Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music ( Tangos)-Part 11

 This is Part 11 out of 14 on the series, Macrine J.Katague, Celebration of Life.

Macrine and I dancing the Rumba, Boac, Marinduque, 2011

Macrine and I dancing the Tango during the PAFC Gala, Washington DC, 1999

Macrine and I loved to dance the Tango, Cha Cha and Rumba. A few decades ago while we were vacationing in Miami Beach, Florida staying at the Fontainebleau Hotel*, we participated in a dance contest. We won first place dancing the Cha Cha. But Tango is our favorite dance and La Cumparsita is our favorite tango music. In this episode I am posting two version of La Cumparsita(instrumental and vocal).     

Meanwhile enjoy this Tango music, El Choclo sang by Julio Iglesias

Tango music also reminds me of Macrine's first cousin Yong Nieva and wife Ivy Almario and their Beach Resort, Amana in Cawit, Marinduque

 

Macrine and I with Yong Nieva, Amana Resort, Marinduque, 2011
 

http://livinginmarinduquephilippines.blogspot.com/2012/11/improve-your-sex-life-by-dancing.html

A Short History of Fontainebleau Hotel

*Envisioning the creation of one of the most opulent and magnificent hotels in the world, hotelier Ben Novack purchased the Firestone Mansion, home of auto tire magnate Harvey Firestone in 1952 for $2.3 million. He tapped Morris Lapidus, who was known for his modernist sensibilities and flair for theatrical spaces, to be the hotel’s project architect. When it opened in 1954, Fontainebleau Miami Beach was the largest and most luxurious hotel in South Florida. Located on the oceanfront in the heart of Millionaire's Row, Fontainebleau Miami Beach is one of the most historically and architecturally significant hotels on Miami Beach. Its signature features included a 17,000-square-foot lobby with the now-legendary “Stairway to Nowhere,” six acres of formal gardens designed to replicate Versailles and thousands of dollars in antique furnishings to authentically convey the hotel’s French period theme.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, the hotel reigned as Miami’s leading resort and Lapidus’ gently curving façade came to symbolize the very essence of glamorous Miami Beach. For nearly 25 years, the Miami Beach hotel was so well-known that no sign was necessary to identify it. Celebrities and entertainers, ranging from Elvis Presley and Bob Hope to Lucille Ball and Judy Garland, made the hotel so popular that Novack was once forced to post armed guards to bar non-guests from entering.

At that time we were not aware of the above history. However, we know we were staying in a luxurious hotel. This is an example of our lives well lived. Rest in Peace, My Love!! For more details on Tangos read:

https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/search?q=tango

 

Have You Heard of CRISPR Gene Editing Technology?

 

Just recently, I was watching CNN Fareed Zakaria Sunday Talk#. On this recent episode his guest was 2020 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Jennifer Doudna of UC Berkeley-one of my Alma Mater schools.

The interview was about CRISPR technology of creation of new medicines, agricultural products, controlling pathogens and pest as wells the controversial subject of editing human embryos to produce super/designer babies. This aroused my interest so in case you are not familiar with this subject, here's a brief summary from Wikipedia. 

CRISPR(Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) Gene Editing is a genetic engineering technique in molecular biology by which the genomes of living organisms may be modified. It is based on a simplified version of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 antiviral defense system. By delivering the Cas9 nuclease complexed with a synthetic guide RNA (gRNA) into a cell, the cell's genome can be cut at a desired location, allowing existing genes to be removed and/or new ones added in vivo (in living organisms).

The technique is considered highly significant in biotechnology and medicine as it allows for the genomes to be edited in vivo with extremely high precision, cheaply and with ease. It can be used in the creation of new medicines, agricultural products, and genetically modified organisms, or as a means of controlling pathogens and pests. It also has possibilities in the treatment of inherited genetic diseases as well as diseases arising from somatic mutations such as cancer. 

However, its use in human germline genetic modification(designer babies) is highly controversial. 

The development of the technique earned Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. The third researcher group that shared the Kavli Prize for the same discovery (led by Virginijus Šikšnys) was not awarded the Nobel prize.

In 2012 and 2013, CRISPR was a runner-up in Science Magazine's Breakthrough of the Year award. In 2015, it was the winner of that award. CRISPR was named as one of MIT Technology Review's 10 breakthrough technologies in 2014 and 2016. In 2016, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, along with Rudolph Barrangou, Philippe Horvath, and Feng Zhang won the Gairdner International award. In 2017, Doudna and Charpentier were awarded the Japan Prize in Tokyo, Japan for their revolutionary invention of CRISPR-Cas9. In 2016, Charpentier, Doudna, and Zhang won the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science. In 2020, Charpentier and Doudna were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for the development of a method for genome editing." 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pp17E4E-O8

For more details visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRISPR_gene_editing 

Meanwhile for a less complicated subject, enjoy this:

#https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/11/08/exp-gps-1108-fareeds-take.cnn

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music (Hymns)-Part 10

This is Part 10 of the 14 Series on Macrine J. Katague, Celebration of Life.

Macrine loved to sing. In her younger years, she sings coloratura soprano. When she started smoking later in her forties ( during nursing school), her voice changed to mezzo soprano. Macrine and I loved singing in the choir here in Northern California. In the late 1980's, we sang in our church choir on Sunday masses in Pinole, as well as with the UP Alumni, Berkeley Chapter Choir based in El Sobrante, California.

Eleven years ago, we sang in our Church Choir here in Fair Oaks. We even sang a duet of Silent Night in Tagalog at the concert before the Christmas midnight mass. Macrine and I had also organized the Marinduque Association of the Capital Area( MACA) Christmas Caroling Group in Colesville, Maryland in the late 1990's.

Besides singing in the church Choir with me, Macrine sang a few times during a friends wedding and she got paid, so I will consider her a semi-pro. Anyway in this episode, I am posting two of her favorite hymns that we sometimes sung during Catholic masses.  Make a Channel of your Peace( the Prayers of St.Francis), and On Eagle Wings..

  

The Prayer of St Francis song (Make me a Channel of your Peace)reminds me of our one week vacation in Rome and in the Vatican, and our visit to Assissi, Italy in 1990

On Eagle Wings reminds me of our one week vacation in Aruba, 2001

Meanwhile, while searching for the best arrangement of the above two songs, I found two renditions of Cohen's Hallelujah as follows:

Celine Dion surprises the Canadian Tenors-Oprah in the Audience 

Religious Hymns reminds me of our college years and the University of the Philippines Student Catholic activities, 1951-1955.

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=UPSCA

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo from Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines-our second home!!

 

 

A Taboo Topic: Battered/Abused Men/Husbands in the Philippines

This article is a repost. The original article was first published in my blogs in December, 2012. This is a taboo subject in the Philippines, but I feel I should write about.

In my last posting about battered husbands, I cited two cases that had come to my attention last year. One case was here in the US( a coworker) and the other case was in the Philippines(a relative).

This week I learned of another battered husband case in the Philippines. The battered husband is a distant kin of my wife. For the purpose of this article, let me call the husband Benjamin and his wife Lola. Relatives and friends of Benjamin oftentimes just call him Benjie while Lola has another name Bu-angit( crazy in Ilonggo).

Benjie's family are rich landowners in Mindoro. When Benjie's parents died, the property were divided into the 7 siblings. But Bu-angit was later able to claim and usurp portions of land supposed to be inherited by one of the sisters of Benjie. The story of Benjie and Lola is a classic tale of greed, indifference, envy and marital discord of a well to do Filipino family.

I have met Benjie and Lola and have interactions with them several times during their married life. Lola has a temper, so I was sure that Benjamin was a victim of verbal abuses. Lola several years ago came to visit relatives here in US. On her way home to the Philippines, she had a temper tantrum in the airport. It took a while for her to calm down.

Today, I was surprised to learn that Benjamin was also a victim of physical abuse. Benjamin and Lola have four adults children and several young grandchildren. Both hailed from Mindoro(neighboring island of Marinduque), but decided to reside in Quezon City after their college graduations. Benjamin was an engineer and a business executive before his retirement. Lola was a full time housekeeper and occasionally teaches piano. We know of several friends of the couple and heard of incidents of Lola's temper tantrums. Lola is also known for her erratic behavior during full moon. We did not however have much contact with Benjamin and Lola for the last 5 years, not until last week when Benjamin died of heart attack at the age of 71. We were also informed that a week before Benjie died he was scheduled for heart by-pass surgery. For unknown reasons, the surgery was cancelled. It is rumored that Lola convinced Benjie not to have surgery, because of the costs of the surgery. I feel this is not really the reason, since the couple are very wealthy. They owned lands and two houses in Mindoro as well as beach houses in Batangas and Marinduque and has a good business in Quezon City.

Benjamin had several relatives residing in the US. Last week, a relative( Gilda) flew to the Philippines just to attend for his funeral and cremation services. It was at this time that she learned of Benjie's suffering as a victim of Lola's verbal and physical abuse. The story was relayed to Gilda by the personal caretaker of Benjamin.

The story of Benjie's abuse was relayed by Gilda to my wife and I am writing this story. This is a true story. But to protect the family and privacy of both the late Benjamin and Lola, the names and places in this article are fictitious but the story of Benjamin as a battered husband is true and not a product of my wild and vivid imagination.

Again, as I wrote in my first article on this subject, battered husband cases are not as common as the battered wife cases. But this story confirms that there are battered husbands all around the world, but are too ashamed to seek help when they are still alive. In the case of Benjamin, his case was only known after his death last week. May Benjamin's soul rest in Peace, Amen.

One of the many orchids in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines  

and a short video of a wedding ceremony and reception in the Coference Hall, Beach House and Gardens of Our Chateau Du Mer-a lighter topic than the one above.

 

https://www.facebook.com/razastillsandmotions/videos/654125195156022/

 Related Post: https://theaseanpost.com/article/philippines-abused-husbands

Do You Have Good and Caring Neighbors?

 

It is essential for your safety, happiness and peace of mind to have good neighbors that are also friendly and caring. Whether you live in an apartment, condo, a farm, town house or in a subdivision with single homes, it is important to have good neighbors. In the seven places that we have resided here in the US since 1960, my family have encountered all kinds of neighbors from the unfriendly( probably racist), neutral and caring neighbors.

Our first city of residence was Chicago, Illinois in the 1960's. I was still a graduate student at that time so we resided in a apartment managed and owned by the university. All of our neighbors were mostly students and others were employees of the University. We were lucky at that time to have good neighbors. My wife had joined a baby sitting cooperative with wives of other students students. We will have monthly pot lucks and picnics with the growing kids- the center of our social activities.

After graduation, we moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where I had my first industrial job. Our first rental single home was in a subdivision of mostly retired couples, so we did not have interaction with our neighbors. Our activity was centered in the Swim and Country Club two blocks from our house. We stayed in this house for one year since the owner decided to sell the house. We moved to another rental house about two miles away. Again, we did not have any interaction with our neighbors. 

Our First purchased Home on Plattewoods, Missouri with the 4's, 1967
 

Our third home in the Kansas City area was in Plattewoods, Missouri. This was our first owned home. It was located in a subdivision with one and two acres lots in a semi-rural exclusive neighborhood. Our neighbor across the street was a teacher and was neither friendly or unfriendly. Our neighbor in the left side we never see. The only thing we saw in their backyard was a German Shepherd dog named Devil who barks when we approached the boundary lines of our fences. We have a distant neighbor about 4 blocks from us who were also Filipino-Americans and have two boys almost in the same ages with our children that we socialized.

Our next move was to Modesto, California, Stanislaus County- California Central Valley. We purchased our second 4-bedroom home in a newer subdivision. We have several neighbors but only one was friendly. We stayed two years in that subdivision then decided to sell the house so we can moved to a farm house with a barn that my wife converted into a Filipino Gift Shoppe. Our nearest neighbor was about 1/4 mile away. They have children who goes to the same school with our kids, but we never socialized.

Our fourth move was to Pinole, California in the East Bay when my employer in Modesto decided to close their agricultural research facility. We have purchased two homes in Pinole from 1974-1990. Our first home was a two story house in a subdivision with small backyards in the foot hills of Pinole. We have neighbors that are neither friendly or unfriendly.

 

When I broke my Achilles tendon playing tennis and had a hard time climbing the second floor bedrooms, we decided to move to a ranch type home about 3 miles in another older subdivision. In this neighborhood, we have two very friendly neighbors. One was a Filipina married to a Caucasian. The one across the street was super friendly and very helpful. He was a handy man and was glad when he offers to help me in the minor maintenance of the house and our yard.
Our residence in Hammonton Rd, Colesville, MD(1990 to 2002)
 

When I lost my job in the East Bay, our family moved to the Washington DC area where I worked for the Food and Drug Administration for 12 years. We purchased a 4 bedroom ranch style home with a full basement in a subdivision in Colesville, Maryland. We found in this neighborhood a very friendly and caring neighbor who was a widow. We socialized and invite each other in our homes and had a grand time.
A neighbor's duck swimming in our pool, Sacramento(Fair Oaks), 2005
 

Our last move was to the Sacramento area(Fair Oaks) when I retired in 2002. We decided to rent first so we will know the neighborhood before we purchased our retirement house. Our rental home was a 4 bedroom ranch with a swimming pool. We stayed there for almost a year and were able to meet only one neighbor. He was a retired physician, an avid reader and has no prejudice against Filipino-Americans. We realized this is not a very friendly neighborhood however since our other neighbors never bothered to introduce themselves to us.

We purchased our retirement home in a neighborhood with another ranch type house. The subdivision was built in the 1980's and populated mostly by retirees. In this neighborhood, we are very lucky to have two friendly neighbors. Our first caring neighbor is a widow originally from Italy. She does not drive, so every now and then I will drive her to church and to the grocery stores. She goes with my wife and I to the nearby Casino almost once a week. In return she would cook my favorite dish- fried eggplant. The other day she gave us roasted duckling. She also watched all unusual activities in the area, and lists all licenses of cars she does not recognized.

Our second friendly neighbor is also a retired couple about ten years younger than us. The man of the house is a handy man and I hired him to fix minor repairs in the house. He is also a computer expert and had help me with my computers problems in two cases during the last four years. We love this neighborhood, because we have two friendly neighbors who watches our home when we are not around and are ready to help us in a second notice.

 

May I reiterate then, that for your piece of mind it is essential to have good and caring neighbors. How about you? Do you have good neighbors?

Here's an example of having good and caring neighbors-From the FB page of Ditas: Thanksgiving Day, 2020.

I have the BEST neighbors Darrell and Stanley. When they heard I was going to stay home alone and do a family zoom and was thinking of ordering take out- they offered to bring me a delicious plate of all homemade from scratch thanksgiving dinner. Not pictured here is the amazing white chocolate cheesecake with a chambord coulis! All delicious and the zoom call was so nice to connect with family safely. #covidthanksgiving2020 #bestneighborsever

Meanwhile, enjoy this Video of Andrei Rieu, Plaisir d'Amour

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J.Katague via her Favorite Music( Julio Iglesias)-Part 9

This is Part 9 of 14 on the Series, Celebration of Life, Macrine J. Katague via her favorite music.

Macrine was a Julio Iglesias Fan. She had more than two dozens collection of his records and had attended three of His Concerts here in Northern California and Lake Tahoe in the mid 1980's.

Macrine and I first attended a concert that Julio gave way back in the late 1970's in Burlingame, CA. The theater was mobbed by screaming women of all ages. One of the women screaming for his name is my wife who was in her late thirties at that time. Luckily, she was not one of several women who throw their panties to the stage. Macrine, my wife for 63 years is one out of the millions of Julio's groupie and fans. She has a complete collection of all his songs from 1970 to 1990.

The second Julio concert we attended was in Lake Tahoe, NV in the late 1980's. This time the crowd was a little bit tamer and no panties were thrown on the stage. However, I have to pay scalped tickets for about 10 times the regular price, so I could also see the show. Macrine also attended two other live converts of Julio in Reno, NV with her two girl friends(Julio fans) in the mid 1980's.

Here's more of Julio, 85 minutes of his songs!  

https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/search?q=julio+iglesias

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo, Sunset at Stinson Beach, CA 2020

 

No Thanksgiving Get Together this Year-Instead a Dessert Zoom Meeting

Our First Thanksgiving Celebration in the US, Danville, Illinois, 1960

The David Katague Clan decided not to have a Thanksgiving Get Together this year due to Covid-19. Instead, Ditas has scheduled a Zoom meeting as follows:

Topic: Thanksgiving DESSERT ZOOM for the Family
Time: Nov 26, 2020 04:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82838511279?pwd=ZGNMSElYeW1mMXNNTWpaWldwQ1FiZz09

Meeting ID: 828 3851 1279
Passcode: 569363
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,82838511279#,,,,,,0#,,569363# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,82838511279#,,,,,,0#,,569363# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 828 3851 1279
Passcode: 569363
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kx9KzRqaw

 

Personal Note: David and I will just order Crispy Pata, Pancit and other Pinoy Goodies from Teriyaki Station from Folsom and have it delivered via Doordash for tomorrow dinner.

 

Speaking of crispy pata here's a video from Becoming Filipino ( Kulas) of the best crispy pata he had tasted in Santa Cruz, Marinduque-our second home in the Philippines.

For our previous Thanksgiving celebrations visit:

https://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com/search?q=thanksgiving 

and for our first Thanksgiving in the US in 1960 visit:

https://hubpages.com/holidays/my-first-thanksgiving-day-in-the-united-states

 Here's a short history of the Thanksgiving Traditions in the US

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EZNCuQkWNU

 

Have You Tasted Ostrich Steaks?

I first tasted ostrich steak several years ago at a restaurant owned by Macrine's first cousin, MYLK( My Little Kitchen) located in Greenbelt Shopping Mall, Makati, Philippines. I believe the restaurant had closed.

At that time, I was curious who was the supplier of the Meat. Macrine cousin  informed us that the source of the meat is from ostrich farms in Davao, Southern Philippines. 

Ostrich Raising in Redmond, Oregon

It was one of the best tasting meat, I have tasted in my life. It taste like a cross between a steak and chicken, more on the steak taste.

Ostrich meat doesn't taste like other birds. It's meat is red like venison and the taste is similar to prime beef. Other's say it tastes like veal. ... The meat comes in all of the cuts that beef comes in, including steaks and burgers, as well as ground meat.

Ostrich is a very versatile lean meat. It looks like venison and tastes like filet steak. It is very low in cholesterol and therefore healthier than beef. 

The average ostrich, typically butchered at 14 months of age, will produce about 75–130 lbs of meat. Ground ostrich meat ranges from $10–15/lb, with filets at $25–50/lb and tenderloins upwards of $50/lb. At the average wholesale price of $20/lb, that's a minimum of $1500 per bird.

 

Here in my neighborhood, three grocery and meat stores carries the meat, but I do not see a lot of customers buying it, because it is very expensive. But the taste is worth every penny you pay for such delicacy. 

If you have a chance taste it. It is better tasting than grilled lamb loin chops, veal or venison. I know most of us are not familiar with exotic meats, but again if you have the chance, taste it!!

 

Meanwhile enjoy this piece-one of Macrine's Favorite

 

Another rendition of Anton Rubenstein "Romance"

In this ranking, pork and lamb were #1 and # 2 favorites.
http://en.classora.com/reports/f47591/ranking-of-the-worlds-most-delicious-meat

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of my nite light gift to a relative who love cats.

 

 

 

I finally have a Smartphone that I seldom use-BLU v70

My old and cheap cell phone finally conked out on me. I used the cell phone not too often, just for verifying my food delivery services or if my landline phone is not working. For computer work, I have a desk top with a 48" monitor. For Camera and Face Time I have an apple I-pad. So I really do not need a smartphone, but David III gave it to me as my advanced Birthday gift.   I started playing with it. At first I have a hard time with my fingering( hitting two alphabets or numbers) and get confused with all the applications, etc.... After  playing with it for 30 minutes, I am beginning to like it. However I will never exchanged this mini computer with my huge PC screen and PC. So here are the features of my new BLU V70 smartphone. It cost $129 plus tax from Best Buy. 

 "Communicate effectively with this unlocked BLU V70 smartphone. The 64GB of internal memory provide ample storage for media and apps, while the 6.1-inch HD+ Infinity display delivers crisp, detailed visuals. This black 4G-enabled BLU V70 smartphone features 3GB of RAM and an octa-core processor for fast app performance, and dual 13MP cameras capture beautiful pictures and videos".

Features
Octa-core 1.5GHz processor with 3GB of RAM
Delivers outstanding overall performance for opening and running applications, flipping through menus, running home screens and more.
Universal Unlocked
Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Also compatible with prepaid carriers including Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless, Tracfone, Net10, Mint, and H2O.
4G LTE speed
Provides fast Web connection for downloading apps, streaming content and staying connected with social media.
Dual rear-facing cameras and front camera
Lets you record high-resolution images on the rear while a front-facing camera makes it easy to Skype or take selfies.
6.1" touch screen
Extra-large screen is matched with a slim body to comfortably fit in your hand.
64GB internal memory plus microSD slot
Extensive storage space for your contacts, music, photos, apps and more. Expand storage up to 64GB by adding a microSD card (sold separately).
Dual-SIM card slot
Allows you to stay connected with a lot of contacts, having two phone numbers from different carriers in one device.
Android 9
A custom operating system for Android phones that delivers easy app usability and responses.
Your fingerprint keeps your phone secure
Hold your finger on the fingerprint sensor to unlock your phone.
Access to Google Play
Browse and download apps, magazines, books, movies, and television programs directly to your phone.
* SIM Card not included.

What's Included

---

BLU v70

4000 mAh Battery

Headset, USB cable, power adapter, screen protector, protective case

Meanwhile enjoy this photo from my collection

 A Fire Rainbow-

And a time-lapse photography of Bohol Island, Philippines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bsq4kZYfXs

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music (Broadway) Part 8

This is Part 8 of 14 on the Series, Celebration of Life, Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite music, Broadway songs

Macrine and I during Our Guided Tour of the Tower of London-1992

Macrine and I love Broadway Musicals. One of our Favorite was Miss Saigon. We attended a show in London, England in 1992. In the bottom of this page is a photo and our ticket of that happy event during our younger years and a Duet by Lea Salonga and Will Chase" Last Night of the World".

Another Broadway Show we loved is Phantom of the Opera. We saw it twice, once in New York City  and second at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  In this posting I am sharing the Rendition of Il Divo with Lea Salonga- Music of the Night from the Phantom of the Opera. 

Meanwhile, while searching for the best arrangement of Music of the Night, I found this piece that Macrine and I also enjoy, Bali Hai from South Pacific. South Pacific is one of our favorite Broadway Show and Movie.

 

Last Night of the World-Duet Lea Salonga and Will Chase

Last Night of the World-Duet Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman

Macrine and I attended Miss Saigon, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, on August 14, 1992. We got the cheapest available tickets since we did not have a reservation. We were provided with opera telescope so we can see the stage, but the music and sound was perfect. Lea Salonga did not performed that night.  For a list top ten Broadway musicals of the Decade that we have attended, read:

https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/search?q=broadway+musicals

Meanwhile, here's Carenna's audition as Nina singing Everything I Know from Lin Miranda In the Heights

 https://www.facebook.com/ditas/videos/10157848225531270/

 

Responses to My Query-Can you Describe Filipino Food to a Stranger?

• 

  A couple of months ago, I joined a Facebook group-Filipino Cooking. I posted a query 10 weeks ago (October 5)as follows:

  "Describe Filipino food to a complete stranger!"

  I got 262 comments as of today. I am posting a few of the comments for your  reading pleasure. Don't forget to click on #15 video.
  

  1. When I met my husband I barely ate anything...my mother in law was an excellent cook and introduced me to so many amazing dishes. I still can’t do chocolate meat and fish when the head is looking right at me but everything else is amazing. I can actually cook more Filipino food than my own Greek cuisine.
  • 
    
  2. It’s the easiest food to cook because there’s only a few ingredients. Fried or has soup.
  • 
    

  3. Something very unique because of the mixture of cultures that influenced it. It is an amalgam of tastes from those that the Filipinos has in contact with and somehow assimilated into our cuisine. Filipino food is simply Filipino food.
  

  4. I always tell people - it’s like an explosion in your mouth - the kind where you yes yummy and close your eyes at the same time
5. Yummy
• 
  
6. Somewhere between Chinese and Spanish, with Malaysian and American influences, with an island flavor" usually works. It obv doesn't give enough credit the **Filipino*ness of it all but it gets the point across.
• 
  
7. Filipino food is unique. It has its own flavor. You need to try it and I’m sure you’ll like it!
8. Asian soulfood!!!
9. "You eat it with rice" lol ...
• 
  
10. Everything is to be eaten with rice, and to be enjoyed with barehands..

11.  Something very unique because of the mixture of cultures that influenced it. It is an amalgam of tastes from those that the Filipinos has in contact with and somehow assimilated into our cuisine. Filipino food is simply Filipino food. We can say that it is influenced by this culture or that culture but we have somehow put our unique brand to every dish we produce.

12. Looks like and smells like garbage, but tastes like heaven

13.  Asia meets the Iberian Peninsula and Italy, corrupted by 1950's American food.

14. The perfect last meal before death row 

 

15. I don't think I can say it as well as Rexie https://youtu.be/m6Jk3qbtSF8

Here's the description of Filipino cuisine from Wikipedia

Filipino cuisine (Filipino: lutuing Pilipino/pagkaing Pilipino) is composed of the cuisines of more than a hundred distinct ethno-linguistic groups found throughout the Philippine archipelago. However, a majority of mainstream Filipino dishes that compose Filipino cuisine are from the cuisines of the various ethnolinguistic groups and tribes of the archipelago, including the Ilocano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, Visayan (Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray), Chavacano and Maranao ethno-linguistic groups. 

The style of food making and the food associated with it have evolved over many centuries from their Austronesian origins (shared with Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines) to a mixed cuisine of Indian, Chinese, Spanish and American influences, in line with the major waves of influence that had enriched the cultures of the archipelago, as well as others adapted to indigenous ingredients and the local palate.

Dishes range from the very simple, like a meal of fried salted fish and rice, to fish curry, chicken curry, complex paellas and cozidos of Iberian origin created for fiestas. Popular dishes include: lechón (whole roasted pig), longganisa (Philippine sausage), tapa (cured beef), torta (omelette), adobo (chicken or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce, or cooked until dry), dinuguan (pork blood stew), kaldereta (meat stewed in tomato sauce and liver paste), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), pochero (beef and bananas in tomato sauce), afritada (chicken or pork and vegetables simmered in tomato sauce), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), pinakbet (kabocha squash, eggplant, beans, okra, and tomato stew flavored with shrimp paste), crispy pata (deep-fried pig's leg), hamonado (pork sweetened in pineapple sauce), sinigang (meat or seafood in sour broth), pancit (noodles), and lumpia (fresh or fried spring rolls).

Various food scholars have noted that Filipino cuisine is multi-faceted and is the most representative in the culinary world for food where "east meets west".

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of my Peppered Steak in Oyster Sauce that I cooked recently.

Beef Tenderloin tips with sweet red peppers and sweet Vidalia onions in oyster/teriyaki sauce mix

I served it with steam rice and green papaya acharra (pickled) and leche flan for dessert. 

Here's more video of Rex Navarette on Filipino Cuisine.

Also happy to post what I purchased from Sea Food City today

Grilled Pompano, ampalaya, bagoong, buko pandan ice cream, spanish bread, butter mamom and enzymada

Here's one recipe for Pork and Chicken Adobo by Richard Gomez. Boiled eggs and Liver  are Optional. Adobo is one of the most popular Filipino dishes and recipes varies in different regions of the Philippines. Calamari ( squid/pusit) Adobo is also another one of my favorite Pinoy dish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBSQkZUHezo

 

A Delightful Discovery-Filipino Food Now Available for Delivery in My Neighborhood

I have been ordering Food on line of all ethnic persuasion ranging from Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, Fast Food etc... since March this year when Lockdown was enforced in my neighborhood. Yesterday was my first time to order Filipino dishes via Postmate. 

https://www.menupix.com/california/restaurants/5573059/Teriyaki-Station-Menu-Folsom-CA

Just recently, I found out that a Japanese Restaurant( Teriyaki Station) in Folsom, CA only 4 miles from my residence also carries Filipino Food. I could order on line via Postmate or Doordash. 

Yesterday, I ordered for the first time, Lechon Kawali, Paksiw na Pata, Pancit, and Avocado Halo Halo. It was delicious although pricey but it is a luxury I can afford. 

If you are in the area here's some Pinoy dishes in their menu. They also accept catering orders but required at least 2 days notice. Kare-Kare ( ox tails in peanut sauce) is only available on Fridays and Saturdays.

This Japanese-Filipino restaurant is only 4 miles from home versus my other favorite restaurant ( Peenoy Grocery and Restaurant) near McCleland Air Force Base on Watt Ave about 10 miles from home. Moreover, Peenoy Restaurant does not have delivery services. Here's some dishes in the Menu.

Teriyaki Station Atbp

141 Iron Point Rd, Folsom CA

(916) 608-4567

Open 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM PST

Teriyaki Bowls

Chicken Bowl w/onion rings

$8.50

Beef Bowl w/onion rings

$8.99

Pork Bowl w/onion rings

$8.50

Veggie Bowl w/onion rings

$7.99

Steamed veggies with teriyaki sauce over rice with 2 onion rings

Salmon Bowl w/onion rings

$12.50

Combo Bowl w/onion rings

$9.99

Choice of up to 2 meats

Teriyaki Plates

#1 Teriyaki Chicken Combo w/onion rings

$8.50

2 pcs of our house specialty grilled chicken with a side of rice, salad and 2 onion rings

#2 Teriyaki Beef Combo w/onion rings

$8.99

4 pcs of tender beef strips with a side of rice, salad and 2 onion rings

#3 Teriyaki Pork Combo w/onion rings

$8.50

4 pcs of grilled tender pork strips with a side of rice, salad and 2 onion rings

#4 Chicken, Beef, Pork Combo w/ OR

$9.35

1 pc of each of each meat ( best option to sample all our grilled meats) served with side of salad, rice and 2 onion rings

#5 2Chicken, 2 Beef, 2 Pork Combo w/ OR

$13.99

Double combo: double serving of our grilled meats with side of rice, salad and 2 onion rings

#6 Teriyaki Salmon Combo w/ OR

$12.99

Grilled salmon served with side of rice, salad and 2 onion rings

Tempura

Tempura Plate

$10.50

3pcs of tempura shrimp with variety of tempura veggies fried to a golden crisp. Served with rice and salad.

Vegetable Tempura

$6.50

a mix of broccoli, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato and onion rings dipped in our tempura batter and fried until golden and crisp.

3 Pcs. Tempura Shrimp

$4.99

Filipino Food/Combo Plate

FILIPINO COMBOS

Choice of 1 entree with a side of pancit and rice

CRISPY PATA Combo

$16.63

Tender pork ham hock braised in our special spices and deep fried until crispy. Served with a side or rice and pancit.

Crispy Pata Ala Carte

$14.74

Crispy pata only ( no sides)

Ala carte

A serving of entree only /no sides

Pancit

$6.49

Rice noodles sauteed with shrimp and chicken

Lumpia (2pcs)

$1.75

Our in house made egg roll filled with ground pork and shrimp.

Lumpia (5 Pcs)

$4.52

Our in house made egg roll filled with ground pork and shrimp.

Lumpiang gulay

$1.25

All veggie egg roll

Halo-Halo

$6.89

Our most popular dessert! Creamy shaved ice with a variety of fruit fillings and topped with Ube ice cream, flan and a sprinkle of rice crispies.

Avo-Halo Smash

$6.89

An Avocado version of Halo-halo. A delightful treat of real avocadoes in a variety of toppings, creamy blended and topped with avocado ice cream!

Siopao

$3.50

Pork Asado Siopao

The menu price ordering via Postmate is about $1.00 to $ 3.00 more plus delivery charge and taxes. Doordash is about a few dollars cheaper. But it is worth it, saves you driving time(gas) and possible Covid-19 exposure! 

My next posting is about Filipino Food/Cuisine in general. Watch for it!