jun.anteola

One thing that annoys me is when I argue with my mother over something I feel I am so right about, only to realize later that she has been so correct all along. This was our case over veggies. It used to be such a big issue between us, that even now when I’ve become friendly with the vegetable section of the local stores, she’d automatically remind (nay, lecture) about the benefits of eating green whenever she gets word that I’m not feeling well.

Now, even with much encouragement, I don’t believe I’m ready to go vegan. Not when I’m trying to lose extra fat, in exchange for more muscle. And PETA has more convincing to do for me to finally yield to their call to ban the meat in my diet altogether. I am omnivorous, thank you. My teeth are my proof.

Seeing this video however, makes me want to think twice. I find it too extreme, but informative, nontheless. It was enough to give a jolt and make me question.

content warning: the animal cruelty presented in this video may be unpleasant and objectionable.

Some people may find the video offensive in that it’s not only very brutal and graphic, but it also comes across as too pushy, and personally I got turned off by the guilt trip. Beyond that however, I see a need for me, for us, to be aware of where and how our food came to be. With frozen meat in supermarkets, I don’t see much assurance other than the label, the brands they belong to. The kilatisin, amuyin, kurutin (inspect, smell, pinch) routine wouldn’t suffice, would it? What guarantees that these were prepared according to how we want them?

My family usually buys meat from sources we know who raise their livestock under free range and organic conditions (which are two different things, by the way). Whenever there’s a chance, we buy them alive, and this is common with poultry. But there are instances when hitting the supermarket freezers is most convenient. I wonder how these meats get to the grocers here in the Philippines? Do they have a similar fate?

I’ve been tagged by Chuck, and before I run out of bloggies to pass it to, I better do this STAT. I’ve got a few more pending. There’s one that I had promised to do by Independence Day, but other things got in the way. And then I only noticed recently (through my Incoming Links section) that Jim and Jonas had tagged me as well. I’ve answered a similar tag earlier though. There are more, but those have passed their time, I guess.

The supposed title to this is “Ten Things I Hate“, but I find the term hate too strong. Let’s just say things I don’t agree with, or least like.

FOOD: Most fresh water fish. They stink, and I don’t know why but the smell makes me feel like I’m eating either dirt or rust. Not that I’ve eaten those before. And I specially don’t like it when fish is stewed/ in broth. What’s the point? Take a fish out of the water, kill it and put it back to float? And have you tried ostrich meat? It was like eating cardboard. Curiosity got me trying carabeef before, it’s pungent. (parang hindi nag deodorant si Enteng Kalabaw)

FRUITS: Tiesa. The color, the texture, smell, the taste…. everything is wrong about it. Marang. It makes me nauseous. It is sweet, but it smells like overripe… well, fruit. While most people abhor durian, I don’t. I don’t even find the odor offensive.

VEGGIES: I used to skip the veggies, but since I had to go on a diet I’ve learned to like them. It’s an acquired taste, I suppose, but only if they’re steamed, and stir-fried. My father is Ilocano but I can never understand his appetite for dinengdeng. The soup base looks like someone washed his dirty laundry with it. I know I’m missing something when I see him savor what he makes, enough to feed six, in one sitting. I can only name a few vegetables that I haven’t learned to like… alugbati and saluyot come to mind. And that gourd they make into loofahs? (I have forgotten the local name. Patola, it is, says Antuken) The mere mention of these makes me shudder.

PEOPLE: Backstabbers. Fair weather friends. People who only think of benefiting from a relationship. A few incompetent slowpokes at city hall/ in civil service. Social climbers who have no clue over where they’re at and what they’re doing. People who disturb/invade my peace and privacy. I am not a loner, just autistic self-contained, and I value my personal space. But I’m friendly.

EVENT/SITUATION/INCIDENT: When I’m made to do things and I’m not prepared. I like to take my time looking into details. But it seems that many achievements I’m most proud of came about when I’m rushed to beat a deadline. I don’t know why.

TV SHOWS/MOVIES: I’m quoting Azrael on this, “Wowowee, just coz of the host. I firmly believe he’s a dick.” Then there’s Kokey. He/it looks like a moving piece of sh**. Deal or No Deal, because of Kris Aquino. She’s irritating when she wants the attention all to herself. I don’t know why she is hosting? Just look at the big difference between her and Edu Manzano in Pilipinas, Game KNB? Not much talent there. She just thrives on intriga, either about her or her unwilling and helpless contestants. She and Ruffa must like dinengdeng. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, because of the Oompah Loompah. I wanted to puke.

MUSIC: The cursing and profanity in rap. Country music, except for LeeAnn Rhymes (she’s cute, and I love her songs). It makes me feel like I’m in a pub, alone. So alone.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES: Everything.

THINGS AROUND THE WORLD: War, and all acts of violence. In this day and age, when man should have already learned the lessons of wars past, we’re still at it. Because some still feel supreme, as others feel threatened. Because even as the world becomes smaller, we fail to recognize that our differences should make life enriched, rather than conflicted. All forms of abuse. Drug trafficking. Third world woes.

And then there are the likes of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Be afraid. Be very afraid for our children.

THINGS ABOUT MYSELF: I procrastinate. I can get over-confident with myself, of what I can do. And then expect too much, so that when I don’t measure up, I get extremely disappointed and frustrated, losing interest altogether. That should explain why I have a lot of unfinished business in my to-do list. Also, my temper flares up when I’m overwhelmed. When I’m in such a mood, beware… I lash out if people talk to me, if not give them the look.

 

Now, the fun part. Since lately I’ve been bloghopping (and made friends with) over fellow Bisaya bloggers’ pages, I’m spreading it to them…

Tinuod nga Botbot, Geda, Radueriel, Doc Norwin, Nep, Michael, GirlfromDipolog, Chase , Carlota and Jerry. Do as you please, guys… write as is, or in Bisaya. That would be interesting.

Care for some cake?

Well, ok, this wasn’t my birthday cake. But the idea came as an afterthought, after all of it was already gone. Right out of the blue, after quite a long hiatus, I felt the urge to write about the surprise party, the cake and the people who were with me. I was specially touched by the gesture, it made me hale and hearty enough to spring back from the slump and blog again.

I had no plan of making a fuss about turning older. In fact, I dreaded the thought of it. I was cool with being 35 last year, but 36!?! How close is that to 75!?! It felt like I have crossed the defining line between young and old. I was hoping nobody would remember, except my family, of course. My father’s birthday comes the day after mine, and as he never enjoys parties, we both are used to celebrating it in silence. I was fine about the thought that it should be over soon without anyone noticing. Continue reading this entry »

It had been a long time since my family last got together for a fun trip, and spending Sunday at the MOAP was well worth the short ride from Ozamiz. Except for a couple of aunts and my tatay, who always manages to give some flimsy reason not to go when such occasions come (be it outings, parties, weddings, etc), everybody who went had something to be happy about. I have always loved the beach, but the experience moved it several notches up my “most memorable” and “best holidays” lists.

The Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park is the province’s best bet for eco-tourism, and boasts of a mangrove forest, a mini zoo, an ostrich farm, fish hatcheries, marine reserve, boat rides, fresh seafood, and beach frolic.

The best part of it was Dolphin Island, a short boat ride away, where the real fun is at. There’s a sanctuary for dolphins open for public viewing, and which the kids loved. I counted ten, and of different species. I was told these were bottlenose and pantropical spotted dolphins, and a single false killer whale. Continue reading this entry »

• Half the world, nearly three billion people, live on less than two dollars a day
• Over a billion people are illiterate – unable to read or sign their name
• Some 1.1 Billion people have inadequate access to water
• 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation

I was aware that the internet is a medium with a large user base, but it was only when I started to blog and go blog hopping that I got to appreciate this. Through the very few months I have been at it, I came to experience firsthand and realise the potential of the internet to reach an immense number of people, and to sell anything - be it a product, an idea, a skill, even affection. Until then, I couldn’t quite comprehend and ascertain why businesses see it as an important medium to advertise in.

It is from seeing this tool’s power over both consumer and provider that the people at ripple found inspiration to get income to support its causes: access to clean water, food, education and microcredit for the less fortunate. With a click or a search on the ripple homepage, users help in generating funds for these ends, advertisers effectively reach consumers as well as contribute, and more money means more work done for the advancement of these charities. It’s a win-win scenario. It makes one feel good because he is able to get involved in something worthwhile, and there’s no catch.

click on the image to get started in saving the world

I see an upsurge coming, of European men queueing at the tanning salons. And Pinays (and some Pinoys, actually) - BEWARE. There’s going to be competition. Over Bruce Quebral, that is. Filipino hunk and house mate at the second season of the Pinoy Big Brother reality series, Bruce was sent to Slovenia in exchange for Tina Semolic, for a week’s cross-cultural immersion, and had won the hearts of viewers, particularly women, of the Slovenian counterpart.

A survey reveals they find him the handsomest man on their Big Brother house, while a comment on the Slovenian website says:

“Many mothers would want him to be their son-in-law.”

Continue reading this entry »

It’s summer break, and I have more time in my hands to do things I had left and taken for granted. First on the list is getting back to the gym.

I have not totally abandoned exercise. I do morning crunches and push ups, and any other exercise I can sneak into my usual routine at home, at work, and even while standing in a queue. But I found it more gratifying to be actually doing reps lifting weights, earning my bulges from sweat and pain. And I like the interaction there… exchanging bits and tips on nutrition and proper execution from like-minded people, and the invaluable support & encouragement one gets are just as ceaseless as that which one gets at church.

But one can’t help but notice that a lot of information shared actually don’t make sense, are without good basis, often exaggerated, downright wrong and potentially harmful. I try to tactfully correct whenever I catch any of these, but then it seems in their rush to build that Mr. Universe arm or sculpt that perfect six-pack, many are only too willing to perpetuate these myths. Specially when that information comes from someone who has visibly gained, but obviously out of sheer chance, or luck.

This post from Medical News Today came just in time. It lists down the 10 most common myths in nutrition today. And yes, I’ve heard of these dropped in matter-of-fact fashion at the gym. And I’ve been misled by a couple of these, too.

10. Eating carbohydrates makes you fat.
9. Drink eight, 8-oz. glasses of water per day.
8. Brown grain products are whole grain products.
7. Eating eggs will raise your cholesterol.
6. All alcohol is bad for you.
5. Vitamin supplements are necessary for everyone.
4. Consuming extra protein is necessary to build muscle mass.
3. Eating fiber causes problems if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
2. Eating immediately after a workout will improve recovery. (or make sure to load up on protein right after the workout)
1. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by eating foods low on the glycemic index. (or that eating sugary foods can lead to diabetes)