Rain, rain, go away, come back again, another day. Mother nature has decided to give us some rain these next few days. Being warm and cozy indoors, I was compelled to write and let my mind flow of all these thoughts that have been flooding inside me. 

My parents just recently came back from the Philippines, handling business and enjoying some well deserved vacation time. It’s saddens me that Philippines is so far away and makes travelling hard because the expense is always ridiculously high - recession is not helping. Thank goodness for picture taking from my last trip in January 2011.

Today on kainbigan fan page I posted a picture of my Uncle cooking a large amount of chicken adobo over a fire. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150103816384328&set=a.262357174327.176166.219300829327&type=1&theater 

Hardcore, yes! It’s their way of life, nothing out of the ordinary for them. But it was something different when I suggested and offered for ME to cook for them on  my last day there. They were both shocked and excited, and while I prepped, cooked, everything as they chitter chattered the whole time. they watched every move I did, how I did it, and talked about it. They were so not ready for that… :)

Being that Lobo, Batangas is some what far from the “palengke” - market -  I had to make use of the food that we had since it was my family’s last day in my Grandpa’s town.  

BBQ! My eye’s grew and my mouth watered as I imagined hooking up the family with some pork ribs, shoulders, chops, and all. Pig is a staple meat there so  I figured it would be perfect! Unfortunately, those cuts were not available but only pork belly. I wanted to cook more, so I rummaged through the cupboards, and was excited to have enough ingredients to make pancit - Filipino noodles!

I hollered for one of my Uncles to start the BBq, I decided to make a simple Sisig with the pork belly. (Sisig - chopped meat, marinated with vinegar/soy, seasoning, hot pepper, onions, and garlic - well complimented with SHOTS! i mean, alcohol drinks) 

“Don’t take things for granted,” is what I got out of this the most… appreciation for little things… and love for the greater. Come along…

Cleaned, sliced, seasoned, and a little marinating while I wait for the grill to get hot enough…

My Uncle called for me, tells me that the grill is ready and that I should put the meet on it immediately before the coals diminish. 

OH ya! Weber got nothing on this! Did I expect something more? I did, not going to lie, but hey, where there’s fire there will be some GOOD COOKING! I was determined to make it happen.

And so I did! While that was grilling I went ahead and prepped some simple veggies for my pancit (carrots, cabbage, beans, onions, garlic). Chopped some meat and more garlic and onions for taste. I love making pancit ~ beautiful colors from all the different ingredients and it feeds so many!

2 Range propane stove, hard knocks to come by, but trust it does the DAMN thang!

The whole time I was going back and forth to the kitchen to the outside fire, a few of my Aunts, cousins, and neighborhood ladies couldn’t help but gather together and watch. It was so cute, they stayed in a bunch and would follow to the house and look through the house window then back to the fire as I grilled more meat. 

My grilling didn’t take much longer, that my Uncle was excited to throw on some fresh corn that he freshly picked as he was walking back home. Food is usually a good sign of appreciation or as a gift, so when my Uncle came with his corn, he said that it was all for me. I laughed and said I cannot eat all of that, and a sarcastic joke of my size followed. Oh Uncle, what a good guy.

While Uncle was grilling I enjoyed the abundance of banana trees, vegetation, mountains, and greenery that surrounded me. The smell of the fresh air, the cool breeze, and light tropical heat… I don’t want to leave… :(

Back inside, I finish making the pancit. 

At this point everyone in the house is talking about all the wonderful smells in the house. Some even told other neighbors, which brought them to hangout in the front. I opened the door and told them there was enough for everyone!

Evening came and the festivities continued with more family and friends! The Sisig was enjoyed accompanied with some Tanduay (dark rum) and Ginebra (gin - close to moonshine - i say!). 

Tons of laughs, more of us gathered and shared stories. We spoke of the next time we will all see each other and hoped it will not be longer than a few years like before. I take these memories in my pocket and always think of life out there. We have it too good here in America and it’s always taken for granted. I’ll leave it at that and say… appreciate the simple things.  one love

Just when i thought it was the end of my vacation. Me? A tourist? no way! hahah…ok-ok so i over did it… just a little bit!  :)~

As we conitnue our travel my folks and I, along with some other relatives, we head NORTH - to Subic Bay. Known for their military base and how it’s lifestyle is similar to the states - where in many places there, you can actually use American dollars.

 In the picture above…this is what triggered my homesickness (just a little bit) haha from afar it reminded me of being on the San Francisco Bay side looking over towards where Oakland would be. But of course i had to snap out of it as the nipa hut gleemed right below my vision - (snap out of it…you are THOUSANDS of miles away) So anyways… we go to my Aunt’s house who I admire very much, she’s not just an aunt - she is AUNTIE BABY (every Filipino has an AUNTIE BABY - ask anyone!) Auntie Baby is the BIZNIZ! She’s a powerful, admirable, hard working, out spoken, business WOMAN. She’s gone to the states  in the 80’s to find work (first job @ Sterns - kinda like Sears) which then lead to her being a chemist….which then lead to her inventing her own product…and THEN lead to distribution…and so forth. she doesn’t stop there, inventing products like soaps, perfumes, which further lead her to opening up her own aesthetics spa and health center.  So YOU KNOW…i had to get my pampering on! oh yess! *mmmHmmm*

But aside from her being the “relative that hooks it up!” I am always simply amazed by all that she’s done for people, she always had a good purpose and is totally real about any situation. She’s helped many organications and has always supported many people. A very liberal and open minded woman. The few days that I spend with her, I embraced all her advice, all her comments, all her criticisms that she gave me everytime I talked about my business.

I spoke of “Kain’bigan” to her as if it was as big as her business, and told it like it is, and how it is. She felt my passion and knew that I was really going to make things happen. As my parents would constantly make fun of me and telling me I’m always dreaming…blah blah blah, she would pull me to the side and counter act their negative feedback. I expressed to her my ideas, thoughts, and my path in which i’m in right now. I always kept it open ended cuz i wanted to take in as much as i could from her. She expressed words of SACRAFICE… CONFIDENCE… QUALITY… INITIATIVE… DRIVE… and PASSION.

Good things left from right, she helped me envision my picture even BIGGER. Encouraged me to push further deep into the ocean…. higher than the sky… i was so grateful…

I took lots of time to really think about things. Thoughts of the new year, what do I want to SURPASS for 2011, what accomplishments do i want to be significantly proud about for myself for Kain’bigan, what direction should i go, or am i going in a right direction?

I eased my mind as i stared into the back yard which were full of bamboo stalks bending over, large green vines, and trees growing in abundance. i spent my mornings right by the pool as i stared up into the trees that were surrounded by me.

I looked at the big mango tree that grew by the side of the house, branches that stemmed far out, amazed at how giving this simple tree is. Bearing hundreds of sweet fruit, mango after mango, those thangs aren’t grapes na’mean! The darkest of shade with it’s thick green leaves, provided the coolest of shade. The thickness of the bark and how strong it holds up. I wanna be a mango tree. haha 

I chilled and eased my mind before leaving the Phillippines. I was mentally preparing myself for all the things new coming into my life, knowing that change is constant, and to ‘keep it movin’…’ and be thankful for everything that has brought me to where I am at now…

to be continued… :)

day 10-11

As we continue the journey the Caabay Family all gather and we say our byes. Bye-bye Brookes Point, Palawan. And yes, please comment - “that banner is HELLA big!” i told my pops i’d cut his face out and bring it home. hahah

 Head back 200miles North back to Puerto Princessa. The next two days we play “Tourista” and go to two destinations: Dos Palmas - known for their beautiful beach resort full of different activities.

We do the day tour and enjoyed the day of the beautiful tropical view, the available activities (biking, snorkeling, etc…) In order to get to Dos Palmas you have to take a 45 min boat ride to the island where you are greeted by the staff.

As the boat sets a shore - music of Filipino instruments are playing. I feel the sense of a sereal place. Nice soft sand, clear ocean waters, and a whole resort full of activity.

Snorkeling for the first time, it was a BLAST! I definitely would LOVE to do that yearly, I’m ready to by my own gear. Underwater life is another World in itself!

Check out sister get real ecstatic at the beach that she decided to do not ONE…not TWO…but a few cartwheels on the beach! HAHAHa!

Who’ld want to go swimming when there’s a WHOLE ocean to soak in? Not me, i take my time by Mother Nature’s bearing waters. Ever since my trip began, I’ve collected shells, coral, and even sand from the different beaches I’ve been to. I wanted to make my own “Zen Garden” to bring back home to the Bay so I can have a sense of connection from here in the Philippines. 

The next day we travel to one of Philippines famous attractions. Voted and is now in the Top 10 of chances to be one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Another beautiful attraction. Check out the pictures and see for yourself!

If ever you get a chance to sit in front of a boat, DO IT! Don’t be skurred, just DO IT! you get a TITANIC moment. haha *tear drop* with ehe sun beaming in your face, and allow it to just SOAK into your skin. i mean, DAYUMMM! *sigh* just what a i needed.

Hopping off the boat, next you have to walk about 200meters on the trail where you strap on your life vest to get onto another boat for the Underground River tour. a 45min ride full of stalagmites and stalagtites. Cave full of bats, and sounds of drips and drops of water that forms the amazing stones and cave. 

BONUS! I’ve been on a hunt to see ONE Monkey, and low and behold. A little friend decided to make an appearance. My day is done! BUT, after…LUNCH of course. After the Underground tour, we walk to another resort type place and get our grub on, where they cut and serve fresh buko juice, right from the coconut itself. Then aftwards, you can ask them to chop it in half so you can eat the young coconut meat inside.

Day 9

Thank goodness the rain has stopped and the sun decided to share itself with us today. Few of us were set to take a nice walk down memory lane, trekking through a rough trail and the end reward is the ocean waters.  

It seem to be nothing to them as we crossed flooded and muddy terrain. It was an inspiring trail though. Along the trail, pops shared some of his stories of his past, of where the family did laundry “see that river, that’s where we washed our clothes…” he showed us a nipa house where he grew up and where my great-grandmother raised him. He showed us areas where some of my uncles were born to the area where one of my uncles – his brother was murdered.

It was a moment that I really payed attention to and really feel how life is here in the philippines. I embraced all the words shared and continued to follow the trek to the beach destination. Came across a few pigs that ran along with us like a house dog, cows that moo-ed with a deep sound like a bass horn. The wind blew as you can hear the trees whistle and move with it. Thoughts of other kind of exotic wildlife coming out really had me trippen, that’s why I stayed not in the front of the trail…not in the back of the trail…but perfectly in the middle.

It wasn’t so scary cuz also two of the securities came with us, to make sure no snakes were in our trail. OH HELL NAW! Is what I kept thinking after each step I took while walking across flooded areas.

I prayed for no leeches to be found on my body, or any monster snakes come slithering by. Im just saying, I mean look at the environment! I was no pussy though, I roughed it out! :)

Day 8

Pop’s birthday celebration started with a midnight toast, lots of laughs, stories, singing - HOLLA @tcha Magic MIC along with lots of ginebra, wine and other goodness.

The food prep has begun ever since we arrived. Day before they had already prepped to roast a fine pig (from my grandpa’s pigery) before the midnight toast.

For the day of his birthday…2 whole roast pigs. 3 more pigs for other filipino disshes, more than 3 dozen chickens for roasting, pounds after pounds of rice, 2 huge basket trays of biko, it was a SUPER feast and a big fiesta!

Generations of family showed up, friends of my pops from his past - to his old highschool teachers to childhood kaibigans (friends), relatives from the states, i’d say the whole town was there.

I mean dayumm. Even the mayor of the barangay (town) provided entertainment – a dance group that performed an old folk dance, an island dance, and a modern damn. Even though weather wasn’t very cooperative during our stay there, that did not stop us from everything that I mentioned, and not even the fireworks that one of my uncles also provided.

Not no lil chitty chitty bang bang booms, but HUGE mortars! It really shook the town – for reals! Fireworks that you’ld see while at Six flags. It was a beautiful site and it was all right in the backyard. Screams of WOOOOW…OOOOH! I couldnt help but cuss when it boomed - “OHHH SHIIIIIT!” it was really amazing, and at one point got scared and thought – is this legal? Cuz surly back in the the states we’ld be in jail for blowing these suckers up. Nonetheless the ol’ man enjoyed his big day. Happy birthday pops!

Day 7

Palawan an island known for their amazing beach resorts.  About 200 miles left to right and as long as the state of california …. my pops is from there and that was the destination plan for his big 60^th birhtday. The main reasons for this family trip that was planned for about a good year or so. From puerto princessa airport to brooke’s point. Travelled about 3 hours south. And boy was it a travel. Even though the travel was just south, we were headed to a remote area, where many things arent as accessible as they can be. The road was a roller coaster some areas good and others it felt like riding a bull over large stones – I kid you not. I just needed a cowboy hat, spurs and some rope to hang on. Rolling 3 vans deep we get our move on. Due to some reasons, my family and I had to split into different vehicles, this included with other relatives that were invited to travel with us and not to mention the 5 Pnp(Philippine naitonal police – officers) that were hired for our safety. I kid you not, it felt like the movies. Where whereever you went they had to follow or escort us. Politics I tell ya. But atleast we were all protected to say the least. It was serious and not so serious to me especially after they let me hold their gun while we all chilled drinking ginebra.  So when we arrived at my other grandfather’s place – another entourage awaited us with trays after trys of food just waiting to be eaten. I mean hot damnn! They don’t play! After lunch they pulled out a surprise for my pops. A HUGE banner for his birthday - “parang mayor” (like running for mayor) he was so excited I saw it in his face. Everyone was so excited and the celebration has not even started. The man deserves the best!