2nd Siomai Festival sa Tisa 2015

Location:  a certain hospital somewhere in Manila

Year:  1988 (I was 6 years old)

Scenario:  me talking to the doctor after getting my X-ray

Dockie:  So, nakakain ka na ng lunch?

Me:  Yes po.

Dockie:  Ano'ng kinain mo?

Me:  Bilog po.

Dockie:  Ha?  Hehe....  Sa'n kayo kumain?

Me:  Sa tapat lang po paglabas ng hospital.

Dockie:  Ah, sa Chinese restaurant.  Siopao?

Me:  Hindi po.  'Yung maliit lang.

Dockie:  Junior siopao?

Me:  Mmmm.  'Di rin po.

Dockie:  Malagkit ba?  Matamis?  Buchi?

Me:  No po.  Ewan ko po ano 'yun.  Basta bilog, maliit, nilalagyan ng toyo at kalamansi.

Dockie:  Alam ko na!  Siomai 'yun!

And that's how I came to know the magic word SIOMAI!  It was by far, the most delicious food I tasted in that old Chinese restaurant.  So I started liking getting up so early at dawn para lumowas ng Maynila from Lipa, Batangas for my check-ups way back then.  Luckily, Chinese food is Daddy Charles' favorite so go lang si Mommy Becky kung ano ang gusto ni Daddy.  Then I ordered siomai, siomai, and more siomai!  It was my reward for fasting, skipping breakfast, that is for the lab tests, ultrasound, etc. that I'm going to undergo for the day.  From then on, siomai has become one of my favorite foods ever!

Location:  Treasure Island Industrial Corp., Cebu

Year:  2006 (I was a fresh grad from college)

Scenario:  me talking to my colleague at work

Her:  Lami kaayo mag pungko2x.

Me:  Ha?  Nganong magpungko man ka nga sakit man na sa tiil.

Her:  Hahaha!!!!!  Lahi man gud ang pungko2x ngari sa Cebu.  Kanang mangaon sa kilid2x ba.

Me:  Ay.  Sorry gud.  Unsa man puy kaonon?

Her:  Ngohiong, barbecue, siomai.  Hala!  Dugay na kaayo ko wa kakaon ug siomai sa Tisa!

Me:  Tisa?  Sa Labangon?

Her:  O.

Me:  Kada adlaw man ko moagi diara.

Her:  Tan-awa ra gud ni sya oh.  Kada adlaw man diay ka dira unya wa jud ka kabaw.

Me:  Kana laging sa daplin lag dalan?  Unya lami pud?

Her:  Super!

And that's how I became addicted with Siomai sa Tisa!  Every time I went home from a very long day at work, I dropped by at Tisa to buy siomai and just walked my way to Mama Dita's house when I was still staying with her.  Siomai sa Tisa is just soooo love especially the chili sauce that is spicy to the max!  Ika nga, in vain ang siomai 'pag walang sauce.  It is the flavorful sauce that gives the siomai its very unique and distinct taste.  All-in sweet, salty, and spicy plus a squeeze of calamansi to make it tangy.  This is just so yummylicious!  In fact, I can eat 25 pieces of siomai in just one setting as long as the sauce is unlimited with a very cold soda in waiting!  Haha!  Oh, God!  Just by imagining this makes me wanna go back to Cebu for a heavenly taste of Siomai sa Tisa again!  

        

Fortunately, it was perfect timing that we went to Cebu last week for Papa and Mama's check-up because it was the 2nd Siomai Festival sa Tisa 2015!  The festivities lasted for a week in honor of the barangay's patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.  It was like a mini Sinulog with all the street dancing, fireworks display, and street party they had!  

The whole of Labangon participated in the revelry because the district was already known to the world as the way tugpahay street food high-street!  If Singapore has Jalan Makanan, so is Cebu with its Siomai sa Tisa!  Day or night, rain or shine, all stalls are ready to serve you with the bestest siomai in town!  They also serve hot and spicy pancit canton, chicharon, and very cold cola!  Ika nga ni cuzzy Cang2x, makamatay ug dali sa cholesterol!  But who cares?  It's just a treat for yourself once in a while!  Just don't do it often, OK?

     

Thanks to Cang2x for bringing us to the Siomai Festival!  And thanks to the little brother/sister of Ryan of PBB 737 for the photo op! :)

More festivals to come, dear blog readers! :)  #tosomtravels

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My First Wattpad Story

I've been wanting to write a book since I started reading Sweet Valley of Francine Pascal.  In fact, I had attempted to write a story in Filipino language when I was in high school but I left it undone.  The draft is still in my notebook hidden inside my closet, untouched for many years now.  

In 2008, I stopped my world literally and figuratively.  I got tired of roaming around and chasing life so I laid low.  I went home, watched all the movies and TV series I missed watching while in college, cooked and baked as much as I could, and read all the books I've been wanting to read!  Then I stumbled upon writing a story I didn't intend to write.

After 7 years, I still want to write a book.  A self-help book dedicated to all single ladies like me who are coping up with this "single-blessedness" thingy.  I had taken down notes on how to write it but my ideas are still unripe.  I think I need a support system for this one as of the moment like having a circle of single-lady friends.  I need to confirm with them if they also feel what I feel, think what I think, or experience what I experience.  So, single ladies out there, who's up for a single ladies club?

Anyway, before writing that dream book, I ought to finish what I had started.  I was really amazed that when I found my file on this, I was already on chapter 6!  I couldn't believe I had written that long and until now, I still can't believe that it was well-written!  Haha!  Am I not just too proud of myself?!  But it really really amazed me!  I appreciated my work, laughed at it, and got hooked on it that even in just 6 chapters, I was so thrilled of what might be happening on it.  If I got amazed reading this work after 7 years, I ought to share this to the public so all of you will get amazed too!  Haha!  I'm sorry if I'm too proud of myself again but I just can't help it!

So ladies and gentlemen, here's my first wattpad story!  Hope you'll enjoy reading this as I take you to the past and the present of crushes, first love, and the like.  Hope you'll get kilig over this as what AlDub and Ms. Pastillas segments do! :)  Click on the link below!          
   

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All About Him

statement shirt from all about him shirts.  denim shorts from rodeo drive.  cross necklace and sneakers from june ann.  FFF

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Pechay-Sayote Salad

From my post last week on doing market around OSROX Park, here's the pechay-sayote salad that I tried experimenting on from Pen2x's recipe.  I did little alterations as per ingredient-availability so here it is!

The Veggies

Pechay and Sayote

The Dressing

Honey, Garlic, Calamansi, and Soy Sauce

Then Toss!

The fresh pechay is crisp and the sayote is crunchy.  I don't bother eating 'em raw and I'm amazed by its palatability.  This salad can also do as a side dish to whatever meal you are having.  Let's be reminded that pechay is rich in calcium for strong bones, magnesium for body's detoxification, vitamin C for glowing skin, etc.  On the other hand, sayote is also rich in folate for female fertility, potassium for enhanced muscle and nerve strength, zinc for boosting the immune system, etc.  There are more vitamins and minerals each of these veggies have so I highly recommend this recipe to all of you who are trying to start eating healthy!

Watch out for more healthy recipes as I'm trying to be vegan to preserve the well-being of my health.  For health is wealth! :)

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Weekend Market Around OSROX Park

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Feature Friday: Alona's Dreamland Beach Resort

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Long weekends on short notice are a loss to me.  Why loss?  It's because, I couldn't grab the chance to take advantage of it by going on a distant weekend destination.  Kasi nga, short notice.  Meaning, no flights booked in advance, no hotels checked, no place to go.  Just like last month when there were two long weekends only spent here at home and at the store.  

But I think I'm just focused into giving in to my travel vice again.  I always say, "Mahalin natin ang sariling atin" yet, I still fail to consider seeing what is nearby.  So without the advanced bookings, reservations, and any careful plannings, we can still manage to have that long weekend getaway in a not-so-distant place.

    

Anyway, there's this must-see resort in our nearby town, Jimenez that we can conveniently visit for a relaxing escapade.  And that is the newly-refurbished Alona's Dreamland Beach Resort.  The resort has a beach (of course), two pools, cottages, picnic tables, function hall, and rooms for overnight stay.    

It is hassle-free to go to the resort since Jimenez is only a 35 to 45 minute-ride away from Ozamiz.  Once you get to the junction at Jimenez, there are already easy directionals pointing to the resort so you'll never get lost!  The road is also smooth so no need to worry for your car's well-being.  Hehe..... 

Gladly, the Alona's was not crowded when we were there so we enjoyed the place for ourselves.  It was so clean, well-maintained, and tranquil.  Aside from that, the entrance fee is also very cheap at P50 per person (adult or child) only, already inclusive of the use of the swimming pools. I think that is just super sulit for a place like this!

I'm sorry for bombarding you with too much photos.  That's just how I liked the place so much!  Eating without limit and talking with family, having fun pictorials, taking in the view of the sea, and reading a good book under the Talisay tree.  Well, that is just the perfect loooong weekend getaway anyone could wish for!

So whenever up for a quick weekend escapade, just hop into your car or any public transpo to Taboo, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental and check into Alona's Dreamland Beach Resort!   Like their FB page here for more info.

Tag along your whole family or barkada for a super fun and memorable outing that you'll surely enjoy! :)  Come and explore Misamis Occidental!  See related posts below for more about the province! :) #tosomtravels

P.S.  Follow @exploremisocc on IG here! :)

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Weekend Market Around OSROX Park

OSROX or Osmeña-Roxas (two of the Republic of the Philippines' past presidents) Park has been serving the city of Ozamiz as a seat of assemblage.  As I can recall, miting de avances were often held here when I was little.  In fact, my late Tatay Toto had brought me into one many years ago.  I can also remember that there was a detention cell inside the park where police officers converge every afternoon for coffee.  To mention, me and my Gomez St. neighborhood kids-playmates stole aftie nap times just to play at the park, too.  Then growing up during grade school and high school entailed me to go to the park every fiesta for the civic parade assembly.  Well, that's how OSROX plays a big role to every laid-back Ozamiznon like me!

Nowadays, OSROX is still the assembly place for Ozamiz City fiesta parades.  I don't know if it still has the detention cell or if it is still used as a place for election campaigns, but what I've come to know since March is that, it had become a taboan every weekend for the farmers to bring their fresh produce for the not-so-big-city dwellers.  And thanks to my friend Pen2x for sharing this to me!

The taboan reminds me of Old Quarter, Vietnam.   It is a flea market in what seems like endless streets where prices are lower compared with the actual market that we have, the Public Mall.  Farmers from the province of Lanao and nearby towns of Misamis Occidental flock every Saturday after lunch around OSROX and camp overnight before their pack-up on Sunday before lunch.  For only 24 hours, Ozamiznons are given the chance to hoard fresh veggies and fruits consumable for the whole week.

Since March, I come to OSROX to market every Saturday afternoon.  I only bring P200 with me and with that small amount, I can already bring home a fully-loaded bag of veggies and fruits that I'm having a hard time carrying.  It was always a solo quest for me and I was glad that last weekend, Pen2x picked me up at the house so we could do the market together as per request by yours truly.  Hehe.....  So I had the chance to take photos so I can also share to you our OSROX market adventure!

As a newly-convert vegan, Pen2x taught me to eat healthy.  We are now in our 30's and it's about time to go back to the basics and take good care of our health.  She influenced me to detoxify by eating vegetables and fruits.  (In fact, she lost weight through that!)  That's why going to OSROX since March has been my weekly habit.  And last Saturday, Pen2x's assistant, Ate Tata also taught me some recipes to experiment on.  It was also my first time to know that sayote and pechay can be eaten raw!  Hehe.....  Can you imagine that?  Well, here's how:

1.  Chop pechay and cut sayote into strips.

2.  Mix honey, olive oil, calamansi, garlic, and a little soy sauce.

3.  Toss veggies and honey-garlic dressing together with chopped onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

4.  Top with sesame seeds.

That's how easy it is!  You can have this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  But for me, this can't do for brekky 'coz I'm such a big breakfast eater!  Hehe.....  Anyway, thanks to Ate Tata for this recipe and Pen2x for sending me other quick and easy healthy recipes for the go!  Thanks also for the both of you for helping me out with this blog post! :)

So Ozamiznons, you already know where to go on weekends for healthy shopping!  See you around OSROX Park, Mayor Jesus E. Sanciangco, Jr. St., CM Recto St., and Abanil St.!  Eat healthy, everyone! :)

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Feature Friday: Natalie Salon Ozamiz

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Super bad hair days!  That's one of the problems I'm facing these past few weeks aside from the random ramblings I have 'coz of my students.  Due to annual rebonding, my hair got so rough, unmanageable, frizzy, dry, and super damaged!  I couldn't even continue to comb it to the tips 'coz it gets tangled so I just let it be.  In fact, one of my students caught my attention and said, "Ma'am, are you too busy not to have time to comb your hair?"  Well, that's a way too embarrassing for a "model" teacher like me, right?  So, I tried a way to solve this problem and thanks to Natalie Salon Ozamiz for coming to the rescue!

Natalie opened March of last year and rumors had it that the salon charges higher compared with the other salons already in town.  For a not-so-into-splurging-on-vanity person like me, I didn't bother to try the services of the salon.  But my peers also said that the money you'll spend would be very worth it since the salon uses imported high-quality products.  Plus, the hairdressers will also advise you on what to do to take good care of your hair.  If you go to the salon and request for a rebond and if they see that your hair is already damaged, they will not do the rebonding but treat your hair instead.  In that way, you can prevent further damage and get healthy hair!

Excuse Me for Checking Test Booklets.  I Was Trying to Save Time Then.

As for the case of my already ridiculous hair, Don the hairdresser did treatment with argan oil.  Argan oil is the latest trend in hair treatment that promises to revitalize dead hair.  Hehe....  (For I already considered my hair dead!)  Anyway, it brings back natural smoothness of hair and eases split ends.  It's the best way to solve my problem and apart from getting treatment, Don also retouched the color of my hair.  People always say that black hair makes me look fiercer, resulting for them not to approach me.  So I had it browned.  With my new hair color, I saw some light on my face!  Haha!  I'm not that bad old maid teacher anymore as you think!  Just badass!  Hahaha!

Finally, my hair breathes again!  That's how I felt after the session.  It already has volume and bounce.  Salon gorgeous hair is what I have now, also bringing back self-confidence somehow.  And for the money issue?  It certainly was worth it as also a treat to myself!  Thanks Don for the help! :)

Visit Natalie Salon Ozamiz along Don Anselmo Bernad Avenue and also try their TruGel nail polish for your mani and pedi.  TruGel doesn't easily wear off from your nails and it's only Natalie that has this miracle polish in the city.

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