Saving The Haribon

Haribon is a shortened term for 'Haring Ibon' which refers to the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). This majestic bird is the largest bird in the world as reported in this article ,which gives out detailed measurement in comparison to other eagles from other countries.

Haring Ibon tops in 5 of the 7 external measurements:Total length, bill gape, culmen, bill height and tarsus.                        

In 1995, thru Proclamation No. 615 , the Philippine eagle became the National Bird, replacing the Black-headed Munia or the Philippine Maya.

Sadly there are reportedly around 400 pairs of wild eagles in the Philippines which makes them critically endangered. Even as early as the 1960s,the world was alerted that the eagles were in serious danger of extinction.

The Elusive Bulcachong Part 2

I had attempted to cook Davao-based Bulcachong before but it ended up like kare-kare as I narrated in my previous blog. Having no time and moolah, I sent my sister to go to the place where Bulcachong was created to check out the restaurant and food and to let me know how was it.

I'll let her blog this one for me :)

Bulcachong is a small old fashioned house turned into a simple restaurant.  It's known for its bulcachong, which is where it got its name.

This place isn't so hard to find since it's located at the heart of the city.  Just few steps away from JS Gaisano, you could spot this small resto.

Things I Learned When Buying Furnitures and Appliances

After having lived for almost 6 years in different dormitories and bedspaces, I found myself looking for furnitures and appliances for the bare apartment that I have recently moved into.

I first made the common mistake that other newbies make when canvassing for appliances and furnitures--that is to search in malls. Sure, malls like SM, Shopwise, and other popular shopping venues are very conducive and accessible but when it comes to product pricing and payment terms, I've come to realize soon enough that there are other better alternatives out there.

I tried online purchases through Alibaba, Sulit.com and OLX. I looked through new and second-hand furniture but I wasn't really satisfied with items posted. Pictures cannot compare with actual appraisal so I cannot really conclude if it would be a good bargain once I purchase it.

Furnitures and appliances such as dining set, sala set,refrigerators and the like entail a sufficient amount of purchasing power.

But as much as possible, I wanted to avoid paying in credit card. So it was such a great news to me when I heard about the cash installment terms of K-Servico and Emilio S. Lim Appliance stores. When I checked out an ES Lim Branch in Marikina, I was surprised how low the prices were compared to malls (and I've checked a lot of them).

A Panasonic Ref that costs around 12K-14k in Ace Hardware and SM was priced just around 10K in ES Lim. They currently even had this 'No Cash Out' Promo upon your cash installment application. My boyfriend even had to literally stop me from making an impulse purchase on that item.Not that I would regret it of course.

I also realized that small/medium stores that are located outside malls and commercial areas offer good bargains. Following the advice of my BF's officemate, we went to Bayan, Marikina to look around for those Mom and Pop stores.

Sure enough we found one that was still open during Sundays. The entrance to Blooming Furniture was nondescript. There were piles of furniture on top of the other but having been used to looking at different furnitures at various places, I've realized that I found some diamonds in the rough.

Dabawenyo Ka Kung...

Check out this new FB page that's quickly gaining popularity among Davaoenos and Davaoenas. It's callled 'Dabawenyo Ka Kung...' . Some of the comments were oh so true but others perhaps not so much XD

Kung na-ignu kag fireworks. :))
 (You're ignorant of fireworks)

kabalo ka mu-TAGBIS (Tagalog Bisaya) :-)
 (you know TAGBIS(Tagalog Bisaya)


kung wa pa ka kahibalo unsa ang bagyo until niadto kag laing lugar...
(you have no experience of storm not until you went out of the city)--this of course is prior to the flash flood last month.

dabawenyo ka kung gatan aw ka pirmi ug "gkan sa masa para sa masa".. basig apil ka sa roll call ni digong
(if you always watch " from the masses to the masses"...and even probably part of the roll call by Digong (aka. VM Rodrigo Duterte)

dabawenyo ka kung naka laag nka ug people"s park!
(If you have been to People's park!)

HR Pains

If we take all reported cases of 'LBM' in the Philippines based on employee excuse for absences, we would have an epidemic.

Daily Dose of Dilbert

I had lunch in Jollibee just today and I grabbed a newspaper to pass the time. I read this in the comics section and this just hit the nail on the ongoing smart devices craze.



Seriously. I love Dilbert.

Crocs: Your Friend on Rainy & Stormy Days

When Crocs was first introduced in the market, I used to hate it. I cannot seem to fathom why people would want to wear those fashionably obscene ,chunky plastic shoes. Costing around 2K to 3K, it made me want to despise them more. 

They were jumping on the Havaianas bandwagon, same like Grendha and Ipanema . Only, if they were relatives, Crocs seemed to be the distant ugly cousin. 

My perspective had a 180 degree turn during the rainy days. Referencing Charice on Glee, it's not always sunny in the Philippines. We also have monsoon season. And during those times, my footwear inventory would be mercilessly decimated.

My poor office shoes already showing signs of wear and tear.

After walking in soggy shoes around the office for some time, I decided to use slippers on the way to work and just revert to shoes in company premises.

But wearing slippers on a rainy day especially if one is going to the office is not that good. Though, comfy, slippers expose the feet to rain water and even puddles. I always had the urge to wash my feet in alcohol after each trip.

On one incident, I boarded a jeepney on the way to way to work. I saw a co-worker wearing a fuschia colored pair of Crocs. Comparing it with my feet drenched in dirty water, she were better off than me. Then and there I decided to go to the nearest Crocs store after working hours.

I bought this one. It is neutral in color and the design is simple enough that I won't have trouble matching it with any clothes. 

I did a test run on it today and I liked it. The rubber was soft yet durable that it added a bit of a 'bounce' as I walked through the wet and puddled roads. Even though it's new, it doesn't cramp my feet.

Sure enough, I'll be using this more often especially during rainy season.

In Pursuit of the Davao Real Chocolate

This is the book that started my journey to finding real chocolate.

I have always liked chocolate.

But my affection reached to a whole new level during my frequent visits in Xocolat. In that restaurant, I began to read a book by Chloe Doutre-Roussel ,'The Chocolate Connoisseur: For Everyone With A Passion For Chocolate'.

The Elusive Bulcachong

For any friends of mine who say that they are from a certain province or they have traveled a specific locale, I've always asked what are the special cuisines of the place.

For example, the spicy Bicol Express is commonly known to originate from Bicol, while Lechon is the prime culinary feat of Cebu. Pampanga, the culinary capital of the country , had produced unforgettable dishes such as sisig,longganisa,tocino and Kare-kare.

Although I am a Davaoena, I'm not sure what certain dish we can dub as exclusively from Davao.I asked my friends for their opinion and one of them mentioned: ' Bulcachong'.

Having heard about this for the first time, I did a quick research in the net and found this blog complete with picture and recipes.

Bulcachong is carabao meat stew with peanut butter, ginger, annato seeds and some spices. According to some blogs, this dish is reminiscent of Kansi in Iloilo.

After copying, I sent the recipe to my boyfriend and asked him to try to cook this dish over the weekend. The ingredients were easy to find, with the exception of carabao meat which we replaced with beef instead.

Served with blanched pechay as side dish. :D

The result was a stew that was reminiscent of kare-kare. I am not sure if we had exactly replicated the Davao dish but the taste was both sweet and spicy. Probably because we added too much peanut butter:P

Our first attempt at Bulcachong

The original Bulcachong

Nevertheless ,that won't stop me from trying to cook it again. Perhaps, I might reserve this Bulcachong tasting itenarary on my way back to Davao.

A Procrastinator's Guide to Cramming

After reading countless self-help books and listening to a couple of sermons from your teacher, mother and perhaps your inner righteous self (this occurs often if you are the introvert type) ,you still procrastinate. This behaviour becomes a problem when you find yourself cramming for an assignment, exam or a project(if you have already graduated).

When in Manila: Divisoria 101

Divisoria is a mecca for bargain hunters. Whether you are looking for clothes, school/office supplies, christmas decors, etc.this is the place where you can get it at a very low price and perhaps lower still if you are really good at haggling.

Stylish Hair Tutorials

I've previously featured make up tutorials on my blog before so it was only just a matter of time  for me to check out other tutorials on beauty. Lilithedarkmoon 's Youtube channel has given me lots of styling ideas for my long hair.

She has a very beautiful hair and face as you can see in her videos. I've looked into her Facebook account and learned that she knows 6 languages such as English, Italian, French, Polish and Russian.

Wow! What a combination of beauty and brains ! :D

Why are you Filipinos ashamed of your weddings?

Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.

My foreigner boss asked me that when one of the employees wanted to file his nuptial leave but insisted that we keep it a secret to other co-workers.

"Budget." , I told him.

I explained that it's not because we are ashamed of being married just the fact that the more people know about the event the more people who will expect to be invited. Having a lot of guests would strain the purse strings of whoever was shelling out for the wedding. Culture-wise, we are a people who wants to avoid disappointing people especially to our friends and acquaintances. Sometimes, however on this habit, we end up borrowing and spending more than we can afford.

Probably in his culture, they have it easier saying 'no'.

Religious Conversations

For quite some time, there have been numerous comments and bombardments of anti-Muslim sentiments in news and other media.

People generalize and brand Muslim as terrorist, without thinking that some Christian/Catholic brothers also engage in subversive acts of violence.

Of Chicken, Men and Equal Rights

I have first encountered Elmer in a bookstore in Trinoma. It comes with the premise: What if one day chickens think like people? Should we treat them as new members of the human race? Or do we eat still them?

The story in itself is very original and it deals on the subject unflinchingly,yet manages to add some comedic relief. Though done in black and white color,the art convincingly depicts the emotions and atmosphere of the characters and plot.

This novel has recently won an international award and some good reviews. I'm hoping Gerry Alanguilan and other graphic novel artist can generate more gems so I can proudly add it in my  collection.

Just Wondering...

Why is there only 'Chinatown'? I know there is one here in Manila and also in Davao. How come there is no 'Indiatown', 'Koreantown','Swedentown' or even 'Americantown' 

in our country?  

Online Makeup Tutorial

When I was young, using make up was very intimidating for me. Although I considered myself an artist that time (graphic/illustrations), I could never muster enough confidence to color my face.

I have heard of Michelle Phan's Youtube channel from my boyfriend's sister and checked it out. Her make up tutorials and beauty skincare tips altered my outlook on make up and beauty. How I've wished the channel existed during my college days.

Big and Beautiful

Photographer:Jaimie Nicole Imagery
Dress:Pinup Girl Clothing

I was walking on my way to work when I chanced upon two girl friends who were going on the opposite direction. Both of them were plump and chubby, but that's where the similarities end. One was simply dressed with casual blue poloshirt and jeans, and her hair was cut in a short bob. The other wore a long mustard top with flower prints , paired with gray leggings. She had her red brown hair tied up in a ponytail with bangs framing her face.

100 Araw ng Komiks

To encourage and disseminate information about Philippine komiks, 100 Araw ng Komiks was launched July 1, 2011.

You can check out their Facebook account for links updates of komiks submissions from various artists.

11 Unusual Things I Love about Davao

1. Davao Airport. Douglas Adams might say "It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear" but I am curiously a fan of Francis Bangoy International Airport . The place is clean and well maintained and they even charge lower boarding pass rates compared to Manila.

Job Hunting in Manila

It not uncommon for someone from the province to move to Manila in search for better opportunities. I have my youngest brother as well as some of my friends and classmates relocate to Manila to join the crazy rat race.