And they lived happily ever after...

We were tasked again by our Literature professor to create a paper about one of our readings. This time, we used the Feminist Literary Criticism as our guide. And the story to be critiqued? James Finn Garners politically correct version of Cinderella. Have fun reading my paper!

Lot's of Love,
J<3


“And they lived happily ever after.” These six magical words have been said and heard ever since fairytales were told as we know them today. I have fond memories as a child of lying in my bed listening to my mom read me “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “Snow White”, “Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “Rapunzel”, and “Cinderella” right before I sleep. I’ve had dreams of being a princess in my own kingdom and having my own adventures that the protagonists in these stories have. But in my mind, I did the heroic stuff. I saved people instead of sitting scared in a palace waiting for my prince to come.

In Cinderella’s politically correct version, I was surprised by how the story went. It isn’t the usual plot in the Cinderella I have grown up watching and reading. First of all, a male fairygod person? But I think I liked the ending better. I’m glad that James Finn Garner was able to add a nice spin to the traditional pretty-girl-saved-by-prince-charming fairytale. The women, or if i may say womyn, ended up kind of saving the world, or maybe the future comfort of all the other womyn.

The women, represented by Cinderella’s character, were made into heroines, although it was just by the end of the story. She may have started trying to conform with the cruelty of reality and society, but when her mask was lifted, she stood her ground. And with the other women seeing how good it must feel to finally be free of their breath-taking-feet-reddening wardrobe, they followed suit.

The men were presented in a different light as well. Instead of being good looking knights in shining armours riding a white horse, they were presented as hormone-driven hungry lions fighting over Cinderella as if she was meat. The prince and his cronies didn’t respect Cinderella when she went in. Although her clothing might have been the catalyst to their reaction, she and the other girls were treated without respect. They didn’t seem to care about who she is. All they cared for was that she was wearing a skimpy dress and they wanted to get her.

Aside from this, I think women still weren’t given equal stature. Firstly, Cinderella was a servant in their house, just like what is present in society today. Secondly, the way the men reacted over her, even ending up killing each other is disrespectful. But I think the ending evened it all out. When all the women united when they created Cinder-wear is what I think was the turning point for everything.

Cinderella might not have taken home a prince, but she still lived happily ever after – and more comfortable than ever.

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Teriyaki Shiitake Mushroom Salad

I have been wanting to try to be a vegan for quite sometime, but everywhere there is sumptuous non-vegan food around me. Another thing is that my mom loves to cook, and she would feel bad if we don't eat what she serves us. So I have made a compromise to myself that I would try to have a "Vegan Day". Hopefully this works, because when I first started this a year ago, it only lasted for a couple of weeks. Now that I'm trying to bring it back, I'd try harder to make it work. And this inspired the creation of this salad.

Teriyaki Shiitake Mushroom Salad




Serving size: 2
Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
    4 large pcs. Shiitake Mushrooms, thinly sliced
    2 tsp. Garlic, crushed/chopped
    1 tsp. Diced Onions
    1 tbsp. Margarine
    1 tsp. Vegetable oil
    1/2 tsp. Sesame Oil
    1 tbsp. Teriyaki Sauce
    a pinch of ground pepper
    a pinch of sugar, to taste
    splash of water, to taste
    your choice of salad leaves (I used Romaine Lettuce)
    a handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
    one small cucumber, thinly sliced
    olive oil for drizzling


Procedure:
  1. Prepare all the necessary vegetables needed. Wash, slice, dice everything you have to. (Note: Do not wash the mushrooms because they are very porous that they will absorb any liquid it touches. Instead, lightly wipe it with a damp cloth until clean)
  2. Melt the butter with the vegetable oil. Saute the garlic, then the onions until light brown.
  3. Toss the mushrooms and cook for a minute.
  4. Add the teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, pepper, sugar and water. Simmer until it turns a bit thicker.
  5. In a bowl, arrange the salad leaves, tomatoes and cucumber. Top with the teriyaki mushrooms, including the sauce and toss.
  6. Drizzle a little olive oil. Enjoy!


Variations:
    • You may add a few more fruits/vegetables that are available like ripe mangoes.
    • To add a little more texture, stir in a handful of roasted slivered almonds, pine nuts or whatever nut you fancy.

    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    No-Cook Blueberry Cheesecake with Lemon and Wild Honey

    We had some cream cheese left to spare that are about to expire so I had to think of a way to use them up, quick. And the best way I can think of is through one of our favorite desserts: Cheesecake!


    No-Cook Blueberry Cheesecake with Lemon and Wild Honey

    No-Cook Blueberry Cheesecake with Lemon and Wild Honey
    Serving Size: 12 to 16
    Preparation Time: 30 minutes
    Refrigeration Time: at least 2 hours

    Ingredients

      1/2 c. Butter, melted
      2 tbsp. Powdered sugar
      200 g. Crushed Grahams
      16 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
      Juice of a lemon
      Lemon zest of the same lemon
      750 mL. All-purpose Cream
      1/3 c. Granulated sugar
      3 tbsp. Wild honey
      1 can Blueberry topping

    Procedure

    1. Prepare the base by combining the melted butter, crushed grahams and powdered sugar in a bowl until it resembles wet sand.
    2. Form the base in your containers using your hands (I have used two 2x4x6 and one 3x6x8 rectangular ones). If you think they are too dry, add a bit more melted butter until they stick better.
    3. Prepare the filling by combining everything else, except for the blueberries, until smooth. You may adjust the taste to your liking before transferring the filling to the containers.
    4. Divide the mixture into portions for your containers, leaving a tiny bit of the top for the blueberries.
    5. Spoon the blueberry topping over the filling. You may need a bit more or a bit less blueberries depending on the surface area of your containers.
    6. Refrigerate for at least two hours or until right before you serve.
    7. Serve and enjoy! :)
    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    True Love (A Doctor's Note)



    It was approximately 8.30 a.m. on a busy morning when an elderly gentleman in his eighties arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9.00 a.m.

    I took his vital signs and had him take a seat. I knew it would take more than an hour before someone would to able to attend to him.

    I saw him check his watch anxiously for the time and decided to evaluate his wound since I was not busy with another patient.

    On examination, the wound was well healed. Hence, I talked to one of the doctors to get the supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

    We began to engage in a conversation while I was taking care of his wound.

    I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment later as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no and said that he needed to go to the nursing home to have breakfast with his wife.

    I inquired about her health. He told me that she had been in the nursing home for a while as she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. I probed further and asked if she would be upset if he was slightly late.

    He replied that she no longer knew who he was and she had not been able to recognize him since five years ago.

    I asked him in surprise, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who youare?"

    He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back my tears as he left.

    I had goose bumps on my arm, and I thought,
    "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

    True love is neither physical nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.




    'Nuff said.

    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    When "Kuya Manong" Says the Right Things

    I first heard about this story in one of my classes this week and I was amazed by it that I just had to look for it online. (Originally entitled "Tsuper Pala ang Sikreto ng Pag-asenso ng Pilipinas")

    Tsuper pala ang sikreto o susi ng pagasenso ng Pinas ang sabi ko sa aking sarili habang pababa sa jeep na aking nasakyan. Natawa ako pag naaalala ko ang sinabi ng tsuper na kausap ko lang kanina. “Para makaahon tayo sa hirap dapat nating itaas lahat ng bilihin. Itaas ang jeepney fare sa P25 kada tao. Tangalan ng tax ang mga mayayaman. Triplehen naman ang tax ng mga mahihirap” ang suhestion ng mamang drayber ng dyip na nasakyan ko. Mahaba ang aming napagkuwentuhan ng mamang drayber. May mga drayber kasi na sa kwento nila dinadaan ang pagkainip nila sa trapik dito sa metro manila. Maaring nagtataka na kayo kung paano nangyari yun. Hayaan nyong ilahad ko rin sa inyo ang kwento ng mamang tsuper.

    Nagmamadali ako papasok ng opisina ng maipit kami sa trapik. “Haaaay naku” sabi ko sa aking sarili. “Walang pinagbago ang pinas”. Natawa ang drayber ng sinasakyan kong dyip. Sa unahan kasi ako sumakay kaya narinig nya ang aking nasambit. "Mukhang nagmamadali kayo sir ah", tanong ng drayber. "Sanayan lang po yan" dagdag pa nya. "Oo nga eh, kaya lang eh nakakaasar kasing isipin na ganito na lang ba tayo palagi" sagot ko."Wala ka na ngang pera….trapik pa! Hirap na hirap talaga ang bansa natin ngayon." Lalong natawa ang drayber sa tinuran ko. “Sir” sabi nya, "matanong ko nga kayo." "Sure," sagot ko naman. "Naniniwala ba kayong walang pera ang pinas?" "Hhhhhhmmmm" napaisip ako bigla sa tanong ng tsuper. "Tingin ko wala! Kasi hirap ng buhay ngayon eh" sagot ko sa kanya. "Wag kayo sanang magagalit sir, mukhang mali ata po kayo duon" ang magalang na tugon nya. Nagulat ako dahil mukhang may alam yung mamang tsuper na di ko alam. "Bakit mo naman nasabi yan manong?"

    "Kasi ganito po yun sir…may pera ang pinas kaya nga lang ay nakaipit sa itaas" ang paliwanag ng mamang tsuper. "Nakaipit po yung pera sa bangko ng mga mayayamang negosyante. At para pong dumadaan sa embudo ang pera pababa sa ating mahihirap" ang dagdag pa nya. "Unti unti lang po ang baba, sapat lang na tayo ay makakain at wag magpatayan. Kung mapapansin nyo po ay tila napakahirap na buhay natin dito sa ibaba. Napakahirap kitain ng pera kasi nga ay kaunti lang ang perang umiikot dito sa atin sa ibaba. Samantalang P42 lang ang dolyares ngayon at kung may katotohanan ang report ng gobyerno natin na umaangat ang ekonomiya… .eh nasaan ang pera," tanong pa nung drayber. "Kung totoong kumikita ang pinas pero hirap tayo at walang pera dito sa ibaba….ibig lang sabihin noon ay nasa itaas o sa mayayamang negosyante ang pera," pagtatapos ng drayber.

    "Magaling!" sabi ko sa mamang tsuper. "Ang galing nyo manong ah," dagdag ko pa. "Matanong ulit kita" sabi nya sa akin. "Paano naman natin mababaliktad ang kahirapan natin ngayon?" "Mukhang pahirap ng pahirap ang tanong nyo manong ah." "Madali lang yan" sagot nya. "O sige nga po manong…paano?" "Ganito yun iho, kung ako ang masusunod para makaahon tayo sa hirap dapat nating itaas ang jipney fare sa P25 kada tao. Tangalan ng tax ang mga mayayaman. Triplehen naman ang tax ng mga mahihirap." "Manong Gyera po yung hinihingi nyo! Wala na nga ho tayong pambili eh…tapos imbes na pababain nyo eh…itataas nyo pa. Isa pa ho, pag itinaas nyo ang pamasahe eh tataas ang bilihin. Lalo lang hong magiging kawawa ng mahihirap nyan" sabi ko sa drayber. "Isipin nyo mataas na ang bilihin tapos triple pa ang tax nila samantalang yung mayayaman naman eh aalisan nyo ng tax..manong naman!"

    "Ganito kasi yun iho. Kaming mga drayber ang sukatan at madalas na idinadahilan ng mga mayayaman. Kami rin ang tagapasan lagi ng problema. Kada gustong pagagainin ng gobyerno ang buhay natin dito sa ibaba. Lagi na lang yung karampot naming kita ang kanilang pilit na pinabababa. Kasi nga naman pag mababa pamasahe eh makakatipid daw yung mga mahihirap dahil bababa din ang presyo ng bilihin. At kung mababa ang bilihin at pamasahe…eh di syempre mababa din ang pasuweldo. Para nga naman daw di bumagsak ang negosyo ng mga mayayaman at makahatak pa ng foreign investors. Pero kung gagamitan mo ng simpleng math…eh magkano lang talaga ang matitipid ng isang simpleng empleyado na gaya mo. Sa totoo lang ay malaki na P1.000.00 kada buwan ang matitipid mo at P12,000.00 sa isang taon."

    "Aba manong malaki na pong tulong yung P12,000.00 sa mahihirap," ang sabi ko sa tsuper.

    "Sige nga iho, ano sa tingin mo ang magagawa sa iyo ng P12,000.00? Sapat na ba iyon para makabili ka ng bahay? Sapat na ba iyon para mapagaral mo ang iyong mga anak sa magandang paaralan? Maari siguro na makabili ka ng second hand na telebisyon at maliliit na kagamitan sa bahay pero di yun sapat para mapaunlad mo kahit konti ang buhay ng iyong pamilya."

    Natigilan ako dahil may katwiran ang mamang tsuper. Bilang isang padre de pamilya na may tatlong anak…ano nga naman ang magagawa sa akin ng P1,000. kada buwan at P12,000.00 kada taon. Kung tutuusin eh sobra sobra pa nga yung kwenta nung drayber. "Eh kung ganun manong ano naman ang iginanda nung suhestyon mo?"

    "Sa pagpapababa ng presyo, hindi ang mahihirap ang tunay na nakikinabang. Mas malaki ang natitipid ng mayayaman lalo na nung malalaking korporasyon. Kasi ay bumababa ang kanilang operational expenses. Bababa ang kanilang puhunan dahil mababa ang kanilang pasahod presyo ng na materyales. Milyones ang kanilang natitipid. Ibig sabihin lang nun ay mas malaki ang kanilang kikitain. Lalo na ang foreign investors, dahil ini-export nila yung kanilang produkto, syempre pa dollars ang kanilang singil sa international market. Kaya naman sa pagpapababa ng presyo sila ang tunay na nakikinabang at hindi yung maliliit na gaya natin, lalo na kaming mga tsuper."

    "Hhhhhmmmm… .may katwiran nga po kayo manong! Tama nga po kayo! Kung hindi pagpapababa ng pamasahe ang sagot…eh ano po?"

    "Hindi mo kailangan ibaba ang pamasahe para matulungan ang mga mahihirap na gaya natin iho. Kung ako ang masusunod, kung itataas natin sa P25 ang pamasahe, wala ng dahilan ang mayayaman para di magtaas ng pasahod. At kung ako ang masusunod ay gagawin kong P1,500.00 ang minimum salary ng bawat mangagawa."

    "Hehehe!" Natawa ako sa tinuran ng drayber sa akin. "Matutuwa po misis ko nyan manong hehehe! Imaginine mo ang laki ng take home pay ko. Pero kung ganun po ang gagawin nyo eh magrereklamo naman po yung mayayamang businessman. Sa laki ng gusto nyong pasahod eh wala na silang kikitain at baka magsara pa yung kumpanya nila. Matatakot din po yung foreign investor dito sa atin dahil ang taas ng labor cost."

    "Hindi ka nakikinig iho,sagot naman ng tsuper. Kaya nga aalisan ko na ng tax ang mayayamang negosyante. Ihalimbawa na natin yung nakasuhan ng P25billion na tax evation. Di ba kung ano ano pang red tape at bayad sa mamahaling abogado ang ginawa nun? Sigurado umubos din sya ng milyon para lang di magbayad? Kung tatangalan ko sya ng tax….hindi na nya kailangan umubos ng milyon sa red tape at magbayad sa abogado. Kanya na yung P25billion. Sa tingin mo masama pa ba yun? Sa ganung paraan din ay mababawasan ang mga buwaya sa bir."

    "Tungkol naman sa foreign investors… nakakalungkot isipin na labor lang ang kayang isipin ng ating gubyerno na panghatak sa kanila. Nakakalungkot din na isipin na ibinebenta tayo ng ating sariling gubyerno bilang murang alipin. Bakit di nila ipagmalaki ang kalidad o ang mataas na antas ng ating mangagawa? Mahusay ang mga pinoy magtrabaho at pulido pa. Dun pa lang lamang na tayo. Kaya nga mas gusto tayo ng mga arabo di ba? Di paulit ulit yung gawa kaya nakakatipid sila at naibebenta pa nila ng mahal dahil pulido nga ang pagkakagawa. Isa pa dapat din nating pakinabangan yung kung tawagin ng kano na strategic location ng bansa natin. Di ba kaya nga pilit pa rin na mga kano na magkaroon ng military activities o military base dito sa atin? Kung sa military ay importante yun ganun din sa negosyo. Puede tayong maging daungan at koneksyon ng mga barko at eroplano na naghahatid ng produkto. Mumura din ang presyo ng importation dahil bukod sa magigng daungan tayo ay meron pa tayong tinatawag na Globalization. Mura na rin nilang nakukuha ang kanilang raw materials na kailangan nila dahil sa bisa ng Globalization. Di ba yun nga ang purpose nun?"

    "Haaay naku mukhang napagisipan nyo na ng husto yan manong drayber ah? Pero may isa ho ata kayo nakaligtaan. Kung aalisan nyo ng tax ang mga negosyante.. .paano naman po tatayo ang gubyerno natin nyan? Paano na ang infrustructures natin nyan? Paano na yung operation expenses ng gobyerno natin?" Dito mahihirapan na sya sa isip-isip ko.

    Napakamot ng ulo ang mamang drayber. "Haaay naku iho di ka talaga nakikinig. Kaya nga ti-triplehen ko ang tax nang mahihirap o empleyado eh. Sige mathematics ulit tayo. Sa ngayon ay meron tayong 87milyon na pilipino. 10% lang nyan ang mayayamang negosyante, 20% ang middle class at 70% ang mahihirap. Sa mathematics ibig sabihin nun ay may 8.7 milyon lang ang mayayaman. Baka nga sobra pa yang bilang na iyan," dagdag pa ng tsuper."Yung natitirang 78milyon ay malamang na karamihan ay empleyado. Sabihin na lang natin na 50million ang nagtatrabaho para di tayo mahirapan sa mathematics."

    "Kung dati ay nakakakuha ka ng tigpipiso, magiging triple yun, ngayon ay makakakuha ka na ng P3.00. Ibig sabihin nito kung dati nakakakolekta ang BIR ng P50million.. .magiging P150million na yun. Eh hindi lang naman 3piso ang ibinabawas sa tax ng isang empleyado. Mababa ang P500 sa mga iyan eh kung tatlong P500 yan! Sige nga iho imathematics mo nga. Mas magiging epektibo ang koleksyon ng BIR dahil di na nila kailangan pang maghabol. Sa ayaw at sa gusto ng empleyado ay babawasan sila ng tax kada buwan. Magdadagdagan pa ang galamay ng BIR sa pamamagitan ng mga employer at mababawasan ng malaki ang corruption sa ating bansa."

    "Hanep manong ang galing nyo po ah!"

    "Isa pa iho, mas marami na ngayong ang magtutulungan na paangatin ang bansa natin. Imbes na 10% lang ng population ang magdadala… yung 90% na ngayon ang papasan ng ekonomiya natin."

    "Oo nga po manong….kaya lang parang ganun pa rin iyon. Mataas nga ang sahod pero mataas din ang bilihin. Eh di wala rin po! Kayod marino ka pa rin nun dahil sa taas ng bilihin."

    "Maaring ganun pa nga rin yun iho. Pero matanong kita ulit. Maari ngang mahihirapan ka pa rin. Pero alin naman ang mas pipiliin mo…yung nahihirapan ka na ang pagkain mo ay tuyo….o yung nahihrapan ka na ang pagkain mo ay fried chicken?"

    "Manong naman! tinatanong pa ba yun! Syempre dun ako sa chicken."

    "Ano ang mas gusto mo iho….yung nahihirapan ka na nakahiga sa banig….o yung nahihirapan ka na nakahiga ka sa malambot na kama?"

    "Manong trick question po ba yan. Syempre naman dun ako sa kama!"

    "Eto pa ang isang tanong iho. Sa tingin mo ba may katotohanan yung naisip ko? Nangyayari ba yun."

    "Naku manong drayber kayo na po siguro ang sumagot nyan. Medyo mahina po ako sa math eh!"

    Natawa na lang yung drayber sa aking isinagot sa kanya. "Di mo naman kailangan ng math dun eh iho! Ihalimbawa na natin ang mga bansang gaya ng Singapore, Japan, Hongkong, Canada, Australia, Amerika at England.Lahat ng bingangit ko ay may mataas na pasahod sa empleado. Lahat yun mga bansang iyon ay may buying power ang mga taong nasa ibaba. Lahat yun ay may kapasidad ang mamayan na bumili. Lahat ng mga iyon ay dinadayo ng foriegn investor dahil malakas ang kanilang kalakalan. Lahat ng iyon may maunlad na local na ekonomiya. Kasi iho basic lang naman yung ginawa nating solusyon. Naalala mo ba yung embudo na sinasabi ko sa iyo kanina? Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapataas ng sahod ay lumuwag yung butas sa embudo at bumuhos yung pera sa ibaba. At dahil nga may buying power ang isang simpleng empleado na gaya mo ay mamimili ka rin. Halimbawa na… dahil may pera ka na ay kaya mo nang yayain si esmi mo na kumain naman sa restaurant. Kaya mo na rin ibili ng sapatos ang anak mo. Kaya mo na rin bumili ng bahay at higit sa lahat ay kaya mo nang mapagaral ang iyong anak sa maayos na paaralan. Kada bibili ka yung pera mo ay aakyat ulit pataas dun sa mga negosyante. Ang nangyari ay umikot lang yung pera sa paraan na matitikman din nating mahihirap yung pinagmamalaki ng gobyerno na pagunlad ng ekonomiya at nung P42 per dollar. Imbes na sila lang sa itaas ang nakikinabang. …hehehe medyo maaambunan na tayo."

    "Kaya lang po manong eh….sa kanilang bansa siguro pwede yun! Dito po sa pinas malabong mangyari yun!"

    "Iho akala ko ba ay empleado ka? Hindi mo ba alam na taon taon ay nangyayari yung sinasabi ko sa iyo. Mayroong buwan sa isang taon na kung saan yung embudo sa taas ay lumuluwag. Taon taon yan…hindi nga lang triple ng sweldo pero doble naman. Kung sumasahod ka ng P10,000.00 kada buwan, may time sa isang taon na sasahod ka pa ulit ng panibagong P10,000.00. Kung ima-mathematics ulit natin eh tumatangap ka ng P20,000.00."

    "Hah talaga ho manong?"

    "OO naman iho. Nung panahon kasi ni makoy iho ay may ginawang batas na tunay na pangmahirap. Yan ang tinatawag nating…thirteenth month pay! Sa bisa ng batas na iyan, walang choice ang mga mayayamang negosyante na magbayad ng doble sa kanilang empleado kada disyembre. Hindi ba iho, kada December puno ang mga pamilihan? Kami kada disyembre malakas ang pasada. Ganun din sa taxi at tricycle. Yung mga kumpanya malakas din ang sales gaya softdrink, appliances, sanmiguel beer at iba pa. Pag bumaba ang pera masaya ang lahat hehehe!"

    "Ang galing nyo po talaga manong! Hanga po ako sa inyo, Hanneeeep po talaga!"

    "Ang masakit nga lang nito iho….kung ako na simpleng drayber eh naiisip ko yun. Eh di lalo na yung mga mayayaman at politiko na nag-aral sa magagandang eskwelahan. Mas matatalino sila eh diba. Nasilip nila ang isang butas sa ating batas na hindi ako sigurado kung pangmahirap na batas o pang mayaman!"

    "Ano po iyon manong?"

    "Ang ginagamit nilang pansakal sa embudo na sinasabi ko para mapigilan ang pagbuhos ng pera sa ibaba ay yung tinatawag nating minimum wage law. Sa ganang akin ay hindi pangmahirap na batas yan. Sige nga kung talagang para sa atin yan….ikaw na simpleng empleyado na may tatlong anak….sa tingin mo ba ay kasya yung minimum na inaprubahan ng gubyerno na P350.00? Kahit siguro si Einstein ay mahihirapan sa mathematics na ginawa nila hahahaha! O sige nga subukan natin. Teka ha hmmmm….ok ganito….sa umaga bili ka ng bigas na mumurahin. Yung tig P25.00 tapos saing mo kalahati. Bili ka ng tuyo na tig P15. Sa tanghali isaing nyo yung kalahati ng bigas tapos bili ka ng itlog at 2 lucky me na aabot ng P20. Damihan mo na lang ang sabaw para magkasya hehehe. Sa gabi naman ay bili ka ulit ng kalahatin kilong bigas(P12.50) at 1 latang sardinas igisa mo sa bawang sibuyas at sangkaterbang tubig ulit hehehe, mga P20 ulit yan. Sa pagkain nyo ubos ka na agad ng P92.50. Syempre empleado ka papasok ka. Pagpalagay na nating P100. ang gastos mo. Magkano na yun P192.50. Eh kung may pinadede kang baby. at may pinagaaral ka na panganay. Kuryente, tubig at upa pa sa bahay. Project pa ng anak mo sa skul at tuition. Hindi rin naman pued na puro ka tuyo, itlog, lucky me at sardinas araw araw. Anong klaseng math kaya ang ginawa nila at nagkasya yung P350.00 hahaha. Kaya kung ako sa iyo iho sa sususnod na eleksyon ay wag ka ng pumili ng matatalino at eknomista. Kasi medyo nakakalito yung aritmetik nila eh heheheh!"

    Ang mga halakhak na iyon ng mamang tsuper ang mga huling katagang lumabas sa kanya na aking naalala. Habang ako ay naglalakad patungo sa opisina ay naisip ko ang mga bagay bagay. Maaring marami ring butas ang suhestyon ni manong drayber. Pero maari rin namang sya ay tama. Ilang dekada na ba natin silang pinarurusahan. Ilan dekada na ba nating pinipilit ibaba ang pamasahe para bumaba ang lahat ng bilihin. Ilang dekada na ba na ipinapasa ng mayayaman ang pahirap sa mga gaya ni manong drayber. Maaari nga sigurong kapos sa pinagaralan ang drayber ng dyip na nasakyan ko…pero isa lang ang nasisiguro.. .ang kanyang sinabi ay mula sa kaibuturan ng kanyang puso!
    I was amazed by everything that was said, and it became a real eye-opener to me. This may or may not have really come from the mouth of a mamang tsuper, but I think we, especially the politicians, have to consider this as a solution to our problem. I'm no economist, but I have seen this situation in my short stay in Singapore. The cost of living may be high, but like what manong said, the "poor" people get to live a more comfortable life as compared to what the marginalized in our country experience.

    I hope a lot more people would get to read this and maybe see our nation's problem through a better light. And I wish that the people from our generation would be able to lighten, if not solve, the burden our parent's generation are experiencing.


    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    Happy Birthday Girls!

    I dedicate this post to two of my bestest friends who just and is about to say goodbye to being a kid. (I wanted to pick the middle day of your birthdays so one is late and the other is advanced - but still, I'm one day late HAHAHA)

    You girls may not know each other but you are so much alike in a lot of ways. And I'm sure that if you ever knew each other, you would have been friends as well. I met you both during the beginning of two separate chapters of my life, but I hope you get to stay throughout the whole book.

    First, to my dear Julia, (yes, I meant to do that :P) you know every little bit about me, even the things I don't know myself.  It's been three years since we left our alma mater, and we may barely see each other throughout the years, but I'm glad we get to survive. I wish this friendship will last even as we grow old.

    Juju, thank you for being by my side (even just in spirit, thanks to technology) whenever I need you. Now that you're an adult, I sure do hope that you still stay as you are (maybe just a bit more mature if needed). I wish you all the best in your studies and your future career. I LOVE YOU JULES! >:D<

    To Wally, you too have always been by my side even as I left and transferred schools. We may have found new friends of our own, but I hope we still find time off our busy schedules to spend even just a few minutes with each other. I sure do miss hanging out with you and Lei (and Daniel and the other people I miss there na din HAHA). If I have any regrets for leaving school, it's the part when I had to say goodbye to some of the best people I have ever met. We may have only spent a year together, but I'm glad that we haven't lost our friendship which I hope to keep 'till the end of time.

    In less than two weeks you'll be turning 18, and in no time you'll be graduating. I hope that you get to do whatever it is that you want and be successful in whatever field you choose. You are a very good friend to me, and I think to everyone you know. Being an adult doesn't mean that you have to loose the kid in you, so please don't change. I LOVE YOU WALLY >:D<


    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    Cupcake Scouting

    (For the official website, click Sophie's Mom and Cupcakes by Sonja.)

    For the past couple of months, my sister and I have been scouting the internet for a bakeshop that would provide pastries for my 18th birthday party. Right before school started, we got a chance to visit two famous cupcake shops: Sophie's Mom and Cupcakes by Sonja.

    One rainy afternoon after a little practice driving, we decided to go to Cupcakes by Sonja in The Fort. There weren't many people because of the bad weather, but the shop was still a bit busy entertaining a customer or two the whole time we were there. I had their Peppermint Patty cupcake (I just LOVE all things minty) and my sister got the Chocolate Surprise Cupcake and both of them were just divine!

    The Peppermint Patty had just the right amount of minty in it that it wasn't overwhelming at all. The cupcake on the other hand is just the way I like it: soft, fluffy and really light. The icing was a bit too sweet for me though. But over-all rating would be a 4/5.

    Peppermint Patty
    I liked the Chocolate Surprise more because the chocolate buttercream frosting was less sweet and very creamy. The cupcake itself was also soft, fluffy and very light (a gold star for consistency). I don't know about the surprise part, but I would rate it a 5/5.
    Chocolate Surprise

    From Sophie's Mom, we bought four cupcakes and four mochi ice cream. My sister and I each got their Chocolate Creme Brulee. Aside from that, I also had the Tres Leches with Mango and my sister had the Red Velvet w/ Cream Cheese Frosting. For the mochi ice cream, I got Leche Flan, my sister had Cookies and Creme and my parents both chose Banoffee.

    Their cupcakes were amazing as well, although Cupcake by Sonja's Chocolate Surprise would still top my list (for now), I would rate all their cupcakes that I've tasted a 4.5/5. The Chocolate Creme Brulee had just the right chocolatiness and sweetness in it; the Red Velvet was, well, velvety; and the Tres Leches with Mango was milky, creamy with a touch of mango in it (but I got disappointed when the whipped cream on top got melted 'cause I didn't it it at once).
    Chocolate Creme Brulee

    Tres Leches with Mango

    Sophie's Mom Cupcakes

    As for their mochi ice cream, it was all right, but not all flavors wasn't available that day (I badly wanted to have a taste of the Cookie Dough). The price is one of the most affordable I have seen, and taste wise, I'll give the ones we all got a 3/5.

    I may not have decided what cupcakes to get for my debut, but one thing's for sure: I would surely go back and have a taste of the other desserts offered by both cupcake stores.

    (I wan't able to take picture of my cupcakes from Cupcakes by Sonja so the ones above are from their website http://cupcakesbysonja.com/. But the ones for Sophie's Mom were taken by me courtesy of my iPod Touch)


    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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    Gokongwei Snake Twin

    “Be careful when you shop or the snake twin might eat you.” This was the warning I heard from one of my dad’s elderly friends who have been fondly telling her tale to me, my sister and my mom in the last half hour.

    The urban legend goes about Robina Gokongwei having a snake twin named Robinson (hence the mall's name). He was said to live under the malls and stalk girls who enter the department stores and follow the ones he likes. If the victim enters the fitting room, she is taken through a trapped door and is gone forever. (For more details, click here.) This was recently discussed in my Literature class and we were asked to write this Reader Response Criticism (which is what most of this post was taken from). Aside from what was discussed in class and the link included, the old lady also mentioned about the snake twin throwing up gold, which, she says, is the reason for the Gokongwei family's wealth.

    When I first heard the legend, it didn’t occur to me that it was true. I just laughed to myself and said, “I don’t even go to Robinson’s, so why bother?” But when I heard it for the second time in class, I got to thinking, “Why is this urban legend present?” At first I thought it was just because of Filipino’s fondness in supernatural beings. But could there be a deeper meaning to it?

    It then occurred to me that it could be just a silly rumor created by one of their competitors. Being a teenager, I have had my share of rumors and teasing especially in high school and grade school.  And hearing these things about you is sometimes, if not always, hurtful, especially if none of it was true. I remember being teased by my classmates and crying because of how much I hated the feeling of being humiliated. It was unexplainable; all I knew was that it hurt. This may be far from the Gokongwei’s case because it wouldn’t just hurt the people behind them emotionally, it would also affect their company, including the littlest employees.

    But seeing how the Gokongweis still belonging to one of the richest families in the Philippines shows how well they have handled this urban legend. It made me realize that no matter how big or small an issue is, the way we handle it is what defines our situation. And I think this can be applied to what we experience, and will still experience, as teenagers. Inch-by-inch we are being exposed to the “real” world and we should be equipped with the right tools when we finally enter this strange world in a couple of years. In the future, if we become successful in our own chosen fields, people may try to bring us down. We should be able to handle things and not get affected about them.

    Urban legends may seem fun to tell or listen to, but sometimes they may end up hurting others, one way or another. So as I listen to another of these stories next time and decide to share them to others, I would try to think twice about its consequences. 


    Lots of Love,
    J<3

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