Love is in the Air

Weddings get me all sentimental and the one I attended last Saturday was no exception. I was happy to have attended the wedding of the son of a very good friend. Her son was marrying a lovely girl who possessed a most charming smile and eyes that sparkled. It was a Christian wedding set in a mango orchard and the venue could not have been more idle for the whimsical themed event.

I could not help feel teary eyed specially when the groom and the bride exchanged vows they personally wrote to say to each other. Just thinking about how to describe my feelings got me all “brain tied”. Maybe it’s because I once more was face to face with a love that is so brand new and precious; maybe it’s because it brought memories of my own wedding day; and, maybe, it made me recognize how far my husband and I have gone together.

Suffice to say, love was definitely being carried on the breeze that gently moved among the mongo leaves that day.

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I could not help remember the lines of a song from the “King and I”.  It expresses more or less what I felt.

I share the lyrics and a link for your listening pleasure.

HELLO YOUNG LOVERS

Hello young lovers, whoever you are,
I hope your troubles are few.
All my good wishes go with you tonight,
I've been in love like you.

Be brave, young lovers, and follow your star,
Be brave and faithful and true,
Cling very close to each other tonight.
I've been in love like you.
I know how it feels to have wings on your heels,
And to fly down the street in a trance.
You fly down a street on the chance that you meet,
And you meet--not really by chance.
Don't cry young lovers, whatever you do,

Don't cry because I'm alone;
All of my memories are happy tonight,
I've had a love of my own.
I've had a love of my own, like yours-
I've had a love of my own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2yeH7uTX88&feature=related

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A delicious buffet was prepared for the guests in the reception area that was playfully decorated with pinwheels, pastel ribbons ,buntings and delicate flowers. And pretty cupcakes took center stage instead of the traditional wedding cake.

This was keeping with the whimsical theme.

Memorable to me was the tender Chicken Salpicao. I had asked for another serving—it was that good. The taste was so memorable that after a couple of days, I tried to replicate it at home for lunch. Below is my interpretation. It was not exactly the same as that served in the wedding but it delighted my daughter and my husband. I now have a Salpicao recipe I can call my own.

Curly Cook's Chicken Salpicao

800 grams skinned and deboned chicken thighs- cut into bite size pieces
1 head of garlic, chopped finely
2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce + 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoon kikoman light soy sauce + 1 tablespoon
Salt and pepper
2-3 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Marinate the meat in the sauces ( 2 T each of worcestershire sauce and kikoman sauce) add about a third of the chopped garlic. Set aside for about 15-30 minutes.

Heat the oil and melt the butter in a skillet. When very hot, add the rest of the garlic and fry until golden.

Remove the garlic and set aside. Now add the chicken slices and remember not to over crowd or you will steam up the chicken and not fry it.

When done, place on a plate. Cook the rest of the chicken pieces. When you have cooked all of the chicken pieces, place them all back into the skillet. Add the remaining worcestershire sauce and kikoman sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Give this a good toss and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle the fried garlic liberally on top of the chicken. Enjoy with lots of steaming white rice.

May: The Mary Month

I had an unexpected adventure last Sunday. A good friend and neighbor called me up to inquire if I would be interested to join her in a Flores de Mayo activity as well as view a Marian exhibit all the way in Malolos, Bulacan.

There were three reasons why I quickly accepted: one, I love visiting places I have never been to. Now was a chance to visit a historic location I use to read about in school; two, I like joining local activities— there is much excitement mixed with reverence in the air during processions; and, three, it being the month of Mother Mary— the mother of all mothers-- what better way than to spend some time looking at the many statues, painting and prints coming from private collections. It’s a mystical mix of art and faith.

Because of the addition of a new highway, it took a mere 40 minutes to get to Malolos. Bulacan is also well known for its many plant nurseries and it was so tempting to stop to check out the array of plants being displayed in outlets along the roadside. “Next time”, I and my friends promised.

The host was around to meet my friend and guide our vehicle to the chapel where a special mass was being celebrated.

 It indeed was a special occasion and we were fortunate to attend the 20th year anniversary of the founding of the Hermandad dela Virgen Maria of Malolos.

This is an organization whose mission is to propagate the devotion to Mother Mary as well as continue with the Many Marian traditions that have been handed down from one generation to the next. What a noble cause indeed!!

After the mass came the procession.

A group of teenagers dressed in Filipino attire took the lead and gracefully danced to contemporary Filipino music.

The rest followed with lit candles in hand while saying the rosary. Interesting enough was the route that saw the procession moving through the main road of Malolos—passing the Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion (another historial venue);

and old houses;

and, some of these old houses were turned into museums.

The procession ended at the entrance of a Museum adjacent to the Barasoain Church – yet still another heritage site.

After some words from the host and sponsors of the event, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and the exhibit was officially opened. A total of 80 images of Mother Mary was on display—lovingly decorated with flowers. Rose petals were given to each guest to toss in thanksgiving and praise at the images. Here are just some of the many faces of Mother Mary— each one different from the next but evoking the same feeling of reverence and awe.

Regal Mary

Termite ravaged but still lovely

Virgen de Regla (Virgin of the Rue)

So Expressively Tearful

Our Lady of Aparicida (Brazil)

Let me not forget the angels-- so many of them

After spending quite a considerable time at the museum, it was time to bid our host good-bye. Three things run through my mind as the vehicle taking us home speed thru the moonlit night:

1) how have I valued the independence fought by our forefathers? Given the opportunity, would I stand up and fight…. Or take flight?

2) Slowly but surely, small towns will go the way of big cities. With progress comes a lot of good as well as bad developments. Is there ever a way to hold on to the “Good Old Days” for the next generation to learn from?

3) Mother Mary symbolizes what it is to be a mother  —loving, forgiving, generous, accepting and kind—just a few of her many attributes. Taking her as my model will be a challenge but I have faith that she will show me how one rosary bead at a time.

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Nothing can compare to a mother's warm presence.  Like a chick, we cuddle as close as we can to her side; to her stomach; to her breast; to her back.  Like young monkeys we cling to her for dear life-- encircling her waist with our tiny legs, her neck with our sticky arms. And at times, hold on fast to one of her legs as she trys to dash out of the house to work.

And when we can't have our mother around us,  we find comfort in food that she likes making for us.  I don't know if it's the same with you, but when I need a "mommy fix", I go to my pantry to  get a packet of chicken noodle soup.  It's the quickest way for me to get close as I can get to my mother.  Growing up, I remember how my mother would cook us some "Royco Chicken Noodle Soup" when we were sick-- sometimes preparing the soup way past midnight.

So go ahead. Stock up on a couple of chicken noodle soup packets--- the brand and flavour that you like best.  You'll remember to thank me the next time you need a "mommy fix".

Vamanos!

“Buenas dias mis amigas! Vamanos al swimming pool en la casa de A, alas quarto en punto, dos de Mayo para celebraciones de mentors.”

Thus went my pidgin Spanish text invitation sent to 16 volunteer mentors of the parish’s scholarship program. Together, we had experienced the ups and downs of nurturing 66 scholars from grades 1 to 4th year high school as they completed another school year. We had spent at least an hour once a month to check on the progress of the children assigned to us.

Sometimes the experience can be exhilarating specially when scholars bring in good grades and sometimes it can be heartbreaking when a scholar shows great difficulty in reading simple words or solving simple math problems--- at 10 year of age. This sad realization just confirms how inadequate our public schools are.

Knowing how important it is to keep spirits up, an afternoon Mexican themed swimming party was just what we all needed. And so May 2 rolled in and despite the rain and lightening, there was no stopping the fun.

No Mexican themed party would be complete without the buntings

and the colorful creative decors.

Our table was heavy with so much food.

The nachos

and dip

and meats (menudo, roast chicken and pork bbq) to roll up in pita bread.

And yes, we had happy mentors swinging to latin music; splashing away in the pool; and, raising their glasses to toast friendship.

For a few hours, we left behind our roles as mothers, wives, grandmothers, executives, caregivers and housekeepers.

Too soon it was time to go back to reality as we got out of our wet suits and checked our celphones for text messages. “Mommy, what time are you coming home?”, Hon, will I wait up for you?”

That night as we bid our hostess good-bye, I felt blessed to be in a company of likeminded people. And best of all, the get-together gave us a chance to let our hair down and that somehow brought us a little closer to each other.

For sure it will take more than one bonding session to strengthen our mentoring team but it’s a start in accepting each other’s character and idiosyncrasies. And with acceptance, hopefully, we can work better as a team in serving our less fortunate neighbors.

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No team building party would be complete without a complement of drinks to go with the food. You won’t go wrong if you serve the following drink at any gathering. Guests will soon feel their cares and worries melt away and will most certainly say “Si! Si!” for a second serving.

It’s Always A Happy Hour Thirst Quencher

2 cans of any pineapple juice combination (pineapple-grapefruit; pineapple-orange; pineapple-guava, etc)
1 liter 7Up
¼ to ½ bottle dark Rum (may be omitted)
2 seedless oranges, sliced up
Lots of ice

Mix all of the ingredients and pour into pretty tall glasses with lots of ice. Garnish with slices of oranges.