‘Coins for Bethune’ drive raises a record $56,000

This year’s “Coins for Bethune” fundraising project for the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge has made more than $56,000 so far, with the amount set to increase as some 10 collection receptacles are still to be returned.

The amount collected in less than three months since the fundraiser was launched appears to be a record, as the highest collection to date was set in 2011, the year the campaign was launched, with about $50,000 being raised.

Donations cans were distributed last June 4, and collected during Bethune House’s 31st anniversary celebration on Sept. 17 at Chater Road.

Edwina Antonio, executive director of Bethune House, thanked supporters of “Coins for Bethune” for their generosity and continued patronage of the two shelters operated by the NGO Mission for Migrant Workers.

Participants in the fund-raising drive turn over their cans of coins to Bethune House.

“We are so happy! We raised more than $56,000 from the cans and individual donations! The funds will help support the regular programs of Bethune House. It takes a community to shelter migrants in need,” Antonio said in a Facebook post.

In a speech at the shelter’s anniversary cocktails and fundraising event at KUC Space in Jordan on Sept 30, she said Bethune House “has tirelessly pursued creative ways to secure funding for its many initiatives,” foremost of which is providing shelter to distressed migrant women workers.

She said Bethune House’s shelters had been fully occupied these past few weeks as the number of domestic workers pursuing labor and other cases after being terminated had risen.

“Shelter is still a primary need because of the continuous increase in the number of terminations and contract violations as well as violence against domestic workers,” Antonio said.

“Increasing the capacity of the shelter to attend to needs contribute to the empowerment of the residents as well as in strengthening their capacity to cope with their cases and issues that affect their situations in Hong Kong,” she added. – Vir B. Lumicao

Ex-labatt Julve feted in HK on retirement

A select group of friends of the Philippines’ former attaché to Hong Kong Bernardino Julve gathered on Oct 7 at The Port in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, for a post-birthday and retirement celebration in his honor.

Julve, who retired as a commissioner of the National Labour Relations Commission on reaching the age of 65 last month, thanked all the guests and reminisced how Hong Kong provided him with his most rewarding experience as a labor envoy.

Among those who came were current Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre and the honoree’s friends from the militant migrants sector, media, charitable organizations, the media, and close family members.

Julve recalled how he risked being declared persona non grata in the city, along with the late Ambassador Domingo Lucenario, Jr. (who was then deputy consul general in Hong Kong) when they joined a rally to protest against a cut in the salary of migrant workers here.

Former Labor Attache Bernardino Julve returned to Hong Kong recently to celebrate with friends and family his 65th birthday and to mark his retirement from government service. Speakers took their turns giving tribute to his being accommodating when he was labatt. The party was held at the Port, a Filipino-owned restobar in Lan Kwai Fong. 

He also expressed gratitude for the many friends he made during his record six-year stint in Hong Kong, noting they came from all walks of life and profession.

A pivotal moment in his stay was his undergoing liver transplant at Queen Mary Hospital, when he hovered between life and death as family and friends prayed for his recovery.

Julve first served abroad in Rome, before moving to Hong Kong.

After a mandatory recall to the Department of Labor and Employment’s head office in Manila, he was posted in British Columbia in Canada where he stayed for six years.

He returned briefly to DoLE in 2014 before being appointed as NLRC Commissioner.
Julve shuttles between Manila and Hong Kong, where he has acquired permanent residency.- DCLM

Foreign investments down

The Philippine economy is beginning to suffer the adverse effects of the Duterte administration’s policies.

During a Senate hearing last week on the 2018 proposed budget of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Senator Franklin Drilon expressed concerns over “a significant deceleration in the influx of new investments” or equity placements.

This prompted the Neda to issue a statement on October 10, claiming that foreign investors remained confident in doing business in the Philippines, a view echoed by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion 3rd.

But on the same day, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that net foreign direct investments (FDI) slumped to their lowest level in over a year in July on the back of a steep drop in funds channeled into debt instruments.

At $307 million, the net inflow for the month was 37.9 percent lower compared to July last year and was also the smallest since June 2016’s $238 million.

The Bangko Sentral said this was mainly on account of a 74.3-percent decline in investments in debt instruments, to $105 million from $407 million, which outweighed a more than five-fold increase in net equity capital.

Net equity capital, at $131 million in July, was 470 percent higher compared to the $23 million posted a year earlier. Equity capital placements totaled $170 million, outpacing the $39 million in withdrawals during the month.

The bulk of inflows came from Singapore, the United States, the Netherlands, Japan and Taiwan, the central bank said.

The funds were channeled primarily into manufacturing; real estate; wholesale and retail trade; finance and insurance; and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply activities.

Reinvested earnings, meanwhile, grew by 11.5 percent to $71 million.

July’s slump weighed on net FDI flows for the first seven months of 2017, which fell by 16.5 percent year on year to $3.9 billion. The Bangko Sentral said this was due to an 81.5-percent decline in net equity capital to $272 million.

Placements during the period came mostly from Singapore, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

Net placements in debt instruments expanded by 13.9 percent to $3.14 billion from $2.76 billion.

Reinvested earnings reached $487 million, up 9.3 percent.

The Bangko Sentral raised its 2017 net FDI forecast to $8 billion in June, from $7 billion previously, citing improved domestic indicators and expected global uptick.

Duterte’s economic managers are pushing for the approval of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill as a crucial component of the government’s massive infrastructure program, “Build Build Build.”

Cabinet officials have also been drumming up investor interest via briefings overseas, with the next leg to be held in New York with Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III in attendance.

Pinay saved after filming herself drinking bleach

By The SUN staff

Ann posted this picture on FB before filming
herself drinking the bleach

A Filipina domestic helper who has apparently overstayed her visa in Hong Kong reportedly tried to kill herself by gulping down a gallon of bleach on Oct. 10, and even recorded her act on video.

Reports from her friends said Ann A. was taken to a hospital in the New Territories shortly after her suicide bid at about 1pm, but as of this writing, no one could say for sure where she was.

About four hours after she sent the video of her downing the bleach to a friend, this message appeared on Ann's Facebook account: OK lang ako, wag kayo mag-alala,” the post read.

Later, Ann said in her native Ilonggo dialect that she was so depressed that she seemed to have lost her mind.

“Thank you gid sa kabalaka ninyo. May second life pa ako,” (Thanks for all your concern. I got a new lease on life”), she added.

Ann, a mother of three young girls and a native of Cabatuan, Iloilo, videoed herself gulping down the bleach, her mouth frothing from the liquid that flowed down her chin.

She sent the video to a neighbor friend, who then shared it in a group chat, until it reached the RMN radio station in Iloilo, which posted a blurred copy on its Facebook page. .

A caption story that accompanied the posted video said Ann had a spat with her husband last Sunday, making her decide to end her life.

One of her fellow Ilonggos who contacted the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate reported that Ann’s last contract ended in June this year.

She appears not to have submitted a new contract, suggesting she has been staying in Hong Kong illegally since.

Ann is reportedly staying at a boarding house in Kamtin, Yuen Long.

Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong rally for equality

by The SUN team

Children were among the protesters who called for equality. Photo by Danilo Reyes

 A group of ethnic minority residents, along with some local supporters, staged a protest yesterday, Oct. 8, to call for the elimination of “long-standing inequality” in Hong Kong’s education, employment and medical services.

The protesters, who included children, marched to the Central Government Offices in Tamar to urge Chief Executive Carrie Lam to help improve their plight.

They presented a petition which listed a 14-point demand, including fair admission in kindergartens, better Chinese language support for EM students in local schools, and de-segration in the public school system.

The rally was held ahead of the maiden policy speech of Hong Kong’s top official on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Government statistics from last year showed that 8,056 children from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and other parts of Asia – excluding China and Japan – were in primary schools.

Equality in education was a major concern. Photo by Danilo Reyes

The number dropped to 3,493 in high schools and 2,313 in tertiary institutions, accounting from just 30 percent of Hong Kong’s young people aged 15 to 24 from the listed countries.

In contrast, more than 73 percent of Chinese youth in this age group were in high schools and tertiary institutions.

Outside the government’s  headquarters, the protesters shouted “We love Hong Kong, we are Hongkongers, we are Hong Kong’s future” in both English and Cantonese.

They said that because EM kids struggle to speak Chinese, they encounter difficulty in getting into good schools or obtaining better paying jobs, as many employers require job applicants to have attained a certain level of proficiency in Cantonese or Mandarin.

Some of the protesters said that even getting accepted into a kindergarten is difficult because young non-locals do not speak Chinese. The language problem continues as they try to get a place in prestigious elementary or secondary schools, or university.

Local supporters of the group said there is also a need to provide support for EMs who need medical care, or jobs.

Public hospitals should employ interpreters to prevent EMs being excluded from public health care because of the language barriers, while the Labour Department should have staff who will assist EMs in securing a job.

In response, the government through the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, said it will continue working with the Equal Opportunities Commission in building a “pluralistic and inclusive society which is free from discrimination”.

‘Cheerful’ Rose is home for good

By Daisy CL Mandap

Happy is the word that first comes to mind when one meets Rosalinda Pineda, a longtime leader of the Filipino Catholic Group at St Joseph’s church in Central. No matter the task at hand, no matter who she was working with, Pineda, who is “Mommy Rose” to most of her younger church mates, seemed to be always cheerful and calmly in command.

Rose Pineda with Father Midas in one of the church gatherings.

Now the ray of sunshine that lit up many a Sunday at St Joseph’s has shifted its glow farther afield, in Iloilo to be more precise, because that’s where 61-year-old Pineda has moved since Sept. 17 this year.

After working with just three employers in the 30-odd years that she was in Hong Kong, Pineda decided it was time to go back home, to be with her two children and four grandchildren.

But rest is still far from her mind, as she gladly shared that she was offered to run a school canteen near her home. This new project draws her back to one of her lifelong passions – cooking – and she cannot feel any happier.

“Ito talaga ang gusto kong gawin,” she told this writer a day before saying her final goodbye to the place she had called home for three decades.

For now, though, she is happy enough to just take it easy and enjoy the fruit of the hard work she did, albeit cheerfully, all those years.

“As of now pahinga muna, mag-enjoy sa bonding sa mga apo,” she said in response to a follow-up message on how she has been doing since settling back home.

She has reasons to feel good. Her two children whom she raised single-handedly after becoming widowed at age 30 are both doing well in their chosen professions, and Pineda herself has saved enough to be financially comfortable in her retirement.

Seeing her now, one could hardly guess that her first years abroad were fraught with heartaches.

Soon after she came to Hong Kong to work for a relative, her husband who was working as a security guard, was stabbed to death by a drug-crazed junkie back in their hometown. That left Pineda having to choose between going back home to raise her two kids, or staying put in Hong Kong so she could earn enough to provide for their needs.

Her dilemma deepened when a rich relative offered to adopt her kids. Pineda was torn between the idea of letting go of her kids so they could have a better future, or keeping them with her, despite the difficulties she was forced to deal with in the wake of her husband’s death.

What she did was to ask her young children to make their own sacrifices so they could stay together. The two kids stayed on in their house and did all the chores, and were just joined by a sister of Pineda during the night.

Another test came in the form of an offer from a relative to introduce Pineda to male friends online, thinking it was time she dated again. This time Pineda said she turned to one of the priest friends at St Joseph’s for advice, and was told to just concentrate on raising her kids.

She complied, and now says it was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

After a rough first contract in Hong Kong during which she said she was paid only $700, about half the prescribed monthly salary then, Pineda looked for a new employer. Her luck turned when she was hired by a kindly French couple.

At a time when calling long distance cost a lot of money, Pineda said her French employer let her use their telephone to keep in touch with her children regularly, without charge. Her employers also took her along with them when they’d go to France on extended vacation. But after 10 years, the family had to move back to their home country and Pineda had to look for another employer.

Pineda still remembers the time 16 years ago when was interviewed by the Irish man who would become her next employer. She recalled with a smile that she was the 30-odd applicant to be called, not so much for an interview, but for an oral test and a practicum. She was made to demonstrate her table setting skills and ability to craft a menu for a dinner party, both of which she passed handily because she took pains to learn them on her own while working for her previous employers.

The contract with her Irish-Filipino employers was to be renewed seven more times, with  Pineda going along with them and their beloved pet dogs, as they moved from one lavish house to another over the years. With the advent of social media, she took to posting the culinary creations she served to her employers and their guests, not to brag or whine, but to take delight in what she managed to whip up each time.

But it was not just cooking she did with passion, but every chore that came with the job. She shared that one of her last “bilins” to her employer Harry, was to make sure his next help would iron his shirts thoroughly from the inside and just skim them off on the outside so they don’t lose their sheen. She also proudly proclaimed that she does a lot of hand-washing because it helps keep the shape and color of clothes.

“See this shirt that I am wearing? I bought it years ago for just $10, pero mukha pa ring bago,” she said, obviously pleased with herself.

It is another trait that endears Pineda to many. Despite the opulent lifestyle she was exposed to in the last 26 years of her stay in Hong Kong, Pineda remained the simple Ilonggo woman she was when she first arrived. She dressed as simply and as frugally as before, and never took on the ostentatious airs of many of her peers who thrive on reflected luxury from their employers.

This mindset helped her focus on what she worked abroad for: provide for the basic needs of her children, and save enough for the inevitable return home.

She also had the foresight to put money in an insurance plan that by the time she was ready to cash in on her investment before returning home, she managed to collect a tidy sum that surprised even her employer.

“I told Harry that part of my medical bills was paid for by this insurance; yung kulang lang yung sinisingil ko sa kanya,” said Pineda.

Loans, which blight many an OFW’s life in Hong Kong, was not in her radar, as she made sure she always had something set aside for emergencies. Spending much of her time in church also helped her stay on the straight and narrow, Pineda said.

She did manage to stray far enough, though, to join two related organizations, the cancer support group Buhay Ka, and Filcomsin, made up of many of her long-time friends in the community.

Pineda could have gone further afield, and become the community leader who could rightfully lecture to her fellow migrant workers on how to make the most of their stay abroad. But she did not, preferring instead to leave as quietly as she had lived in Hong Kong for three decades.

For Pineda, there was simply no reason to veer off the path that kept her fulfilled – and more importantly, happy.

May panlaban ang Pilipinas sa Oscars

Napili ng Film Academy of the Philippines ang independent film na “Birdshot” bilang official entry ng Pilipinas sa Best Foreign Language sa Oscars na gaganapin sa March, 2018.

Nauna rito, nanalong best picture ang Birdshot sa Asian Future Film section ng 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, at nanalo rin Critic’s Choice awards sa nakaraang Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).

Pinangungunahan nina John Arcilla, Arnold Reyes, Mary Joy Apostol at Manuel Aquino, ang Birdshot ay mula sa direksyon ng 24- taong gulang na si Mikhail Red. Ito ay co- produced ng indie film company na TBA Studios, na nag-produce din ng Heneral Luna, na naging entry ng Pilipinas sa Oscars noong 2015.

CAMILLE NAGANAK NA
Isinilang ni Camille Prats ang pangalawa niyang anak, isang malusog na baby girl noong Sept. 22 sa St Luke’s Medical Center sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig City. Pinangalanang Nala Camilla, ito ay panganay nilang anak ni VJ Yambao.
Ang caption sa mga litratong inilabas ni Camille:  “Your much awaited arrival has finally come. World, meet our princess, Nala Camilla Prats Yambao. Born on September 22, 2017 at 8:36pm, 7.3lbs. Thank you God for the gift of life and for being my comforter all throughout my birthing journey. My Love, thanks for being with me every step of the way. Seeing how happy and elated you are upon seeing our baby girl is priceless. I will forever embed that memory in my heart.
Finally you are in our arms baby girl”.
Bukod kay VJ at Nathan, ang panganay ni Camille sa namayapang asawa niyang si Anthony Linsangan, dumalaw din ang kuya ni Camille na si John Prats, kasama ang asawang si Isabel Oli at kanilang anak na si Feather Lily.
Samantala, tatay na rin si Geoff Eigenmann nang isilang ng kanyang girlfriend na si Maya (Angeli Mae Flores ang tunay na pangalan) ang kanilang baby girl  noong Sept. 23.
Agad na nag-post si Gina Alajar sa kanyang IG account “Maraming maraming salamat, Panginoong Diyos sa ibinigay mong kaligtasan kay Maya at sa aking bagong apong si Arabella Simone Eigenmann. Congratulations, Geoff and Maya. 9-23-2017, this is the day that the Lord has made!!

SARAH AT RICHARD, MAGKAKA-BABY ULIT
Masayang ibinalita nina Richard Gutierrez at Sarah Lahbati na masusundan na ang panganay nilang anak na si Zion, 4. Sa Instagram account ni Sarah, ipinost niya ang larawan nila nina Richard at Zion, na may caption na: We are thrilled to announce that our little family is growing. Zion is about to be a kuya!!!!! So excited for the future. Lord, thank you for protecting us. I’m very much pregnant... back pains, breakouts, HAKAW DIM SUM CRAVINGS, cramps, mood swings, ANNOYANCE AT IBA PA!!! Raise your hand if you can relate!!! Shoutout to all the super moms out there. The silver lining to this craziness is that there’s a healthy baby growing inside of me who I’m very much excited to meet next year. :) Do you think we’re having a boy or girl?
Ang caption naman ni Richard: “Thank you to my love (Sarah Lahbati) for staying strong and patient despite my hectic schedule, she’s able to take care of me, Zion and our little one on the way, she’s truly a super mom”.
Noong August 1 ay ipinahayag nina Richard at Sarah ang kanilang engagement sa kanilang show na “It Takes Gutz To Be a Gutierrez”, pero wala pang binanggit na petsa ng kanilang kasal.
Samantala, maliban kay Sarah, buntis din ang mga sumusunod: Nikki Gil, Pokwang, Isabelle Daza, Bangs Garcia, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Kaye Abad, Maricar de Mesa, LJ Moreno – Alapag, Nikka Garcia (asawa ni Patrick Garcia), Karel Marquez, Regine Angeles, Alyanna Martinez (anak ni Albert Martinez), Erika Padilla at Michelle Madrigal.

LUIS, MAN OF HONOR SA KASAL NI ANNE
Matagal nang magkaibigan sina Luis Manzano at Anne Curtis mula nang teenagers pa sila, at napabalita pang niligawan noon ni Luis si Anne. Hindi man sila naging magkasintahan, naging mabuting magkaibigan naman sila. Ayon kay Luis, nagkasundo na sila noon na magiging abay ang bawat isa sa kanila kapag ikinasal sila.
Kamakailan ay nakatanggap na raw ng sulat si Luis mula kay Anne na nagsasaad na “may promise tayo sa isa’t isa, and would you be my man of honor sa kasal ko?” Ikakasal si Anne kay Erwan Heussaff sa taong ito, at bukod kay Luis, siguradong nasa wedding entourage din ang kapatid ni Anne na si Jasmine Curtis-Smith, ang kapatid ni Erwan na si Solenn, at ang mga barkada nilang sina Georgina Wilson, Isabelle Daza at Raymond Gutierrez. Tiyak ding naroon si Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho at bibong anak nilang si Scarlet Snow.
Bilang pagtupad sa pangako, kapag ikinasal si Luis ay si Anne din ang kanyang magiging best woman, pero sa ngayon ay malabo pang matuloy ito bagama’t tila seryoso naman siya sa girlfriend niyang si Jessy Mendiola, 24, at matagal nang humihingi ng apo ang kanyang inang si Vilma Santos. Bata pa raw kasi si Jessy, at marami pang pwedeng gawin sa buhay. Samantala sa kanyang edad na 36 ay handang handa nang mag-asawa si Luis, lalo at financially stable na siya. Matagal na rin daw niyang pangarap ang magkaroon na rin ng sariling pamilya, gaya ng karamihan ng kanyang mga kaibigan. Sa ngayon ay abala si Luis sa kanyang bagong show na “I Can See Your Voice”.

ATOM, KAPUSO NA
Balik-Kapuso ang sikat na broadcast journalist na si Atom Araullo, at kabilang na sa News and Public Affairs team ng GMA Network. Bago siya naging Kapamilya, naging bahagi siya dati ng 24 Oras, at may sariling segment na ATOMic Sports, at noong bata pa ay napasama sa programang 5 and Up.
“I’m very excited. Ang dami kong gustong gawin, particularly in the realm of documentary production. I think this is a great place to do all of that,” ang sabi ni Atom.
Naging mainit ang pagtanggap ng GMA Network Chairman at CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon kay Atom.

Ex-DH jailed for overstaying 9 years after divorce

By Vir B. Lumicao

A former domestic helper who missed a chance to change her immigration status when she married a Hong Kong man over a decade ago, realized her mistake only recently.

Merle dela Luna, 58 years old, was sentenced to seven months in jail by a magistrate in Shatin Court on Sept 15 for overstaying for nine years after her divorce.

“Defendant, I take into account all the facts of the case. You overstayed for a lengthy period because you were married to a Hong Kong man until you divorced in 2008,” Magistrate Winnie Lau said.

The magistrate reckoned the breach of condition of stay had been for nine years, from 2008 to the time Dela Luna was arrested on Sept 7.

She said she would have jailed the defendant for 10 and a half months, but discounted that by one-third.

The prosecution said the Filipina was arrested in North Point when police discovered during an identity check that she had remained illegally in the city.

Dela Luna pleaded guilty when she appeared in court on Sept 8, but Lau deferred sentencing for a week.

During sentencing on Sept 15, Lau adjourned the hearing for about half an hour after the defense lawyer said his client had disclosed she had been married to a Hong Kong man, a fact that could have an impact on the sentence.

The court heard that the woman came to Hong Kong in 2005 and worked as a domestic helper until June 2007.

She later met the local man who became her husband, but she did not bother to apply for a change of her immigration status by virtue of her marriage.

Satisfying flavors of comfort food

By Jo Campos

There is nothing like home-cooked meals. The personal touch of our mother’s favorite recipes, homegrown ingredients and the aroma of herbs and spices filling the entire kitchen is simply a feel-good everyday experience.

Wikipedia’s definition of the term ”comfort food” has been traced back to at least 1966, when the The Palm Beach Post used it in a story: “Adults, when under severe emotional stress, turn to what could be called ‘comfort food’—food associated with the security of childhood, like mother’s poached eggs or famous chicken soup.

In the Philippines, Nanay’s kare-kare or pinakbet, sinigang and caldereta, to name a few, are considered as comfort food. They are seen to soothe frayed nerves, obliterate negative feelings, and provide a great coping mechanism for those who are under stress.

The identification of particular items as comfort food may be idiosyncratic, though there are detectable patterns. In one study of American preferences, “males preferred warm, hearty, meal-related comfort foods, such as steak, casseroles, and soup”. On the other hand, females and younger people, or those below 55 years of age, preferred snack-related treats, such as chocolate and ice cream.

The study also revealed strong connections between consumption of comfort foods and feelings of guilt. An article, “The Myth of Comfort Food” asserted that men tend to choose these types of savory comfort foods because they remind them of being “pampered” or spoiled, while women choose snack-related foods because they are associated with low amounts of work and less “cleanup.” It also suggested that women are more likely to reach for unhealthier foods in times of stress due to more weight-conscious mindsets.

Restaurants and fast food chains serving comfort foods are usually among the best sellers. It somehow brings back the nostalgic feeling of eating at home. For this issue, I am sharing some easy to make- hassle free comfort food recipes from Delish website that I have cooked, and one of the most requested dishes from my f JC The Foodie Catering Services: beef caldereta.

But wait, there’s more! Starting this issue, I am inserting JC The Foodie quotes for inspiration and good vibes.

“This is my advice to people: Learn how to cook, try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun”-Julia Child


Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:
• lb. fettuccine
• kosher salt
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley

Procedure:
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water then drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add cream and butter. Cook until the butter is melted and the cream is heated through. Whisk in parmesan and season with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove from heat.
3. Add cooked pasta and toss until coated in sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Salisbury Steak

Ingredients:
For the patties:
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

For the gravy
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1/2 c. mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 c. beef stock
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Procedure:
1. Make patties: In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and form into 4 oval patties.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Sear both sides of the patties until a crust forms, about 5 minutes per side. Remove onto a plate.
3. Make gravy: Wipe out skillet and add butter. Add onions and thyme and stir until onion becomes translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until browned and tender, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle onions and mushrooms with flour, and stir until they are fully coated. Cook another 2 minutes, then add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and beef stock. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring the gravy to a simmer and return the patties to the skillet. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 more minutes, until the patties are done and the sauce has thickened. Plate the patties and top with more gravy. Serve.

Beef Caldereta

Ingredients:
• 1 kilo beef brisket
• carrots, cut into cubes
• potatoes, cut into cubes
• red and green bell peppers, sliced
• green peas
• black olives
• 2 onions, chopped
• garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• bay leaves
• salt and pepper
• chopped tomatoes in can
• Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• fresh or dried thyme
• 1 small can liver spread or pate

Procedure:
1. Cut beef brisket into cubes.
2. In a large Ziploc bag, combine paprika, salt and pepper, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ½ of the chopped onion and garlic, some chopped bell peppers and a piece of bay leaf.
3. Add the beef brisket to the mixture in the plastic bag and rub well to cover the meat. Seal the bag and leave to marinate for a few hours or preferably overnight.
4. Lightly fry potatoes and carrots, set aside.
5. In a large pan, sauté onion and garlic, add marinated beef and cook till brown. Add chopped tomatoes, thyme and bay leaf. Adjust seasoning by adding more paprika, chili powder accordingly. Stir in liver spread.
6. Add enough water to cover the meat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer till the meat is tender.
7. Add olives, carrots and potatoes, then continue to simmer until the sauce is reduced and has thickened slightly.
8. Add green peas and bell peppers; then stir all ingredients together.
9. Serve hot.

Sulyap sa sentro ng Forbidden City

Ni Marites Palma

Ang Forbidden City, kabilang na ang Great Wall, ang dalawa sa pinakasikat na puntahan ng mga turista sa China. Hindi madaling marating ang mga ito, dahil bukod sa kailangan ng visa ay aabot sa apat na oras ang biyahe sa eroplano, doble ng lipad papunta ng Maynila.

Pero mula ngayon hanggang Oct 15, may pagkakataon na ang mga nasa Hong Kong na masilayan ang isa sa pinakamahalagang parte ng Forbidden City, ang Hall of Mental Cultivation of the Palace Museum, kung saan tumira ang walong emperador ng Tsina. At ito ay sa halagang $20 lamang.

Paano? Pumunta lang sa Hong Kong Heritage Museum sa Shatin para masulyapan ang marangyang bulwagang ito kung saan tumira ang mga sumusunod na emperador ng Tsina: Yong Zheng, Qian Long, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Zianteng, Tongzhi, Guangzu at Xuantong. Tiyak na hindi mapipigilan na mapa “wow” sa ganda ng mga sinaunang gamit na makikita dito, na siguradong limpak-limpak na salapi na ang halaga.

Ang orihinal na Hall of Mental Cultivation sa Beijing ay siyang susi sa pamamahala ng dating kaharian. Kasalukuyan itong sumasailalim sa pagsasaayos kaya ang may humigit kumulang 200 na mga mahahalagang gamit dito na mula pa noong Qing Dynasty ay dinala sa isang touring exhibition sa iba’t-ibang lugar, kasama na ang Hong Kong.

Kabilang sa mahahalagang gamit na makikita ang mga sumusunod: “cloisonne hotpot with floral pattern”, Qing Dynasty 1644-1911; “gold chalice of eternal stability inlaid with gemstones”, Qianlong period 1736-1795, Qing Dynasty; “plaque calligraphic inscription, “Room of Three Rarities”, Emperor Qianlong 1711-1799; “jade seal with characters “Valued Collection of Emperor Tongzhi’s Veneration of His Parents”, Tongzhi period 1862-1874, Qing Dynasty; “gourd-shaped wall vase with familie-rose flowers and poem in reversed panels with gilded floral scroll pattern on blue ground,” Qianlong period, 1736-1795, Qing dynasty.

Ang Hall of Mental Cultivation ay itinayo sa panahon ni Emperor Jiajing noong taong 1557 sa panahon ng Ming dynasty, at inayos muli sa Qing dynasty. Una itong ginawang pahingahan ng mga emperador hanggang naisipan ni Emperor Yongzheng ng Qing dynasty na tumira dito. Magmula noon hanggang matapos ang Qing dynasty ay dito na tumira ang mga emperador.

Ang pangalang Hall of Mental Cultivation ay hango sa tinuran ni Mencius sa Chapter of Dedication: “Leading a frugal life is the best way to cultivate the mind.”

Sa orihinal nitong lugar sa gitna ng Forbidden City ay matatagpuan ang bulwagan sa kanlurang bahagi ng palasyo ng Heavenly Purity. Ito ay itinayong symmetrical o balanse ang bawat parte, at ang pangunahing gusali nito ay binubuo ng pangharap at panglikod na bulwagan.

Binubuo ito ng pitong bahagi, at ang pinakauna ay ang Central Hall kung saan dating nagtitipon-tipon ang mga opisyal kasama ang emperador, para pag-usapan ang kalagayan ng kaharian.

Ang pangalawa ay ang West Warmth Chamber kung saan pinag-uusapan ang mga pang-araw araw na pangangasiwa sa gobyerno. Sa panahon ng panunungkulan ni Emperador Qianlong, ang mga pangalan ng mga opisyal na may ranggong general governor, provincial governor, district magistrate, military rank ng general at garrison commander ay makikita sa West Gate ng bahaging ito. Sa kanlurang pader naman ay ang listahan ng mga posisyon sa gobyerno sa buong bansa at ang paraan ng pagpili sa mga itiatalagang opisyal. Sa panahon ng masipag na emperador na si Yongzheng na natutulog lamang ng apat na oras kada araw ay nakalikha siya ng 92,000 na dokumento at nakapagsulat ng mga pambihirang katha na umabot sa 10 milyon na salita.

Sa pangatlong bahagi naman ng bulwagan ay makikita ang Room of Three Rarities, kung saan nag-aaral si Emperor  Qianlong. Hango ang pangalan nito sa tatlong katangian ng isang iskolar, ayon sa Song Dynasty Confucian scholar na si Zhou Dunyi. Mayroong tatlong mahahalagang piraso ng calligraphy na matatagpuan dito: ang “Timely Clearing after Snowfall” ni Wang Zizhi; “Note on Mid-autum” ni Wang Xianzhi, at” A Letter to Boyuan” ni Wan Xun. Ang napakaingat na pagkakaayos ng mga ito ay napanatili simula pa noong naging emperador si Qianlong na sumikat dahil sa pagkahilig sa mga wall vases na pinong pino ang pagkakagawa. Ayon sa kuwento, may 13 ganitong puswelo na maingat na dinadala ng mga taga palasyo tuwing dumadalaw si Qianlong sa Katimugan. Isinasabit ang mga ito sa sedan chair kaya sumikat ang ito sa tawag na “sedan chairvases”.

Sa pang-apat na bahagi ay makikita ang East Warm Chamber, na ayon sa sikat na French missionary at historian na si Jean-Francois Gerbillon, ay inilaan sa mga pintor, iskultor , tagalilok at iba pang mga artist ng palasyo sa panahon ni Emperor Kangxi. Sa panahon naman ni Emperor Yongzheng ay ginaganap dito ang seremonya para sa pagsusulat. Ang sikretong pamumuno ni Empress Dowager Cixi  noong panahon ng Qing dynasty ay dito rin naganap.

Sa panlimang bahagi naman ay nakapaloob ang Immortals Pagoda Buddhist Hall, kung saan nananalangin at nagninilay-nilay ang mga emperador. Ipinagawang muli ito noong taong 1746 hanggang 1747 para sa pagdarasal ni Emperor Qianlong. Ang pitong palapag na Amitabha Pagoda ay nakatindig sa gitna ng kwartong ito na parang isang mandala. Sa lahat ng naging emperador sa Qing Dynasty si Qianlong lamang ang pinakaaktibo sa kanyang pagsamba bilang Tibetan Buddhism. Maliban sa paghango niya ng mga Buddhist scriptures ay isinagawa din niya ang pag-iipon at pagsasaling-wika ng maraming literary classics ng Tibetan Buddhism, at nagpatayo din siya ng maraming templo sa loob at labas ng palasyo.

Ang pang anim na bahagi ay siyang tulugan ng mga emperador. Mayroong limang haligi sa bawat sulok. Ang likod na bahagi ng Hall of Mental Cultivation ay konektado sa harapang bahagi sa pamamagitan ng isang lagusan kung saan makikita hanggang ngayon ang pinakatulugan ng emperador. Sa itaas na bahagi ng higaan ay may plake kung saan nakalilok ang salitang Intsik na ang kahulugan ay “panibagong araw”. Sa ibaba ng plake ay nakasulat naman ang katagang “fortitude of heaven” o panggalan ng langit. Ang kanlurang bahagi ay ginagamit na hugasan, bihisan at kuhanan ng tsaa. Dito makikita na ang kaharian sa panahong ng Qing dynasty ay nakikilala ang estado ng isang tao base sa mga ginagamit nitong gamit sa pangkain. Iba-iba ang materyal, dibuho, kulay at dami ng gamit, depende sa ranggo ng gumagamit. Ang lahat ng gamit ng emperador ay pasadya, mula sa ginto, pilak, jade, porselana, enamel o ivory.

Sa panghuling bahagi naman makikita ang Imperial Workshop na itinatag noong panahon ni Emperor Kangxi. Ayon na rin sa pangalan ng parteng ito, dito ginagawa ang lahat ng mga gamit ng emperador. Kinakalap ng palasyo ang mga mahuhusay na manlililok sa lahat ng panig ng kaharian para lalong mapaganda ang 61 klase ng produkto na galing lamang sa Imperial Workshop. Ang mga materyales, disenyo, porma at pamamaraan ng paggawa ay ayon lahat sa takda ng kaharian. Mismong si Emperedor Yongzheng ang nagsabi na kailangang mapanatili dito ang mga istriktong pamantayan sa paggawa, at pati na rin ang patuloy na pagtuklas ng mas magandang paraan para sa pagpapadami ng produkto.

Hindi kataka-taka na ang gumagawa ng isang obra maestra ay inoobligahang gumawa muna ng balangkas ng proyekto at humanda para sa anumang puna o panukala ng emperador bago ito isakatuparan.

Ang exhibit ay tatagal ng hanggang Oct. 15. Nakatakdang isagawa ang dalawang family workshop, sa October 1 at 10, para magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga kabataan at kanilang mga magulang na magsabay na pumunta sa exhibit at matuklasan ang ilang mahalagang aspeto ng kanilang kultura. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng laro, kwento, at pagsasadula. Magsisimula ito mula alas tres hanggang alas kuwatro ng hapon sa unang palapag ng museo. Para sa mga katanungan maaring tumawag sa numero bilang 27342178.

Bukas ang museum tuwing Lunes, at mula Miyerkules hanggang Biyernes, 10am-6pm. Tuwing Sabado, Linggo at public holidays ay bukas ito mula 10am-7pm. Sarado ito tuwing Martes.

Ang Hong KongHeritage Museum ay matatagpuan sa  #1 Man Lam Road, Shatin Hong Kong. Maaring tumawag sa numero bilang 21808188 para sa dagdag na kaalaman.

Ang pinakamadaling pagpunta dito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagsakay sa MTR. Bumaba sa Tai Wai station at lumipat ng linya papunta sa Che Kung Mui station. Lumabas sa Exit A at sundan ang direksyon papunta sa museum. Kung bababa sa Shatin station ay kailangang lumakad pa ng mga 15 minuto.