The Rights of Children

Caitlin Gochuico
NSTPCWT
DGE4


Children are fragile. They should be taken cared of. They should grow in a nice and peaceful place. They should be in school instead of the streets, they should be eating not starving to death, they should be in their mother's loving arms not abused or molested. They should be loved.

Child abuse is not new to us anymore. It has been there since the end of time. Children being used and sold. Though it is not new anymore, it has worsened today. If you are going to watch the news today, the percentage of it is getting higher and higher by the day. Children are being mistreated, molested, starved to death forced to live in small living place in which they lock. I have read so many articles of children being punched everyday, I've read of children of dying because of beatings. There is a law! Children have rights! it is implemented but they are not followed by everybody. There are parents who treat their children badly because of how they were treated as a child. But isnt that ironic? That after they have experienced it as a child, they make their child feel what they felt when they should show them security and love so that they will never have to experience that pain they felt.


My dad had a very difficult childhood but when he met my mom and accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and savior, he treats as with love and respect. He always support me and my 2 siblings. My parents give us the best education the best they could give us. My parents would support as in what we want, in our interests. They always listen to us. They give us the time and bonding we need as a family. He gets hurt when people try to hurt us, his children. We have Sunday and Saturday as our family day. Our summer is a summer for family. My parents teach us to love one another, to always trust in God and to put Him in the center of our lives. They thought us how to handle our money properly. They allow us to go out with friends but still we need to tell them where we are. We still have curfews but who cares?


I Love little children. It has been my dream to be a teacher. To be used as a model for them. I want to help parents with their children. When i finish my graduation, i want to make a house and a school for children with no homes and no family. I want them to feel love. I want them feel cherished. I want them to fulfill their dreams. I want them to grow in the loving presence of God. I want them to know Him. This is my way to show this country and the world that children are very precious. I want to set an example to everyone, that they should treat them with respect. Being older than them does not mean that you have the right to abuse them and use them. You have no right to remove their rights from them when you are not stripped off of your rights. Let's give them the respect they deserve and the love that they want.

Sunday School

my wonderful students.

My wonderful students

a student of mine

Grade 5-6 Sunday School with teacher Jhudiel

Grade 5-6

Hyewon's View

Hyewon is my dad's friend's daughter. I met her while my dad volunteered to tour their family to a few spots around the Philippines. She is studying in UP college of music, majoring in Piano. She's spunky and frank about everything and it's just fun to have her around. 

So I emailed her a couple of questions to answer so here they are.

(I didn't edit the way she typed it to help keep the "korean essence" in the answers.)

- Adam Teh

1.       So how long have you been here in the tropical islands of the Philippines? 3years 

         How’s your stay so far? I'm really enjoying to stay in the Philippines mostly I like weather. 

 

2.       What do you think about the traffic? Because seriously for me it’s crazy.

         Yea manila Traffic is not fun! well I don't like bus and MMDA (^^)

          Bus makes traffic worse. Also OLD CAR add it more.  

3.       Have you tried some of our local delicacies? Adobo? Sinigang perhaps? What do you think about it?

         I'm really enjoying most of Philippines taste. (not Balot etc.) my filipino friend told me that I'm cow girl(you know what you mean)

         I like monggo, adobo, sinigang, laing, gising gising(I'm not sure the spelling), all Innasal etc. 

         Philippines cuisine is very simple taste so it's very friendly to the foreigners. 

4.       What about our famous Balot? And the like? 

         well I don't have chance to taste Balot. But If I have to taste it, I don't want to try it. 

5.       Any funny experiences you want to share with us? 

         I lost  way I asked police man and others . They were really nice and kind but they don't know exact direction.

so I walk long time but I found out the place which I should go is only one block away from where I lost. 

6.       From the places you’ve visited here which one’s your favorite?

        My favorite place is Bohol and Cebu. nice weather and nice beach.

7.       Any Filipino words you know or use a lot?

         well unfortunately I haven't chance to learn Tagalog( I'm lazy) I only know  survival words which is kanan, kaliwa, mahal, sige, etc. 

8.       Since you’re really good with the piano, what do you think about the Filipinos who crave for the rising Korean Pop Industry?

         I don't know why Filipinos are crazy about Korean Pop. I think Filipinos are more talented then Korean singers. 

         But I realize that organizing and managing part need more progress. The population of Philippines are much higher than S.Korea,. It means that Philippines has potential for  big local Pop industry. we need creative musician  and music copyright should be protected by law. 

       

9.       I’m sure you have other Korean friends here in the Philippines. Have they shared with you some experiences with Filipinos?

        Yes we are sharing information and experiences for convenient reason. How to be a friend with Filipinos, and what subject should we avoid when we talk with Filipinos etc.

10.   Wow, Thanks for your time! Any last words for our group and our professor? :)    

 Well, I hope my answer make you satisfied. If not just let me know so I will try to give good answer. 

     Thank you. 

Hyewon 

Phallic Symbols

Source:http://www.google.com.ph/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1280&bih=647&q=phallic+symbol&gbv=2&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=phallic+symbols

Answer to men's complaints

#1. Why do girls go to the restroom in groups?
       Girls girls go to the washroom in groups, because girls are used to being around their group of friends. The washroom or the comfort room is usually where gossips start, pain and joy are being shared and so many other things. And do guys really want to hear matters that are for the lady's ears only?


#2. Why do girls try to tell something to a guy through social networking?
       Girls just want to the guys to notice what's wrong. Some men are so insensitive that they don't even know that they are already hurting their partner. Another problem is that girls do want to express what they truly feel, but they fear the men will complain about them being too sensitive and such. there are also times when men do not listen because they put gadgets and games first before their partner.


#3. Why are girls bitter after a relationship?
        Not all girls are bitter after a break up, it's just that girls are usually the ones who have the hard time in letting go. Girls in a relationship tend to give everything they have, and for most girls, not leaving anything for themselves. It's all about time and space. The ladies will not stay forever mad. They will eventually forgive and let go.

#4. Why do girls play hard to get?
        Girls have been taught not to rush after a guy. Girls who do that are like chickens who run after the rice. Girls play hard to get because they like the guy and they want to challenge the guy.

#5. Why do girls put on make-up when they are naturally beautiful?
        Girls just want to look presentable when they face a guy or face the great outside world. For some they put on make-up because they don't feel secure that they are truly beautiful without make-ups.

Balut (egg)

A balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell.

Popularly believed to be an aphrodisiac and considered a high-protein, hearty snack, balut are mostly sold by street vendors in the regions where they are available. It is commonly sold as streetfood in the Philippines. They are common, everyday food in some other countries in Southeast Asia, such as in Laos and Thailand (where it is called Khai Luk), Cambodia (Pong tea khon in Cambodian), and Vietnam (Trứng vịt lộn or Hột vịt lộn in Vietnamese). They are often served with beer.

The Filipino and Malay word balut (balot) means "wrapped" – depending on pronunciation.

In the Philippines, balut eaters prefer salt and/or a chili and vinegar mixture to season their egg. The eggs are savored for their balance of textures and flavors; the broth surrounding the embryo is sipped from the egg before the shell is peeled, and the yolk and young chick inside can be eaten. All of the contents of the egg may be consumed, although the white may remain uneaten: Depending on the age of the fertilized egg, the white may have an unappetizing cartilaginous toughness. In the Philippines, balut have recently entered haute cuisine by being served as appetizers in restaurants: cooked adobo style, fried in omelettes or even used as filling in baked pastries. In Vietnam, balut are eaten with a pinch of salt, lemon juice, plus ground pepper and Vietnamese Coriander leaves (Southern Vietnamese style).

A similar preparation is known in China as Maodan (Chinese: 毛蛋; pinyin: Máo Dàn; literally "feathered egg"), Wangjidan (Chinese: 旺鸡蛋; pinyin: Wàng Jīdàn; literally "flush egg") or Huozhuzi (Chinese: 活珠子; pinyin: Huózhūzi; literally "living bead"). Chinese traders and migrants are said to have brought the idea of eating fertilized duck eggs to the Philippines. However, the knowledge and craft of balut-making has been localized by the balut-makers (magbabalut). Today, balut production has not been mechanized in favor of the traditional production by hand. Although balut are produced throughout the Philippines, balut-makers in Pateros are renowned for their careful selection and incubation of the eggs.

Fertilized duck eggs are kept warm in the sun and stored in baskets to retain warmth. After nine days, the eggs are held to a light to reveal the embryo inside. Approximately eight days later the balut are ready to be cooked, sold, and eaten. Vendors sell cooked balut out of buckets of sand (used to retain warmth) accompanied by small packets of salt. Uncooked balut are rarely sold in Southeast Asia. In the United States, Asian markets occasionally carry uncooked balut eggs. The cooking process is identical to that of hard-boiled chicken eggs, and baluts are eaten while still warm.

Duck eggs that are not properly developed after nine to twelve days are sold as penoy, which look, smell and taste similar to a regular hard-boiled egg. In Filipino cuisine, these are occasionally beaten and fried, similar to scrambled eggs, and served with a vinegar dip.

The age of the egg before it can be cooked is a matter of local preference. In the Philippines, the ideal balut is 17 days old, at which point it is said to be balut sa puti ("wrapped in white"). The chick inside is not old enough to show its beak, feathers or claws and the bones are undeveloped. The Vietnamese often prefer their balut mature from 19 days up to 21 days, when the chick is old enough to be recognizable as a baby duck and has bones that will be firm but tender when cooked. In Cambodia, it is eaten while it is still warm in its shell. It is served with nothing more than a little garnish, which is usually a mixture of lime juice and ground pepper.

Balut has been the "shocking" topic of some television shows because of its taboo nature in some Western cultures.

In the 2004 episode of Taboo entitled "Extreme Cuisine", balut is the opening segment. In two episodes of Survivor: Palau and two episodes of Survivor: China, separate challenges featured attempts to eat this delicacy. Similarly, Fear Factor frequently used balut as a means of disgusting contestants.

Contestants of The Amazing Race Asia 2 had to eat 8 baluts as a team before receiving their next clue.

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs Team Mir featured balut eaten by several contestants after its introduction by a Filipino-American fighter Phillipe Nover. The Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern also featured balut, where the host pronounced 18-day-old balut one of the strangest foods he'd ever eaten in his life, but far better tasting than he had expected. Zane Lamprey, on his show Three Sheets, attempts to eat balut, but in the end, cannot bring himself to do so.

The members of the rock band Switchfoot ate balut on stage at their concert in the Philippines. Mykel and Ruth Hawke ate a wild harvested version of balut on their Discovery Channel show Man, Woman, Wild. In Madventures the travellers Riku Rantala and Tuomas Milonoff ate balut in their Philippines episode and khai luk in Laos. Milonoff vomited both onscreen, Rantala told he enjoyed balut as a drinking snack and hangover cure.

In An Idiot Abroad, fish-out-of-water presenter Karl Pilkington is shocked when he is told that the unusual-looking boiled egg his Chinese coach driver is eating is "a foetus".

In the Around The World #1 episode of Deal or No Deal, Balut was also featured, much to the disgust of host Howie Mandel, who calls it "duck embryo."

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-balut.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_%28egg%29

The Filipino Taste

Philippines is a tropical country and is usually experiencing hot climate. Due to this fact, Filipino people are open and experimental in exploring new varieties of beverages, which lead them to create their own: flavorful, mouth watering, tasty, locally made drinks. There are many types of drinks here in the Philippines; It can be hot or cold & alcoholic or non-alcoholic. But for now, we will focus on the Top 4 cold drinks, because there are a lot of them to be discussed if we will consider each kind of drinks. So here it is:

First, we go to the all-time favorite "Taho", this one can be both served as hot or chilled.

   

Taho is a Philippine snack foodsoft or silken tofu, “arnibal “ (brown sugar and vanilla syrup), and pearl sago (similar to pearl tapioca) made of fresh . 

This staple comfort food is a signature sweet and can be found all over the country. Hot Taho is usually served in the morning like coffee or milk, while Chilled Taho serves as a dessert for almost any time of meal.

Second in the list is "Sago at Gulaman"

"Sago" pertains to tapioca and "Gulaman" is a jelly or also known as "gelatine". 

These two are added up with a sweetened beverage, particularly a melted brown sugar mixed with water that forms a Sago at Gulaman drink. This beverage is always served as cold.

When you're craving for a cold drink and you're somehow lost at the moment, just look at your sides. There might be a mouth watering Sago at Gulaman out there; Imagine the dancing sagos, the floating gulamans and the sweet taste, waiting for you.

Third is Buko Juice, the favorite summer drink of all the Filipinos. 

   

 

 Buko Juice is the water from the coconut. It is naturally fresh and fat-free. Fresh coconuts for drinking are typically harvested off the tree while they are green. A hole may be bored into the coconut to provide access to the liquid and meat.

Buko juice are served perfectly when it's chilled or even just with an ice. The sweet cold taste will quench your thirst on hot weathered days. It will flow through your throat with a satisfying and refreshing impact yet leave a remarkable crave for another one.

 The last is the "Calamansi Juice", known as the Philippine Lemon. Like the Buko Juice, Calamansi Juice also came from a fruit, the Kalamansi fruit, and the juice is extracted from it. Among the rest, this beverage is the most well-known here in the Philippines.

  Behind its sourly taste and appearance, this citrus fruit is rich in Vitamin C. Its juice is nutritious and traditionally made into a fruit drink that helps prevent respiratory diseases. 

The flavorful combination of sweet and sourly taste gives a refreshing sensation every time you take a sip of it. So be sure to enjoy every drop of Calamansi Juice, as you relax with a fresh new start.

 

Evolution of Traditional Filipino Dishes

     Common Filipino foods are still one of my favorite foods to search for. Those Filipino foods evolve giving the people unique taste. I’m going to share with you six Filipino foods that were transformed by different restaurants in the Philippines.

1. Crispy Dinuguan- Kanin Club

     This is what I order most of the time at carinderias. But it is not an ordinary dinuguan. It is crispy and the best-seller food in that restaurant.

2. Crispy Kare-kare- Classic Cuisine

     Kare-kare! Remisnds me of my childhood. I didn't eat kare-kare for a long time until I discovered this. Best matched with adobo rice.

3. Filipino Pork Liempo- TGI Friday’s

     Pork liempo served with java rice and vinegar. Not only the pork that taste good, but even the java rice that has a unique taste.

4. Fried Kesong-puti- Sentro

               

     Organic native cheese coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden brown. It is served with sweet chili guava sauce and garlic dip. We order it as an appetizer before moving to the main dish.

5. Fried Suman and Mangoes- Sentro

    

     Crispy fried suman topped with ripe mangoes and served with coco jam (Latik). I need to try this at home.

6. Sinigang na Corned Beef- Sentro

               

  
     Sounds weird? You’ve got to try it to believe it! It has a large serving. You can tell them how sour you want the soup would be.

 

     Some of these foods may sound weird, but you need to try it to believe how good it tastes. Give it a try! And be proud how Filipino transforms the traditional Filipino dishes.