Mactan's Shangrila Resort & Spa, originally uploaded by Em Dy.
We flew to Cebu over the long weekend and stayed at this multiawarded hotel.
Taken November 2008
The Beauty and the Beast, originally uploaded by Em Dy.
When we went to the ancestral home last weekend, I knew I had to take the camera with me. The garden has all sorts of flowers, including this one. Lucky me chanced upon a visitor too.
Taken November 2008
Mother and Child by Rodrigo Addu, originally uploaded by Em Dy.
This painting is not by me but by Rodrigo Addu, a prisoner serving 3 counts of reclusio perpetua. His painting is but one of the many artwork on display at the Marian Exhibit at Shangri-La Plaza which I had the opportunity to see yesterday. Aside from the prisoners' artwork which are for sale, religious art are also on display, most of them antiques and just for show. The event is a joint undertaking of Radio Veritas and Caritas Restorative Justice Ministry which aims to uplift the lives of prisoners. It runs from October 11 to 26.
What I found interesting about this piece is that it was made through wood burning. A guide actually told me that the end of a Katol or mosquito coil is used.
Taken October 2008 in Mandaluyong, Philippines
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This week's Photosharks theme: Paintings
This week's See It Sunday theme: Mother
Took this photo in between malls. I couldn't compose the shot very well as I was conscious about people staring and afraid that somebody might take the camera away from me.
Taken September 2008
We celebrated a birthday in the family last Saturday at a Chinese restaurant. As is customary, the meal included pancit because it signifies long life.
What about you? How did you spend your weekend? Do you practice the pancit tradition?
Taken June 2008 at Mann Hann, MegaMall in Mandaluyong, Philippines
Tastes like heaven, smells like hell
That's what they say about the durian, a fruit synonymous to Davao City. We were there last weekend and like many tourists before us had to go through this rite of passage. For me, it was neither heaven or hell. I'd grown accustomed to the smell as Mom's trusted aide Nene loves this so much and regularly buys her fill. As for the taste, I don't think it's heavenly. Durian is something I won't miss.
What about you? How was your weekend? Was it heaven or hell?
Taken June 2008 in Davao City, Philippines
The French call it escargot. Filipinos call it kuhol.
Shakespeare said A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Well, I guess, you could say the same for edible snails. It matters not what they're called; they would still be snails.
I had some of these yesterday at Kamayan, where I also first came face to face with these creatures. At first, I thought I wouldn't be able to stomach these but when I tried them, I found them to be very good.
How was your weekend? Did you experience anything exotic?
Taken May 2008 at Kamayan, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, Philippines
This is Italianni's bestselling salad which we had at yesterday's Mother's Day lunch. Looking at it, I was reminded of the initiative to increase fruit and vegetable consumption to improve health. This salad more than fulfills the earlier requirement of 5 servings a day. Now, the recommendation is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.
Did you have fruit or vegetable last weekend? How was it?
Taken May 2008 at Italianni's Eastwood in Quezon City, Philippines
A woman shouted from the street and Mom's trusted aide Nene shouted back and started running to our gate.
The woman had just shouted Suman! Her favorite.
Suman is a native delicacy of the Philippines. As you can see from the photo, it comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are short and stout; yet others are long and thin. The difference does not end there and lies inside the covering made of leaves. They vary in terms of color, ingredients, taste, etc. Some go well with sugar, syrup or even mangoes.
Have you tried suman?
Did you discover something new last weekend?
Taken May 2008.
Last Saturday, I watched the Saturday Group teach kids the basics of painting with oil pastels. This is my first attempt at using oil pastels and illustrates why the enemy of good is better and why oil pastels take some getting used to.
These jesters gamely posed for me when I asked to take their picture. Not just once but several times. In different poses too. They sure brightened up my day!
Tabemashou is a Japanese word which means Let's eat. What do you think we should eat then? Japanese food seems the most appropriate. This is what's called a California temaki, nori wrapped sticky rice, kani, tobiko and mango served with wasabi and soy sauce.
The Greenhills shopping center, particularly its tiangge, is a Mecca for the bargain shopper. Foreigners and locals alike who visit Manila make this a requisite stop. Items such as clothes, toys, bags and much more may be found here. A small garden lies in its center and provides respite to the weary shopper. Plants, including this orchid, may be bought here.
