REPAYING DEBT OF GRATITUDE

Do you know the feeling when you are in the situation where you feel yourself so small and so wrong because of the blames that being thrown to you, yet you cannot speak much because you were very careful to say something that may be offensive?  Besides your reasons are seem not going to be right and that your sorry is not making it.  When someone, not from your family, is superior whom you owe “debt of gratitude” is reprimanding you, you will really feel so little and down.  You will try so hard not to speak no matter how right you believe but instead be polite and so diplomatic out of respect.  The blames for the wrong you did and for the pain you caused are what make you feel guilty, humble, ashamed and regretful for.  You tried to be humble because you have debt of gratitude.  You caused distress and failed someone, and maybe disgraced the person although they were not what you intended, but your arguments and apology are unaccepted and going nowhere, that is why you feel embarrassed and feel guilty about it.  Actually, you don’t care about the embarrassment and self-pity but instead you are more concerns about the situation of the person that perhaps you put in bad light to his/her peers.

Debt of gratitude is no compensation, it is just always here and there.  Whether you match it with great price, the debt of gratitude will be consider again and again in times even you thought you paid.  Twenty years may have passed when this situation happened to me yet it still affects me.  I was so ashamed and felt useless to myself scolded by the person who helped me.  I failed the person and perhaps I put him/her in an unpleasant situation, and for that I am feeling guilty until now.  That person has all the rights to feel angry because helping me to land in a job seemed to be disregarded.  Being in a higher position in the company, that person has prerogative to get whoever he/she wants to help.  Actually, it was big debt of gratitude to think that I came from a company that laid-off me due to labor union, which made me difficult to find another job, and yet here’s the person who gave me job.

So this is what happened: I was in a group that I did not think will oppose against that person.  My intention was pure and none in my hindsight that it was not right, and so how dismayed I was when I was upbraided that I was so wrong.  But honestly I never thought I did wrong.  That person may be right or wrong or I may be wrong or right or whatever.  Maybe I was just not smart enough to know the possible implications of my act ahead of time.  It was just so hurtful to be called ungrateful.  It was so belittling.  It was demeaning feeling when you were in that situation where you cannot do anything but to accept all the rants to happen.  Yes, you had fault but you did not to mean it.  You understand that everything you have heard is true but you believed you did not do it the way he/she was saying it.  Much more you did not want to hurt and disobey a person because all the while you thought you never hurt, resisted, and fooled anyone.  After all, you will just want to believe that it was an honest mistake.

I have come a long way and been in many places but I do not want to use these to top anyone.  Maybe it is just natural on me to be gullible that is why I do not think where, what and who I am.  When I helped, I forget it afterwards because it is already done and I should not keep it on my head nor should track it.  When things have gone, they are not mine anymore.  I don’t want to use debt of gratitude, I don’t like to oppress, suppress or harass someone who owes me, I don’t want to use that weakness.  I am a person who doesn’t expect reciprocate of my deeds.  It is not my personality.  I think this is the reason why I don’t usually collect indebtedness, very rare I do it.  It is not my thing because I do not take advantage and take for granted the people.  I don’t want to reprove anyone.  Maybe I have no wisdom to put myself on others’ shoes.  Maybe I am not knowledgeable enough about people’s life.  Maybe I am not good or kind but fool.  Or maybe I am selfish when I thought I am right even though deep inside I meant it.  And maybe I am just simply not prudence to see the bigger picture.  Sometimes we are not just smart how to handle the feelings of people and the situation.  You hurt, you mess, and you fail them but the truth is you didn’t mean to do these.  Don’t worry, as long as the heart is pure, I want to make believe that we should not blame ourselves for these honest mistakes.

PAGLULUTO NG SINIGANG

Ang Sinigang ay nagmula sa Katalugan at naging popular sa buong Pilipinas na maituturi na isa sa pambansang ulam sa bansa.  Ito ay isang sinabawang karne na pinaasim at nilahukan ng ibat-ibang gulay.  Kadalasan ay ginagamitan ito ng sampalok bilang panuka upang maging maasim ang sabaw ngunit maaari rin gamitin ang hilaw na mangga, bayabas, santol, kamyas, kalamansi, guyabano, balimbing at kamatis.  Ang mga gulay na isinasahog dito ay kadalasang nasa tabi-tabi lamang tulad ng kamatis, sibuyas, talong, okra, labanos, talbos ng kamote o kangkong, mustasa, letsugas, sigarilyas, sitaw, gabi, siling haba, atbp.  Maaaring isigang ang karne ng baboy, baka, manok, hipon, isda tulad ng bangus, kanduli at ayungin, at kahit ang ilang seafoods tulad ng alimasag.

Nasa edad trese ako nang matutunan kong lutuin ang Sinigang, na natutunan ko sa aking ama at ito ang naging paborito kong ulam.  Ito rin ang ulam na masasabi kong pinakamasarap na kaya kong lutuin.  Sa kaserola ay sabay kong pakukuluan ang karne ng baboy at ang sariwang sampalok.  Kukunin ko ang sampalok kapag ito ay malambot na at sa pinagkuluan ay hinahayaan ko itong kumulo upang lumambot ang karne ng baboy.  Sa paunti-unting tubig ay kailangang pisain ko nang mabuti ang sampalok upang pumuti ang sabaw ng sinigang.  Ibubuhos ko ang pinagkatasan ng sampalok kapag ang karne ay halos malapit na sa lambot na gusto kong mangyari.  Ilalagay ko ang sili at labanos, kasunod ay ang sitaw at kamatis.  Kung minsan ay inuuna ko ang kamatis kung gusto kong madurog ito at ang sili na rin kung gusto kong ito ay maanghang.  Kapag ang karne ng baboy ay malambot na, iyung humihiwalay na ang taba (na mala-gelatin sa lambot) sa laman ay titimplahan ko ito ng patis at saka ko ilalagay ang talbos ng kamote, tatakpan ito at isasara ang kalan.  Hindi pa ako gumamit nuon ng gabi upang lumapot ang sabaw ng sinigang pero sapat na ang mga sangkap na ginamit ko para makumpleto ko ang resipe ng aking Sinigang.  May sawsawang patis na pinisaan ng sili at sa malamig na kanin ay isasabaw ang sinigang, duon ako nakakarami ng pagkain.

Ang pagluluto ng Sinigang ay depende sa lugar at depende sa karne ngunit ang lasa nila ay nagkakalapit sa pagkakakilanlang lasa ng Sinigang.  Pinangat na Isda sa Katimugang Luzon, Linarang ang tawag sa Cebu, Sinanglaw (na mayroong Ampalaya) sa Ilokos samantalang mayroong Bule Baluga sa Pampanga ang mga Aeta.  Bukod sa pangunahing sangkap na kamatis, subuyas, sili at panuka, mas masarap ilahok ang mustasa kaysa sa talbos ng kamote o kangkong kung ang lulutuin mo ay isda o hipon.  Masarap sa sinigang na hipon kung mayroong talong, samantalang sa baka ay mas simple sa labanos, sitaw, okra at letsugas sa halip na talbos o kangkong.  Mas masarap sa Sinigang na isda kung mayroong misu at mas masarap ang bangus at alimasag kung sinigang sa bayabas.

Mayroong tinatawag na panigang sa aming bayan sa Angono.  Ito ay ang hapunan sa bahay ng isang kaibigan (puwede rin tanghalian) na ang ulam ay Sinigang.  Mas masaya kung sisimulan ang pagsasama-sama mula sa pagluluto ng Sinigang at kanin kaysa magdadatingan ang lahat sa oras ng kainan lamang.  Kadalasan ay buto-buto ng baka o baboy ang ginagamit na karne at masayang pinagsasaluhan ang pagkain sa isang papag, kung minsan ay maaaring pagsaluhan sa inilatag na dahon ng saging upang duon kamayan na magsalo-salo ng pagkain.  Tuwing araw ng Biyernes, Sabado at Linggo kadalasan itong ginagawa dahil nagiging mas matagal ang pagsasama-sama habang nagpapanigang sa mga ganuong araw.

Ang sinigang ay isang pagkain na napaka-Filipino dahil isa itong mapagkakilanlan na matatagpuan sa isang Pilipino.  Hindi katulad ng mga pagkaing minana o ginaya natin sa ibang bansa na madalas nating lutuin tulad ng Ramen ng Tsina, Mechado ng Espanya at Steak ng Amerika, ang Sinigang ay mahirap matatagpuan sa ibang bansa na nagluluto ng mayroon ganitong mga rekado at lasa.  Bagamat maaari itong magustuhan ng mga banyaga ngunit ang Sinigang ay madalas na ihinahain sa hapag-kainan sa Pilipinas at mga lugar na mayroong komunidad ng mga Pilipino, kaya maituturi itong isang pagkain na napaka-Pinoy.

MENU EXPRESS: DISH

BBQ

Marinade:

¼ cup lemon/kalamansi

½ Soy sauce or enough to cover the meat

1 cup soda

Pepper

½ Borwn sugar

Salt to taste

Garlic

 

Basting:

Oil

1 cup catsup

Soy sauce

2 tsbp brown sugar

 

1. Marinate the chicken overnight or 4 – 6 hours

2. Roast the chicken

3. Flip the other side, apply basting on top

4. Flip the other side, apply basting on top – repeat until cooked.

 

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Alimasag – Buttered Garlic Crab

Butter

Lots of Garlic

Onion

2 – 3 tbsp Paprika

Pepper

Chili (optional)

Salt to taste

Soda

 

1. Melt the butter

2. Sauté the garlic and onion

3. Add paprika, pepper and chili (optional)

4. Add the crab cut into half

5. Put some soda and bring to boil

6. Simmer for 8 minutes

7. When the crabs is cook, remove them

8. Let the liquids reduce

9. And lastly, just eat right.

 

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SiSiG

½ kilo Chicken breast

1 cup mayonnaise

½ cup soy sauce

Butter

Onion

Chili

 

1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce and mayonnaise – set aside

2. Fry the chicken breast, then cut into bite size

3. Melt the butter

4. Sauté garlic

5. Add the chili

6. Add the chicken

7. Add the mixture of soy sauce and mayonnaise

8. And lastly, just eat right.

 

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Aglio e Olio (Garlic & Oil)

 

Spaghetti pasta

Lots of garlic

Olive oil

Basil leaves (optional: parsley)

 

1. Cook the pasta according to label instruction

(Tip: do not add oil, do not rinse, and keep some of boiled water)

2. Heat the pan and put some olive oil

3. Sauté the garlic until golden brown

4. Add the cooked paste and toss

5. Put some basil leaves

6. And lastly, just eat right.

 

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Cacio e Pepe (Cheese & Pepper)

Whole black pepper

Cheese

Spaghetti Pasta

1. Cook the pasta according to labe instruction

2. Crack the whole black pepper

3. In a pan, roast the cracked black pepper

4. Slowly add the cheese, mix until melt

5. You may add little water from cooked pasta

6. Arrange the pasta in plate

7. Topping with the mixture of pepper and cheese

8 And lastly, just eat right

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Kimchi Fried Rice

 

Kimchi

Gonchujang Paste

Soy sauce

Cooked rice

Sidings (options: Luncheon meat, spam, lumpiang shanghai, hotdog, etc)

Egg

Sesame seeds

Leaks, onion leaves

 

1. Cook the sidings and set aside

2. Fry the eggs and set aside (tips: cook in low heat to roast the side but not the whole egg)

3. Put the kimchi in a cup and chop the big cuts of cabbage (Do not use chopping board to save the sauce of kimchi)

4. Hit the pan and put some oil (used oil from egg and sidings)

5. Put the kimhi

6. Put the onion leaves

7. Add some Gonchunjang paste

8. Add some soy sause

9. Add the cooked rice

10. And lastly, just eat right.

 

Plating:

Put the fried kimchi rice in a plate.

Top with the sidings and egg

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and some leaks.

You may put some oil on top.

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Escabeche

Mga Sangkap:

Isda

Bawang

Sibuyas

Luya

Asukal

Suka

Corn Starch

Tubig

Carrots – optional

Bell Pepper –optional

 

Paraan:

1.Igisa ang bawang, sibuyas, luya

2.Ilagay ang arrots at bell pepper (optional)

3.Lagyan ng tubig at pakuluan

4.Lagyan ng asukal at suka

5.Lagyan ng tinunaw na corn starch

6.Pakuluan hanggang lumapot ang sarsa

7.Lastly, just eat right

Tag: FAST TRACK, EXPRESS 

FOLLOWING SUPERSTITIONS

The Filipinos, especially those staunched conservatives have so many old superstition beliefs that had been became part of our culture and traditions.  Some of them can be reasonable and others are seems to be unrealistic that just fool us but they are still happening until these modern days because usually most of us just thought nothing is wrong and nothing will lose if we will follow them.  And because of our natural big appreciation to our parents, family and elders, we are compelled to follow and do those superstitions because we do not want them to get offended, disobey them and feel them disregarded.

But some of superstitions are really questionable, some will blow you away and you will just shrug them off because simply they just don’t matter to you and they are not your issue.  Others are we simply cannot imagine the truth on them because they are practically impossible, but sometimes our decision depends here.  By chance or not and depends on our belief, these superstitions can change our life if we will follow or not.

Most of the time, I do not believe in superstition because most of them have no connection in real life.  There are few I do especially if it is about human life but for me, if superstition is far impossible, unrealistic, ridiculous, and lacks in common sense and logic – by far I do not follow.  For instance, sweeping the floor at night is bad because it takes away the blessings and lucks.  Another situation is never prepare chicken dish during New Year because your fortune will fly like a bird; or you will have a year of hen-like scratching the ground and pecking to find foods per day.  I just do not see the logic of sweeping the blessings that you worked hard, and the capability of the hen against your work hard.

I do not follow superstition if it is not practical.  There is superstition that donations for the deceased should be consumed and spent.  If there is any leftover then spend it on things for the deceased.  This is just right if you were indebted from medication and internment.  But if you have already provided the corresponding needs and dues for the bereaved person, yet there is still remaining money, for me it is not practical to squander it like beautifying the tomb just to follow the superstition.

If superstition will impede or deter other people, I will not do it.   If it disturbs, obstructs and perverts other people like someone cannot come to your office because of the incense that you believe repels negative energies.  Also, you should not leave the dining table if someone unmarried is not yet through because that person might not able get married.  I don’t like this because I do not want to bother other people just for my issue.

I am not following superstition if it prevents an opportunity.  I don’t believe in bad reputation or negative belief and impression about number 13.  How if an opportunity came to you but you cannot grab it because it coincides with Friday the 13^th or a black cat crossed your way or you are about to meet a funeral car along your way?

Following superstition is really depends on the person.  For me, if you don’t want then it is fine as long as you do not poke fun, insult and mock it.  Just let the believers in their belief as sign of respect.  Usually superstitions have no strong truth.  Everything is just coincidental as hypothetical because there is no solid proof and explanation that superstitions are indeed the cause of what is happening.  What we need is to live fairly, work hard and pray to God that our life become the good for us and for our family.