Firewoods for Cooking

Cooking with firewood is also common in rural areas of the Philippines. Cooking on a wood fire can produce the finest quality food in the world. They says nothing surpasses the excellence of smoke-flavor - enhanced and gently cooked fare from a traditional cookstove. Ideally, your wood should be thoroughly seasoned, meaning well -dried One of the biggest mistakes beginning wood cooks make is choosing the wrong fuel. Hardwoods burn slowly and give a long lasting heat-perfect for "keeping" the fire after you get it going with a lighter-weight, lower-kindling-temperature species like pine. Lightweight wood curates an enthusiastic, bright, hot and fast flame, excellent for getting your fire started and for quick jobs like boiling a cup of tea or frying an egg.

Online Chat Rooms

Online chat is a way of communicating by sending text messages to people in the same chat-room in real-time. Chat is very helpful to those people who are far away from their loved ones. Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who used online chat, this is their one way to communicate to their families back in the Philippines. Aside from chatting to friends and relatives, chat is also use for people who are looking for somebody to talk or to have fun with. There are many Senior Chat rooms that you can find online to chat people or singles that you might want to meet in person. There are chat rooms they we can use both text and voice simultaneously. There are also graphical user interface (GUI) text-based chat rooms which allow users to select an identifying icon and modify the look of their chat environment. New technology has enabled the use of file sharing and webcams to be included in some programs and almost all Internet chat or messaging services allow users to display or send to each other photos of themselves.Online chat is simple, direct, and unrestrained. While it contains many of the elements of face-to-face conversation, it differs from ordinary chat in that it is a textual representation of conversation. The primary use of a chat room is to share information via text with a group of other users.

Rizal Day

A holiday celebrated every December 30 in the Philippines in honor of the death of a hero named José Rizal who was killed on December 30, 1896. Dr. José P. Rizal (full name: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda) (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino polymath, nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered the Philippines' national hero and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.
The seventh of eleven children born to a wealthy family in the town of Calamba, Laguna. Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree sobresaliente. He enrolled in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas and then traveled alone to Madrid, Spain, where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid, earning the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He attended the University of Paris and earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelberg. Rizal was a polyglot conversant in at least ten languages. He was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These are social commentaries on the Philippines that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against 333 years of Spanish rule. He was known as a hero, author, and an eye doctor. As a political figure, Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that subsequently gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo. He was a proponent of institutional reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. The general consensus among Rizal scholars, however, attributed his martyred death as the catalyst that precipitated the Philippine Revolution. Rizal was implicated in the activities of the nascent rebellion and in July 1892, was deported to Dapitan in the province of Zamboanga. There he built a school, a hospital and a water supply system, and taught and engaged in farming and horticulture. Abaca, then the vital raw material for cordage and which Rizal and his students planted in the thousands, was a memorial.
Moments before his execution by a firing squad of Filipino native infantry, backed by an insurance force of Spanish troops, the Spanish surgeon general requested to take his pulse; it was normal. Aware of this, the Spanish sergeant in charge of the backup force hushed his men to silence when they began raising '¡vivas!' with the partisan crowd. His last words were that of Jesus Christ: "consummatum est",--it is done.
He was secretly buried in Paco Cemetery in Manila with no identification on his grave. His sister Narcisa toured all possible gravesites and found freshly turned earth at the cemetery with civil guards posted at the gate. Assuming this could be the most likely spot, there being ever no ground burials there, she made a gift to the caretaker to mark the site "RPJ." A monument, with his remains, now stands near the place where he fell, designed by the Swiss Richard Kissling of the famed William Tell sculpture. The statue carries the inscription "I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others dear to him."

Philippines New Year

New Year's eve celebration in the Philippines is quite different compared to other countries. Filipinos literally start the year with a bang. Just a few days before New Year's eve, you will see lots of side walk vendors selling different kinds of firecrakers. In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, because of a number of accidents caused by firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that have resulted in the loss of lives, limbs and properties, still many Filipinos see lighting of firecrackers as the traditional means to greet and celebrate the New Year eve. Aside from lighting firecrackers and having firework displays, Filipinos have other beliefs and practices which are associated and believed to bring good luck, fortune, and prosperity in the New Year. Whether we are aware of it or not, we Filipinos are superstitious. There is no extent to how many superstitions have been associated to everyday activities. It is almost instinctive in us to observe such. Here are some of the superstitious and belief :
- The noise and the firecrackers is belive to drive the evil spirit away and make the New Year bountiful and blessed.
- You should put coins/money in your pocket so that next year will be prosperous.
- You should open all the windows, doors lights so that all the graces will come to your home as you welcome the New Year.
- Some believe that you have to wear polka dots shirts or dress because it symbolise money, and it must have a deep pocket and filled with money bills and coins and jingled it at the stroke of midnight for good luck .
- Some people pay off their debts in the hope that they will not be saddled with debt throughout the year.
- It is also a favorite thing to do with children, is to jump twelve times so they will get taller next year the higher you jump the taller you grow.

Traditional Noche Buena Food

Noche Buena, often translated as "Good Night", is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. In the Philippines, this usually comes after the entire family has attended a late evening mass. Often on the table are: lechón, pancit, fried chicken, lumpia, rice, adobo, among others for the main course; desserts include halo-halo, bibingka, rice cakes, puto bumbong, ice cream, pastries and cakes; drinks include soda, wine, beer, juice, and goat milk. The Noche Buena is very much like an open house celebration. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors drop by to wish every family member "Maligayang Pasko" (Merry Christmas). Food is in abundance, often served in buffet style. Guests or visitors partake of the food prepared by the host family (even though they are already full or bloated!). Though not all family can afford to prepare for a big traditional Noche Buena because of the crisis today, still a simple get together can make a happy and simple celebration.

Timoga Swimming Pool

The most distinguished springs in the city because of its crystal clear cold flowing water. It is located in Barangay Buru-un which is 9 kilometers from the city proper. Timoga Swimming pool is one of the spots that you can only found in Iligan City, Philippines. It was one of the spots in Iligan were the neighboring cities and foreigners are visiting this place due to its amazing and fantastic beauty. In fact, its not just about the beauty of the place but its about the natural overflowing water were you can possibly had your great time together with your family and friends. Timoga Pools is consist of 5 different owners and designs. My cousin's family from Cebu, visit us here in Iligan City and just yesterday we had so much fun at Timoga pool, specifically at Dela Mar Resort. It was such a cold swimming because we experienced rain showers while we are at the pool.

Filipino Cuisine

Filipino cuisine is distinguished by its bold combination of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors, though in general most dishes are not heavily spiced. While other Asian cuisines may be known for a more subtle delivery and presentation, Filipino palates prefer a sudden influx of flavor. Filipino cuisine is often delivered in a single presentation, giving the participant a simultaneous visual feast, an aromatic bouquet, and a gustatory delight.
Snacking is normal, a Filipino may eat five 'meals' in a day. Dinner, while still the main meal, is smaller than other countries. Usually, either breakfast or lunch is the largest meal. Main dishes include sinigang (pork, fish, or shrimp in tamarind soup and vegetables), bulalo (beef soup – commonly with marrow still in the beef bone – with vegetables), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), crispy pata (deep fried hog hoofs with hock sometimes included), mechado (pork cooked in tomato sauce), pochero (beef or pork cooked in tomato sauce with bananas and vegetables), kaldereta (beef or goat cooked in tomato sauce), fried or grilled chicken/porkchops/fish/squid/cuttlefish. Some dishes rely on vinegar for flavoring. Adobo is popular not solely for its splendid flavor, but also for its ability to remain fresh for days, and even improves its flavor with a day or two of storage. Tinapa is a smoke-cured fish while tuyo, daing, and dangit are corned, sun-dried fish popular because they can last for weeks without spoiling, even without refrigeration.

Christmas Aguinaldo (Gift Giving)

Christmas in the Philippines is the day for presents, for obeisances to godparents, and for visits to friends and relatives. Christmas day is a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers, and godfathers. Godchildren visit their godparents on Christmas day to ask for their blessings and, in turn, godparents traditionally hand over gifts to their godchildren. At each home they are presented with a gift, usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also offered at each stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone wishes good cheer and glad tidings. In general, members of the family exchange gifts following a traditional Christmas eve dinner (called noche buena). It is also during Christmas day that big family reunions are held with a feast of good food, singing, and dancing.

The Filipino Channel

The Filipino Channel (TFC) is an international Filipino broadcasting service owned by the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. The network is currently available in 75% of the world, including North America and Europe. The channel is targeted towards Overseas Filipino and their families in the Philippines. The network airs a 24-hour lineup of shows produced by ABS-CBN, and is also backed by several other international direct-to-home services, branded under the TFC Direct name. Through TFC, ABS-CBN International makes a difference in the lives of its subscribers and all Filipinos by providing services that both inform and entertain. Keep current with events happening in the Philippines and see your favorite stars on TFC, the only 24-hour Tagalog-Language premium programming service in North America.

Island Where I Belong

I was born and grew up in Iligan City, Northern Mindanao. The island Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also one of the three island groups in the country, along with Luzon and Visayas. Contrary to common belief, only a portion of Mindanao was inhabited by Muslims by the time the Spanish arrived and colonized the Philippines, and centuries after the first native was converted to Islam. In fact, most of the people in the northern and eastern part of the island practiced native religions before they converted to Christianity. Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao (Filipino: Hilagang Mindanao) is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao Island, and the island province of Camiguin. The regional center is Cagayan de Oro, where the national government's regional offices and other big establishments are located. The economy in Northern Mindanao is mainly agricultural. But there is also a booming growth of industries particularly in Cagayan de Oro and in Iligan City. The famous Del Monte Plantation is located in Bukidnon and it's plant is located in Cagayan De Oro City. The Agus-IV to VII Hydroelectric Plants in Iligan City and Baloi, Lanao del Norte supplies most of its electrical power in Mindanao.

Philippines Courtship

Courtship among the Philippine nationals is heavily influenced by Spanish, and Roman Catholic traditions. Many parents disapprove of girls visiting boys' homes. Usually, the boy comes to the girl's house to formally introduce himself to her parents, and family. The Filipino must win the Filipina's parents' approval. The traditional dalagang Pilipina (Filipina maiden) is shy and secretive about her real feelings for a suitor and denies it even though she is really in love with the man. A man who is unable to express his affection to a woman (who may have the same feelings for him) is called a torpe (stupid), dungo (extremely shy), or simply duwag (coward). To call a man torpe means he does not know how to court a girl, is playing innocent, or does not know she also has an affection for him. In courting a Filipina, the metaphor often used is that of playing baseball. The man is said to reach 'first base' if the girl accepts his proposal to go out on a date for the first time. Thereafter, going out on several dates is like reaching the second and third bases. A 'home-run' is one where the girl formally accepts the man's love, and they become magkasintahan (from sinta, love), a term for boyfriend-girlfriend.
During the old times and in the rural areas of the Philippines, Filipino men would make harana (serenade) the women at night and sing songs of love and affection. This is basically a Spanish influence. The man is usually accompanied by his close friends who provide moral support for the guy, apart from singing with him. After a long courtship, if the couple later decide to get married, there is the Filipino tradition of pamamanhikan (from panik, to go up the stairs of the house), where the man and his parents visit the woman's family and ask for her parents blessings to marry their daughter. It is also an occasion for the parents of the woman to get to know the parents of the man.

Philippines National Animal

Carabaos (water buffalo) are typically associated with farmers, being the farm animal of choice for pulling the plow and the cart used to haul farm produce to the market. Although there is no law that decrees the carabao to be a national symbol in the Philippines it is generally considered by most Filipinos to be their national animal. Government agencies have come together to improve the marketability of the species.
Water buffalo have been domesticated in the Philippines as far back as pre-Hispanic times and are often used by farmers in the Philippines to plow the fields and as a means of transportation. The carabao is one of the most important animals in the country, especially in agriculture.

Kitchen Appliances

Doing our food preparation includes cooking and eating is done at the kitchen. The typical kitchen room is equipped with all the utensils, kitchen appliances and other cooking materials. It also has a sink with hot and cold running water available for cleaning food, for providing water to cook with, as well as for washing dishes, although some modern kitchens have a dishwasher. One or more units in which to store food, and to store utensils, pots and dishes, are also usually present in or near a kitchen, either in the form of an adjacent pantry room, or more commonly as kitchen cabinets and a refrigerator which often has a freezer compartment too.

In looking for kitchen appliances and materials for our home is not easy. But there is some website online that you can make an easy choice on what to buy. One of the best online search engines for shopping is at Shopwiki.com. Anything that you need in your kitchen or everything you want to shop online is just a click from your keyboard. To those shoppers that are fun of shopping on the net try to check out Shopwiki.com site and you surely find what you are looking for.

Nipa Hut

Philippines have many national symbols, one of this is the nipa hut. The Nipa hut (bahay-kubo) is considered as the national house of the Philippines. It is, as the name implies, a hut, raised a few feet above the ground and constructed out of bamboo tied together, with a thatched roof using dried grass. It provides basic shelter from the most available and inexpensive of materials, and works well as protection against the average wind or rainfall, aside from providing good ventilation. However, the downside to these houses is that they are not stable enough to withstand the gale-force winds during the typhoons that ravage the country every year. These huts are iconic symbols of what a house is in the country, the countryside, and as a part of the most recognized symbol of the concept of bayanihan(spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective). The usage of the nipa hut as a device to refer to bayanihan stems from the fact that moving the hut on two large poles requires a lot of people, including the neighbors, thus demonstrating the spirit of bayanihan.

My Alma Mater

The school where my potentials, skills and knowledge has develop is Iligan Capitol College. It has a great contribution on my intellectual, physical, behavioral and spiritual growth. Iligan Capitol College is situated ideally along the national highway south of the city proper. It started with two simple wooden structures in 1964 which housed the classrooms and offices. Those wooden building have been replaced, for as ICC progressed through the years, permanent concrete structures were constructed. Presently, the seven thousand square meter campus has been fully utilized with three imposing concrete structures dominating the landscape. The ICC campus today stands out as one of the most impressive in the Iligan City and in Region XII.All through the years, Iligan Capitol College has re-redirected her course offerings according to the need of the times. It was to open the Midwifery and the Maritime Courses in the Region XII. In keeping with the Computer age, Iligan Capitol College open very lately the BS. Computer Science and BS. Computer Engineering Courses. The opening of these courses now gave the youth in the locality and environs opportunities for a highly technical education.Today after 42 years of service to the community, Iligan Capitol College prepares itself to face the challenges of the more complex and exacting era. A period of revolutionary changes were the world is made smaller by the “Global Community” concept.Undaunted by the unprecedented turns of events Iligan Capitol College marches onward firm and resolute in its mission of providing quality, relevant and affordable education to the Filipino Youth – for God and Country.

The Philippine Flag

The Philippine flag was sewn by the revolutionary junta in Hong Kong and first displayed in battle on May 28, 1898. It was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, by President Emilio Aguinaldo. The symbols on the white triangle of the Philippine flag are an eight rayed sun and three stars in gold. The sun represents the dawning of a new era of self determination that was desired in 1897 (when the flag was first designed) after the Spanish-American war and the US promise of independence, which was granted in 1946. The 8 rays on the sun stand for the 8 provinces that rose in revolt against Spanish rule in the late 19th century. The 3 stars stand for the 3 principal geographic areas of the country, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. To complete the symbolism of the flag, the red stripe represents courage and bravery and the blue stripe is for noble ideals. The white triangle stands for the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that led the revolt against Spain and the color white represents peace and purity. This flag is unique in that in peacetime, the blue stripe is uppermost but during wartime, the red stripe is on top.

Filipino Beliefs and Superstitions

Folk beliefs, otherwise known as "superstitious beliefs", form part of a people's value system and culture. They basically reflect the customs, traditions, and mores of a group, which may be based on religious beliefs, opinions, old or popular practices. Filipinos have a number of folk beliefs about life, family, luck, wealth, etc.. The Tagalog terms for folk beliefs and superstitions are: paniniwala (beliefs), kasabihan ng mga matatanda (what the old people say), and pamahiin (superstitions). There are many Filipino superstitions, some of these might be out dated but at one time there were such things as; A serpent either carved into, painted, or hanging near the door to their home, would protect against hostile spirits. Also the gecko was considered lucky, and to have one living and hunting insects on your bedroom ceiling meant you were blessed. To have two geckoes living and thriving on your bedroom ceiling meant you were doubly blessed. Having one in your home was lucky, but to have him living in your bedroom is what was the key to the importance here. Many were certain that lunacy was caused by demons, and might even have happened in some cases because of the pattern the mother was sweeping her hut (home) while pregnant. Some beliefs in giving gifts to your beloved: No handkerchiefs please - You can give your sweetheart a handkerchief as a gift, but it will only make her cry. No pointed/sharp objects please - Engaged couples should not exchange pointed or sharp objects as gifts, or this would lead to a broken engagement. These are just some examples as what i heard from the elder people. Nowadays, we can rarely hear about these beliefs but when we ask things like this to our grandparents, surely a lot of superstitious beliefs they can share.

Climate

The Philippines has a tropical marine climate dominated by a rainy season and a dry season. The summer monsoon brings heavy rains to most of the archipelago from May to October, whereas the winter monsoon brings cooler and drier air from December to February. Manila and most of the lowland areas are hot and dusty from March to May. Even at this time, however, temperatures rarely rise above 37° C. Every year during the rainy season nearly 20 typhoons, known as "bagyos" blow across the islands usually lasting 3 or 4 days. Steamy, sunny days during the wet season are common after the tropical downpours of heavy rain during the nights and early mornings.
In the highest elevations of 1200 meters and above in the Mountain and Ifugao provinces of Luzon and in several areas of Mindanao the climate can be very cold often under 10c especially at night until mid-morning. Although there is a dry season in the the higher elevations of Luzon it is much shorter and not nearly as hot. In most of Mindanao there isn't any clearly defined dry season with a wet and wetter climate making it hot and humid weather all year round.

Filipino Games

Games commonly played by children, usually using native materials or instruments. In the Philippines, due to limited resources of toys of Filipino children, they usually come up on inventing games without the need of anything but the players themselves. With the flexibility of a real human to think and act makes the game more interesting and challenging. Because it is a tradition for Filipinos to play in a bigger and spacious area, most games are usually played outside the house. Some games are played or held during town fiestas in the provinces. Here are very fun games that i played when i was a kid: Agawang sulok (catch and own a corner) - The it or tagger stands in the middle of the ground. The players in the corners will try to exchange places by running from one base to another. The it should try to secure a corner or base by rushing to any of those when it is vacant. Iring-Iring ( go round and round until the hanky drops) - After the it is determined, he or she goes around the circle and drops a handkerchief behind one of the players in the circle. If this player notices the handkerchief, he or she has to pick up the handkerchief and go after the it around the circle. The it has to reach the vacant spot left by the player before the it is tagged; otherwise, the it has to take the handkerchief and repeat the process all over again. Luksong-tinik ( jump over the thorns) - Two players serve as the base of the tinik (thorn) by putting their right or left feet together (soles touching gradually building the tinik). A starting point is set by all the players, giving enough runway for the players to achieve a higher jump, so as not to hit the tinik. Players of the other team start jumping over the tinik, followed by the other team members. Langit-lupa ( heaven and earth) - One "It" chases after players who are allowed to run on level ground (lupa) and clamber over objects (langit). The "It" may tag players who remain on the ground, but not those who are standing in the "langit" (heaven). The tagged player then becomes "It" and the game continues. Patintero or harangang taga ( try to cross my line without letting me to touch or catch you) - Each member of the group who is it stands on the water lines. The perpendicular line in the middle allows the it designated on that line to intersect the lines occupied by the it that the parallel line intersects, thus increasing the chances of the runners to be trapped. Taguan - hide and seek in America. What is unique in Tagu-Taguan compared to its counterpart, hide and seek, is that this game is usually played at sunset or at night as a challenge for the it to locate those who are hiding. Teks or teks game cards - texted game cards - Filipino children collect these playing cards which contain comic strips and texts placed within speech balloons. They are played by tossing them to the air until they hit the ground. The cards are flipped upwards through the air using the thumb and the forefinger which creates a snapping sound as the nail of the thumb hits the surface of the card. The winner or gainer collect the other players' card depending on how the cards are laid out upon hitting or landing on the ground. There's still a lot more of traditional Filipino games that childrens love to play.

Social Networking Site

There are many networking sites in the world nowadays. Here in our country, Friendster website is known to be the most popular in all. It is a user-friendly site and is very helpful when you are away from home. Though sometimes we experienced some problems usually when they are upgrading the site. I am thankful that there is Friendster because i can view updates on all my friends that are away from where i am. I can view their recent photos, blogs and most of all its easy to send them messages in special occassions.

Coconut Trees in Philippines

Philippines is abundant in many different kind of trees that can be found in any part of the country. Coconut tree is one of the most common that grows almost in all Philippine islands. The country is the world's second largest producer of coconut products, after Indonesia. The coconut tree is considered as the "tree of life" in the Philippines becasuse of its many uses, from its roots to tips (leaves), from culinary to non-culinary. Let me cite you some sample of its uses: Coconut roots are used as beverage, dye, mouthwash, and medicine for dysentery (formerly known as flux or the bloody flux). Coconut trunks, its hardy and durable wood is used for building small bridges, preferred for their straightness, strength and salt resistance. Coconut branches (leaf petioles) are strong and flexible enough to make a switch (a flexible rod, typically used for corporal punishment). Coconut water provides an isotonic electrolyte balance, and is a highly nutritious food source.Coconut shell produces the core of the most saleable household products and fashion accessories that can be turned into lucrative, wide-selling cottage industries and many more other uses.

Philippines Christmas Delicacies

Philippines is known to have many different kinds of native delicacies. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies in front of churches after the Misa de Gallo (Simbang-gabi). After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmastime delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church. Some of these are bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top of and under the pastry), Misa de Gallo Puto Bumbong (a purple-colored Filipino dessert made of sweet rice cooked in hollow bamboo tubes placed on a special steamer-cooker. When cooked, they are spread with butter and sprinkled with sugar and grated coconut), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).

Christmas Decorations

Christmas Day is so near but there are still some Filipino that are busy decorating their houses, though others have done it so early. Filipino Christmas would not be complete without the traditional Philippine Christmas symbols and decorations. Aside from Western decorations like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, tinsel, etc, the Philippines has its own ways of showing that it is the holidays. Though not strictly a custom, every Christmas season, Filipino homes and buildings are adorned with beautiful star lanterns, called parol. The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper (known as "papel de Hapon") or crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and forms. The most base form of the lantern is a 5-pointed star with two "tails" at the lower two tips. Another traditional Filipino Christmas symbol is the belen -- a creche or tableau representing the Nativity scene. It depicts the infant Jesus Christ in the manger, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi and some stable animals and angels. Belens can be seen in homes, churches, schools and even office buildings. The ones on office buildings can be extravagant, using different materials for the figures and using Christmas lights, parols, and painted background scenery.

Misa de Gallo ( Simbang Gabi)

Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish and in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass", this novena of Masses is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition. In some parishes, the Simbang Gabi begins as early as four o'clock in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion and faith as well as to heighten anticipation for the Nativity of Jesus. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favour. During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest. The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena.
After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmastime delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top of and under the pastry), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat served as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa). In some Aglipayan churches, after the mass everybody is invited to partake the "painit" (after mass snacks of delicacies with hot coffee or tsokolate) at the house of the sponsor of the mass.

Christmas Carolers

Caroling is a part of the Filipino Christmas tradition. Celebrating Christmas with the traditional Christmas caroling, especially the children - going from house to house singing Christmas carols. Makeshift instruments include tamburines made with tansans (aluminum bottle caps) strung on a piece of wire. With the traditional chant of "Namamasko po!", these carolers wait expectantly for the homeowners to reward them with coins. After being rewarded, the carolers thank the owner by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so kind), thank you!". When i was a kid, me, my friends and my cousins had fun doing christmas caroling. We visits every houses in our neighborhood and sing christmas songs. Doesn't matters, out of tune or not! Sometimes, we need to wake up in the middle of the night because we hear, carolers who are singing in front of our house. There are also group of carolers visit houses to sing Christmas songs. Some of these carolers raise funds for less fortunate families through caroling, while others are simply doing it for the joy of singing. Some carolers may be a group of friends, or belong to the same community or civic organization. Others may be family relatives who have made it a tradition to sing together as a family. Today, only a few doing Christmas caroling and i miss the fun of those years.

Halo- Halo in Philippines

Eventhough it's not summer time in Philippines but sometimes the weather is still too hot. Halo-Halo (also spelled Halu-Halo) is a Filipino treat perfect for tropical climes. Although referred to as a dessert, it's actually more common to eat it as a stand-alone snack, especially in the middle of a hot afternoon. It's literally meaning "Mix-Mix" and it's a blend of fruits, sweet preserves, evaporated milk and shaved ice. Imagine that. Now if that doesn't make you drool, think about the combination of red munggo beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, sugar palm fruit (kaong), coconut sport (macapuno), jackfruit (langka), tapioca or sago, nata de coco, purple yam (ube) or sweet potato (kamote), sweetened corn kernels or pounded crushed rice (pinipig), leche flan or custard, evaporated milk and gelatin. And to top that vision add up a scoop or two of your favorite ice cream! Just thinking about halo-halo makes my mouth water. It is available rain or shine, halo-halo serves as a delight to all food trippers, young and old alike. In Iligan City, Philippines, a number of fastfoods and restaurants serve halo-halos which will surely make you come back and ask for more. During the peak of the Philippine summer (April and May), makeshift stands are set up all over by people selling halo-halo. The ingredients are laid out on a table and the customer gets to choose which to have added to his or her order. Indoors, it's easier to have halo-halo topped off with a scoop of ice cream. Make sure to halo (mix) thoroughly before digging in. Yes, mixing all those goodies at the bottom without spilling the ice and ice cream off the glass is a skill that needs to be honed by regular indulgence!

Native Delicacies

Filipino are artistic and very good in making food experiment. Some of the food made became the town specialty that when you visit the place, they will surely offer you their unique delicacies. Here are some of the yummy and very popular delicacies:

Tibok - tibok (carabao's milk pudding) - a native pudding recipe made from carabao's milk instead of the usual coconut milk.
Cebuano Corn Pudding - a native delicacy pudding made by cebuanos made from young corn kernels, buko meat and milk.
Budbud Pilipit - a glutinous rice delicacy cooked with coconut milk. Similar to suman, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Ginataang Pinipig - a delicious native dessert of fresh green pinipig cooked in coconut cream and mixed with cubed gabi or taro root, sweet potatoes, jackfruit and saba bananas.

Milk Puto Recipe - a rich tasting puto loaded with milk, corn and buko. Perfect for any occasion.
Sinabalo (Suman) - this suman recipe is from Cagayan Region II. Instead of wrapping the malagkit in banana leaves, it is broiled in fresh bamboo tubes.
Butse - butse - this native dessert is from central visayas region VII. Composed of mashed sweet potato formed into balls and stuffed with grated cassava inside.
Binu-Hang Gabi- this stuffed taro root recipe is an authentic native dessert from central visayas region VII.
Baye-baye - A Western Visayas Region VI dessert delicacy made from toasted pinipig, coconut water and grated young coconut.
Binaki - this delicacy is from Northern Mindanao Region 10
Bocarillo - an eastern visayas sweet made from sweetened grated coconut with eggs and milk.
Maja Blanca - a real version of maja blanca with additon of milk to make it more tastier and creamier.
Putong Bigas (Putong Puti) - steamed puto made from ordinary rice.
Minatamis na Saging na Saba - procedure on how to make a sweetened bananas ( saba ) boiled with lemongrass and ginger with ice cream.
Bibingka Cassava ( Kamoteng Kahoy )- bibingka made from grated cassava, coconut milk, eggs and sugar.
Puto With Cheese- is an all-time favorite kakanin or native delicacies.
Bibingkang Galapong (picture below) - a rice cake made out of rice flour,coconut milk, eggs.
Bibingkang Malagkit- a rice cake made out of glutinous rice,coconut milk, brown sugar etc.
Corn Maja- a cake made out of rice flour,coconut milk, grated young coconut .
Champorado - native gruel made out glutinous rice, cocoa, milk and sugar.
Simple Kutsinta ( Cuchinta ) - a steamed cake made out of rice flour, sugar, water.

Espasol - native dessert made out of glutinous rice, coconut milk, shredded coocnut, rice flour.
Ube Halaya - dessert made of mashed purple yam and condensed milk.
Puto Biñan Special - a native steamed cake made out of brownie mix, eggs, cheese.
Ginataang Munggo- a sweet thick gruel made of glutinous rice, toasted monggo beans, coconut milk.
Nilupak - made from unripe cooked bananas ( saba variety ), young coconut meat, brown sugar.
Palitaw - famous native delicacy made from ground glutinous rice, sugar and shredded coconut.
Polvoron - a powdery dessert made out of flour, powdered milk, sugar and butter.
Maruyang Saba - fried saba bananas coated with batter with eggs and milk.
Cassava Cake - tasty cassava cake for any occasion.
Suman sa Ibos(picture below) - famous suman wrap in buli leaves.
Pichi-Pichi Espesyal- a steamed cake made out of grated casava, sugar, water, coconuts.
Puto Bumbong(picture below)- a steamed malagkit rice mixture.
Guinataang Halo-Halo- saba bananas,camote,ube,langka boiled in coconut milk.
Biko- a steamed malagkit rice mixture.
Sapin-Sapin(picture below)- a native dessert consists of coconut milk,ube powder,gelatin,corn kernels.
Bukayo with Pandan (picture below) - a sweetened grated coconut, a famous delicacy with a slight variation.
Binignit - a sweet delicacy made out of gabi,ubi,tapioca,bananas boiled in coconut milk.
Puto (Steamed Muffins With Anise Seed) - steamed muffins made of flour,coconut milk and cream,anise seeds.
Puto Caramba - deep fried puto made from flour,shrimp,pinipig.
Pastillas De Gabi ( Taro Root ) - made out of young gabi or taro root,condensed milk sugar.
Sapin-Sapin Palitaw Espesyal - made from ground rice,nestle cream,macapuno,langka floating on syrup.
Suman Sa Lihia - made from glutinous or malagkit rice, lihia or lye, salt and wrap in banana leaves.
Suman Sa Moron - made from glutinous or malagkit rice,ordinay rice,coconut milk,peanuts.
Ube Kalamay - made ube, mochico(sweet rice flour),coconut milk, latik and baked.
Banana Pastillas - pastillas made from saba bananas, sugar and butter.
Umaalab Na Mangga ( Flaming Mango ) - pancake with specially prepared syrup(bignay brandy , passion fruit concentraste) and garnished with sweetened mangoes and sago.
Kamote Pie (Sweet Potato Pie)- our very own kamote or sweet potato made and baked into a delicious pie.
Sticky Turron Saba ( picture below) - turn your over ripe saba bananas to a gourmet dessert, sitcky turron saba caramelised, crispy and sticky.
Maruyang Saging In Rum Butter Sauce - a variety of maruyang saba (fried banana patties), mixed with special batter, fried and poured with rum butter sauce.
Ginataan Mais (picture below) - glutinous rice or malagkit rice and scraped corn from a cob then cooked in coconut milk. Buko Pie - the all time favorite original buko pie !

There are many more other kinds of native delicacies that you will surely love to taste from any part of the Philippines

Rice

Rice is most common cereal grain in Philippines and is always present in everday Filipino meal. The table is not complete without a plate of rice serve. Many farmers are planting rice, specially in land that is near to water source and the have a moist area. The love for rice of Filipino people results this wonderful rice terraces in Banaue, Philippines. This terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the country by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the " Eighth Wonder of the World". It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancien irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe.

Philippines Seafood

Seafood is popular as a result of the bodies of water surrounding the Philippines archipelago. In any part of the country you can see and surely will love to taste the delicious seafood that everybody will offer. Seafood is cheaper in area that is near on shores and also is more fresh because it does not need to be travelled far to sell. Popular catches include tilapia,catfish(hito), (bangus), grouper (lapu-lapu), shrimp(hipon), prawns (sugpo), mackerel(galunggong), swordfish, oysters (talaba), mussels (tahong), clams (tulya), large and small crabs(alimango and alimasag respectively), game fish, gindara or sablefish, tuna, cod, blue marlin, and squid/cuttlefish (both called pusit). Equally popular catches include seaweeds, abalone and eel. There are many more kinds of seafood in market area we can see that are sold in a very affordable prices.

Public Market

I think all of us know what is market place. It is where people buy and sell things, usually with profit as the objective. Some markets have a physical location like the fruit markets and the stockmarket. In the Philippines, usually every city, mucipality or town have their own public markets. This market is not like the market at the mall where you can see all the products are organized and place at the right area which you can easily find. In public market, all the products can be found in different part of the market which sometimes not the same in prices. In public market also you can see where the farmers or fishermans deliver their products so it's expected to be cheaper then the others because they not adding profit on each product, is still on its original prices. You can also see the wholesale buyers for those products. Some vendors in a public market went out the place and sometimes display their products right near the street sides so they can have more customers and their products will be sold sooner. Though this is againts the government rules still some did not obey. Here are some photos i took in one of the market Iligan City.

Philippines Church Wedding

Philippines wedding in catholic church is known to be so strict in their requirements and policies. It is also more difficult if one of the couple is not a catholic, they have more documents to need. I and my american boyfriend are both catholic and we're planning for a church wedding so we found the following requirements for catholic church wedding: 1. Baptismal and Confirmation Certificates - required for both the bride and the groom. These documents must be new, be annotated: "FOR MARRIAGE PURPOSES ONLY", and have been obtained not more than three (3) months before the date of marriage; For mixed marriage (different religions) -- a dispensation must be secured from the Parish Office which will be released after the canonical interview with the parish priest or his assistant. These have to be presented one week before the wedding. 2. Marriage License For those who are first married in a civil ceremony, a certified true photocopy of the Marriage Contract with the registry number of the city or town where the marriage was performed must be submitted one week before the wedding date. 3. Canonical Interview - The parish priest or his assistant will conduct an interview with the bride and the groom one month before the wedding date. The interview will be scheduled upon the signing of the application form. 4. Pre-Marriage Seminar - The seminar will be scheduled during the canonical interview or you may inquire at the parish office. Some churches will allow you to attend other pre-wedding seminars such as the Discovery Weekend or Catholic Engaged Encounter. 5. Permission - The bride must receive permission to marry from her parish, if the venue is in another parish. 6. Wedding Banns - The couple must post the schedule of their wedding in their respective parishes. These will be provided during the canonical interview and have to be immediately brought to the respective parishes of the bride and the groom for posting. These have to be returned to the office after three Sundays. (The respective parishes may ask some requirements for the posting of the banns i.e. a picture each from the bride and the couple.) 7. List of names and addresses of principal sponsors (Ninongs and Ninangs) - The list has to be submitted to the parish office one week before the wedding date. Church policy requires at least a pair of sponsors and, ideally, a maximum of six sponsors. 8. For widow or widower - A copy of the death certificate of the former spouse must be presented to the parish office. 9. For renewal of vows - remember to bring a copy of the Catholic Marriage Contract.

Jollibee in Philippines

If you are thinking for a fast food chain when you are in Philippines, i am sure someone would tell you about Jollibee. It is an American-style fast-food restaurant with Filipino-influenced dishes specializing in burgers. They do value their customers a lot and although Jollibee does have an American-style fast food, you can still feel the Filipino legacy. They especially value their loyal customers by having occasional promos and discounts. They also prioritize the children and they offer kiddie meals, parties, mascot appearances and some facilities such as a playground. The Jollibee stores are conveniently placed around the city. Kids love it especially my cousins, if you will mention the name "Jollibee" you can surely see the smile on their faces. Jollibee quickly grew as one of the top companies all over Asia and the most admired fast food chain in the country.