My Weekend Journal

This is a one-dish meal with fish and vegetables. This meal is a practical way of providing good nutrition for the whole family. The fish in this dish is a good source of protein, while the upo is a natural source of iron, calcium and B vitamins. This is so easy to prepare and it is light for my pockets. :) Sinabawang Upo and Salted Fish Ingredients: 2 tbsp cooking oil 1 thumb ginger, sliced 1 tbsp crushed garlic 1/4 cup sliced onion 2 cups shredded salted fish (whole salted fish, soaked in water for 2 hours then shredded) 3 cups cubed, seeded upo 1 liter water 1 11g chicken broth cube 2 cups malunggay leaves Procedure: Heat oil. Sauté ginger, garlic and onion until limp and fragrant. Stir in salted fish and cook for 2 minutes. Add in upo and cook for another 30 seconds. Pour in water and bring to a boil. Add chicken broth cube. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir-in malunggay leaves. Serve hot.

Wish I could have more than enough time for my kids. With my work schedule [I'm on a graveyard shift], household chores and a toddler that took most of my time (and energy), I could barely have time to help them out with their studies. I could not remember the last time I have helped them with their homework and school projects. It must have been a long time! Sigh* One of the many responsibilities of a good parent is to help and assist their kids with their education. With this, I failed – I'm guilty. But that does not make me a bad parent, does it? I'm trying to stretch my time and energy. My kids are busy preparing for their exams. It's their first grading exam and they are trying their best to have good marks. It has always been their dream [and our dream for them] to be on the honors list. Will they make it? I'm crossing my fingers. I just remembered when I took the entrance exam at Xavier University, my mother was with me. We brought snacks and drinks, an

A Love Song Why do people cry When they hear the word goodbye In a love song? Tears are sure to fall When you know they gave it all In a love song. Somehow two lovers get a chance At a beautiful romance And you wish it could be you. ‘cause everybody’s needing what the singers all are singing in a love song. It can tear you apart ‘cause a word can break a heart in a love song. They say all the things you feel And they make it sound so real In a love song. It seems that everything they say Is said in such a way That we believe it’s true. ‘cause everybody’s needing what the singers all are singing in a love song. Each of us know there’s no guarantee we’ll ever find love. And in the songs that we share The heartache is there To remind us. New love brings a thrill And we know it always will In a love song. Happiness can leave But it helps if we believe In a love song. There’s a part of you and me In every memory That tells us who we are. And

Our first visit at D' Family Park It has been more than a year since we last visited D' Family Park in Talamban. It is the first park of its kind in Cebu. It offers an alternative and wholesome recreation site within the city while promoting the protection and regeneration of plants and animals. One can find swimming pools - for kids and for adults, a picnic camp site that is great for holiday camps and the likes, a vast children's playground with play things like swings, see-saws, slides, tykes play stations and more, a wildlife sanctuary, a mini-zoo and botanical research garden with a nursery, a multi-function club house and pavilion designed to suit one's needs for any social activities. The 20-hectare area is nature-friendly. Trees surround the whole complex. Lying nearby is a one-hectare lagoon with colorful school of fish. Park goers are provided with ample parking spaces for a minimal fee. The park has a large stage, equipped with an up-to-date sound syste