Shortage alert! What the world needs now is rice …

The government has announced a forthcoming rice shortage and rice prices have risen in the local market, as a result. You know the problem is serious when fastfood outlets go against sound business practice by announcing half-rice choices for its customers. What gives? Filipinos are known to be rabid rice-eating people and anything that will curtail their love for those white grains will be viewed as no less than a punishment. The only people who are happy with this piece of news are the health buffs who prefer whole wheat over high-carbo content. But then again, just imagine the gyms being empty and some drug companies going bankrupt because Pinoys will no longer see the need to work out or pop those diet pills. Their bilbils (belly) will now naturally go phlat flat. If there’s no rice, what kind of world will this be??

Here are the many ways I love rice:

Shanghai Fried Rice

My favorite rice of the moment is this Shanghai Fried Rice mixed in savory sauce, with bits of shrimp, pork , peas and other vegetables, then wrapped in perfectly-shapped scrambled eggs. Simply delicious! and available at My Home Deli on T. M. Kalaw St., Manila.

Adobo rice

Adobo rice at Congo Grill. There is also this small fastfood chain named Ricecapades which serves unforgettable adobo rice at less than a hundred bucks per order. Lasa pa lang, ulam na!

Thai Pad

Bagoong fried rice at Thai Pad in Pasong Tamo, Makati.

Kimchi fried rice

Kimchi Fried Rice….. when you like it kickin’ hot!

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Dirty rice with finger-lickin’ ribs from New Orleans Resto.

pares

Beef pares with fried rice and soup at Jona’s. A classic, one of the best meals you can have in Manila for less than a hundred! I always have no hesitation finishing that big bowl o’ rice either.

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Spanish paella… simply rich. Look at the chorizo and all that seafood!

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Suman (sticky rice) with ripe mangoes, taken at Tsokonut Batirol - a yummy Filipino dessert, best eaten with hot chocolate or coffee.

The world will simply not be the same again… without rice (

My son Paolo

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My son Paolo does not want to have his picture taken with a camera. I’ve long given up on the thought that he will ever become a blogger, or a movie star D I simply wanted to have a few shots of him in his new Threadless tee. It’s the perfect shirt for uber-picky eaters like him. And I like Threadless designs so much. The Boyfriend is a big fan, and so is this local retail store which I’ve seen lifting off a few Threadless graphics/slogans.

I still have to wear one ;)

Anyway, this is a post about my son because he wrote me a nifty love letter for his final exam in English.

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It reads:

Dear Mother,

Thank you for all the things you have given and done, I just wish I could return the favor and give you something that you need and want.

Your Son,
Paolo

*sniff.
Boys are the sweetest things.

Well, I have two P

Announcing Lasang Pinoy 25: ‘Make Your Own Bento’

Make Your Own Bento

My most recent post on the bento inspired me to host this April’s themed Filipino food blogging event Lasang Pinoy. It has been quite a while indeed … Lasang Pinoy is already on its 25th round-up, a silver celebration if you wish.

It is for this reason that I am inviting all Filipino bloggers and readers to participate in my merry theme entitled Make Your Own Bento. ‘Make Your Own Lunchbox or Baon’ if you like, just as long as it depicts a combination of Filipino food that closely resembles a Japanese bento - the healthier and more creative, the better.

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Jollibee TV is coming to town

My whole family loves Jollibee. It is the ultimate Filipino icon.

I love the fact that you can eat a decent meal there for less than $1.

And it’s so true. “The Jollibee mascot is more popular than Mickey Mouse in this part of the world.”

Jollibee is Filipino. Filipino is Jollibee.

Jollitown mascots

Now, for some piece of news.Jollibee has branched out to a cartoon show on television. In a family-oriented format called Jollitown.

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Coming home to ‘Angels’ Kitchen’

I’ve heard so much about Angels’ Kitchen in the news and from my readers, so I thought it’s about time we paid the place a visit. It’s a simple-looking cafeteria on 57 Northeast Connecticut St., a little further away from the maddening shopping crowd of Greenhills proper. This strip of NE Connecticut is interesting actually as it hosts a Bikram Yoga studio, a branch of Conti’s, UCC, an American Express bank, a couple of salons and the Konbini Tokyo store I mentioned in my earlier post.

What first greets diners is the open kitchen itself which is far from industrial, it is in fact what I would like to have for my ideal home. It’s a working kitchen, with a rectangular counter, and at the same time a showcase for the resto’s sinful desserts and take-home goodies.

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The menu is quite sparse and well-organized. To begin our meal, I was almost tempted to order the Spread Sampler of Tuna Olive, Spinach Pesto and Chicken Pistachio Pate (P258) - until the server had the good mind to tell me that they DO offer a complimentary serving of the pate and melba toast. That was a nice gesture, I thought.

Chicken Pistachio Pate

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