FOOD

How to Cook Patulid

12/14/2016 08:49:00 PM

After a long travel, Patulid is always a treat my sibling and I look forward to when reaching home. Patulid is a soupy meat dish rich source of protein and iron. 

It is a dish indigenous in the Northern Part of the Philippines. It is an Ilocano term which literally means “rolled over”. No, not part of this dish is being rolled over by a heavy machine. But it’s cooked as if it just rolled over fire. But for me I like the meat simmered for a while to release the flavor of the meat. It will be tasty even without adding pork cubes.


print recipe

Patulid

Ingredients
  • 1/2 kilo pork sirloin steak
  • 1/2 kilo pork liver
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 pieces small onion
  • 2 stalks spring onions
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • water
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Saute onions, then garlic until the golden brown. Ensure that garlic and onions were not burnt.
3. Stir in pork sirloin then simmer to half-cooked consistency.
4. Add the liver. Stir until the bloody appearance disappears.
5. Pour in water enough to cover the meat and liver. You may add more if you want more soup.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Spring spring onions for added zest and garnishing.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 4 servings

Cooking Notes:

  • Overcooking the liver leads to tough texture.
  • Use the freshest liver and meat available. Frozen ones are not recommended.
  • Meat should be sliced thinly for faster cooking.

PARENTING

How to Apply for a Toddler's Philippine Passport

12/11/2016 08:00:00 PM

My daughter turned 2 last September 2016 and because I decided to create lots and lots of memories with her I think it's high time to get her a passport. My passport is already expired this July this year so a need to visit DFA is really a must.

I have read several blogs about passport application for infants (like less than a year-old). My daughter is somewhere between an infant and a school kid. So what should I do? Don't freak out momma, hope my experience is helpful.


How to Apply for a Toddler's Philippine Passport

  1. Set an appointment. I am renewing my passport so my daughter is included on my group appointment. I wasn't sure about this until the day of the appointment. A kumare told me that children with ages 7 below need not an appointment, I made an appointment for her anyway just in case. 
  2. Prepare sets of documentary requirement. Prepare a set of the original and a set of the photocopy. I am not married yet. My daughter carries my maiden name so her documentary requirement is shorter. My mind debated whether I need to execute a notarized affidavit of explanation for Sophie. She just turned 2 so obviously she did haven't been to school yet. To save me from any hassle, I paid an attorney to prepare me one. If you need a template, you may find one here.

  3. Make a personal appearance. We made it just in time. Our appointment is at 11:30 and we arrived at 11:30. Other regional and satellite offices were strict about the appointment. Thankfully, DFA Tuguegarao is more relaxed. I informed the guard on duty that I am renewing a passport and my daughter is applying for one. He just smiled and said I don't need to queue at the entrance. "Make your way to Window 2 (checking and verification counter)", he said. Those words made this hungry momma smiled from ear to ear.
  4. Pay processing.
  5. Data entry and picture taking. This took longer than step 3 to 4. My daughter doesn't want to look at the camera. She looks for a few seconds then blink. I highly recommend to practice picture taking with your toddler as a preparation. A stranger helped me  Also, make your toddler wear something with sleeves. Finger prints of toddlers were not yet taken. As for the signature, the parent will do it until the child learns to write.
  6. Arrange for delivery. 
If you momma, need to renew or apply for a new passport, apply while your child is young to avoid the line. Here are some important questions and answers which I think are helpful for mommies who are like me -- unmarried, with a child that bears mother's maiden name.

Q: I am setting for an appointment for my child who bears my maiden name. What should I do?
A: Check the illegimate box on the information section of your child, this will disable the need to enter middle name so you can proceed with the appointment.

Q: My child is just 2 years old, do I need to execute a Notarized Affidavit of Explanation detailing why she haven't attended school.
A: No need.

Q: My child is now 2 years old, do I need to make an appointment for her?
A: There's no need for DFA Tuguegarao. For other consular offices, you can confirm by contacting their hotline. If in doubt, make an appointment. 

Q: I noticed an error on the data I have input on my online application (appointment), what should I do?
A: During the verification process, mention about the error. The will make a correction and will make a remark that your information needs amendment.

The application process may require a long wait, make sure to bring some sweater or a blanket for your child because DFA consular offices can be cold. Bring some snacks and toys for your child, too.

LIFESTYLE

How to Renew a Philippine Passport in a DFA Regional Office

12/11/2016 03:39:00 PM

It's always good to keep your passports updated. It's the best form of ID and yes, no one knows if emergency cases arise. I am renewing my passport for the 2nd time. My first passport was processed in DFA Tuguegarao, it was the green one. My e-passport was processed in DFA Oceana office and now I'm back in Tuguegarao for another renewal.


How to Renew a Passport in a DFA Regional Office
  1. Set an appointment via DFA Appointment website. Since I am setting an appointment with me and my 2-year-old daughter, I set a group appointment. (Read story here.)The nearest DFA Office to us is Tuguegarao so I choose Tuguegarao.

    DFA Regional Consular Office - Tuguegarao
    Regional Government Center, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
    078 8464813

  2. Prepare you documentary requirements. Renewal is fairly easier than the first time application. List of documents you need to prepare is shorter. My expired passport is an e-passport so these are the passports that I needed to bring.


    Being a girl scout, I brought 3 IDs - a PRC license, UMID, a voters ID. For the supporting document a a tax community certificate (sedula) and my daughter's birth certificate. I made triplicates of each. But on the verification stage, the checker only took one photocopy of my expired passport and IDs. Then he punched my expired passport. This signifies that my passport is no longer valid but on the process of renewal. I will still be keeping this old passport for keepsake.
  3. Pay for the processing. You have the option for a rush processing and a normal processing. As of writing, express processing fee is PhP1200.00 while the regular one is PhP950.00. We're not travelling yet so no need for a rush processing. Traveling back to Tuguegarao is not part of my future plans so I arranged a delivery via LBC. Note: Check with the clerk if your home address is within the delivery area. If not, opt for a pick up at the nearest LBC branch near your area.
  4. Line up for the pictorial. This is the process where your information are keyed-in to the system and biometrics are taken. Make sure to go through all the details to check errors. Oh, I forgot to mention that you should wear something presentable. read: no plunging necklines, no sleeveless. Smile, Then your done.
  5. Arrange for your passport's delivery (optional).
Overall, my experience with DFA has never been bad. I have received a text from DFA a night before the pick-up date that the releasing of my passport was delayed. But surprisingly, 10 days after LBC informed me that I have to hurry down to their branch because our passports were set for return. I wish DFA and LBC were more efficient in handling this matter.

SOUL

Breaking the Shell

12/06/2016 08:55:00 PM

Every one has a story to tell. 3 years after leaving the corporate life, I have learned to embrace the simplicity of rural life. A few days after my final day in my Makati I began to ask questions. Will I be able to survive here? Will I be able to make a living while I'm in the place I termed as middle earth? The fund on my bank account began to deplete as my tummy began to grow bigger and I heavier with a baby. More questions came. But 2 and a half years after, with my 2 year old daughter sitting beside my as I write; things are starting to make sense. Yes, like a thousand-piece puzzle that's beginning to reveal a beautiful picture.


Where I am now?

Answering that question with a name of place is not enough. Answering that with my current occupation is also not enough. People wants to read, hear stories. So here I am, with all my strength and courage, I opening my life to the public once again. You see, it's like breaking out of the shell.

Many people may have asked, where is Anne now? I'm very sure that some may have shaking their head upon knowing that I am stuck in this barrio after some adjustments. Perhaps some brows have raised when they found out that I am a single mom. There were days I have to hold back my tears during pity parties. I pity myself for getting on the mess I'm in. It's harder to cope up with failure when you're an achiever. 


One night, while having another pity party a voice spoke to my heart saying  "You only need to please me." I felt like some shackles fell off me. Now I am freer to be me. I'm freer to share my story without the fear of being judged. That's also the starting point where I started to forgive myself. 


Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.


Love has blinded me. Little did I know it wasn't love that has blinded me to make foolish decisions. It was lust pretending as love. I don't have anything against love. In fact, love is the same reason why I have not given up. Love has made me resilient. Given the chance, will I do the same mistake again? I think I will because my story won't be accurate if I changed anything from the past. Though I wish I was wiser - wiser to determine what love is from what is not. And yes be wiser with my finances.  

What's happening?


Motherhood defines my current status. I am a mother to a daughter and a guardian to a male adolescent. Motherhood also defines me as I work part-time as a computer teacher. Motherhood is also a role I play as I teach young kids about God and being Christ-like in kid's church. I'm still in a journey of learning a lot of things. Part of it is relearning to unlearn. This is the season where I am now sitting on the rubles and shaking off the remnants of my old self. This is the season where I learned to laugh at my past mistakes and make see the future in a different light. Going through the valley of pain is just a season. Those too shall past. If I have given up on the early stage of the race I won't be a able to see my daughter grow to someone smart, beautiful, talent, healthy child. I consider her as the reward of my resilience.

What's going to happen?

Future is uncertain. Though I am maintaining a list of things I wanted to achieve and do in the future. Pursue public teaching, be a part-time farmer, continue being the best mom for my daughter, grow my financial portfolio to name a few. Get married when I feel it's time. I am just going to leave the rest in the hands of God right now and enjoy the moment. I may still fall at some point of the race but I will continue to fight with a good fight. 




INSTAGRAM @renewed_anne