Taraken

                                            

    The Philippine Carabao is the national animal in the Pearl of the Orient Seas.  An Ilocano term "NUANG" or "KALABAW" (tagalog) is the most hardworking animal for me in the animal kingdom.

    Have you ever seen a mushroom grows in a caboodle of carabao poop?  Now you see it! A small white mushy!

    The most hygienic of them all maybe? Goats eat grass.  An independent animal.  They are low maintenance. You don't need to spend much money to tend this kind of animal.   When I was a kid, I had three of them with 2 baby goatees!

   It's RED, no it's WHITE! It's cock fighting! (",) ROOSTERS are not meant as food on the table they are bound to entertain men... (",)

The Smaller Beatitudes

I'm absolutely back! (",)

I would like to share with you what keeps me going in my life now and how I deal with circumstances.  The copy of this Beatitudes is actually posted in my station at work.  It was given to me by our Directress.   A guide to an incredible happiness!  (",)


Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves;
they will have no end of fun.

Blessed are those who can tell a mountain from a molehill;
they will be saved a lot of bother.

Blessed are those who know how to relax without looking for excuses;
they are on the way to become wise.

Blessed are those who know when to be quiet and listen;
they will learn a lot of new things.

Blessed are those who are sane enough not to take themselves seriously;
they will be valued by those about them.

Blessed are those who think before acting and pray before thinking;
they will avoid many blunders.

Blessed are you if you can take small things seriously and face serious things calmly;
you will go far in life.

Blessed are you if you can be kind in understanding the attitudes of others, even when the signs are unfavourable; you may be taken for a fool but this is the price of charity.

Blessed are you if you know to hold your tongue and smile, even when people interrupt and contradict you or tread on your toes; the Gospel has begun to seep into your heart.

Above all,

Blessed are you who recognize the Lord in all whom you meet;
the light of truth shines in your life for you have found true wisdom.


If we live out the following beatitudes, the best thing in life then is to be happy anytime, anywhere. (",)

Abal-abal Boys

 

 

Have you ever tasted an exotic food?

 

I find abal-abal as an exotic food though in our province, it is a delectable dish.  Honestly, I never had the courage to taste it but some people I have asked attested that it tastes really good!(",)

 

The Philippine Beetle (salagubang in Filipino, ABAL-ABAL in Ilocano) usually comes out before the rainy season, May and June.  It is considered a delicacy mostly in the northern part of the Philippines.   

 

When cooking salagubang, it is best to choose those which just passed the larval stage because they are still soft. Removed their wings before cooking.

ABAL-ABAL SAUTE

INGREDIENTS:
Salagubang
oil
vinegar
pepper
salt or soy sauce

Sauté salagubang into a small amount of oil then blend with salt or soy sauce and pepper. When it is already half cooked, add a small amount of vinegar. stir until it becomes dry and toast.

 

You can also fry salagubang when you want it to be brittle.

 

This is what I miss being a kid, you always have the courage and fearless way of exploring many things in life even food.  I've tasted fried frog, dog and goat dishes back in my grade school days, I enjoyed the swapping of viand with my classmates during lunch.  When I was about to graduate in college that was the only time I've tasted the famous Philippine Balut.  Next thing in my list is to try the abal-abal menu, I will let you know what the taste like.(",)

It feels gratified to say, "Been there, tasted that!" (",)