FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND (As Narrated by Alex Villamayor)

A 2024 Maundy Thursday and Good Friday message:

The message of "Footprints in the Sand" is a personal experience that moved me really big. Years 1998 and prior to 2000 were my lowest and saddest point of my life to the point I planned to change my religion. Jobless, negative savings, friend denied me, family was financially short…. Going to church, praying so hard, and attending some worships but I was still undergoing these difficulties – so I thought of going to other religion because I thought maybe I was addressing my prayers to wrong God.

But I was answered. I was answered in a way that was for me. I like reading short stories and messages, and so God gave me a reading material. I found this short article in a journal that when I saw it, the first sentences I read were exactly written like these: “why are you still looking for me? In times when you are in difficulties, in times when you are in pain, those are the times that I am with you, because I am with you who are crucified on the cross".

HOW I MADE MY SIMPLE FRUITCAKE?

 

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS:

Powder:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup mascuvado sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

 

Liquid:

1/2 cup juice or brandy/rum

2 teaspoons vanilla essence(optional)

1 cup melted butter

6 beaten egg

1/2 cup water (back-up)

1 cup sugar for caramel syrup (optional)

 

Solid:

1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup candied pineapple chunks
1/2 cup red and green maraschino cherries (seasonal)

 

SIMPLE PROCEDURES:

Soak the dried fruits overnight

Mix all powder, then set aside

Mix all liquid, then add all solid ingredients (keep 1/3 of soaked dried fruits for toppings)

Combine the mixed powder and mixed liquid/solid

Pre-heat the oven at 300 degrees F.

Grease the mould

Pour the mould with mixtures

Bake for first 20 minutes

Top the remaining soaked dried fruits and bake for another 40 minutes

Lastly, just eat right

 

HINATUAN ENCHANTED RIVER

 

The Hinatuan Enchanted River is a deep spring river exactly found between the boundaries of Barangays of Talisay and Cambantong, Hinatuan, Province of Surigao del Sur, island of Mindanao in Philippines, and flows into the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It was believed to be mysterious or enchanted for its unknown depth until this date.

Various local legends:

It is called “enchanted” because no one has ever reached its bottom. Local legends tell that fairies added the river’s unusual colors of sapphire and jade to the river to make its unique shade and it’s unexplored depths inspire it to be enchanted. Also other legend say the fairies dwell the river & haunted by supernatural beings which act as its protectors. (Source: Wikipedia as of 5/1/23)

WOW, SIARGAO

 

This video is the highlight of my travel to Siargao Island summarized in 3 minutes. It is a hidden paradise, Siargao is situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao Del Norte, northeastern in Mindanao, and well known as the “surfing capital of the Philippines”

ON A PLANE

 

SINIGANG NA PATA (NG BAKA)

KARE-KARE

MY NECK (CERVICAL DISC DISORDER)

 

Recently, I had cervical disc disorder surgery. Two discs were replaced in my neck. The discs in my cervical spine are breaking down due to wear and tear, because of poor posture, aging, and nature of work.

I did not expect I had bad posture. Today, my doctor told me I have to use low pillow to align my neck from my body. Then I realized yes I may cautious when I am standing and sitting but I forgot, my body posture is not good when I am sleeping because of high pillow that I love to use. Eight hours for many years, I am sleeping in the wrong posture. All those years I was sleeping the wrong way.

So guys, make sure to use the correct pillow.

HUMBA

 

Humba (Manok)

Mga sangkap:

1. Bawang

2. Sibuyas

3. Dahon ng Laurel

4. Bulaklak ng Puso ng Saging

5. Tawsi

6. Toyo

7. Asukal na Pula

8. Pineapple Juice o Sprite/7-Up

 

 Paraan:

1. Ibabad ang manok sa toyo, bawang at paminta sa loob ng 3 oras o magdamag

2. Igisa ang bawang at sibuyas, lagyan ng pamintang durog

3. Ilagay ang manok at igisa nang sandal

4. Lagyan ng toyo, pamintang buo at dahon ng laurel

5. Pakuluan nang sandali

6. Ilagay ang pineapple juice at asukal na pula

7. Pakuluan nang sandali

8. Ilagay ang tauwi at bulaklak ng puso ng saging

9. Pakuluan hanggang sa kumaunti ang sarsa

10.At pang-huli, just eat right

DININGDENG

Diningdeng (Ilokano dish)

Mga Rekado:

Bawang

Sibuyas

Kalabasa

Ampalaya

Sitaw

Okra

Talong

Saluyot

Dahon ng malungay

Alukbati

Bagoong-isda

Pritong Isda

Mga iba pang pangdagdag: bulaklak ng kalabasa, dahon ng sili, dahon ng ampalaya.

Paraan: 

1. Sa kaunting tubig, ilagay ang pinitpit na bawang at hinati sa apat na sibuyas - para makabawas ng lansa.

2. Lagyan ng bagoong-isda. Tatl
ong kutsara.

3. Pakuluan upang mawala ang lansa at maluto ang bagoong.

4. Ilagay ang mga matitigas na gulay: kalabasa, ampalaya, sitaw, okra at talong.

5. Pakuluin hanggang halos maluto ang mga gulay.

6. Ilagay ang mga dahon ng gulay: saluyot, alukbati, dahon ng malungay, etc.

7. Pakuluan ng sandal hanggang maluto 

8. Ihain nang may pritong isda.

IN PAMPANGA

 

This is our travel to Philippines' north bound Pampanga to visit the century-old age churches and taste the delicacies of the culinary capital of the country.

We visited our first stop in Angeles City's Apong Macalulu Church and Sto. Rosario Church. Next is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, then San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacoor and San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Lubao.  Then we went to Guagua's Betis Church and finally to Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church.

Before we go back home to Rizal, we dined in this popular restaurant Apag Marangle to experience the Pampanga's authentic culinary tastes.

HOPES AND FEARS

 

ONE DAY ISANG ARAW SA GARDEN

 

HOUSE TOUR

This house tour was made to show the looks of the house during the times it is new.  This is a quick preview of the would-be concept of the house.

 

The house is combination of contemporary and Zen and design will be minimalist style using black, gray and white theme.

A DAY IN MY LIFE (in the house)

 

2021 TOP-5 STORIES

 

A year in review.  It’s time of the year to look back in the past 12 months and see how it was going.  So, Here are my top-5 stories for year 2021

 

 

#5 THAT THOUSAND STEPS

I joined in this Daily Steps contest.  Although I knew then that it’s hitting the moon to win, because I was not aware of the mechanic.  I didn’t know because I was 2 days late but I still joined to challenge myself if I can make a 15 T daily steps, which I can.

 

Then halfway, I set a 50 T steps target and I did.  Towards the end, I planned to break my 50 T steps just before the competition ends, and I made it to 80 T.  But behind these personal accomplishments & personal happiness, I was doubted faking that 50 K steps or that 80 K steps. Of course not.

 

 

#4 MY UTILITY AREA

I don’t usually show but this one… it’s something I like.  This one is not to brag.  This is just to record how I feel about it.

 

For once I like to have a place for errand works serving as utility area, or dirty kitchen. It is ideal for heavy cooking.  And since it is outdoor, roasting can be done without getting smoke inside.  I like the idea of having first stop coming from market, before going inside the house.  And I like the feel of using a kitchen in an open air.  It gives a resort-feel vibe and I am just simply excited

to use it when I get home.

 

#3 THE PANDEMIC BIRTHDAY

For about 9 years or more I am not celebrating my birthday the usual way we do – which is thru foods. Instead, I do something worth to commemorate my b-day.  But this year, I decided to celebrate my birthday because it was my thanksgiving that inspite of and despite of the pandemic, I am able to reach my age today.  For once, it was a nice feeling to experiencing this again.

 

 

 

#2 HITTING THE 200 MARKS

To hit the SSS 200 contributions is an accomplishment for me.  It’s a story to tell for me.

 

Looking forward the pensions that I will receive soon makes me excited. But more than that, it is the feeling of freed from hardwork  - that is the overwhelming part.  Imagine you were paying sum of your money.  For more than 15 years and you have realized how much you have endured.  And I looked back how I started, to the struggling years of my beginning.

 

Putting all of them together, that is the worth to include the 200^th mark as my top story.

 

#1 YEARS SERVICE AWARD

To receive recognition for the dedication and contribution to the company that I am serving is one of the highlights of my career.  I feel really appreciated and valued, knowing the times and efforts I put forth were acknowledged and I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my management for initiating such recognition for us, as Contractor employees.  It gives me inspiration to remain focused, be more dedicated and be the better version of my work.

MY TOP-5 MOST FAVORITE DESTINATIONS

 

This video is the list of my five favorite destinations (local, Philippines). The list is based on the most beautiful places that I visited.

This is in no particular order:

Batanes

Siquijor

Banaue

Boracay

Palawan

3 that almost made it in 5:

Samal Island

Caramoan

Bntyan Island

Disclaimer: I am not a travel expert; please correct me if there are mistakes about the tourist spots that I mentioned.

SINIGANG NA MANOK (Chicken in Sour Broth)

I told to myself if ever I made vlog about cooking, I want it first to be my best recipe and what is better than doing what you can do best by doing what you know.  So I chose to cook my favorite:  Sinigang.  It is  Filipino dish in sour soup, can be from tamarind, guava, green mango, cotton fruits, bilimbi, and sometimes soursop, with lots of vegetables such as string beans, radish, lady's finger, eggplant, swamp cabbage, tomatoe, taro, and chili, sometimes with winged beans.  Sinigang can be beef, pork, fish, shrimp and chicken.  Although chicken is unpopular Sinigang because chicken is best for Tinola or Nilaga (stewed) but we have this dish called Sinampalukang Manok which is cooked with young leaves of tamarind and the vegetables are almost the same, so it makes sense to cook Sinigang na Manok.  My father's cooking inspired me and Sinigang na Baboy (portk) is my first expertise.

(Click below for the video)

Here is the basic recipe of Sinigang (using Chicken as the main meat)

Chicken thighs

Tomato

Radish

Lady's finger

String beans

Water spinach

Chili

Sour savory (using in this video is the ready to use tamarind extract)

Procedure:

1.Bring to boil the chicken 

2.Put the tomato and chili

3.Next are the radish,string beans and lady's fingers.

4.Pour the sour savory.

4.Add some fish sauce.

5.Let it boil for few minutes.

6.Put the water spinach, covert it and turn off the heat.

7.And lastly, just eat right. 

MY 2021 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Guys, when making New Year resolutions, don’t get confuse resolutions over wishes. Resolutions mean it’s like you are promising, not wishing something. So in no particular order, here are my 2021 New Year Resolutions:

Guys, when making New Year resolutions, don't get confuse resolutions over wishers. Resolutions mean it's like you are promising, not wishing something. So in no particular order, here are my 2021 New Year Resolutions:

(Click below for the video)

No. 1 “I will make myself more God-fearing person”. I want to be kind. Maybe not religiously by the book, but by heart. Because I admit it is difficult, but by having a child-like heart, I guess.

No. 2 "I want to improve my health”. Health is wealth. I don’t want to spend all my pension for medicine. Yes, it’s inevitable as part of aging. But I want it gracefully.

No. 3 “Be serious to save more”. The pandemic taught me the need to have big savings so that in case a big unexpected event happened like this, at least you can go a long way. I need to go back to my core – that is simplicity. Make it simple, and I can get rid of less important.

No. 4 “Have quality connection to family and friends”. I am so quiet and independent person and these overshadow my sincerity. The problem with me is I don’t really speak much because I am running out of words and subjects to talk.

No. 5 “Keep Optimistic”. In times I feel sad about uncertainties, I want to believe this pandemic will pass and the cure will generally effective. When I feel frightened and helpless about dooms prophecies, I will turn and hold on to my faith. In times I feel pressured, and losing hope. When times and age are against me, I will uphold to my belief that all these, I can fully free from my dues and enjoy my retirement plans.

A BIRTHDAY VLOG

(Click below for the video)

I just would like to make a different thank you for my family, friends, and colleague for sending their greetings and messages on my birthday.