Tropical Hut Ham(worm)burger

Back then, when Mcdonalds and Jollibee were yet unheard of, Tropical Hut was the only known burger place  in the south. As far as I know, it has been existent on the same corner spot in BF Homes Paranaque even long before I came to life.  Today, it has evolved into a popular landmark and a point of reference I regularly give out for directional purposes.

As a child, my brother and I often looked forward to our once-in-awhile trips to Tropical Hut since burgers and sodas on a daily basis were strictly prohibited. We were trained to appreciate and live with home cooked meals and gulp on milk. Yet, it remains a fact that  satisfying our young carnivorous cravings with Tropical Hut's tasty burgers and a glass of coke felt like heaven.

Until the worm rumor in the 80s happened, which apparently was validated later on by Mother via a "talkative" worm supplier.  That ended the thrill.

Lately, I find myself wondering about Tropical Hut's tasty burger.  Probably an effect from Mother's burger query recently.  She has never forgotten the long ago rumor.  So do I.  This time she expounds further by saying that the main ingredient are organically bred worms anyway.  Nothing to fear.  Though the rumor remains pretty much a rumor, I am doubtful as ever.  Worms freak me out.

 

Before the burger in a chunky bead necklace and during the burger.

But what the heck! I craved and stuffed myself with Tropical Hut's classic burger yesterday, after so many years.

It tastes exactly the same.  Yum! Heaven!  Wish my brother shared yesterday's burger moment with me.



J. Bond adores ketchup on his burger.  And on his french fry too .... Haha!



Mother Earth

TAAL LAKE, February 2011

How timely that Japan's environmental disaster happens a few days after I talked about flood in this blog.  It is no longer a surprise that yesterday's disaster and all other environmental occurrences are happening now.   Obviously, the long abused Mother Earth has embarked on a route to vengeance.

SONYA'S GARDEN, December 2010

I am fearing on what may happen next.  The wrath obviously keeps getting stronger.  Unfortunately, my llittle recycling efforts are no longer enough to meet the huge demand of Earth. But I am still holding on to a positive mindset that nothing ain't too late, and that there will always be hope ... as long as you and I have the determination to continue life.

But first, learn and live with respect.

Flood Go Away. I'm going to Quiapo next day.

This is what J. Bond passed through on his way home Monday night ....

What usually takes a 45-minute travel from work to home (inclusive of traffic), took 3 hours because of floods brought by the strong rain early that night.     Of course, J. Bond arrived home pissed.

Yet, I was oblivious to such occurrence as I was too engrossed on the ongoing drama at Mara's wake ---scene after scene heated arguments, supported by heart wrenching face slapping, culminating to non-stop crying.  Then, a miracle happened just last night.  Mara rose from the dead.  Fans are rejoicing most especially me.   *Haha!  As expected in Filipino Telenovelas! But, I confess I am addicted to it. 

  

Despite my attempt to speed up the sympathetic finally-your-home hug and immediately return to watching Mara Clara, I missed the latter part of that night's episode.  The photos of the flood shown by J. Bond as soon as he arrived home entailed me to bump-off the show and re-think of next day's Quiapo trip instead.  There was no way I would commute to Quiapo in this flood, I thought.  A rainy day would  not be  a hindrance to make a trip to Quiapo.  I'm well-prepared and geared-up for rain, including that gooey garbage I always accidentally step on in Quiapo.  But with flood, I definitely won't manage.

In the morning,  luck was on my side.  Great! The sun was up.  The flood gone.  And so, I went.  Not for beads.  But for a toy bird.

Obviously, I became  hooked on birds after my encounter with a pigeon and ducks during Monday morning's Bahay Kubo medical mission. But, I prefer the colorful-toy-kind rather than the real chirpy flying ones. *Haha.  With Generikid coming soon, purpose of this first for the year Quiapo trip  was to buy  a bunch of multi-colored toy birds that first crossed my path in one of my bead splurging visits last year.  These birds are one of our colorful prizes for the participating kids, but  I'm thinking of live chicks too.

This bird flies high by the way.  As the lady in the photo demonstrates, wind the winding stem found near the head of the bird.  Then, let go.  On another note, I am amazed with the background images of this photo - kalesa, jeepney, colorful balloons of the street vendor and, Mang Inasal.  It has captured the symbolic images that are only found in Manila, Philippines =)

See!  It really does fly high.  I tried flying one at home and damaged it after so many attempts.  I need MORE practice.

 My loot for the Generikids!  I'm excited.  Soar high!!!

Bahay-Kubo Medical Mission

Today was rather quite  unusual but truly enjoyable. Previous medical missions were held in cemented and covered venues.  This morning, on the other hand, was all about entertaining 65 patients in this Bahay Kubo.

Odd, but it suprisingly brought a relaxed and organized feel.  And, I loved it!  Even Dr. Alvin stayed put and finished the half-day medical mission in this Bahay Kubo despite the invite to relocate to a more decent nearby space.  He must have enjoyed it there.

Dr. Alvin with patient # 1.  See the green mangoes resting on the rooftop?  I marvelled on them. 

Here's a closer shot of the mangoes for your drooling pleasure. *Haha.

It was nice of the Barangay Captain to offer ripe mangoes.  But I shamelessly requested for those green ones on the tree instead and with the condition that I do the picking. *Haha.  He said to come back in two weeks time.  Cool!

The vital signs, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and uric acid station in front of the Bahay Kubo, with our Pharmacy nurses in-action. 

Way up to the Bahay Kubo.   And, thanks to this Kid's curiosity ....

... I discovered these sights found at the back of the Bahay Kubo ...

Pigeon(s) perched on the Bahay Kubo.

Rolling uninhabited land with fruit trees, flowers and vegetables, somehow seen in this photo.

Duck pond.

Must be the Mother Duck?  It stood still for a long time while the rest drank.

Coming soon at Sonya's Garden

Been tinkering with smilebox since this afternoon.  I'm still exploring and grasping (more like GASPing)  my way up to this time.   The only intention here is to share with you these Chunky Bead Necklaces and Bracelets  that will soon be available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden.

Click on the picture link below.  This is still  a work in progress,  but I'm eager to share this with you already.  It may take some time to upload, but please bear with me.  I know I'll get the hang of it pretty soon. 

The Chunky Bead collection is a mix of ceramic, clay, chalk,  and wood beads.  The background music by the way soothes me.  Good night!

GeneriKID 2011

In 2010,  you'll find HERE what happened.  HERE too.

This year, we are thinking PARTyyyyy!!! 

A month and a half away, we are oh-so excited.  Crossing my fingers though and hoping that the "Nobody but You" fever is passe.  But, I'm anticipating a lot of hounding by Justin Bieber this time around.  *HAHA.

KIDS, registration is on!  Hurry!  Limited slots available. 

For queries, call Generika-Bahayang Pag-asa at telephone number  (046)4772692 , mobile number (0932)2611517 or send us an email at generikamolinobranch@yahoo.com.

Bath & Body Blank Cards

I searched for a blank note card from my folks apartment the day before they flew back to NY.  There was nothing found, except for stuff scattered everywhere, waiting to be packed or thrown away. National Bookstore-Greenbelt was only a block away and it would have been easier and quicker if I chose to buy a card instead. But NOOOO, laziness got me glued on staying put in the apartment and continued on with the search.  I like things complicated. **Haha. 

In the end, I gave up and shifted the search towards any possible material that can stand in as  a blank note card.  The intention was to write a short note to Pinky, my NY-based BFF, and send it together with these Philippine delicacies...

Iya's Jumbo Pastillas and Sampaloc

Thirty minutes into the search, I lost patience (*haha) and thus, scrapped the idea of writing that note to BFF Pinky.  But then,  well-hidden in a shelf was the answer to my search for that blank note card ... a Bath and Body Works' pink paper bag!

   

 TA-DA!!!  Problem solved.  I was meant to write that note.  This morning, I was engaged on transforming old paper bags into " paper bag blank note cards".  I'm hooked.