Window Seat

A Tribute to Leonardo Caparas Panganiban And Virginia Juco Panganiban

2010-08-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Roy Gaviola, sent me this photo of my maternal grandparents in 2009. It immediately brought tears into my eyes as I remember them from the time I was a kid in Tondo, Manila to the day I left the Philippines to join Gulf Air for my first job. My grandfather was a humorous, happy go lucky kind of guy and was gentle. I remember lolo taking me and my brother, Rafael, to see the MRR (

Quirino Hostage-Taking and Miss Universe 2010

2010-08-30T13:58:00.001-07:00

Hostage-taker, Rolando Mendoza San Francisco was in the 90s this week, the Philippines was in the news! Not good news, unfortunately....the hostage taking bloodbath & the loss of Miss Philippines as Miss Universe. I was moved to tears when I read about Rolando Mendoza's(1) background. I also read from Inquirer.net that his appeal(2) for his case addressed to PNP Internal Affairs Service was "

Is Noynoy Aquino Really For The Better Philippines?

2010-04-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

At last, I'm seeing a lot of commentaries about Noynoy Aquino. I agree with the author of the post that Noynoy Aquino has to change his act. He doesn't have any other strategies to think of but to incite the masses to stand up for something worthless....him. I hate to say this but the man doesn't have the guts, the attitude to become the president of a country that needs a lot of changes. His

Love Hurts Custom Shoe from Zazzle.com

2010-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Love Hurts Custom Shoe from Zazzle.com George Webber came up with some pretty cute artwork that is now in Keds shoes, slip ons, buttons, pins, tank tops & t-shirts. Check them out here or in Stuff In My Closet. ShareThis var shared_object = SHARETHIS.addEntry({title: document.title,url: document.location.href});shared_object.attachButton(document.getElementById("ck_sharethis"));

Ma. Teresita Glinoga-Hizon For Mayor of Manila

2010-04-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ma. Teresita Glinoga Hizon is Teresa, Tess, Nognog to others, like me because of her curly hair. I know, it wasn't politically correct, but the nickname was our way of being affectionate to her. I am writing about my best friend from high school....a friend whom I have not seen in years. We were both intense individuals, and, still are, very intelligent, innovative, creative and self-less. Tess

Kaya Natin Ito

2009-11-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

"KAYA Natin Ito," a song composed by Ogie Alcasid, has some 80 popular and highly respected OPM artists singing together for a worthile cause and even if they are from different recording labels, have been allowed to be part of this very significant endeavor. Along with the CD-single, there shall be a major concert dubbed as "Pilipino, Kaya Natin Ito" at the SM Mall of Asia on December 5. The

Typhoon Ondoy And Pepeng

2009-10-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Ondoy & Pepeng Ravaged Northern Philippines Seeing this video made me cry for my people out there, helpless, losing lives, their homes, their families or/and their means of livelihood. Some groups blame it on global warming, some on the garbage and overgrowth in Metro Manila brought on by squatters living in danger zones and some Muslims blaming Christians. Maybe, it is all of them or

A New York Deli in San Francisco

2009-09-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

My Decadent Palabok

2009-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

My Decadent Palabok I like palabok, a noodle dish very popular in the Philippines. The simplicity of the dish is enhanced by the smoky flavor from smoked milkfish (tinapa), shrimps, the roasted minced garlic and the crushed pork cracklings. The sauce is key to palabok. It should be made from broth with shrimp heads and fish sauce. Since I live in an area in San Francisco where Asian markets

Filipinos And High Blood Pressure

2009-05-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

It is sad to hear that the no. 3 killer in the Philippines is stroke, which is brought on my uncontrolled high blood pressure. And it is also disheartening to hear that most Filipinos living in the United States suffer from high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be managed by proper aerobic exercise and a low sodium diet. Unfortunately, Filipinos are so used to eating food that has strong

Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila (ICAM)

2009-03-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Not many people I have met have very good memories of their high school. Not me! Not my sisters! Not former ICAMITEs everywhere. We are proud of our high school. My sisters and I visited our high school located in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. It is a private school, yes. It is run by sisters from MIC, a Catholic Canadian Order (The Missionaries of Immaculate Conception. The history of Immaculate

George Webber's First Comic Book Launch

2009-02-15T23:55:00.001-08:00

Featuring....Toxic Funnies, George Webber's first comic book to be launched at WonderCon. Toxic Funnies introduces Professor Numbnutz, Dead Sexy Baby Jane and Blue Baby as well as a few other minor cast members. It's a story with Horror, Humor and Heart about your basic lonely Mad Scientist who after seeing an internet pop-up ad for "Love Dolls" decides to create a LIVING Love Doll (he is a Mad

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

Hope you have a great Valentine's day with your loved one or with your family! My husband and I did not plan anything today because I had to go for mammogram screening this morning. However, I arrived quite early at the hospital, so I had the screening early. We decided to go watch "Coraline", but couldn't figure out which theatre to go to: Metreon or AMC Westfield Cinema. I tried to use my

Virginia Spencer, Fabulous at 60!

2009-01-25T15:35:00.000-08:00

My Auntie Babe, as I fondly call her is really, Tia Baby or TiaB to most of her nieces and nephews. She is now called Virgie or Virginia Spencer. Back in the days, when we used to live in the Philippines, Tia Baby, was my mom's assistant in terms of looking after us day by day. Of course, me, being the the little pain that I was, always gave her and the maid a bad time. But, despite that, I

Our Friend, Marissa Cadorniga-Genove

2008-12-02T21:57:00.001-08:00

Goodbye, our dear lovely friend! Another friend of mine died this year of cancer. Marissa, a mother, a wife, a first-born child, a sister, a friend. Marsha, as she is called by those close to her battled ovarian cancer for almost 4 years. I remember her, when I first met her on Montgomery street in San Francisco in the late 1980's, blocking my sister, Tehs's path & mine. She had long black hair,

Hope for the Hopeless

2008-11-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

Jesus is our Hope . . . Although there are times you may feel alone and abandoned, He will never forsake you or leave you. The Bible says the true child of God will find suffering in this life. Each of us will have our faith tested. Jesus waits for you to ask Him into your life to help, to strengthen, to comfort, and to heal. He lovingly wraps His arms around the lonely and the brokenhearted.

Signos - Indie Film

2008-10-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Ricky Davao, one of the best Filipino actors, has won the Best Actor award for a Supporting Role in the indie film, Signos, at the International Filmmaker Film Festival in England on June 27, 2008. I have not seen the film, but judging from the trailer above, I think this is worth watching. I do not know how I will have access to the movie. I am hoping that the makers of the film will

October Fright Night

2008-10-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of Asian Horror films. It is raw and takes you "over the edge". The theme is usually built on revenge and vengeance, and of course, the curse or the ghost travels from one place to another, from one country to another. I am listing my favorite Asian Horror films. If you are tired of Halloween night or you just simply want to stay home on the that day and scare yourselves, I am giving

It's My Birthday Today!

2008-10-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

My very talented husband, George Webber, made this cute birthday card for me. Isn't that sweet?

Colonoscopy - Just Do It!

2008-10-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Click on the photo to enlarge. The comic strip is a creation of my husband, George Webber, while he patiently waited for me at the clinic. If you are 50 years old and older or if you have cancer in your immediate family, it is a good idea to go through a colorectal exam. The risk of colon cancer increases 2-3 times for people with a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with colon cancer.

Video Gallery of Asian Horror Trailers

2008-09-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Sigaw (Country: Philippines) Feng Shui (Country: Philippines) Sukob (Country: Philippines) Ju On (Country: Japan) Ju On 2 (Country: Japan) Ouija (Country: Philippines) Bunshinsaba (Country: South Korea) Red Shoes (Country: South Korea) A Tale of Two Sisters (Country: South Korea) Cello (Country: South Korea) Ringu (

First Time Home-Buyer: Is This The Right Time to Buy?

2008-08-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

The following article came from my sister, a licensed realtor, who is also my tax accountant. She normally sends out her thoughts and views about the situation of the real estate industry in the United States to her clients only. I asked her permission if I can post this article on my blog to which she obliged. Here it is... You may say that this is a "slap to the face" for some of you. Well,

San Francisco Pistahan Parade & Festival 2008

2008-08-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

San Francisco's Filipino community celebrated the Pistahan with a parade on Market Street and a festival celebration at Yerba Buena Gardens. It was a 2 day event from August 9 through August 10. I was there and I felt proud being a Filipino American and more proud being a Pinoy! I have never seen Filipno parades like this outside of the Philippines. This was the first for me.....here in San

The Dilemna of Losing Weight

2008-07-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those men or women who find it difficult to lose weight? This article is for you. Actually, it is easy to lose weight. It is maintaining it that gets very challenging. We have heard from our doctors, trainers, gym instructors or infomercials that in order to lose weight you have to exercise and watch what you eat. Most younger women will crash diet for a week and then lose a

Proud To Be Pinoy!

2008-06-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Proud to be Pinoy! From an Arab's perspective, Filipinos are valuable to them. And for those Filipinos who say that the Philippines still does not have independence, eat your heart out! I'm specifically referring to Y Speak of TFC (ABS CBN) on their series on Philippine Independence. And, please, Y Speak, with all the hoopla about Filipinos still not having their independence, why play a song in

A Tribute to Philippine Independence

2008-06-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

When did the Philippines gain its Independence? Was it from Spain or from the United States? Prior to the official declaration of Philippine Indendence by former President Diosdado Macapagal on June 12, 1962, the Philippines celebrated its independence day every 4th of July to commemorate its independence from the United States in 1946. However, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared the official event

George Webber Designs

2008-05-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

I am showcasing my husband's jewelry designs and creations below. These items are handcrafted and are made of sterling silver/14 kt. gold. His name is George Webber and has studied jewelry making at Revere Academy in San Francisco. He also makes beaded jewelry making use of sterling silver wire, findings and semi precious gemstones. You can find his other designs at my other blog:

In Memory of Ella Carbonel

2008-05-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

To All Mothers: All you, mothers work very hard for your family to have meaningful lives.....You are the pillars of your children and lovers and managers of your husbands or partners. Take care of yourselves, your health, your wealth and your health. I said health more than once because your families need you more than everyday of their lives. Ella Carbonel was a friend/hairstylist since 2003.

Filipino Bistek

2008-05-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Filipino Bistek, the very popular meat dish, next to adobo is very simple to cook. The key is in the cut of the meat. Usually, to make Filipino Bistek, sirloin steak is the meat of choice. However, my mom once told me that I can also use thinly sliced meat from chuck roast. She told me to cut the meat across the grain. This dish is great with steamed rice, french fries, garlic rice or served

Tawi Tawi: Beautiful Islands, Abandoned People?

2008-05-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Tawi Tawi, comprised of small islands in Southern Philippines. The episode from "Reporter's Notebook", gave an insight of the way of life of the people living there. It is sad that the islands are rich in history and natural resources, but are now the poorest. 300,00 Filipinos live there, mostly Moslems. Featured on the episode are two islands. There is one school, a hospital that looks abandoned

From the Mouths of Babes

2008-04-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

I found this website for kids called http://www.blogger.com/www.kids-online.net. It is amazing how kids will put you in proper perspective when they start writing. These children and young adults live in or outside of the Philippines. It is something to ponder on, especially if you are a Filipino who has been never been back to the Philippines. For whatever reasons you might have, please

REKADOS, Silver Awardee for SE Asian Cuisine, Vancouver, BC

2008-04-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

This Filipino Restaurant won the Silver Award for Best Southeast Asian Cuisine in Canada by Vancouver Magazine. Chef Charlie Dizon stayed true to the flavors of regional favorites of Filipino food and created the most appealing, mild tasting Filipino food. Ifever you are in Vancouver, stop over at Rekados on Main Street. Check out their website: http://www.rekados.com/

Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

2008-04-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

My trip to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in Canada Spring of 2007 was well worth the time and energy. It was beautiful, scenic, rustic, but modern. A 2-hour drive via Alaska Highway took me to Skagway, Alaska where cruise ships dock and the passengers go shopping! You don't have to be a hiker to love Whitehorse. If you want to get away from it all, try visiting Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

Philippines, A Beautiful Country

2008-04-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

I take pride in the Philippines, not because I am a Filipino, but because I saw its rise and fall and rise again. When I left this country in the mid 80's, it was such in huge turmoil, that Filipinos had clamored to leave their own country. This was the time of the Marcos regime. When I went back there in 2005, so much has changed after 20 something years. In Metro Manila, many new developments

Filipino Food: Traditional vs. Fusion

2008-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

I love a line in the show, Speak Out, regarding Fusion food. Fusion creates confusion. Does it, really? Filipino food is the original fusion food....the entire cuisine is a combination of Malay, Spanish and Chinese cuisine. Such combination, together with the local specialties of each region in the 7,000 islands in the Philippines, give the bold, rich and diverse cuisine that surprise even