Church-hopping

Holy Thursday has Catholics scurrying about on VISITA IGLESIA, paying their respects in at least 7 churches. One can be dutiful or one can be creative.

In 2005, our little unit did the picturesque route of Baroque churches circumnavigating Laguna de Bay. Through the province of buko pie and pasalubongs we went... from Pila... to Pakil... to Paete... to Liliw... to Majayjay... to Nagcarlan.

Today we took advantage of the mostly clear roads, circling the metropolis to end up at historic Intramuros. Traffic both vehicular and pedestrian then knotted up around historic Manila Cathedral and San Agustin, where on both sides of the pasilyos, vendors plied various street food for the hungry in spirit and body.

It was an interesting and colorful array of the standards: garlic peanuts, dried pusit, fried kamote, banana in all forms, chicharon, chicken skin, cotton candy, corn steamed/grilled/popped, sorbetes, snow cones, sago't gulaman, fresh buko, the classic balls and cues...






I'm not one to mindlessly grab any of the above myself, but after 7 stops in 3 hours, that list sure becomes mouthwatering! So my kaburgisan chucked aside, I happily savored the crunch of overpriced and overtasty kropek. Nevermind why that is.

For an evolving directory of Pinoy street food, check out http://www.ivanhenares.com/2007/03/flavors-of-metro-manilas-streets.html

Blame it on Mercury

It's been said that I think too much. Well, I've certainly mulled, and chewed, and festered, and basically... procrastinated about blogging many months enough. Mercurial retrograde can be blamed for only so long.

And so, without excuses, apologies, and fanfare... I'M BAAAAACK!

2009 is proving to be REALLY interesting. Don't be surprised by posts popping up to no particular rhyme nor reason, there is a queue.

Year of the Ox

All ye ROOSTERS out there:
The Year of the Earth Ox is to be a
DAMN good year for us!!!

The usual suspects ushered in the Chinese New Year with North Park take-away, fortune cookies, mango sago, tikoy and a reading of the year's predictions. Feng shui experts deem this an auspicious year for the feathered in every possible way:

➢ According to the 2009 Feng Shui Handbook, "it looks like a very good year for the Rooster whose luck is so filled with vitality and strong spiritual essence that good fortune comes with ease to many of you. There are plenty of exciting work and business developments that bring recognition, promotion and upward mobility.

➢ The year’s cosmic energy favors you. As a result, there is smooth sailing through the year with few obstacles to block your success and triumphant moments. There is increase in wealth and experience of success and for mature Roosters, 2009 promises to bring fresh new opportunities. The only blight on the horizon is the presence of the Illness Star in your chart causing annoying health issues to materialize. The Rooster will have plenty of travel especially during the early part of the year. As long as you take care of your health, you will be able to attain heights of productivity and good results.

➢ The 40 year old will have a great wonderful year. The mind, body and spirit are all strong and this is sure to bring this Rooster good fortune, making sure you will emerge triumphant, successful and very much on top of the world. You can expect some kind of development which might surprise you as it will come suddenly and without warning. In any case, you will have various options confronting you in 2009 and it is likely that you will choose well. Trust your own instincts and go with the auspicious flow of the year!"

I cock-a-doodle-doo to that!