EVENT: CHINESE NEW YEAR 2013

My first time to visit and witnessed Chinese New Year in Binondo. Photos were taken last February 9, 2013, One day before the Chinese New Year.

First Dragon Dance I saw when I arrive

Welcome to China Town

This is the arch of Goodwill when passing through Sta Cruz Church

Some lucky charms

Fruits

Kiat Kiat Plant

Tikoy and Hopia

Cute street sign with little dragon on top

Ongpin street sign beside Binondo Church

Binondo Church

Chinese Mascot

Witnessed a Dragon Parade

Chinese Me

Snake Fire Cracker for the Year of the Snake

The last Dragon I saw when I headed home

BIG SCOOP ICE CREAM

After 19 years, my High School Buddy Jennifer and I got reunited. She lives in Monaco, France and she arrived in Manila last December 2012.  Because we live in almost the same place, together with our classmate Leinor, we decided to meet at Big Scoop Ice cream in San Juan.

This is Jen, she has a long hair and I forgot to take a photo of her hair. She's a fan of Michael Jackson. Forgot to ask if she ever cried when she founds out that Jacson died.  

Me and Jen

Me, Jen and Leinor

We ordered Saging con yelo, Mais con yelo and Banana Split

We also tried their chips but the dip is not that good

We also ordered Fish and fries and Calamares
The fish and fries are good. I haven't tasted the Calamares

Pint size Ice Cream

We also went to the church (Pinaglabanan Church) because it's Ash Wednesday
We met Jen's son, Anakko, he is so Gwapo! 

At Jen's house

MUSIC: THE ERASERHEADS REUNION CONCERTS

Last August 30, 2008 we were given a free VIP concert tickets by Marcus Adoro, guitarist of Eraserheads . 

I've been a fan of Eraserheads since my high school days. Kaya hindi ko pinalampas yung opportunity to watch them

Let the countdown begin

Waiting to start in 10, 9, 8, .....

It was really a goosebumps moment when we hear the opening song and it brings back the memory of the good old days. 

many cameras

After the 1st set,  we walked around the VIP section and we saw some celebrities/rockstars.

With Sinosikat?'s Reli and Kat

With Hannah of Session Road

Angel Rivera aka Erning and Ramon Bausista 

While waiting for the second set, Raimund, Buddy, Marcus and Laly(Ely's sister) appear and announced that they will cut the show na. Ely was rushed to the hospital due to his heart condition.

The people understand what happened and wala kang maririnig na Boo! or anything. Tahimik lang, as in tahimik talaga. We offered a silent prayer for his fast recovery and then after that palakpakan lahat.

My brother called me who was also there at the VIP section but we're not together. He told me that we have to go home kase mahirap daw sumakay dahil madaming tao. 

That night was very Nostalgic......

Raimund announcing that ely was rushed to the hospital

So after 6 months of waiting, here comes the second reunion concert, The Final Set. It was performed last March 7, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. This time we have to purchased our ticket because there's no free tickets anymore hehe. We just got the general admission.

Photos below were taken at the big screen in front of us.......

Indeed, it was a very successful show that every filipino who witnessed the event will never forget. 

                              

FOOD: STRAWBERRY OATMEAL MUFFIN

I started baking during my high school days and have loved it ever since. I used to watch cooking shows kahit minsan sa chinese channel kahit hindi ko naiintindihan , hahaha. Basta nakikita kong nag s-slice, nag sa-saute', boil, broil, grill, etc. Pero mas love ko ang  baking I really love it. Especially cakes and cupcakes.. 

Anyway, here is my example of Strawberry Oatmeal Muffin that I've searched on Google  It turned out good naman pero I need to have more practice. 

Takes 30 mins / Makes 12 muffins

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup strawberry jam

1 egg

1/2 cup strawberry yogurt

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease or place cupcake liners in a muffin pan

2. In a large bowl, beat oil, sugar, and jam. Beat in egg and strawberry yogurt. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, sift baking soda and flour together. Stir in oatmeal. Dump mixture into the yogurt mixture, and stir until just incorporated. Mixture will be lumpy.

4. Scoop into the prepared muffin pan, and bake for 12-15 mins or until a toothpick emerges cleanly from a muffin. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve with a hot mug coffee. 

For the frosting, I just made it with butter milk and confectioner sugar. Frosting is not included on the recipe that I've searched on Google  I just add it na lang. I also need to practice how to make a good frosting.

Ingredients and baking tools

Ready to bake

                                               Done                                            

                                      With frosting and strawberry toppings                                                               

Just thought of putting strawberry fruit as topping

Moist

 I'm happy that my nieces love it!

                                                                         

'Til next baking!!!