Claire Bear's Thoughts

Last night, I dined out with my girls Aileen, Rey and Paula at Bigby's Cafe to celebrate mine and Rey's December birthdays. It was fun! Bigby's gave us chocolatey treats (picture above) and sang happy birthday for us. It was nice!

Unexpectedly, their food came in huge servings, there were actually leftovers of our Food Trip Platter, Belly Buster and Chix Ahoy. And I thought we were giant eaters...

The food was great + super fun company = another unforgettable night!

To all Mindanao-Davao bloggers out there, check this out. . .

The DigitalFilipino.com Club is organizing a fellowship/networking event where e-commerce industry players and bloggers can catch up and exchange updates. This will be on October 21, Tuesday, 6 to 11 pm at the Pantawan Hall, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

This event is sponsored by our club member PAGCOR.

6:00 - 7:00 Registration and Dinner
7:00 - 7:30 Guest introduction / plugs Welcome Remarks - PAGCOR Branch Manager Arthur Malatag
7:30 - 8:00 Updates by Janette

DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2008
DigitalFilipino.com Club Updates (online workshop and other efforts)
Ratified.org Philippines Top 100 Blogs 2008 (blogs that had big moves in 2008)

8:00 - 8:30 - PAGCOR Updates by President and COO Rafael "Butch" A. Francisco
8:30 - onwards - Raffle, Networking, Games

Bloggers are welcome to attend this event for FREE!!!

To register, you can either go to Davao Bloggers Haven or DigitalFilipino.com.

I have this friend from the States who kept on telling me to read this Best Seller book for some time now but I never got to buy the book. And then, in one episode of Oprah, it was featured and of course the author himself was there, Mitch Albom. The book was made into a movie already and some parts of it were also shown in the show. It was that Oprah episode that pushed me to buy the book right away the next day. Luckily, the bookstore was on a one-month sale so I got it for a cheaper price.

Yesterday, Che dropped me a yahoo message and asked if I could accompany her for lunch as she was crying and had to go out their office to calm down. She fetched me from our office and decided where to dine. We spent quite some time to decide and then she remembered our favorite lunch date meal before, when we were still working together. Then, every payday, we'd treat ourselves to a descent meal and we always go to Blue Post Lanang and eat our very favorite Christopher Ribs.

I am just proud to be a Dabawenyo!

Last Saturday night, after a trip to the grocery, Pia declared she's hungry already and that she wanted to eat her very favorite siomai. I thought any siomai will do so I held her hand and walked towards Chowking which was the nearest resto that time but she changed direction and kept on pulling me heading to Mandarin. I said to myself, "Oh okay, so Mandarin's siomai's her favorite." That I should take note.

Sometimes, kids just say things unexpected from them and I've had a taste of these from my little girl, Sophia. She just utter words which are inappropriate for what she is trying to say and it just makes me laugh listening to her.

There was this one time when I was cooking and she was busily playing with her dolls in our living room. I caught her watching me, observing me in a way, but I didn't mind her that time. And then she told me:

Pia: Mommy, sabi ni Teacher Fretzy, children should help in the household chores daw.
Me: Okay, tomorrow, you wash our clothes ha. (kidding her)
Pia: Okay, I'll help ate.
Me: No, you wash them all by yourself. Di ba sabi mo sabi ni Teacher Fretzy, you should help.
Pia: Oo nga, ang sabi nya, HELP!

There was this one time also when I got home from work. She usually meets me at the door and give me a big kiss and hug. But that night, it was different, she excitedly opened the door for me and said, "Hello Stepmother!"

Last Sunday, we were at Maa and she thought we were going to pass by GAP since she's familiar with the road already (something about her which I find amazing, she's really good with directions.) I assumed she was really hoping we'd pass it by cause after some waiting, she asked me "Mommy, bakit di pa natin nakita yong carabao na may tattoo?" (Kasi di ba ang carabao sa GAP may nakatatak na GAP sa bandang puwet? She thought it was a tattoo.)

Lastly, late night conversations with Pia are always the best. We'd talk just about anything. She'd ask me what my dreams are, I'd ask her what's hers. I talk to her like an adult and I always enjoy every conversation we have. One night, she was thinking really deep, and I asked her what's wrong and she just said, "Mommy, pwede bang palitan na natin bukas ang name ko? Pwede bang iba na naman? Pwede Cinderella?"

These are just some of her funny lines. Innocent, senseless but sometimes, it also makes me think and say "oo nga naman."

Last night, on our way home, we passed by this grilling station along Vinzon St. in Obrero. It was the first time we saw it open since it only opens at 11 AM and we usually pass it by early mornings. And since we didn't know what food our helper prepared for dinner, we decided to try and buy some at the station.

It is just a small restaurant amidst houses and warehouses in a not so busy street of Obrero. However, when we went inside, there were actual diners having a peaceful meal and Tsinoys were also coming in. So I guess many know about this place. As we were checking their menu, I got a glimpse of their billboard which said that their house specialty is Honey Glazed Chicken and for only Php 150.00. And according to waiter Mory, whom I know from Rabio, the serving could feed a group of 3 already. So that's what we decided to order and added 2 orders of longanisa for Pia as she likes chorizos.

I was watching Without a Trace last night on C/S at RPN when one commercial caught my attention. I thought it was some testimony about a product but it was actually a feature on one of the great talents discovered in the show Britain's Got Talent. This man is a mobile phone seller and at first, I say this without any offense intended, I really thought that he was a"special child."

Now tell me if you agree with me....Don't they just look alike?

I had lunch with Ate Doris today at Kangaroo Coffee Company located at Tionko Avenue fronting Sunburst Chicken. She was inviting me for how many times already to try this cafe since it's one of the newest here in Davao. Today was our chance, good thing she didn't have work because of USA's Labor Day.

Anyway, we headed straight to the cafe after she fetched me from the office. Luckily, it wasn't at all that crowdy and so we didn't have a hard time looking for a parking spot. The place ain't that big but my first impression was it was really clean but not scenty though. Since it was a self-service cafe (I never really liked self-service restos), we searched for something interesting to order in their wall menu. Now, my second impression would be, it's too pricey! Very expensive, really.

Anyway, I ordered Baked Penne, a creamy red sauced penne pasta with lots of cheese at Php 140.00 and a slice of New York Cheese Cake at Pho 135. I had four seasons juice to go with it. All in all, my orders amounted to a total of Php 333. I enjoyed my pasta cause it was really creamy, but I did not even finish 1/4 of my New York Cheese Cake. It was fluffy, airy and not so good-tasting. Oh well, I guess I'll have to try their other pastries if there's anything I'd like.

By the way, if you're interested to taste one of the most expensive coffee in the world, you might as well try their Kape Balos which is their Civet coffee (Kopi Luwak), the type coming from Alamid's poops. But then again, it's worth Php 300 a cup (eh kaya nga most expensive.)

August 23, 2007 at the SM Parking Lot C, we sang and danced to the groove of Earth, Wind and Fire's timeless music. We sponsored the ticket validation system for the concert and so we got to watch it all for free. We served as validators for the night and right after everyone has entered, we transferred near the stage and enjoyed the music and danced with it for the rest of the concert.

Last Sunday, we just stayed at home the whole day and did nothing but watch TV and eat. Maybe due to boredom, Pia busied herself with drawing. She just loves to draw and I'm actually happy with it cause I really didn't have the talent in drawing. But sometimes, it just irritates me when she makes a mess of our house with all her drawings. Inuubos nya double-sided adhesive tape namin just so she could post in our walls her drawings. Oh my! Still, whenever she makes new "masterpieces," as we call it, it still makes me really proud.

Anyway, I was really amazed last Sunday at what she was able to come up with. She just took a clean bond paper from her school folder, got herself a sharp pencil and crayons and sat in her table. I was just observing her because I noticed that she was sitting there for over 5 minutes already and she still has a blank sheet. And she was thinking really deep, both hands on her forehead and so I asked what's wrong and she stubbornly replied, "di ako makaisip nang i-drawing." Ehehehhee. But after a while, she started sketching already so I left her alone.

When she finished drawing, she showed it to me and this were what she came up with.

When I was her age, I really could not come up with this. What amazes me more is that when she was drawing all these, she didn't have any magazine or books to copy from, she made it all by herself. I wonder where she got all these ideas.

I just turned on the TV to watch ASAP and I was just in time for Gary Valenciano's performance giving tribute to his 25 years in the industry. All these years, listening to Gary sing never fails to give me goosebumps. His music is indeed timeless and I just can't get enough of it.

Che, one of my best buds since college, scheduled a lunch date with me today at our favorite kebab diner infront of Ateneo College. Unfortunately, we've been dining there for years now and I still don't know the place's name.. :"> We met around 12 and headed to Jacinto St., where the place is. To our dismay, they're no longer there! According to the nearby stalls, they already transferred to Ecoland. Such disappointment and to think we were really craving to eat their juicy kebabs.

Seven years ago exactly from today, Dennis and I exchanged marital vows by civil wedding in one of the courtrooms of the City Trial Court. We were actually on the tidying stage for the church wedding at that time, matter of fact, everything was all set...but then, we just decided to arrange a civil wedding one month before the Church rites because we believed it is equally as important as that of the Church. And without everyone's knowledge, except my mom's and Dennis' parents, we vowed in front of Hon. Jose Emmanuel Castillo that we be together forever as husband and wife. I can still remember that right after the rites, I cried heavily and hugged my mom so tight...I got really sad thinking I'd be leaving my mom already. Still, that day is one of the best days of my life.

For seven years, Dennis proved to be the most loving, sweetest, most understanding husband to me and the greatest dad to my daughter. He never failed to put a smile on my face when I get pained or stressed even. He is always patient with my tantrums and "kamaldita." He willingly embraced the kind of life I wanted to live. He accepted me for who I am which really amazes me because Dennis and I are truly OPPOSITE from each other. He accepted everything about me, my family, my friends, my life's drama. When I get really hurt, he need not say anything to console me (he's never good with words anyhow, hehehe)...his tight hugs and long kisses are enough to assure me everything's going to be alright.

We've had crazy moments, teary moments, challenging moments...but there was never a tiring moment for us. Of course, married life is not always bed of roses, of course, we've had our share of fights but then again, it's when working things out no matter what true love is proven. They say it's when a couple reach their seventh year, when all challenges pour quite heavily. I'm crossing my fingers on this. We've spent our first seven years as happily and as sweet as we can and I wish that the next seven years and the years after that will be spent equally as happy and loving and sweet as the previous years.

And with all these, I am endlessly grateful to God that he gave me Dennis, my bestest best friend....who, after seven years, remains my favorite part of the day...

I love prawns!!!

Yesterday, I was craving to eat one of my favorite dish which is batter-coated prawns or more know as camaron rebosado. And then I remembered I have prawns in our fridge so I hurriedly searched the net for the camaron rebosado recipe and pleaded Dennis that we pass by the grocery store so I could purchase the rest of the ingredients which are almost all baking aids.

I just love to cook and my biggest fan is my husband. Whatever I cook and serve on the table, maskin kabalo ko na walay lami, he would always say "Lamia Lab oy!"

Now, this would be my first attempt in cooking camaron rebosado but the procedures are real easy so I didn't really have a hard time preparing it. And this time, I can now conclude that the best marinating ingredients for fried food are only salt, pepper, vetsin and calamansi juice. For just about 30 minutes only since the calamansi juice is real strong.

In fairness to me, my camaron rebosado looked like it came from the restaurant! ^_^ I so love myself...

Yesterday, before heading home from our Sunday family day, we passed by the new Merco at Cabaguio Avenue. I invited Dennis to grab a bite first before going home since we haven't had our lunch yet.

Upon entering, we noticed that they used a reefer van for this branch which they just fully painted in white so it looked really clean. And they installed these red lamps above the tables which looked very attractive against the white walls. It was a tiny diner but several families were coming in and out so I guess, Merco is a part of their lives just like it has been with mine.

As a kid, I could still remember that my parents would bring me and my siblings here every chance they get to treat us with pizza and ice cream. Then, feeling super rich na kami when we dine at Merco. It has been one of Davao's best for many decades now and even until present, it has never ceased to satisfy Davaoenos. Many still comes back for more of their pizza, ice cream shakes, sandwiches and lots more. What I love most here though and I don't think I'd stop loving it, is their German Hotdog which, despite the fact that it's so simply prepared, but is so juicy and tasty. And I love it best with their tomato catsup on it (dunno what brand it is though.)

Yesterday, after enjoying our family-sized Four Seasons Pizza, German Hotdog, and Strawberry and Mango Ice Cream Shakes, I shared to Dennis and Pia my childhood memories of this place and how it became part of my family. And now, I'd still like it to be part of ours.

Last Friday, July 19, was Fojie's despidida party and we agreed that they'd sleep at the house afterwards and we'd watch Prom Night. Rey decided to come along as well. So after getting drunk at Light Repast, we headed first to Star Mart's Coffee Plus to get some hot coffee and by 2:30 AM, we went home.

I grew up in the province and at a time where in our municipality (Maniki, Kapalong), the trisikad has not been even discovered yet, thus people has to walk wherever they want to go. Then, my favorite playmate was my Manong Raddy (my older brother), and I was kinda boyish then so wherever he'd go, I'd kept following him. What we most love doing together was catching huge frogs in our neighbor's pond...we'd let go of the frogs though.

I have to say we were lucky as kids cause we got to play all kinds of games which kids of these days no longer do (I don't think they even know how to play those kinds of games.) Our favorites were bulan-bulanay, dakpanay (habulan), taguanay (taguan), patintero, piko, holenay (marbles), tumbang preso, taguanay tukog sa yuta, palupad tabanog (kites), and syempre, playing shatong or syatong (chato in Tagalog).

This blog is all about how to play what I really miss playing....shatong!

Number of players: 2 teams with at least two players but you can play it as singles as well

Equipments:

* lots of open space (land) so you can dig an elongated shallow hole

* 1 long stick (about a foot and a half long and at least half an inch in diameter)

* 1 short stick (about 5 inches long and at least half an inch in diameter)

Mechanics:

THE CHANCE OF THE OPPONENT TO PLAY BASE. At the start of the game the base player places the short stick horizontally across the hole and position the long stick in the middle of the short stick and hits the latter as strong as he/she can to the direction of the opponent. If the opponent is able to catch the short stick, the base player loses the chance to advance further with the game and give the base to the former.If the opponent is unable to catch the flying short stick, he/she then collects the short stick and positions himself/herself to where it landed and throw it to the long stick placed horizontally on the hole. Hitting the long stick will give the opponent the chance to play the base.

MAKING A SCORE. If the opponent unable to get the two chances: catching the short stick and hitting the long stick, the base player then advances to the next stage of the game. The short stick is placed across the hole. The long stick dug in the hole positioned at the center of the short stick and hit the latter towards the opponent. The opponent gets the chance to play the base if he is able to catch the flying short stick. If not the opponent collects and positions himself/herself where the short stick landed and throw it to the base player. The base player then hits the short stick. The count starts measuring the distance where the short stick landed using the long stick if it is hit single, if double the short stick is used for the measurement. Hitting the short stick triple counts double the measurement. If the short stick landed near the hole and could not measure one count of the long stick, the opponent gets the chance to play the base.

THE CHANCE TO MAKE MORE SCORES. Advancing the game to another stage, the short stick is placed on the hole in slant position. The base player hits the tip of the short stick making it fly up on the air then hit it again to the direction of the opponent. The higher the short stick flies, the better the chance to hit it double or triple. The opponent will get the chance to play the base if he is able to catch the flying short stick. If not the count measuring the distance where the short stick landed is instituted using the principle of single, double, triple hit. If the short stick landed near the hole and could not measure one count of the long stick, the opponent gets the chance to play the base.

THE PUNISHMENT: While holding the sticks (the short and the long) one in each hand, winner will bat the shorter stick as far as he/she can. Loser then will shout SHAAATONG.... while running from the base to where the stick landed. If the loser takes a breath before reaching the destination then back to the base again.

DETERMINING THE WINNER. The sum of the measured distance in advance stage of the game determines the winner. The player who gets the least score will get the chance to enhance his/her vocal chords shouting shaaaaaaaaaaaaaatoooooooooooooooooooong.

One of these days, I'll surely teach Pia how to play this game so she'd experience how enjoyable it is.