Manila High School Batch 75 Gives Back

School alumni have different ways in thanking its alma mater.  With its "Nangarap, Nagpunyagi at Nagtagumpay" theme, the MHS Batch 75 shared its blessings by donating a brand new set of computer, 90 school bags, 10 pcs. of tote or hand bags and box full of books and reading materials courtesy of the members' "international" counterparts, meaning, those who are residing overseas.

A sense of pride could be felt all throughout the turn-over activity, which include the very important aspect of photo ops for "Facebook", as the said donation is one way for the said batch to thank the public institution which moulded them while helping most of the school's  poor students.

Touring the already old facility which at present undergoes some renovation, the members were brought back in time recalling the teachers, the activities performed and the noticeable changes that has been done.

Initially a school for girls, the Manila High was established in Intramuros during the Spanish period in 1892  and according to "Wikipilipinas" was named Escuela Municipal de Manila. It was renamed to Manila High School  in 1906 after the Americans had taken control of the Philippines.

While one batch of alumni conspicuously plastered its name over its glass-covered bulletin board project which is ready to be turned over to the school, another batch prefers giving monthly allowance to deserving students of its choice.

Truly, a rewarding way of sharing the blessings to the less fortunate as these would ensure the reaping of good harvest and will create a multiplying effect for somehow, these beneficiaries, will also in turn give back.

Andalucia Returns

During the 16th and 17th Century, galleons sailed the Philippine waters trading porcelains, silk, spices, precious metals and commodities which made the Manila port one of the busiest in the world.  The ships that sailed between Manila and Acapulco signaled the beginning of a global trade between Asia, America and Europe.

Three hundred years later, the "Andalucia",  a replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon came and docked at the Port of Manila last October 6-9, 2010 in celebration of the Dia del Galeon Festival or Day of the Galleon.  Andalucia's journey to our country relived the famous Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

The huge wooden ship arrived at Pier 13 of the South Harbor on October 6, 2010 to a warm welcome of the Filipinos.  The 51-meter galleon built for more than two years was named after a region in Spain where Seville is the capital.  Centuries ago, these sea crafts were made out of Philippine hardwood in Cavite.

The Philippine Port Authority's port of Manila gym served as the receiving and briefing area where visitors had the chance to buy souvenir items from stationed booths. Due to the galleons limited capacity, guests had to queue in batches for their turn.

The galleon trade which promoted cultural exchange during the Spanish rule in the Philippines was an important piece of history shared with other nations as our country became a central part of the trade route.  The Andalucia rekindled the Filipino pride that, in the olden times, the Philippines measured up in the field of maritime trade.

CAVITEX

"Skyway", that's what the newly opened "Cavitex" is called by conductors and drivers of the mini-buses plying the Baclaran-Tanza route for lack of any other name they could use even if the seven-kilometer road cuts along the waters of Bacoor and Kawit Cavite unlike the "skyways" in Southern Luzon Expressway.   These mini-buses were already using the road before it was inaugurated, thus, conductors in the absence of information has to call the new road as "Skyway".

For a daily commuter like me, using the Cavitex is a breeze, literally and figuratively cutting my regular travel time by as much 30 minutes to an hour. Time saved could be spent to do more important things for my business, family and rest instead of cursing traffic enforcers, who in my observation, are the ones who actually cause more traffic jams.

Prepare though to spend additional expense for using the two expressways going to Tanza or Cavite City as Cavitex charges Php 58.00, 116.00, and 174.00 respectively for class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles. The fees are more than twice the Coastal Road's toll of Php 22.00, 43.00 and 65.00.  Anyway, we should have more infrastructures such as this to save man hours and lessen the stress of the riding public.

Lemon Pie

I love to bake and always experimenting on baked stuff using recipes from cookbooks or websites so that my family will have something new to eat during our weekend merienda. Alas, cookbooks are no guarantee that what was published is good because oftentimes authors themselves haven't tried the ingredients.  If there are no leftovers, then its a sure winner unless my family and some friends are just too hungry or has no other choice. I came over a lemon pie recipe from the web and tried it myself since lemons from Divisoria were at that time cheaper. Sure enough, my family loved it so I want to share this recipe to you.

1- 9 inch deep dish pie crust, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 tbsp butter melted, 1/3cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2tsp grated lemon peel, 5 tbsps fresh lemon juice, 3 eggs separated, 1 1/4 cups milk.

Directions:  1.Put rack on lowest position in oven; preheat oven to 375c 2.  In a bowl, stir together melted butted and sugar 3. stir in flour, salt, lemon peel and lemon juice 4.  in a bowl, beat egg yolks with milk until will blended and stir into lemon mixture 5.  in another bowl beat egg whites until they hold moist peaks 6.  fold gently egg whites into lemon mixture and pour filling into pie crust 7. Bake 45-55 minutes until the top is browned 8.  Let cool before serving.

Flores de Mayo

Returning home from work, there was a huge traffic along the way. I asked a bus vendor why and he said, a "Flores de Mayo" or "Santacruzan" procession involving senior citizens is on-going. Haay... name it, we in the Philippines have it.  From the "Sagalas" of beauty queens, matrons, teenagers, gays, kids and now senior citizens. Rain or shine, weekdays to weekends, Flipinos love to join this parade done during the month of May to honor the Virgin Mary, which is actually, from the outsiders point of view, just a showcase of the Filipinos penchant for pageantry.  A costly show for other people to see using major thoroughfares as its stage not minding affected commuters who want to go home and rest early.

During my childhood days in Cagayan de Oro,  the Flores de Mayo processions were done only on a Sunday or end of May by two religious groups, the Catholics and Aglipays and I used to represent one of the little devils.  Poor me. I don't know  if at present, all the Barangays in the said area also hold their own Flores de Mayo just like here in Greater Manila Area and nearby provinces where one procession alone could result to a huge traffic jam.