Ju.D's Fruitcake

   This December, while on vacation leave. I had the chance to meet Ms. Ju D. Lao, known as the fruitcake queen of the Philippines. She has been making fruitcakes for over 25 years. She started baking fruitcakes since 1975. The fruitcake recipe that she developed is her original, she wanted to make fruitcakes that would suit the taste of the Filipino palate. I noticed that not everyone likes fruitcake. I guess this is one of the Christmas gifts that some people don't really look forward to.

    I saw the fruitcake queen being interviewed on tv (a feature show in GMA ch.11), and it has been a long time since I last tasted a fruitcake so I've decided to order from her. Before we used to receive a lot of these, but now were fortunate enough if we received one. I ordered by phone, and in the afternoon I was able to pick-up my orders at her place in Greenmeadows Subdivision. You wouldn't miss the house because there's a large banner of Ju.D's fruitcake in front. Lovely place that she got there. Her helper was the one who took my payment, and the one who gave my orders. I really wanted to meet Ms. Ju.D so I asked if I can meet her. I was really glad that the queen of fruitcakes graciously met with me. I had the chance to took a photo of hers. I found out also that she has been interviewed by CNN Philippines. All her cookies were sold out, but I was fortunate enough to get the last pack of her New York Peppermint cookies, I also ordered her Classic fruitcake, and her Golden fruitcake. I also ordered her fruitcake sampler. The box contains 4 flavors (2 pcs. each of her classic fruitcake, golden fruitcake, Ju'D Blue, and Prune, both coffee flavored fruitcake). I have yet to try her Chewy chewkies (fruitcake cookies, no liquor but I heard they're very good), a recipe that she made especially for kids. I also love the packaging of her goodies. You don't need to gift wrap the fruitcakes because the packaging is already beautiful and very presentable. So if you want to order even if it's not the holidays, you can go to #50 Greenmeadows Ave. White Plains, Quezon City. Contact no. is  633-1188.  And truly, like the song of the Eraserheads goes, 'There's a fruitcake for everybody!'

Movie Review: Mano Po 7 'Chinoy'

   Yesterday, since I was on leave from work. My friend and I watched Mano Po 7, Chinoy. When I first saw the trailer I immediately wanted to watch the movie since Richard Yap was the main protagonist in the film. He became one of my favorite actor when I first watched a local drama (Please Be Careful With My Heart), starring him, together with another actress Jodi Santamaria. The cinema was a bit packed when we watched it. I thought that there will be lesser people already since, some days have passed since the initial showing of the movie.

   The film centers around a Filipino-Chinese family again. What made the movie different from the other Mano Po films, is that this film centers on the male character. What I like about the movie is that they really showed some traditions of a typical Chinese family, like during the engagement (ting hun) the soon to be bride is seen walking backwards. According to what I've read the meaning of the bride walking backwards symbolizes avoiding the negative energies in the room, and also so that she will not be able to see her groom. Also, in a huge Chinese banquet it is normal to see a lot of people wearing red. The color red symbolizes good luck, joy and happiness. It is considered an auspicious color for the Chinese people. Another thing that I have liked about the movie is the cinematography, you will be able to see some scenes shot in Taiwan. For me, the story line is a bit predictable. Still, this is a movie worth-watching. We should support our local films, and kudos to Mother Lily Monteverde for making another Filipino-Chinese movie wherein fellow Filipinos can appreaciate, and learn a bit more about the beauty of the Filipino-Chinese culture. Mano Po 7, Chinoy is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Seminar

 

Last month I signed up for a seminar in Ateneo's Chinese Studies Program entitled, 'Understanding Chinese Herbal Medicine'. The guest speaker was a medical doctor from St. Luke's Medical Center, Dr. Francisco V. Navarro, M.D. He also studied, and trained in medical acupuncture from various schools, and universities abroad including Xiamen University Hospital in Fujian ,China. This course was a 2 part. The first course is about acupuncture. I chose the latter because I'm more interested in plants. Chinese traditional medicine is an ancient practice. I remember watching a good Chinese drama starring Cecilia Liu Shi Shi, 'The Imperial Doctress', it is based from a true historical figure Tan Yun Xian, a woman who is adept in the medical field during the Ming dynasty. If you have not seen the drama I suggest you try watching it. You will be able to understand a thing or two about Chinese traditional medicine.

   Sadly, I was unable to attend because the schedule of the seminar was in conflict with my work schedule. I asked my former classmate and college and friend to attend for me. I did not get any certificate even if I'm the one who paid and registered for the course because the participant, or the one who will attend (proxy) will be the one who will be awarded with a certificate. Anyway, I was able to get the handouts from my friend. Included in the handouts are some important notes, for example, the Principle of Chinese Herbs, the 5 flavors in Chinese, etc. In the handouts, vocabulary words connected with Chinese traditional medicine were written in Chinese characters, together with the English meaning. I have already read something about Chinese traditional medicine since I own a book about it.Thinking about this seminar, this evokes memories wayback when we went to a Chinese drugstore, wherein you can see growth balls, dried animals like seahorse, etc. I hope next year I'll be able to attend another Chinese related event, one that is not in conflict with my work schedule. I'll continue updating this blog from time to time. Thanks for visiting!