Nature`s Beauty

After long weeks of preparation for the 3-minute midterm presentation, we decided to take a break by going to Minoh Park. It was worth the time! The scenery is beautiful and the sound of the running water was so refreshing. It seemed like the pressures and stresses we had were gone with the running water...flowing it far away from us. It was a good time of chatting and enjoying the beauty around us that day. The sights were like those of a calendar we had before in our house.

Sakura in Spring

I arrived in Osaka, Japan during Spring season. The best season, I guess, among all seasons. It was still really cold when I came. This one thing that I really looked forward to seeing in Japan is the SAKURA (Cherry Blossoms). I have seen many pictures of the Sakura in calendars and postcards. And it will be an experience for me to see sakura for real.

Indeed they are beautiful!!! The Japanese people themselves enjoy the wonderful scenery painted with the sakura all over the place. yes, it would seem a common sight during Spring, but one should not miss enjoying its beauty for it wont be there for long. After 10 days or so, the cherry blossoms are blown out by the wind.













Osaka University Minoh Campus

Sweet and Sour Lapu Lapu

Whew... Haven't practiced my cooking skills since our mother takes care of the cooking most of the time. But this new year, she's not here to cook for us. She spent her New Year with our sister in Cebu.

So, we have to cook! We have to prepare for our "Medya Noche".

I volunteered to prepare LapuLapu Sweet and Sour. I love lapu lapu so I thought it would be nice to have one for New Year's eve.

jjaaaarrraaann!!! the finished product on your left. =)

Bought two medium sized Lapu Lapu, about 3/4 of a kilo. Quite expensive though but, who cares, it's yummy anyway!

I prepared:

minced garlic, ginger (sliced), and onion
Carrots and bell pepper (would have been nicer if there's green and red to add color)
1/2 cup tomato sauce, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar, salt, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tbs flour

Of course, you have to fry the fish, so you need oil =)

First, fry the fish. When done, set aside.

Then, I prepared the sauce. I mixed the tomato sauce, water, sugar, salt and vinegar with flour together. Actually, I added some more sugar and salt to bring on the taste I like.

Sautee the garlic, ginger and onion. Add in the carrots and pepper when the onion is light brown. I added in some pineapple tidbits to add to the taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add in the vinegar mixture. Cook to boil.

Pour into the fish and sprinkle some onions and pineapple tidbits to add some presentation.

And that's it! Didn't expect that they'd like it... but they did!!!

Zamboanga City Hall @ Christmas Time

City Hall, a closer look

Every year, the local government of Zamboanga decorates one of the central landmark of the City, the City Hall. And every year, this place becomes an attraction to local folks and visitors of the city. This is a great initiative of the local government. Aside from inviting people to come to Zamboanga, the lights also brings the spirit of Christmas to everyone. People, young and old, rich and poor, gather around the area and watch the beauty of the lights.

Zamboanga City Hall

Downtown main street

Giant Christmas Tree at Plaza Pershing

Dumaguete CIty...

Dumaguete City is one of the cities of Negros Oriental. It's a home to several universities and colleges that's why it's referred to as the "University Town". It's also a home to several tourist destinations like Apo Island, which is found to have a diverse marine ecosystem. Many tourists come to have a dive at the Apo Island to witness for themselves the beautiful marine life of Apo Island.

Aside from Apo Island, one best place for diving in Dumaguete is Sumilon island. Tourists also come to dive and see the beauty of underwater life in Sumilon Island.

I'm talking about these places but I've never been there :( sad, isn't it. I missed to visit the places when I visited Dumaguete last month. But I am looking forward to visit Apo Island. Relatives of my sister-in-law lives there. =)

Pictures of Dumaguete Blvd during the day and night. =)

Viva! Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar!

October 12th, the City celebrates the fiesta in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The city officials prepared an array of activities for this fiesta. Some of the annual activities include street dancing and regatta (race of vintas).

The Zamboangeños also light candles at the Fort Pilar Shrine, located at Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City.

Some pictures I took during the activities...
Colorful vintas from the regatta

Lady of the Pilar Shrine

Street Dancing

A centuries old tradition

Enjoying the Seafood of Zamboanga Sibugay

Sunrise, October 1, 2007, along Sibugay Highway

Zamboanga Sibugay (or simply Sibugay) is one of the provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula. It was formerly part of the Zamboanga del Sur province but in 2001, Republic Act 8937 made this a new province.

I had the chance to visit some of the municipalities of Sibugay just recently. For the first time, I joined the team of our universities Caravan, an annual career guidance activity of ADZU to promote our school and the programs we have. It was a great opportunity to talk to young high school students and help them decide on what to take up in college. With me were Mitch, Mam Joy, Roger, Rommel and Alex as our team leader.

(Picture: Alex Aballe encouraging students of Kabasalan Science and Technology High School)

But the greatest of all is to experience the seafood of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Giant Clam or Taklobo:

It’s known to be an aphrodisiac and really rich in cholesterol. But never mind! When I saw the finished Taklobo kilawin, I just want to eat more! It’s really delicious. It was my first time to eat such kilawin.

We had this kilawing Taklobo in Malangas municipality.

Talaba or Oyster

I've never tried oyster before. This travel allowed me to experience the mouth-watering talaba. The talaba was placed on top of a heat/fire. When its shell opens a little, you force it open with a knife or a spoon handle. yummy! Cholesterol again? never mind... Thank s to the Alex Aballe for ordering talaba for dinner :).

Picture: Talaba(oyster) grilled on the left and the opened talaba on the right. Ready to eat with suka... Buayan, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay

Crabs and Crabs

Sea crabs and fresh-water crabs. Whatever they are called, crabs are ju st delicious! How was it cooked? I think it was boiled with some water and added with "Sprite" to add taste.

Sea crabs and fresh-water crabs.

Whew! What a dinner! But i think we just deserve it. We really worked hard for our campaign. hehehe

Mitch, Mam Joy and Rommel ready to eat dinner!!!