katimugambalon

Jeepneys

2006-06-26T20:07:00.000+08:00

Q: How many people can fit inside a jeepney?
A: One more.

For the uninitiated, the jeepney would look like an aluminum box on steroids. In Manila, jeepneys are notorious for violating traffic rules and overloading passengers. Here in Cagayan de Oro, well, it seems much much worse.

Haggling for Passengers

While waiting outside Xavier University High School campus in Pueblo de Oro, you would see jeepneys numbering around to or three, occupying both lanes of the main road. There you would hear the barker yelling, "Kooh-goon, kooh-goon!" which actually refers to Cogon, a marketplace in CDOC. If you decline their offer, they will cross your path and berate you once more, "Kooh-goon!"

If you say "no" once more, then they ask what you are going, "Asa ka mangadto?" as if they would change their route for you.

If you decide to board the jeepney. Prepare for an interminable wait. Yes, the jeepney will wait until every nook and cranny is filled by your lubot. When then you think you're done waiting, do not be fooled: the drivers rev up the engine to feign departure but then wait for ten minutes more.

Like, laziness!

Then the jeepney actually begins to move. The drivers here either drive too slow or too fast. Too fast because they actually race against each other on the curving roads of CDOC. Too slow, because some are not satisfied with the number of passengers in their jeepneys.

The passengers themselves do not seem to mind. They hail a jeepney, and walk very slowly (imagine an ant wading through a pool of molasses) because they know that the jeepneys will wait for them. Yes, these jeepneys are that desperate for passengers—that even while moving, when the drivers think they have spotted a passenger, they will stop and drive in reverse, just to make sure.

Nightmare Barkers

There was a time that I rode the jeepney and the barker was acting weirdly. He seemed to be looking at everyone suspiciously, as if we had some planned conspiracy. Another barker was hesitant in calling in passengers because it was raining and he seemed afraid of getting wet.

Colourful Jeepney, Colourful People

Yet amidst all of these, I continue to ride the jeepney because it is the most affordable form of transport and moreover, it is an opportunity for you travel with your students and fellow faculty members. You travel with colourful people—the baby in nothing but a t-shirt who rests on her mother's bosom, the old man with gray hair chewing some gum, the elvin grade school student who has bag that is taller than he is—these people, are on a journey with you. The jeepney, and the people in them, is as colourful as life.

The City of Golden Friendship

2006-06-15T23:35:00.000+08:00

And I'm baaaaaack.

I have now moved to Cagayan de Oro City, otherwise known as The City of Golden Friendship. Hmmm. I wonder what that actually means.

I know, however, that moving here means more things to write about--more restaurants to review, more recipes to post, and of course, more Cagayanon pecularities to smile about. :)

So keep posted.

Favourites

2006-01-10T23:48:00.000+08:00

Yoiks! I've been tagged! Yes, from Passionate Eater, no less! I am now asked to enumerate the things I love to eat!

10. Pizza Margherita
I truly enjoy the crisp thin crust of a good pizza margherita. It is a simple, easy-to-make treat. Chef Rafael Esposito created this pizza to honor Queen Margherita, to whom this pizza is named after. The main ingredients represent the colors of the Italian flag: tomato (red), basil (green), and mozarella (white). In the United States, it is known more as Napolitano Pizza. (If you ordered Napolitano in Italy you would be served a white pizza)

9. Aligot
A twist to the common mashed potato. Crushed garlic is incorporated with the potato. This is usually served with slices of cheese and it's perfect with smoked sausages. Alternatively, to make it easier, you may incorporate grated cheese into the mash, and serve it as a side dish instead. I don't have space for a full recipe but you may access it here.

8. Manggang Kalabaw: Philippine Mangoes
Nothing beats a good luscious Philippine mango on a warm summer day. To make the eating experience more memorable, try eating it with your hands. Begin by peeling the pointed tip of the mango, revealing a biteful of the bright yellow-orange flesh. Then sink your teeth into the aromatic flesh not mindful of the pulp streaming down your chin. Mmmmm!

7. Paella
Every Christmas, my sister brings out her paellera and whips up this Spanish rice dish. Mussels, shrimp, chicken and chorizos all contribute to the flavours of this dish. But those ingredients in themselves do not makes this dish delectable. My sister's secret ingredient: saffron. This expensive spice is sure worth it.

6. Tom Yum Goong
Whoever invented this Thai dish should be an international hero! Truly comfort food. The soothing lemongrass infused broth and the bite of the chilis make this soup both refreshing and exciting at one slurp. Plus I'm a shrimp lover. Why don't you whip up one yourself?

5. Kung Pao Chicken Pasta | Pasta al'Amatriciana.
The Chinese kung pao chicken made into a pasta dish. I love pasta and I love spicy food. This Asian fusion dish is one of the best I've tried. California Pizza Kitchen has a recipe here.

Tied to this is Pasta al'Amatriciana, a simple tomato sauce flavoured with pancetta, or Italian smoked bacon. The sauce is named after a place in Italy called Amatrice.

4. White Chocolate Gelato with Hazelnuts
There is a gelateria in Greenbelt 3, Makati that serves excellent gelato. One of my favourites is their dense white chocolate gelato sprinkled with roughly chopped hazelnuts. A close second is their limoncello sorbetto. They go for around PhP100 a scoop ($2) For a more budget-conscious scoop, I go to Amici de Don Bosco, a cafeteria that serves wonderful gelato for only PhP30 per scoop (around 50 cents): quite authentic.

3. Suman sa Latik
Tia Paring's suman latik always brightens my day. There must be something about the thick syrup made out of coconuts and then drizzled over sticky sweet rice that always makes me crave for more. Sticky treat.

2. Feta Cheese
Good on its own, I have also learned to serve this cheese in a salad made up of chopped tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil, chopped kalamata olives and chopped pine nuts.

1. Sinigang na Baboy
Filipinos are fond of souring agents as clearly epitomized by this national dish. I prefer my pork sinigang soured with tamarind and served with crushed green chili peppers. Good served on rainy days. A food blogger in the UK, Celia Kusinera has a recipe.

So there, folks. My favourite things to eat. Hope I whetted your appetite! Hmmm.... *poke* it's your turn.

Classes Begin Today

2006-01-04T11:51:00.000+08:00

Oh no! Classes begin today. *shudder*
I suppose I should begin my comps countdown.
12 days to go til minicomps....

A Father's Song

2005-12-13T20:32:00.000+08:00

Early this afternoon I happened to pass by the Oratory of St. Ignatius in Loyola House of Studies. The skies were downcast; it was drizzling, yet I could hear the faint music coming from the Clavinova. I peered into the wrought iron grills of the Oratory to catch a glimpse of who was playing. It was Dougs, a pre-Novice from Arivisu. Dougs was with a Jesuit brother of mine, Atoy, perhaps talking about the latter's first perpetual vows. Shortly, their conversation concluded and Atoy bade us goodbye.

Dougs wanted me to listen to one of his new compositons. As I approached Dougs, Fr. Manoling Francisco passed by the Oratory and Dougs invited him over to listen as well. Dougs' fingers began dance over the ivories, and I was enthralled with the melody and morseo the message of the song—God is ever with us and longs to be with us.

After that, Dougs and Fr. Mano exchanged ideas. Slowly, what was already a good song was becoming richer, was becoming full of emotion. And then it hit me—I was somehow witnessing the birth of a song.

I was somehow witness to the religious experience of a friend, his experience of a God who never abandons us. I was witness to the guiding hand of a priest, who helps make someone's song everyone's own hymn. I was witness to the Spirit moving amongst friends.

For Dougs' story about his song, In Time You Will, click here.

'Tis a Season to be Busy

2005-11-30T12:03:00.000+08:00

A flurry of activities. For religious, moreso for priests, the seasons of Advent and Christmas are the most demanding. Well, there are of course, Christmas parties to attend, and come December 16, the Simbang Gabi novena dawn masses begin. That means getting up at 3:00 am for a 4:00 am mass everyday until the 25th.

For us scholastics and brothers, it means trying to help out, accompanying priests, helping with homilies, and of course trying to meet all of our deadlines before the Christmas break (which incidentally will be on the 22nd). It means braving the traffic to buy the perfect gifts for people who have touched your life. It means sleepless nights of balancing all of these activities and somehow trying to maintain our sanity.

For me, it means research, research and research. I am still trying to produce a decent proposal and that means reading more journals and books on the subject matter. I am currently perusing the book, The Psychology of Religion specifically studying religious experience and emotion.

Since I am going to study how display screens in liturgy affect religious experience, I need to have some way of analyzing emotions empirically. The book will help me provide the framework of the study.

There is a part of me telling me that I am treading into heretical ground since there is a risk of looking at the experience purely in an empirical manner—it is, after all a scientific investigation. But another part of me tells me that, done well, the study can help enhance the religious experience of parishioners whenever they celebrate mass. But it is a religious experience and so it involves not only screens and liturgical soundness, but a people and their God.

Liturgy and Computer Science

2005-11-23T09:20:00.000+08:00

My training prior to entering the Society of Jesus involves the sciences. I took Computer Science as my major in the Ateneo de Manila University where I concentrated on developing multimedia applications. After that, I worked for a company called Infinity Information Systems doing financial web applications research and development for Spectrasoft. I was invited to teach in the Ateneo, and I took my Masters in Computer Science while I was teaching.

The Society of Jesus is quite known for being much involved in the Sciences. The Information Systems and Computer Science Department is housed in a building named after Jesuit, Fr. Federico Faura, who founded Manila Observatory and invented the aneroid barometer.

I am currently writing my masteral thesis in computer science as a final step for my degree. For my area of concentration, I decided to focus on Human Computer Interaction, particularly, user-interface design. I initially wrote about developing user interfaces for online learning systems and its effects on user attrition. Because of my philosophy studies, I was not able to finish writing.

I then decided to write on a new topic. It is on Liturgy and Computer Science. There are a number of parishes in Metro Manila that utilize LCD projectors and Microsoft Powerpoint within the liturgy. I have experienced times when the slides do not necessarily help me to pray, but actually distracted me. I then realized, that in some way, this is a different sort of user interface, where a user (the parishioner) responds to stimuli, but he/she responds using liturgical actions. There must then be a way to use this technology, to improve liturgy, as regards pariticipation, as regards retention, as regards the entire user experience.

My mentor Neo Gonzales, has been very helpful supplying me information, especially on psychology, memory, and HCI. Hopefull I finish writing soon.

Woof

2005-11-21T09:57:00.000+08:00

Just got a picture of my sister with her Chowchow, Niles.

I have always been fond of dogs every since I was a kid. Even when I entered the Society, dogs have likewise become a bundle of joy to me.

For instance, when I was still in Arvisu house, I attempted to train Bonjo (nick for Bon Jovi) and played with the irrepresible Clinton, and the who-are-you-looking-at Hillary. And when they had puppies (no, none of them were named Chelsea), that was a riot!

In Sacred Heart Novitiate, there was Magis, the half-German Shepherd whom I walked during the Long Retreat every morning. There's the half-Spitz Gandalf, who was as brown as their Carmelite donors—he was notorious for hiding under refectory tables, waiting for anything to nibble from generous retreatants. And of course, the dog Bishop (who was given by a bishop) caused a stir when one of the manualia assignments was listed as "bathe Bishop."

When I was sent Olutanga for my mission exposure, Fr. Kim Lachica's dog, Iggy, a native dog with an amputated foot, sat by my feet as I contemplated on life.

Here in Loyola House, Weyms' Rottweiler, Gabby, would look with her amber eyes and plead for someone to scratch behind her ears.

I suppose, if we Jesuits are called companions of Jesus, these dogs can be called the canine companions of companions?

Into the Quiet

2005-11-18T17:43:00.000+08:00

After two years of novitiate, a Jesuit professes his first perpetual vows. Other religious congregations profess their first vows to be followed by an annual renewal of vows. In the Society of Jesus, (since the first vows are perpetual) we formands have a renovation of our vows, twice a year.

I am entering into a triduum retreat this evening culminating in our renovation of vows this Monday, 21 November. In my previous post, you have read perhaps of my anxieties, my fears, and these are the feelings that I am bringing into this weekend's retreat. I likewise bring my friends, my family into my prayers.

I'll be using the preparatory prayer I wrote in the Novitiate, and it is with this prayer that I end this post:

Lord, my God, you move in the faint murmurs of my heart.
Grant that I may listen to your whisperings
That I may surrender to your love.
Let your love tenderly catch me, surround me, and envelop me with Your being,
That every breath, every sigh, every smile, every tear
Every dream and every hope may be filled with Your loving presence.

Fear

2005-11-18T08:16:00.000+08:00

I have not been quite myself lately. The past few days have not been that hectic, yet I am still agitated. You see, in a couple of months, I would need to go through the comprehensive examinations for philosophy.

In Jesuit formation, or the formation of the priesthood in general, it is expected that one goes through the comprehensives. I am on my second year of philosophy, and that means, yes comps time. However, I am also taking up my MS in Computer Science, and that means, come January, I would have to defend my thesis. These two brought together is giving me much anxiety.

I am afraid that I might fail. As my spiritual director pointed out yesterday, failure is not an option. And it should never be an option. Fear is caused by the unknown, and the best weapon against fear, therefore, is knowing. Knowing what? In my case, it's knowing the matter that needs to be taken up. It is knowing myself--that means, knowing my weaknesses, as well as my strengths, and using my strengths to my advantage. It is knowing, much more than anything else, that if things don't go as well as I hoped it would, everything will be alright, that I am still loved.

I beg, then for your prayers, as I go through this path where there is no room for failure. Help me beg for the grace of courage and trust that I may pursue my endeavors with much fervor, and accept whatever comes out of it.

Viva Villa!

2005-10-31T16:59:00.000+08:00

I just had a great villa in Baguio last week 25-28 October. The villa is part of the structure of Jesuits-in-formation. This is to facilitate the deepening of friendship among formands along with their formators. Most of us view it as a priceless opportunity to rest after such a grueling semester.

The villa was a blast thanks to the indefatiguable villa master Tonton Coloma, who ensured that we get to do what we want—watch movies, go trekking, play mahjong, and especially all get a relaxing wholistic massage from Camp Allen's resident blind masseurs.

It was great to see Jesuit priests having a whole lot of fun, enjoying the crisp Baguio air.

Thank God for villa. Thank God for community.

The Corpse Bride

2005-10-13T23:19:00.000+08:00

This evening, Ernald and I decided to watch the movie The Corpse Bride. I was initially hesitant to watch the film: First, I didn't really revel in the thought of seeing corpses, skeletons, and other selpulchrally sentimental images and second, at that moment I wanted to see a light movie—one with lines I could take with me as I go beddy-bye.

I was pleasantly surprised. The film was quite enchanting (as with any Tim Burton film) from the very beginning. The character design were familiar carictures of people we know: the social climing Van Dorts pitted to marry haughty, noble yet penniless Everglots. Some of the specific characters actually reminded me of specific people: Nell Van Dort reminded me of one junior while Maudeline Everglot reminded me of a Filipino teacher—but that's another story.

One scene I particularly liked was the confrontation scene. Prior to the scene, the protagonist, Victor Van Dort, blurted out to the corpse bride that he wouldn't even think marrying someone like her. The decomposing damsel, offended, went to the music room alone where she played melancholic tunes on a piano. Victor followed her, played a number of notes, the corpse responded with melodies of her own and soon a heated exchange of hyms ensued. The music subsided, no words were exchanged, yet the scene was replete with emotion.

Overall, the film was a pleasant experience and I did take home some memorable lines from the film. I quote from Victor's wedding vows:

With this hand I will lift your sorrows.
Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine.
With this candle, I will light your way into darkness.
With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

It somehow reminds me of the vows I professed. Okay, that's pushing it a bit too far. But Victor's vows are truly very touching and the words are beddy-bye words that will leave you warm and fuzzy all over. :)

Earl Grey Tea & Biscuits

2005-10-10T09:09:00.000+08:00

As I was winding up a long day of preparing for my exams, I decided to have some tea at the nearby Starbucks Blue Wave outlet. The gloomy afternoon was perfect for a bright cup of Earl Grey tea and some biscuits.

Earl Grey tea is a variety of black tea infused with bergamot. It was named after a certain Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey who reputedly received as a gift, this blend of tea from a Chinese nobleman. This type tea became so popular that Twinings tea merchants were commisioned to duplicate the blend into what we know as Earl Grey now.

I prefer to take my Earl Grey with some milk, to complement the high note of bergamot with the creaminess of the milk--the milk gives the tea some body without compromising the citrusy character of the tea. It's sure to perk up your mood while it soothes you.

Lately, being exam week I found myself drinking cup after cup of Earl Grey tea made by different tea companies— Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Co., Twinings, and Tazo (of Starbucks). They're all quite lovely, however, Twinings stands out as the best among the three.

Twinings' Earl Grey leaves a distinct, almost addictive aftertaste, perhaps because of the quality of bergamot used. Long after sipping your tea, the bergamot settles on your palate making you crave another sip. The flavor is strong but not overpowering.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Co., comes a close second. This is a milder version of Earl Grey. The tea itself is very delicate, and I suppose that's the reason why the bergamot is but a wisp of a flavor.

Tazo ranks third. Their version begins with a very strong flavor, but disappointingly loses impact after each sip. It is nevertheless a good brew when accompanied with a rich pastry.

Hmmm. Writing this blog took a lot of time. I suppose I could go for another cup.

Good Morning

2005-09-19T12:52:00.000+08:00

After what seemed like ages of rain,
the sun finally revealed herself
and kissed the mountaintops.

It's a good day!

And Yet More Rain

2005-09-16T09:56:00.000+08:00

It looks like more rain for the next few days.

I have been tending a quaint little garden. In it I have planted orange jasmine, amaryllis, creeping gardenia, and number of forget-me-nots. I hope they don't get overwatered as the rain seems not to be letting up.

Meanwhile my zinniae seem to be growing up well. I have them in containers near the windowsill.

Rain, rain, rain.

Lazy Day

2005-09-15T16:56:00.000+08:00

Pitter patter.
Pitter.
Patter.
Drip.
Drop.
Tabby licks her paws under the banana tree.
She squints her grey green eyes.

Splish.
Father's shoes are smeared with mud.
He scrapes the twenty-year-old soles against the concrete steps.

No thunder.
Only incessant rain.

Who is Katimugambalon?

2005-09-14T21:37:00.000+08:00

Katimugambalon is a Filipinization of the name Southwell, one of the greatest English poets in the Elizabethan age. I took on the name to honor the great man, as well as to serve as an inspiration in my literary endeavours.

Among Robert Southwell's great works was Love's Servile Lot:

LOVE'S SERVILE LOT
LOVE, mistress is of many minds,
Yet few know whom they serve ;
They reckon least how little Love
Their service doth deserve.

The will she robbeth from the wit,
The sense from reason's lore ;
She is delightful in the rind,
Corrupted in the core.

She shroudeth vice in virtue's veil,
Pretending good in ill ;
She offereth joy, affordeth grief,
A kiss where she doth kill.

A honey-shower rains from her lips,
Sweet lights shine in her face ;
She hath the blush of virgin mind,
The mind of viper's race.

She makes thee seek, yet fear to find
To find, but not enjoy :
In many frowns some gliding smiles
She yields to more annoy.

She woos thee to come near her fire,
Yet doth she draw it from thee ;
Far off she makes thy heart to fry,
And yet to freeze within thee.

She letteth fall some luring baits
For fools to gather up ;
Too sweet, too sour, to every taste
She tempereth her cup.

Soft souls she binds in tender twist,
Small flies in spinner's web ;
She sets afloat some luring streams,
But makes them soon to ebb.

Her watery eyes have burning force ;
Her floods and flames conspire :
Tears kindle sparks, sobs fuel are,
And sighs do blow her fire.

May never was the month of love,
For May is full of flowers ;
But rather April, wet by kind,
For love is full of showers.

Like tyrant, cruel wounds she gives,
Like surgeon, salve she lends ;
But salve and sore have equal force,
For death is both their ends.

With soothing words enthralled souls
She chains in servile bands ;
Her eye in silence hath a speech
Which eye best understands.

Her little sweet hath many sours,
Short hap immortal harms ;
Her loving looks are murd'ring darts,
Her song bewitching charms.

Like winter rose and summer ice,
Her joys are still untimely ;
Before her Hope, behind Remorse :
Fair first, in fine unseemly.

Moods, passions, fancy's jealous fits
Attend upon her train :
She yieldeth rest without repose,
And heaven in hellish pain.

Her house is Sloth, her door Deceit,
And slippery Hope her stairs ;
Unbashful Boldness bids her guests,
And every vice repairs.

Her diet is of such delights
As please till they be past ;
But then the poison kills the heart
That did entice the taste.

Her sleep in sin doth end in wrath,
Remorse rings her awake ;
Death calls her up, Shame drives her out,
Despairs her upshot make.

Plough not the seas, sow not the sands,
Leave off your idle pain ;
Seek other mistress for your minds,
Love's service is in vain.

Scibbles on a Paper Napkin

2005-09-10T18:07:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I wrote something. The last time I held a pen in my hand was when I scribbled verses on a paper napkin, the ink finding its way through the translucent sheet embossed with tulips.

It's been a while.