To Sew a Leaf

My Google phone shows me a memory reminder with a question: Remember this day? It was taken in 2010 when mom and I travelled to Leyte so she could visit her mom (my granny Cresencia) at the cemetery. On the way, mom showed me how to sew Nipa leaves together which is what she did…

Read More

Odong, Sardines and Rente

I checked the pension department and asked for a Summary of how much monthly taxable pension I will receive when I retire at the age of 70. And the feedback was depressing. Unlike some Filipino parents who made their children as their retirement plans, this is not the case with my parents. And I would…

Read More

Ang Hipon at ang Mangga. Bow!

In Philippines where I came from, we enjoyed eating Green Mango with a dip which could either be salt or even better, a bagoong.  Simply put, Bagoong is a salted fermented shrimp paste and they smell so deliciously stinky but it gives a nice rich umami olala flavor.  No other words can describe the taste….

Read More

My Time with Mr. Butler

We found ourselves walking around shops in a civilization on Saturday. Living in a remote small town most of the days, I really appreciate going to the city once or twice a month. The kids asked what we were doing there and I said “Lakaw-Lakaw lang”.  Or in German we say Spazierengehen or simply go…

Read More