Ever since two South Africans were abducted during their diving holiday
in Sipatan, Malaysia, and kept hostage by Al Qaeda Rebels, in Jolo,
Philippines, I have had a keen interest in this nation of islands. The
Strydoms' 4-month ordeal in the year 2000, captured the hearts of all South
Africans. Their daily struggle to survive under death-threatening
circumstances were followed by, not only all South Africans, but people across
the world. Today, Kallie and Monique,
the founders of the Strydom Trust, are both national and international
motivational speakers and bring messages of hope, miracles and survival.
Prior to this incident, my knowledge of the Philippines was restricted
to Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos and Imelda's 3000 pairs of shoes. Marcos,
a dictator, was President of the Philippines from 1965 till 1986. He was
a genius with a photographic memory and passed his bar examination with an
average of 98.1%.
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| F. Barcos Bar Topnotcher Photo courtesy flipiknow.net |
The Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign island in South East Asia
situated in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of more than 7000 islands,
which are divided in three main regions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
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| Photo courtesy worldmaps |
Gloria and I have been friends for many years and although we stay
thousands of miles apart, we share the same interests, ambitions and
ideologies. We are from different cultures and backgrounds, but in
essence we are really the same. We are both passionate about our family
and friends and cherish the joys of being a mother, a friend and nurturer for
them. During our working days we shared the challenges of being
successful in a competitive corporate world, a full time mom and
housewife and a lover and friend to our significant others.
Gloria stays in the City of Bacolod, the capital of the province Negros
Occidental, the “City of Smiles” or the “Sugar Capital” as it is referred to.
It is considered the most popular city in Western Visayas. One of
the highlights of the City of Bacolod is the Masskara Festival held during the
3rd week of October. The City of Bacolod was ranked the “Best Place to
Live in the Philippines” by Money Sense Magazine.
The colorful Masskara Festival is celebrated at the start of the winter
season. Masskara (“mass” and “kara”), which means mask and face, is a time
for costumes, masks, float parades, beautiful gowns, drums and music, food,
street parties and fireworks. All in all, it’s a time to laugh, sing,
celebrate and do what the Philippines do best, smile! Their hospitality
knows no end.
The Philippine cuisine is a fusion of many influences. The Chinese, Europeans, Americans, Arabians and Asians were all early traders, immigrants or settlers and contributed to the food eaten in the Philippines today. Their food is rich in color and flavor and mostly consists of seafood, fresh vegetables, meat and dairy. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish their food consisted of root crops, game, vegetables and seafood.
Adobo, (the Spanish word for seasoning or marinade) is widely
recognized as the “National Dish of the Philippines”. When the Spaniards
came to the Philippines in the 16th century they established a very unique
cooking process with vinegar and referred to this method of cooking as “adobo”.
Traditionally, the adobo is cooked in a palayok, a small clay pot.
According to Yan Susanto an online writer “The flavour of this exquisite
cuisine will certainly be liked by anyone who has tasted it the first
time”. Adobo is traditionally served with rice. Just like traditional
dishes all over the world, many variations of this popular dish can be
found.
This is my version of this popular dish.
Adobong Baboy - Pork adobo
Pork or chicken can be used or a combination of both.
1 kilo pork cut into pieces - pork belly works well
1 large potato cut into pieces
1 onion chopped
2 heads of garlic crushed
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
6 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons vinegar
1 cup water or rice water
Cooking oil
Marinate the pork, garlic, bay leaves and soy sauce for half an hour
Sauté onion and marinated pork.
Add potatoes.
Add marinated sauce and water and simmer till the meat is soft.
Add vinegar and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve on a bed of rice or keep in fridge till the next day when the
taste is even better
"Gusto kong bisitahin ang Pilipinas isang araw."
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| Photo courtesy Panlasang Pinoy Cookbook |
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| Masskara Festival |
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| Gloria receiving her employee of the year award. Photo courtesy Gloria |
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| Delivering her retirement speech Photo courtesy Gloria |
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| Employee of the Year award ceremony Photo courtesy Gloria |
