Update: Maestrong Marc

Congratulations once again to Marc, for winning in the recent PLDT-DPC painting competition.
3rd Place, 2009-2010 PLDT-DPC Telephone Directory Cover Visual Art National Competition. The winning smile with his mother Tita Letty.

Fried Milkfish and Nipa Vinegar of Hagonoy

One of my favorite Ulam, Fried Bangus or milkfish, The best when matched with different dippings or side dish - pure vinegar from Hagonoy, fried eggplants, fresh tomatoes and "bagoong" or shrimp paste.
Yes, the dish looks like Daing na Bangus or marinated milkfish but it's not, we just fried it that way. That is, fresh milk fish cut half from the back, head to tail, and divided into four pieces, add a little salt and pepper and it's ready to fry.
Another thing I really miss is the Sukang Hagonoy, just like Sukang Paombong, there's sweetness in it's sour taste, only thing is I'm sure I'm having pure vinegar because it's from my Uncle's Sasahan (nipa cluster) and Tuba (it's like an alcoholic drink among the farmers) straight to the Tapayan (big clay jars).
My Mom prepared this dish many times when we're home back in the Philippines last December, because she knows we really miss the kind of fish not present here in Shang. Thanks Mom!

New Year na, Nightout pa sa 10th!

New Year's day night-out with my siblings Part2, this time with Antu, Pam and Eio.
A pose with the Roots of Nature at the 10th. (Hope we had a clearer shot.)
The Roots of Nature recently launched their first album with "Lipad" as the carrier single which is also the theme song of the movie "Dayo".

National Shrine of St. Anne

It's Christmas season at the National Shrine of St. Anne in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Photo taken a day before the start of "Simbang Gabi" (12/15/08).

Kalan de Uling

 

Modernized "Kalan de Uling" made in Pungo, Calumpit, Bulacan

Barasoain Church, Malolos Bulacan

 

We love to celebrate!

We're a family who loves celebrations - birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Christmas, New Year, etc.. we do celebrate and "Who would cook?" was never a problem. Both my Mom and Dad's side of the family has it's own specialty, like my Dad's Mother, Lola Isyang (RIP), whose line is into Kakanin, she's made the best Kutsinta with Monggo and Puto (steamed rice cake). Aunt Glo, Dad's sister, however managed to learn the way Lola cooks it, but because she's busy with her own "halamanan" she can only share with me her bestest "Atchara" or pickled papaya. Ta'nio (short for Tito Onio) is loved by his famous Kare-kare.
While Tita Rosie, Mom's eldest sister, never ran out of "Suman" the one you dip into a little sugar, she sells it almost everyday in Calumpit and Pulilan where they live. I also love the way Tita Letty cooks "Kilawing Labanos" and "Dinuguan". TF or Tita Fanny is the best nowadays, she knows a lot of pinoy food, name it she can do it. She was our cook when we had our "Greenyard Coffeshop and Kambeerngan sa Halang" and when we were catering for Tierra International or TICC. She's there for most of the occasions in our life, anytime we need her, she's just a text away.
Below is a photo of TF's dishes - Tiffany (inside white cups), Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Malabon, Spaghetti and Biko. I did the Macaroni Salad in the bowl.

Until now TF never fails to please us whenever we have occasions at home.