MEMORABLE SPECIAL RIDE

One good thing being born and brought up in the provincal setting where the mood of transportation is a second option if not unnecessary at all. In the early days of the 80's ,the transport system in my hometown is the " Jeep". Infact the intervals of the routing Jeep with in the inner sanctum of the second district of Sorsogon, from Gubat to Barcelona would entails an hour of waiting. 

The black asphalt road that travails the whole archepalagic of the Philippines from the northermost Apari to sourthernmost part of Jolo ,known as " Maharlika " road , passes infront of our own very front lawn in Barangay  Tagdon . Its known as the "national highway".

The coastal town and its neigboring barangays of the Municipality of Barcelona ,like the Barangay Tagdon ,which is connected  to  these long and winding  national road offers the scenic full view of the Pacific Oceans from the east where the sun of the oriental shine. 

When the road is empty and no locomative passes like Jeep, the ethereal feeling of static could be feel not from the distance but from the road itself. The passing moments of hours , minutes , days makes the whole day so long to wait till the sun sets came in. The monotonous , bubulic provincal lives defines by the statusquo of time. Tranquil , peaceful and free from the hush and rush thing. 

The Jeep always break these monotony. Its the King of the Road. The road which ocassionally occupied by the frequent passersby on both sidewalks by people who are going to their primary source of occupation . Farmers, fruits ,vegetables , fish peddlers , professional teachers , religious ,the  both byways ( sideways of the black asphalt road ) its their  major through fares .

Often times the road is clear of obstruction nor passersby either by Jeep or people , so that the raod itself is our play ground especially during the full moon light night. 

Its from the road itself , that I was able to observe the magnificent transition of times and modernity in relevance to mode of transport system. From photographic provincal tableau of beautiful carabao , hauling its bamboo raft is akin to the raindeer with is sled from the snowy region of Alaska ( every Filipino re imagining during winter season of snowless Philippines Yuletide season). Then after few years  evolve with a carabao  hauling a bamboo made raft , with the aide of the rooling tires ( recyled from the old jeep ). 

Then moving forward with the coming years , that the manual bicycle introduced in the market. My father bought this manual bicycle a look which look  like of today's mountain byke . He bought one for the personal mode of transportation of my eldest brother Felix Estipona , being the first among the few in the barangays who opted to take up high school . High Schoold then requires a rigorous entrance exams with an tuition fee to be paid annually , bi annual  or it depends on the structural payments upon agreements by the state school administrator. My brother went to Barcelona National High School. All of my siblings from Hilda, Felix, Nena, Mila , Ronnie and Jose went to Barcelona National High School with a matriculation fee. Except both the youngest of us , Ginalyn and yours truly due to the post EDSA constitutions , allowing high school ( DEP ED higher education ) be exempted from the matriculation fee. 

The manual bicycle which my elder brother uses , become an antique of " hand me down" object. From the eldest Felix to Jose , until to Jonel ( the youngest son of the Jose ) on his childhood days, the bicycle re assembled . 

From the manual bycle , to single motorized bycle became a regular passers of the national road. 

Except for the long ten hauler truck , and mini van that from to time envade the curiousity of the youngters , the vehicles passes for their logistics and delivery of the major economics goods . Cigarettes and groceries items for each sari sari stores located along the long intervals of the national road . 

Still up to this time , the communal mode of transportation in the provincal town of Barcelona people is the Jeep. Its enduring legacy since its evolution , transformation from the United State of Americans soldiers ( GI-Joe) junks . Reformated, design by the Filipino artisans, machinest , "suldadero", from the local 'vulcanizing workshop", until " Sarao" brand famous for its " caviteno', fiesta made colors , the Jeep stood up as truly Filipino icon. The UNESCO is comtemplating of putting the Jeep in the radar of the cultural indigenous heritage . 

 The colorful culture of Jeep as a heritage , the most moveable featured that uses the main artery of road in the Philippines ,created a leverage of cultures which is  intangibles yet intrinsic and embedded in the human sensibilities today. The " pake -abot " systems , the processes of the relying the passengers money fare , and so with the drivers way of giving its loose coins change to the passengers. 

Before  the awareness of having a private mode of transporation , the Filipino is accustomed to the communal mode of transportation ,perhaps being belong to a certain " balangay" then . The ship  , " balangay", is the basic habituation , mode of transportation in the  Archipelagic islands of the Philippines. 

The Philippine means of transportation since time immemorial , mapping it out from the " balangay', "kalesa" to which is now the " Jeep" , as the official King of Road, to private branded cars , THE MITSUBISHI FAMILY DAY " EXHIBITIONS and RIDE TEST in the Philippine , MANILA WORLD TRADE CENTER is worthy of a short time visit.

And if driving is a highly paid job for today, I would like to gave thanks for the following personalities who offers their own driving and wheels for me to take home in one of my city escapades. 

MR. JOHN ( the contractor)

JUVENAL SANSO ( world multi awarded  painter artist)

RAMON DIAZ ( diplomate sculptor -painter artist ) 

DR. GENIEVIVE HUANG ( presidential awardee- author of the TAO of Beauty book)

JOSE ENGLIS ( son of a diplomate to New York )

LOURDES DY -DAPARAS ( wife of diplomate to Seattle Australia and Malaysia) 

HENRY ESTIPONA

king financial

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

Amphitheater of Ateneo Professional School , Rockwell Campus recently sponsored the " Women Tech , Tech Women " forum ,organized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer , Inquirer Live ( Digital Flatform),  Globe, Dunkin Donuts. 

The said initiative is part of the ongoing APEC , Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation( November 18-20,2015); promulgating the top five women priorities agenda such , women access to capital, women access to business markets, women engagement in the capacity building, women participation in the creative process of innovation and technology.  

Philippine Daily Inquirer being managed by women is the perfect example to carry out the APEC women agenda , thus the very Matriarch Mrs. Prieto personally open the forum and give her personal congratulatory message for the forum audience for their valuable attendance . 

" The Inquirer Group of Companies", transcends to all multi media flat form to enrich our valuable customers with information relevant to their lifestyles " , said Javier Vicente D.  Rufino , Director for Mobile , Books .

1. Do the Kickstarts invest for start ups, with successful , viable economic value , proving its worth to be for  the advancement of women rights?

 Minette Natividad: 

Kickstarts have been promoting gender neutral landscape of business. We venture to a company which developed credible programs that have been on functional track at least ten years already. We also acquire (100 percent merging) company's that is in consonant with the Globe standards with potentials to leverage and deliver positive results to our company. 

2. How do the PolyMatrix consolidates its analytic data with its attribution to corresponding  congress /representatives  authorship ,principals co sponsors of bills ? Is it by research?

Gang Baduy: 

Yes partly by research, how ever  our apps is to give them tools to be filled up with information regarding congressmen achievements on their public discourse. But some of the information that we have received , are from private persons  which we digest , examined the authenticity of the data.

3. Today's businesses main activities is through capital intensive  and yet profitable ventures like real estate , infrastructures , minerals extractions, renewable energy. Could the Kickstarts would be willing to venture in starts ups , though have not given tract records of historical performance , profitabilities yet bearing a scalable model of profitable potentials , just for the sake of inclusive shared of economy ,to give chance with the grass roots to move the ladder of success, like our farmers, agriculturist, social entrep?

Minette Natividad: 

The Kickstarts is managing 55 million funds intended for the creative innovation to promote the digital economy. Our strategy is to buy equity shares (as ventures capitalist), merger, acquisition to those who where able to pitch in their apps credible enough to match our own standards. Based on our experience ,in the starts ups community is , some are terrific pitcher whilst the apps is not materially approving, whilst some have a menace of articulating their ideas, yet their coding have a tremendous potentials and neatly done. With these experiences we are keen in balancing , disposing our resources for the betterment of both camps.

Wrap UP Questions:

Do the tech industry would really finds its self worth enough for the women to realized their role for the advancement  of society, their role in shaping the femininity agenda?

Gang Baduy: 

Yes , the Women in tech evolves the way my company evolves from its "rocks era", to today's  " polymatrix". In the very onset of the tech evolution in the Philippines , we have been pioneering of promoting UN  ( MDG's) goals by organizing rock concerts , whilst today's  " polymax", is intended with the same audience who are fully grown up , enough to understands ( leveled up), with regards with her own choices . The way he/she  select candidates to vote. So the " Poly Maxtrix", is just a tool for them to measure the performance of these political personalities. Gone are the day's that Filipino just cast their vote ballot based on the perception of their candidates, as reflected by the promotional campaign, or just by basing with their famous surnames, schools that  the candidates have attended.

Minette Natividad:

 Being a mother , and having a son that gives me feeling of neutrality which requires by the job to be gender sensitive. Its my instinct being a mother , a nurturing mother that sustain  my jobs to carry the mandates of the company accordingly. I am believe in the opportunities, the very usage of the today's technology . It give us tools to keep in touch, the way it give us a constant communication with my very own son. So for me technology is gift to human kind, regardless of the gender . However its would be best tools for the women , given with their nurturing tendencies. " to cite example , their start ups pitcher who cries for the need to have capital ", this kind of scenarios would really bring out the women , and be able to redefine herself and her role in the tech industry.

How far can the modern career woman can fulfill, satisfy successfully in balancing her corporate engagement and her innate role as homemaker?

Gang Baduy:

I've done coding the apps for " Poly Matrix", is different places of work where the demands told me so.. " I've done it some in trains, whilst on business tour in Europe, for the sponsored innovations engagement with the " European Commission". It could be happened for me even to work under the lap of my husband if its necessary for me to do it . ( laugh).

I've raised with elder brothers , and being the youngest among them prepared me to be not so specials . I consider the company of men as co equals, but nothing so specials . In technology which is gender blind , and the fonts that commands to execute programs does not prejudized. Its the response of the audience that is more demanding , challenging and prejudicial . 

Minette Natividad: 

The Beauty of making things to happen by shared responsibilities of both men/women, is good enough to cheerished, rather than attributing the success to a specific gender. 

POLYMATRIX, is one way to know the tract records and be able to fully know our politicians that deserves to be voted, can this program (apps) can be able to trickle down to lower position like councilor?

Gang Baduy:

Definitely yes. Its the demand to fully extract the big data that is now available in the e - governance data. The websites of the congress is terrific to code , re arrange , analyst given with its uniformity and functionality, compares with the senate websites. With regards with the locals chieftain like councilors, even barangay tanods it very viable. However we need man power and resources ( man power, capitals ) to do it for our polymax to function that is  originally design as it is to be.

My milestones ,and the beauty of the " poly max", is it can be expanded even to the time of the " Tejeros convention".

HENRY ESTIPONA

PHILIPPINES'

KING FINANCIAL

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

Venue:

HISTORIC MANILA HOTEL :

EVERY MONDAY PRESS CONFERENCE " kapehan" 

Guest:

Atty.Lorna Kapunan

Advocate: " Fight for your right", " Laban sa Karapatan"

Atty. Miguel FF. Oraa

Assistant Administrator

Department of Transportation and Communication

Office for Transportation Security

Honorable Sandra Cam

( Masbate - Bicol Region)

Senator Candidate 2015

Topic: " Tanim Bala"

The group unbinding said, that there must be a need for a comprehensive way of amending the current law , and calls all  law makers to arrive for the same cause. The fore going incidence directly targeted the racial profiling , especially the Overseas Foreign Workers which accounted to about 2.3 million , and bringing in US Dollar 28 Billion in the Philippines. 

There is a new civil aviation security program plan , that is being laid out,that is now being on reviewed at the Airport security committee. However modern gadgets like " X-ray" ,which has default mechanism in detecting certain organic/ non organic ,gave ample doubts in the consistency of the security measures in the airport. New modern machine is important in combating Terrorism , Narcotics is a must in the efficient delivery of services , reducing risk on the part of the national security.

The Philippines is said to adopt the Chicago Convention for Airport safety and security standards.

The current incidence of the " Tanim Bala", accounted more or less 1,500 cases, of which 1,450 cases have been resolve with a para legal ( negotiation) , arrangement . From which 50 more or less have arrived into settlement and dispute resolution with due processes , some have pending cases to be heard .The incidences is not new for the 2015  which accounted a total of 1,394 cases, compares to 2014 which accounted cases of 1,813 , moreover in 2013 "tanim bala" cases account to 1,284,which has a historical roots from 2012 which accounted case of more or less 1,214.

The incidence which could spiral -effect in the " Command Responsibility", from airport management , security transport officials , up to the President of the Republic, that if not given ample solutions that leads to over haul rehabilitation, reformation would add the to over all grimace image of the airport . Hence a bad window image in the drive for the Philippines to come up with 10 million foreign tourist. 

Miss Sandra Cam, now a senatorial candidate said " that even in the bureau of corrections ,there  a rampant high powered ammunition presence" , for these she strongly advocates for the empowerment of the " whistle blower " laws, its mechanism, implementation and incentives for the brave- heroic one to come out and help out the mainstream government. 

These all things have been in the knowledge of the " Office of the Presidential Security " group.

THAT ALL FILIPINO ARE ALL SOCIAL CLIMBERS?

Today, December 11, 2015 I hurried to be in attendance of the rare artist talk of Michael Lin at Toby;s Estate Coffee shop  at Whitespace Gallery , located at Pasong Tamo Extension , adjacent to the Manila Hope Christian School of Mr. Luke Roxas. However i felt discomfortable upon reading the articles in Rogue Magazines, which has the cover of Miss Isabel Diaz Daza. Because of my over all conclusion of one of the article written in the said magazine. That  all Filipino today's are nothing but all social climber. Because we have nothing to follows as to elite or Royalty upbringing. That is the mean reason that we love the Miss Universe , Miss International, Miss World, or anything that is Miss Beautiful Pageantry contest. I beg to dis agree with the said articles. If only the magazine new editor consulted the former editor of the magazine Mr. Miguel Ugarte, they could  even have a new perspective with regards with the Filipino royal lineage. Its totally diverse , frank and 360 degree in congruence to the Michael Cancico , theme of the " Ako'y Filipino", that was interpreted by Philippine foremost Diva singer Miss Kuh Ledesma. To borrow the lines from the same song  " ako ay Filipino, may dugong maharlika". 

Allow me to elucidate  with the theme of the current articles in Ruque Magazines. In my opinion, the Americans, for their felt sorriness with  the Filipino in waging war that brought to the total annihilation of the Manila, and brought the Manila coffers ( treasury) into almost bankrupt , they are staging an annual beauty pageant to commemorate the lost latin kingdom , that is equivalent to the common wealth domain. So in "consuelo de bobo", for the latin kingdom including the Philippines , the American could make amends with their realisation of the wrong doings. 

If ever there was Nationalisation in the era, of the Philippines that lead to revolt headed by the Rizalian, its the Spanish Idea of the Nationalisation  on their bid to micro manage the colony. Because of their strategy , being the fading world power due to tilting of the diaspora of wealth, even political hegemony, and the losing value of silver and gold at the time due to massive piracy. The galleon and the naval supremacy of the Royalty of Spain absolutely incapable of tending the world colonies. So they introduce the new way of managing each colony through the introduction  of newly republic with a constitution. But in many ways, there was attempt for the Philippines with the full blessings of the Spanish Royalty to have extension of the Spanish Royalties by awarding nobility in the selected few rich Filipino families.

However with due circumstances, the attempted experimentation halted in the haste of th Filipino to have a self ruled kingdom , using the new breath of democracy. 

Way back to the Magazine Rogue , articles I hope Mr. Philippe De Leon would be able to read the articles by himself for him to have his opinion.

henry estipona

scholar of consortium for latin american studies

www.on-linexpressss.blogspot.com

The Shang , Mall , newly renovated EAST WING, staged the luxury global brands last hurry for the year 2015. It is by holding an stylish fashion show ,inspired by a jet setter , modern nomadic  "stylist" for todays' generation. 

Addictive with extra mileage  for the flight points for giving in to extra miles of travels , jet setter in today's ano-domini year of the Lord , are keen not just of styles but of origin of their clothes , starting with the raw materials of textiles ,how it is bleached ,dyed and coloured. Wither the textiles are from the wild silk worm or from the cultured silk worm farms . Much more so, if the maple tree is grown organically  by a responsible sustainable farming from the Myanmar or China , the main source of the silk worm that wave the organic silk , necessary to create a silk textiles. 

Hence,today's fashionista  are all aware the importance of the climatic change and its imposition to the global agenda of depleting the ozone layer. For which the main reason of staging the  "COP21", to be held this coming November 30 to December 3, 2015 in Paris. The very capital of the Fashion since time immemorial.

In the Philippines , the Barong and Baro't Saya,( not the corrupted  "Terno")  known to be the Philippine National Custom. An integral part for today's  global gathering of  leaders for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Discussing under the consign theme " Inclusive Economic Growth". The APEC is designed for each countries to have a benchmark of FTA ( Foreign Trade Agreement), for each nation to behave ethically in doing business. 

Barong the long sleeve shirt made for the Filipino altruistic ego is made from the corrugated leaves of the Philippines world known "pine apple". Its silhouette  ,fresh , gentle and virginal coloured makes it fitting for the tropical climate that the Philippines is experiencing. Even on the humid summery season or in temperate Christmas climate like today the Barong is good enough to wear.

Hence, Baro't Saya  which in the manner of constant evolution, accordingly with nation historical narrative, grown up to be  called  now the " TERNO".

 Essentially the terms it self Baro means the upper clothe to be worn by woman, and the "saya", means the skirts , the lower tapestry that is to be worn with dignity accorded to the ideal Filipina, that is " Mayumi , Marilag and , Kaiga -igaya".

In today's context , in name calling " TERNO", which the recent  coffee table endorses to be the modern encyclopaedia of the " The Filipino Fashionable Wear", as collaborated with the Fashion Icon in the Philippines such as Ben Chan, Mr. Slims, and Mr. Gonzalez, to alternate , exchange or even over shadowed " Baro't Saya into Terno" is an epic historical malversation.

Bringing back with the Shang Mall, Wanderlust Glam, fashion show. The actual staging of any  fashion show for me is an ethereal celebration of sight, feeling, sounds even perception of smelling. No matter how extravagant the show if all these elements are not given extensive details of re assembling , for each elements to align, compliment each other , the fashion show will not be  as sensible as it will be. 

Like engrossing to profound reading of the novels, or watching an epic theatrical musicality or movie Fashion Show , deeply examining an arts works , fashion show is a showmanship of culture and artistry.

Fashion collections is a canvass of coloured ,visually stitch ( re arranged ) and wear either in monotone or layering . Together with the models who provide the feeling , and emotions to the collection , the fashion breath its own life with the help of the abled MODELS.

In conclusion , the Shang Mall recent  , " wanderlust glam", for me shows an epic of extra vacant dis proportion when the sounds , perhaps technical crew provided the finally show of the Mark and Spencer with a back ground music of " MACARONI".

In my own opinion the British brand like Mark and Spencer , given with its Britishness of origin ,could be perfectly executed with a pure British sound ( Music) ,like example with the musicality of Sam Smith ( the modern background of Spectre) , or perhaps the Adele own version of the hybrid pop-operatic style of delivering  aria.

Henry Estipona

King Financial

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

PASTILLAS MOTIFF ; THE CHRISTMAS TREE INSIDE THE AYALA TRIANGLE BUILDING

" A WINTER DREAM FOR FILIPINOS LIKE THE ESSENCE OF APEC SUMMIT"

PASTILLAS, the way I defined Pastilla's is any candy that is wrapped of something. Its the original "DULCE", fame for being sweet. Usually reserved as dessert for formal dining,,or for receiving guest in the sala as a subject for conversation. For children 'pastille' or 'dulce' could be eaten any time of the day. Its something that children could enjoy and brings nostalgic mementoes for adults . Perhaps in the nationwide scale  pastille's known for condiments but have a varied versions , interpretations, and name sake for each hometowns. But nationally it could be called pastilles, with the orientation that each ingredients must be made from the cows milk or carabao's milk, and muscovado sugar and wrapped meticulously by paper cut with thematic artful artistry. In Bicol region, particular in Tandon Barcelona Sorsogon ,we have our version of Pastilla's. And definitive meaning of Pastillas's thats of anything thai is " DULCE" ,wrapped in paper or 'papel de hapon'.

BALICUCHA- this very sweet , is made from the caramelised brown sugar ,wrapped in paper.Its shape is like the way you pinch "salt " , and twisted with a little ribbon ,an extra paper and cut trimmed with a sort of tentacles .The only authority person who can do , the authentic balicucha in our place is Nana Caring. Her only source of livelihood aside from being a devoted Catholic catechist for Grade One student in Tandon Elementary School.

MULIDO- made from sweet potatoes , mash from boiling , then sweetened by brown sugar with, added coconut milk and meat of young coconut. it is being cut into a diagonal (diamond like size). Only Nana Rita ,can make the real mulido in own home town. She accept orders for commission type. 

Dinulce na Pili- like mulido of Nana Rita, she is known for the perfect brittle Pili " Dulce". 

Pili is the Bicol own world class nuts. Tedious processes is methodically followed before the dulce can be served into a comfort food for what is today ,that is ready available in the counter of supermarket. Pili is a fruit of pili tree. To harvest pili from a pili tree is life threatening it self. From the harvest pili fruits, that the nut is derived by de shelling  the pili owned covered shelf. Though some preferred the shell to be gathered and made from ornamental designs craft , some preferred the fibrous covered layer of the pili fruits for another source of food (viand deep in any condiments like black soy source).The nut is the inner most layer of the pili fruits. It boiled to it to make a palatable taste combined with caramelised  sugar and provide its glued of velvety colour. From boiling it could attain its brittleness by deep frying from any vegetable oil ( even coconut oil).

PULVORON; made from the corn starch, milk and sugar . Corn starch is roasted until a yellowish brown , then mixes with milk powder and brown sugar. Using the stamp pad made for shaping the mixes powder ( starch , powder milk, sugar) , then pulvoron is good now for the sweet tooth like the children and adult alike. In hometown , except for homemade pulvoron, all can be sourced out in over the counter stores ,since no body is specialising , for making pulvoron either for a living , or for cooking habits. But together with niece Melany Fulleros now Perez, we experimented how to make Pulvoron during our teen age days, that we make it a habit when we crave of "pulvoron".

TAM-IS "Dulce"  BINAGOL - is a hard ball ,solid sugar shape from the shell of coconut. Its super hard, that you need not only a knife to castrate it for sharing. The most sharpest "bolo" for farming is the  best utensil  to cut it off, for a desired shape of sharing . Since Bicol region ,in particular Tandon , Barcelona Sorsogon, is not a sugar producing region. This stuff could only sourced by a special order in the neiboring super market of Gubat, known for importing the said sweet from the producing region of the Philippines like Tarlac or Bacolod ( as the very back ground of the beautiful cinematography of the now showing movie of  Enrique Gil and the Liza Soberano - " Every day I love you". In my home its a usual staple ,being refrigerated as a regular stuff, since it the most favourite dessert of my father.  

The Pastilla's , the " DULCE" in artfully wrapped, will be inherent to the Filipino culture. If APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit participants, were able to experience the " Pastillas- Filipino", immortalised  and magnified through a " Christmas Tree" as now majestically displayed in the famed Ayala Triangle Lobby, the Filipino's is aiming that the essence of APEC summit will bring success in the lives of the economic chain like of "Pastilla", the livestock farmers(dairy and milk) , sugar farmers, coconut farmers , corn farmers (corn starch), potato farmers, pili farmers. A real success of these industries could mean a real Christmas, not merely a day dreaming Christmas, the way Philippines of dreaming a " Winter".

Henry Estipona

King Financial

Tagdon Barcelona Sorsogon

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com

PASTILLAS MOTIFF ; THE CHRISTMAS TREE INSIDE THE AYALA TRIANGLE BUILDING

" A WINTER DREAM FOR FILIPINOS LIKE THE ESSENCE OF APEC SUMMIT"

PASTILLAS, the way I defined Pastilla's is any candy that is wrapped of something. Its the original "DULCE", fame for being sweet. Usually reserved as dessert for formal dining,,or for receiving guest in the sala as a subject for conversation. For children 'pastille' or 'dulce' could be eaten any time of the day. Its something that children could enjoy and brings nostalgic mementoes for adults . Perhaps in the nationwide scale  pastille's known for condiments but have a varied versions , interpretations, and name sake for each hometowns. But nationally it could be called pastilles, with the orientation that each ingredients must be made from the cows milk or carabao's milk, and muscovado sugar and wrapped meticulously by paper cut with thematic artful artistry. In Bicol region, particular in Tandon Barcelona Sorsogon ,we have our version of Pastilla's. And definitive meaning of Pastillas's thats of anything thai is " DULCE" ,wrapped in paper or 'papel de hapon'.

BALICUCHA- this very sweet , is made from the caramelised brown sugar ,wrapped in paper.Its shape is like the way you pinch "salt " , and twisted with a little ribbon ,an extra paper and cut trimmed with a sort of tentacles .The only authority person who can do , the authentic balicucha in our place is Nana Caring. Her only source of livelihood aside from being a devoted Catholic catechist for Grade One student in Tandon Elementary School.

MULIDO- made from sweet potatoes , mash from boiling , then sweetened by brown sugar with, added coconut milk and meat of young coconut. it is being cut into a diagonal (diamond like size). Only Nana Rita ,can make the real mulido in own home town. She accept orders for commission type. 

Dinulce na Pili- like mulido of Nana Rita, she is known for the perfect brittle Pili " Dulce". 

Pili is the Bicol own world class nuts. Tedious processes is methodically followed before the dulce can be served into a comfort food for what is today ,that is ready available in the counter of supermarket. Pili is a fruit of pili tree. To harvest pili from a pili tree is life threatening it self. From the harvest pili fruits, that the nut is derived by de shelling  the pili owned covered shelf. Though some preferred the shell to be gathered and made from ornamental designs craft , some preferred the fibrous covered layer of the pili fruits for another source of food (viand deep in any condiments like black soy source).The nut is the inner most layer of the pili fruits. It boiled to it to make a palatable taste combined with caramelised  sugar and provide its glued of velvety colour. From boiling it could attain its brittleness by deep frying from any vegetable oil ( even coconut oil).

PULVORON; made from the corn starch, milk and sugar . Corn starch is roasted until a yellowish brown , then mixes with milk powder and brown sugar. Using the stamp pad made for shaping the mixes powder ( starch , powder milk, sugar) , then pulvoron is good now for the sweet tooth like the children and adult alike. In hometown , except for homemade pulvoron, all can be sourced out in over the counter stores ,since no body is specialising , for making pulvoron either for a living , or for cooking habits. But together with niece Melany Fulleros now Perez, we experimented how to make Pulvoron during our teen age days, that we make it a habit when we crave of "pulvoron".

TAM-IS "Dulce"  BINAGOL - is a hard ball ,solid sugar shape from the shell of coconut. Its super hard, that you need not only a knife to castrate it for sharing. The most sharpest "bolo" for farming is the  best utensil  to cut it off, for a desired shape of sharing . Since Bicol region ,in particular Tandon , Barcelona Sorsogon, is not a sugar producing region. This stuff could only sourced by a special order in the neiboring super market of Gubat, known for importing the said sweet from the producing region of the Philippines like Tarlac or Bacolod ( as the very back ground of the beautiful cinematography of the now showing movie of  Enrique Gil and the Liza Soberano - " Every day I love you". In my home its a usual staple ,being refrigerated as a regular stuff, since it the most favourite dessert of my father.  

The Pastilla's , the " DULCE" in artfully wrapped, will be inherent to the Filipino culture. If APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit participants, were able to experience the " Pastillas- Filipino", immortalised  and magnified through a " Christmas Tree" as now majestically displayed in the famed Ayala Triangle Lobby, the Filipino's is aiming that the essence of APEC summit will bring success in the lives of the economic chain like of "Pastilla", the livestock farmers(dairy and milk) , sugar farmers, coconut farmers , corn farmers (corn starch), potato farmers, pili farmers. A real success of these industries could mean a real Christmas, not merely a day dreaming Christmas, the way Philippines of dreaming a " Winter".

Henry Estipona

King Financial

Tagdon Barcelona Sorsogon

www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com