Becoming American( formerly Life in the United States & the Philippines-1960 to the Present): October 2020

WELCOME TO MY SITE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY

Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada- the Gambling Capital of US and the City that never sleeps! So, what has this city have to do with this site. The answer is none. I just love the photo, I took during our vacation to this city a couple of years ago. In this site, you will find articles from my autobiography, global warming, senior citizens issues, tourism, politics in PI, music appreciation and articles about our current experiences as retirees enjoying the "snow bird" lifestyle between US and the Philippines. Your comments will be highly appreciated. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringement of your copyrights. Cheers!

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Have You Heard of Sous-vide Cooking?

Cooking via Sous-vide-Photo Credit-Wikipedia

I was communicating with a European friend now residing in the Philippines about the best way to cook exotic and expensive meat like ostrich steaks the other day. I told him I am not comfortable in cooking expensive and exotic meat like ostrich steaks or lamb chops for I might ruin the cooking either under or over cooking.

He suggested I try cooking Sous-vide. This was my first time to hear of the word Sous-vide. The technique of cooking in a vacuum-sealed bags in a water bath had been done by Macrine (RIP) in her younger years. I just did not know what the name of the process or technique was at that time.

Sous Vide is a French cooking technique, which translates to “under vacuum." In this technique food is vacuum-sealed in a cooking pouch and heated up at a precise temperature in a water oven. Instead of relying on perfect timing, sous vide relies on precise temperature control. You simply set the machine and can expect the technique to deliver consistent, perfect results. Foods cooked sous vide develop flavors and textures that simply cannot be duplicated using any other traditional cooking method. Here are the advantages of cooking sous-vide.

Enhanced flavours.
Healthier result.
Better textures and tenderness.
Never overcooked.
Perfect every time.

Sous vide water bath cooker could vary from $9.99 to $ 4,000 + depending on brand

The $9.99 water bath cooker from Amazon

The most expensive sous vide water bath cooker commercially available listed for $4,200.99

Here are three links about Sous-vide cooking.

https://sousvidesupreme.com/pages/10-great-reasons-to-get-a-sousvide-supreme

https://anovaculinary.com/what-is-sous-vide/

https://www.seriouseats.com/2010/04/cook-your-meat-in-a-beer-cooler-the-worlds-best-sous-vide-hack.html?fbclid=IwAR1WcsHJTszppMFf1b3D0Q_7VUMKtkvywWtgCKmwnPsd4lgo_s7vVvNuBig

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of coconut lobster from Marinduque, Philippines

Live Coconut Lobsters ( Crabs) from Marinduque, Philippines

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Cooking Filipino Dishes Using an Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Our old (1980's) Presto Pressure Cooker versus Ditas modern Instant Pot

In the late 1980's Macrine (RIP-my late spouse)) had been using a Presto Pressure Cooking for Lengua( Beef Tongue) Estofado and Pigs Knuckles for her Kare-kare and other Pinoy dishes until 2013 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson. Since then I was the cook in the House but I did not use our old pressure cooker because I was scared it will blow up on me and I hate the noise of the cooker. However the other day, Ditas my youngest daughter showed me her Instant Pot and my fear of cooking using a pressure cooker had vanished.

The other day, Ditas cooked kare-kare (pig knuckles)using her modern Instant Pot. The pigs feet was soft and tender for only 30 minutes versus cooking in a regular oven top which will require from 2 to 3 hours.

Two months ago, I joined a FB Filipino cooking group and I ask the following question.

What Pinoy Dishes have you cooked using the Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker?

I had 133 comments as of today. I am posting a few of the comments below:

Manny Tamayo

Pinapaitan

Arlyn Reataza

Nilaga

Ashley Clements

Arroz caldo, adobo, sinigang

Myrna Magdangal Ranada

Bulalo

Lynne Viloria Gutierrez

I prefer to use simmer when cooking bulalo, nilaga stew chicken to get the real flavor!!

Emily Pudol Parinas Williams

Sinigang

Joe Aurora Tizon Sobrino

Nilagang mani

Roselyn Angao

sinigang, adobo, afritada, calderitA and menudo

Tess Garcia

Oxtail for kare kare

Kristine Guevarra

Chicken feet

Kristine Guevarra

Bistek, bulalo, kare kare, adobo.

Enriqueta Wilbanks

Humba with banana flower.

Michelle Mirabel-Mendoza

Mechado, adobo and kare kare

Josephine Horii

Nilaga crispy pata and kaldereta

Jocelyn R. Greene

Lechon belly

Nito B. Tan

Paa ng baka

Noel Gavia

https://www.amazon.ca/Filipino-Instant-Pot.../dp/1734124105

The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook: Classic and Modern Filipino Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker

The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook: Classic and Modern Filipino Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker

Princisita Molina

Use pressure cooker to all meat before finalize the recipe.

Mary Anne Stevens

Menudo, arroz caldo

Mark Quijano

Adobo, afritada, nilaga

Kare kare

Beef pares

Kare Kare

Kaldereta

Nilaga…

Constancia Cabasa

Piglets oxtail soup

Lorna Barriga Mapue

Caldereta

Arden Heraldo

Karekare,kaldereta,mechado, nilagang baka, goto.

Nina Roper Yearwood

Sinigang!

Joel Agpawa Hendrix

None

Mitchie Ahohada

Pork leg and baked beans

Lester Z. Machacon

bulalo

James Martinez

Kare kare.

Faye Virtucio Espocia

Kare kare, calderetang kambing, sinigang, tinola and kanin!!!!

Amelia Dumalaog Miranda

Any meat that takes time to boil and soften

Pauline T Santos

Mechado

Estee Naval Dizon

paella, put rice seafood stock and at 1 teaspoon saffron and put chicken , shrimp , sausages

Becca Sagun Ugali

Papaitan,karekare,nilaga

Catherine Cuevas Sablad

Kare kare, sinigang, nilaga, mechado

Flo Vander Wiede

Karekare, bulalo

Gerlynmae Añover-Baello

Eto luto ni mister https://youtu.be/sbvwBd62jSY

Sinigang na Beef Pata with a Twist. Easy and delicious.

Camille Harvey

Leche flan

Margie Salvador Bonifacio Pratt

Other than bulalo at kare Kare. Adobo, rice minsan spaghetti

Lola Vogler

I never use pressure cooker in My entire life

Belinda Agustin Macatangay

Kare kare...for the oxtail and tendons

ArtandMonica Lai

Adobo

Rucel Pletado

Chicken adobo

Julie Espiritu

Beef stew Adobo chicken/pork, Menudo.

Meanwhile enjoy this video -Cooking Lengua Estofado- one of my favorite Filipino Dish and a coconut lobster from Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marindque, Philippines

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Celebration of Life: Macrine J.Katague via her Favorite Music ( Filipino)-Part 5

This is a continuation of the series, Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her favorite music, Part 5 of 14. This part are three of her favorite Filipino songs.

Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko (Even if My Hair Had Gone White) (Tagalog). See English translation:

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Rey-Valera/Kahit-Maputi-Na-Ang-Buhok-Ko/translation/english

Matud Nila-They Say (Said)( Cebuano-Visayan)

They said I was not fit
Matud nila ako dili angay

To be rich in your love,
Nga magmamanggad sa imong gugma,

They say you will not be happy,
Matud nila ikaw dili malipay,

I have no comparison with you,
Kai wa ako'y bahanding nga kanimo igasa,

Charity is a commitment
Gugmang putli mao day pasalig

It is worth more than gold
Maoy bahanding labaw sa bulawan

They said it was just a coincidence
Matud nila kaanugon lamang

In your love and favor,
Sa imong gugma ug parayeg,

This feeling will not go away
Dili maluba kining pagbati

For whatever reason
Bisan sa unsa nga katarungan

For what else is this life worth?
Kay unsa pay bili ning kinabuhi

If in love you are deprived
Kon sa gugma mo hinikawan

Tell me you will not believe
Ingna ko nga dili ka motuo

Of the insults I received
Sa mga pagtamay kong naangkon

Tell me you will not be fooled
Ingna ko nga dili mo kawangon

I dream of a commitment to your love
Damgo ko'g pasalig sa gugma mo

At Times (Usahay)

[I]

At times,

I dream

that you and I have fallen in love

And why do I yearn for you?

Yearn (for you) for always in my solitude?

[II]

At times,

my heart

regrets *having ever been born* on this earth,

Because you have just *toyed with*

my love that is genuine,

(this love) of my dream,

within this heart

(that) I feel

[III]

At times,

(It) confounds me

why our life has anguish

And if only it could be all of revelry instead,

of unadulterated joviality

on this earth

A choral presentation of Usahay by the Philippines Madrigal Singers

Meanwhile, enjoy these other Philippine Folk songs that both Macrine and I also loved.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Food for Thought for Today: Tortoise, Stillness and Patience

I was reading a FB comment of a relative the other day. It reminded me of my two collection of turtles ( a ceramic and wood) that I am posting today.

This is my Turtle Nite Light-Guiding Me in the Darkness of the Night

Do you know the differences between turtles and Tortoises?

Tortoises ARE Turtles

All the animals alive today that protect themselves with a shell — basically just a modified rib cage — are in the order Testudines. Collectively, we call this group of animals "turtles," but individually, we might call them different things based on where they live and some morphological and physiological traits.

"They say that not all turtles are tortoises, but all tortoises are turtles," says Smith. "The turtles are organisms with a shell, which might be in water or might be on land. A tortoise is a type of turtle."

In general, both turtles and tortoises (as well as other reptiles) lay their eggs on land — it's what makes them different from amphibians, which need water for egg-laying and at least part of their life cycle.

Because tortoises are turtles, it's difficult to lay down hard and fast rules about what makes something tortoise-ish rather than turtle-ish. But in general, tortoises are always found on land, whereas turtles can be found in aquatic or marine habitats as well as land.

( https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/tortoise-turtle-difference.htm )

Quote from a FB friend: TORTOISE AND STILLNESS. For years I had been drawn to turtles and what they teach me. The more simple lesson being.. "Though it make take years to manifest... the answer will come!" Patience". Of course, I still struggle and, admittedly, in many other times, esp. during "chaos" in mind and spirit , but at least in my Quiet Time each early morning for decades now, I have had turtles surrounding me, reminding me! And I believe it..the ANSWER will come!

My wooden turtle dwarfed by my wooden horse wood carving from the Philippines. Meanwhile, enjoy this photo:

My crystal collection of animals: horse, 2 turtle doves, swan, dolphin and elephant

Also, enjoy this video -one of Macrine's Favorite Music

Somewhere in Time/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini-Rachmaninoff

ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife ( of 59 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites (ten), a personal blog, blogs about Marinduque and about our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I have also a writing account for Hubpages.com. I will appreciate very much any comments on my postings.

Genealogy of the Balleza and Katague Surnames

Several years ago, I started a genealogy of my mother's last name- “Balleza”. I was able to trace it back to the 15th century. The name originated from Bilbao, Spain. I then traced it to Mexico, then to US in Texas and then to the Philippines. I was able to locate a town in Mexico named Balleza, in the state of Chihuahua. The town was founded in 1640 and named after Fr. Mariano Balleza ,a Spanish friar.. I was able also to communicate with a radio announcer in Houston, Texas whose family name is also Balleza. I also found several Balleza families in Googles and recently in Face Book. Note that the name is similar to another name in the Philippines “ Belleza”, a Spanish word which means beautiful. But “Balleza” and “Belleza” are two different names in the Philippines. I am happy and satisfied with the origin of my mother's last name. When my mother was still alive, she told me that her grandfather was a Spanish soldier that participated in the Spanish colonization of the Philippines (1565 -1898). Today, I am curious on the genealogy of my father's last name. When my father was still alive, his last named was spelled with a “C” instead of the “K”. He changed it with the “K” when he was in high school. My father has two brothers who also changed it to start with a “ K”. But all of my father other relatives as far as I know has not change it. So there are a lot of “Catague's” in the Philippines, that are my relatives. The famous Catague is a painter named Fernando. His paintings are exhibited in the museum of Iloilo and Manila. My father has informed me that Fernando is a relative and originally was from Antique. . In the Philippines, I know there are Katagues in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Antique, Cavite and in Mindanao. I also found there is a Katague in Brazil from Googles. I just recently meet a niece in Face Book from Vancouver, B.C. She is the daughter of my first cousin from Bacolod, Negros Occidental. There are several Katagues in Face Book, and one in Twitter, but I do not know if we are related. Incidentally, there is a town in Bohol, named “Catague”. I am curious, how the town got its name, but I do not have the time to do research on it. If you know, please let me know. It will be highly appreciated.

There are several variations of the Katague name. These are: Catague, Catage, Catagi, Katagi, Katage, Kataque and Kata Gue ( from Indonesia). I know of a Japanese chemist with surname of Katagi. It may be true that Katague originated from Japan from the surname Katagi as my father once mentioned. So if your last name is any of the above or if you are married to someone with any of the names above, we may be related. I will appreciate if you contact me in Face Book or in this site. I will be delighted to meet you on line or in person.

Genealogy of the Nieva Clan-Macrine's Maternal Side of the Family

It is summer time and time for family reunions. The Nievas of the World will probably be have a reunion in the Philppines or here in US sometime this year or next year. Hopefully, Macrine and I could attend this time.

Macrine Nieva Jambalos and husband, David Balleza Katague of Marinduque and Northern California toasting champagne during their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines,2007 In 2003, there was a reunion of the Nieva clan in the Philippines organized by Rene Elizalde Nieva, Macrine's first cousin. We were invited but not able to attend. Rene wrote in his invitation that he is in the process of writing a book about the Nieva clan. He said the book will be privately published with limited printing which will include a general history starting on the possible roots of the Nieva family as well as the achievements of various members of the clan and their contribution to the betterment of Marinduque and of the Philippines. As of this writing date, I have not heard on the status of Rene's book. In his invitation he invited all the direct and indirect descendants of the children and spouses of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente. Note that Rene is the great-grandson of Calixto Nieva and Macrine is also the great-granddaughter of Calixto Nieva , thus Rene and Macrine are first cousins. I just can not believe that my six grand children are now the great-great-great grand children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente. Calixto and Epifania Morente had six children, four boys and two girls as follows (from oldest to youngest) along with their spouses. 1.Juan Nieva had two wives. The first wife was Isabel Decena. When Isabel died Juan remarried Elvira Sarmiento. Juan Nieva is both Macrine's and Rene's grandfather. He was the first governor of Marinduque and also the grandfather of the outgoing Governor. Rene and Macrine are first cousin of Jose Antonio (Bong) Nieva Carrion, the outgoing Governor of Marinduque. 2.Victoria Nieva married Doroteo Mercader 3.Dionisio Nieva married Salud de la Santa 4.Gregorio Nieva married Maria Arevalo 5.Jose Nieva married Trinidad Carmona 6.Rosita Nieva married Dr Angel Mayuga Rene's invitation also included the descendants of the brothers of Calixto, namely Pedro and Francisco Nieva. It also included the brothers and sisters of Epifania Morente, which included not just the Morentes but also the Roceses, Abadas, Trinidads and the Kasilags. Incidentally, the Reyeses are second cousins of Macrine and the other Nievas of Marinduque. This article will concentrate on the descendants of Juan Nieva and his two wives, Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz and Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista.. Children of Juan Nieva and Isabel Decena ( from Oldest to Youngest) 1.Calixto Nieva married Juanita Jambalos 2.Blanca Nieva- single was killed by the Japanese during World War II 3.Elena Nieva married Bernardo Jambalos, Jr ( brother of Juanita) Children of Juan Nieva and Elvira Sarmiento(from Oldest to Youngest) 1.Guillermo ( Willie) Nieva married Dr Celina Elizalde 2.Rosario Nieva married Ramon Carrion 3.Ester Nieva married Rafael Seno 4.Monica Nieva married Conrado Luarca 5.Elizabeth Nieva married Romulo Santo Domingo 6.Asuncion Nieva married Dr. Rafael Ocampo 7.Fr Constantino Nieva- single For the purpose of this article, I will discuss only the descendants of Elena Nieva and Bernardo Jambalos, Jr. They have seven children as follows: ( From Oldest to Youngest) 1.Macrine Nieva Jambalos- married David B Katague from Iloilo ( that's me) 2.Sister Guia Jambalos- Order of the Cenacle-single 3.Bernardo Jambalos III married Loreta Mercader 4.Fe Jambalos married Edgardo Lazarte 5.Edgar Jambalos ( deceased) married Asuncion Pagalunan 6.Jean Jambalos married Mitch Maeda 7.Rosario Jambalos married Michael Levin Note that Rene Nieva is the oldest son of Guillermo Nieva and Dr. Celina Elizalde. The younger brother of Rene, Yong is my partner in our literary project, I left my Heart in Marinduque ( not San Francisco). http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com Macrine's telephone buddy and first cousin from Vancouver, BC, Canada Olga Luarca Quiazon is the oldest daughter of Monica and Conrado Luarca The outgoing governor of Marinduque is the second son of Rosario Nieva and Ramon Carrion This posting continues with the offspring of Macrine Jambalos and David B. Katague. They have 4 children and six grandchildren as follows: 1.Dodie( Diosdado) Katague married Ruth Carver- They have 3 children, Philip Winchester, Alexandra and Marina Katague 2.Dinah E Katague married David E King- They have 2 children, Ian and Elaine King 3.David E III-single 4.Ditas Macrine Katague married Nick Thompson- They have one child, Carenna Nicole Thompson Fe Jambalos has two daughters, Lanie and Ella Jean Jambalos has two daughters, Yuri and Yuka Rosario has two children, Carlos and Zehara Asuncion and Edgar( deceased) Jambalos has three sons, Edmund, Nonoy and Jhun-Jhun and a daughter, Marilyn Bernardo Jambalos III has five children and three grandchildren as of this writing date. Accomplishments of the children of David B and Macrine J. Katague are discussed in detail at http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com Some Interesting Vignettes: The marriage of Calixto and Juanita Jambalos was not approved by their father Don Juan Nieva. Juanita was the daughter of a barrio businessman from Laylay. During those time, if you are from the barrios, you are not welcome or accepted to the social group of the main town of Boac. The Jambalos family although well off were considered TAGABUKID ( from the bonies). Don Juan Nieva wanted his lawyer son to marry Enriqueta Nepomuceno, one of the popular socialites in Boac. When Juanita died, Calixto did not marry again. Soon Calixto also died and every one in town claimed he died with a broken heart. Enriqueta in the meantime was waiting for Calixto. Enriqueta never married and died as a spinster. Blanca Nieva graduated from Nursing School at Philippine General Hospital and was earning well. When their father died, she helped in sending her half-sister Rosario to College. She supported her sister and spoiled her by dressing her up to maintain her place in the high society of Boac at that time. Elena, is the third child of Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz. Isabel died giving birth to Elena. Elena was therefore nursed by the sister of Isabel, Regina Decena Reforma. Elena and Policarpio Reforma ( son of Regina) shared the same breast milk of Tia Regina. When Elena was five years old, she and sister Blanca as well as brother Calixto, were brought to Boac where their father Juan Nieva remarried Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista. Elena grew up under the care of Lola Victoria ( sister of Juan Nieva). They lived in the old Nieva Building at the foot of the hill leading to Mataas Na Bayan. Elena later went to college at the University of the Philippines and finished her Bachelor Degree in Education. When Juanita Jambalos-Nieva( wife of Calixto) died during childbirth, Elena and Bernardo Jambalos II ( brother of Juanita) were made in-charged of bringing the corpse from Manila back to Marinduque. During the trip, people mistook them as husband and wife. Their romance started then and later were married at the Boac Catholic Church. Today, if I had to guess, there should be more than seven hundred members of the Nieva clan, just based on the six children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente all over the world. If you include the descendants of Pedro and Francisco Nieva, the two brothers of Calixto, it could reached to more than a thousand Nievas all over the universe. If you are a member of this clan, please let me know. Someday, I may be able to trace the Nieva genealogy all the way to Spain, as I did with my mothers name "Balleza", several years ago. My e-mail is in this site and I am also in Face Book.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a national park located east of the Sierra Nevada in the arid Great Basin of the United States. Parts of the park are in southern Inyo County and northern San Bernardino County in Eastern California, with a small extension into southwestern Nye County and extreme southern Esmeralda County in Nevada. In addition, there is an exclave (Devil's Hole) in southern Nye County. The park covers 5,262 square miles (13,630 km2), encompassing Saline Valley, a large part of Panamint Valley, almost all of Death Valley, and parts of several mountain ranges. Death Valley National Monument was declared a U.S. National Monument in 1933, placing the area under federal protection. In 1994, the monument was redesignated a national park, as well as being substantially expanded to include Saline and Eureka valleys. It is the hottest and driest of the national parks in the United States. The second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere is in Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet (86 m) below sea level. The park is home to many species of plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh desert environment. Some examples include creosote bush, Bighorn Sheep, Coyote, and the Death Valley Pupfish, a survivor of much wetter times. Approximately 95% of the park is designated as wilderness. Its wilderness area covers 4,774 square miles (12,360 km2), making it the largest in the Lower 48 states, and the sixth largest in the United States overall. Death Valley National Park is visited annually by more than 770,000 visitors who come to see its diverse geologic features, desert wildlife, historic sites, scenery, and clear night skies. Mining was the primary activity in the area before it was protected. The first documented non-Native Americans to enter Death Valley did so in the winter of 1849, thinking they would save time by taking a shortcut to the gold fields of California. They were stuck for weeks and in the process gave the valley its name, even though only one of their group died there. Several short-lived boom towns sprang up during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to exploit minor local bonanzas of gold. The only long-term profitable ore to be mined, however, was borax, a mineral used to make soap and an important industrial compound. Today, borax is an essential component of high-temperature resistant boro-silicate glass products, for example Pyrex cookware. Twenty-mule teams were used to transport ore out of the valley; helping to make it famous and the subject of books, radio programs, television series, and movies.

The natural environment of the area has been shaped largely by its geology. The valley itself is actually a graben. The oldest rocks are extensively metamorphosed and at least 1.7 billion years old. Ancient warm, shallow seas deposited marine sediments until rifting opened the Pacific Ocean. Additional sedimentation occurred until a subduction zone formed off the coast. This uplifted the region out of the sea and created a line of volcanoes. Later the crust started to pull apart, creating the current Basin and Range landform. Valleys filled with sediment and, during the wet times of glacial periods, with lakes, such as Lake Manly.

Note: This is No.9 of the series of articles on popular national parks in US.