Summer heat part 2 (and some blabbers)

It's still hot in this part of the country. Also, officially the "ber" month has just began.

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This afternoon, me, my boss and a couple more staff from our Section went to Quiapo to buy a new DSLR camera and some equipment for our AV room (amps, home theater, woofers, etc.) I was there as a tag-along (I wanted to canvass a new lens for my camera). We've lost our D70s during a recent trip in Pampanga (culprits broke into our parked vehicle) so we needed a new one.

My two colleagues have always been a Nikon fanatics so way before we got to Quiapo, I knew what they're going to buy. I had been debating with them about Canon and Olympus but one of them said, "You're not a photographer if you're not using a Nikon!" I said to myself, duh...where did that idea come from? My officemates are men. Men with coconuts in their heads :-) (I am not trying to insinuate any gender bias here, just trying to make a valid point).

Our budget was tight so we're left with these choices: to buy 1 Nikon D80 kit + 18-200mm lens or buy 2 Nikon D40x kits. Well, most of you would probably go for the obvious choice right? Come on... a D80 versus a D40x?

My boss opted to go for the latter. She says, it's more practical. Besides, the more the merrier. We have designated photographers in the office (ahem, I am not included, I am just one of the pretending-to-be-one) so the boss said, everyone will have a camera ready to use in case we needed to document two separate events on the same dates. How ingenious.

Summer Heat

Nothing much to say here except that I will always be attentive to a guy who brings his own umbrella.

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My editor tells me that I am getting worst at writing speeches. And that he can't believe I wrote what I have just submitted a moment ago. And then he tells me, he'll clean up my mess. To think it's one of the very few speeches I feel good about. What the heck. Who wanted to write speeches for your boss anyway?!

Sister Act

Two sisters walking under the beating heat of the sun. I immediately notice the difference in the attires. I believe they have ranks and classifications in their Order too.

Another pair of sisters on the road (different from the first photo). They have cans of biscuits wth them. Perhaps, gifts for the children in the convent. I notice their attire was different too.

A nun could be considered as one of the most misunderstood people on earth.

Well, it is understandable since most of us do not have the chance to live with them in a convent. We do not know of their daily routines and what it’s like to be one; even their motives for being a nun have become contestable for some of us that we question even the sight of them in a public place.

How is anyone supposed to get the real, untarnished information about what it is like to be a nun and why some people enter in a nunnery, is so far beyond anybody’s understanding. Unless of course, you become one.

As cold as ice

I spotted him instantly. He seems to be far removed, like in a trance. I made my presence in plain sight by aiming a shot at him. Just a few feet away from him, he knew I was there. But he barely budged.

He sells dirty ice cream. It’s not actually dirty as the name implies; this ice cream is homemade and sold in pushcart. They are not as creamy as the branded ice cream, but they have this smooth, milky consistency that lingers in the mouth and very flavorful too. My favorite is the cheese flavor.

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I went to see Paris Je t’aime last night with Teresa. Yesterday was the last day of the Cinemanila Film Festival after they’ve extended it, so I tried to catch a few more entries. I was hoping to see Mira Nair’s Namesake but they’ve changed the schedule.

Paris Je t’aime (Paris I love you) is a full length film, chopped into 18 arrondissements (I am not sure about the translation but it’s like the munuicipalities in France, or is it?). So it’s like saying one film, 18 subplots featuring the touristy places in France. Of course Pére Lachaise was featured in the movie, not with Jim Morrison but with Oscar Wilde in it. Surprisingly, Porte de Choisy (Paris’ Chinatown) was also featured in the film, and guess what? Ms. Philippines was there. It was a funny proximity, especially if you knew the context in which such inclusion and reference to the country was made.

I love this movie, only because France is becoming a cliché among Asians and I what I know about this country only came from books and movies and people I knew who've been there. I love this movie because it serves as a guidemap to tourists (and hopefuls) about what to love about this country. I love the movie only because I haven’t been there and I speak awfully in French. The last of the arrondissements (directed by Alexander Payne who I love to death), is a heartbreaker.

In the eyes of a child...

In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter. There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future. For the lessons of life there is no better teacher. Than the look in the eyes of a child...

I reckon you remember that Air Supply song right? It feels fitting that's all. One thing I like about children is that, once you asked, they rarely fail you. Like this child for example. She was happy to give me that smile. In his eyes, I was just a snooping, trying hard photographer. In my eyes, he's my impetus.

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Sidenotes:

The only place I feel truly happy is when I am inside the cinemahouse. I could live there for all I care. As long as I am seeing good films that would bring me to places and offer new perspective—I am there.

Last night, I went to Gateway to see two more entries at the Cinemanila Film Fest: Vietnam’s Chuyen cua Pao (The Story of Pao) and Philippines’ Foster Child (which I’ve been looking forward to see, having seen most of Brilliante's flicks).

Chuyen cua Pao (The Story of Pao)
This is a coming-of-age film about a Hmong tribe girl named Pao who is on the search of her birth mother because her father has fallen ill. She was raised by her stepmother. Along the way the movie flashbacks to the old times and finding secrets about her family. She comes to deal with something she never thought she'd ever face. I got particularly interested in this film because the actress who portrayed Pao is Do Thi Hai Yen, most famous for her role in the movie "The Quiet American" with stars Brendan Fraiser and Michael Cain.

This is the debut film of Vietnamese actor Quang Hai Ngo, whom I believe is also the husband of Do Thi Hai Yen. The primitive landscape in the mountainous provinces of Vietnam is simply breathtaking. It reminds of the1999 Chinese film, Postmen in the Mountains which takes place in the remote mountains of Hunan, China. The landscape and the atmosphere are amazing. I am sucker for these places. Ah, suddenly, I am craving to go to Vietnam!

Foster Child
Like the movie Tribu, this movie reveals the Filipino soul, our sub-culture. It tells the story of foster parents for hire in a third world country like the Philippines. Foster parents work under a Foundation that pays them P1,500 a month as caregiver, on top of providing the baby milk, diapers, vitamins, and other expenses for the taking care of the child. This is in preparation for the adoption of the child.

I got curious and was awed by the whole idea of the film, the first time I heard it. I didn’t even know that there is such thing as "fosteering in the slums" until I saw the whole movie. There’s this question that haunted me: Do these abandoned babies fit to grow in this kind of environment? 1-3 years old are crucial stages in every childhood, why are poor families the ones fostering abandoned babies? Brilliante Mendoza was there last night ready to take some questions. But I was too tired to ask, I was all packed up and ready to go home.

One thing I appreciate about the film though is its focus not merely on poverty and social conditions among many Filipinos, rather, its focus on how we value family and staying together. How amidst, poverty we still manage to smile and continue to have a positive outlook in life. The movie is a tear jerker. I did not cry though, but I was deeply touched.

By the way, Cherry Pie Picache did a stunning, realistic portrayal of her role that she bagged the best actress award in India. Foster Child was shown in the Director’s Forthnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

Should I?

Perhaps she was wondering. Am I taking the photo of the sign or hers? I decided to get them both. The message might not be sent instantly but I guess it will come through.

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Sidenotes:

I went to see two entries at the Cinemanila Film Festival last night. One entry from South Korea, No Regret and our very own entry, Tribu, which incidentally premiered last night so the moviehouse was expectedly jam-packed.

No Regret is gay film drama which tells the story of Su Min, a lad who grew up in the orphanage and went to Seoul to study art design while doing part time jobs at the factory and as cab driver. He lost his job due to layoffs and finds himself working in a gay bar. The director, Leesong Hee-il is said to be a rather well-known indie filmmaker who did several short films mostly dealing with relationships - both gay and straight. It was released in S. Korea last year in limited theaters. The movie reminds of Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together. I saw some renowned Filipino directors who were there last night. The likes of Gil Portez, Joel Lamangan and other celebrities like Rey Pumaloy. Oh boy, it felt like Pink Festival all over again!

Tribu (Tribe) is a Filipino indie film about the gangland in Tondo, one of the most densely populated districts in Manila. Tondo is notorious for being the poorest, dirtiest, and ugliest underdeveloped place in the country. This film, with an all cast of non-professional actors, won best film during the recently concluded 2007 Cinemalaya Indie Film Festival Competition. The movie gave me goosebumps towards the latter part of film. The movie is grand, explicit and raw. It depicts severe social conditions, conflicting social issues and morals. The movie sears with the pain reality that is both vicious and compassionate. Jim Libiran, the director, is a native of Tondo.

I wonder how the foreign judges will see this film. I believe although the movie deals with the universal issues of social conflicts and poverty, the core values and culture are still contextual. That only Filipinos would truly understand. It’s rare to finally watch quality Filipino films that would really put a hole in your soul. Well, it may sound a bit of an exag, but that’s how I felt after I went out of the cinema. That is how it is with this film. See it if you can.

Aging and Solitude

Some reckon their age by years,
Some measure their life by art;
But some tell their days by the flow of their tears
And their lives by the moans of their hearts.

- Abram Joseph Ryan

Once I had both: money and youth. Who could ask for more? People loved me. I was happy. I got all the attention. My youth was my salvation, my excuse to every mistake and misapprehension. My money was both my steerer and my stirrer. I believe I could almost do anything, except thinking now, I never thought I would be of this age. To sit and think of the past. Solitude is a nice company. It never asks.

I had all the creases on my face to prove such experience. This permanent crooked smile to prove what I have learned... (-excerpt from some blabber I am writing. about aging. being a woman. solitude. and all the existential stuff)

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What I am 20 years from now is already embedded in my head. It's nice to be the sole bearer of this image. No one knows. Sometimes I would smile. But the overcast is simply hard to put aside. I guess it's bound to happen especially when you're adding a year to your age.

He stares, she stares, I stare at them...

I am a woman, looking and searching
I pry with elegance and inquire through my silent stare
I blink and men would smile, I cry with style.

I was languidly sitting on the bench, trying to rest my aching feet. It felt like I've walked a hundred miles already and the heat was burning my skin. I looked around and found her.

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I went to see one of the entry films in this year's 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival at Gateway Cinema. U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha is a feature film based on Bizet's 19th century opera filmed on location in a modern South African township setting. Obviously, this film is musical but I was too excited to notice that when the movie was starting, I swore I would have walked out the cinema right after I saw a bunch of young soldiers belting behind the iron fence. And oh, I missed Quentin Tarantino during the opening night. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award. I am a fan. How could I miss him?

Of Watermelon and Honeydew

At the corner of a street, I chanced upon this little girl in her yellow and pink dress, accented with her loverly pearl earrings and bracelet. I was at the other side of the street and I believed she saw me with my camera. Her facial expression looked inviting so I dived in for photo op.

She was selling honeydew and watermelon (pakwan) for 35 pesos a kilo. She's also selling shrimp paste (bagoong) sauted in kalamias (I don't know the English translation of this fruit but it's sour and juicy and comes from the Averrhoa family, the likes of Carambola/Starfruit).

At first, I thought the girl was just tending the stall for his mom or whoever she was with but it seemed like, she was really the vendor for the day. I inquired about the prices (with no intention of buying at all) and later asked if I could take her picture. She smiled for the camera.

A closer look at the watermelon she's selling. I haven't seen this variety before. It looks more of a papaya to me than a pakwan. But surprisingly, the flesh is red and succulent, with lesser seeds. One thing I hate about eating watermelon are the seeds, which you have to constantly spit out everytime you eat a munchful of pakwan.

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Fatty pork strikes back!

Vegatarians would probably be appalled by this entry but the issue of food (like any other topic for that matter) is culture-bound and therefore subjective. Like longanisa for example.

Longanisa is the local version of the Spanish chorizo (pork sausage) which is distinctively flavored with indigenous spices. Preparing longanisa has a long tradition in the Philippines with each region having their own specialty. Some famous specialty include: Guagua longanisa (salty and almost sour); Ilocos longanisa (less color, sour, and tasty); and of course, Lucban longanisa (garlicky and tasty). There are other varieties, but these are famous for their distinct taste and export potentials.

This man was selling a bunch (10 pieces) for 75 pesos (around $1.50). The longanisa is a good source of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, and protein. The descriptive attributes include color and juiciness, garlic flavor, saltiness, meat flavor, spicy flavor, smoothness, and oiliness. These are surely a great "come on" to all meat lovers. Some people just love what is NOT good for them. Tempting as a sin.

How to cook this? First, you boil them to keep off some fats and make the meat leaner (it's optional by the way). Then you fry them until the skin is crispy. It's good with vinegar and chili.

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It's been raining a lot this morning. Looks like there's going to be some heavy downpour for the next few days. Anybody care for some brewed coffee? :-)

Shot to the heart, and you're to blame...

Outside the St. John the Baptist Church in Liliw are various statues of Roman Catholic Saints. Attending a Catholic Church in high school enables me to become utterly familiar with most of them. We have a religion subject specifically for learning faith and catholicism (as if faith can be learned, huh?).

So anway, one of the statues that really caught my eyes was St. Sebastian. His iconic image has always been depicted in literature or photos as the youth tied to a post and shot with arrows in most parts of his body. Exactly like this.

The Roman Emperor ordered his death. Left for dead with these arrows burrowed in his flesh, Sebastian recovered but was later beaten to death on the order of Diocletian.

Such horrid depiction was a favorite subject among Renaissance painters. Even today, such image is still popularly referred to whether in movies, music videos, musical lyrics, theatrical plays, etc.

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St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Liliw, Laguna

Aside from the thriving footwear industry, which is the main economic source of the town, another “must see” in Liliw is the St. John the Baptist Church, with all its grand Baroque architectural design. The church is a more than a century old built using red bricks which makes the design all the more attractive.

The bell tower is amazing. I once went inside and climb through its rickety stairs. It was cold inside. The vicinity of the church is huge, surrounded by statues of saints.

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Oki and I are both nominated for an Outstanding Award at the office. We care less for the tag, what we are aiming for are the prizes. Oki wanted the cash prize, I was gunning for the trip abroad. It's a winner takes all thingie. So, whoever wins get the two prizes. We're fighting for one category. So what we did is to make a bet out of it. Making bets is such an addicting habit we can't outgrow. The bet is: who ever wins, will treat the other to a dinner at Bellini's sort of a consulation to the loser. Okay, fair enough. The thing is, I have a long history of (almost always) losing a bet with Oki. *sigh*. We will see if my fate goes differently this time.

Badong Footwear: Making business for more than 4 decades now

My trip to Liliw would not be complete without visiting Badong Footwear Factory, one of the famous and oldest footwear shops along Gat Tayaw Street. You won't miss it. As soon as you set foot on Liliw, the store will immediately catch your eyes. It's always filled with customers. My mother loves this shop. It's the only store where she bought a pair of sandals and slip-ons among the many stores we've visited that day.

The shop sells an assortment of footwear, from slip-ons to leather shoes, slippers to high heel shoes and sandals. There are also those for men and children. I took a shot of one of the workers at the shop. He was making an inventory.

Salvador “Badong” Monteiro, was the owner of Badong Footwear. He established the shop in 1962, when he was only 16 years old. The man on the right was the brother of Mang Badong. I had a chat with him while my mother was busy looking for shoes to fit. The lady on the left was a customer, buying a bunch of slippers for her business.

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Pansit Palabok of Liliw

When we got to Liliw, the first thing I did was to look for that old foodhouse that serves special palabok. It was delicious the last time I tasted it that my mouth slobbers just remembering it. I knew the exact place, I wasn't just sure if the eatery is still there.

I

This wasn't it. But I got attracted to this bahay-kubo inspired foodhouse. Outside are native homemade sweets sold in packs for pasalubong. Filipinos have always been enamored with giving pasalubong when they come home from a trip. The idea was turned into a profitable business and tourists are always the good target. Next to the foodhouse is an old bakeshop selling cheap but delicious bread.

Ah, finally! This is the eatery I am talking about. It's located at the lower end of that long, narrrow street that sells an assortment of footwear. It's easy to miss because they don't have a huge name board. The owner has an austere taste when it comes to adorning her small eatery. It looks exactly the same when I got here, 3 years ago. One would be a bit disappointed with the ambiance but if you're not that picky, it's a swell. The lady serve the best pasit palabok. Yeba, yeba!

Here ya go! Pansit palabok is a Filipino specialty dish with Chinese origin. It is actually rice vermicelli poured with yellow-orange sauce, and heavily topped with an assortment of seafoods. There are a lot of foodhouse that offers pansit palabok in the country, the big difference lies on: 1) how the rice noodles was cooked, 2) how the sauce was made, and 3) the choice of seafood toppings. This particular palabok contains: squid, shrimp, hardboiled egg, smoked fish, chicharon (grind crackling pork rind), shredded chicken, osyster, green onions, and lots of garlic. This is eaten with some drops of citrus (kalamansi), making the dish more delectable. But it's optional, it depends on your preference. Personally, I like it with kalamansi.

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Liliw: The Slippers’ Town of Laguna

Briefer:

• Found in 1571 by Gat Tayaw
• A highland town in the province of Laguna in the Philippines
• Got it’s name from a bird who sang “Liw, Liw, Liw” thus the name Liliw
• Surrounded by Sta. Cruz (capital city), Nagcarlan, Magdalena, and Quezon
• Well known for cold water spring resorts, native homemade sweets, and a sizeable shoe industry
  

It’s been a long time since I passed by this town. I used to go here a lot. The last time I was here was three years ago, if my memory serves me right. It was during the wake of Crackhead’s grandpa. Last weekend, together with my mother and my cousin, we went there all because my mother wanted a new sandals and slippers. She even has this notion that Liliw is just a few streaks away from Los Baños (which is NOT). It was a 6-8 hour drive from our place. The travel was hefty and exhausting. The weather changes from humid to rainy. It rained when we left Liliw, it was scorching hot when we passed by Sta. Cruz.

I was amazed by how this place changed, in just a few years. Maybe to attract more tourists, the city mayor decided to aim for uniformity and aesthetics. Most of the stalls there are newly-built and neatly painted, with all the footwear stores running across the long street of Liliw. They now have a McDonalds. (ahh, why it has to be McDo?)

A footwear and bag store around the corner, with its huge window glass. You need not enter the store to see what they're selling.

A huge slipper on-display. The largest I've seen. Too bad, the owner won't sell it to me.

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I saw Ratatouille the other day. I had fun watching the movie. My favorite Janeane Garofalo did the voice of Collete, the only lady chef in the brood. I hate rats but the movie was cute. It was meant to be cute so people won't feel squeamish about the rats. But I still quirked everytime a horde of rats comes into the scene. Watching the movie, I realized one thing. I still hate rats! Argh.