10 Kiddie Snacks We Can’t Forget

10 Kiddie Snacks We Can’t Forget

Haw FlakesWhat it is: Those yummy tart discs of a Chinese fruit called hawthorn. It comes in rolls of seventeen discs.Why we loved it: We used to play first communion with them with everyone taking turns being the "priest" and receiver of the haw flakes. And it was impossible to just have one.
Bazooka JoeWhat it is: Pink bubble gum that comes in waxed paper with a complimentary comic strip about Bazooka Joe, a kid who wears a baseball cap and, for reasons unknown, a black eye patch. The ridges on the gum made it look like a pink bar of laundry soap.Why we loved it: We collected those comic strips-and hoped that each chew was a different story about "Bazooka Joe and His Gang." If it wasn’t, we’d trade strips with friends.
TarzanWhat it is: The tougher-than-usual bubblegum wrapped in differently-colored wrappers (not according to flavor at all).Why we loved it: Although it was tough to chew-your jaw would, more often than not, end up aching-the gum tasted really sweet and the flavor lasted a lot longer. It also produced stronger bubbles (less mess in your hair, which, admit it, happened to you at least once if you’re a girl).
White RabbitWhat it is: Creamy, white, chewy candy that’s wrapped in what looks like waxed paper (it’s really an edible thin strip of "paper" made from sticky rice).Why we loved it: It was always a thrill to be able to eat the "paper" along with the candy. The wrapper didn’t really taste like anything, but eating it made us feel like rebels so we ate it anyway.
Iced GemsWhat it is: Bite-sized biscuits with differently colored icing on top. Each piece looked like a cute, mini masterpiece.Why we loved it: It’s one of those classic baon foods that you and your friends would share. Some people liked eating the biscuit first and saving the icing for later (some ate it by color, too!). What was your Iced Gem eating style?
Peter’s Butter BallWhat it is: Buttery balls of sweet caramel goodness. It comes individually wrapped for easy popping right into your mouth.Why we loved it: For the price, you got good quality candy that tasted almost like butterscotch. It was the next best thing to getting those decadent squares of pure, soft caramel.
Orange SwitsWhat it is: Orange jelly candies covered in sugar. They’re quite orange and very "swit," indeed.Why we loved it: It was probably the closest thing we had to gummy bears. It comes in packs of four so there’s just enough for you-and your friends, if you’re feeling generous.
Tootsie RollWhat it is: A log of chocolate candy that’s rolled in waxed paper.Why we loved it: All together now, "Let me see that Tootsie Roll!" We could spend all day just licking that Tootsie Roll, occasionally stopping to have lunch or dinner. But we always, always came back to the Tootsie Roll.
PeeWeeWhat it is: Crunchy barbecue-flavored chips that we’d snack on until the powdered flavoring finally accumulated on our fingertips.Why we loved it: The best part about eating chips like this? The moment when you tilt your head back and chuck all the small bits left over into your happy mouth. Mmm!
HorlicksWhat it is: Small, tablet-like candies made from malt and chocolate that most likely inspired the creation of Ovalteenies.Why we loved it: You know how-when no one was looking-you used to like eating Milo chocolate powder straight from the tin? That’s what eating Horlicks was like.

The Top Ten Kontrabida Quotes

We all have our personal kontrabidas in our lives, but some are universal. They’re deliciously villainous. And who knows? Maybe we’re kontrabidas in someone else’s life. So I guess it’s all good.
December 11, 2008 → The Top Ten Kontrabida Quotes
1. L.A. Blue - "What’s that? Do you hear that? Oh, it’s the sound of me not caring…"
2. Mara - "You think you’re good enough? Think again."
3. No name - "Ipinanganak ako para guluhin ang buhay mo!"
4. Tani - "What a coincidence…UGLY starts with ‘U’."
5. E-M - "Ang ganda ng babaeng ipinalit mo sa akin…mula ulo, mukhang paa!"
6. Totski - "Mabilis ba mabuntis ang mga bobo? Bakit ang dami niyo?"
7. Raymond - "Malakas ka pala kumain…halatang galing sa hirap."
8. SC - When you see an ugly baby: "Magtanim na tayo ng maraming damo, kasi dumadami din ang mga mukhang kabayo."
9. Merrique - When officemate called me fat, I said: "Kaming mga matataba, puwedeng pumayat. Eh kayong mga pangit?"
10. Dopey - "Siguro taga-Marakina ka, kasi mukha kang takong!"
11. D’brain - From a former teacher: "I won’t pass you. I want to see you suffer."
12. No name - "Karma’s a bitch, and so are you."
13. No name - From Iisa Pa Lamang. Claudine to Angelica: "Gusto mo maglaro tayo? Agawan ng mana."
14. Dyosaimma - "Are you having a freak show that I’m not aware of?"
15. Sutil - One friend hardly drinks but eats tons of pulutan. She’s fat, and not very pretty. During one inuman, we saw the plate of chicharon empty after just a few minutes. Another friend addressed her: "Huy, bawal yan, cannibalism!"
16. Ysa - Overheard, a girl talking to another girl: "Shucks, it’s so hard to be pretty noh? Ay sori, you wouldn’t know nga pala."
17. Bombai - "Pag tinititigan kita, naniniwala na ako na ang tao galing sa unggoy."
18. Frederique - "Wag ka mag-alala, malapit nang mawala sa uso ang skinny jeans."
19. No name - "Everyone’s entitled to be stupid, but you’re abusing the privilege!"
20. HB - "Mabuti ka pa, mayaman ako. Samantalang ako, mahirap ka. Anong palagay mo sa akin, tanga ka?"
21. No name - From Iisa Pa Lamang. Claudine: "Gusto ko pag pasok ko, ipagtitimpla mo agad ako ng kape. Yung dark, very dark. Kasing pait ng buhay na ipatitikim ko sa ‘yo!"
22. Bennett - "Whatever look you were aiming for? You missed."
23. Devil_laugh - "Kailangan na natin ng bagong biktima. Hindi na humihingi ng awa ang isang ito."
24. Dark Choco Boi - From Iisa Pa Lamang. Cherry Pie Picache after she lost her fortune: "Ganito pala ang feeling ng hampaslupa! Kaloka!"
25. Erwination - "Giniginaw ako. Magsunog ng alipin!"

The Top Ten Signs That Someone Is A Social Climber

Yeah, I guess it’s a pet peeve. For me the worst kinds of social climbers are the ones who actually don’t need to anymore, because they’re sosy, they’re rich, they’re decent-looking, yet they feel the need to raise their status by hooking up with people even higher than them in the social pecking order. And name droppers. It’s okay to name drop if it’s relevant to the conversation. But sometimes, it’s like, "Yeah, I love hotdogs! I used to eat nga hotdogs at the house of the Zobels in Alabang…" Ugh.
November 20, 2008 → The Top Ten Signs That Someone Is A Social Climber
1. Bellamarie - My mom was in the house of her beauty queen/actress friend. Mom: "Wow, I love the ambience ha!" Beauty Queen/Actress: "Naku asawa ko nag-ayos ng bahay eh, kaya hindi ko alam kung saan niya nabili yun…"
2. No name - My brother was in an FX when a pa-sosyal lady beside him said, "NO LIKE THAT-an!" ("walang ganyanan" in Tagalog) to someone she’s talking to on the phone. And what was her phone? A Bayantel wireless landline!
3. Nixon - Friend: "Starbucks nanaman? I’m so sawa na, I’m always here eh!" Me: "What do you usually order ba?" Friend: "Uhm…kape?"
4. Bajoink - In Sbarro, a feeling sosy Pinay with a foreigner boyfriend was asked: "What sauce would you like on your pasta?" The Pinay haughtily answered: "Ketchap."
5. Louise Lane - I work for an expensive Japanese resto in a 5-star hotel. When I told a couple that we only had plain iced tea, the lady exclaimed: "Anong klaseng restawran to, wala man lang RED iced tea!" Eh ang nagse-serve lang naman ng RED iced tea at the time was Tokyo Tokyo!
6. Mary - An officemate always wears MANGO, pero nangungutang ng P50 pang McDo tapos hindi nagbabayad.
7. Lingere - If you say stuff like: "I wanna work in a bank. Nandun ang pera."
8. Dru - Kung naka-iPhone nga, prepaid naman, tapos wala pang load.
9. His cuteness - A friend was asked what his dad did for a livin. He answered: "Cardiologist." (taga-ayos ng radio sa car)
10. Lingerer - When I ran into a friend at a mall parking lot, I asked, "O, anong ginagawa mo dito?" He answered: "I have a car!"
11. Jarod - When we were in Kenneth Cole, a lady in her 30’s asked the saleslady: "Miss, diba kapatid ni Kenneth Cole si Cole Haan?"
12. No name - A pa-sosy date ordered steak, and she added: "Medium rare, please!" Pagdating ng steak, she goes: "Yak, may dugo! Hilaw pa!"
13. Meatball - Friend: "Yah were always in Baguio, in Camp John Wayne!"
14. No name - Cousin: "I don’t eat regular grapes, excuse me! I only eat the boneless!"
15. Carla - In New Jersey, the waitress asked ow we wanted our eggs. Me: "Poached please." Cousin: "Scrambled for me." Her friend: "Me sunny outside."
16. Frederique - When we saw Carmi Martin in the mall, I shouted: "Hi Carmi!" She smiled and waved back. My friend asked kung kilala ko siya. I answered: "Aba siyempre naman, kilala ko siya! Pero ako, hindi niya kilala…"
17. Geyp - If you shorten the brand names to, "LV, Havs, and D&G", not because you’re a suki, but because you can’t pronounce the long versions.
18. No name - I heard 2 girls in our school talking. Girl 1: "Oh my gawd, I looove Linea Italia!" Girl 2: "Oh my gawd, me too! I looove their pasta!"

The Top Ten Worst Lies You’ve Ever Told

Here's another interesting top 10 feature from Chico and Delamar

Weird that I should be posting a Top Ten about lies during Black Saturday. Anyway, this is the time for some reflection, right? Also, starting with this post, I’m using "name withheld", as opposed to "no name", when the sender actually sent his or her name but requested that we don’t it on air. Wala lang, just to distinguish between the 2.
September 18, 2008 → The Top Ten Worst Lies You’ve Ever Told
1. Name withheld - Sometimes I tell my special someone that I enjoy sex. Sometimes it’s pleasurable, but often it’s simply painful. I tell him, "Kulang lang ako sa practice…"
2. Cheodosche - My mom found condoms in my brother’s bag. When she confronted him, he said: "Pinamigay sa school, sample."
3. Name withheld - I once texted my crush pretending to be a different person. He ended up falling in love with this person I invented.
4. Nika Canton - I was running late when my boss called me and asked where I was. Even though I was still at home, I said I was already on EDSA. Then the neighbor’s rooster crowed. My boss said, "May manok na pala sa EDSA…"
5. Cutie Girl - I’ve lied so often about my age, that sometimes, even when I don’t mean to, I give my age as 26, even if I’m already 32.
6. Estong Cruz - One time I went to Tia Maria’s in Katipunan with a half-eaten siopao. When the waiter said there’s corkage fee for the siopao, without thinking, I shove the remaining siopao in my mouth and mumbled, "FIOFAO, anong FIOFAO? Walang FIOFAO?!?"
7. Syvels - I used to take money from my dad’s wallet all the time. One time, I took 20 pesos. Later, my dad angrily asked, "Sinong kumuha ng 50 pesos sa wallet ko?" I protested, "Bente lang kaya!" Huli.
8. Jelolaine - Every time I have sex with a guy, I tell him, "Pangalawa ka pa lang." The truth is, I’ve had sex with 18 guys and counting.
9. Bilog - When my sister/dentist texted me where I was because I was late for my appointment, I said I was waiting for a taxi. She texted back, "Paano ka nag-aabang ng taxi eh online pa ang YM mo?"
10. No name - One time I made my dad sign a letter that said I was going to Batangas for a retreat but I was actually going to Tagaytay with my boyfriend. While in Tagaytay, my dad caught me with my boyfriend. BUT, I also caught him with his mistress, so quits lang kami.
11. Bob - One time tinawagan ako ng girlfriend ko asking who I was with. I told her I was with Mark. She said, "Kelan pa naging Mark si Karen? Lumingon ka sa likod mo." There she was behind us, behind me and Karen, her best friend.
12. SC - Back in college, my sked was Tues-Thur, but I told my parents it was Mon-Fri para mas malaki ang baon.
13. Migz with a Z - My mom would always ask why I’m not texting back. I always tell her I’m just too busy studying. Truth is, i lost my phone months back.
14. No name - I told my then husband that he was the father of my child. I’m now with the real father, but I still haven’t told my daughter the truth that the man I’m with is her real father.
15. Urduja - My worst lies were the lies I told during confession! It was my first confession and I didn’t have any mortal sins, so I made up some.
16. Chinese Cowboy - My boss called and asked where I was. I was in a mall, but I told him that I was in my area. He said, "Good, I’m in your area, meet me in 10 minutes." It was impossible because I was at least 30 minutes away from my area.
17. Specialist - Late for an exam, I wanted to tell my prof that it was because of a leaky faucet. I ended up saying, "Inasikaso ko pa yung tulo ko."
18. Yñaki - When 4 classmates were late, they said the jeepney they were riding had a flat tire. He separated the 4 and asked them to write on a piece of paper the answer to this question: "Tell me, which tire was flat?"
19. SC - Student: "Na-holdap po ako!" Teacher: "Naku, anong nakuha sa ‘yo?" Student: "Homework ko po…"
20.No name - I told my classmates that I was still a virgin, when in fact I’ve appeared in 2 local gay porn films. My lie was exposed when 2 gay classmates recognized me.
21. Chloe - After coming home with bruises and a black eye, I tld my parents I took up boxing. Truth is, I was beaten up by my abusive boyfriend.
22. Specialist - I once told a crush that I saw her boyfriend with another girl. Ayun, nag-break after a week.
23. Gossipboy - That I’m a straight guy who’s grossed out by the gay lifestyle.
24. No name - Nahuli ako ng pinsan ko nang bigla siyang pumasok sa kwarto ko at kasalukuyan kong "pinapaligaya" ang isang brod ko sa frat. Ang sabi ko, nasugatan ang brod ko sa putots kaya sinisipsip ko lang yung dugo. Tumango lang ang pinsan ko at sinara ang pinto.

Dell Pasay badged site sold to Teleperformance

I was so shocked when I learned the news from 2 of my friends. I have heard of that rumor since last year, while I was still connected with the company. But, majority of us brushed the rumor aside, because it is impossible that an outsourced provider would buy a giant like Dell. But, the impossible just happened last Friday, when it was announced to the whole Dell community that Teleperformance is buying Dell Pasay to the tune of PHP200 million++. Paltry change compared to the annual earnings of Dell, which amounts to billions of dollars in revenue. Friday is always a good and bad day for Dell peeps, primarily because the pro: we get out paychecks every other Friday and the con: big, surprising announcements are usually done on Fridays. Alot has happened to Dell Pasay over the last 3 years, since it was established in 2006. I joined the company in January 2007, at that time it was such a big deal for me because I was offered the biggest paycheck I have ever received since I started working, and having the honor and privilege to work in one of the world's top companies. I met my now lifelong friends in Dell. I had the luxury of living just 5-10 minutes away from Mall of Asia (where Dell Pasay is). So many memories. I am happy to know that Dell QC (where most of my friends are now) is not included in the sale. I guess I'm lucky I'm no longer with the company when this happened, because for me, if I was still there, it's a big slap in the ass. I feel sorry for those who are still there, because this is like a shock and awe to the employees of Dell Pasay. The good thing is that, Teleperformance will still retain the employees of Dell Pasay, but was gracious enough to offer pay (half a month's basic salary for every year of tenure with the company) for the ones who wish to leave. This economic crisis that the world is experiencing definitely is a bitch. In hindsight, I feel blessed that I am no longer in Dell Pasay when this happened, but I will not forget the memories Dell Pasay gave me. So long, Dell Pasay, thanks for the memories.

Margarita Fores on Good Pasta

I love to cook, and one of my favorite dishes are pasta dishes like spaghetti, fettucine, carbonara, puttanesca, among others. One of my favorite chefs, the legendary Margarita Fores of Cibo, shared insights on how to cook and make good pasta dishes. Here's an article lifted from the Philippine Daily Inquirer website:

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Margarita Fores on good pasta

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:25:00 03/11/2009

Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle & Leisure

IT was an afternoon of lively demonstration, discovery and great-tasting pasta with chef and restaurateur Margarita Fores in the recent Café Scientifique at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig.

She demonstrated how science is involved in every aspect of pasta cooking, from the right boiling temperature of water when cooking the pasta to correct preparation of basil leaves for basic pesto sauce.

She also dispelled myths and misconceptions, such as throwing pasta against the wall to know if it is al dente or not, and the adding of oil to boiling pasta.

Providing scientific explanations was Maribel Garcia, curator of the soon-to-rise Mind Museum at Bonifacio Global City. Hosting the forum was Mitzi Borromeo, coordinator of Café Scientifique for the Philippines.

Fores recalled how, as a child, she was interested in biology and science experiments in school, but how it was only recently that she began to understand the science behind cooking, mainly through personal research and a visit to one of Italy’s largest pasta factories.

“After working with food for more than 20 years, it is only now that I am learning the science behind it. In a way, it is like learning in reverse,” she said.

Details

Unknown to many, cooking great pasta depends on seemingly inconsequential details, such as the boiling of pasta.

“Water must be boiling vigorously,” said Fores. If temperature drops when you put the pasta, cover the lid. When it briskly boils again, uncover it. “Don’t disturb the cooking of pasta,” she quoted the Italians. Meaning, do not stir. Let it boil and keep on tasting until you approach the time indicated on packaging.

Al dente is “to the tooth.” There is a white dot in the middle of the pasta when you bite into it.

Why add salt to water?

“The salt adds flavor to the water, and that makes the pasta tasty. No matter how much sauce you add to the pasta, if it is cooked without salt, it will be bland,” Fores explained.

Water with salt added should taste like seawater. When pasta is boiled, some flavor of the pasta is left in the water. This pasta water can then be used for thinning cold pasta sauce, or to boil another serving of pasta.

Another popular myth Fores dispelled was that of adding oil while cooking pasta. “Some people do this to prevent the pasta from sticking together. But I found out in Italy that you are not supposed to do that because this will make the pasta oily and prevent the sauce from coating it properly. The result will be flavorless pasta.”

Instead, for the pasta not to stick together, it should not be left to cool. Your sauce or ingredients should be ready while the pasta is boiling. Even draining the pasta right after boiling should not take long.

Leaving some of the pasta water dripping from the strainer, toss the pasta immediately to the sauce and mix using wooden fork or thongs.

Fores gave generous servings of Cibo’s bestsellers: Pesto Genovese (classic basil pesto from Genova), a special concoction which was a hit among the audience; the Farfalle alla Genovese (ribbon-shaped pasta with sauteed mushroom, Pesto Genovese and cream); Spaghettini al Pomodoro Crudo (spaghettini in raw marinated tomatoes with garlic and sweet basil); and the Fettucine al Bolognese.

With each dish, Fores talked about ingredients, from pasta to cheese, good local and foreign brands of pasta and cream, the difference between fresh and dry pasta and how to cook them, the authentic Italian way of preparing sauces and mixing them with pasta, and how to garnish pasta dishes.

Informal gathering

Café Scientifique is an informal gathering in bars, pubs and cafés between the science community and the public. Scientists and science writers are invited to share knowledge and insights on a topic to get the discussions going.

Since it started in the UK 10 years ago, it has spread to as far as Japan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Singapore. The movement is now in Manila and has been going around establishments.

What's Up, Nicole?

I'm sorry, I am so not getting this girl. She accuses an American soldier for rape, the GI was convicted, and now she's recanting her statement and she's now claiming that she may have consented to have sex with the poor soldier. Oh well, she has already created a stir with her sensational rape case, and now she wants to steer clear of the issue. May God have mercy on her confused soul. Article lifted from the Philstar.com website


'My conscience bothered me' By Edu Punay Updated March 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Photo taken Dec. 4, 2006 shows Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith being escorted to a Makati court for the ruling on his rape case.
MANILA, Philippines - The Filipina who had accused a US Marine of raping her and had at one time become the rallying point in the effort to abrogate the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement is now singing a different tune.
Saying she was bothered by her conscience, Nicole recanted her testimony and signed a sworn affidavit that she wasn’t sure if she was indeed raped by the accused.
Smith’s lawyer, Jose Justianiano, submitted the affidavit dated March 12 to the Court of Appeals. He said his client has satisfied the civil aspect of his conviction and indemnified Nicole.
“My conscience continues to bother me realizing that I may have in fact been so friendly and intimate with Daniel Smith at the Neptune Club that he was led to believe that I was amenable to having sex or that we simply just got carried away. I would rather risk public outrage than do nothing to help in ensuring that justice is served,” she said in her five-page affidavit.
Nicole said she wondered how she could recall her testimony that Smith kissed her lips and neck and held her breast inside the van, when witnesses told the court that she passed out and looked unconscious when he took her to the van.
“How could I have resisted his advances given this condition? Daniel Smith and I were alone on the third row of the van, which had limited space and I do not recall anyone inside the van who held my hand or any part of my body. What I can recall is that there was very loud music and shouting inside the van,” she explained.
“With the events at the Neptune Club in mind, I keep asking myself, if Daniel Smith wanted to rape me, why would he carry me out of the Neptune Club using the main entrance in full view of the security guard and the other customers. Why would the van park right in front of Neptune Club? Why would Daniel Smith and his companions bring me to the sea wall of Alaba Pier and casually leave this area that was well-lighted and with many people roaming around?” she added.
The victim, who reportedly flew to the US after receiving P100,000 for damages from Smith and terminating the services of her lawyer, also believes that if she was really raped by Smith, “he and his companions would have dumped me instead in a dimly lit area along the highway going to Alaba Pier to avoid detection.”
Officials said they weren’t sure if Nicole’s recantation would be given weight in the pending appeal of Smith at the CA.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said yesterday Smith’s lawyer can ask the CA to declare a mistrial and the fiscal can move for the dismissal of the case on the ground that the evidence is weak.
He clarified, however, that he is not aware of Nicole’s recant and will study it once he gets hold of a copy.
Her statement was reportedly added to Smith’s appeal, which was already submitted for resolution.
This development came after the reported phone call of US President Barrack Obama to President Arroyo over the weekend where the two leaders assured continuation of their partnerships – specifically the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Smith, a participant in the RP-US Balikatan military exercise, was found guilty of raping Nicole on Nov. 1, 2005 and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of 40 years imprisonment by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 139 presiding judge Benjamin Pozo.
The US soldier has filed a petition before the CA seeking the reversal of the lower court’s decision.
The appellate court has yet to issue a decision on Smith’s appeal after three justices inhibited themselves from handling the case for various reasons.
Last month, the Supreme Court ordered that Smith be placed under Philippine custody while the governments of the Philippines and the US renegotiate the terms of the Marine’s detention, which should be “under Philippine authorities.”
Malacañang has already reportedly declared that Smith could remain in the US embassy pending finality of his rape conviction.