This Side of Heaven... where angels love to tread!

New photos for 2009 in Flickr...

Winter snow photos included here were taken in front and back of our house in Haverhill(deers and trees), restaurants and stores in Lawrence and Northampton Massachusetts, etc...

This was the video that made it happen:



Okey, Anthony Bourdain as we now know has been to the Philippines and has experienced the sights, sounds, smell and the taste of the Philippines. Like any pinoy foodie who is always proud of their country's culinary diversity, I have always thought that if given the chance, I would gladly show people like Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern around my home country to experience Filipino cuisine.

It is funny how Filipinos visiting their relatives in the US or in any other countries find themselves being served pinoy dishes instead of the steak, filet mignon or other fancy dishes of their adaptive country. The reason for this I guess would be because, pinoys miss their homeland and the closest that they can ease the pain of homesickness is through their food.

I'm glad that Anthony, even though at first skeptic of Augusto Elefanio's real motive during the finalists' interview after learning that he was only in the Philippine for a week, gave him another chance. (I guess that was after Anthony has been literally bullied by his pinoy fans to visit the country.)

Foodie guides for Anthony were Ivan Man Dy (in Manila), Claude Tayag (in Pampanga) and Marketman in Cebu.

I know a lot of pinoys will be thinking the show didn't cover more of the other familiar foods (e.g. dinuguan, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, etc... ) but after reading the blogs by the foodie guides, they pretty much had a list of dishes representative of pinoy cuisine but since it was the productions prerogative to choose and edit the show, they get to decide what is to be featured. But anyways, this would I guess be a good reason for another trip to the Philippines in the future. I just hope that Anthony remembers all the scrumptious fare served to him to warrant another show.

As for Augusto, I know that the show played on his alienation to his ancestral land and it played an integral part of the show. This was uncannily done, as if they know of the spirit of every pinoy who has been uprooted from the homeland. But if it's any consolation to Augusto, you are not the only one for I am sure that any Phil-American especially those who were born here in the US of A feel your pain. Listening to him explain to Anthony how it is to be a Filipino yet not be connected in some ways to the motherland is heartbreaking. Just the other week, my daughter Karrol was telling me the same thing and she felt she had to learn how to balance herself as a way of adaptation.

Anthony's enigmatic question about why Filipino cuisine has not reach international recognition has been asked and talked about with his guides. Filipinos may have different and oh so varied take on this matter ... as varied as the cuisine and regions that it represent. Maybe it is time for us pinoys to change that.

Visit Ivan and Marketman's blog to get an insiders view on No Reservations: Philippines.

My last words for Augusto is to continue to re-connect with his relatives back in the Philippines. The video you made was well-done, you deserved that second chance.

Hurray!!! My wish has been finally fulfilled... Anthony Bourdain finally filmed an episode of his famous show, No Reservations, in the Philippines and it is showing here on the Eastern US, Monday, 02/16/2009. I know that last year he had a contest asking his fans to send in their videos explaining why Anthony should go to their respective motherlands to experience their native country's' hospitality, culture and most especially, the food.

After I believe, hundreds of entries that the production show received, they settled on 4 likely finalists. One of them is this Pinoy, named Augusto. Of course, I rooted for Augusto not only because he reminded me so much of my cousin Ray, but mainly because I wanted Anthony to experience Filipino culture (the scenes, the people and the under appreciated culinary offerings) which is reflective of the country's history and the various indigenous and foreign influences that has evolved into the country's cuisine. I was hoping that Anthony's show would put my home country in a positive light.

Unfortunately, they discovered that Augusto does not have much experience with Philippine culture since he was (I think) born here in the US and his only brief encounter with the Philippines was when he went back for a week for reasons unknown.

So this didn't sit well with the show's producers and possibly, Anthony himself. I think that they even thought that Augusto was only after the free round-trip airfare that the show would gladly pay for his troubles. So instead, they chose the only lady contestant from Saudi Arabia. I must say that show in Saudi Arabia was truly awesome and gave its viewers an insight to Saudi Arabia that is rarely shared to the outside world.

But now, Anthony's made it to the Philippines and I'm glad that he has Claude Tayag, a well-known gourmand and restaurateur (Bale Dutung), as one of his guides. Anthony's in good hands and hopefully, the Philippine food experience won't be compromise.



I can't wait to see the show and listen to what Anthony has to say about my native land...

Happy Slip did it again.... another funny slip about valentine's day (and how it can get out of hand... ;))



This is going to be another classic "Happy Slip". Hope you get a big kick out of it just like I did.

I am just so lovin' this music/commercial video of Jang Geun Suk (of "Yepptic & Haptic Love" drama) entitled "Toucholic". I think the vid is cute and as dramabeans commented "cheesy" at the same time.... but we still love it anyways.

Here's a video of Rin on the Rox at Ellen's show yesterday, February 3rd. Wish they could have showcased more of their talent than the short spot given them. Oh well, it's not my show.... Enjoy it anyways.

If you haven't heard of "Mighty Mystic", it's about time you do. Another rising Reggae singer-songwriter, Mystic is gaining recognition for his music and his message. Check out his website for more information and also listen to his music site which plays full songs and not just clips.

His latest single "Here I am" which features Shaggy ("Bombastic" and "It Wasn't Me" fame) and the beautiful LeLie is one catchy tune and will have you dancing on the floor in no time. The hot video was co-directed by a good friend, Cisco Santiago. Check out the video and tell me what you think... or better yet send a shout out to Mighty's blog.




Way to go, Cisco!

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Another sensation causing a buzz in youtube nowadays is the duo called "Rin on the Rox". The duo, Erin and Roxanne, are both Filipino-Americans residing in California. On Ellen's show, they were introduced as singers singing in the bathroom and this causes the viewers to laugh but once you hear these ladies sing, there is really nothing to laugh about but instead one is caught in awe of their amazing voices and beautiful harmonizing.

On February 3rd, they're invited to appear on Ellen's show but I am guessing that this will only be for the taping of Ellen's show which will be shown on TV at a later date. It really is a treat to watch people sharing their talents and give big time and overpaid stars a run for their money.



This is only one of their videos so check them out in youtube or myspace.

Also, watch Ellen's parody of the girls singing in the bathroom. I surely found it funny... if you've watched some of their videos, you will notice that Ellen tried to copy their mannerisms, too.