AN ODE TO CHAMI

A lot of my friends have been hounding me with this question, What is it with chami that makes me swoon, salivate, drool over it?  It is in fact a very basic food, stir fried mixes of meat, vegetables and noodles sometimes mixed with quail eggs and chicharon.  But for me it brings back sweet memories of happy times and great company of friends and family. It is not the chami, per se, that makes me drool all over it. It is the thought that the taste brings all over me a chance to relive a past and a perhaps a wish that someday soon, everything will be alright. As life is a cycle, I know that I will again experience the joy and pleasure of being in company with people who shared the same sentiments about this food.

                Chami, like rice, is a staple food in my family. Yes, the entire Ka Ponyong clan is just plain crazy about this food. In every gathering when we are in Lucena, there never was a time when we all forget or forego ordering this food.  There are only two chami restaurant we patronize back in Lucena, Plaza Food and Granja Panciteria. Depending on our mood or budget, decision is made by the entire clan. Granja Panciteria is quite near our place and since the owner is my departed sister’s friend, we can order there and have it delivered right to our doorsteps. Plaza Food, on the other hand, is owned by our neighbor. And they know for a fact that our entire clan is just plain crazy about their version. We sometimes order from them to-go, but their version is best eaten there in their restaurant. To compare, Plaza Food wins hands down if you order it after lunch because it tastes better. Perhaps their meat stock is well cooked by then.

                During the course of my life on earth, I’ve tasted all sort of chami. In high school, I would buy a home-cooked chami near our place. The kind where there is no other ingredient aside from the meat of a pig’s head and some vegetables. Most pale in comparison with the two aforementioned restaurants except for two. Mang Goring’s is your typical hole in the wall eatery frequented by tricycle drivers and other blue collar workers. Be there after three in the afternoon, and you have to wait for your turn.

The other one is the chami of my teens. I think it is called Doring’s Carinderia, located just opposite Granja Panciteria before it became Granja Panciteria.  This is the place that brings the sweetest memories about chami. My father would come home weekly when he was assigned from far flung provinces and one of his ritual when he comes home is bring home fried chicken and then ask me to buy chami from Doring’s carinderia.  Then, together as a family, we would consume the food while discussing and bonding the past week and latest updates in our lives.

There is also the version when I was in college, another hole in the wall near my friend’s house. Mang Ricky’s version is a bit spicy but that didn’t stop us from ordering from him. Because every chance we order and feast on his concoction, is a chance to bond with my friends after we sing our hearts out in the then quite popular karaoke machine. Every Monday, we find ourselves at Dimsum house ordering their version.  This time partnered with their Siopao Jumbo. Why Monday? Because we just received our allowances for the week and just like any teens, we were all one day millionaires and chami is on top of our lists of things to splurge on.

As life’s destiny takes me to various places, I have often crave for chami. Most are plain copycats with taste far from the chami that I’ve grown to love. I’ve even tried the instant kind but it just makes me long for the chami that I desire.

Some friends asked me why chami? Why not pancit habhab? Because I believe I am a chami person. I think I may consider myself a chami connoisseur.

Chami, for me, is an icon, a simple food that brings memories of bygone days. Like its ingredients and no hassle cooking, it is a reminder of a time when things where simple and innocent. When we revel on humble things yet it matters so much. When problems seem like so easy to carry.

Today, when I visit Lucena, I still order this food. I savor every strand reminiscing on modest times and my home coming seems incomplete without it.

As I enjoy its simplicity, I say to myself – I AM HOME.

THE END OF MAGIC: A Christmas Reflection

I just finished watching “The Polar Express” and it brought back the memories of Christmas past. It hit the right chord of a grown up trying to relive the magic of Christmas wishing it did not end. Hoping that in me, the magic stays. It was hard to accept that the true magic of Christmas has ended. Wishing that though it was gone, it will never be forgotten.

I remember the time when the magic ended. I was so young then, in my kindergarten year, when it dawned on me that Santa is not real. I was around six when the magic left me. As years went by, I continue living the life with no Santa.  We all were raised into thinking that “seeing is believing”, that the truth of the pudding is in the eating. But when the magic is gone, it’s gone forever.

Today, the true spirit of Christmas is lost in the milieu of commercialism. We were all exposed to the meaning of Christmas as tinsels and lights that glitter, the rush of shoppers trying to beat the Christmas deadline, the food and drinks, the endless parties, the blaring sounds of carols, the traffic, the soaring prices of commodities, the tiangges, the sales, the cues. But its true meaning is in our hearts. The spirit of Christmas is in our hearts and no one can take that away from us, unless we want to.

Maybe we can just stop and ponder, and keep the spirit alive in our hearts. Even if we have learned that there is no Santa, the joy we felt back then, when we still believe should be kept close to our hearts. For generations to come. For if we lose this most precious aspect of Christmas, imagine a world where a whole generation does not believe in Santa. Imagine a child growing up deprived of its true meaning. We were all called upon once to experience the magic, not for us alone, but for the future generations. If we share it and pass it on, then the message will be kept alive for many years to come.  As it has been for the many Christmases that past.

The magic should not end. And the memories of Christmas past, when the joy we all felt gave us something to look forward to, should also be experienced by the coming generations. For a year full of war, disasters, destruction, squabbling and hopes lost, just for one day, only one day is reserved for peace. Isn’t that something to look forward to?

May the memory of Christmas past be kept alive and burning in the hearts of men. May the many Christmas future be filled with its true meaning.

            HAVE A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

KABANATA

Ganoon na lang ba kabilis ang panahon,

Sa isang iglap lang ay di mo na malingon?

Mga pangyayaring biglang nagiging kahapon

Maya-maya lang ay matatapos na ang taon.

Ang Lunes lumilipas ng mabilis

Bawa't buwan ay parang food express.

Ang bawa't taon mabilis magbihis

Tumatakbo ng diretso at di lumilihis.

Ang ngayon ay magiging bahagi ng kahapon

Ang bukas darating at maglilimayon.

Karanasan at inaasam magiging alaala

Bahagi ng puso, malungkot man o masaya.

Igapos ko man ang aking kahapon

Yakapin ng mahigpit ang aking ngayon

Patuloy na tatakbo, patungo sa bukas

Orasan ng buhay, dagliang kakaripas.

Bakit nga ba kailangang balikan?

Mga kabanata ng ating kabataan.

Bakit di harapin ating bukas

Na tiyak darating, patungo sa wakas.

Kaya't huwag tayong mag-alinlangan

Sa ngayon, bukas o kahapon man

Ang buhay ng tao puno ng kabanata

Harapin lang ang hamon at talinhaga.

15 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I REACH 60

In a few hours, I will be celebrating my 45th birthday. And as usual, no fanfare nor celebration is in the offing. I don't feel like preparing big banquets to celebrate my natal day. Especially if I've been doing it for the past 44 years. A simple visit to the church to thank God for another year and ask for another year of lease will do. Plus, perhaps, one special meal for me. I was thinking of chami, but I just can't get the right concoction. So 1 whole pizza will do, preferably Shakey's Garlic and Cheese and perhaps a spaghetti platter and chicken. But before I lose my track, this blog is about my earnest desire of things I want to do before I reach 60. So roughly, I have fifteen years to do all of these stuff but I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I can hit it all before d-day.


1. A VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND. I wasn't formally introduced to my religion in my younger life. All I remember is the mandatory Angelus at 6:00 pm. I wasn't educated in a Catholic school from Grade 3 to high school, so Religion is not really a required subject back then. When I entered Sacred Heart for college, I was re-introduced to my religion. I have seen various episodes of the Holy Land tour, including pictures from friends. And this gave me all the desire to visit the land where Jesus walked, lived, breathed, preached, and offered His life for our Salvation. I have always thought that when I reached the Holy Land, I am ready to die.


2. MAKE A PIZZA FROM SCRATCH. I have always loved pizza. Be it from the greasy kind toasted on makeshift oven at some corner to the authentic Italian kind. There was a time when Shakey's pantry is made of glass and you can see the chef tossing and throwing the dough up in the air. That, I want to do. But they've enclosed that part of their resto, perhaps they are hiding something now. Or their commissary is where it is all prepared. But nonetheless, I want to build my own brick oven, with real firewood for that different taste and feel. and dump all my fave toppings on my pizza. I want it topped with Chami, Kwekwek, talabing, crispy pata, andoks chicken, arroz valenciana, macaroni salad, J&J V-Cut, McDo Twister fries and a lot more. But before this blog turns into an Epic Meal episode, I have to move on.


3. WORK AT GIFT WRAPPING SECTION OF STORES. I never marvel at gifts daintily wrapped in a whole cornucopia of colors, designs and ribbons. I admire people who give extra effort in wrapping their gifts. But what delights me is to see what kind of gift is hidden inside. By being a gift wrapping personnel (or whatever they call that position), I will know its content before the gift recipient even set his hands on those gifts. I will also know who spend so much on gifts, and who is kuripot. 


4. WATCH ALL THE CLASSIC PINOY FILM. Back then when the Philippine movie industry is young, it churned out all the best movies, some of which I haven't seen. Back then movies  were raw, no special effects, superb story line and great acting. These are the movies I want to watch: Anak-Dalita, 48 Oras, Agila, Biyaya ng Lupa, Ibulong mo sa Hangin, Itim, Kundiman ng Lahi, Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Pagdating sa Dulo, Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang, Tubog sa Ginto. Most of these films are lost into oblivion, but I hope that in fifteen years, a copy will surface maybe in cyberspace.


5. A HOLIDAY FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY. I have often dreamed of this, where the whole family up to third degree of consanguinity will tour the whole world together. It will be blast discovering new things and places with your family. It will be an event of a lifetime. And I want to change the family tradition where we only become whole when someone passes away. This time I want the reunion to be fun, fun, fun.


6-11. KNOW AND PERFECT THESE RECIPES. Some of my favorite food are those found in fast food joints. I know those of you who are health conscious will frown at me but their taste is just heavenly and "to die for" literally. However, if I have my way, I want to prepare the following food healthily: Twister Fries ( I want to know what secret is hidden behind these fries), McDo Crispy Chicken (I always wanted to know where they dredge their chicken, I tried those prepared breading and I just can't get that taste), Plaza Food Chami (this is my ultimate fave of all time, sometimes when I eat there, I get this plan to barge into their kitchen and demand for the recipe), Mang Bert's Crispy Pata (this to die for food is not only delicious but the meat is so tender you will not notice it's pork hind), Papa's Arroz Valenciana (I really miss this one, often prepared during Christmas and New Year only, I want to someday perfect this one so I can continue the tradition), Mama's Chicken Macaroni Salad (This is the only memory of how delicious my mother cooks, to this day, I am yearning for that taste. I've tasted all available macaroni salad I can get my hands and tummy on but none comes close to my mother's macaroni salad. Rumor has it that she uses her bare hands in mixing it up, owing to that distinct taste).


12. REUNITE WITH LONG LOST FRIENDS. Although Facebook already has done it in parts, what I want to do is to be physically reunited to my long lost friends. My life has been in chapters and in every chapter, I met and became close with so many people. But because of events that separated us, we never got a chance to be physically together and reminisce those bygone days. So paging all my classmate buddies in elementary, high school, college, at PCIBank, at Caltex, let's get together some time.


13. VISIT ALL THE 70+ PHILIPPINE PROVINCES. I don't want to be a stranger in my own land. Thus this is one of my obsessions. Out of the 70+ provinces, I think I have only been to less than 10. The Philippines is such a beautiful country and it pains me to only see its beauty through pictures and videos.


14.  LEARN TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE INSTRUMENT. I have always been a music lover. I cannot work well without a background music. I know I sing well (at least to my knowledge, especially when the spirit of the alcohol is hounding me), but what I want to do is play the music I want to sing. Thus, this obsession to learn to play at least one instrument has been hounding me ever since. There was a period when I want to learn to play the sax, because it sexy. Then came the guitar, but I can't memorize the keys. Then the keyboard, but I think I am tone deaf that I just cannot hit the right tune. Maybe I can just concentrate on cymbals, triangle or if I can hit the beat, the drums.


15. FIND MY OWN "HAPPY PLACE". I am always on the move, I move from place to place (courtesy of Joe Mari Chan), but I believe everyone deserves to have his own "happy place". A place where you are who you are. You can forget all the drudgery and topsy turvy that we call life. If I can only see that place, maybe I can retire there and be free of all the hustles and bustles of daily living. I was thinking of going to the Trappist Monks, once when I was 27 years old. But work again took away that interest. Perhaps that's not my happy place. But I hope that before I hit 60, that happy place is waiting for me and be treated as my permanent home and reverse the nomadic life I am enduring.

THAT DAY

At around 12 midnight tonight will mark the time when a major life-changing event completely altered my life. It was at that time when the dreaded accident happened. What was supposed to be a quick trip to a nearby store became a nightmare that tested my strength and faith in God, assured me that I have a family who will stand by me no matter what, and friends who supported me all throughout.

From the initial shock of the accident, the help of San Pablo’s finest who let me use their mobile car to accompany me to the emergency room, to the mayhem at the ER, me demanding attention, me shaking all over because of the unbearable pain, me begging for a pain reliever to ease the pain, the travel to the x-ray room in the middle of the rain and occasional bumps that sent stabbing pain, the doctor giving more attention to her facebook, she reading the x-ray and telling me that there is no fracture and releasing me, me struggling to ride a tricycle back to my place, me being carried into my home and my bed. That night will be considered my longest night of indescribable pain.

The next two months passed by with only one thing on my mind, to get back on my feet as soon as possible. I spent my 44^th birthday alone, in bed. Some friends visited me and brought some food.  My only solace then was my phone and facebook. I was alone from morning till night without anyone to talk to and answer to all my needs. And facebook kept me company. Two months in bed, with the scheduled therapy every other day, passed by so quickly.  Christmas came and went, it was the first time I spent Christmas alone.

The news that made my entire world come crumbling down was when I heard another doctor’s diagnosis, I have a broken femur. The news came before New Year’s eve, and I spent all day and night crying. I asked God for help, I don’t know who to ask for help, my coffer is drained, and I need an operation.

Then the miracles happened.

Help from my family came pouring in. I went to Lucena for further test. It was suggested that I be admitted at the Philippine Orthopedic Center, where I stayed for fifteen days. The first night was hard. It was my first time in a hospital.  With no available room, I was confined in a ward. At night, I got awakened by other patient’s cries of pain. Patients who can’t afford to buy medicines for their pain. There I experienced how it feels to be like in a zoo, with streams of nursing students coming and going gawking at you like you are some kind of animal. There I experienced scheduled bathroom privilege, being awakened at 5 in the morning by the head nurse, the heat, the scent and sight of rotting flesh as it is being cleansed, and guards who make you feel like a prisoner. But I was not complaining. It was an experience worth cherishing and my hope was high as I was waiting for my date with the knife.

Unexpected turn of events made me aware that this is one episode in my life I can call a miracle. The surgery was cancelled, a few minutes after I called the supplier of the hip screw, a day later I was released.

The remaining months ensued with frequent trips to the therapist and monthly checkup as I slowly gained my mobility. From wheel chair to two crutches, to one crutch, to walking stick, I slowly saw the progression.

Today, as I look back at that night, I can proudly say, that I won that battle.  I understood what the Lord God wants me to learn. I am no Job, I am not there yet.  But I know in my heart that God loves me, that He only wanted the best for me. That all those delays, misdiagnosis, and cancelled surgery has a reason.

The journey continues. I know I can get there someday, I am not in a hurry. But the fact that I can get there walking, unscarred by surgery, and with stronger faith in Him and love and support of my family and friends.

That night, may have scarred me physically, with walking stick all my life to boot. But it also made me stronger. He made me stronger.

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. - Jeremiah 17:14

UNFIT TO A T

Time and again I see new kinds of articles of clothing but as most fashion items, they don't blend well with the person  using them. Here is my latest rant regarding these fashionable inventions.

FAT MAN+MUSCLE SHIRTS


It's not a sight to behold seeing fat man wearing muscle shirts. As the name describes, it is a shirt intended to show your muscles. So if you are fat (or so papery thin) please do not attempt to wear them.

Not only are you making a fool out of yourself, but you're a disgrace to the inventor.

SHAVED EYEBROWS+EYELINER 


This one oftentimes amuses me.

Question: Why would you shave your eyebrows when you have an intention of putting it back through the help of a pencil?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

CAMOUFLAGE SHORTS+NON-MILITARY


It's designed for the military and it helps them blend in their environs. SO when a non-military person wears this, in the malls, I don't see any point. Why would someone wear a camouflage in a mall, without a gun, unprotected. What if an ambush attack happens? How will he defend himself?

I hope they fire a grenade launcher at you and blow your stupidity to oblivion.

OVERSIZED SHIRTS+JEJEMONS


I don't see your point. Why buy a shirt that's ten times your size?
What does this accomplish? Will this help solve global warming?
Do you know that the extra yardage can clothe the naked in Africa?

So the next time you see these stupid jejemons wearing oversized shirts, kill them! For crying out loud!


More to come, as Ka Ponyong scours the entire country to look for stupid people who wanted to fit. Sadly, not everyone is destined to fit and the intention to be so only makes stupid people more stupid.

A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE: A TRIBUTE TO THE ORIGINAL KA PONYONG

On August 3, 2011, the grand patriarch of the Andalis clan will celebrate his 100th birth anniversary. Lolo Ponyong, as we fondly call him, was the only grand father I ever knew. My maternal grand father died before I was even born. Thus, the close affinity I had with my Lolo Ponyong, crossed beyond the barrier of being my namesake. He was known as Eufronio Andalis, so technically I am not a junior but a third.

I looked up to him with great reverence and respect.

He, with always a doze of jokes as we were gathered at his feet. Urging him to crack some more, as he lights his favorite brand of cigarette, Kool Menthol 100s. Remember the story of the talking horse? Or the one with the priest, the old lady and the razor?

He, who loved coffee, as I recall. And not the instant kind we now use, but the real brewed Kapeng Barako, oftentimes being used as sabaw to sinangag coupled with scrambled eggs with lots of tomatoes and onions and haot.

He, with his to die for Arroz Valenciana. Usually prepared and served only during Christmas and New Year.

He, who loved to read Daily Express, at times making his own commentary about the latest event with my Lola Talia, who busied herself with her latest crochet project.

He, who loved to watch TV, most of the times with us, sitting in an old rocking chair as our black and white TV set is tuned in to Oras ng Ligaya, The Big Ike's Happening, John & Marsha, Kuwarta o Kahon, Superstar, Tawag ng Tanghalan and other popular shows of the time.

He, who loves to bring us to Agdangan to experience the rural life where there's  no electricity, no TV, no maid. But aptly compensated by the 7 kilometer walk to Tampus, a seaside barangay, to frolic and play along the sea coast. The ritual pagbubuko (actually called pagmumura but it doesn't read right), where we eat young coconut flesh followed by a drink of its juice, to remove (daw) bulate in our stomachs. And when the night comes, amid the heat of the gasera, we again gather at his feet as we were entertained by his stories of old and distant war he experienced.

We lived with him for I think two to three years. And during that time, we were molded under his strict discipline. Along with our uncles, we saw how he gave corporal punishment for any infraction that may caused him his ire. But those didn't made us weak but in fact strengthen us. 

He left for the US, along with my Lola, when I was in grade 3. And during those times, we wrote letters to him and to Lola to keep in touch with them and send the latest news in our lives. When he left, he gave me a 25cent coin, probably as a token, because we were not included in the entourage who will bring them to the airport. I was teary eyed when he embraced me, and gave me his huling bilin.

"Huwag ka matutulog sa harap ng TV."   Because ,I, most of the times, fell asleep in front of the TV.

"Wala ka ng ibibili ng Kool'". I was his favorite errand boy, usually, with upa, or tip of singko which I oftentimes buy my favorite Beatles cookies (the one with peanut butter spread) or Lobo biiscuits.

"Huwag ka magsasama kay Anita". Because we were late one time from going home because I tagged along with my sister to visit a friend.

Little did I know that that was the last time I will see his smile.

One day in January of 1979, I was fetched by my father's driver in school. When I boarded the vehicle, he broke the news that Lolo Ponyong  has died. I don't know how to react then, but when I arrived home, that's when it hit me. I cried in my room. Knowing that I will never see him again.

A couple of days later, we fetched my Lolo at the airport along with all my Titos and Titas who went back to the Philippines to bring him to his final resting place. While we were travelling, one of my uncle, Tito Leovin, gave me something that was one of my most unforgettable gift ever. A Timex gold wrist watch. The last time we recorded a cassette message to Lolo, I asked for a wrist watch. And inspite of fact that he left us, he managed to fulfill my wish and his promise.

There are so many other anecdotes and memories that I will treasure in my heart as long as I live. And lessons he imparted on me as I grow up. But the best legacy he gave to us is his genuine fatherly care and provider to all his children which cascaded to us his grand children and great grand children.

A hundred years hence, his descendants have carved their marks in every millieu they chose. Although separated by vast miles from each other, we all know that we all came from a single tree who provided us all the nutrients that nurture our growth, and shelter that provided us a haven.

Happy Birthday, Lolo Ponyong! I know that you are now living your forever with your only love, Lola Talia.