something about Cotabato 2

Lanzones at 20 pesos per kilo, a bunch of lakatan banana at 20 pesos too, the most delicious lechon ever, the sweetest sea and river crabs you can find, crispy young green native mangoes all year round, fried bananas for merienda, the yummiest palabok in the Philippines at Mardoneys, most delicious native barbecue chicken, hot pastil anytime of the day, tastiest fried dalag and fish soup at Mang Andoy's.... and many more cheap and delicious good food you can have in Cotabato City.

something about Cotabato

Cotabato is not the first place of choice for anybody to live in. It actually has a reputation of lawlessness and wanting in peace and order. Infact it went through a lot of natural and man made calamities such as big earthquakes, flood, fires, wars etc. But honestly I can say, it has one of the nicest weather in the world. Located in the southern part of the Philippines, Cotabato is always warm and sunny. It rains mostly at night or late in the afternoon. If it rains hard during the day it is because a typhoon is passing by somewhere. A farmer once said that even during the peak of drought season, it would still rain at least once in 15 days. And even when it is scourgingly hot, the air would still be breezy. The weather is one of the nice things we have here in this city.

amazing search

Incredibly amazing how Lucy Teh from Malaysia was able to reach me while searching for a long lost friend in the person of Father Caroff. I posted about Father Caroff, OMI sometimes in February. Fascinating how this internet is able to fast track the search system. Incredible!
I talked to Father Caroff early this evening. He sounded good. He said he was very weak due to old age but I was glad he was able to return my call. He lives in remote Baguak, North Cotabato. There is no land line facility over there but he is able to communicate through his cellphone. The reception in Baguak was not good, he said. He was even thinking of replacing his cellphone unit because it was not working too good. That's Father Caroff for you despite his illness and disability. A lot of people loves him, I tell you.

lyrics

I would like to write down the correct lyrics of the church song I previously blog.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we can not see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way

Special day

Tomorrow is an auspicious day. It is the sixth month and the seventh day in the Chinese calendar. It is called dian men cai ( the opening of heaven's gate ). A supposedly blessed person will see the holy trinity descend as the heavenly gates open in the morning tomorrow. This I learned from my late mother-in-law who was a believing buddhist. She used to offer flowers and fruits at her altar on this particular day because my husband Lucas was born in this auspicious Chinese date, so too was my son Roy. She said it was a blessing from heaven. It's my blessings too.  

haha mali

Haha, I think I missed a lot of words and some lines in that song. Anyway.....

a song

A church song just kept popping out of my mind last Tuesday and yesterday. I tried to recall the lyrics....but don't know if I miss some lines though......Please correct if I am wrong.

   God will make a way,
   When there seems no other way
   He works in ways we can not see
   He will make a way for me

   He will be my guide
   Hold me closely to his side
   He will make a way
   He will make a way

California flora

I love the homegrown flowers and fruit trees in LA

Roy's birthday

Today Sunday, July 15, 2007 is Roy's birthday. Happy birthday Roy and may you have more than the best of everything you wish for! Happy birthday!

birthday party

It was a relatively small birthday party last night but we had a 100% guest attendance. Friends arrived early and we started dinner early too since all the food prepartion were ready at hand. Lucas gave angpao to little children. There were only three ( chelsea, aram and the niece of kianhua) since most of our kids are grown ups already. The guests went home past 10:30 pm. They could have stayed longer if it were not on a week day. Lucas was a little tipsy I found out later but he wasn't really drunk. He was indeed happy to celebrate his birthday with close friends and relatives. 

preparation

I am waiting for my batch of fruit cakes to be done right now. I have been preparing for the food I am going to serve this Thursday. Thursday is July 12. It is the birthday of my husband. We shall have a small party at home with around 25 guests. There will be lechon and plenty of beer for the guys; likewise cakes and cokes for the ladies. hahaha 

another week

Another week has come and gone. Today seems to be the busiest of all past Fridays. ( in matter of work, domestic problem, family concerns and other errands)  After the day's work, I went to church at 5:30 pm, today being the first Friday of the month - a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I have so many petitions to make, trusting in our Lord... "Ask and you shall received; knock and it shall be opened unto you."
I came home for supper after church but the meal prepared by the househelp was not very appetizing so I cooked ngo hiong myself and had a relatively late supper with my husband. Sister Jeannette came over after supper to use my oven to bake a cake. ( her oven was not in good condition) I did  3 rounds of taichi to de-stress. Ate a piece of Jeannette's cake. The exercise and the dessert seem to help uplift my mood. I may be tired, but thank God for the blessings of the day.

needing prayers

Roy is in the verge of finishing his ph.d dissertation, but he is so stressed out and is late in progress. He really needs to finish his papers this july. Anybody who is reading this blog, please pray for him - a kindly mother's request for those who love him, or even those who do not know him. Thanks a lot.

eating and dining

Eating delicious food and dining with good company are important factors in an enjoyable vacation!