Because Food Nourishes the Soul..

I always believe that healthy home-cooked meals are always the best.

Sinigang na Bangus with Kalamansi

I have a bad case of acute bronchial asthma and allergies these days. After a week at the hospital, I've been put into a strictly no red meat, no poultry, dairy and nuts diet. That makes me a pescetarian? I've been diagnosed to have acute bronchial asthma as well as (I don't know why) lumbar sprain. Quite an odd combination. Everytime I cough, I squirm in pain because my back hurts. I can't stand nor move my body. I was literally frightened when I woke up and found myself squirming in pain. Even the pain killer given to me didn't do any justice. It must have been the heavy backpack filled with field notes and manuscripts I'm lugging with me when I'm on my research mode. I've been seated like forever in front of my laptop for a series of writing deadlines.

The weather in this country is also unpredictable. It took a toll on me. I have a love-hate relationship with steroids, anti-bacterial meds and painkillers. I don't want to be in it again, if possible. I promise to myself, I'm going to be good to my body. Take good care of it so that it would serve me well. 

 Doc also says too much happiness is bad for me. Too much sadness is bad for me. Er, so where do I put myself? I must begin to think about taking the middle way. Let me imbibe some tenets of Buddhism these days. No nuts, dairy, poultry and red meat. This means I'm back to cooking mode because I can't just eat anywhere. I'm not complaining. I love cooking esp. home cooked meals. The first food I comfort myself with is this: SINIGANG NA BANGUS. It's milkfish with lots of veggies. I'm sure many Filipinos love this dish especially on rainy days. Since, I'm at home and I want to do some light exercise to make me happy, i cooked something for me and my sis. Join me.

I'm one of those people who likes eating vegetables a lot. Okra, eggplant, radish and kangkong.

I love tomatoes, string beans and onions in a soup plus gabi, too.

I bought the biggest milkfish I can find. (This is my comfort food since I can't eat just anything these days.)

Tada! I cooked sinigang na bangus. It's delicious. :-) I'll be back to research and writing next week. I've been recuperating for two weeks. I still feel groggy from the meds but I know, I will be better. I can walk now and I;m almost normal, save for the cold season that triggers my asthma. But hey, let's look at the bright side of life.

 I'm alive, beautiful, recuperating and God is good. Have a blessed week ahead.

Take A Walk at Iloilo City

I love Iloilo City and these are the reasons why. Landscape, churches, clean air and green surroundings. I took pictures this week while taking a walk at the Esplanade and at the Molo Plaza.

Welcome to Peyups!

UPCAT was held last weekend.

75,000 aspiring high school students coming from all over the country took their once-in-a-lifetime chance to take the UPCAT exam (University of the Philippines College Admission Test).

It is the most competitive college entrance test in the Philippines. Out of this, only 10% will be admitted to the only national university in the country.

Honor and Academic Excellence


To those who will pass......make your nation proud.

Archival Research ???

I've been gone for a while. Been sticking my head on archives. Been busy with choices lately. Decisions on career, studies and yes, life.

This week, archival research keeps me busy. You could have guessed my asthma was acting up with all the dusts I've inhaled. I'm in a profession where I'm not supposed to be. But anyhow, i just love it the same.

Here's what I've been busy with.

I'm researching on historical and anthropological evidences to support the ancestral domain claim of some of the indigenous peoples from one of the provinces.

Just managed to cull a 19th century book. It tells about the history of one of the provinces in Antique (Patnongon, Antique to be exact). (This particular page tells about the reaction of the natives when they saw what was inside the Spaniards "falua". One particular thing they were afraid of was the "mirror").

(Strained my eyes trying to read the pages. My magnifying glass was not with me.)

Still another archival document. ( I was actually ecstatic when I saw this. The things you do for the love of your profession.)

This is a 19th century map of Patnongon. (Drool.)

Now, read that. ( Something which I've been struggling eversince. Escribano writing.

Off to the archives again.

When Genes and Indigenous People Matter

Home to one of the indigenous peoples in the island of Panay, Nagpana is nestled at one the mountains of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

The Institute of Human Genetics at the University of the Philippines (Manila) with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region VI and Region VII went to the area last April 24 to conduct some saliva testing among the Ati's, one of the indigenous peoples in the country. I've been to Nagpana before during their Pag-uli Tiriringob Festival last November but this time, it is different. This is now more on health related concerns of the Ati's from the community. I'm doing more field research on the area for my ethnographic writing . The team from the Institute of Human Genetics was made up of a geneticist, an anthropologist, doctor and a biologist. Three of us come from the NCIP, one is the head of Technical Division,the other as the Provincial Head for the Ati's of Guimaras and Barotac and me as the historian and consultant writer. I took some pictures during that day.

Ati kids taking a bath on a lazy day under the sun.

Their handicrafts are beautiful.

I took the picture at the top.

My favorite kid at the community.

This is for our lunch.

The geneticist in action. Explaining the concepts of genes and DNA.

Listening attentively to the instructions.

Abundance of abaca at the community.

I would have wanted to take a dip.

Beautiful view on top of a huge rock.

Mother and child.

I enjoyed my interview with Lola.

When Work Becomes An Adventure

This month is definitely hectic for me. I like working on projects related to the empowerment of indigenous people. I was in Antique for a week for the mid-term evaluation of Empowering Indigenous People for Inclusive Development (EIPID)climbing mountains, crossing rivers, meeting beautiful people with good hearts and enjoying the beauty of nature. The project is halfway on its implementation period. I'm back to Iloilo City however I can always say that it was tough trekking the mountains but it was inspiring to meet people who work for the indigenous peoples. Sir Lope is one of the best I've ever worked with. We went to five municipalities in Antique for a week conducting FGD's and evaluation of the project. No, I dont think I was working rather I was learning and appreciating things. This is what happens when work becomes an adventure. Take a look at the beauty of the Province of Antique.

Sira-an Hot Springs at Anini-y, Antique.

On the way to Latazon, Laua-an, Antique

Soil erosion at Brgy. Lublub Valderamma, Antique.

We passed through rivers and mountains.

Wild pigs everywhere! @ Brgy. Latazon, Laua-an, Antique.

Fishing Boats at Anini-y, Antique. Seven Ati families live here.

The majestic mountains of Valderrama, Antique.

Nothing but huge rocks. It was a very bumpy ride up the mountains of Brgy.Latazon, Laua-an, Antique.

This place is beautiful. Lunch at Sira-an Hot Springs, ANini-y, Antique.

Some Ati women washing their clothes at the river. Simple life.:-)Hamtic, Antique

I stopped by to take this picture. @ Anini-y, Antique.

Shy and smiling. Some of the Ati kids talked to me in "inati". I was lost in translation.

Still @ Anini-y, Antique.

My partner in crime, Sir Lope's FGD with the carabao.

A simple hut among the seven Ati families. @ Anini-y, Antique

We have to go home at 5pm or esle we wouldn't be able to cross the river anymore.

Conquering the mountains of Valderrama, Antique.

Discussing with the Iraynon-Bukidnons of Brgy. Latazon, Laua-an, Antique.