Love Food, Don’t Waste

My heartless friends joke a lot about me having this bottomless pit of a tummy but I do get full, contrary to popular belief.  Even if I want to gobble everything on the table that people aren’t finishing, I sometimes wave the white flag and relent to not take another bite.  I’m not opposed to having it packed to bring home and I make it a point to eat leftovers and not leave it spoiling in the ref.  Not all people are mindful though.  And sometimes, buffets’ ultimate motto of absolutely NO leftovers is best practiced than overlooked.

Image from Bistecca entry

We pay attention when our own hunger pangs come o-grumbling but we close our eyes to the less fortunate who go on hungry for days, even weeks, by mindlessly throwing out food or leaving it on the table.

One of the many things I learned from my father is not to waste food.  I remember when I was still young and eager to finish lunch or dinner just to be able to play the Nintendo family comp, my Pops would point to the few grains of rice on my plate and ask me gently to finish it all.  Every single time there is still food on my plate, no matter how little a morsel it is, as long as it’s edible, he didn’t tire to ask to finish it.  There are times I felt it was silly whenever he requested to finish even ONE grain of rice.  But looking back, it was all good training.  We all try to say a prayer of grace before meals but do we remember to speak a prayer of blessing for those who go without?

Image via google images

My go-to store for healthy alternatives for snacks, tea and supplements, Healthy Options has started an advocacy to stop food wastage through a social media campaign, “Love Food, Don’t Waste.” 

Check out these YouTube videos:


Healthy Options raises awareness on the ridiculous amount of food that ends up inside a trash bin.  A lot of folks ignore the fact that not everyone has access to food and many are actually starving.  A family of 8 actually shares one instant noodle soup amongst themselves to survive.  This is just one of many illustrations of how people cope with deprivation.  There are worse realities.

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8 to Educate Campaign and the Virlanie Foundation

 

 

I’ve written before that a child’s smile can make a world of difference.

 

My sister Joyce will forever have a child’s smile.  And that makes me lucky.  She makes me look differently at the world.

 

There are hundreds/thousands of children out in the street.  How can WE make a difference to their world?

 

Children’s Month draws to a close in the Philippines and we’re reminded of the importance of education in the lives of the country’s children. Virlanie Foundation, Inc and eight high-end restaurants in Serendra and along Bonifacio High Street in Global City, Taguig have partnered on a new campaign to highlight education for those who perhaps need it the most: street children.

 

 

From now until December 31st, 2009, eating at any one of the eight participating restaurants will help educate a street child. Arama, Cav, Chelsea, Cupcakes by Sonja, Fu, Healthy Kitchen, Sentro 1771 and Xocolat will make a donation to Virlanie for every designated menu item ordered. Eager to participate in the campaign, the staff of each restaurant has been learning about Virlanie and its eight educational initiatives.

 

Chelsea’s Mac and Cheese

 

Fu’s Dimsum Platter

 

Sentro 1771’s Chicken

 

Sentro 1771’s Catfish Adobo Flakes

 

 

Xocolat’s Organic Cacao Drink

 

I personally like Sentro 1771, Fu and Chelsea and will definitely visit these places, dine there and order the food listed to help them donate.

 

 

Virlanie and its campaign partners are keen that concern for education extends beyond mealtimes and they’ve made it easy for patrons to support the education of a street child from only PHP800 per month. 

 

 

Virlanie Foundation is a private non-sectarian child-caring institution in Manila. Its cares for street children who are abandoned, abused, made to work and are found living in the streets. They’re welcomed into its homes. Annually it cares for more than 300 children in its 12 homes and last year cared for 700 more through its outreach programs. 

 

 

Support for Virlanie’s cause comes from many quarters. For a year already, world famous singer Billy Crawford, has been the foundation’s Goodwill Ambassador. Recruited by founder Dominique Lemay, Billy has seen Virlanie’s work up close: “I visited the homes and it’s really impressive how these kids are being taken care of. It’s all year round, not just for the Christmas season.” Billy freely admits that “I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t been ‘in need’ at some point in my life… and it’s on those crucial times when any helping hand is always a blessing.” Billy understands the importance of education and backs Virlanie on its newest campaign to come to the aid of the city’s most vulnerable children.

 

 

Album

RSCC Orphanage Feeding Program

06 1223- Goody Bag Project

Hospicio de San Jose Album

 

Related Post:

A Child’s Smile

A Child’s Smile Part Deux

Hospicio de San Jose 

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and 12 Cups of Advocacy

Madz and Project Brave Kids

Sharing on Your Birthday

  

  

 

Animo Stakes Races and Celebrity Poker Tournament

 

 

After an all-nighter with my girlfriends last Saturday, an SMS was composed in the draft to beg off attending the Animo Celebrity Poker Tournament and just send in my donation.  I didn’t send it.  3 hours of sleep and feeling quite bleary, I pushed myself off the bed to go.  I’d rather be supporting with donation AND my presence there –after all, I want to witness the success of this pet project of KR3 and OA and LSGH batch ’85.

 

 

I had a quick spot massage at Chiva Som to energize me.  Stan and Jen were really sweet to pick me up, give me a ride to Cavite and keep me company.

 

After a few stopovers that included Stan dodging a traffic ticket, we arrived in Laguna.

 

The travel to Cavite was surprisingly quick, which took only about an hour.

 

San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park

 

The San Lazaro racetrack wasn’t as I expected it to be –smelly dingy race trail.  Santa Ana racetrack images DELETE.  It was far from that.  The panorama was really a breathe of fresh air. 

 

There is a viewing deck on the second floor where one can better appreciate the races.

 

Our group was completely clueless on how to bet on the races, but there were assistants on standby to help you figure out that green sheet with all the horses’ names, historical numbers and odds.

 

 

Who would’ve thought that a racing event would be exciting?  A certain thrill is in the air watching these horses gallop swiftly and in great speeds. 

 

 

I cannot wait to be back –if only to break the monotony that is Manila.

 

 

Animo Stakes Races | Celebrity Poker Tournament

 

The Animo Stakes Races slash Celebrity Poker Tournament is a fundraising project whose proceeds will go to victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

 

Poker table #6 was where my seat was.  Playing on the same table were 3 players from Metro (including Marlon), Bryan, Ding Dong Avanzado, Mico Palanca and Antonio Aquitana.  When the other tables got dissolved, Ogie Alcasid and Aubrey Miles were transferred to our table.

 

I managed to be part of the last 44 players but got busted out with short stack and KJ suited on my small blind against Mico’s A-5 unsuited.  We both didn’t hit anything so the Ace held up.

 

The final table included Stan, Boy and Bing who I have played with during house games.  I was so excited for all three!  First, second and third place went to 3 Metro players.

 

 

Jen and I bonded throughout the evening while waiting for Stan.  Stan moved all-in with his short stack with A-9.  He couldn’t be dealt with a better hand –unfortunately the big blind paired his 6. 

 

 

Stan, Jen and I stopped by Shinjuku for some warm ramen at midnight on a Sunday before heading home.

 

*Kudos to King for a very successful fundraising poker event.

*Thanks Stan and Jen for giving me a ride to Cavite and bringing me home 🙂  Err… that was the first time I ever found the need to wear a seatbelt while seated at the back.  That’s all I can say for Stan’s driving 🙂

 

 

 

American Idol Season 8 Finale

 

 

There is a new American Idol and it’s Kris Allen.  KRIS ALLEN, ladies and gentlemen.

 

Gotta give props to Adam Lambert because he was really a superstar all throughout the competition and he brought AI to a whole new level –singing and stage presence –wise.

 

Image Source: watchingamericanidol.com

Image Source: watchingamericanidol.com

 

Kris Allen despite missing some key notes in Kara DioGuardi’s written song, No Boundaries, triumphs as the last man standing in Season 8 of American Idol.  Even if Adam did a better performance hitting the notes, I feel that Kris’ acoustic rock voice suits the song better than Adam’s mellow Aerosmith voice.

 

 

Image Source: watchingamericanidol.com

Image Source: watchingamericanidol.com

 

 

Other than the star-studded guest list that includes Kiss and Queen, Kara DioGuardi made the season finale more memorable with an epic showdown between her and “bikini girl” Katrina Darrell.  Not so long ago during the auditions, Kara pointed out that Katrina didn’t hit the right notes.  Katrina made a sarcastic rebuttal that distressed Kara to showing her how it’s properly done.

Image Source: Fox and Huffintonpost.com

Image Source: Fox and Huffintonpost.com

At the end of the singing duel, Kara unveiled her bikini body by unbuttoning her trench dress to flash a black string bikini she had on underneath.  Ryan commented that by flashing the world at the end of the song, Kara won a bet and a donation to charity.

Image Source: Fox and huffingtonpost.com

Image Source: Fox and huffingtonpost.com

 

In other news, Hayden Christensen (no, not the infamous local doctor with scandalous videos) and Djimon Honsou stars in Mandrake the Magician adaptation.  Anakin Skywalker of Star Wars is supposed to do the lead role in the film “Mandrake.”  MTV news however reports that a representative from Hayden’s camp denies that he has anything to do with the film. 

 

The movie co-star Djimon Honsou will follow Hayden’s character, an “underground magician and escapologist” who is approached by the CIA to do some work after “a daring escape from an SUV that has been dropped out of an plane at the Burning Man Festival.  Hounsou will presumably be taking on the role of Mandrake’s assistant, Lothar.  I love Djimon Honsou in Blood Diamond and I cannot wait to see another film with him in it.

 

The Zeitgeist and Moon movies are the two movies I want to watch soon.  Have you seen Zeitgeist?

 

 

Rest in Peace: Francis Magalona

It was only 5 months ago when I attended the tribute concert for Francis Magalona, as invited also by my friend Mon.  I cannot believe that the talented man that started Pinoy Rap has left us.

 

His Eat Bulaga family confirmed the news that Francis Magalona passed away today, succumbing to his battle with Leukemia.  Francis M is still such a young soul to be taken away from his family, friends and people he has inspired, one of which is Gloc9.

 

Master Rapper Francis “Kiko” Magalona last wrote on his multiply entry on January  14, informing his next series of tests and medication.

 

 

I remember that I used to sing “Mga Kababayan” with my sister Joyce when I was a little tot, much to my Tito and Tita’s delight, who in turn gave P10 for each performance.  Kaleidoscope was a true favorite while I was growing up.  People are truly saddened by the loss of a great OPM artist, who is also known as a good family man.

 

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Tribute Concert For Francis M