors taken into consideration by Francis not to postpone last Sunday's meeting. The addition of the four reliables, namely, Greg C, Francis P. Ted G. and Andy J constituted a quorum. Plus, Mrs. Letty Jimenez, of course.

Now, while on my second barbecue on a stick, which was perfectly marinated, the conversation veered towards the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ Corona. Captain Ronnie, who I thought was interested only in aircraft and other things that fly, was repeatedly saying, to the point of being redundant, that he was not convinced that Demetrio Vicente really owns the Marikina property which is still in Mrs. Corona's name. He was implying that it was a "simulated sale".

Sensing that Ronnie must have caught the "ÿellow fever" strain, I countered by saying that there are still many who, after acquiring a piece of real estate property, do not bother to have the TCT transferred to their names. Some simply hold on to the deed of sale with the intention of doing it some other time. Some rely on the strength of the deed of sale plus actual possession of the property. And some really do not have the money for the expenses to be incurred. And I drew out from my back pocket a photocopy of an actual deed of sale, showing the seller offering a residential lot, the title of which has not been transferred to her name for the past 10 years. And here is a buyer willing to buy said property. My point was that such cases happen. As in the case of Demetrio Vicente.

Now, when we were discussing the dollar account of CJ Corona, Andy Jimenez positioned himself next to Ronnie. Andy, as we all know, is a rabid member of the Yellow Army. So I moved a little to the right, closer this time to Francis, for fear of being bitten by a rabid dog. Over a cupful of ice cream, I was listening to Andy as he began expressing his arguments. "Full of technicalities yang Defense Panel mo, Ted. Let them rest their case and let us see what the verdict would be." He was extremely confident that the Chief Magistrate would be convicted !!

I was now assessing the situation. I was facing two members of the Yellow Army. One a diehard, and the other showing some symptoms of the dreaded Yellow rabies. To cut short the discussion as it seemed heading to nowhere as both sides would not give an inch, I posed a challenge which Andy readily accepted. Which actually was a bet. If Corona is convicted, Andy wins. If the Chief Justice is acquitted, then I win. And the stake? Two big buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. With lots of gravy and sidings.

On my way home, I was listening to a Creedence Clearwater song: "Someone told me long ago, there's a calm before the storm...I know, and it's been coming for sometime...When it's over, so they say, it''ll rain on a sunny day...I know, shining down like water...Have you ever seen the rain, comin' down on a sunny day? " I was enjoying the rhythm, the melody and the harmony. And I was imagining things, imagining the outcome. CJ Corona is finally acquitted. Greg and Francis are dipping chicken in a bowl of gravy. And Andy is sitting in an armchair bewailing the outcome. And I approach Andy and console him:" That's the way the cookie crumbles, my dear friend."

- Konted