HoosierInManila's Xanga

Who is your rice partner?

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:47:08 GMT

I had a conversation with a friend in Philippines. Nel is a good friend who met me on my trip there. I still keep several friends in Republik ng Pilipinas and I'm happy to know them. I told Nel about my previous attempt to translate and understnad the word ULAM and this conversation is the result. Contact names removed at her request. You can contact me here. I hope this helps Americans understand Philippines cooking better. It has helped me.

G: I had a laugh learning the definition of ulam
Nel: you dont know ulam? its viand- the rice partner.
G: yes the dictionary give the term viand.
G: but I am not using it here
G: so i get an English dictionary
G: it said "food eaten with rice" . And I thought about the Philippines. Is there any food that is not eaten with rice?
Nel: what do you commonly use for viand
Nel: aha let me think
Nel: pancit, you eat it alone no need for rice
G: Ah, maybe pancit is not ulam. It has so many noodles, no need for rice.
Nel: yes, this snack food
G: the dictionaries made me think there is two categories for food. There is rice. There is everything else.
Nel: yes... many foods
G: Maybe the word ulam is testimony about the love of rice.
Nel: i dont know about that, i was born with that ulam thing and had never tried to research on that.
Nel: generally ulam is for rice or any grains food
G: I see. It is a filipino word, so you must be right about it
G: I think we could consider rice to be a grain, so ulam is grain?
G: I had to search further, because not many people use viand here
Nel: nope, grains is like solid something or granules/
G: hm, not like corn or wheat.
Nel: corn and wheat and others rice belong to category-grain or cereal
G: Yes that's right. Maybe I'm still confused. they are all cereals yes.
Nel: yes, now you know..hahaha
G: I never found a more general word. the catch for all things edible in english is food.
G: what about in Philippines?
Nel: the same, anything that is edible is food.
Nel: it can be raw or anything
Nel: in any form
Nel: that is food
G: ok so you are using the word food too
Nel: yes
Nel: but we are specific on what kind of food
G: ulam is solid things granules, sometimes the form that grains or cereals take.
G: common question about lunch is : what was your food?
Nel: food is pagkain- something edible
G: I want to post this on xanga, but I will remove your yahoo name.
Nel: ulam is viand or rice partner
G: rice partner is the best translation I have seen.
Nel: yes
G: I had written a previous conversation about my attempt to understand the word ulam. it will make a nice update
Nel: when you say food that's generic.
G: We have use for very generic words at times.
G: the english dictionary has it right. viand : food eaten with rice.
Nel: yehee!!!

What's that small light on the horizon?

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:32:59 GMT

There is a name Giesyl, but I will say no more about it.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:44:19 GMT

This is a house party. This long rectangular house is divided into four units. The front unit looks nice, but was vacant as we lived there. When they heard I visited from America, they cooked traditional foods and welcomed me. It was a great time to meet a few dozen people, and I didn't know many. But, I did meet them several times in February and March. Their home may not be American standard, but the concrete wall is decorated with beach pebbles and they have the nicest glass windows that open like horizontal blinds. This is the first time I saw a whole fish dipped in batter and fried. It's very simple .. absolutely no processing! They served caldaretta, bangus, and a few other things. I can't name all these people. I wish I could. I may never see them again.

Question. One finds he has enough money to go back to Philippines. However, a few weeks ago, his best reason for going back is taken away. What would be a new reason? Should he go back ? I don't want to teach English this time. I simply want to be a tourist. But, as things are, I can't go back at this time. My dad is ill. He is the priority.

This is the start of a new direction

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:59:30 GMT

I must tell you something. The relationship is over. Genalyn and I have seperated, ended the promise of marriage, and gone our seperate ways. Often, humans guide towards madness rather than logic. Often, we can't see the difference between the two. If you haven't heard the reasons why this seperation occured, this is not the place to ask. If necessary, I pass that information in private Suffice it to say, we are not made for each other, and there is no point in reuniting. We ended the relationship in mid February 2009. Yes, it was a horrid Valentine's day; then again, V-Day itself is a vapid concept, so that's no big loss.

My new direction is to create a written memory of my time in Philippines. I will post random events, memories, photos of my trip, and recall what I can, while I can. I have few people who talk to me and know these events personally. So, I must preserve a unique experience. If you are from the Philippines, have family there, have been there, please comment your experiences too. I want to know what you saw in the Philippines. We can compare notes.
Let's not focus on high praise (that's the job of Wow Philippines) and let's not trash the country. The loss of relationship and the madness of the world economy say there is less chance of returning to the Philippines, but I still keep my desire.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:28:47 GMT

Mga aso nasa loob at nasa labas. In English it means the dogs are in and out.
Nasaan is a word that means where ? Example Nasaan ang aking nanay? Where is your mother?
loob means inside. layob means outside. I write that sentence to say the dogs are going in, going out, back and forth. The dogs need a revolving door.

I had a laugh with a Filipino. We talked about ulam. It translates literally to viand. The problem is, in USA, nobody uses the word viand. So i dig further. Ulam is food eaten with rice. My Filipino friend says it's important to remember that pinoys eat rice with everything. Therefore, I claim that the word ulam can mean every kind of food that pinoys eat. hahaha !! What is the use of a word meaning "food eaten with rice" when all food is eaten with rice? Hmm, maybe not leche plan. My fiancee did not eat rice with leche plan, but it is palatable if desired.

The Filipino friend birdie said " It is important to know what food the ulam is. "
Ask this : Ano ang aking ulam ngayon? What is your food today?

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sat, 10 May 2008 21:16:06 GMT

I made adobo for friends at work. I discover some people from Puerto Rico and USA only use adobo seasoning, a powder they shake on. For me that's not good. I prefer to make my own sauce out of the soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and pepper. I haven't added star anise yet , but I am curious. I want to taste the sino-pinoy "tsinoy" taste.

In simple terms, I'm here to say I logged in, and I looked for you. John I sent a comment to stupid3d , the user name. I can't tell if it's the right person, but stupid3d user name seems familiar.

This meme came to my church recently. It is true, and I like it. It reminds me what God said to Elijah. " What are you doing here? You're not the last one. Even in this city, there are seven thousand just like you."
when i say:                                then God says:
It's impossible                            All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
I'm too tired                              I will give you rest (Matt 11:28)
Nobody really loves me                     I love you (John 3:26, 34)
I cant go on                               My grace is sufficient (2 Con 12:9, Psalm 91:15)
I cant figure things out                   I will direct your steps (Phil 4:13)
I'm not able                               I am able (2 con 9:8)
It's not worth it                          It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
I can't forgive myself                     I Forgive you (1John 1:9, Romans 8:1)
I can't manage                             I will supply all your needs ( Phili 4:19)
I'm afraid                                 I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7)
I'm always worried and frustrated          Cast all your cares on ME (1Con 1:30)
I'm not smart enough                       I give you wisdom (1 Con 1:30)
I feel all alone                           I will never leave you or forsake you (He 13:5)

The Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:47:38 GMT

The Hoosier in Manila returns to Xanga. Oh Xanga, you changed so much while I was away. You've grown up. You've adapted to be like the other networking sites. Is that a good thing? You need to be careful. Stay true to who you are. Do not try to be something you are not. Xianz tried to become Myspace, and it failed them.

John, do you still participate in Xanga? I have you on other websites too. I want to talk to you, buddy! Betty, Megan, Heather, Tracy, I see your pages, but some of you have not updated in about 1 year. Maybe you're not here any more. Anyway I hold hope you'll come back like I did.

“Her price is far above rubies” (Prov. 31:10). " Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?" (Ruth 2:5) Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, 'Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon.'" (Ruth 4:8) May the Lord bless the use of the Holy words.
I begin a new job today. I hope this is the proper job for me. I stop demanding, begging, and asking. It is God's will that I serve others. We are all servant to another in some way. This job will provide enough money to bring Genalyn to the USA. It is not a temporary job. I am not a contractor. I am direct hired and full time. I will help the kitchen at a residential care facility. I get to cook 2 or 3 days per week. I get to wash up the remainder of the week. I hope I get paid quickly, so that I can send Genalyn some money, and save for immigration. What do you think I will do with my salary? Proverbs 31:10 and Ruth 4:8 answer that. Does this qualify as redeeming Genalyn? Redeem means to "purchase for a price (1) , free from slavery (perhaps again by purchasing) (2), save from sin (3) . God takes care of number 3. That is beyond my hands. Nobody holds an invoice with Genalyn's name on it, but I still pay money so that I can have her. I will pay any price that is asked. She is worth it.

In the same style, Jesus saw you, (the ultimate plural, all of you who ever lived or live now) and said I will pay any price to have you. Jesus gave everything to redeem you. Jesus used all three meanings of redeem . In this way, we know Jesus loves you.

Hoosier in Manila is no longer in Manila, but I long to return some day. My current quest is to bond with Filipino culture and help my betrothed love come to the USA, and adapt to the USA.

I have a recipe for skinless longganisa. It is from http://www.pinoycook.net I tried to adapt this recipe to some kitchen stock I had, but I included too much tomato paste. I have no soy paste. I think you can adapt this recipe to your favorite meatloaf recipe. The only better thing is to send money to New Jersey and buy Pampanga's best. If that's not good enough, you can go to Metrol Manila and buy Pampanga's best there. Longganisa can be adapted to anyone's taste. Some make it very spicy (like 2 tablespoons of pepper) or mild (half a teaspoon black pepper) Garlic can be much or little, same with vinegar. I was able to use fresh chicken this time, but I have made it with leftover pork chops.

Ingredients :

500 g. of ground lean pork
3 tbsps. of finely minced garlic
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tbsps. of tomato paste
2 tbsps. of rice vinegar
2 tbsps. of soy paste
1 tsp. of salt
1 tsp. of pepper
4 tbsps. of dark brown sugar
1 tbsp. of fine unsweetened bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 c. of cooking oil
12-15 pcs. of kitchen wax paper, 6″ x 6″ in size

Filipina means Christian woman

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:07:30 GMT

Have you googled " filipina " lately ? Log on to filipinaimages.com and help the campaign to reclaim the word filipina from online dating and filth sites.

Filipina are women from the Philippines. They are Christians, educated, college graduate, hard working women. They are great to visitors, kind to family and strangers, and show good morals.
In specific case, my filipina fiancee is hard working, quiet, Christian, and happy whether she has a little or a lot. She is not happy that a lot of websites exploit the keyword filipina, and worse, exploit the women themselves for porn, woman shopping, and sex.
Gen is a teacher , she is well trained for office work. She has a college degree. She is a member of a born again church. She is a good role model for Americans and Filipinas alike.

Hoosier In Manila is now Hoosier engaged to filipina , living in Indiana . I'm home , but I will bring her here !

Philippines Election

Fri, 04 May 2007 14:27:30 GMT

We're in the last two weeks before the Philippines election. This is not a presidential election. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is still in mid term. This election chooses mayors , congressional representatives, and some local offices. About half of filipinos do not say whom they will vote for. They organize by family and party list here. 47% have not chosen a party list they will vote for. Seven people are dead across the country in Election violence. Seven is actually pretty low for Philippines elections. I think Manila Standard is hyping the violence. This is my first election here, and I'm curious what the consequences will be. My friends say to expect some demonstrations. They'll be located in the polling districts, and not in the business districts. Only trouble - I don't know where those polling districts are. I will watch closely to see how this affects my work day. The election is May 14.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:04:09 GMT

Today my students and I study the heroic epic of Lee Soon Shin. Soon Shin is the navy hero of Korea. In the old days, Soon Shin was the navy commander of Korea, and he fought a war against Japan. In that era, Japan and Korea are enemies and rivals. Soon Shin built an armored ( or very strong wooden ) ship, the famous turtle ship. This ship could ram opponents. It also held 20 to 30 cannon , much like a frigate of the 18th century English navy. Some stories say the turtle ship is plated with cast iron. Soon Shin was a brilliant tactician , but also a great engineering mind also. Despite my impression that this epic happened in the 1860 era, I will defer to the Koreans and say it happened when the world was first created - long long time ago. Korea still has a sizeable and good quality navy.

For further reading , click these links.