Mga of the Week : August 10, 2010
Vocabulary :
subterfuge - something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity.
Quote :
Some people never grow old enough to be mature.
Yesterday was the birthday of Mama Dayon, a name coming from Indayon, which was derived from Inday Ion, from the name Anunciacion.
She is the eldest daughter of Lola Abiog, the nickname of Flavia, and Lolo Kikong, short for Federico.
Me and my brothers definitely grew up with Mama. Papa, at times, was assigned to different places being a DECS supervisor.
Mama knew everything about each of us brothers more than we know each other. She had a humble beginnings and she wanted us to reflect and know what life is during her times. Together with Papa, they nurture us, guided us through all our fragile years. She is a disciplinarian and was even branded as a terror teacher in Maralag Elementary School, all for the purpose of taking us all in the right side of the path of life.
She often tell stories about sacrifices and love. In school, she would gather pupils and read them stories of a book. She is a good story-teller. In stories where settings are described, she elaborates more, adding descriptions and other adverbs and adjectives that make us "see" what we hear.
She is loving and thoughtful. Very seldom can I see her making comments on how hard life is even though it's evident that at times she can hardly make end things met.
I cannot quantify nor measure the gratitude due to her. Her having a soft heart is very evident when relatives went to her and ask for favor. Upon weighing that indeed they need help, she immediately hand off help and whisper not to mention anything. She want to be anonymous in helping.
She is now 67 years old and still an active woman. She tirelessly help others, offer advices, take care of my father and do other things which really amazes me.
She always made us help in every household chores. She made us scrub and sweep floors, wash dishes, cook, "manianggi", etc. I remember one May 11, their wedding anniversary, and the sked of us to make cakes for the fiesta which is in May 13. We had already prepared and baked a couple of cakes in a very crude oven. When receiving from Mama a layer of one upside-down cake, I accidentally dropped it to the floor and it scattered all over the place. She was very mad at us and was bursting with anger but immediately cool down and grinned upon seeing the three of us scrambling to eat the scattered cakes on the floor. Her heart softened seeing her children eat the precious cake, which we only ate on very special occasions then. (we didn't get sick due to that fallen cake).
Happier times will always be a less merry without Mama. She has always this magic trick or two in her sleeves. She has so many talents and ideas which just flow when she is working on things, be it in preparing food, decorating or even making shows for her pupils. Until now, she always caught me off-guard with her unexpected actions. By the way, I get my first magic trick from her. That old black magic stuff which still hounds spectators when I perform during gatherings.
Mama is always Mama Dayon. She inspires a lot. Her words of wisdom always tingle in my mind wherever I am in situations that need decisions. I usually ask myself, "what would Mama do?"
Mama, thank you for all the things that you've done to us. The ups and downs in your guidance and the trick or two made us what we are today. Your simple yet inspiring stories of love and affection molded us into loving beings... Your unconditional love will guide us to provide the same to our children.
May you have many more birthdays to come...
We love you.
A recipe requested by my dear brother...
Ingredients:
1 kg BEEF or PORK or CHICKEN or GOAT meat - cubed, the best would be the rib portion
1 pc carrot, sliced
5 pcs potato, divided into at leat 4
5 pcs pickles, 1/2" thick, slice if necessary
1 can dry peas, do not include the water
1 small can pineapple chunk
1/2 box cheese - cubed (1/2 X 1/2")
2 tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 small can evaporated milk
1/2 small can tomato paste
1 pc onion, sliced
2 pcs bell pepper, sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
salt
MSG (optional)
Procedure:
Mama's style would be to fry first the meat but I omit this to get rid of oil.
Put cubed meat in casserole, add water enough to cover the meat. Heat to first boiling. Pour out the broth (this removes the "anghit" and other fats/oil).
Add water so that the meat is about one half of the volume. Heat to boiling then lower the flame to simmer and cook until tender. (Rushing this would make the meat harder to tenderize - "mokubol")
In another casserole, boil potato until tender (You can do this ahead of time, do not overcook. This is done separately so that the meat will not be overcooked upon addition of potato.)
When meat is tender enough, add the carrots, onion and bell pepper. Cover and wait for at least a minute.
Add peanut butter, tomato paste, sugar and evaporated milk. Stir to mix well.
Add potato, pineapple chunk, pickles, cheese and dry peas. Mix well.
Add salt to taste, probably about 1-2 teaspoon. Additional sugar may be added if desired. Add MSG if desired.
Serve hot.
There you go Bro...
Next time will be the EMBUTIDO...
Today, March 23, is the birthday of my younger brother, REX.
In our younger years, being the youngest of our brood, he was the one who is the mediator or pacifier between me and my other brother. Sometimes, we fight to have the right to be of Rex's friend or we fight for Rex's decision to be in our side. Rex is always the good boy, at least for me and Jun. He is a very good-natured person and God-fearing as well.
He is also talented, being able to tour some cities abroad because of his dancing skills which was brought about by his hate to attend CMT during college days.
In his chosen endeavors, he always got high marks and he always excel in it. He got first honors in elementary and plunging into Silliman University High School got him going through tough grind. College, I guess, was then normal and easy for him.
At times when I went home for a vacation and there he is, tinkering on his projects, especially Flavia, his robotic head named after our grandmother. I 'm always amazed by his ability to absorb very technical information and knowledge especially in his field of computer engineering.
I always look up to the times when we discuss about these things. I am fascinated with electronics and other computer related topics. But he is more informed than me so I always take his words on it.
Presently, a Singapore guy and will be a father in the next few weeks, he and wife Memel are good buddies and not just a man and wife. They share a common interest, being both computer engineers themselves. I am happy for them. And with their first child, a baby girl, I am sure it will be a good year for them.
Happy Birthday Mac. Mac is coming from Tex MacKenzie, a wrestler, we knew when we were kids.
We love you...
