Filipino Food to Cook this Fall

Recently I heard Amy Besa on Splendid Table discussing native Filipino food and how Filipinos made tamales (bubuto) using rice and banana leaves instead of corn and corn husks. I was very surprised to hear of this because while I knew about some history of the Philippines and have eaten many lumpia rolls and cassava cakes in my lifetime, and I have Besa’s book, but I did not know about the Mexican influences in PI. The first Spanish settlers were Mexicans. Wow! I grow banana trees in my yard, but I have not successfully grown bananas yet. This past summer, my mom’s cousin was at her house gathering her banana leaves in order to make those wonderful rice treats for us. I was intrigued, but not exactly stoked about using my leaves for sweet treats. Now I know I must be making some sweet and savory rice merienda (snacks) with the banana leaves while I can!

Three dishes/methods:

• adobo – braise with vinegar
• sinigan – soured broth (citris)
• kinilaw  - PI version of ceviche

Some recipes:

Cassava Suman (Filipino rice cake (kakanin)) https://panlasangpinoy.com/2013/05/10/cassava-suman-recipe/

Filipino Tamales https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/filipino-tamales/

Flip Dolls

Meet Kaibigan (friend in Tagalog) and Marikit (lovely in Tagalog).

My mom brought these dolls back from the Philippines and they will have a new home in my book case. She also brought me another big fork/spoon set that will welcome my guests in the Gathering Room. I hope that someday my whole family will be able to travel to her homeland and experience PI. She's lived over here since she was 23 (she's now retired) and she goes back at least once a year. It's on my Life List to go and stay for a few weeks so maybe in the next few years....

HappySlip Videos

Christine's "bidjos" make me miss my Filipino family so much. Love 'em!

Please Release Me

Listening to my mom singing Elvis Presley 'Are You Lonesome Tonight, with her precious Filipino aksent. Earlier she sang 'Release Me' and I couldn't help but appreciate that her karaoke book lists the artist as "Englebert Hamperdick". Must've been a woman who edited that list.

The Pew Pews Gather in the Yard

We finally got to see Brett Dennen in the flesh at the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS. For those of you familiar with Brett, you will immediately understand the title of this post. For those of you who are not familiar with him, shame on you!! Check out the videos below. We stayed at the Halcyon House (a cool bed and breakfast) that was walking distance from downtown. We walked over to The Bottleneck early to confirm the location and caught Brett doing his soundcheck. It was so great because he was singing the song that I could not get out of my head, Ain't Gonna Lose You.

We were thrilled to meet him after the show, to get an autograph and ask him personally about the meaning of She's Mine ... he told us it's about "pride"...yesh... Wish we could have hung out with him all night...he is just amazing!


The Little Ones opened up for him and that was a nice surprise too....got to meet Edward and talk a little about our shared Filipino heritage and he signed a CD for my sister (who went to Boracay last year).

Phil "Fest" 2009

We had a very full day at our house today as we hosted a troop meeting to help the girls earn their cooking badges. For 2 hours we went over the Philippine culture - complete with a slide show of pics from my sister's trip to PI last year, authentic Filipiana and Barong clothing, artwork, music (Jazzapino by Charmaine Clamor) and lots of good food! The girls sampled some fried lumpia and made Chicken Adobo for the main course and Halo-Halo for dessert. They played Sungka (just like Mancala) and learned a few phrases in Tagalog. Was a very educational meeting for all (including me) and our house only smelled like lumpia and adobo for a FEW days after...

Eating Halo-Halo (which means "mix-mix" in tagalog)

Filipinas

Not sure I am considered a Filipina as I was born in the states, but I consider myself an honorary Filipina when I am around my mom and any of my Filipina cousins...

We met a COOL COUSIN of mine today - Julie - and we LOVE her because her glass is HALF FULL. She is funny and sure of herself and I look forward to getting to know her better and meeting her family....

On the Flip Side

So I got Flippin' Out by Charmaine Clamor for Christmas (from Santa) and I was listening to the song that my mom says is her favorite, Usuahay, which is written/sung in Visayan, my mom's native language. It's a hauntingly beautiful song before you know what the words are ... and upon discovering what the words meant I couldn't keep the tears from coming. (Now I know where I got this part of me.)

Usahay nagadamgo ako (Sometimes I dream)
Nga ikaw ug ako (That you and I)
Nagkahigugmaay (Are in love with each other)
Nganong damguhon ko ikaw (Why do I dream of you)
Damguhon sa kanunay (Dream of you always)
Sa akong kamingaw (In my loneliness?)
Usahay nagamahay ako (Sometime I regret)
Nganong nabuhi pa (Why I was born)
Ning kalibutan (In this world)

Nganong gitiaw-tiawan (Why do you make fun of)
Ang gugma ko kanimo (My love for you)
Kanimo day (for you)
Ang gugma ko kanimo (My love for you)
Kanimo day (for you)

T.G.I.F...Thank God I'm Filipino

Today I met with an old friend for lunch at the T.E.A. Cafe! Yummers! The conversation was great but as usual, we didn't have enough time to get caught up....that just means we will have to do lunch again soon!