Body Shots.

That's what the name of a friend's business is. She -- Jeena -- teaches zumba, aerobics, aqua and gym exercises to Kuwaiti ladies and children. She -- married with two kids -- owns a gym in Pasay City (by the same name I think) and since two years have been in Kuwait being a 'wellness instructor'.

I mentioned to her the kinkiness of the word especially among singles during drinking sessions. She's unperturbed.

For days, she implored me to design for her, first, a calling card which gave birth to a logo which gave birth to a website, proforma for invoices, letterhead, contract documents, etc. In other words, she wanted me to create a corporate brand for her business. And what do I know about creating a corporate brand? Nada. But as I usually say to others, there's always a first time for everything.

And because she constantly invites us to a sumptous breakfast every Friday morning when it's a major major effort (for me) to rise up and cook because it's a weekend (and who rises to cook for one's self on a weekend?!), I decided to help her.

(The major reason I helped her is because she seemed genuine in her being a wellness instructor. She's also kind and buys me my week supply of carrot juice. Workwise, she knows what she's doing and she never hanky-pankies with her clients. She's credible because she's been in the business for half of her life and her family in the Philippines is also in similar business. I also like to imbibe her business acumen -- and, most importantly, make my waistline as small as her's: 26!).

These are what I scribbled in my note pad for a week.





And these are what I came up with -- five that Jeena chose from.



If you're Jeena, which would you prefer as your business logo?

This church-in-construction will serve the communities of Mahabang Parang in Angono. The ever-present colorful balloons in church's entrance. Intricately-woven palaspas. Each palaspas is sold at 10 pesos each. Sabado de Gloria is a very important season for Filipinos. It ushers the week-long celebration of Christ's Passion.

Yes, I'm in the Philippines, and Sabado de Gloria (Palm Sunday) is the first of the many Holy Week events that I will witness while here. On Tuesday, there will be a Kumpisalang Bayan in Antipolo. On Thursday, there will be a Last Supper Mass. On Friday, there will be the Siete Palabras and the long Good Friday procession around the barangays in Antipolo. On Saturday evening, there will be an Easter Vigil. And on Sunday comes Easter.

Lots of days to reminisce the sufferings and triumph of the Lord Jesus.

It was by chance that I found Vim Nadera's and Paul Val Peña's Katoto site, which contains a collection of Vim's poetries and Paul's music written many years ago while they were at UST.

I was grinning as I listened to Sitsiritsit (to the tune, of course, of Sitsiritsit). After some time, reality set in and I realized that the words, although written many years ago, still holds true today. In fact, the lyrics read like it was only written yesterday because the same conditions they were in then (when they wrote the poem) are the same conditions we are in now (while reading the lyrics).

SITSIRITSIT, ALIBANGBANG

Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang,
Salaginto, Salagubang:
Ang babaeng nasa Cubao
Wala pang mens kung ibugaw.

Santo Niñong aming patron
Meron akong isusumbong.
Bunso ko pong sampung taon
Ay sa solvent nalululong.

Mama, mamang may M-16
Puede po bang inyong dakpin
Ang salarin po sa amin
Mukha ninyo ang salamin?

Ale, aleng nagtutulak,
Hihintayin mo bang uwak
Ay pumuting parang tawas?
Wala po ba kayong anak?

What has changed really? Virtually nothing.  Filipinos, regardless of age, are prostituted by circumstances. Rugby/solvent in plastic are still in for streetchildren who wanted to curb their hunger for food and attention. The difference between uniformed men and criminals is almost indecipherable. In shanties and mansions, teenagers while away their time sniffing shabu.

Where to, Juan?

Listen to the contents of Vim and Paul's Katoto music here.  The lyrics to their Bahay Katutubo (to the tune of Bahay Kubo) is piercing, funny and true.

The latest shopping mall to open in Alkhobar is Lulu Center, a stone's throw away from the International Philippine School of Alkhobar (IPSA).

Indians mostly frequent the place (it's Indian-owned center I heard), but because the mall sells various items at a guaranteed low price, it also is popular among kababayans who are due to leave for vacation. (Dove soap for example, which is my favorite pasalubong, sells 20 halala lower than in other groceries in Alkhobar).

They sell other Filipino products like Mamasita flavouring, Marca Piña soysauce, and Datu Puti vinegar. What surprised me the most are these:



Tosilog: Chicken tocino, fried rice and egg. You just have to microwave it for a couple of minutes because it's kept in a cool stand.



And they have tapsilog too as well as longsilog!



This came to me as a surprise.  Ulam at Lulu Center?!  My officemate swore the Duck Adobo sa Gata is to die for. Half a kilo feeds two.



Paying cooked food per weight is new to me. Although it looked pricey, it really is the same as 'takal', or maybe even cheaper. We tried the kalderetang kambing, and it really was delicious.

Cool, eh. As far as I know, Lulu Center is the only shopping mall which sells these Pinoy viands.




Cassava cake



Maja blanca: a corn-based dessert.



Puto of various colors: even in green and pink!

And they sell grass, too!

Nah. They're herbs and spices, some of which grow wildly and free in the Philippines.



Did you know that oregano can deliciously flavour your pasta, or your grilled meat? The herb sells at SAR6 per pot in Lulu.

(PS:  I took these photos last month.  So don't mind the 'best before' date.  Lulu Center only sells freshly-cooked food).

If you're a fan of Steven Seagal, perhaps you'll notice how catatonic (err, emotionless!) he is when fighting with his enemies. His face is unmoving and so bereft of reaction, but the movement of his arms is fast but calculated, graceful but deadly. That, an aikido master told me, is what combat aikido is about.

A few nights back, someone invited me to a combat aikido class as an observer. I'm impressed. The kabayans who I saw practicing that night all emanate discipline, and on their sweaty faces is an aura of control and strength.

These kabayans all belong to PHIMACA Black Belt Alumni Association (PBBAA) under the umbrella of Philippine Martial Arts Combat Aikido (PHIMACA).

They can be seen in various places -- in a warehouse's empty space in Dammam's Industrial City, or in a rented room in Al Khadisiyah, or sometimes, in the rooftop of a building in Khalid Street, shouting hisss! and whosss! while practicing. (I was told it's the same as a karateka haik! or when a judoka shouts hu or ha!).

Combat Aikido, according to PBBAA's current president Rolando Jamila, is primarily designed to cope with any form of assault in the streets and is a good form of self-defense. That's why it is not surprising to know that in Riyadh, there are female members of PHIMACA. I heard that it's a plus point for nurses applying for jobs in the US and Europe to acquire self-defense training course certificates. Plus it's also an advantage for them so they can easily ward off male hustlers in the hospitals. Hehe.

Roland Jamila, the PBBAA President, and his young instructor Ibrahim at 14.

PHIMACA started in SAudi Arabian in 1997. Currently, they have more than 4,000 active members in the whole of Saudi Arabia. In Alkhobar alone, there are more than 10 chapters of PHIMACA with around 10 to 15 members each. Riyadh has the most number of chapters which, according to Jamila, run to around 35.

Jamila said: When observing combat aikido in action, one can clearly see that the movements closely mirror the motions of someone wielding a sword or similar object incorporated with punching moves. And akin to judo, although not as commonly practiced, kick moves also exist in aikido. Why? Because mistimed kicks and loss of balance can often cause serious injury during practices.

If someone holds a knife to your kneck or if someone strangles you, Jamila asked me, what will you do?

I just stared at him blankly. Embarrasingly, I said: Give up and give in...? He laughed. He said the tendency of victims in an strangulation is to free the neck from the attacker's hand. This is incorrect because the more will the attacker grip you. The best thing to do, he said, is to raise both your hands and position it like how Mr Clean does. (He actually didn't say that but that's the nearest thing I can call that motion).

True, when he showed me the motion, I the strangler, readily let go of my grip and -- although I didn't tell him -- the bones above my wrist hurt after that simple exhibition.

During their session, I met Ibrahim Estoesta, their youngest member at 14. Ibrahim is in second year high school at Philippine School of Dammam, and is due to be promoted as Certified Instructor this month of July. Ain't it cool?!

He narrated: 'Gusto ko po kasi talagang matuto ng martial arts kaya po ako sumali. My parents fully support this.' He said the training taught him self-control and self-discipline, and I think it is evidenced by his performance that night.

Ibrahim standing as instructor to one of the green belters.

PBBAA has many projects in line, according to Jamila. They have currently instituted a benefit schemes for all black belted members who suffer disabilities or death. Jamila said: 'Our funds are still low at this time, but we are also eyeing to develop many projects to support our members.' One of their plans is to provide scholarships to deserving children in the Philippines. 'Gusto nga rin naming magbigay ng educational benefits sa mga mahihirap naming ka-miyembro,' Jamila added.
With the kind of discipline that the group has, and with such noble a purpose, I believe they will surely achieve their dreams.

Here are the other photos I took that night.

They are not just sparring partners; they also regard each other as brothers.

Throughout the three-hour session done thrice a week, these aikido trainees learn speed, timing and balance, as well as self-discipline and concentration.

Used carpets at their feet and surrounded by junked appliances, kabayans are only mindful of one thing: to learn the art and technique of combat aikido.

More photos can be found in Flickr.

If you're based in Alkhobar or Dammam and is interested in joining their group, please get hold of Jamila at 0502-903685, or visit their Facebook account.

The counting was manually slow, but I'm really appreciative of the teachers at the International Philippine School in Alkhobar who, as of this writing, are I'm sure continually counting the meager votes of OFWs in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Noynoy leads in the early counting of ballots at IPSA (and I'm sure the trend will unlikely change just like in the Philippines). I guess he already is our 15th President.

I hope after two days of counting -- regardless of whether it's finished or not --, we Filipinos would turn off our political bias and finally unite to helping our next set of officials. We may not have voted for them (and I'm saddened that of my 12 senators, only one is highly likely to win) and we may not like their personality, but we have got to support them. Otherwise, the next six years will once again see us divided and in constant bickering. It is, I hope you agree, already too trite and tiring.

Hindi na uso ang nagbabangayan.

Here are some of the photos I took at IPSA during the counting of ballots.

It's not easy as it looks.

We're supposed to know the answers to what appear to be too-easy questions, but try playing Pinoy Hangaroo, and you'll realize that it's not really that easy. It's fun, yes; but not easy.

This morning, I conquered Pinoy Hangaroo! Yehey!  (You'll only understand why ecstatic I am with this one win if you will try playing the game!).



Here are some sample categories that I had difficulty answering.













Thanks to Marhgil Macuha for this game!

I'm not sure if many (or any) of you would remember this declamation piece. I searched unsuccessfully on who the author is of this wonderful piece. I remember memorizing this during high school, but never managed to perform it in public (thankfully, for I was timid in school; am actually still timid until now! :{

Sourced the piece from Takdang Aralin website.

Alms, alms, alms.
Spare me a piece
of bread.
Spare me
your mercy.
I am a child
so young,
so thin, and
so ragged.

Why are you
staring at me?
With my eyes I cannot see
but
I know that you
are all staring at me.

Why are you
whispering to
one another?
Why?

Do you know my mother?
Do you know my father?
Did you know me five years ago?

Yes, five years of
bitterness
have passed.
I can still remember
the vast happiness
mother
and I shared
with each other.
We were very happy
indeed.

Suddenly, five loud knocks
were heard
on the door and
a deep silence
ensued.

Did the cruel
Nippon's discover
our peaceful home?

Mother ran to Father's side
pleading: "Please, Luis,
hide in the cellar,
there in the cellar where
they cannot find you."

I pulled my father's arm but
he did not move.

It seemed as though
his feet
were glued to the floor.

The door went "bang"
and before us
five ugly beasts
came barging in.

"Are you Captain Luis Santos?!"
roared the ugliest of them all.

"Yes," said my father.

"You are under arrest,"
said one of the beasts.

They pulled father roughly
away from us.
Father was not given a chance
to bid us goodbye.

We followed them
mile after mile.
We were hungry and thirsty.
We saw group of Japanese eating.
Oh, how our mouths
watered
seeing the delicious
fruits they were eating,

Then suddenly,
we heard a voice call,
"Consuelo...Oscar...
Consuelo...Oscar...
Consuelo...Oscar...

We ran towards
the direction of the voice,
but it was
too late.
We saw father
hanging on a tree,
dead.

Oh, it was terrible.
He had been badly beaten
before he died,
and I cried vengeance,
vengeance, vengeance!

Everything went

I've something to look forward to in Alkhobar this weekend: Jollibee will be opening in Al Rahmaniya Mall! Jolliyippeee!

It's actually a re-opening because someone opened a Jollibee store in Alkhobar more than five years ago. They were an instant hit but only for a short period. After some time, they begun serving RTE meals which are not a standard of Jollibee (vegetable toppings with fried chicken, pansit, adobo, etc). Plus their chicken sometimes tasted stale. A friend quipped: They should change their menu to Chicken Sad because it honestly tasted bad. The first Jollibee (I think they're not really a legally franchised Jolibee store) folded up after a few months.

And now this...


I hope they last because there's quite a competition here in Alkhobar when it comes to chicken menu. There's an Andok's Lechon Manok store which competes with Golden Broasted and Al Fawaz Broast. (My uber favorite is Golden Broasted -- always crisp, freshly-cooked and the chicken pieces decently sized). There are also other restaurants here that offer grilled chicken (far healthier than deep-fried chicken) like Al Tazzaj, Tandoor, Baba Habbas, etc.

Good luck, Jollibee! Albeit the competition, I hope they become 'bida sa sarap' here in Alkhobar.

(I checked Jollibee's website. So far they only listed the three Jollibee Jeddah stores as their international chain here in Saudi. I wonder how they are competing with the famous Al Baik in Jeddah...

I'm looking forward to seeing Alkhobar in Jolibee's international map soon!)


Here are some of the photos I took this afternoon of Jollibee's soon-to-open store in Rahmaniyah. (The kabayan who's standing there is a Jollibee service crew. He's the one who told me of their opening day).

He's 20 and he's from Marikina. He calls himself Jerico and his blog is Giallo Antico.

He is the first Pinoy I saw being featured in Blogger's Blogs of Note. (Or maybe he is the latest Pinoy as I've yet to read the others who've been featured in Blogger's BON).


It's a big deal for me because being featured in Blogger's Blog of Notes means your blog is exemplary and notable. Jerico's Giallo is indeed that!

I feel really proud of this kabayan!

Photos are uploaded online using Imagehosting.

(Tomorrow, I'm posting about Noynoy Aquino on why I'm voting for him in 2010!).

Last Sunday, a full page article on Efren Penaflorida appeared in Saudi Arabia's Pinoy Xtra, a weekly Tagalog newsmagazine of Arab News.


The article was written by Edwin P Santos for Pinoy Xtra.

Last Saturday, I saw a program over at CNN highlighting the nominees for their 2009 CNN Heroes where Efren is one of the frontrunners. All the ten nominees are, in wont of words, heroic in their deeds. All of them are, in reality, victims. But instead of wallowing in self-pity and helplessness, they made use of their circumstances and experience to better the lives of others.

For championing the children:
Efren Peñaflorida is from a poor family who finished his education through other people's help; via his 'kariton klasrum', he is now helping educate poor children -- for free!

For protecting the powerless:
Betty Makoni was a rape victim and now helps rape victims in Africa to rise up from their experience.

For being a young wonder:
Jordan Thomas had an accident and his legs amputated, and is now helping out children amputees.

It is heartwarming and spiritually lifting to see and learn from the extraordinary feats of these ten ordinary people.

And to all of them, congratulations.

I hope Efren wins, but in case he doesn't, he will remain a winner -- and a hero -- to me.

Voting continues until Thursday, November 19, 2009. Announcement of winner will be shown live all over the world via CNN Channel on 26 November 2009 at 9pm (that will be 27 November at 8 in the morning, Saudi time).

For all Pinoys in Saudi, click this to find out how you can help.

This magnificient oil painting is entitled Understory by Isabella Kirkland.

The painting features dozens of species, from mammals and birds to insects and plants discovered during the last 20 years.

I saw it from Seed Magazine.

What amazed me the most about this painting is that it includes newly-discovered animals from the Philippines: three butterflies (Delias Hedicoea, Delias Noydaorum, Papilio Hermeli), Camiguin hanging parrot, flying lizard, Panay cloudrunner.

If you visit Isabella Kirkland's site, you'll find a scaleable copy of the painting and ID tags of each featured animals (so you can see what a Panay cloudrunner looks like -- it's actually a rat which, for me, looks more like a tarsier!).

After you've marvelled at her work, consider this: we will only know some of them for a short period of time because most of these newly-discovered species will soon be extinct. Says Seed Magazine: "It represents a moment that is likely to be brief: a moment when the euphoria of scientific discovery still outweighs the losses driven by our unrepentantly techno-optimistic culture".

"I remember how we used to be
growing up in the land of poverty
now you gotta leave home
to feed the family
gotta make it in the land of opportunity"

Those lines are from 'Mama Filipina', a cut from 'U Can Dream' album of Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.



The song was directed by Michael B. Chait and released by Jeepney Music, apl.de.ap's own recording company, which also features other Asian American singers.

I've this looming thought: the shots for this video...were they taken in the Philippines, or the US? I'm not sure. Just the same, I'm welling up with pride watching Mama Filipina. I'm pretty sure you will too.

(Thanks to Madz Nicolas for introducing me to this video).

This is what the original product looks like.


After immersing it in boiling water for five minutes (or after microwaving it for five to ten minutes while submerged in water), here's the end result.


Doesn't it look delicious? The tab? PHP45 (including rice)!

This sumptous afritada is one of the many menus of Pigout Food Corporation's Ready-to-Eat-in-5-Minutes Quick Meal Packs.

I first saw this business prospect from Anton Diaz's Our Awesome Planet, and I thought it has the making of a good business: the idea, although not entirely new, is clever, the vacuum-packed packaging is state-of-the-art, and (these, for me, are the big pluses!) it is hygienic and the retail prize of each item is very much affordable.

The idea, according to Chief Operating Officer Dr Sarah Carungcong-Uyguanco, was conceived by a group of food business entrepreneurs and health-conscious doctors with the desire to create a "lutong-bahay" menu that is clean and hygienic, affordable, easy to prepare, healthy and deliciously Pinoy.

The food packs can last up to six months and this was made possible even without preservatives because the home-cooked meals are vacuum-packed in heat-resistant plastic packages and stored frozen.

The products are available in 2 sizes: 100-gram packs (good for 1 serving) and 200-gram packs (good for 2-3 servings). A variety of 30 viands is currently available but more viands are being tested and will be coming out soon.

Retailer's price list

Whenever I eat out at a Filipino restaurant in Saudi, I spend an amount equivalent to PHP 150 (around SAR 12). A friend in Saudi who owns a small canteen in the Philippines said that they sell one viand for PHP 50 and rice for PHP 10.

If you check out Pigout's price list, I think you'll say that their rates are affordable.

Meals: Price per 100gm pack(good for 1), 200gm pack(good for 2-3)

BEEF MEALS
Beef Caldereta: Php 35.00, Php 65.00
Beef Pares: Php 31.00, Php 60.00
Beef Steak: Php 31.00, Php 60.00
Beef Strips in Oyster Sauce: Php 32.00, Php 62.00
Callos: Php 29.00, Php 54.00
Corned Beef Sinigang: Php 75.00 (200gm pack only)
Fresh Corned Beef: : Php 75.00 (200gm pack only)
Kare-Kare: Php 30.00, Php 58.00
Korean Beef Stew: Php 39.00, Php 77.00
Lengua in White Sauce: Php 38.00, Php 73.00
Lengua Sisig: Php 35.00, Php 65.00

CHICKEN MEALS
Chicken Curry: Php 26.00, Php 48.00
Chicken in Ginger and Onion Sauce: Php 30.00, Php 55.00

CHICKEN AND PORK MEALS
Chicken and Pork Adobo: Php 35.00, Php 63.00
Chicken and Pork Afritada: Php 29.00, Php 54.00

PORK MEALS
Binagoongan: Php 30.00, Php 52.00
Chinese Humba: Php 31.00, Php 55.00
Dinuguan: Php 25.00, Php 45.00
Minced Pork in Salted Egg Sauce: Php 29.00, Php 54.00
Pork Adobo: Php 30.00, Php 54.00
Pork Siomai in Chili-Garlic Sauce: Php 31.00, Php 61.00
Pork Steak: Php 30.00, Php 53.00
Sisig Adobo: Php 30.00, Php 55.00

VEGETABLE MEALS
Ampalaya with Tofu in Spicy Cocomilk Sauce: Php 28.00, Php 52.00
Gising-Gising: Php 28.00, Php 48.00
Pinakbet: Php 27.00, Php 50.00
Sautéed Sayote: Php 25.00, Php 49.00
String Beans Adobo: Php 26.00, Php 50.00
Vegetables with Fish in Coco-Tomato Sauce: Php 29.00, Php 54.00

RICE
Dinorado Steamed Rice (per cup): Php 10.00

Who can benefit from Pigout products?

If you're planning to put up a catering service or a small restaurant or perhaps a canteen near a school, you don't need to go through the hassle of waking up early morning to do your marketing or be in trouble if your cook fails to show up.

Dr Uyguanco said: "The company puts its focus on research and development of food products as well as efficient production to satisfactorily supply its dealers since it aims to work in synergy with them rather than compete with them."

"One of the visions of our company is to be able to help small-scale dealers and OFWs in terms of providing a business opportunity for them, which only requires minimal capital."

Interested? Here are Pigout's contact details

Pigout Corporation is more than willing to respond to your enquiries through any of their contact details:
email pigoutfoods@gmail.com
call +632-7211366
text +63-922.8998058

Pinoys as entrepreneurs

The quote I used for this post is from John Gokongwei Jr's speech during the 20th Ad Congress in November 2007. He said:

"But to be a truly great nation, we must also excel as entrepreneurs before the world. We must create Filipino brands for the global market place.

If we want to be philosophical, we can say that, with a world-class brand, we create pride for our nation. If we want to be practical, we can say that, with brands that succeed in the world, we create more jobs for our people, right here.

Then, we are able to take part in what’s really important—giving our people a big opportunity to raise their standards of living, giving them a real chance to improve their lives."

Here's the full text of the speech.