A Different Kick for Pancakes

Pancakes are the easiest pastry people of all ages can make/bake/cook.  These are by far, the simplest breakfast people from all walks of life dearly enjoy.  Pancake recipes evolved from generation to generation with a myriad of fruit and syrup add-ons.  Anything can just go perfectly well with pancakes and here's a different kind of twist for the pancakes I serve on Sundays after church!

Since I still cannot bake after so many epic fails since high school, I just purchase a ready-to-cook pancake mix.  This Maya Complete Hotcake Mix comes in very handy for a non-baker like me.  All you have to do is just add water and there you have your perfect batter!

After mixing the batter (Do not overmix.  See package for instructions.), grease pan with butter.  Put 2-3 tablespoons of the batter on the pan, forming a circle and flip over when bubbles come out.

Prepare cheese slices and scrambled egg.  For a tastier scrambled egg, add a dash of oregano so as to give a distinct aroma for the mixture.  And for a cheesier yummyness, use Eden cheddar cheese.  I've been using Kraft Eden since time immemorial and you can check out other Eden cheese recipes on the related posts below.

Now let's do the piling!  Pancake first, scrambled egg second, cheese slices third, a drizzle of pancake syrup, and another pancake on top.  Then voila!  You have now a different version of pancake meal to fuel up your day!

There you have another way of preparing pancakes for a very healthy brekky.  Clara Olé Pancake Syrup is sugar-free by the way, so you don't have to worry if your "senior-citizen" parents want to have a piece of this.  Definitely, there's no worry for that sugar count!

This recipe is best served with milk and banana so indulge!

More #SundayHomeCooking in my future posts, dear blog readers! :)

Related Posts:

Tuna and Mushroom Piccolo Pizza Recipe

Tapioca Pearls Recipe

A Not-So French Toast Recipe
The Benefits of Getting Cheesy

Christmas Recipes

  

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My Year 3 of Katutubong Kasuotan

And here we are with our Katutubong Kasuotan once again.  This time, hindi ko po kina-reer ang outfit ko kasi naman po, my everyday routine means running to and fro school, store, home, vice versa plus an extra run to the bank that day.  Additionally, it was also blazing hot that day for a full-blast Filipiniana outfit to wear.  So I had the brilliant idea of making this casual wear into something fit for the occasion as it was for Buwan ng Wika.

  

The solution, just top it up with a kimona to wear and unwear for the convenience of "supergirl-wannabe" me who's always on the go!

Then off I went to school and first bumped into Sir Jomz and Sir Jonathan so I had a photo op with them.

And of course, I didn't fail to have our classroom pictorials.  First, I had it with my kulit Physics 1 IT students during their labs.

Second, I had it with my Physics majors during their 4.5-hour class marathon.

There ain't no solo pic for me this year 'coz I didn't have the time to pose for a selfie since a Wednesday is a hectic one for me!  'Till next year of Katutubong Kasuotan, Lasallians! :)

Related Post:

Katutubong Kasuotan Then and Now

University Days the Lasallian Way

85 Years of Excellence and Service

5th Inter-High School Academic Battle

Run for a Priest 2014

My Contribution for Halad 2014

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Arnold-Daisy Nuptials

And more love is in the air this month of August! :) Another close friend of mine walked down the aisle last week which made me "career" my #tosomweddings posts!  Hehe..... Anyway, Daisy was a high school classmate/lunchmate and schoolmate in college.  She was always the serious type, the one who doesn't squeal for cute boys unlike me.  To be honest, until now I couldn't remember if she even had a crush way back then.  She was shy, quiet, reserved, and very down to earth.  The only thing that pushed her to talk about in second year high school was the longest running Philippine teleserye Mara Clara of Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes.  Oh, how time flies so fast that we even caught up with the modern-day version of Mara Clara of Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes.

It was only last year that Daisy told us about a certain man for the very first time and I was so kilig by then!  She met Arnold in Qatar where they fell in "love at first sight" (as what Arnold said in their wedding banquet)!  Oh, they are just so in love with each other!  The ceremony was held at Tabid Catholic Church where Daisy grew up.  I was sorry for not having witnessed their vows for I still had my class that I couldn't leave.  I was glad that Marestelle and daughter Niña were there so I managed to grab a photo from the ceremony of the very cute flower girl for the event.

Then thanks to Marestelle for picking me up for the reception held at RA7 Medina Waters Resort.  There I finally met Arnold personally aside from being FB friends.  I also got the chance to meet his mom and dad who were super accommodating.  I thanked God for giving Daisy not just a good and loving husband but also warm and friendly parents-in-law.

At the same time, Daisy's whole family was of course there and I also had the chance to see my previous Physics major student, Reina.  She is now a licensed teacher, following my footsteps teaching science at Chinese School.

The whole wedding package was by Ramil's Creation.  They took care of everything from the littlest to the biggest wedding odds and ends.  They are partners with Warren's Arts and Studio for photography and videography.  So for a fuss-free wedding, especially those who are abroad who don't have the time to prepare for their big day, visit their FB page here.

Thank you so much once again, Marestelle and baby Niña for being my wedding dates this time!  

And to Arnold and Daisy, a blissful union to the both of you!  We pray for your safe travel as you fly your way back to Qatar.  And congratulations in advance for the upcoming little one!  Stay healthy and eat healthy, Daisy.  Take care of each other and more love love love! :)  #tosomweddings

Related Post:

GabRel's Forever

#DeVite2k15: The Wedding Day

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Lola Romy's 89th

I didn't have the chance to grow up bonding with my real grannies.  My Gma Luz, papa's exuberant mother passed away when I was 3.  On the other hand, my Mama Pasing, mama's Kapangpangan mother also passed away when I was 3 1/2.  What on earth could a 3-year old child remember?  But for the record, I think I do remember how my Gma was ailing in her deathbed and I was actually there when she died and I also do remember how my Mama Pasing was being fed through NGT in the hospital and she died on my father's birthday.  Yet, these are only vivid memories.  Memories that are not lovely and fun.  Memories of not having the chance to know my real grandmothers.

However, there are grandmas who came along my way!  Growing up, my childhood was sweetened by Lola Cheding of Mom's Sweet Delight with her treats and tricks (at times.  hehe).  She even represented my Gpa during my debut.  Aside from that, every time I pass by the Pingol gate of Ozamiz City Central School, there was always Lola Romy and her bazaar of candies welcoming me to school!  

Lola Romy was my Ninang Naida's mother.  Ninang was mama's best friend together with Auntie Rose.  The three of them always saw each other before and I was always in tow with mama.  (I hope me and my chogs will also remain friends until we each have our own families.)  So I came to know my mama's besties' whole families including their siblings, cousins, and other relatives.  Plus, I got to have two instant grandmas, Lola Romy and Lola Lauret!

Family Sunday with People I Grow Up Knowing

And yesterday was Lola Romy's 89th birthday!  She celebrated it last Sunday at Bethany Gardens and all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were present to be with her on her special day!  Even relatives from distant places also came to grace the occasion and as a family, we were so honored to have join them in this momentous event of Lola Romy's life.

Happy happy birthday once again, Lola Romy! May good health always be upon you and may God shower you with more blessings!  Thank GOD for giving you such a long life for us to have the chance to have a grandma.  Thank you for the biscuits and candies you gave me as baon in going to school when I was little.  That means a lot to me until now for I feel so loved.  To have experience being loved by a grandma which I will treasure and cherish forever.  We love you! :)

Opps, and I got to see Auntie Lilibeth again.  She came all the way from Ohio for her mom's 89th birthday.  Not to mention, I looked up to her when I was a child.  She's always fab as ever!

Thanks for the invites, Chiong family!  More blessings to come for the whole family! :)

Pretty set-up by Achie Chudney and Terrel, cakes by La Europa Bakeshop at Gegee Megamall, and photos by New Lam Chiong.  More #tosomevents to come, blog readers! :)

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M-I-Y Minionized!

I thought minion is only a cartoon character until a student asked me during chemistry class if there really is minion when we discussed about ions.  I was about to say no but I considered the possibility of a minion's existence so I gave it as their reading assignment.  Of course I also did my research and to my surprise, there really is minion!  Minion is minimum-energy ion.  It follows high-energy ions so in English, minion means a slave or follower and that explains why minions always follow.  So apart from being cartoon characters, minions are actually chem entities that I just learned of despite my years of majoring the subject.  Thanks to my inquisitive student for giving me teacher-learning too.  Hehe.....

Anyway, Minions the movie just hit the blockbuster last month.  With that, kids all over the world went gaga over minions!  In fact, even in our little store, Minion birthday banners, lootbags, and party hats are in demand.  And one of Philippines' top food manufacturers, Monde Nissin Corporation included minion in their MIY (mamon-it-yourself) product.   

As a kid at heart, I've been wanting to try Monde MIY and thanks to my follower ('coz I'm her idol daw), Krishna for being my accomplice.  She was so excited to create a minion mamon masterpiece when we went outing the other week!  

She wanted to do it all by herself but of course, with the guidance of yours truly so here's how!

Squeeze and spread the fondant icing on top of the fluffy mamon, put the sclera of an eye and the pupil and iris too.  Do the same for the other eye to finish off and tadaaaaa!!!!  Your Monde Special Mamon MIY minion is now ready to serve!  We just forgot the mouth though.  Haha!

Then Krishna became the real monster devouring the minion!  She just loves the fluffiness of the mamon so much 'coz Monde Special Mamon is made with real eggs, imported flour, and fresh milk.  It's a healthy snack that kids would truly enjoy!  

So don't forget to pack Monde Special Mamon for your kids' baon to school.  And don't fail to have it more special with mamon-it-yourself toppings.  For more topping ideas and other Monde Nissin products, click here!  #tosomendorses

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Revisiting the Bell Tower of Bukagan Hill

"I was so excited on the day we’ll be going to Malaubang!  It was my first time to go to a distant place with only my classmates as my company. It was really an adventure since Susie only left us a sketch of her house.  Meaning, we have to go to a place unknown by ourselves and I was so thrilled by the idea of getting lost!

Bukagan Hill?!  I’ve heard of it already!  I haven’t been there and I definitely wanna go there!  At that instant, I asked Susie to get us there!  But she insisted ‘coz it is dangerous for only kids to go.

However as I look back now, I don’t have any regret of getting to Bukagan Hill because until now I never had the chance to be in that place again."

- Excerpt from Bukagan Hill of My Adventures, 2011

And after so many years, a chance to visit Bukagan Hill came my way!  However, it was not an adventure as what I had in grade school.  Today, the road to the hill is very easy.  Vehicles can now get you on top with the newly-constructed cement road though the start and the end are not yet finished.  Sadly, that makes me think that Filipino government projects are always half-baked.  Anyway, it's good that there is an improvement.  But it was more exciting before when we just walked our way to the top without the paved road.

Then the ancient bell tower was still standing on top of the hill.  It was not as majestic to my eyes as it seemed before.  The bells are not as gigantic as what I also saw before.  Well, maybe I just grew up.  The magic of being mesmerized by something tall and big suddenly ebbed its way from me.      

  

And the vandalism worsened!  I know it's graffiti and I know it's art but can we put art in the right way?  Sadly, our Lasallian students' names who were under me are the ones written there.  I don't know if they themselves wrote it or some other people who have interest in them wrote it so to express their love to them.  OK, let's just understand.  Youngsters these days have their own way of expressing themselves.

Honestly, I was quite disappointed with what I saw 'coz aside from the vandalism, piles of garbage are on the ground.  Wrappers of chichiria, bottles of beer, and jebs of stray animals were scattered around.  There's nobody maintaining the cleanliness of the place.  I wish the city tourism office of Ozamiz will be reminded of Bukagan Hill's forgotten splendor because the place just have a great potential for tourism.  And if there are tourists visiting our place, local livelihood can be developed too.

But despite of my disappointment, I couldn't do without a mini pictorial.  That was a Sunday morning after church so it was a Lacy Sunday post!

Thanks to Sissy Ep2x for the Photos

Though I could never hear the bells' big ding-dong, I hope that this post's little ding-dong can be heard by my students and other Ozamiznons to take care of our environment and local treasure.  The bells of Bukagan Hill are a great part of our history so let's stop vandalizing and littering around.

To end, maybe sometimes we need not go back to a place we already considered marvelous and magical.  For the beautiful childhood memory I once had with Bukagan Hill was replaced with a disheartened feeling for the place.  Let's not just take for granted the heir from our ancestors.

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#tosom @ 4!

OMG!!!  It's the 4th year anniversary of The Other Side of Mae!!!  I can't believe we're 4 years now, blog readers!!! :)  Thank you so much for reaching us this far!  Though I still don't consider this "this far" yet 'coz I'm still no par with my blogger idols, Patty Laurel and Laureen Uy but still, this means soooo much to me!  Imagine that?  People are reading bits and pieces of my itsy bitsy tiny life!  Like, who am I to be read?  Who am I to take some of your time?  Just, who am I to fuss over?!  I am very much overwhelmed with your unending love and support!

In lieu of this, I am opening an FB community page for all of you, dear blog readers so we can have a venue to share our thoughts and experiences.  In this page, you are all free to share what's on your mind by telling your story or sending in your comments and suggestions.  It's an open forum for all of us to vent from the hustle and bustle of our daily grind.  'Coz this is what this blog is all about - a breather from life's stressors!  

In The Other Side of Mae page, you will find 9 categories of a myriad of beautiful things I'm busy about.  These are as follows:

1.  #tosomprojects

#tosomprojects supports the causes and advocacies that care.  As a JCI past president, my heart longs for positive change.  The organization had instilled in my mind and heart that things can be better and we can also be better by beginning change within ourselves.  So this category is dedicated to community projects that also fit my interest.  These include relief operations and kids outreach but if you have other projects in mind, you may suggest in our page too.  I'm always flexible with that.  You know me.

With Rio De Barras, Thata Roxas, and Michael Fuentes

2.  #tosomreads

#tosomreads tells stories about the beauty of love and life.  I grew up a reader and fell in love with authors of various genres. I always emphasize to my students the relevance of reading, reading, and reading.  So this category is a review of good books and suggests must-reads for all ages.  Thanks to Kring2x for always lending me her books wholeheartedly! :)

Good Reads with Good Eats

3.  #tosomeats

#tosomeats tastes the real goodness of life in the making.  I don't just eat out of necessity but I also eat out of curiosity.  I want to taste everything appealing or appalling.  May the food come from a fine-dining resto or from a humble pungko2x by the streets, I always eat for pleasure as long as I'm not in a hurry.  'Coz if it is a school day, I don't have time to sit and eat.  

Traveling Around Philippines and Asia to Eat

4.  #tosomtravels

#tosomtravels goes here, there, and everywhere!  From famous quotes "To travel is to live" - Hans Christian Andersen, "Once a year, go someplace you've never been before" - Dalai Lama, and "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page" - St. Augustine, I need not say more.  

An Aspiring Travel Writer

5.  #tosomadventures

#tosomadventures dares to go beyond the limit.  I'm never into sports so I'm not a physically active person.  I'm only active doing jobs in school and chores in store and at home.  I'm also acrophobic and afraid of a lot of things except ghosts.  But if there is an opportunity to try something new, I would not say no.  So, dare me! :)  

Trying Out a Brave Heart

6.  #tosomfeatures

#tosomfeatures highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!  This is a collection of my Feature Friday posts which Ozamiznons look forward to every week.  Local businesses of any kind are being featured to promote our very own city, the big OZ.  Features are voluntarily and willingly done so feel free to invite me whenever you're up for publicity!  :)

With Chef Jong Tang of Big Catch and Mr. Mark Tan of Rodeo Drive

7.  #tosomendorses

#tosomendorses shares trusted brands of products and services for consumer-awareness.  Years of going around facebooking and instagraming earned me loads of questions of where to go, what to do, what to eat, where to stay, how to get there, what to use, etc.  So this category is born to give you the best places, best people, best products, and best services (so far that I had come to encounter).  Thank you for your trust if I say so, everyone!  Hehe.....

With Dr. Elsie Mae Baraya-Sipe, Thata Roxas, DJ Carlo, Fr. Edgar, and Dr. Cherry Ann Tuba

8.  #tosomquotes

#tosomquotes states quotes to live by and quotes to ponder on.  This is a collection of my favorite quotes either heard or created by yours truly to remind us to live life to the fullest!

Photos Taken at Movenpick, Shangri-La, and Cafe Noriter

9.  #tosomposes

#tosomposes showcases fabulous finds for OOTD's.  And this is the vainest part of me!

HMU by Marvel Deromol and Photos by Jerome of FCL

Truly, this is The Other Side of Mae!  The photos show that we had indeed come this far!  Oh, I'm doing this post for hours already and I'm still amazed of the many things we've done through the years!  Four years in this endeavor is not a joke.  Just take a look back to where we started.  

Though I haven't got the chance to have a weeklong anniversary celebration this year as I did before ('coz of too much workload in school and store), it's more than OK.  I had this whole day reserved just to reminisce how blessed I am to have all of you keeping up with me!  Hoping for more years to come with you, my dearest blog readers!  

So, come and work with me, fantabulous individuals!  LIKE our community page in FB here! :)         

Related Posts:

Getting Started

One Year Bloggin’ and Still Lovin’ It!

Weeklong 2nd Year Anniv Special: An Ode to Patty Laurel

"The Other Side of Mae" @ 3:  A Weeklong Indulgence

          

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GabRel's Forever

Oh, the love in their eyes!  Gabriel and Reloufe finally tied the knot last Saturday at Gango Catholic Church.  I still quite remember the first time Reloufe told me about a budding romance with her thesis critique who was Gabriel 3 years ago when we were still colleagues in Chinese School.  Back then, Reloufe kept it secret from our other colleagues who were also her schoolmates in college for pwera usog 'coz they all know Gabriel.  It was the month of August when they started meeting to hear mass at the Cathedral and every Monday, Reloufe's eyes got glitters!  Until after a very long weekend of August 2012, Ipyang showed me a sort-of promise ring (for she still didn't consider it as a "big" thing yet) on a Monday from Gab.  And that paved the way to their forever! <3

The wedding ceremony was flawlessly solemn being witnessed by Ninongs and Ninangs who were mostly from La Salle University with Br. Jimmy Dalumpines, president of the institution.  The manpower behind the wedding's coordination was mostly a circle of LSU talents too.  To name a few, Sarah Engcoy for the invites, Arnel Lomocso and Rodette for the lovely set-up, Foto Crime Lab for videography and photography, Javaphoto Booth for the fun shots, and Manet Tabaculde for the over-all package!  I enjoyed the wedding banquet which was held at Coco's Island Resort in Clarin for the program was not a bore, all guests were properly seated, and everybody was accommodated very well.  The pretty cake was Jack-Jack Soledad's of Hamlet, Maningcol by the way.

When in weddings, we get to catch up with people we seldom see.  Here are photos of our previous Chinese School student, Mary and little brother Ben who were both part of the entourage.  Of course, I was also with my kikay bestie whom I always enjoy ootd'ing and selfie-ing much!

Again, thank you so much for making us part of your big day, Gabby and Ipyang!  Congratulations and best wishes to both of you!  May God bless your union more and more as you start a family of your own.  Keep the love and fire burning as you work out your forever!  Looking forward to little Gab's and Ipyang's the soonest!  Hehe.....

And what's in a wedding without the poses?  Here are snapshots of my vainest part, the #DakilangTigAttend!

Then Kring2x gave birth to a new hashtag for me, #tosomweddings!  So more weddings to come, blog readers! :)

*Photos were taken by Samsung and iPhone care of Kring2x and yours truly.

Related Post:

#DeVite2k15: The Wedding Day

  

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Happy Church Bongbong Outreach @ 2!

Yey!  We are now on our 2nd year!  God continues to be faithful and true to the inhabitants of Brgy. Bongbong, the small community that our family has been supporting with the leadership of Auntie Lourding and husband, Tatay Bom under the banner of Happy Church.  With that, another grand celebration was held last Saturday spearheaded by Happy Church missionary, Sis. Beth Hicks and local church pastor, Ptra. Lina Auman.

  

Aside from the bible center's anniversary, two houses were again blessed and dedicated for other two families to shelter in.  Happy Church is ever so generous in making the lives of their members comfortable by giving them houses.  And FYI, these are not merely makeshift houses but real concrete and sturdy houses that could last a lifetime.  Our members are just so lucky with Happy Church not asking any from them but just to draw themselves closer to God for this is a way of the church to share God's love to His people.

And for the bible center's 2nd year, another giant tub of Baco's dirty ice cream from Fascino was being shared by the community's cute little children.  As always, the kids love the camera and the ice cream that they kept on lining up for another cone or scoop or glass of it!  Haha!

       

Thanks to sissy April for coming all the way from SG to join us in this gathering of God's love and faithfulness to His people! :)

What's gonna be next for this favored community?  Watch out for more of their story only here on The Other Side of Mae! :)

Related Posts:

Happy Church Bongbong Outreach Turned 1!

God's Promise Fulfilled

Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church  

Singko Mo, E-Regalo Mo

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