Photo of the Day: May 30, 2006

CAUTION:

Somersaulting Kids Crossing

Filipino Movie: CAVITE

The Philippine Independence Day Parade will take place next weekend, kicking off the 2006 Filipino Film and Arts Festival a week after that (June 9-15). Cinema Village Theatre at 12th Street (just off 5th Avenue) is way ahead of everyone since it is now currently screening the movie: "CAVITE".

My friend and I didn't waste any time catching this flick since it is very seldom that any theatre (no matter how small) would screen Filipino movies here in NYC. This movie stars Ian Gamazon under Truly Indie. He is also the films' Director and Producer. Below is Kyle Smith's (of the Post) movie review, giving CAVITE two-and-a-half stars:
Arriving in the Philippines for his father's funeral, a San Diego security guard finds a cellphone in his backpack, along with pictures of his mother and sister being tortured. A voice on the phone tells him, "I will tell you what I want very soon". The terrific intensity of the opening of "Cavite", which is named for a Philippine city just outside manila, nearly makes you hold your breath with dread. Or hold your nose? The atmosphere reeks of squalid menace. There is more style here than story, but the style - slashing cuts delivered in queasy orange sunstroke tones, accompanied by the urgent bleat of the cellphone - is considerable. A panicky handheld digital camera accompanies Adam, the 32-year-old security guard of Filipino descent, on a terrifying day's journey through the slums. Adam helplessly takes instructions at every turn from the kidnapper on the cellphone, who won't say what he wants. He does make sure Adam gets sickening proof of his viciousness. Is the caller a Muslim fanatic? Does he have something to do with the death of Adam's father? How does he see and hear everything Adam sees and hear even in cabs and blind alleys? These questions horse-collar us as we sweat it out right along with Adam. Unlike the kidnapper, though, the directors haven't quite worked out all the details of their plot. (Promising neophytes Ian Gamazon, who also plays Adam, and Neill Dela Llana are Filipino-Americans who shot the film in 10 days for $7.000.00). At about the halfway point, the movie starts stalling, like a tour guide who is being paid by the hour. A scene that takes Adam to the cockfight, for instance, is one of many that disorient us with their banal cruelty, but from the kidnapper's point of view, it's a waste of time. Why would they devise such a circuitous route to what turns out to be a simple goal? But a movie has to pad its running time to a (barely) respectable length. Even so, its final minutes are disappointingly flat. A last act full of reversals would have filled in the holes in "Cavite".

Link for the Filipino Film & Arts Festival: http://www.theimaginasian.com/index2.php

NYC Events: Fleet Week 2006

From May 24 - May 31, 2006, the City of NY, the US Navy and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting more than a dozen Navy and Coast Guard ships at Pier 86 and Hudson River. It started with a grand parade of vessels through New York Harbor which was attended by thousands of cheering civilians. America's largest amphibious-assault ship, the majestic USS Kearsarge led the procession while the Air Force reserve's acrobatic "Dream Machine" did a welcoming flyover.

For list of participating ships, visit: http://fleetweek.navy.mil/index.htm

We went to the Intrepid, located at West 46th St. & 12th Avenue for the museum tour, to gawk at all the ships...

... to get a chance to see athletic competitions ("tug-of-war", shown below),

...and military demonstrations ("search and rescue", shown left below) & banter with a remote-controlled "talking" sub named Coastie.

It was also a thrill for S to be able to have her pic taken inside the Captain's Bridge. "Ahoy, Matey!!!"

Link: www.intrepidmuseum.org

Arroz Caldo

Everyone knows that eating chicken soup is an effective remedy for the common cold. For centuries, the Chinese have been treating all sorts of illnesses with chicken soup. While Americans have Chicken Noodle Soup, our version back home is called Arroz Caldo or Arroz Con Pollo (meaning: Chicken and Rice Soup). This is what I cooked for P yesterday:

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts (bone-in)
ginger, sliced thinly
small onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 chicken bouillon
1/2 cup white rice (Jasmine or Goya or any medium-grain rice)
5 cans 10 1/2 oz chicken broth, or homemade chicken stock
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
scallions, chopped
salt to taste
pepper to taste
optional: dash of yellow food coloring powder

Wash chicken thoroughly. Cut each chicken breasts into 4 or 5 pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat up oil in large pot . Saute garlic first. Take them out as soon as they turn golden brown and set aside. This is to be used for garnishing. Saute ginger next. Take ginger out as soon as it turns brown and discard. Drop in the chopped onion and saute till tender, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken, fish sauce and yellow food coloring. Brown chicken. Add just enough water to cover chicken and drop in the chicken bouillon. Cover pot. Bring to a boil then simmer for about 20 minutes. Take out the chicken and set it aside. Let soup cool for a bit then remove any excess oil/fat from the soup. (Quick & Easy Tip: Gently dip thick paper towel flat on the soup's surface. The fat/oil will adhere to the paper. Discard paper). Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth/chicken stock and rice. Cover pot. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for about 40 minutes or until the rice starts to "open up" (shown above).

Adjust the seasonings - add more fish sauce, black pepper or salt as needed. Garnish with chopped scallions and fried chopped garlic. Serve plain or with crackers. Serves 4-5 people.

Never say Never...

(photo by: Johncandyfan)

Inspite of the fact that P had vowed to NEVER ever step foot in another Emergency Room, by some wicked twist of fate, we found ourselves sitting in Mt. Sinai's "Adult Triage" section again. Deja Vu.

Last Summer, we had to drive straight to the ER (with all our suitcases and bags)after de-planing from La Guardia airport. Within hours of being bitten by a seemingly harmless insect, one of Tampa's toxic bugs had caused P's right arm to swell like an elephant's trunk. Diagnosis: Infected Cellulitis. Deadly bugs... Human snackin' alligators... Countless swamps... We mentally crossed Florida off our list of "States Considered for Future Relocation".

On the day of our Wedding Anniversary the year before that, he was on his way home after picking up a bouquet of flowers from a florist when a speeding white van carrying medical supplies crashed on the cab he was riding in. Needless to say, we spent our Anniversary night in... you guessed it: The Emergency Room.

Yesterday was another freaky situation that shouldn't have happened. A simple, routine endoscopy gone horribly wrong, causing him to choke on his own vomit while under anesthesia. At this day and age, how could they possibly let that happen?! He came out of a diagnostic test with chills, shortness of breath and a 104' fever! We went straight to the nearest ER for a chest x-ray, blood works, IV antibiotics and IV hydration. His doctor did have enough sense to meet us there. Diagnosis: Aspiration Pneumonia.

Thank goodness he's recuperating at home now. Still under the weather, but generally stable - with 2 private "nurses" coddling and hovering over him.

*Sigh* I'm not a superstitious person but in this case, I'm hoping that the saying:  "All things come/happen in threes" is true.

NYC Events: Mamapalooza 2006

Riverside Park South is celebrating moms who rock with its 3rd Annual Music and Arts Festival called MAMAPALOOZA 2006, held at Pier 1 at 70th street (entrance on west 68th or west 72nd street). Despite downcast grey skies, there was a fairly large turn-out of families who came out after being cooped up in their homes during this dreary, rainy week. A lot of daddies (and men who love their mommas) showed their support, too!

Band members were composed of hip mommies such as The Attack of the Surf Mamas (shown above) who played for the kids for the first couple of hours, followed by other cool bands who performed for the moms. The event started at 12 noon and ran for 5 hours.


There was also a group of army-clad hip hop dancers who gave justice to the term "hot mamas" as they strutted their stuff to the beat of Fat Joe's "Lean Back".
The highlight of the day for S was making new friends and dancing to Suzi Shelton's songs.

Learn more about Suzi Shelton (above, shown with S) at her website: www.suzishelton.com

Second on top of S' list was, of course - getting a flower balloon from Sassi, the Clown.

LINK: http://www.mamapalooza.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mamapalooza

Photo of the Day: May 18, 2006

"GLASS TILES"
72ND STREET & BROADWAY
SUBWAY STATION
(#1, 2, and 3 Train)

Silver Fish "Torta"

To Mexicans, "Torta" means sandwich. In Italy, it may mean cake. For me, the word conjures an image of an omelet - anything dipped in egg batter and fried. Back in my childhood days, when Mad Cow's Disease was unheard of, our cook would even make cow's brain torta for breakfast. And yes, I ate it with gusto. That's why I tell P (to his dismay) that if I'd ever end up as a Fear Factor contestant, I would always win in the eating portion. Gross... but true. Anyway, saw these fresh Silver Fish (I don't know its name in Tagalog) in Chinatown a few days ago. Just perfect for crispy, crunchy fish torta. Yum!! The cooked version ended looking more like okoy (fried vegetable fritters), but it tasted just as good as I had imagined. I wasn't sure if P was going to like it though. "Hmmm..." he managed to mumble, on his first bite. That's it?! By his third torta - still no reaction. As it turned out, all along he thought he was eating well seasoned potato pancakes!!! (Hmmmm...    Would he notice if I serve him some brain torta next time? ...just a passing thought.)

Ingredients: a pound of silver fish, flour, 2 beaten eggs, a bunch of scallions/green onions chopped, 1 small firm tomato chopped (no seeds), 2 tablespoon parsley chopped, 1/4 red bell pepper diced, black pepper, paprika powder, salt.


Heat vegetable oil in wok or frying pan. Make the batter by beating the eggs with the flour (I used the self-rising one). Season to taste with salt, black pepper and paprika powder. Add in the tomato, green onions/scallions, bell pepper and parsley. Mix all ingredients together. Drop in the silver fish and coat them well with the batter. Fry in small batches till golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Serve immediately.
For dipping: Pour vinegar in a small saucer. Season with salt and black pepper. Add some chopped garlic.

Angel's Seafood Chowder

Bleeah. Its been raining the whole week... It's time to take out the pots and ladles and make hot soup for everyone! Here's an all-time favorite at home:
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 6 1/2-ounce can tomato soup
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 pound red snapper (or halibut, or any firm-fleshed fish) fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 pound medium shrimp, peeled, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 Knorr shrimp bouillon
dash of cayenne pepper (about 1/8 teaspoon)
2 cups water
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery and garlic and saute until onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain clams, reserving liquid. Add liquid to saucepan. Stir in tomato soup, water, clam juice, tomato paste, and shrimp bouillon and bring to boil. Add fish, shrimp, parsley, Italian seasoning and cayenne powder. Simmer until shrimp are pinkish, about 3 minutes. Stir in the clams. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 2-4.

To All Moms Out There...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

What are Raphael's Madonnas but the shadow of a mother's love, fixed in permanent outline forever?

-Thomas Wentworth Storrow Higginson

Lechon Kawali

What's for dinner?
I haven't been to the meat market for a while so I checked my freezer to see what forgotten piece of meat I have left in store. A lone slab of frozen pork belly stared right back at me. I was thinking of making skewered Pork BBQ's (ala Satay) with Thai Peanut Sauce but didn't have much patience to wait for it to thaw, so I did the second next best thing.

Filled a huge pot 3/4 full of water. Dropped in the Pork Belly and added a large Onion (sliced in half), 5 whole Garlic Cloves, a tablespoon of whole Pepper Corns, a few dried Bay Leaf, Salt and Onion Powder to the water. Boiled/simmered it for an hour. Took out the cooked pork and rubbed the skin with Salt, ground Black Pepper and Paprika Powder. Let drip dry for another hour.
Heated the oven to 350 degrees. Baked the pork belly, skin side up for (more or less) an hour and a half. 5 minutes before serving - I changed the oven setting to "Broil" making sure I checked the meat often so the skin will get crunchy and crispy, but not charred. Served it with steamed White Rice, Corn-on-the-Cob, and Green Mango-Jicama Salsa.
Green Mango-Jicama Salsa:
1 Green mango (diced), 1 Jicama (diced or jullienned), 1 firm Tomato (seeds and juice squeezed out), quarter of a red Onion (finely diced), 1 Jalapeno Pepper (sans seeds, finely diced), and chopped Cilantro.
For the Marinade: White Wine Vinegar, Salt, Pepper, Sugar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (drizzle).

Mix everything together. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

David Blaine: The Day After

From THE POST's Page Six

So okay - he failed to match, much less surpass the world record (8 min, 58 sec) when he was pulled out from his fishbowl last night. Big deal. He held his breath for 7 minutes and 8 seconds! Me? The longest I held my breath was for 1 minute and 22 seconds - tops!
My hats off to this insane guy. Besides, receiving a six-figure "consolation fee" can't be that bad...

Photo of the Day: May 7, 2006

"The Quiet Zone"Central Park, East 105th Street

David Blaine : "Drowned Alive!"

Stunt artist David Blaine had been buried alive for a week, been frozen for 61 hours in Times Square, perched 90 feet up on a pole for 35 hours, and fasted for 44 days while being suspended inside an acrylic box above Thames River in London. For his latest stunt, he immersed his 6 foot 1" frame inside an 8-foot sphere filled to the brim with 2,000 gallons of 96' degree saltwater and intend to stay there for a week. Check out this human globe aquarium outside Lincoln Center!
LINK: http://www.lincolncenter.org/index2.asp On Monday, May 8, 2006, he will then handcuff himself to 150 pounds of chain, remove his breathing apparatus, and attempt to break the world record of 9 minutes (8 minutes & 58 seconds, to be exact) without breathing. This spectacle will be shown LIVE on TV via a 2-hour Special Broadcast on ABC (starts at 8 PM). David Blaine (shown with S)
In preparation for this stunt, he claimed to have lost 50 pounds - just while practicing to hold his breath!! (Hmmm... I have to lose 10 pounds by Summer. I think I should start holding my breath now). He has a couple of tubes attached to him. One serves as a tube-feeding catheter where he is being nourished with a liquid diet of Gatorade, Pedialite and Water combo. He also has a catheter for pissing ("catheter maintenance" shown above), but has no discrete way of doing #2. He doesn't appear to be worried at all. He announced that under no circumstances is he going to move his bowels, thank you very much. Talk about MAJOR constipation...

For DAVID BLAINE'S BLOG:
http://72.32.48.156/blog/?sectionid=4

Steppin' Out: CLUB LOTUS, NYC

Its time for "Ladies Nite-Out" once again! Received an invitation to a French movie screening last night, so I checked out Club Lotus with a few friends. Got there late - tucked hubby and S in bed first, and then I had to sit and listen to P's short litany of "Do's and Dont's".

"Don't drink too much."
"Don't stay out too late."
"Be careful - Don't take a cab home alone."
"DO NOT lose your cellphone again."
(http://steytsaydilongga.blogspot.com/2006/03/steppin-out-cafe-wha-nyc.html)
"Double-lock the door when you get in later."
"And, oh - have fun, schatzielein."


You are invited to a screening of

“Elevator To the Gallows” (Directed by Louis Malle, starring Jeanne Moreau, in French with English subtitles, music and dancing continues during the screening.)
Presented by Show Biz Magazine and Baird Jones Thursday, May 4, Free admission from 10:00 - midnight LOTUS, 409 W. 14th St. (off 9th Ave.) Private complimentary cocktail reception from 10 – 11:30 on the 2nd floor Free admission for you and your guests from 10 until midnight by saying that you are there for "The Film Party" (ask for doorman Cris AC)

====================================================

The place was crowded with lookies - lotsa eye candy everywhere. The music was great, we couldn't stop dancing! A few Latin mixes came on by 1 AM. No wonder - Happy "Sinco De Mayo", y' all!! I was very pleased with the bartender on the main floor - she was heavy of hand and made me a few really mean cocktails!

They also had a very talented drummer, "Curtis" (above, shown with a friend) who provided much of the "party vibe" by frantically beating his Bongo along with the music.

As promised - got home early (enough) to wake up by 7 AM and get S ready for school. No headaches... No hang-overs... And my new replacement phone? The last time I checked, it was still around - errr, somewhere.

LINK: http://www.lotusnewyork.com/