Maraming Salamat My Family and Friends 2011 Visit

2011 PHILIPPINE VISIT

My Dear Family and Friends in the Philippines,

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You made my visit there in the Philippines so memorable and so much fun. I'm very appreciative for welcoming me to your homes for many days, cooking all my favorite foods, with lots of fats and all just by me saying I like this and I like that, and driving me here and there and everywhere. I will always remember your goodness because you made me so very happy and looking after my convenience and safety while visiting the motherland.

Thank you to:

Susan & Nene

Bacoor Cavite Hospitality http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlFrTiJkMIw

Romy for cooking all my favorite food

My personal driver Francing

Nora, Jan-Jan, Jigger

Karen, Dominic, Nina

Cresing, Pedring, Mercy, Trinidad

Carmelo, Porfiria, Cindy

Tia Celing for staying at her beautiful home

Lechon Chefs

Evelyn & Jimmy for the best lechon baboy

Tagudin Folks

La Union Folks

Congressman Fred & Remy

Analyn & Melanie

SkyGoddess Thelma & Nessie (aka France Nuyen)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-VEmxKbbc

Carole for the crispy pata and halo-halo at Max's

Mrs. Purie G.

Lory for showing us around the city

Minda - Meeting her for the first time since college

Palawan Guides for showing us around

Published  3/29/11  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Blog Page:  Maraming Salamat My Family and Friends

Diego Silang & Josefa Gabriela

Diego Silang & Josefa Gabriela, Liberators of Ilocandia

He was born in Pangasinan on December 16, 1730. Silang conspired with British forces to overthrow Spanish rule and to establish an independent Ilocano nation. The military help by the British did not happened, probably too busy fighting the French in the Seven Years War. British naval forces captured Manila from Spain in October, 1762. He was assassinated on May 28, 1763 by one of his friends, Miguel Vicos, a Spanish Ilocano mestizo, who was hired by church authorities of Nueva Segovia (Vigan) to target him. After his death, his mestiza wife, Josefa Gabriela, took over and fought bravely against the Spaniards but had to retreat with her men to farther north in Abra. She was caught and hanged on September 20, 1763.

Statue of Diego Silang and Josefa Gabriela in a promontory along Vigan highway. What a way to honor the hero couple with unwashed graffitis and a shelter that became a urinal for drivers and passersby. The place stinks!

Published  3/18/11  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Blog Page:  Diego Silang & Josefa Gabriela

Kambing Kinatay (Goat) & Lechon Baboy

Big Bro Napoleon paid PhP 1,200 ($27) for the goat for the dinner party in the Philippines. It's his faraway birthday party from Texas.



Ilocano chefs preparing kalderetang kambing and pinapaitan
Kambing Kinatay video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2P4UWn69_Q


Nephew Butching happy to help



The goat eaters

Lechong Baboy Night at Caterman, Candon
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ6mwUIDSWQ

 

Published  3/16/11  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Blog Page:  Kambing Kinatay (Goat) & Lechon Baboy

On the Road to Ilocos Sur

After splitting with my friends from our nature adventure to Palawan, my nephew Engineer Francing (aka Andy) and wife Nora, drove us for more than 8 hours, with short stops here and there, all the way to Ilocos Sur - the home province of my parents and the last place of my Philippine visit in the "Golden Triangle" of Manila and Palawan .

Passing by Roxas Boulevard, formerly Dewey Boulevard

Expressway toll booth (PhP 22.00?) I was told the beautiful expressways were constructed by the Japanese in the north and Australian in the south of Luzon (I hope it's not the other way around).

Lunch at Isdaan, the floating restaurant of the north, Gerona, Tarlac

Miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

Welcome to Ilocos Sur

 

 

Published  3/16/11  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Blog Page:  On the Road to Ilocos Sur

Congress of the Philippines

Chicago Balikbayan Goes to Philippine Congress

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzjx8JWQ0T8

My niece Karen and staff of Congressman Eric Singson, Jr. of Ilocos Sur

Taking over the honorable chair of Congressman Godofredo V. Arquiza (Mr. Senior Citizen) for a minute.  Congressman Arquiza legislated the bill so senior citizens have discounts in stores, transportation, restaurants and businesses.

Beautiful snapshot of Congressman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (my favorite former Philippine President - 2000-2010).

15th Congress in session

Congressman Bingbong Crisologo (2nd from left) of Quezon City stepped out of his van to have his picture taken with Ilocano admirers Engr. Francing and wife Nora. Also with fellow Congressman Fred and lovely wife Remy.

 

 

Published  3/18/11  lib's labyrinth blogspot

Blog Page:  Congress of the Philippines