Mini Meaty Strip in Kamuning: Bar Y Lasa Short Strip

 A fulfilled professional is developing a short food strip along Scout Ybardolaza st. Kamuning (same side as the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine) to add to the growing options of places to feast in the area.

His advocacy is to provide opportunities for others to earn a living and to succeed. His long years of experience employed in multinational company, in operating restaurants and leisure outlets, training and providing spiritual advice are the drivers to support his passion and beliefs.

Currently, there are about 4 shops (of 7) operating since December 2022.

Maong, known for grilled liempo, BBQ, tilapia etc is open 12-12 serving beer SMBPP at Php 65 0. Staff area friendly, go out of their way to serve. Recognizing the outlet is still to make a name, they will serve you well the best way they know given their limitation. No professional training, not schooled but willing.

Ivy, franchise owner of Maong just took a leap of faith to go into business choosing Maong because she likes the food and was smitten by the smell of BBQ being grilled.

She risked venturing even if the projections may not be encouraging for now but she is doing it to provide happy employment to her staff.

Likewise the mini food court operator Chito A. is doing this so he can set up an opportunity for others.

So far, Maong and the specialty ribs outlet Happy Ribs are slowly getting noticed and tried out by food lovers. But they will have a lot to go to recover.

With good food, price within reach, variety of offerings, good infrastructure with decent CR and parking, it will slowly win the hearts and the tummies of the Kamuning and nearby residents.

So ano ang intensyon ng food strip na ito sa pagitan ng Timog Avenue at Kamuning st.? Intindi ko, 'koncept karinderya offering a range of specialty food" na may front parking for cars at grills for bikes and the most decent CR in the Scout Ybarlolaza area.

Wala pa sa Google Map.

When people put their entrepreneurial skills on the line for others, suportahan!

Repurposing Miranila

Henry Miranila at Mariposa st. in Barangay Bagong Lipunan ng Crame is another output of Hanky Lee to add to the chain of heritage structures he "manages and repurposes"

Last June 2022, I participated in the discussion organized by the Cagayan Heritage Conservation Society Community where Hanky hinted he will be opening one is Quezon City

Then it was a secret but I spilled a spoiler

Now the structure is in place

The article I posted then . . .

------

Hanky Lee, owner of the chain of Henry Heritage Hotels shared with the virtual participants of the Cagayan Heritage Conversation Series this 22 June 2022 the vision mission and programs of the chain and its link to repurposing heritage. 

The presentation entitled “Managing and Repurposing Heritage Structures”, covered and elaborated the 3 pillars that guided the look, feel and experience of the chain and other insights.

With The Henry Hotel Manila (in Pasay) and The Henry Hotel Dumaguete as concrete examples, the structures sit on properties with prominent structures constructed at a particular era. Structures are preserved, retrofitted preserving the dominant look converted into full-service hotel and restaurant.

Each hotel promises a unique Filipino experience guided by these pillars which the owner and the support group diligently subscribe to:

1. Leverages on the Filipino people

2. Celebrates the Philippines

3. A sense of place

The structure, facilities, amenities, garden, chop suey interiors are aesthetically designed without compromising the place’ authenticity. The current operating hotels in experience, service and infrastructure exemplify its vision of “enhancing and redefining Philippine hospitality.”

While aggressively expanding, it has now shifted from the original intention of heritage preservation to commercial stewardship. Currently though with the global condition, commercial viability is a challenge.

But the Hanky’s passion for repurposing heritage structures and his chosen vision to preserve and promote Philippine heritage will not be sidetracked; Hanky as a private entrepreneur will relentlessly pursue the defined experience by expanding using The Henry Hotel Manila and Dumaguete as the template.

https://www.thehenryhotel.com/

Session this 24 June 2022 Thursday at 3 PM is on the National Cultural Heritage Act, officially designated as Republic Act No. 10066. Law that created the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property and took other steps to preserve historic buildings that are over 50 years old. It was signed into law on March 25, 2009 (from Wikipedia)

Baliktanaw 29 Years Ago

 This April 2022, I received a message in my Messenger inbox saying “Hi!”

“Hello po Sir, Magandang araw po sa inyo. Way back po 1993 po Mt. Pulag po may nameet po kayo na mga teens na sumubok akyatin ang mt pulag. Kung maalala po ninyo kasama ko po si Paul Soliman. Napasyal pa po kayo sa bahay namin sa qc. Anyway po sana maalala nyo po ako. Ingat po”

It was from Chris Junio, a high school graduate from Bautista Pangasinan who with their classmates and friends ventured on a climb to Mt. Pulag base camp 26 December 1993 riding in their top down Wrangler Jeep travelling a distance of about 170 kilometers for 5 hours.

With no climbing experience, they explored the place not sufficiently equipped with garments, tools and training to face the less than 0°C temperature of Mt. Pulag. At that time, coming from a storm and raining, it was freezing cold.

That Pulag adventure was my 1st upon invitation of Ricky Francisco, the late Romy Antonio and friend Gregg Cordova and a motley group of the PNB Mountaineering Club of Jun Galang, Jessica, and Ding. I recall they were hesitant to include me in the pack because of no training experience.

Yet there was this group of barkada fresh from high school who were not even in their 20’s and even worse not informing their parents on their whereabouts of this daring escapade to celebrate their graduation.

Due to the rain and the strong rains, my 1st Pulag climb was aborted. We sought shelter at a cabin for the night. The following morning, that’s when we met this group from Bautista Pangasinan struggling to ascend to a certain destination.

As it was also dangerous to proceed, we suggested that they go back. That’s when we learned that they left their vehicle somewhere. We offered them a ride in our rented jeepney to which they gladly accepted.

We eventually parted ways with both groups not succeeding.

Years after, I would get in touch with their leader Paul Soliman who eventually entered UP and stayed at Kalayaan. I learned that eventually, they summited the Mt. Pulag peak and some have taken climbing seriously. After some interactions, we lost contact until Chris’ message who perhaps had fond memories of their 1993 escapade.

I remember the lines on “Gentle Presence” by Joan Metzner" lifted from the book Gentle Presence by Earnest L. Tan on people slipping in and out of our lives.

"Some people enter our lives like deer, slipping in and out of the woods. They touch our earth and as we step to look at them they disappear as quietly as they came. But you feel blessed for having experienced their gentle presence.”

My 1st Pulag attempt like the Bautista group was 29 years ago. I could not recall the details (some info need validation) but with the help of Chris and the foto of their group which Chris said he maybe have a copy; it may help me reconstruct those moments (the group eventually completed their Mt. Pulag climb).

Like them, that Pulag adventure helped cement my relationship with nature and the mountains in the forthcoming years of our lives. For Chris and company to have remembered me and how those moments impacted on their lives, it was enough to validate life’s blessedness and its mystery.

31 December 2022

2022 Simbang Gabi at the Gesu. Messages on kindness

 9th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Mon Bautista 23 December 2022 Friday

Who is Nelson Mandela at 60? Christo Brand at 19?

Guarding the most dangerous terrorist prisoner no. 4664

Wife of the Nelson asked if their 4-month-old granddaughter can see Winnie Mandela

Brand allowed the smuggling

 

Vocation is one of the greatest indicators of divine graciousness

Defined as kind, warmhearted, gentle, compassionate, tender

Radical mercy and goodness defined in Christianity

 

God provides and also calls us. Invites us

So he can do great things for us

If we want to experience God’s graciousness, we need to live vocation to the full

 

We think more of career than vocation missing out

Career is a language of power and success

Vocation is a language of discipleship

Vocations are sacred

 

Touching people’s lives

With God taking us and using us as agents of divine graciousness

Vocation regardless of our status, will affect how others will live out their vocations

 

Despite Mandela and Brand’s difficult situation, they were not stopped from being gracious

 

Today’s gospel on John is his story of vocation and consecration on God

John, Zachariah, Elizabeth put together is God not forgetting

 

Christmas is graciousness

So we can have a life of abundance

 

This Christmas, let us experience graciousness from God who is merciful kind and tender

 

8th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Bong Dauhan 22 December 2022 Thursday

 

What is your heart singing these days?

Composer draws from experiences and feelings

Listener relates according to experiences and feelings

 

“Pasko na naman Hangad na makapiling ka”

“Malamig ang simoy ng hangin”

“Kumukutikutitap bumubusibusilak”

 

Songs express moments of sadness, happiness, and joy

Whatever the feeling, God is with us, Emmanuel

God speaks to our experiences and feelings

 

When given the responsibility, Mary experienced poverty and loneliness

Accept, take care of me

When given God’s grace, visited Elizabeth, sang The Magnificat

Experienced the faithfulness of God

She returned to God the grace she received

 

How do we respond to God’s blessings?

Are we ready to receive?

A boy who won a cash price giving it to his kuya for rice

Like Mother Mary, aware of our blessings

Deeply aware God’s experience and feeling on us

 

Sing in our hearts of praise

Respond to God’s will and humility

 

In humble hearts, rejoice in the hope that God continues to bless us

Recognize Jesus in our lives

 

To give us deep and lasting joy now and forever

7th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Kit Bautista 21 December 2022 Wednesday

 

The visitation is all about love and the joy of loving

Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth travelling long distance while pregnant

Mary took serious risk because of her love for her cousin

Action of kindness and mercy believing in God’s will

Excited with joy and gladness

Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth doing charity

 

Physical presence can be enough

Mary demonstrated authentic charity

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” intuitively said by Elizabeth

Mary was consoled

 

Good deeds done, we are already blessed

God’s mercy and compassion always open to hearts empty and full

Mary is blessed. Magnificat

Proclamation of the might and glory of God

God visited Mary and John

 

This Christmas, God visited us to stay in us forever

When God visits us, our status changes

We need divine visitation to open heaven to bring down blessings

We change and become like him as St. Paul said

Love and the joy of loving

 

Maiden is called to enjoy the fields with her lover in the previous reading

 

This Christmas we give and we receive from our loved ones

When we give and receive at the same time, we experience the spirit of Christmas

 

It is about loving and the joy in loving

6th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Ben Nebres 20 December 2022 Tuesday

 

“Happy to celebrate the mass for the Ateneo community

 

Prophet Isaiah gives us the promise of the Lord

Emmanuel, God with us, God becoming one of us

The Annunciation

God enters our human condition

He identifies with the homeless, the refugees, the displaced families

 

Jesus gives us the gift of you, the gift of Christmas

Support to E Christmas cards and to the most needy through the ACED Ateneo Center for Educational Development Program

To join the community of caring, loving, and sharing

https://www.ateneo.edu/impact/socialdev/aced

 

What is the kingdom of Jesus?

The kingdom of Jesus is a kingdom of love and caring for those in need

 

Truly heartwarming memories visiting the centers. Paskuhan Gawad Kalinga, centers in Cavite, Gabaldon, Cabiao, Marawi, Payatas

"Nakaroas" because they took care of each other, cared for each other and trusted in God

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

The kingdom Jesus brought to us

And we are invited to be part of it

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfrttR6.../viewform

 

5th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Errol Nebrao 19 December 2022 Monday

 

Reference to the movie Claus Netflix in 2019

Sta. Claus origin came from two ordinary persons

Postman and a toymaker delivering toys

 

Shift in characters in the past readings

Shift to Mary

Who is Mary?

Ordinary person, young 14 years old

Annunciation and getting pregnant and betrothed

No heritage, nothing special

 

But she was special as she was chosen by the Lord

Mary confused by the news and the choice

Role in the salvation of all people

Angel Gabriel assuring her not to be afraid

Mary responded to the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word

Even with questions why me?

 

A woman with humility, surprise, wonder, faith and obedience

We too are called to be greater than ourselves

Others needing our help

Ordinary people are needed not extraordinary are needed to share the experience

As ordinary, we can do something

 

Jasper and Claus, toymaker and postman asked why they are doing this

A true selfless act always sparks another

Small acts of love, small acts of care

Nothing grand, fancy and big

 

Journey with Mary

In her humility, surprise, wonder, faith, and obedience

 

So we can be ready to say to the Lord, let ii be done to me according to thy word

 

4th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Oliver Dy 18 Dec 2022 Sunday

4th Advent of Christmas

 

"To learn from the virtues of younger Joseph

Symbolized as sleeping popularized by Pope Francis

 

Joseph is an upright person. Obedient. With a strong faith

Jewish rites of marriage: Betrothal and Marriage

Wife conceived with a child not his

 

Joseph as a righteous man

 

With depth to see through complexity of dreams

Showed acts of obedience as discerned in his dreams in his version of loving God

 

Points we can bring to our prayer"

 

3rd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco 17 Dec 2022

3rd Advent of Christmas

 

“Gods plans for us exceed our expectation

God takes a risk with us human beings

 

Where is God’s promise of redemption?

The transformation of society requires the conversion of the heart

God winning the heart of Paul first, planted in his heart

nourished by grace to establish inclusive communities in Asia and Europe

 

While we bemoan the prevalence of hatred and violence in the world

Are we men and women of peace and mercy?

Are we honest and just in our dealings?

Have we embraced the truth about ourselves and only speak the truth to others?

 

Transformation has to grow quietly and invisibly within

For God to redeem the world

 

Grace has to bring about the conversion of our hearts

This Christmas we pray that God’s eternal word be born in our hearts

 

So we become channels of redemptive love in the world”

 

2nd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr Vic de Jesus

 

This Christmas, we celebrate the light that St. John the Baptist testified

St. John said he is the lamp

Jesus in contrast said he is the light

Jesus said we are the light

 

Two reasons to celebrate light: God is light. We are the light

We are the light of the world

Let our light shine, to dispel darkness

To see what is important

 

Appreciate the mystery of the light

Continue the tradition of lights of Christmas in electric, non-electric in the parol and in other forms

 

The light symbolizes the significance of the birth

 

“A child a child sleeping in the night will give us goodness and light”

 

Random Notes

https://www.youtube.com/live/YY-Y0Ul4igo?feature=share

1st night of Simbang Gabi 15 Dec 2022 Gesu presided by Fr. Arnel Aquino

 

Ang dalaw

 

Ang pagbigay pangako ay sapat na. Para na ring naisitupad na ito.

Kapag natupad, extra na ito (in the context that those losing hope just needed to hear a promise to lift their spirits)

When tatay in bilibid was promised a visit under the Puno ng Pangako, it was enough joy for him.

When after 13 years of preparing every week, he was visited finally by his wife, he was estatic. It felt like redemption.

 

We free to roam around are imprisoned too with our struggles. We too long for that dalaw, that Jesus visits through people, events or even a dream.

 

Theme of the 2022 Simbang Gab is "Magalak sa Pagasa", “Be pleased with the hope.” Fr. Aquino opened this season with a homily that St. John the Baptist's message of the coming is not happening as he has been waiting. A visit is what he hoped for.

 

Fr. Aquino's wish for us this Christmas is we receive a dalaw from Jesus so that like tatay, we feel the joy of redemption.

 

Notes updated 16 Dec

https://fb.watch/hqTM5Ej_2O/