Special Non-Working Holiday on June 20 (Rizal Day)

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSMz7OZ6nx8/TeMuH-OlzVI/AAAAAAAAAdE/eNGnD0voCx4/s1600/rizal-jose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSMz7OZ6nx8/TeMuH-OlzVI/AAAAAAAAAdE/eNGnD0voCx4/s200/rizal-jose2.jpg" width="155" /></a></span></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">National Hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal</span> </span></td></tr> </tbody></table><script type="text/javascript"> Rizal Day 2011 Holiday | Photo courtesy of </script><span style="font-size: small;">Through Proclamation No. 154, President Aquino has declared June 20, 2011 a special non-working holiday. This is to allow more Filipinos to commemorate and participate in the activities set on the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size: small;">The National Historical Commission of the Philippines requested the holiday to be moved to June 20, Monday because June 19 falls on Sunday.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's the full text of the Proclamation courtesy of the </span><a href="http://www.gov.ph/2011/05/20/proclamation-no-174/">Proclamation No. 154</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">:</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br /> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't forget to like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rizal150">150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal</a> page on Facebook and follow <a href="http://twitter.com/rizal150">@Rizal150</a> and use <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23RIZAL150">#Rizal150</a> on Twitter. </span><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>PLAN FOR AN ESCAPADE...</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of us may plan for an escapades on this holiday, this will be a great time again to spend with your loved one's, friends and colleagues and participate in the activities in commemoration of the celebration of our National Hero. June 18-20, what would be the best place to visit having 3 days 2 nights? I wonder & I quest!!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><script type="text/javascript"> nuffnang_bid = "6d23d8bb82106638a3cddfd58847357a"; </script><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><script src="http://synad2.nuffnang.com.ph/j.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </div>

Special Non-Working Holiday on June 20 (Rizal Day)

National Hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal Through Proclamation No. 154, President Aquino has declared June 20, 2011 a special non-working holi...

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Five (5) destinations to be...

<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Sagada,+Cordillera+Administrative+Region,+Philippines&daddr=Puerto+Galera,+MIMAROPA,+Philippines+to:Roxas+City,+Western+Visayas,+Philippines+to:Puerto+Princesa+City,+MIMAROPA,+Philippines+to:Zamboanga+City,+Zamboanga+Peninsula,+Philippines&hl=en&geocode=FcWrBAEdoMk0Bymjc4erGS2OMzFdUrrSIq-iCg%3BFWD-zQAdN501BylVNsCzVF-8MzHqAjMh44-0Qg%3BFWW_sAAdMARRBylpbiPP8_KlMzFXOl7OioAFjA%3BFdWElAAdFboTByml1gnK0GO1MzGNb0lXV3nJkA%3B&mra=ls&sll=12.254958,121.04107&sspn=11.533349,19.753418&ie=UTF8&ll=12.340002,121.069336&spn=12.853263,13.183594&z=5&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /> <small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Sagada,+Cordillera+Administrative+Region,+Philippines&daddr=Puerto+Galera,+MIMAROPA,+Philippines+to:Roxas+City,+Western+Visayas,+Philippines+to:Puerto+Princesa+City,+MIMAROPA,+Philippines+to:Zamboanga+City,+Zamboanga+Peninsula,+Philippines&hl=en&geocode=FcWrBAEdoMk0Bymjc4erGS2OMzFdUrrSIq-iCg%3BFWD-zQAdN501BylVNsCzVF-8MzHqAjMh44-0Qg%3BFWW_sAAdMARRBylpbiPP8_KlMzFXOl7OioAFjA%3BFdWElAAdFboTByml1gnK0GO1MzGNb0lXV3nJkA%3B&mra=ls&sll=12.254958,121.04107&sspn=11.533349,19.753418&ie=UTF8&ll=12.340002,121.069336&spn=12.853263,13.183594&z=5" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /> For the rest of the year starting this month of May 2011. I have chosen my top five and a must visit places of the magnificent and beautiful archipelago.<br /> <br /> Here's my list:<br /> <ol><li><b>Zamboanga City</b> - I've been to this Asia's Latin City once and I'd like to visit this place again (take note), the curacha and other seafoods hmmm yummy fresh from the sea and river. Zambo as I call is a diversified city I went there and met few Ilocanos who migrated it feels I am still home. One thing that interest me is the Pink Island - (one of the eight pink beaches of the world) when I was they there is no time for me to visit the place. A must to be seen.</li> <li><b>Sagada, Banaue</b> - Now I am close to this place maybe 6 hours away just like Manila from my hometown but believe me I never had a chance to visit nor tour around Sagada. I've heard a beautiful stories of different people who visited the place.</li> <li><b>Roxas City, Capiz</b> - Capiz in Visayas region I never conquer yet a Visayan place but hopefully I can through Roxas City, this will be held the venue of the annual convention of Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippine (ATOP).</li> <li><b>Puerto Princesa City, Palawan</b> - Palawan the last frontier, is one of the best eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines, which is highly recommended to a locals/visitors, it involves environmental awareness, social responsibility, tourism-oriented and most of all hospitable people.</li> <li><b>Puerto Galera, Mindoro</b> - One of the most attracted beaches in the Philippines next to Boracay - the Asia's Best Beaches. Top destination of the locals and foreigners. I think I will visit this place and look for something that amazed me and what the place has to offer me. </li> </ol>This will be my  five (5) destination for the rest of the year 2011 and hoping for a fine weather during my visit and stay to the place.<br /> <br /> <script type="text/javascript"> Nnuffnang_bid = "6d23d8bb82106638a3cddfd58847357a"; </script> <script src="http://synad2.nuffnang.com.ph/j.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> How about you? Do you have any places to go through for the rest of the year?<br /> <script type="text/javascript"> Nnuffnang_bid = "6d23d8bb82106638a3cddfd58847357a" </script> <script src="http://synad2.nuffnang.com.ph/j.js" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> <script type="text/javascript"> Nnuffnang_bid = "6d23d8bb82106638a3cddfd58847357a"; </script> <script src="http://synad2.nuffnang.com.ph/j.js" type="text/javascript"> </script>

Five (5) destinations to be...

View Larger Map For the rest of the year starting this month of May 2011. I have chosen my top five and a must visit places of the magnifi...

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Pipian - A traditional Vigan dish

<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEkrkykGCdU/TdXzycc84-I/AAAAAAAAAbY/r4SDl4eMpbY/s1600/DSCI2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEkrkykGCdU/TdXzycc84-I/AAAAAAAAAbY/r4SDl4eMpbY/s200/DSCI2392.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">My friend invited me for a snack/merienda on their house nearby Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. And at the table was a big bowl with hot Pipian Manok (Chicken). Then I said to myself what's Pipian? Due to curiosity I tasted it, I wasn't sure of the taste, it was softly rough going down to my throat with sour like taste and its color is lightly orange, but one thing is for sure...it was delightful. The sour taste is due to the fruit of balimbi (pias in ilocano dialect) that is commonly in Ilocos region. This was perfect for merienda matched with an ice cold soft drinks. I couldn't get over the first time, the second time around I watched them how they cooked. Very interesting and exciting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JpBVDHJLnjI/TdXz5O7X9uI/AAAAAAAAAbc/VsIYxSv1fqk/s1600/DSCI2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JpBVDHJLnjI/TdXz5O7X9uI/AAAAAAAAAbc/VsIYxSv1fqk/s200/DSCI2391.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">This food originated as a delicacy from the people of Vigan I could say. And the truth is that it is special because it is only in Vigan where you find the herb called "al pasotes" which is known by the old families of Vigan who appreciate the dish. The "al pasotes" is also known as Epazote or Herba Sancti Mariæ.<b> </b></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><b>Ingredients and procedure:</b></span></div><div style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">1. Rice is browned and is ground very finely in those places in the market. It is placed in a glass container and kept in the freezer to preserve it for many uses. Stainless steel container is also ok.<br /> <br /> 2. 1/2 kilo of the internal organs of the cow, cleaned very very well and boiled. The first boiling is to be eliminated and thrown out and then new water is put in the entrails and boiled until soft. This could last for 2 hours. Then cut in two inch squares. Usually tripe is used. <br /> <br /> 3. Add chicken cut in two inch squares. Preferably use the breasts and the legs. The neck,  wings,  and back may be used but is cumbersome to eat, although tasty. About 1/2 kilo pork, or better still bagnet should be cut in 2 inch squares also and set aside.<br /> <br /> 4. Wash 15 big pieces of Kamias. Sliced crosswise like small circles and set aside. <br /> <br /> 5. About 1/2 handful of achuete should be soaked in warm water and masticated by hand so that the red-orange colored juice comes out and should be done about 3 to 4 times until there is no more coloring. <br /> <br /> 6. Mix the achuete juice to about 2 to 3 cups of ground browned rice until well blended, depending on the volume you want to serve. <br /> <br /> 7. For the main cooking, put a little oil in the wok and saute garlic  and onions and when slightly browned...<br /> <br /> 8. Add the main ingredients, the chicken, the bagnet, the tripe and brown a little and adding some patis and little ground pepper to taste. <br /> <br /> 9. Add 2 cups water and the browned ground rice and the kamias and boil and boil until the rice is cooked, and mixing the lower portion of the wok with a ladle to make sure the rice will not stick and get burned. <br /> <br /> 10. Lastly, add the al pasotes leaves but not too much because it has a strong flavor. And if you like, you may add cooked longanizang Vigan also. Watch the complete Pipian boil and boil until the consistency is a little bit thicker than Kare-kare. If it is too thick, slowly add hot water up to the thickness you want. Make sure this is served hot to enjoy the full flavor and aroma." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div>

Pipian - A traditional Vigan dish

My friend invited me for a snack/merienda on their house nearby Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. And at the table was a big bowl with hot Pipian Mano...

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