Piaya! --

My dad went to Bacolod a few weeks ago and came back with two kinds of piaya. One was a familiar package -- piaya packed flat in plastic and the other one looked like this:



It was the second one that caught our attention. My dad said that that was the best piaya in Bacolod. I was skeptical -- piaya is piaya. How can you differentiate one from the other?

It was when we tasted it that I understood why it was so special.

At first glance, the piaya looks messy -- the filling has leaked out of the crust.



At first bite, one understands why this has happened. The dough is unbelievably thin and crisp. And the filling has spread to cover the entire inner surface of the dough and you can taste the nuttiness of the muscovado and the sesame seeds. This piaya isn't as sweet as other piaya.



Typical piaya looks like this:



It is usually made of several layers of dough which flakes off. There are parts of the piaya that don't get any of the filling, which makes those areas tough.





The benefit of having several layers of the dough is that it can hold more filling. This is a good thing if you like sweet stuff (like me ^_^).

* * *

Found at SM --

We were at SM Iloilo yesterday and they had a display of Poore Brothers Kettle Chips. They are quite affordable at PhP76.50 per bag and they have very interesting flavors like: Three Cheese Jalapeno, Habanero, Sweet Maui Onion, Parmesan and Garlic, etc.

We got a bag of Mesquite BBQ and Three Cheese Jalapeno.



I really love the texture of kettle chips and plan to eat bags of it when I am in Singapore.

In Tin News --

Realized it's been a week since I last posted an update --

I've read a lot of very interesting books lately --
1. Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour <-- the chapter on Japan is my favorite ^_^
2. Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential <-- Funny, insightful, amazing!
3. The Nanny Diaries by Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Krauss
4. Pay the Piper by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple <-- an interesting take on the Pied Piper story. If you think about it, the Pied Piper is an un-fairy tale.

I've been very busy lately -- being a one-man Alumni Association newsletter machine. We were supposed to release the first issue this August but things happened and we aren't. We are now hoping to release the first issue this September. This week, I had to look through hundreds of pictures and tried to choose pictures representative of the many events my high school has held this year. I'm trying to get a dummy (no layout, no design, just text and photos) ready by Saturday so I can go on my vacation without any worries.

* * *

A funny --

Another reason why I know I married the right guy (and why I know he married the right girl):

We were at a Chinese restaurant last Sunday and, while waiting for the food, we got a copy of the menu and read through everything.

We were laughing at the "Beef with OK sauce" (as opposed to Beef with Very Good Sauce or Beef with Satisfactory Sauce) ^_^

After a few minutes of quiet, Johann finally said, "I know why they call it OK instead of XO ..."

"...if you put to XOs together, you get XOXO and people might read it 'so-so'"

I laughed hard. When my sister asked what we were laughing about, I told her. She didn't think it was that funny. We told my brother and he just twitched.

An interesting meal --

There is a buzz in our school about the new Korean-Chinese restaurant called Huizhen --

I was very intrigued because my student, a guy who is very picky and particular about his food, actually recommended it to me.

Johann wanted to try it -- his student told him that it tasted "like Korea" so he went there last Saturday, intending to have lunch there with his students. When they arrived, they were told that the restaurant was closed for the day because their cook was sick.

Yesterday, Johann was grumbling about dinner -- frozen pizza. He doesn't like it because the crust is too thick and bready so I ordered some food for him from Huizhen.

We ordered ja jang myun (noodles in black sauce), bokum bap (fried rice with black sause) and tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork). (For more information regarding Korean-Chinese cuisine, click here.)

We were so surprised when the food arrived -- everything was in proper serving plates and bowls -- all covered very well with cling wrap to avoid spillage.



I like this style of "take-out" food -- it's a departure from the typical styrofoam and aluminum-wrapped food.

The system is simple -- they leave the food and you eat it. The delivery guy comes back for the plates and bowls 2 hours later. ^_^

* * *

Chocolate! --

When I told my youngest brother about Dream Cacao and asked him if he could get me some, he told me that there are a lot of different kinds of chocolates and percentages in Japan. So he gave us this haul --



These two Kitkat varieties are very interesting, one of them is green tea and the other one has 61% chocolate --



He also gave me this --



I love peanut butter and chocolate together. My absolute favorite is M&M Peanut Butter. Reese's is a close second. ^_^

Oh, and this is a different version of the Dream Cacao chocolate --



We tried the 72%, expecting it to be very bitter but it is, surprisingly, quite yummy. The chocolate flavor is stronger, which I like. ^_^

Found at Books and Mags --

Books and Mags is the SM-owned used books seller. They have permanent shelves set up outside Surplus Shop and Island Photo and it is a floor above Booksale.

Johann and I were surprised to see Booksale closed for renovations so we made our way upstairs to Books and Mags because they had recently restocked their shelves.

We found these:


The Runaway Bunny board book was PhP150.00 and The Crossword Obsession was PhP99.00 --

There was also a hardcover copy of The Nanny Diaries for PhP90.00 but I decided to skip it for now because I still have some books to finish reading.

More stuff from the mail --

One of our Korean friends, Sue, returned to Korea about a month ago -- we spent a lot of time with her and Phoebe when she was here in Iloilo. She continues to keep in touch through emails with Johann.

Most recently, she asked us if we got the package she sent. We were very surprised because we weren't expecting anything --

True enough, the package arrived last Friday and we were so amazed with what she had sent --







She knew how much Johann and I enjoyed the Dream Cacao which Phoebe shared with us and she sent us more.

It really made our day.

So now, Johann and I are planning to send her our own "care" package from Iloilo. ^_^

* * *

Oh --

And this is puto.



One of the best puto makers here in Iloilo is Manapla and their little store is 2 blocks away from my house.

Every day, they open at around 5 and, by 8, they've usually sold all of their stock for the day.

They have 3 kinds --
May gata - purple
May gata - white
Walang gata - white (may dahon)

Seth loves the walang gata. He enjoys chewing on it. ^_^

* * *

And I made this --

Phoebe is leaving for Australia on Thursday. This is unexpected -- we thought she was leaving on the 15th but, because it is very difficult to get a flight to Australia, she had no choice but to go earlier.

We had dinner with her last night at Al Dente (which is where we had our last dinner with Sue, as well) --

After dinner, I decided to make her a little something --



I'm sure that a lot of people would be asking her for her email and phone number so I made her calling cards.

I found a scrap of pink tulle and a pink ribbon and used that to tie everything together.

I'll talk about this project in my other blog.

Feeling a little bleh --

It's Saturday evening. The day has ended and I have one day left of the weekend --

I didn't do much today -- went out to get breakfast, paid bills, applied to have the bills charged to my credit card automatically every month and then stayed at home the rest of the day.

I was supposed to attend the Ateneo Alumni Association-Iloilo Chapter meeting at 8 tonight (it's newly formed! ^_^) but I really don't feel like going out anymore.

... I keep wishing something more would happen ... but my sister reminded me that we don't always get exactly what we wish for.

* * *

I like this song --

And the lead singer is so cute! ^_^

so, harry potter --

I finished reading it today -- I was actually trying to delay finishing the book because I didn't want it to end. (Silly reason, I know --)

After I finished it, I let out a huge sigh of satisfaction -- as though I had just had a glorious 8-course Chinese lauriat meal, and then I went back and read some key chapters again. ^_^

When the first book of the series was released in 1997, I wasn't part of the hoopla -- in fact, I stayed as far away from it as I could. I have never been impressed by hype and have never been swayed by it. I was wary of the hype -- but, even then, I couldn't help but be intrigued by a book that had affected as many people as it had.

When the third book was released, I was actually in London for the Cambridge Summer School and all the bookstores were getting ready for the release. I didn't pay attention to the dozens of radio programs that had invited JK Rowling for an interview. On the day it was released, I made my way to Waterstone's, passed the Harry Potter books, and picked up a copy of Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides instead.

It was in 2002 that we finally gave in and got the boxed set of the first three books (paperback and on sale). It was summer -- and I was holed up in brother's unit at Burgundy for the night. My sister and brothers had to attend a VtES tourney so I was left in Katipunan to man the store the next day. I had books 1 and 2 with me. I was surprised by how quickly I had gotten through book 1 and was already on book 2 so I called our house and asked the yaya to meet me at the store the next day and bring book 3 with her.

Book 4 was purchased by my brother in Singapore. He got it at Kinokuniya and it came with a bag. We got book 5 when we were in Singapore. Also at Kinokuniya. Book 6 was the most special because Johann and I got it in Thailand when we were on our honeymoon.

Each Harry Potter book is tied to a kwento in my life and I am glad that it is. ^_^

Lookie what I got --

My youngest brother sent us some goodies --



He got the Harry Potter 7 from Amazon Japan and we ordered The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Return of Meteor Boy from Amazon US, had it shipped to my brother in Hawaii which my youngest brother got from him when he was in Hawaii early this year. (That was a mouthful -- lol!)

Granted our copy of Harry Potter 7 is a week late, but it is a lovely book. ^_^ It came just in time -- I have just finished reading my other book (which was lovely and so beautifully illustrated by David Christiana.)

* * *

Oh --

This is Iloilo bibingka --





It is flat and very coconut-y. Johann hates it and misses the bibingka in Manila (which is fluffy and cake-y and butter-y).

Our old yaya (now my sister's secretary) buys us a bag every Sunday after she goes to Church. A bag is about PhP25 and contains 8 to 10 pieces.

Found this --

It's an interesting website --

Nostalgia Manila

I haven't changed much --

One of the very first tests you take as a Freshman at the Ateneo is this one. 13 years ago, I was an INF- (I forget the last one).

How to Eat -- Lessons from a Rat

We were supposed to watch Ratatouille yesterday but Seth's yaya had to go home so we ended up watching it tonight. Johann and I watched it with a Korean friend of ours -- Phoebe.

I really really enjoyed this movie and it's currently on my top ten list of movies for the year (what the others are, I can't remember right now ^_^).

There was a scene where Remy was trying to educate his brother Emile on the "finer art" of eating -- I loved that scene. It reminded me of what it is we are meant to enjoy -- and how to eat.

Remy: Hey I brought you something to...
[sees Emile eating garbage]
Remy: AH! NO NO NO NO! SPIT THAT OUT RIGHT NOW!
[Emile obeys]
Remy: I have got to teach you about food. Close your eyes.
[Emile obeys, Remy hands out piece of cheese]
Remy: Now take a bite of this...
[Emile snarfs cheese]
Remy: No no no! Don't just hork it down!
Emile: Too late.

These days, I have mastered the art of the five- to ten-minute meal because I have to attend to my son.

I had forgotten to enjoy and appreciate my meals but, this evening, I did exactly that.

After the movie, we headed to David's Tea House because Phoebe had never eaten there before. For the first time in about 6 months (since Seth started solids), I actually took my time and really enjoyed the flavors.

We sat and ate and talked -- and spent about 40 minutes at the restaurant.

It's a wonderful way to start the weekend. ^_^

* * *

Oh and --

I bought the book.

Decisions, decisions --

SM Iloilo

Ratatouille
450pm
655pm

The Simpsons Movie
530pm
715pm

Curious --

I stumbled upon several copies of this book at our local National Bookstore branch --



It's by Gail Carson Levine who also wrote Ella Enchanted.

I was a bit hesitant to buy it because it's a Tinkerbell story and I really don't like her. I read some reviews online and it sounds like a really good book and I'm willing to overlook the whole Tinkerbell aspect of it.

It was so successful when it was released that there is a sequel coming out this year (or next year).

The price tag is a little hefty -- PhP650.00, which is why I didn't buy it today.

reminiscing --

Johann found a copy of "Now Playing" a US magazine that focuses on pop culture --

He thought it would be a great idea if the Philippines could publish a magazine similar to this -- he then started naming a lot of names that belong to Pinoy Pop Culture --

Bagets
Iskul Bukol
Megastar/Star for all Seasons/all the other -Stars we have have concocted
Kuya Germs
That's Entertainment etc.

Of the many things he named, one stuck to my mind: Coney Island Ice Cream

It brought back a lot of good memories -- of ice cream that wasn't vanilla or chocolate or rocky road. I remember saving up my weekly allowance so I could buy a cone -- I remember the daily wait for the sundo outside Iloilo Supermarket and the Coney Island stand would just be behind me, teasing me with all the colorful ice cream. (Ah, bubblegum --) Coney Island ice cream also gave me my first taste of Pistachio ice cream, which is one of my siblings absolute favorite flavors. (I think we like ALL ice cream, except BTIC Banana Pecan.)

What happened to them? Where are they now?

* * *

In other news --

This time two years ago, Johann and I were in a room, in a bed -- SLEEPING.

Our wedding reception had just ended and we were tired. We slept until 730 in the evening and realized we were hungry. Johann went out and bought Chowking Chicken -- and we ate a whole chicken. Just the two of us.

Happy 2, dear. May we have many more anniversaries to celebrate ... together. ^_^

I have a new number --

I've mentioned planning to switch mobile providers in a previous entry and, yesterday, Johann and I finally went ahead and did so.

So now, I have a Globe post-paid number (so does Johann) --

I sent a text message to as many people as I could but my own phone directory is woefully out of date.

If you didn't receive the text message from me, please send me an email or a private message (at Multiply) or poke me so I can give you my new number.

I am very happy with our new numbers -- the last four digits of Johann's is Seth's birthday and mine is the number after (for easy recall).

* * *

HARRY POTTER BOOK 7! (caps intended) --

I can't believe today's the day it all ends. What an amazing run! What an amazing series.

We are going to try to get a copy later at our local National Bookstore. I wasn't planning to (I had asked my youngest brother to get me a copy in Singapore), but Johann and my sister want to get it NOW. So we will try to get one later.

The big question now is -- Who gets to read it first.

The battle begins. Lol.

Update on the Spam thingy --

I got an email late yesterday from Blogger telling me that my blog is clear and I could post in it again -- which is why Seth's newsletter was a little delayed.

It was odd, though -- I wonder how they thought my blog was a spam blog.

* * *

The Gabs Invasion --

When dear Gabby contacted me telling me that she would be in Kalibo and was planning to visit us here in Iloilo, I was considering telling her not to -- it is a 4-hour++ bus ride from Kalibo to Iloilo and I worried about her.

But I was a selfish Tin who wanted her friend to visit her --

So, she was able to take the last bus out of Kalibo and arrived in Iloilo at around 830pm -- we fetched her and had a late dinner with her.

The next day, she had to have her ticket changed and I had work so we spent time in the afternoon.

I was so happy that she was here -- that I had someone to talk to. (Don't get me wrong -- my sister and hubby are wonderful people to talk to as well. ^_^) I really like that, despite not having seen each other for a year, the closeness was still there. We just jumped into various topics and picked up where we left off a year ago.

She left yesterday afternoon and I brought her to the new airport --

Before she left, we treated her to the 30-inch pizza from Dos Marias (Originally Mama Maria) --



We also made plans to meet up when we are in Singapore next month.

* * *

More on the 30-inch pizza --

We normally order the 20-inch version, which is good for 2 meals for us but, because Gabby was here, we decided to get the 30-inch pizza.

The pizza is so big they need to have bamboo supports on the box --



What I love about this pizza is that the crust is thin (which I like) and crisp (which I like) and the sauce is yummy.

Strange --

I was trying to post Seth's Month:13 entry at our other blog and I got this message:

WARNING
This blog has been locked by Blogger's spam-prevention robots. You will not be able to publish your posts, but you will be able to save them as drafts.

Save your post as a draft or click here for more about what's going on and how to get your blog unlocked.

I guess I'll post it here for now.

Out of the rut --

Possession is one of those books I read at least once each year. I have been in a book rut for the past few weeks so I decided to pick it up and read it.

This book is truly magical and, every time I read it, I am spellbound.

I have read a few of AS Byatt's other works and, while they are all very well-written and skillfully wrought, Possession remains my favorite.

I have to thank DM Reyes for introducing me to this book in our graduate class. Back then, I did not understand why a teacher was willing to postpone discussing a book until everyone had read it -- we changed the entire flow of the syllabus because he wanted to make sure that we had all read it.

Yes, it is that kind of book.

So I am reading it slowly now -- savoring the words and allowing myself to be swept away by Byatt's brilliance.

* * *

My Harry Potter post --

We watched it when it opened last Wednesday. The theater was surprisingly full but not packed --

The book was, for me, the most difficult to read so I was very curious about how it would be adapted for the big screen.

I was very happy with the actress playing Luna. I thought she really did justice to the role. On the other hand, I really didn't like the actress playing Cho. She lacks that certain something that make Harry's infatuation with her believable.

How does one fit a story 800++ pages long into 2++ hours? By cutting out some parts and focusing on the essentials of this installation. I thought David Yates did a pretty decent job editing out those parts -- although I felt he overdid it a little.

The choice of director was also very curious -- David Yates' only other "big" film was a quiet little movie called The Girl in the Cafe, which I have never seen but I remember it making waves at the Oscars.

While Cuaron was really able to show his style in the 3rd movie (which is still my favorite), Yates seems to have gotten lost in the whole "blockbuster" that is Harry Potter. The film felt a bit ... schizophrenic in some parts. There were times it felt arthouse-y and other parts where it felt like an action/effects extravaganza.

Did I like the movie? Yes. Do I think it's the best one in the series so far? No. But, then again, in a 7-part anything, a so-so point is inevitable.

Yates is directing the next installation -- maybe the second time's the charm for him? ^_^

* * *

Why I am not losing weight --

A Korean Grocery store opened 2 blocks from my house. Yesterday, we splurged and bought Korean ice cream. I got one that had vanilla and red bean. Yum!

A chocolate called "Dream" --

In the beginning was chocolate, just chocolate --

Then we had the variations: white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, candy-coated chocolate, chocolate with nuts, etc.

The wonderful people at Lotte decided to change the way we see chocolate -- they released "Dream Cacao" --



Notice the percentage on the label -- this indicates the amount of cacao in the chocolate. The 56% is their dark chocolate (and what a glorious dark chocolate it is!) and it also comes in 72%, which I want to try!

Our friend gave us this bottle, which contains the chocolate in bite-size chunks but Dream Cacao is also available in bar form, which I want to try!



The chocolate is also available in Japan but with 70%, 77% and 88% Cacao. O_O

* * *

In addition --

The higher the percentage, the more bitter the chocolate is. So, if you think about it, the 56% is their mildest and "sweetest" -- ^_^

More interesting information about high-percentage chocolate here.

Happy Harry Potter Movie Day!

We're watching it at SM later! Yay!

And we get to have dinner out. Yay!