Tropang Gutom: A year of fellowship, food, and everything fun

Last January 31, Tropang Gutom turns a year old. Somehow I feel like we have been together much longer than that. I have known Mia and Cel since 2002 when the three of us first joined the SMCM high school faculty of which Ma’am Noems has been a member since forever hehe. Badong and I were among the first batch of ISO internal auditor trainees. Benjie was my fellow first year adviser when I was a substitute teacher for Miss Javier. I would see Vhong, Rheena, Ele, and Marianne around whenever I came to SMCM to visit during the period I was not teaching there and when I rejoined the school from 2011 to 2014. Actually, TG has been formed before I became part of it, but our love for food and adventure has forged our bond. Though there are times that some members (read: me) would miss meetings (aka food trips haha), TG keeps everyone updated through Facebook.

In 2015, TG embarked on two major adventure: a camping trip to Nagsasa in Zambales in April and a nature trip in Baler, Aurora (which I have yet to write about, sigh) in November. With TG, planning a trip is as much fun as the trip itself. No stones would be left unturned; hence, the numerous meetings held. Just imagine the amount of calories consumed in all those meetings lol.

To Tropang Gutom, because our kind of hunger leads to happiness, may we always be hungry for the next adventure.

We are Tropang Gutom and we are hungry for the next adventure!

My Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo trip in retrospect: Lakad-kain-lakad in Osaka Day 1

Not even a month had passed since I got home from the JENESYS 2.0 program I took part in, I booked a ticket to go back to Japan. My IDC officemates Jub and Emma had already booked their roundtrip tickets to Osaka, and I thought it would be fun to join them, but I had people who I wanted to see, so I made mine Manila-Osaka (Kansai) then Tokyo (Narita)-Manila. I would learn later that my fellow Jenesyst Neri and her brother Greg also planned to go. Unfortunately, Emma could not go with us. Hence, I was with Jub for the first part of the trip (Osaka-Kyoto) and with Neri and Greg for the second part (Tokyo).

Day 1 Departure and Osaka by night

Our flight to Osaka was delayed a bit, but nothing could dampen my excitement for this trip. Although I was going to Japan for the second time, it was my first time in Osaka and Kyoto. Jub and I intended to take not less than a thousand photographs each. I was only able to take about 900 (Gomen, Jub-san!) even if I wanted to take a shot of every nook and cranny. I was in so much awe that I was afraid that I would not be able to capture the moment.

To save on train fare, we got JR-West Rail passes. Such a pass can be issued to a foreign tourist under “temporary visitor” status and is valid for unlimited travel in the Limited Express “Haruka” and Local Trains operated by JR-West within the area indicated on the sheet. Since I would be going to Tokyo for Day 4, I got a Kansai Area Pass for 3 days.

Waiting for our train to Shin-imamiya

We were booked at Hotel Taiyo, which is actually near the train station, but we took a wrong turn somewhere and ended at a police station! Nope, we did not do anything wrong. The kind elder we asked for directions does not speak English so he thought it was best to ask the police for help. They have a map of every neighborhood at the station, and the kind elder accompanied us all the way to the hotel. This was only the first among many of the kindness of strangers we experienced in Japan.

After checking in, it was time to look for food. It was already late, and most of the shops were closed, but we found this really good place to eat at:

Anybody knows how to read this? 🙂

Isn’t their interior neat?!

This place uses a meal ticket machine. Just insert your money, press the button corresponding to your choice, get the ticket, and give it to the waiter.

Got a ticket to eat!

Tamago donburi–scrambled eggs with savory sauce on rice

After our simple but satisfying first meal in Osaka, we took a walk in the quiet neighborhood before going back to the hotel. The next day was going to be full-packed!

The magic of Cynthia Alexander’s music

is that it can be timeless such that the words still speak to me even if I have not heard them for some time. It can transport one to another place and time, most likely to that moment of one’s discovery of her music. In my case, that would be in 2000 when I was a relatively newbie in the publishing industry. Her second album Rippingyarns had just been released, and it was what I asked my secret Santa for Christmas. I would play the cassette tape in my portable player (Watashi no Aiwa wa doko desu ka?) over and over until I have memorized her songs. I eventually got a copy of Insomnia & Other Lullabyes I think at the UP Shopping Center where I usually find albums of my favorite singers-songwriters.

Sadly, I did not catch any of her farewell shows. That’s why I was excited when I learned that she was coming home to play at the Jack Daniels Indie Music Awards. The schedule was a problem for me though as I had to proctor final examinations early the next day. Then the Teatrino show was announced but the balcony tickets were quickly sold out. The Conspiracy Cafe gig was my last chance to see her before she left again for the US.

But who would go with me? Gigs, particularly the special ones, end way past midnight. But it really was a special one, so I asked my very important person–Nanay–to come with me to Cynthia’s show.

Our Cynthia Alexander at Conspiracy Cafe tickets

Isn’t my Nanay cool?

I actually shamelessly messaged Conspiracy Cafe’s Facebook page to ask for a reservation to which I got a positive reply (I just love Conspiracy!) but I understood when I saw a note on Cynthia Alexander Music Facebook page later on that the show would be on a first come first serve basis and that Conspiracy gates would open at 6 pm. Nanay and I got there around 7 pm and had yummy sisig and rice for dinner.

Conspiracy Cafe’s sisig with egg

What made the night more magical was Vin Dancel of Peryodiko. That “Dear Prudence” cover! (Cynthia would later sing “Blackbird.” Loved both.)

When it was Cynthia’s turn to perform, I had to stand on a chair because my view of the stage had been blocked.Good thing was that no Conspi staff asked me to get down. At some point, even Nanay stood on a chair. We all have missed Cynthia and her music that after her supposed last song “Comfort in Your Strangeness,” we did not want to leave yet.

Cynthia actually stood in front of me during the set break to talk with some friends but I got too shy to ask for a photo op. Her friend helped me get my CD signed though.

My signed copy of Walk Down the Road

I am so grateful to be there and feel the magic of Cynthia Alexander’s music. I hope I get to be there when she holds a homecoming gig again.

The Summer of Friendship

I believe the four of us were fated to be friends although it would be curious at first how we became to be when we seem to have nothing in common except for attending the same high school. I was not even their batchmate, having graduated 4 years ahead, but not once did they make me feel that it matters.

MD and I met through a common friend Rose. I had my first summer job at her mother’s shop. Ber and I attended the same elementary school, but we would not meet until 8 years later. Bong and I met at MD’s place where we played against each other in a game of Jeopardy.

An ordinary day that summer, long before the age of the social network, the four of us forged our bond. Just four kids trying to figure out how to fix a broken TV. I do not even remember if the broken TV was the reason that Bong and Ber came to MD’s place for, or they just came over for lack of other things to do on that particular day that summer.

That summer day led to other days of hanging out, late night walks and conversations about anything and everything over shared Slurpees and hotdog sandwiches or whatever we could afford. Whenever we were allowed, we took Tita Aida’s owner. We watched shows, attended birthday parties, sang Eraserheads songs, earned money and went to Enchanted Kingdom. So much seemed to have happened over such a short time. We had grown much together.

Then we had to grow apart. MD went to the land down under. Studies, work, and other relationships demanded much of our attention.

But our friendship from that summer remains. That’s one of the reasons summer makes me smile.

Wear your personality, wear PersonaliTees

“Who are you wearing today?” is a common question during Hollywood red carpet events. But we do not have to be celebrities to be asked or to answer this question. I believe regular people like us reflect our very own personalities by what we wear more than the celebrities who have stylists who dress them up for the events they attend. This is why my friends and I chose “Who are you wearing today?” as our tag line and named our shirt design and printing biz PersonaliTees.

Obviously, we at PersonaliTees are shirt-loving people. Kindly pardon my shamelessness at modeling our own products. Don’t worry, this is as far as my modeling career could go haha!

My first PersonaliTees shirt: Yoda I have become.

Sushi girl meets National Artist Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera at the Philippine Literary Festival 2014 last October

Nodame Cantabile-inspired shirt

So if you want personalized shirts for yourself, family, barkada, organization, or what have you, just leave a message in our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/personalitees.com.ph.

 

 

Jelling over jellymaking at Heda Community Center

After an overnight stay at the different family-run inns, we headed to the Heda Community Center where we learned how to make tokoroten. To be honest, I did not have any idea what tokoroten is until I saw the pictures and the procedure. Tokoroten is jelly (gulaman) which is sometimes called  agar-agar in my local language.

Dried seaweed

To make tokoroten, we need dried seaweed, water, and vinegar. Wash the seaweed in water and drain. Boil water with a little vinegar. Put the seaweed in the water and vinegar mixture and let it boil for about 25 minutes.

After boiling the seaweed in water with vinegar, take it out and put it in a cheesecloth. Squeeze the liquid out.

Put the gelatinous liquid in a tray to cool it down. Cut it into bars.

Tokoroten bars

Cut into smaller chunks or use a special tool to make tokoroten noodles.

Tokoroten noodles

We seasoned our tokoroten with ichibana (a local citrus) and light-colored soy sauce (looked like patis to me hehe). I guess it can also be made sweet with sugar syrup.

The Heda Community Center people are very accommodating, and it was so much fun making tokoroten with them.

Say “Takaashigani!”

With what little Nihongo I know, I tried to converse with the awesome ladies of Heda Community Center. I think the most useful expression for me in this trip is “Isshoni sashin o tottemo ii desu ka?” which roughly translates to “May we take a picture together?” This always got a positive response. This time though I learned a trivia. Instead of saying “cheese” when taking a picture, people in Heda say “Takaashigani!” which is Nihongo for long-legged crab. Izu holds the Guiness record for crabs with the longest legs. Omoshirokatta ne!

Meeting art angels at Nihon University

I always look forward to the Nihongo Center Foundation Open House in October because it is where I get to experience Japanese culture. At NCF, I got to wear a yukata for the first time in 2008, watch my first sumo match in 2010, and try calligraphy in 2011. I consider NCF teachers art angels because they incorporate Japanese art in Nihongo lessons. My all-time favorite is still origami. I have a penchant for activities involving paper.

For the JENESYS 2.0 Cultural Exchange Program, Team Shizuoka visited Nihon University College of International Relations in Mishima City. When I saw that we were going to learn sumi-e and ikebana, I felt excited for it was my first time to try both sumi-e and ikebana, yet anxious because I did not know if I was any good with ink or flowers. Thankfully, we had very patient teachers who showed us step by step and helpful Nichidai students who assisted us during the art lessons. They are our art angels in Japan.

Sumi-e

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Ikebana

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Fine, fine time at PD-Fly Resort House

In one of our conversations, I remember telling Henri about love languages, how people express love in different ways, and why some people feel they are not loved when in fact they are. At PD-Fly Resort House, their love language is very evident. It is most definitely service: the grandest, five-star kind.

We arrived at Heda Village where PD-Fly is late in the afternoon on December 6, and our hosts were already at the parking lot to meet and greet us. Team Shizuoka had been divided into small groups for our stay at different minshuku for the night. I was assigned to PD-Fly with seven awesome ladies: my roommate Dew of Thailand, Hong Yi of Singapore, Afiqa of Malaysia, May Mon of Myanmar, Bui of Lao DPR, and Vivian and Sally of Australia.

We had come from Nihon University where we learned ikebana so we had fresh flowers with us, and the innkeeper (I have to recall her name!) quickly got us a bucket with water for the flowers. She is so sweet! She was so mindful of us that later when I explored the house and forgot my jacket, she got me a yukata to keep me warm.

PD-Fly Resort House is simply beautiful! It has all the necessary amenities and more. I will let the photographs tell you how beautiful the house is. (Photos courtesy of Dew Pattayakul)

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Too beautiful to eat

Heda being a fishing village, I expected to have fish and seafood for dinner (and breakfast), but I did not expect a feast. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. In fact, everything was too beautiful to eat! (Photos courtesy of Hong Yi Goh)

Five-star dinner!

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We spent only a short time at Heda in general and PD-Fly in particular but that stay has left such a wonderful lasting impression on me. I hope I get to go back at PD-Fly when I am fluent enough in Nihongo so that I can express how much I appreciate their warmth and hospitality.

#ThankYouTeachers (Part 1)

I have meant to write a post about teachers who have influenced and inspired me for the longest time. As there are quite a number of them, I’m going to write this as a series. This is the first of four parts.

The first teacher who made a lasting impression on me is Mrs. Adela Pacheco. She was my teacher when I was in Grade 1. She had been my Kuya’s teacher two years before, and my younger brother’s teacher five years after. In short, she had been teaching first graders forever. Mrs. Pacheco was the one who taught me how to read, and looking back, I think she taught me really well. That time I read faster than the other kids, and she would try to slow me down, telling me that I read like I was “nagtatadtad ng sibuyas.” I did not care much about writing though, but I don’t remember her forcing me to write. She would just let me read and draw and color, which were what I did for most of my time in Grade 1.

I did not care much for mathematics until I had Miss Lucita Salazar as math teacher when I was in Grade 3. I did not learn multiplication the previous year (I got by with repeated addition), but somehow I got caught. She made learning math easy, and I started paying more attention. I would later on have a love-hate thing going for math, but third-grade math was pure love due to Miss Salazar.

This love for math deepened when I had Mrs. Luz Porca as my math teacher and coach in Grade 6. I remember training for an interschool math quiz bee. Ma’am Porca would read aloud a math problem, and I would solve it within a time limit. I won in the district level and qualified for the division level in which I lost. Ma’am Porca had never made me feel that there was any pressure to win. Just learning with her made me feel like a math quiz bee champion.

If my love for math began in Grade 3 and fluorished in Grade 6, my handwriting would not have improved much if I did not have Miss Juanita Martillano as my homeroom teacher in Grade 4. Her cursive is so beautiful I would practice writing so that my cursive could look like hers. Of course, mine pales in comparison. The practice still worked for me though because my handwriting improved.

I also like my Grade 6 homeroom adviser and Sibika teacher, Miss Eulalia Abacan. Ma’am Abacan would make us draw maps and read articles from the Philippine constitution. She speaks so softly, and I don’t remember her getting angry.

PS: Only Ma’am Martillano (now Mrs. Defuntorum) is actively teaching among my favorite teachers in grade school. I have not seen Ma’am Pacheco for a long time. Ma’am Porca and Ma’am Abacan attended our 20th year grade school reunion. I attended Ma’am Abacan’s 80th birthday. I sometimes see Ma’am Salazar in church.

For Master Kim (aka Six degrees from Park Ji-sung)*

My name is Tesha. I’m a Filipino and a football fan. Park Ji Sung is a Korean football superstar. I do not know him personally. In fact, I did not know much about him until I started watching football in 2011. However, I know someone who knows him in person. His name is Kim Chul Su. I call him Master Kim.

Master Kim is a football coach. He coaches the Far Eastern University (FEU) football teams for I don’t know how many years now. (I have to find this out.) For the last n years, FEU is consistently in the Top 4 of UAAP in football.

I admire Master Kim because of how he contributes to the growth of football in the Philippines. Before 2010, football is not as popular in the Philippines as it is now. In 2010, football had a breakout year in the Philippines due to the Azkals’ (the men’s national team) performance in the Suzuki Cup. It has gained quite a following; more people come to watch the games and the United Football League.

In 2012, Master Kim became head coach of the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC in the UFL. That was how I met him. I am a Sparks fan.

Meeting Master Kim for the first time after a Sparks game

Master Kim led the Sparks to their first appearance in the Singapore Cup last year. The team reached the semifinals. It also placed third in the UFL. Most recently, he coached the Sparks U-19 in the UFL Youth League. The team was first runner-up.

I think what’s most amazing about Master Kim is the extent he goes to scout football talents. He scouts players for FEU, and he looks for them in places far away from Manila. He has been to many places in the Philippines such as Compostela Valley, Davao, Surigao…
Some of the players Master Kim had scouted are now with the U-23 national team training pool.

For what Master Kim does for the love of the game, he has become my favorite Korean living in the Philippines.

*Note: My friend Jas and I were supposed to make a video to join a contest. However, we got so busy that we did not have the time . I’m not sure Master Kim will get to read this, but I want to thank him for making me love football even more.