UPCAT , CHEESE WAFFLE, AND COUNTRY SAUSAGE

by Food Fiend



It was early Sunday morning and raining heavily. The sky was still dark when we left the 
house. I was half-awake and badly needed a strong cup of hot coffee. Poor handsome 
hubby cannot stifle a yawn as he traversed EDSA on our way to UP Diliman . Second son 
hummed and sang to Maroon 5 songs as he chills while seated behind us. I reminded 
second son again to double check if his test permit, snacks, and water were all in his 
bag.


It's now after 6 in the morning and we just dropped off second son at the College of 
Law, still early for his scheduled 630 UPCAT exam. Better early than late I always say. 
The early bird catches the worm and all that jazz.

Top 18 Pinoy Pastries & Desserts

By Sigrid Salucop 

Filipino pastries may be simple but they sure are tasty. While many Filipinos crave for western pastries and cakes, there are those times when you just want a simple, gluten-free dessert i.e. puto or kutsinta or even both! Gluten-free or not, here are the best pinoy pastries and desserts that you can easily make.

Leche Flan

This is what one usually feels when
one eats a flan - <3 (heart/love)

The Flan is a dieter’s worst nightmare. It’s smooth, creamy and sugary goodness is just something one can’t resist. Although the name is very Spanish and even if it can be traced both to Spain and France –the origin of those uber yummy crème brulee and crème caramel, we have made this recipe our own. This dessert is usually served during special occasions. Oh yes…there’s definitely nothing leche about this flan.

Puto

Want cake but don’t want anything that’s too heavy? Get a puto. Also known as rice muffins, this recipe is also available in other Asian countries but the Philippine version is much sweeter –probably because Filipinos love sweets more than their neighbors. 

Puto Calasiao is deemed as the best authentic Philippine puto.

However, if you are in a Spanish-speaking country and you happen to cook some puto, better not say, “Have some puto, Puto!” 

Puto is usually accompanied by shredded coconut or topped with butter or cheese. The Tagalog however eat puto with dinuguan which is yum for many and disgusting for some –all about taste really.

Puto has a lot of versions but one of the loveliest is the Puto Pao. If you want dry puto, you can have the Castilian Puto Seco.

Kutsinta

Kutsinta for your sinisinta may not be a very good catchphrase for this Philippine pastry but it still is as yummy as other pastries around. This steamed, brown rice cake has an interesting story to tell though. 

Back in the year 1942, a woman by the name of Cita was hankering for freshly cooked rice. Her boyfriend Kulas, a rice farmer, decided to cook some for her but instead of adding a bit of salt to taste, he put in brown sugar and even put in too much water. 

With so many things to do at the farm, Kulas left the pot on the stove for too long, not even realizing the mistake he has made. When he came back, he found that he has made a sweet, pasty rice cake. He found it rather appetizing and decided to bring it to Cita. Cita of course loved the finished product and gave some to the people in their barrio. They named the pastry after themselves. 

Bibingka

This rice pudding is definitely Filipino but the recipe itself has a striking resemblance to bebinca, a pudding originating from Goa. 

The pudding from Goa however does not have rice in it but it has coconut milk much like the traditional bibingka in the Philippines. 

According to several historians, the word “bi” is Chinese for rice, no one knows where the other letters come from (yes they come from the alphabet you smart ass!) and what they mean though. 

Whatever bibingka’s history, let’s crank up the volume of the stereo and listen to Sharon Cuneta’s Maging Sino Ka Man while eating this Philippine rice pudding.

Ube Halaya

Many find purple yam odd because it’s err… purple. Although it is a good dessert in itself i.e. boiled and dipped in sugar, it becomes a lot better when it is made into a pan of creamy Ube Halaya. 

Sapin-Sapin

Made from either rice flour or rice soaked overnight, this Philippine pastry traces its origins to the northern part of the country. Sapin-Sapin is more like a stickier and rather creamy version of the kutsinta.

Maja Blanca

This coconut pudding is a Spanish dessert based on manjar blanco. Although this white delicacy can be served plain, many Filipinos add corn kernels to it making the usual maja blanca into maja blanca con maiz.

If you are tired of the usual maja blanca, adding squash is also a great idea.

Pichi-Pichi

This Philippine dessert made from sugar, cassava, and coconut with a hint of pandan is basically a soft puto. It is a favorite dessert from the province of Quezon. It is however also sold in other Philippine provinces. 

Polvoron

Simple yet delectable, polvoron is a powdery Philippine dessert based on Spanish shortbread cookies. Polvoron mixed with ground nuts is also used as the main ingredient in another Philippine delicacy –Turones de Mani. 

There are now shops that sell Polvoron cupcakes in an effort to reinvent this very simple dessert. 

Macapuno

Formerly a mutant of the coconut tree, the Philippine Coconut Authority successfully developed trees that yield 80% macapuno fruits making the macapuno another puno –yay to that yeah? Macapuno looks like the usual coconut but inside, it is filled with a yummy jelly. 

Due to its economic value, the Philippine government encourages farmers to grow more of these trees. Now let’s move to the dessert. Usually paired with ube or spread on top of a pan of crème caramel, the shredded macapuno we see is a preserved version of the fruit. It is full of sugary goodness and of course the unmistakable…err… macapuno flavor.  It is also made into candies like the ones in the photo.

Brazo de Mercedes

Brazo de Mercedes is a light and very delicate cake roll. Although the name is Spanish sounding, this jelly roll is more popularly known in the west as the Swiss roll. 

However, one has to note that the Philippine version is a lot lighter since no flour is used.

Ginataan

Described by many a Filipino children as the hot version of the uber popular halo-halo, Ginataan is served during the rainy season or for Filipinos living abroad, during wintertime. 

This Philippine dessert is known by many names, it is referred to as the alpahor in Chavacano, ginat-taan in Ilocano and tinunuan in Cebuano. It is also called bilo-bilo in some parts of the country. Whatever it’s called though, this dessert cooked in coconut milk is an all-time favorite among Filipinos.

No one is sure where the Ginataan originated from though but let's just keep eating it and hope that the answer will materialize at one point.

Champorado

Love chocolate? If you need carbs and you want chocolate with it, champorado is your best bet. Usually served for breakfast, this Philippine porridge can still be served for dessert or as one meal for someone craving for something sweet. Champorado is of Mexican origin but the original doesn’t have rice in it.

Palitaw

Made from sticky rice, Palitaw is another version of the Philippine rice cake. It is however usually served with sesame seeds. In some versions, the palitaw is topped with grated coconut. You can put both sesame seeds and grated coconut though like the one in the photo.

Napoleones

Most Filipinos would associate Bacolod City with the piyaya and the inasal but there is this one wonderful recipe from this beautiful city that is rather mouthwatering. It is called Napoleones and yes, according to some historians, the recipe probably came from Naples. Layered with custard cream and topped with white sugar, this puff pastry is to die for.

Bitsu-Bitsu

Bitsu-Bitsu and its twisted version the pilipit can be safely called as the Philippine version of a doughnut. It is fluffier than a churro, softer than a pretzel, and usually served sprinkled with granulated sugar –the result – Y. U. M. YUM!

Buko Pie

“Buko Pie, Buko Pie kayo diyan! Bagong luto!” Sure you always hear this inside busses coming from the southern part of Luzon. In fact, Filipinos are so used to it that many fail to realize how tasty this dessert is.

Alpajo

Remember the alpahor of the Chavacanos? Well this Ilocano recipe is nothing like it. The alpahor is ginataan but the Alpajo is a soft candy made from coconut, milk, and sugar. It's not sold anywhere though but some homes in the north still make them. My grandmother makes them every Christmas -they are oh so tasty!

Espasol

This dessert was described by a friend as something that tastes like dirt and ash but tasty -yes, tasty. 

Espasol is made from rice flour and coconut milk. It is dusted with toasted rice flour once it is shaped into the cylindrical shape Filipinos are so familiar with. 

Other Pinoy desserts that are also rather tasty include suman latik, tupig, and calamay.

Photos via 

cmthm1t1.bloggspot.com

prepys.com

pinoyadventurista.com

julianasworld.com

365pinoystuff.wordpress.com

filipinodesserts.net

marketmanila.com

chyngreyes.com

kitchencow.com

Dindin Lagdameo

pinoycookingrecipes.com

anjasfood4thought.com

applesaute.blogspot.com

Packing Guide For Travelers

By Sigrid Salucop

Photo via Yahoo.ph

Traveling this Lenten season? A number of Filipinos go back to their provinces during this time of the year and often, as we all rush to our flights, rush to head to the bus station, or to ride a ship going home, we forget to pack a few things.

Make A List There is such a thing as a universal packing list that will make packing easier for you depending on what activities you will be doing for the weekend or the holiday you have been looking forward to. You can also prepare a check list manually but be sure to go through it while you are packing so you do not forget anything. 

Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush Do you want to make sure that you do not forget to pack your toothbrush? There’s nothing more annoying than not being able to brush your teeth once you get to your destination. Sure you can always buy from the nearest store but what if you are going to the mountains for a few days and the nearest store is hours away? If lists do not work for you, maybe an email telling you not to forget your toothbrush and other essentials will do the trick. 

The Essentials Wherever you are going, you should have the following:

Contact Numbers –if you are travelling abroad, you should ensure that you have the number of your embassy. Your embassy this is  your second home while you are away from your country. You should also write down the numbers of people you may need to contact while you are there. Writing them down is important in an event where you lose your phone.

Passport or Identification – for those traveling abroad, checking the validity of your passport is a good idea –you wouldn’t want to be stuck at the airport just because you can’t get in your country of destination.

Travel Insurance – this isn’t really something Filipinos are fond of but having travel insurance will cover a number of things –hospitalization if you get sick while on vacation or if you ate something that just doesn’t agree with your tummy or got into an accident. Your travel insurance will also cover lost bags in case you lose them at the airport or the bus station.

Cash – you must have cash on you because you will never know when the ATMs decide to be offline. Be sure not to travel with stacks of money though because this is potentially dangerous. Getting mugged along the way will not only ruin your holiday but will also leave you helpless until of course you contact someone who would be able to rescue you.

Your Ticket – do not forget this or you won’t get inside the plane, the bus or the ferry.

Enough Clothes – if you are going home for a certain occasion, bring enough clothes. A dress jacket for example might be needed in some restaurants. You should also bring enough underwear, and shirts.

First Aid Kit – make sure you are equipped with a first aid kit especially if you are going hiking or camping.

Things To Do Before You Travel

• Make sure that you charge all electronic items you will be bringing.
• Buy bottled water and snacks if you are in for a long ride. Buying food along the way can be expensive. This is an important note to parents who are traveling with their kids -children get hungry all the time and you might be spending a lot of money along the way if you do not buy snacks before you travel.
• If you are planning to drive to your destination, you should perform a maintenance check on your car. 

National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador “Badong” O. Bernal passes away

The following was shared with us by Ms. Vicky D. Belarmino, on Facebook regarding the passing away of National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador "Badong" O. Bernal. The post is embedded below by the Diliman Diary:

"Dear Friends,

It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador “Badong” O. Bernal. Badong was not only a great artist – he was also a dear friend to many of us here at the CCP. He was the pioneering head of the CCP’s Production Design Center. A great designer , he forged paths for younger artists to follow. As an administrator, he helped in the formation of the Philippine Association of Theater Designers and Technicians. He never stinted in sharing his knowledge and was the mentor of many of today’s outstanding young stage designers. Badong will be sorely missed.

Details of his interment will follow soon."

Salvador Bernal was one of the most creative production designers in the history of theater and film very sensitive to budget limitations of local productions, he used inexpensive local materials, pioneering or maximizing the use of bamboo, raw abaca, and abaca fiber, hemp twine, rattan chain links and gauze cacha. In 1995 he organized the PATDAT (Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians) and by way of Philippine Center of OISTAT (Organization Internationale des Scenographes, Techniciens et Architectes du Theatre), he has introduced Philippine theater design to the world. He was named as national artist for theater design in 2003.

Friday Night Lights in UP Diliman

Photo Via UpDharmaDown.com

October 14 –UP Dharma Down will be playing tonight at the CS Amphitheater inside the University of the Philippines Diliman. It may have been a busy week for many students in UP but tonight, many of them will be attending Friday Night Lights.

What’s great about it is not just the music, there will be a grand fireworks display as well. The UP Pep Squad will be there too along with the infamous UP Streetdance Club. If you go to the concert tonight, you will also get to see a grand fireworks display and also be part of Spark the Movement.

If that ain’t cool enough, admission is free. Gates open at 4 in the afternoon today.

Nourish Your Skin. Nourish A Child.

Photo Via idatgirl.com

Many UP graduates, even those who are not as well-known as Miriam Defensor-Santiago and other personalities who graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman, still do whatever they can to help others. 

Extending a helping hand has always been the natural thing to do for a UP student or a UP graduate –a proof that the university does not only train its students in their chosen fields but give each a big heart as well.

Jelly Punzalan, a UP graduate will be holding an afternoon of facial pampering at the Balay Kalinaw inside UP Diliman on October 22, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm. Proceeds will go to Nourish the Child Foundation. Tickets are sold at P250 inclusive of facial spa, body fat analysis, and free food and drinks.For more information you may send a message to Ms. Punzalan at 09053205327.

Special Advance Screening of Id'nal (MAPUSOK) at U.P. Film Center on November 11, 2011

To enlarge the graphic just click on it.

The advance screening of this film will be shown on November 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the U.P. Film Center, Diliman, Quezon City. Due to insistent public demand, the organizers will be pre-selling tickets on October 16, 2011 (Sunday) at 2:00PM at Magis Academic Mentors (same building as David's Salon and Sweet Inspiration Restaurant infront of Ateneo de Manila University). The whole productions and cast will also have a general meeting. So, if you buy tickets, you will have the chance to meet them in person. The first 10 buyers will get free posters signed by the main actors. Contact: 0917-5511123.

Release Date: February 2012

Genre: Gay Drama

Studio: Ecstatic Entertainment Productions

About: Promiscuity of young urban professionals.

Description: The film explores the complex relationship of two men: a professor and a medical representative. One is faithful, the other is promiscuous due to a haunting past. Theirs is a love that withstood trying circumstances until the final test. A deadly sexually transmitted disease is poised tear the two apart. Will their love prosper or will it wither in the face of death?

Starring: Eirik Cruz, Anton Nolasco, Orlando Sol, TJ Morello, Miguel Alcantara, Mygz Molino, etc.

Directed By: G.A. Villafuerte

Written By: G.A. Villafuerte

Produced By: Ecstatic Entertainment Productions

To enlarge the graphics just click on it

FUCK

Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko On October 2

On October 2^nd, you can get your groove on at the Musikapella 2011 hosted by the UP Economics Society. The annual event will be held at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s University Theater.

Battling it out in this prestigious competition will be 12 of the capital region’s best high school chorales and they will be entertaining the judges and the audience with pinoy pop songs such as Macho Gwapito, Annie Batungbakal among other pinoy pop hits.

Musikapella is a major fundraiser for the UP Economics Society’s scholarship project. The event, now on its sixth year, is one of the most awaited choir competitions in the history of high schools in Metro Manila.

For inquiries please call Ticketworld at (63 2) 891- 9999.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's Pick-up lines

A Sri Lankan Anti-corruption Video

Under Construction