*ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES(BLUE)*

Where else can we buy soap, junk foods, candies, shampoo, softdrinks, ice water and other essentials in small affordable amounts and is located everywhere we go?

The sari-sari store is pretty much a very important place in our community. It is usually available in every village, subdivision, and in streets as well. The word sari-sari is Tagalog for "variety" or "various kinds". These stores are usually owned by families living at the back.These sari-sari stores are usually located as an extension of a house in front. Different essentials are displayed inside. A small window can be seen usually at the center where you place your payment and your item would be given there as well. A cigarette lighter tied to the window is almost always present in every stall. Sometimes, there are even benches and table available in front and a shade could be placed above it.

This is very convenient for everyone and strategically located close to every cluster of houses and when they want to buy something and either they usually find large establishments close or far away from them. The items being sold are usually low of cost since you are buying them in retail.

This is also a good social meet-ups for our society. Most men go here and hang-out during nights after work and have drinking sessions. Women and housewifes meet up and talk about their lives and current events. Children even go here when they want to eat and drink after playing.

Labels: Only in the Philippines

*UPDATES of CURRENT EVENTS(RED)*

It was a mission accomplished for Ronnie “Calamba” Alcano, Champion in the 2006 World Pool Championship that was held here in the Philippine International Convention Center. Alcano won over Ralf Soquet of Germany into a score of 17-11. CONGRATULATIONS

Everyone was psyched up last Sunday (Nov. 19, 2006) when Manny Pacquiao won the fight. 3 rounds and it was all over. Congrats Manny!!

*ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES(BLUE)*

Po, opo, mano po.

They are the speech suffixes that define courtesy, and respect to the elders.

Po and opo, is more like a "yes" with respect.

If someone older than you asked:

Granny: Did you get a high grade in your exam?
Grandson: Opo.

or if you are being called you can also use this for an answer.

Granny: Child, come here (*Anak, halika dito*)
Child: Po?

or in certain conversations when somebody asks how you are doing.

Uncle: How are you? (*Kumusta ka na?*)
Nephew: Doing great po. (*Ok lang po*)

It does exactly means yes... but more like an addition(suffix) to every answer you make to someone older than you. Sometimes, this is not just used for elder people but also for teenagers with the same age as well. :)

Mano po. -_-

Is an act of respect for elder ones also. When one sees Granny, Granpa, Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunt for the first time during that day, they usually come up to them and say "Mano po Granny", and then Granny would extend her right hand and then the child would then place it on his forehead in respect.

( * If you have anything to add about this post, please tell me and email me at sikatangpinoyblog @ gmail.com * )

Thanks

Labels: Current Events, Only in the Philippines

Mabuhay Everyone!

*UPDATES of CURRENT EVENTS(RED)*

Prisoners Donate Hair to Fight Oil Spill

Prisoners here are shaving and donating their head and chest hairs to help clean up the country’s worst oil spill which affected over 40,000 people and 200km of coastline.

Small things/donations really makes a difference.

Davao cagers to watch not 1, but 2 NBA games

You probably did not hear about this. But four Davao City basketball players were invited to watch not just one but TWO Houston Rockets game, by NBA star Tracy McGrady.

The four players are, Nard John Pinto, Ronnierick Wong, Kristoffer Lloyd Lacida and Vincent Lim of the Holy Child School of Davao. Holy Child placed second behind China with just ONE POINT in the Asian Streetball finals held recently in Guangzhou, China but they were awarded a US trip by McGrady because of their "excellent showing".

Mayor Duterte to Holy Child cagers: "Stay healthy"

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS! (it is a dream come true for them! Be "excellent" in everything!)

Pinoy Astronomer discovered the Red Spot Junior

Christopher Go of Cebu a Physics graduate of the University of San Carlos and an observer of Jupiter, discovered that the brown spot on the planet, which was previously white in color, had turned brick red.

His observation, which was then reported to the Jupiter Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, has sparked renewed interest in the planet Jupiter.


*A SPLASH OF GREEN*

Filipinos For Better Philippines Plant a Tree of Hope in Cebu

We had this tree planting along the HIGHWAY last August. And there seems to be more "tree-planting events" to come.
One of this was in Cebu.
The tree-planting activity was coordinated with some of the city's Barangay chairmen and was in support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's goal of transforming the country into a "Green Philippines".

*ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES(BLUE)*


I know i just have to make a writeup about jeepney's
Yes, they are the KING OF THE ROAD in the Philippines. A jeepney ride is always an extraordinary experience and there are no two rides that is the same.
They are usually colorful, and are often accompanie with loud/soft or no music at all.
I usually "think" and "contemplate" while riding in one, whenever i go home. I usually pick "the-lone-jeepney-without-a-lot-of-passengers". Although, I sometimes enjoy the company of one or two people inside a jeepney, I prefer to be alone in one, haha but that rarely happens, usually jeepneys have a LOT of passengers. Carrying more than it's usual capacity. Sometimes, depending on your mood you wouldn't care less, other times.. well.. just forget the "annoying" feeling.
Just enjoy riding in one jeepney, that made us all UNIQUELY PINOY.

* *MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES(ORANGE)*

PINOY SAUCES = SAWSAWAN
Filipinos LOVES SAWSAWAN
Our pinoy seasonings, flavorful dipping sauces, is one of the most sought after ingredients. They are the different sauces that gives "flavor" and additional "taste" to anything you are eating. These "sawsawan" makes you want to eat more, even when you are just having "tuyo/dried fish".

We have the hot, salty, sweet sauces, or anything we can "create/invent" just to find the right "taste" we want. Even if the food is complete and "OK" to eat, we just have to find suka(vinegar), toyo(soy sauce), patis(fish sauce), calamansi, sarsa, sili(chili)... beside everything.

Pinoy's experiment with these various sauces, as they are fairly common place and known to enhance any dish.

--- Popular Sauces ---



*Suka't Sili - (Vinegar + Chili) - Everyone loves this. This is the "overused" sauce in every household. HOT!

*Toyo - (Soy Sauce) - aside from the "suka't sili", everyone <3's to have this on dinner tables. They would mix this with "kalamansi", "chili", or "suka", any of the three or it can also be the three altogether.

*Rufina Philippine Fish sauce(patis) - This one i saw in amazon.

Product Description
We are pleased to offer fish sauce from the Philippines. This has a unique flavor, slightly different than Thai fish sauce due to the blend of fish used to create the sauce. The fish sauce is a bit more salty and does not have a heavy odor.

Patis - is the by product of Bagoong. It is distinguished as the clear refined layer floating on the thicker bagoong.

*"Pinakurat" from Iligan - Best sawsawan in PINAS! Everyone loves this! It is hot.. more like suka't sili but better! Sizzling HOT! If you can be addicted to "suka't sili", i am sure, you would want Pinakurat more.
We have this in our table(supply from Iligan, when my parents went there, they bought a LOT). If you’re lucky enough, you can find one displayed yet partly hidden, at the grocery section(if you are outside iligan). Shake well before using.

*KALAMANSI - a souring "agent". An important ingredient in innumerable dipping sawsawan(sauces). When used as a sawsawan, kalamansi is often mixed with patis (fish sauce) or soy sauce for that indescribable sour-salty taste.

*Bagoong - Not all would be pleased with it's odor because it is distinct and unique, but it's taste has a lot to offer. This is also a flavor enhancing agent. A dipping sauce for chicharon, whole fried fish, green and ripe mangoes, or hard boiled eggs.


*Onions/Tomatoes/Garlic/Chili = additional condiments to be added in vinegar, soy sauce.. or whatever you wish.

Labels: Current Events, Only in the Philippines, Splash of Green

I will be posting different stories/updates under different categories.

*ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES(BLUE)*

This is where the things that marks us "so-Pinoy" for life.

*MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES(ORANGE)*

Things/Foods that are MADE/INVENTED/CREATED here.

*SPLASH OF GREEN*

This is where the "green" projects go. (Nature stuff)

*UPDATES of CURRENT EVENTS(RED)*

Well anything *NEW* that makes us PROUD.

*Happy Stories*(yellow)

Anything, i find funny, that can be appropriate here. E.g. Funny comics.. jokes (clean ones).

*OLD NEWS REVIVED*(Indigo)

For unsung heroes in this page. Everything OLD will be REVIVED.

*SPECIAL EDITION* (Violet)


*SKY BLUE - TOURISM *


If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the topics,

mail me @ sikatangpinoyblog @ gmail.com

If you guys have suggestions about what topics to be added and all that, feel free to voice out your opinion.

NOTE: EVERYTHING here is POSITIVE ok? I won't be talking about calamaties/political wars blah yadayada... I/We am/are aware of that, but we won't be focusing on that.

Let's Paint the PHILIPPINES

Labels: Current Events, Happy Stories, Made in the Philippines, Old News Revived, Only in the Philippines, Splash of Green, Tourism