Ukkokei: Worth driving through Friday traffic for this Ramen

My mini review: Definitely worth braving Friday traffic from QC  to Makati on a Friday and squeezing my car into the tiny parking slot for this bold, intense rich broth and perfectly chewy noodles. Parking is scarce. Thanks to the kind security guard who helped me park!  My hero!

How one-year old Marco is helping an entire school

MANILA- It is Sunday night. I just finished hauling packages of pencils, crayons, ballpens, notebooks, and school supplies from the family van into my living room. The heavy cartons, the family driver helped carry. But right now, I am overwhelmed. There’s enough school supplies sitting in my living room to open a small store. And who do I thank for these a 1-year old little boy.

Last Christmas, I had a crazy idea of putting up a library for GK Caring Jesus Elementary School in Pandi, Bulacan. With friends and friends of friends, a library was completed. A few weeks later, Carlo Mendoza, one of guys who donated and patiently spent hours putting together computer tables, contacted me. He wanted to give more. His son’s first birthday was coming up. He asked, "What does the school need?"  I suggested school supplies. Carlo told his guests to give school supplies in lieu of gifts to his son Marco.

Birthday Boy Marco and his parents Carlo and Marites

So at the tender age of 1, little Marco will be helping an entire school. These children barely have money for lunch. Imagine what joy they will have this school year with new pencils, notebooks, envelopes, crayons…., and a whole lot more.

When I arrived to pick up their gifts, the birthday celebrant was happily eating his ice cream. He seemed utterly content. And, with reason, he has two loving parents, kind and generous relatives and friends, and a good future ahead of him. I thought to myself if he learns the value of giving and sharing at age one, there is still hope for this world. As we tried to fit all the gifts into the car, my sisters said, “So there is still good people in this world.” Indeed, there is! If Marco’s parents were greedy, they would have thought of all the potential new toys and clothes Marco would have received. But instead they thought of those who needed it. I thought about it, and yes, little Marco probably has the toys and clothes he needs.

Carlo, Marco, Marites and me

Look at all these school supplies

more gifts of school supplies

With tears in my eyes, I am touched by their generous gesture. My phone beeps, a message from Carlo in response to my thanks says: “You’re welcome. We would always try to help the school in our little way.” I feel blessed to meet Carlo, Marites and Marco. I know Marco has a bright future ahead of him. He has two loving parents, who are teaching him the right values: kindness, generosity, contentment, and a good heart.  Perhaps, in their eyes, it is their own little way. But they are big heroes in my book.

Carlo, Marites, and Marco, thanks for reminding us how we can help in our own little way!

On behalf of the students at GK Caring Jesus School, I say: Thank you very much to Carlo, Marites, and little Marco. Thank you to all your generous friends and relatives. I wish you all an abundant life.

Thanks for journeying with me,

Maida

Maida's Touch- Delicious Moments that Spark a Journey Within

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Manila- Reunited with Familiar Food, a Homecoming Story

MANILA-

It is the season for reuniting with what is familiar in our lives. As I flew from Singapore to Manila last Saturday night, one friend was flying from Singapore to his hometown in Canada. Another friend was crossing the Atlantic to head home from London to his folks in New Jersey. My journey to Manila was only a little over three hours. There is no time difference between the two cities. And it is only one or two degrees cooler in Manila, and a tad less humid than Singapore.


But there is nothing like eating food you grew up with. Landing a few minutes before midnight, the airport was less chaotic than usual. My parents picked me up at the airport. They greeted me with a warm welcome, and a hearty appetite for a late dinner. At this late hour, there were only a few choices open conveniently located on the way to our house. My choice was JT’s Manukan. This outdoor eatery owned by Filipino actor Joel Torre serves hot off the grille Chicken Inasal. This specialty dish of Bacolod is spit-roasted native chicken marinated in garlic, vinegar, and salt and brushed with achuete oil (steep the oil in annatto seed). It is served with garlic rice and a dipping sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, chili, and calamansi (Philippine lemon).

 Chicken Inasal Pa-a ( Drumstick and Thigh) and Baticulon (Chicken Gizzard)


We arrived an hour before closing time, with only a few items of the menu available. They had only the Chicken Inasal Pa-a available, the drumstick and thigh skewered and grilled on a stick. There was also Baticulon, chicken gizzard grilled to perfection, achieving the delightful exterior crunch to the otherwise chewy innards. I indulged in the gizzard bringing back fond memories of an Aussie flatmate Jacqui who shared the love for this chicken part. But tonight my big indulgence is the Inihaw na Liempo, grilled pork belly.

   Succulent Pork Liempo (Pork Belly) means its vacation time for me


The mere  scent of grilled pork brings a smile to my face. Many summer vacations in the beach had this for lunch along with grilled seafood. Tonight, despite the city setting, the scent of the sizzling pork fat instantly turned on the vacation switch in my head.

 Garlic Fried Rice, gives you a bad breath but who cares in the country where rice is a staple! 

No meal in the Philippines is complete without the sawsawan, sauces to suit the taste to your liking


Everything was washed down with Royal Tru Orange. A bright orange carbonated drink Coca-Cola produces only in the Philippines. Another happy memory of my youth included many moments with an orange moustache, when I often failed to wipe my mouth after drinking Royal Tru Orange.


The diners in the next table were having a loud and animated conversation in Tagalog, a language I understood. Next to the outdoor eatery, a row of parols, Christmas Lanterns blinked endlessly creating glorious patterns in Manila’s streets. The evening air was a tad bit cooler and crisper than usual. The conversation flowed. There was no need for explanation for I was catching up with my beloved parents, talking about old friends, relatives, and mostly familiar topics.


When my parents would arrive home after a long trip from the US to Manila, I started a tradition of cooking Pancit Molo, the Philippine version of the wonton soup. Its warm chicken broth magically soothes weary bodies after a long flight. The plump and filling dumplings satisfies after many meals of airline food. The condiments of toasted garlic, green onions, black pepper and some fish sauce liven up the already tasty soup.


As I chewed on the last morsels of chicken gizzard, garlic rice, and pork belly, I wondered what my friends would be eating when they land this holiday season in their hometowns? What familiar food would they be reunited with soon after the plane hits the runway?


Post me a comment and let me know what’s the first dish you eat when you head home. And yes, no matter how long the trip or where the familiar is for you, Welcome Home to your own favorite comfort food!


CopyrightMaidaPineda2009.12.16.09.Manila