My name is...

I got an idea from Gail's post of listing down names that I like to either name my future children or just names that I like the sound of.

I think my parents did a good job in giving me my name. When I was a kid, I really felt so special that I was the only one with my name. I had schoolmates whose names were pronounced the same as mine but the spelling was still different. As far as I know, I was the only Raissa in school and I think in the whole of Tacloban. It was only in college that I found other people with the same name as I do. Same spelling and all. I think it was even accidental. I was looking at a list in one of my classes and I saw a 'Maria Raissa". Still, she had a "Maria" and I didn't. Actually, my dad didn't agree on me having a "Maria" when I was baptized which made me glad again. Here in the US, you are called by your first name so imagine a whole building full of "Marias". I am glad that I found out about other people having the same name as I do when I have already established my identity and my self-esteem pretty stable. That's why now, it doesn't bother me when I find out about other people having the same name as I do. I am actually amused like we belong into this whole society of "Raissas".

A lot of people think I am Russian when I tell them my name. Nope far from it but it does have some Russian connection since Mikhail Gorbachev's wife's name was Raisa. I think Papa got my name from an issue of Time Magazine. At least that's what I am told. I think its actually French in origin which means "thinker".

I am glad my parents gave me the name that I have. I think parents should really think far ahead if the child will like their name once they get older. Nothing wrong in giving your child a unique name but giving them something that makes people scratch their head is different. To name your child, "Talula does the Hula from Hawaii" is just plain cruelty. The child was embarrassed and a New Zealand judge thought the same and the parents lost custody of their daughter. Give your child a name that they will proud to carry not something to make them change it into something else when they are able to.

Some of the names I like: Sofia, Emma, Anya, Rania, Raina for girls. For boys - Enzo, Marco, Tristan, Pocholo. No more Justin. Its a very nice name but we have enough Justins in my family. As of last count there's 7 or 8 in my one side of the family alone. That's a lot that we have to add something after to tell them apart.

What names do you like?

The "last lecture" its not

Prof. Randy Pausch may have lost his battle with cancer Friday but I think, no I believe his legacy will live on. I know his speech has resonated so much with me that one of which has become almost like my mantra. It was about the "brickwall" that its there to test how much we want something. When I meet obstacles and challenges along my way, I think about what he said and it changes my perspective. Instead of being "defeated" by the obstacles, they become my motivation to survive through it. If after doing everything I can and yet the result is still the same so its either I don't want it badly enough or its really not for me. Which ever it is at least I know I did what I could and tried my best.

I cried upon hearing the speech that he did at Carnegie-Mellon. I cried and yet was inspired by everything he said. His topics were simple, practical and most of all things or aspects about life that made him happy or his source of happiness. His lecture was not meant for the whole worlds but for his three young children who after today will only have memories of him. But boy what memories those are. His last lecture will linger on in the hearts of those who were touched by him. But most of all his lecture will linger in the hearts of those who really knew him. Those who will be given the task and the responsibility to let his children know what a good man their father was for giving not only them this amazing gift but everyone else who were able to listen to him speak and whose lives were touched by him.

After the meal....before you leave

There is nothing better but to end a meal with delicious dessert. But sometimes, we are too full to have dessert right after the meal. Another option is taking it home and sharing it with other people. This is how I view pasalubongs. I love pasalubongs.

After sating ourselves with the food secrets of Tacloban shared with us by Anton of Our Awesome Planet, he takes us on a sweet journey of the desserts that we have grown up with. His post about Leyte Pasalubong is enough to make my mouth water. Good thing, my relatives just came back so at least I am able to satisfy my craving.

I like my binagol warm and I turn it upside down so I go to the sweet part first before everything else. Or sometimes I eat all the "talyan" part first and save the sweet part with peanuts last much like how some people save the skin of the chicken for later. I didn't use to like moron when I was a kid. They just looked odd to me but after having my first taste of it, I have grown to love it. But I still love binagol more.

But the best dessert of all is the pastillas from Carigara and nothing else. Much like how my cousins and I are such leche flan snobs because we will only eat leche flan made by our family, I am the same way with my pastillas. It has to come from Carigara and nowhere else. All other pastillas just pale in comparison. I have been able to finish a pack by myself. Its one of those things that one or two or three is never enough. Before you know it, you have consumed an entire pack of 100 I believe. I also hoard it when my parents would send me. That's how much I love it. Papa only gets the pastillas from two suppliers in Carigara which escapes me at this point. They have retained the quality of the pastillas since its beginning. It is made from pure carabao milk not camouflaged with sugar or what have you. Others are lumpy and made of condensed milk. These are smooth and they have a snap to it. Its not melt in your mouth goodness but heaven in every chew kind of way. Each chew is a sensation that makes you want to discover it more and more. Yes, its THAT good!

Waray Foodies

The foodie scene in Tacloban City is underrated.

Not a lot of people know that Warays are foodies. I was really surprised about the diversity of food in Leyte. - Anton, Our Awesome Planet

I didn't know either and I was born and raised there. I guess because it was just our lives and living it. I have not looked at it from another perspective since it was just part of our daily lives. Now that I am away from that life, I am seeing it with new set of eyes. Through Anton's, I have come to a better appreciation of what a charmed life we Warays live and we don't even know it.

When Anton first posted about his trip to Tacloban and looking for secret places to eat and all, I left a comment in his blog, a rather mouthful one per Mano Gerry. I guess I got so excited that Anton was going to Tacloban. I have seen how he had discovered foodie secrets from other places and read how enthusiastic he becomes talking about them with pictures to boot. I couldn't wait for him to have a taste of what Leyte has to offer. I thought my comment was to introduce him to the foods of Leyte but looking back I think it was also because I was hoping he would feature the places of my childhood, that I miss so much. He sure did and more because I also got to read about the places that I hope to try when I go home. In some sense, he brought me along and it felt like I was home.

So many have changed since I left and so many have stayed the same. Nostalgia and excitement all at the same time. I am glad to know that our lechon is still the best ever with vinegar and garlic. The barbecue stands that I grew up with is still standing and the same family runs it. Boy, do I remember those days when I would look after the bakery and I would smell like smoke because these stands were literally right outside our door. I can actually still smell it when I remember. Their barbecue and our hot pan de sal = perfection. We live far from the city proper but when Papa would have a craving for native chicken, no matter how late into the night it was, we would all pile up in our car and drive to the downtown to eat some barbecue native chicken.

If Papa wanted "tinola nga isda" for breakfast, the only place to go was Yolanda's. Its the perfect place - you are inside a hut, near the beach, actually on the shore. I remember us sitting in our table and buckets and buckets of the freshest seafood would be placed in front of us and we get to picked which ones we want. Its as fresh as fresh can be - the fish is still moving, the shrimps are jumping, the crabs walking along the shore. Its cooked according to how we want it and breakfast is ready. Oh for clarification - our tinola is the same as the sinigang towards the sour kind. Now I shouldn't be surprised that my cousins had shrimps and prawns for breakfast the entire time they were in Tacloban. We were the same when we were growing up. No dress codes at Yolanda's and yup it means you can go there in your pajamas like we usually did since we were most of time roused from our sleep to go there.

Afternoon snack was either barbecue or pancit from Royal Seafood. I still don't know what the lure of these noodles is but it seems there's is no other pancit to eat but from there. Once again, this noodle dish and hot pan de sal = perfection. Another afternoon snack staple was the bibingka along T. Claudio. Anton wasn't able to try the bibingka but I am glad to know that its still in operation and prepared still the same. I will say it again, nothing comes close to it for me. The only bibingka I will eat with so much gusto will be the one coming from here. Its real rice, no shortcuts (I hope so) and none of those added flavors like salted eggs or cheese or sugar. Its plain and simple - rice cooked in banana leaves. Its best eaten fresh from the "pugon" (oven) and butter smeared all over it and watch it melt away. Its only available at a certain time and it is usually gone so fast. I wonder how much the recipe would cost or if they are even willing to sell it. I am willing to buy it, that's how much I love this bibingka. Or learn how to make it at least.

There are a lot of new restaurants in Tacloban now, a very diverse group at that. It seems they can already meet whatever you fancy and I am glad. I can already see and expect to gain weight when I go home. Calle Z for the bulalo. The "purbidang kangkong" from Ocho. I have heard so many good things about Ocho and I know the owner. Rafael Farms too, my family was just there. Jose Karlos, I think my sister Camille is always there.

I am such a foodie. I thought its only now but reading Anton's posts, I realized I have always been a foodie which I have to credit my parents, especially Papa for. We ate out a lot even before and we were not afraid to try new dishes. My parents enriched us about our culture through food which is so not a bad thing at all.

There are so much more so..here it is, discover the foodie secrets of Tacloban.

Our Awesome Planet: Tacloban City - - Top 10 Foodie Secrets of Tacloban (Part 1)
Our Awesome Planet: Tacloban City - - Top 10 Foodie Secrets of Tacloban (Part 2)

Anton walked the San Juanico Bridge from one end to the other. I grew up there and I have never done that. I am not sure I would want to either. Just made me realize how much we don't value the things and places around us because we think it or we will always be there. Or sometimes we seek those that are far and wide not realizing that what we had all along and all these times was the real beauty, the real gem. Reading other people's views, a stranger even, changes our perspective about the things we have but take for granted. But its not too late to change that.

Low octane

I am running on three hours of sleep only. Not to mention that the past 2 days I have only been averaging of 3 hours sleep as well. Monday, my relatives arrived from Philippines. Tuesday, there was a get-together at my uncle's house. Last night? Blame Denny's super slow service but credit an amazing concert of Journey. Yup, I was one of 15,000 people there. That is not an exaggeration because there was not an empty seat in house even the lawn was packed.

First the low points..as expected there was a long line to the women's bathroom. Really, there should be 2 women's bathrooms for every one men's bathroom. It was just crazy. Due to this is my low point #1 of the night was missing the opening song of Journey. The same reason brings me to low point #2, on my way to find the end of the line to the bathroom, I got burned by someone's cigarette. I couldn't believe that it didn't enter her mind that it was packed and I mean packed, she was bound to hurt someone if she held her cigarette as if she was in a middle of a massive space. She should have held it up in the air so that it didn't hurt anyone. I now have this red dot on my forearm. She apologized and even if I wanted to get mad, what good would it do. Another one is I wished I had my camera but my brother has it all the way in Manila but I had my sister, Jehann's camera and there were 3 massive screens there so it worked out fine.

I am bad with song titles so I am not even going to attempt to mention the repertoire. But I will do mention the songs that I know and remember:

Don't Stop Believing - I think Arnel singing it just gives it so much more meaning because he is the perfect example of it. He didn't stop believing and look where he is now. Open Arms - Still gives me goosebumps; After All These Years - love the song; Separate Lives; of course Faithfully.

The concert started at 7 with Cheap Trick and Heart but I missed it since there was a massive traffic going to the venue. Journey came in at 9 until past 11. The crowd was a good mix of different ages. There was a father with 2 or 3 young children who were still probably bubbles in the air when Journey came to life and yet they knew the songs.

Arnel is really good, amazing even. His voice range is really something. He was jumping all over the place. His energy seemed boundless and endless. You watch him with a mix of awe, disbelief and pride. Awe because he is really good and he seems to have established a good rapport with the rest of the band. It seems he has adjusted well. They were just enjoying every moment of it and it showed in their faces, in their performance. Disbelief that I was watching the concert of the band that gave me "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". Also disbelief with a mix of pride but more of pride that a Filipino is the lead singer of this band. He acknowledged his "kababayans" and someone was waving the Philippine flag. He is the epitome of dreams coming true....a feature in People and Time and a spread in GQ and these are just the start.

It was a really good show and Arnel wowed the crowd. Just read this review of the concert from the OC Register.

I am such a bad reviewer but then again I am writing this with my mind drifting in and out of the stages of sleep. Besides, I don't think I will give it the justice that it deserves. But one thing, it was a show well worth the money.

LOBO: Lessons to be learned

Pardon me but I am still dealing with a LOBO hangover. Lobo has changed my views about werewolves. They didnt interest me before but now I am fascinated with it or maybe its just LOBO that I was fascinated with. I think if LOBO was able to change my views about werewolves, Twilight will change my views about vampires. I am just starting the book, so its still remains to be seen. But, anyway here was a narration from LOBO about in my opinion what it is to be humans and what it is to be werewolves and we realize we are not so different after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noah: Minsan sa ating pagkabigo sa buhay, sandali tayong nawawala sa landas

Lyka: Gumagamit ng lakas at kapangyarihan...naghihiganti...nanakit ng kapwa..

Noah: Ang mga magkakaibigan, nagiging magkaaway....Ang magkapamilya, naglalaban-laban

Lyka: Kung minsan, pati sarili winawasak

Noah: Ngunit sa gitna ng hirap at sakit, may bahagi sa atin na pilit sumisigaw

Lyka:Nagbibigay sa atin ng lakas...nagbibigay liwanag sa gitna ng dilim

Noah: Nagbubuklod sa atin anuman ang edad, kasarian, kulay, o lahi

Lyka: Tumatanaw sa isang kaaway...bilang isang kaibigan..

Noah: Hindi nag-aalinlangan sa kahit anong hadlang

Lyka: Maging dikta ng tadhana, o kamatayan man

Noah: At kung tayo'y bigo, ang tanging nagbibigay ng pananalig at pag-asa

Lyka: ay isang kapangyarihang pinagkaloob sa atin, ANG MAGMAHAL!

Noah: dahil ang bawat isa ay nilalang sa pag-ibig

Lyka: sa pag-ibig din inaasahang mabuhay tayong lahat.

In the eye of the storm

literally.

I have this weird habit of checking out sites of wedding photographers and videographers. No, I am not planning mine or anyone's wedding and thinking of getting any of them as vendors. I just enjoy watching other people's wedding, as weird as that sounds. There is just something so magical and nostalgic and mesmerizing about weddings. I don't have a clear-cut idea of what my wedding will look like and really its shouldn't even be a blip in my radar. There is only one aspect of it that I am sure of and that is non-negotiable, at this point at least. I am not saying what it is, lest to jinx it or worse to scare anyone away.

I was browsing through sites when I chanced upon this couple's wedding in Boracay the very day that Typhoon Frank hit the island. A little rain on anyone's wedding day is already bound to make any bride or couple go on panic mode but it seems this particular one took things in stride and rolled along with it. Amidst the winds and rain, the wedding pushed through and looking at the pictures it seems they wouldn't want it any other way. Their smiles say it all. I like looking at the photos with the gray skies, the rain and the couple in the water as the waves came crashing to the shore. They were in the water in their wedding garb and all. That is impressive and inspiring. Instead of allowing Mother Nature to ruin their day, they embraced it and had fun with it.

Check it out:

Photos: MangoRED
Video: Mayad Studios

Unforgettable lines from LOBO

I think LOBO has a lot of quotable quotes. Some are pretty cheesy as expected but some are really wow...tagos! The lines were really one of the shows strongest points partnered with little to no hysterics when saying it unless it was absolutely necessary. There were a few slip-ups.

Thanks to the following: kozuesan, kewl_aaron, j_815, koreanoveladik, asul_03, Schatz_75, draconix, pretty_eena(GeLo Thread), felli, mitchiebee, Uno_2, apryl me of Pinoy Exchange.

Here are some of my favorites, the rest can be found here

"Hindi sa Tala sa Langit, kundi sa Buwang nakasilip, ibigay ang hiling ng matang nakapikit." - Noah & Lyka (Piolo & Angel)

"Kung sakali mang mawala ako bukas, gusto ko lang malaman mo na naging kumpleto ang buhay ko... kasi nakasama kita.. nakilala kita... at minahal kita" - Lyka

"Noah, kung wala ka rin naman sa buhay ko, anong pinagkaiba ng mundong 'to dun sa dilim na pinanggalingan ko." - Lyka

“ If you stand your ground, nobody can push you around.” - Lady Elle (Pilar Pilapil)

"Sorry is noble, but weak!"- Lady Elle

"There are no victims in this world, just people who are willing to be victimized…" – Lady Elle

"Minsan, kahit mahal mo, nasasaktan mo pa rin. Minsan nga, lalo mong mahal, mas lalo mong nasasaktan…" – Gen. Cristobal (Dante Rivero)

"'Di ako aasa, para ‘di ako masaktan…" - Lyka

"Ipinapangako ko, na sasaktan ko muna ang sarili ko, bago kita masaktan muli." - Noah

"Ang hirap kasi sa ‘yo, lagi mong siniset-up ang sarili mo para masaktan ka. Hanap ka ng hanap ng taong magmamahal sa ‘yo, tapos ‘pag ‘di mo nakuha ‘yun, iniisip mo mag-iisa ka. Kaya gagawin mo lahat, kahit sinasaktan mo na ang sarili mo." – Choi (Janus del Prado)

"Kung may isang milyon lang ako, at pwede ko bilhin ‘yang pagmamahal na nararamdaman mo, binili ko na." – Choi

"Dapat ‘wag kang malungkot, dapat maging masaya ka, isipin mo ang swerte-swerte mo, dahil minsan sa buhay mo, naranasan mo nang magmahal ng totoo at lubos, kahit hindi nasusuklian, ‘di ba? Dapat doon pa lang, masaya ka na. " – Choi

"Alam mo, kahit tumanda ka pa, at umabot ka pa ng 80 anyos, hinding-hindi ka mag-iisa, kasi walang taong nag-iisa sa mundo." – Choi

"Hinding-hindi ko hahayaan ang mawala ulit ang ngiti sa mukha ng taong minamahal ko." - Alec (Geoff Eigenmann)

"Alam mo Gaby, kung ganyan ang paniniwala mo, hindi ka dapat nasasaktan ng ganito. Hindi mo ginawa, hindi mo titiisin yung lahat. Malapit ka lang dun sa taong mahal mo. Ilang beses na ba ko nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, Gaby? Pero natatagpuan ko rin. At dun ko narealize yung pagmamahal, na sinusubok talaga ito ng panahon, ng distansya, at ng tadhana. At para pag natagpuan mo na, wala ng papantay pa, wala ka ng kasing saya pa." -- Lyka

"This is your time to shine. Kaya mo ito. You can do this. Kapag hindi mo nagawa ito. Goodbye, world. Goodbye, Philippines." - Elton (Gio Alvarez) Gio was so good in this role. Its a gay role but it doesnt look fake or forced. He was very funny.

Another noteworthy actress here is Dimples Romana. She was really good.

Ano ba??

Tama na puwede??

I dont take things like these seriously anymore now but I will admit, it made me smile.

"anyway...let me go or else i wouldnt want to stop chatting with you"

my reply??

"haha
okay..go
good nite"

He said "gnite" and signed out.

My countryside

One Christmas break from college as Papa and I were driving along Kankabato Bay in Tacloban, he turned to me and said "be thankful you grew up in the countryside". I didn't know then why he told me that and for what purpose. Looking back now, some 10 years has passed, I get what he meant. Tacloban will always be home and looking at pictures and getting updates about it makes me feel close to it no matter how geographically away I am.

Last June 27, the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival was held. Back in 1986 when it was first conceptualized, it was then called Pintados Festival. But nowadays its called Pintados-Kasadyaan and its also called the "Festival of festivals" since festivals from all over Leyte converge in Tacloban City to compete against each other and to give the people - residents and tourists alike a colorful, vibrant and merry celebration that is reminiscent of our history and culture. I learned from someone that its not as easy as mounting a dance presentation, even those are thoroughly researched and it is a must that the choreographers are aware of the history and the spirit of the municipality and incorporate it to the overall history of how Sto. Niño of Tacloban came to be.

This year however, there were two festivals in the span of 2 days I believe. Yes, two festivals - the Pintados-Kasadyaan and the Sangyaw. Sangyaw was a project of then First Lady Imelda Marcos which was revived by her relatives who are now in power in our city. Pintados-Kasadyaan is sponsored by the Pintados Foundation and the Province of Leyte.

Political biases aside, I have greater affinity to Pintados-Kasadyaan because it is the one that I got to experience and boy what an experience it was. Also, I was a witness to its conception being that my dad was part of it. I remember, my siblings and I running around at VOR Hall in DWU after classes as Papa was deep in meetings with the rest of the committee. To say I grew up with is an understatement because now 22 years later it has done so much from its humble beginnings. It was an experience - good, fun and painful ones that I shared with my friends. Those were fun times. Oh, the painful part came when its time to clean up after the festival. Its pretty painful to remove paint from your body and hair but then it goes with the experience.

So many things have changed. Its no longer a "free-for-all" when it comes to putting paint on people. But, nevertheless, the spirit still lives on and more.

Here is a glimpse to what Leyte Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is through the amazing lenses of Gerry Ruiz. My siblings - Nicco and Camille were home for the weekend too. They still have to upload their photos.

Brings back so many memories.