Baguio & Netherlands' 2008 Flower Festivals

BAGUIO

NETHERLANDS

We have been to Baguio (summer capital of the Philippines) several times but unfortunately not during Panagbenga Festival. This festival is the same as Netherlands' Flower Festival. They made such huge objects/images and floats and the finishing materials are the different colors of beautiful and amazing flowers. The outcome is indeed such a great work of art. Enjoy watching the videos above.

IRRI's Submarine and Aerobic varities

The issues about rice crisis in the Philippines have been and being tackled in tri-media (radio, newspaper and TV) practically everyday. The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) are on the hot seats for news and projects to resolve the crisis.
I heard over the radio that the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna who sparked the Green Revolution in the 1960s in Asia has come out with new miracles: the submarine rice (sub1) and the aerobic rice.

SUBMARINE RICE - the “sub1” gene is wedded to the IR 64, the world’s most popular hybrid. The combination allows rice to survive complete submergence for up to 17 days as illustrated in the photo. If this experiment or technology will be a success this will be a big help to answer for the rice crisis not only in the Philippines but around the world.

AEROBIC RICE - another variety that can be grown in the mountainous areas of the Philippines is the so-called “aerobic rice.” Farmers who are troubled with their irrigation system or water requirements for their farms can plant this variety because it can be planted in soils managed under a system requiring little water but can yield 4 to 6 metric tons per hectare.

Rice crisis resulted from different issues like increasing population, water shortage, fortuitous events, pollution and others like land conversion into subdivision. May IRRI succeed in their experiments and other great rice technologies because this kind of crisis results to different negative conditions like chaos and even death to people?

Thank You Empty Streets Family...

In this post I would like to express my deep gratitude to Metz, a fellow Filipino, for his continued support to Housewife @ Work. Early this month of April he posted my blog on his “Featured Artist of this Week” together with my articles. Now, I have been re-featured on his other blog and tagged as VIP. I appreciated very much the description he gave for Housewife @ Work and I hope you will pay a visit to his blogs who continuously featuring different bloggers and their works. If you want to be featured just click here. Again to Metz, thank you so much and see you around. More power!

Haircuts

Your hair and face change as you get older. And so should your cut. Finding the right cut and color can give a huge boost to your overall appearance. Well, at least we think so ... what do you think?

BFP and the firemen

Two days ago I heard over the news in my husband’s radio station DWIZ that the fireman who got electrocuted while battling the blaze on Ever Gotesco Mall in Caloocan City needs P2 million for his medical procedures. He needs to undergo 20 major operations to recover. Details..

The broadcaster interviewed one of the officers from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regarding the information but other details have been discussed and I really can’t help but pity the life of these brave and courageous firemen.

• Meralco and BFP are pin-pointing hands why the power supply was not cut or turned-off during that time that caused the electrocution.
• Our firemen have no insurance and the only way to have one is to apply for it under a salary deduction scheme.
• Insufficient protective gears and gadgets. The gloves which might protect them from this kind of incident were already old and rotten and the BFP only has 10% of these gloves among the many firemen.
• The BSP fire trucks are old and some government officials are planning to buy BUT preferred second hand trucks.
• Low income.

The dilemma of our firemen inside BSP is really grave. I hope that the government will find means to resolve their situation for better service and protection.

Importance of breakfast

The American Dietetic Association says breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Despite the healthful benefits, breakfast may be the meal that is most often neglected or skipped. Eating breakfast not only aids in weight management, it fuels the body to help provide energy, better concentration and problem-solving ability throughout the day, according to the food and nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association.

Read more...

People sometimes or maybe most of the times tend to miss out or bypass eating breakfast especially those who are heading for work or trying to catch up with the time. Above are some of the dried fishes you can consider for your breakfast. It will just take a few cooking oil and a quick toss from your pan and presto your done with your breakfast. You can pair it with an egg (scrambled, sunny side up, sauted) and garlic-vinegar sauce with few sugar, powdered pepper and salt.

TIPS IN FRYING:

Daing na pusit (dried squid) – fry it under low flame in 1 minute while you continuously stirring the squid to make it crunchy. Do not overcook as it gives a bitter taste.

Danggit – this dried fish is so thin that when you fry it under a medium flame 10 seconds is enough to cook it perfectly.

Daing na galunggong – this fish can be cooked between 4-8 minutes depending on the size under a medium flame.

Tuyo – do not overcook coz it will dried up the meat and taste bitter, 2-3 minutes of cooking under low flame will be good.

Million Blog List

Want to take part in an experiment? Do not be scared coz it’s not a science experiment and the procedures are manageable.

The experiment is to see how long will it take for 1 Million Blogs to get listed in one site.

I’m # 1051

To take part in this experiment click the badge above and join us. Many thanks Glosta for the info and help.

Kid's Tag

I've been tagged by VHIEL.....

and so I decided to post it here and beside the little baby is just adorable.

Copy here:

1. Answer the Kid’s Question by Gregory Stock, PH.D. Remember: Don’t respond as you think others want you to. Respond the way you actually feel!
2. Add your name (linked to your blog)
3. Tag everybody else!

Kid’s Question #1:
If you were the ruler of the world and you could have anything you wanted as well as have people do anything you wanted, do you think you would get greedy and mean or would you be a good and fair ruler?

Please answer the question and put your name and link after.

Jhong, Alpha, Women Xplore, Em, Something Purple, Our Journey to Life, My Planet Purple, Princess Bela, Princess Vien, cookie jar of entertainment, allinkorea, kim, idealpinkrose, korean food, Vamp Squad,Manna from Heaven,And Life Goes On, Can of Thoughts, A Mother's Stuff, Housewife @ Work,

My Answer:

Indeed a tough question coming from a kid. Well if ever I would be a powerful ruler of the world as such I think, honestly, I will be a good and fair ruler. I based my answer on what type of person I am now. Simple, responsible, appreciative even on small things and God-fearing person. True that there’s nothing permanent in this world except “changes” but when I come to that point (wishful thinking, lol) I pray hard that God will guide me to make the world a better place to live for everyone.

Now, I am passing the tag to Host, Active Mommy, Marilyn, Rojoy, Dexie, Jacqui, Liza, Allen, IdealPinkRose and Pinay Jade.

Grilled Pla-Pla

Ingredients:

• 1 pc. Pla-Pla
• 1 pc. tomatoe
• 1 pc. onion
• Ginger
• Powdered pepper
• Iodized salt

Cooking procedures:

In cleaning the Pla-Pla, just remove the scales and the internals. Cut the tail leave at least an inch of it. Wash it thoroughly. Put in a tray and sprinkle some iodized salt. Leave for about 15 minutes. Slice the tomatoe, onion and ginger into small pieces. Put in a mixing bowl, add some iodized salt and powdered pepper. Mix it. When done with it put the mixed ingredients inside the Pla-Pla (start from the head then push it to the belly portion). Then wrap it in an aluminum foil.

In grilling, it can be cooked for about 15-20 minutes if the charcoal flame maintains on a medium heat. Grilling it on a high flame will overcook the fish (the meat will dried up).

When done, remove the foil put in a serving fish tray. Cut the belly in the middle then take out the mixed ingredients. You can put the ingredients on top of the fish or in one corner of the tray.

Serve while it’s hot with kalamansi-soy sauce. Cut 6 pieces of kalamansi in the middle, squeeze it then remove the seeds. Add 2 tablespoon of soy sauce. Add one piece chili cut into small pieces. Preferably serve during dinner for faster digestion.

My Bulalo recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ kgs. Bulalo meat (preferably with bone marrow)
• 1 big Onion
• 15 pcs. Peppercorns
• 1 pc. Raw sweet corn
• 1 pc. Knorr beef cube
• 10-12 pcs. Pechay leaves
• 10 pcs. Stringed beans
• 1/3 head of Cabbage
• 3 pcs. small size Potatoes
• ½ teaspoon of rock salt
• Water
  

Cooking procedures:

When buying the Bulalo meat ask the meat vendor to detach the meat portion from the bone marrow. Cut the meat portion in your desired shape. Put the meat and bone marrow in a pressure cooker. Add 2 ½ liters of water. Set over high heat and bring to boil uncovered. Remove the scum as it rises on the first boil. When done with the scum: set the flame on medium heat, add the ½ teaspoon of salt, cover it and let it boil for 30-45 minutes until the meat is fork-tender.

While waiting for the meat to get fork-tender prepare the other ingredients. Peel the onion, wash it and slice it thinly. Wash the raw sweet corn (remove the remaining hair) and cut it into 4 pieces. Cut the pechay leaves 1 inch from the end/bottom then wash it. Remove the side strings of the stringed beans then wash it. Wash the cabbage then cut into 4-5 pieces. Do not remove the core/hard portion of it while cutting to let the cabbage remain intact in our cooking. Peel the potatoes, wash it and cut each into half. I usually do not put too much veggies coz it will affect the beef broth's taste.

When done with the meat, remove the cover then add the sliced onions, peppercorns, sweet corn, Knorr beef cube and ½ liter of water. Bring to boil for 10-15 minutes. This is to mix the sweet effect of the onions and corn to the beef broth. Then add the potatoes, pechay, cabbage and stringed beans. Simmer for about 5 minutes.

Arrange the bone marrow, meat and other ingredients in a big soup bowl then pour the broth. Serve while it’s hot.

I usually serve it with kalamansi-fish sauce. Cut 5 pieces of kalamansi in the middle then squeeze. Remove the seeds then add 2 tablespoon of fish sauce. Add 1 piece chili cut into small pieces. This is the reason why I do not put too much rock salt in my cooking. Hope you like it.

Breakup and Learn

It has been said that when you love you must be prepared to be hurt because that’s what entails it. Love and relationship is not a bed full of roses in whatever level and category. Breaking up is one of the hardest things that may come in any relationship. Some are lucky to have it back but some are unfortunate to lose it forever.

What’s your story about it? Learn anything from it? How’s your life after breakup?

Madonna Decena @ Britain's Got Talent 2008

Madonna Decena, a single mother to two kids, gave another honor to our country on her performance at Britain’s Got Talent 2008. A mother who made use of her God-given talent to earn a living for her and her kids sang her own version of “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston really stroked the hearts of the audience enough to give her a standing ovation. Win or lose Madonna proved already what she got to be there in that prestigious show. Another pride of the Philippines.

Amazing Photo

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

This was an email from a dear friend way back in High School and I would like to share with you the photo as well as the thoughts. As per her request, I need to send it to 5 friends but I decided to post it here so many can see and rekindle. Have a great day friends!!!

iVillage Topics

I am an iVillage member and below are just some of the great topics they have on the site. Happy reading!!!

• Quit Smoking for Good
• Diets A - Z
• 4 Pregnancy-Safe Workouts
• Spring Gardening Guide
• How to use up leftover ingredients?
• Tom & Katie dismiss marriage trouble rumors
• Go Green for a day
• Gowns Inspirations Gallery
• Guys tell all
• Eco Totes

Enrollment Options

On Monday I will be busy enrolling my 2 kids. My girl is an incoming Grade 2 student @ St. Matthew College while my boy is a first-timer student (Nursery) @ Virgen del Pilar School. I’m sure parents like me are already preparing for the expenses that entail our kids’ education – tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, uniforms, books, materials, bags and school shoes. This is the 5^th time for me to handle this occurrence so let me give you some options to consider in outsourcing funds for your kids’ enrollment:

• This option can be handled by those who are religious in budgeting and saving. Set aside every month from the family's income 1/12 of your kids’ education cost.
• Avail of your kids’ school payment options based on your budget. Usually schools offer various terms to parents on tuition and miscellaneous fees. It comes on annual, semi-annual, quarterly and monthly basis.
• If you are a credit card holder and you have a Special Installment Plan (SIP) limit you can apply for a certain promo like this.
• Last option I had in mind is to avail of a personal or cash loan from your credit card providers against your regular credit limit. Usually bank loan offers now ranges from 1%-1.5% and payable within 6, 12, 18 up to 24 months.

** There are other borrowings around but not commendable due to high interest rates and short payment terms.

John Dewey: Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.

Charice Pempengco @ Ellen DeGeneres & Star King's Shows

If you happened to miss Charice Pempengco’s performances on Ellen DeGeneres and Star King’s shows well below are the videos of it from You Tube. Thanks to coolsmurf and nythawk23 for it.

I first saw this little girl in a singing contest of ABS-CBN hosted by Sarah Geronimo. My daughter kept on watching that contest I think every Saturday or Sunday night and all the kids there were great. If my memory serves me right, she landed as a runner up in that contest and Makisig (sorry I forgot the full name) won the title.

This little girl now makes her way internationally with the power of her voice and great stage performances, another pride of the Philippines. Despite the fact that it took her a long time to perform abroad with the popularity she’s gaining right now I’m pretty sure she will go along way and succeed internationally. Her next performance will be at Oprah Winfrey’s Show. See her sing again and watch how Oprah reacts on her performance. Oprah was so kind to give the girl some shopping money and referred Charice to her hair stylist (Charice herself shared the information to the media). Way to go girl!!!

TV shows are back... Hooray!!!

And the HOUSEWIFE @ WORK award goes to.....

PINOY BLOGGERS
* Host * Addun * Iorgl * Tessa * Net * Allen * Gen * Thea * Caveman * Lilla * Bernadeth * Jane * Liza * Jacqui * Elaine * Idealpinkrose * Howellabie * Marilyn * May * Regina * Chesca * Monica * Jjay * Jade * Anne * Tambayan * Mike * Kate * Mudra * Allehs * Cinderella * Malyn * VPL * Dexie * Naomi * Rojoy * Cherryl * Vmarie * Lutch * Cheenoh * Umak * Sexymom * Almanac * Gen2507 * Gmunchkin * Vhiel * Earthlingorgeous * Nhea * Sphinx * Metz *

FRIENDLY BLOGGERS
US * Tom * Jack * EJ * HipMommy * Sue * Mommy2lots * LRH * O'Danile * Veronica * Clemieg * Earth&Economy *
INDONESIA * Dunn *
CANADA *Diane * Daryl *
INDIA * Ashwini * Mohit *
SINGAPORE * EastCoastLife *
MALAYSIA * Francoyong * Nessa * Papams *
EGYPT * Laila *

YUMMY BLOG
US * Anne * Jill * John * Michelle * Hetal&Anuja * Peggy * Bill *
SINGAPORE * LynnChua *
INDONESIA * Anylee *
TANZANIA * Lynda *
ITALY * Mary *
SPAIN * Nuria *

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

PS: These are just few among the many wonderful people I've met on the web. To my SPICYPAGE, MYBLOGLOG, BLOGCATALOG & other blog communities thank you so much for the friendship and your continued support to Housewife @ Work. Happy blogging!!!

New 7 Wonders of Nature

Hello friends!!! Housewife @ Work would like to ask some support from you to vote for the three wonderful places here in the Philippines nominated in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You can cast up to seven votes here.

CHOCOLATE HILLS (Current Live Ranking: #8)
The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name "Chocolate Hills."

TUBBATAHA REEF (Current Live Ranking: #10)
Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

MAYON VOLCANO (Current Live Ranking: #17)
Mayon Volcano is an active volcano on the Filipino island of Luzon, 15 km northwest of Legazpi City.It is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano). Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years, and is a part of what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Housewife @ Work's 3rd Monthsary

HOUSEWIFE @ WORK now celebrates its third month on the web. Time flies really so fast and when I recall how I started way back in January 2008 with my few posts and friends, the thought that came to my mind is to give an award to those wonderful people who supported my blog and befriended me. A big THANK YOU to all of you guys from the bottom of my heart. I’m still working on my long list of awardees but I’ll try to finish it this week. MARAMING SALAMAT!!! THANK YOU!!! GRACIAS!!! MERCI!!! DANKE!!! GRAZIE!!! OBRIGADO!!! TACKA DIG!!! ありがとう!!! 당신을 감사하십시오!!! 谢谢!!! ΣΑΣ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ!!! شكرت أنت

Spring Awakening @ Dneero

Paid Reviews at SharedReviews

I have seen several money making sites on the web but it saddens me when there’s a need to pay for membership fee. Glad that a friend of mine from Canada referred me to SharedReviews which guarantees payouts with “no membership fee” needed when joining. For beginners, you will just fill up some personal details of yours to establish your profile and a must-have Paypal account where SharedReviews deposits your payouts. If you love stuff and tried several services then this stuff is definitely for you. Just make a review on things and services you bought or tried, positive or negative experiences all counts, and publish it for the community to see and vote for it. I had been a member only this February 2008 but I could say that SharedReviews’ members are very friendly even to newbies and the administrators are very accommodating for newcomers’ inquiries and clarifications. So what are you waiting for check them out at http://sharedreviews.com and start making your reviews and $$$. See you around there.

Pass It To The Front

Another tag I love tag. Thanks to Rojoy who sent this to me.

Here are the Rules:
* First copy and paste it.
* Do not remove any content.
* Just add One word related to your blogs.
* If you don’t like the concept Please! say no?
* Our main goal is we are going to circulate our number of friends.
* The more people join the “pass it to the front” the more links we generate.
* Lastly write only one word “short” for your blogs.
* Keep it simple and short, I know some of you have more than one blogs.
* The color is only black, gray, or white please avoid using any color.

Let me show you:

1.-Filipina,2.-Darling allen,3.-Abroad,4.-Halfway,5.-life 6.- culture 7.-interracial 8.-pinaystories/ 9./pinaysinglelooking-10./health-11./mylife-12/nicotines-13./gaygaygwapa/14.catnapper/
15./Gagiers, 16/ Everything, 17/ Offer, 18/ Moments, 19/ Journey, 20/ Simple, 21/Mystique,22/ Arrivederci,23/ Lakambini,24/ Rebelations,25/ Hobbies,26/ Experiences 27/Quest 28./Janet -29/ Filipino,/30- miss sassy mind 31/. pinaymama 32/.janese33/.Femikey Journey 34/asawakomahalko/35-Rojoy-update/36-Ladynorm's/ 37-insight/ 38-stellar/39.KiDS/40-Miscellanious/41.-julliana-42./symbcore 43.-agneshee/
44.-ravemyreflexions/45.-magicalmilestone/46.-hannie-daily/47.speedcathollydale2/
48.-speedcathollydale/49.-qtrose/50.-eternal-flux/51.-queenaudy/52.-/leonilpi/
53.-zooropazoo/-54.-agneshee/55.-coolaid1073/56.kathycot/57. clumsymommy/-58.usawifey/59.myplanetpurple/60.paultoni/61.wifeynibangis/
62.bigeyedgal/63.-cookingmomster/64.puunbohuntung/65.puunbohuntung/
66.-mysimplebutadornedlife/67.vien26/68.coklatvanila/
69./rotanpanjang/ 70./ourlifeinaday 71./rantingsofawoman 72./ravemyreflexions 73./puunbohuntung 74./allen's wifey 75./bestfriend's blog 76./Rojoy's Daily Update 77. / Buzzybeemom 7./ Mommy Joy Of Two 79./ Rojoy's Kitchen 80./ A Mother's Stuff 81./ Housewife @ Work 82./ your link here.....

I am passing this tag to Host, Zen, Orgl, Net, Tessa, echat1, echat2, Real Living and Mommiho.