Chowking's Fried Siopao. Photos by Jep | Flickr I must admit that I'm a little late in realizing this, but does anybody else think these fried asado siopao from Chowking are so good? I also like the size, just enough for a couple of bites. Ordered a few boxes of 4 for snacking later. 😅
Earlier today, my peaceful mulberry foraging in the backyard took an unexpected turn. I was happily gathering ripe fruits when I felt a sharp pain, then another, and another, on my hand. A faint buzzing sound, which I initially mistook for bees, filled my ears. Panic set in, and I bolted towards the safety of my house. It must have been quite a sight: wide-eyed, clutching my hand, which, coincidentally, was stained red-purple from the mulberries, and running like my life depended on it. It must have looked like I was in some horrific accident from anoth…
Last Saturday marked my late father's birthday. Though he is no longer with us, my siblings and I make it a point to honor these special dates, no matter where we are. Baking something from scratch would have been the most fitting tribute, considering my father’s love for baking after retirement. But at that moment, I wasn't quite up to the task. Instead, I ordered a lovely carrot cake from a local bakeshop for delivery. It arrived slightly smooshed on one side - perhaps from the box tilting during transport. I didn't mind. A slightly missha…
I am pleased that the Flickr community has started a monthly challenge. This allows me to review my old photos that belong to the assigned category for the month, since they do not require that the pictures submitted be taken recently. This month's subject is "Up Close & Macro." I call this one "Young Fern Leaf? Or Tentacled Creature?" Photos are from Flickr/Jep . It was taken at La Mesa Eco Park in Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines, in 2008. The young fern stem unfurling made for an intriguing macro photo, especially agains…
A mulberry fruit. Photos by Flickr/Jep . It's the height of summer, and the mulberry tree at the back of our house is filling up with succulent morsels of deep purple goodness. Every morning, I try to harvest all of the ripe ones within arm's reach and leave the ones I can't reach to the birds and to the annoying neighbor's chicken (or should that be the neighbor's annoying chicken - think I am just going to feign ignorance) when they drop to the ground. My fingers are stained purple as mulberries tend to bruise easily when ripe, and…
I like to monitor these room temperature and humidity sensors I placed around the house. Photos by Flickr/Jep It was the Lenten season last week, and it would seem that traditional wisdom holds true for being regarded as the warmest time of the year in the Philippines. True enough, temperatures in Iloilo have been soaring to as high as 35 degrees Celsius in the afternoon over the past few weeks - and forecasts predict this trend will persist for the rest of this week. The city government has even made an announcement of a preemptive suspension of cla…
The Liberation of Panay Holiday, observed every March 18, commemorates the successful liberation of Panay Island from Japanese forces during World War II. This pivotal event honors the courage and sacrifices of Filipino guerrillas and Allied forces who fought tirelessly to free Panay and its neighboring islands. The day not only marks the triumph of resistance and unity but also serves as a tribute to those who gave their lives for freedom. Panay was liberated on March 18, 1945, a victory achieved through the coordinated efforts of Filipino guerrilla fi…
If you want to be able to read all of my posts conveniently delivered to your inbox, consider subscribing to my email list. For now, I am alternating between sending out my current posts and selected past posts that I think are interesting enough (I will not be sending everything). Check out my SubStack account in the following link: Occasional Ramblings | Substack Also, what do you think of the new logo? :)
Dinagyang Festival. Photo by JVTaiza via Flickr (with permission) Dinagyang Festival 2025 is finally winding down, marking the end of three exhilarating days of celebration in Iloilo City, Philippines. Running from January 24 to 26, 2025, this vibrant festival, held on the fourth weekend of January, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region. With events like the ILOmination and Parade of Lights, the Kasadyahan Festival, and the energetic Ati Tribe Competition, Dinagyang is a feast for the senses and a heartfelt homage to the island's his…
