pergola e-dyaryo, july 2010 special edition

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Special Edition 201

SPECIAL EDITION: INVEST IN A SCHOLAR CAMPAIGN

Steering Committee

Daisy BarawidanLala DavidSherry DavidMarita LegaspiCecile LowlichtSol OcaMike PalileoEmma Villa-Real

Pergola Contributors

(this issue)

Sr Soledad OSB

Sr Angelica OSB

Jacelle Manara

Ronie Nieva

May Mayor

Mila Magno

Editors

Mike Palileo

Yvette Jarencio

EDITORIAL

Welcome to our special edition! In this issue Pergola

e-Dyaryo links arms (so to speak) with SSRDF in

mounting an INVEST IN A SCHOLAR campaign.We will develop this theme in two parts: in this issue

we will feature SSRDF scholars currently enrolled at

SSC, and in the next issue we will feature SSRDF

donors.

Our primary goal is to invite you, our Scholastican

reader, to consider giving back to our alma mater by

making an investment in a St Scho scholar, either by

establishing a memorial scholarship fund for a

deceased loved one, or by making a small donation to

an established mentor‟s fund.

WHAT’S INSIDE: A highlight of this issue is an

essay by Jacelle Soleil Manera titled A Scholar’s

Dream. Soleil finished high school as a scholar at

Night Secondary School; she is now a college scholar

at SSC‟s School of Mass Communication. Sr Soledad

Hilado answers frequently asked questions about

how SSRDF puts scholarships to work. Sr Angelica

Leviste (SSC President) invites all alumnae to invest

in a scholar‟s education in an open letter on page 2.

PROFILE: SSRDF

The St Scholastica Research and DevelopmenFoundation (SSRDF) enables academically qualifiestudents to study at St. Scholastica’s College (Manilathrough financial assistance. The move to put up suca Foundation was in response to the thrust of thMissionary Benedictine Sisters who own and operatthe College. Completing the roster of incorporators arequally generous laymen and laywomen who believthat quality education is a lifetime investment for all.

The initial donors to SSRDF were alumnae and friendof SSC Manila as well as jubilarian graduates wh

have been actively augmenting the annual Fund oAlumnae Day - the Feast of St. Scholastica everFebruary 10.

During the mid-1980s, students had the option to holfundraising events as part of SSC’s on-campufestivities. Proceeds were donated to the SSRDF thelp sustain the scholars. Hard ecomonic timeshowever, became a drawback. The College faced number of economic challenges, and it was not lonbefore the annual Fund Drives were cancelled.

It was not until 1999 when SSRDF received its firspledged donation. The endowment was an amount seaside for a five-year memorial scholarship fund. Latethis grant was extended for five more years.

Today, through SSC’s distinguished benefactorsalumnae, and friends, SSRDF continues to supposcholars in selected degree programs. Scholasticanand family are invited to be a part of this rewardinengagement.

For inquiries on how to invest in the education of scholar at SSC, send an email to Sr. Soledad HiladoOSB, SSRDF Executive Director, [email protected]. You may also call heat (632) 524-7686, local 593 or 197, or send a fax t(063) 521-2593.

Sr Soledad Hilado, OSB

SSRDF Executive Director

mailto:[email protected]





Special Edition 2010

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Letter from the President of SSC

June 18, 2010

Dear Alumnae and Friends,

Thirty-six years ago, in 1976 St. Scholastica’sCollege established the St. Scholastica Research andDevelopment Foundation with the principal purpose ofenabling intellectually capable but financially limited highschool graduates to take up collegiate studies at SSC

and to encourage research. This move was prompted bytwo main movements: the then revived socialconsciousness in the Catholic Church prompted andfired by the PCP II and the emphasis on social concernsand involvement given by the Missionary BenedictineSisters at their Manila Priory Chapter in 1975. One ofthe areas identified was the educational apostolate,including providing entry into our schools foreconomically poor students.

At that time the student population of SSC camelargely from the more economically privileged classes,considering the level of school fees, which was

necessary if the school was to employ goodadministrators and teachers and maintain good facilitiesand services. How do we make Scholastican educationavailable to promising students from lower incomefamilies? It was then that the idea of an educationalfoundation was conceived. With the help of alumnae andfriends, the SSRDF was formed, incorporated andregistered with the Securities and ExchangeCommission. It sought and received accreditation fromthe Department of Science and Technology, thusobtaining tax exemption for donations to the Foundation.The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trusteesmade up of lay persons and Sisters. It includes thepresident of the alumnae association of the school.

At the time of its foundation, the financial pictureof the country and the fee structure of the College weresuch that a donation of P20,000.00 over four years, oran outright donation of P18,000.00 could generate anannual interest income that could cover the school feesof a college student. Thus, solicitations for donationsamong alumnae and friends constituted the first capitalfund, and after a short period of time, the scholarshipprogram was launched. However, soon the financialpicture changed – and drastically. Interest rates

plummeted while school fees of necessity increased ascost of salaries and services went up. Accordinglygreater and greater capital fund was needed to support ascholar through her college years. And that situation hasgenerally prevailed – such that today a tuitionscholarship (that is, not including other school fees) isabout P40,000.00 or more a semester. And interes

rates have remained low and are erratic.

It is in the hope that SSC can extend itseducational opportunities to more young ladies comingfrom low-income - even at times, no income-families -that seek and hope for the help of alumnae and friendsto the SSRDF. Scholarships may be funded eithethrough the capital fund – utilizing only the interesincome or through direct subsidy for tuition and otherschool fees.

We thank you in advance and promise you ouprayers for God’s blessings on you and your dear ones

for your generosity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Sr. M. Angelica Leviste, O.S.B.




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A SCHOLAR’S DREAM

by Jacelle Soleil Manera

I was born on October 6, 1990 to my nineteen-year-old mother Jacqueline and my eighteen-year-old father Celso. My birthplace wasthe inner city of Manila that few Scholasticans know, where poverty was

a way of life that bred materialistic, greedy, and violent people. Yetdespite our poor means, I lived the first eleven years of my life happilywith my mother, father, brothers Jap and Icel, and sister Lyncel in our grandmother’s house.

When I was twelve years old, my father left us to work as a tricycledriver in Laguna. Every week he sent us money to cover our basicnecessities and school requirements. However, the money he wasearning was not enough to meet all our needs. So a year after myfather left, my mother was forced to work as a bus mother with a schoolbus that services students going to St. Scholastica’s College.

My mother had been working for the school service for almost a year and I was graduating from grade school. I asked myself if my family

could still afford my secondary education. Fortunately, my mother learned about the Night Secondary School at St. Scho. The NightSchool offers free secondary education to deserving but needy studentswho work during the day and study at night. I applied and with God’shelp I was accepted. Three months later we received good news. Mymother was accepted as a secretary at an engineering firm where shehad applied. She resigned from the school service where she used towork. My mother then earned enough in her new work. For months weexperienced having enough money to cover everyday expenses andnot worry about tomorrow. I was happy to see that my siblings did nothave to fight over a meal.

Life took another turn however. There were many challenges that cameagain to my family. Unable to face the trials and problems, my mother

and my father eventually left us: my siblings and I were left with nothing.The absence of the people we love can greatly affect us—how we thinkand act—for a long time. My siblings and I had to live on our own. Wehad to start from the beginning with nothing. I was fifteen years oldwhen I started to work at a cafeteria. By the time I was sixteen, I hadbecome an expert in working, preparing my siblings to go to school, andstretching a single meal’s worth to two or three family dinners. AlthoughI was young when we lost our parents, I was never able to mourn or tolet myself become too absorbed by thoughts of personal loss.

I was very fortunate to have studied in the Night Secondary Schoo(NSS) at St. Scholastica’s College. The supportive and kind Missionary

Benedictine Sisters taught me to be strong, optimistic, and accepting oflife’s challenges. When I was in my last year in hig h school, I becamethe president of the Student Council. As a Benedictine leader, I wasimbued with the values and teachings of St. Benedict. I offered myservice as a student leader of Night Secondary School for the glory oGod.

With compassion, nothing is impossible. I love the Earth. Protecting theenvironment is everybody’s business, a moral imperative. In NSS, I wasexposed to environmental issues. It was also there where I started to beinvolved in environmental activities. Five months before graduation fromhigh school, our class, together with our environmental science teacherfounded an organization called MAKAKALIKASANG KILUSAN ATSAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL (MAKISAMA) with the aim o

helping people fight poverty while protecting the environment. I waselected president of MAKISAMA. Our organization also wanted to helpour school generate funds from the sale of recyclables to sustainscholarship programs. Although I juggled many activities in high schooand at work, I graduated as the top student of my batch. I also receivedthe Benedictine Leadership Award for my service to NSS. I succeededthrough persistent hard work and with the help of the MissionaryBenedictine Sisters.

The scholarship programs at St. Scholastica’s College have been agreat help to me as I reach out for my dreams in life. St. Scholasticagranted me an academic scholarship to college, where I enrolled in theMass Communication program. I was also given a monthly allowanceby a kind couple, which I used to rent a computer to do my projects and

for jeepney fare to go to school. Because all these things were providedfor me, I stopped working and am able to focus on my studies. I havehad other accomplishments made possible by the support afforded meI was elected class representative of the First Year and made it to theDean’s List. I became a regional finalist in the 2009 Bayer YoungEnvironmental Envoys tilt, and won second place in the First NationaYouth Songwriting Contest.

The kindness of the Benedictine Sisters has fired my determination tosucceed. I have learned that as in studying, life’s successes often comein small increments. Sometimes even the smallest decisions one makesseparates a great result from a failure. The difference between successand failure is defined by one’s ability to do one’s best in everything. know that by consistently working towards my goals, however smal

they may seem, I can accomplish what I have set myself to do. I amonly eighteen years old and I still have many roads to take. I may stilbe young but my attitude can make a world of difference. My life storycan offer a vision of hope. My smile can radiate love. My service canenlighten the minds of other people. When I share a piece of myselwith at least one person, I know I have made a difference.




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SSRDF FAQs

Does a memorial fund pay for the tuition of one college student for four years?

A memorial fund is a scholarship fund set up in memory ofsomeone else, usually a dear one, such as a departed

parent. Normally it is set up as a capital fund. The interestincome is used for the tuition of a scholar or scholars - thatway the fund is ongoing. However, if a donor wishes togive only for the studies of one scholar until the scholargraduates, the scholarship ends, as does the funding, afterthe scholar graduates. If only the interest income is used,then the fund continues indefinitely and when one scholargraduates, another can benefit from the proceeds of thefund.

What is the minimum amount to set up such a fund? What is the college tuition for one year?

Tuition fees nowadays are about PHP80,000 a year,depending on the degree course a student takes, but feesusually go up from year to year. SSRDF has not set aminimum amount for a memorial fund. Whatever isdonated is noted and when sufficient is applied, oftentimestogether with other funds to support a scholar. This hasdeveloped as fees kept increasing while interest rates keptgoing down, thus putting down interest income andcapability of funds to support scholarships.

Is tuition to be paid per semester, yearly, or in full for four years?

SSRDF pays SSC at the end of every school year so thatthe funds are able to earn interest within that time.

Who chooses the scholars to benefit from a memorial fund?

A Scholarship Committee screens applicants for grantsbased on need. All applicants have to pass the entranceexam of SSC. Normally we see to it that scholars havegood potential, since they are ―using‖ the donations of sponsors that allow them to study. This year's graduatesincluded three honor students from among the SSRDFgraduating scholars.

How does one send an on-line donation to a memorial fund?

Go to http://ssrdf.edu.ph and click on the link that says―On-line donation.‖ When the Pesopay donation formcomes up, make a donation in pesos. You cannot make acredit card donation in dollars using Pesopay. Convert theamount to pesos and submit the amount in pesos. Later onyour credit card company will convert your donation todollars and bill you in dollars. This is convenient forSSRDF since it receives the amount already in pesos.

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

You are invited to open http://www.ssrdf.com.ph and viewthe new SSRDF webpage.

NOTE THE NEW FEATURE: Two online donation facilitieshave been added to the SSRDF webpage:

1) Pesopay. This facility will remit your gift to SSRDFin pesos. If you wish to make a credit card donation inpesos, click on Pesopay and donate in pesos. Your creditcard company will convert the donated amount to dollars(or other currency), and in your statement will charge youin dollars (or other respective currency).

2) Paypal. This facility will remit your gift to SSRDF indollars. If you wish to make a credit card donation indollars, donate via Paypal, which is in the name of Mila

Alvarez Magno who has been authorized to remidonations in dollars to SSRDF. This arrangement is Mila’skind proposal because Paypal does not enroll a recipientoutside of North America.

When you click on DONATE ON-LINE (IN PESOPAY), youwill see the following:I wish to support St. Scholastica's Research andDevelopment Foundation with a Donation of:

Please choose from the giftamounts suggested below, orenter any other amount at the

end of the list.Currency Converter

PHP 500 PHP 1,000 PHP 1,500

PHP 2,000 PHP 5,000 PHP 10,000

PHP 20,000 Others:

SSC Affiliation:

Alumna/AlumnusParentStudentFaculty/Staff Friend

Purpose of gift:

ScholarshipsAdministrative ChairProfessorial ChairGeneral

Contributions are tax-deductible.

http://www.ssrdf.com.ph/



http://www.xe.com/

http://www.xe.com/

http://www.xe.com/





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THE TRANSFIGURATIONby Sr Soledad Hilado, OSB

Some months ago a Jesuit priest-cousin of mine passedaway. He was a theologian trained in Germany andelsewhere, and taught the seminarians at the LoyolaHouse of Studies when he returned from his own studiesabroad. He had remarked at one time that he regrettedthe fact that the Creed, which we recite at Sunday Mass,speaks of the birth of Our Lord and then jumps—so tospeak—to His crucifixion and death, leaving out thebeautiful and rich three years of His so-called public life.

When our late dear Holy Father, Pope John Paul IIintroduced into the rosary the mysteries of light—whichdirectly deal with those ―special‖ years of our Lord’s life—Fr. Carl (Abesamis) must have been especiallypleased and happy. Parenthetically, I too am verypleased and happy about these newly introducedmysteries of the rosary. I must say I love them!

The fourth mystery of light is the Transfiguration. (Wecelebrate the feast on the 6th of August.) The account ofthe transfiguration of Our Lord in the Gospel isfascinating. We read that before His passion, Jesus tookthree of His disciples—Peter, James and John—up to amountain to pray.

Why these three? There were 12 of them besides moreof the disciples. We don’t know exactly the answer butwe can conjecture if we like. Peter. Now we know Peterwas destined by Our Lord to be the head of His Church.So, fair enough to choose him and take him along.John. We learn from the gospels that John was

especially dear to Our Lord. And as events would show,he would be the only one of the apostles brave enoughto be with Jesus to the very end, standing at the foot ofHis Cross. So maybe that is reason enough too toinclude him. How about James? Anything special aboutJames? He was the brother of John, but….So what?True, he would later become the bishop of Jerusalem;still …. I like to think that James was chosen by Jesus tobe with Him too for this special event as representingEVERYONE – all of us, or each one of us. You. . . me . .. all of us. He invites each one of us to share themagnificent experience of His transfiguration.

What happened up there on Mt. Tabor? … there he

was transfigured … The word is an interesting one.The Greek word is metamorpho , which means totransform, literally or figuratively. It means to changeinto another form; also, to change the outside to matchthe inside. This was the case in the Transfiguration: to―match the outside with the inside‖. Jesus’ divine naturewas ―veiled‖ in human form, and the transfiguration wasa glimpse of that glory.

The voice of God attested to this—as it did at thebaptism of Jesus. The divinity of Christ, proclaimed bythe Father’s voice, is also revealed by the symbols of

light and whiteness, representing eternity andtranscendence: ―His garments became glisteningintensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them‖(Mk. 9:3). Then there is the cloud – a sign of God’spresence during the Exodus and over the tent of theCovenant (John Paul II, General Audience , 26 Apri2000).

On the transfigured face of Jesus, a ray of light which heheld within shines forth. It invites us to open the eyes oour hearts to the mystery of God’s light, presenthroughout salvation history. At the beginning ofcreation, God had said, ―Let there be light,‖ and therewas light separated from the darkness. In the Psalmslight is ―the mantle with which God covers Himself‖ (cfPs. 104:2); in the Book of Wisdom the symbolism olight is used to describe the very essence of Godwisdom, an outpouring of God’s glory, is ―a reflection ofeternal light‖ superior to any created light (cf. Wis 7:2729ff). ―I am the light of the world,‖ Christ says in theGospel, ―he who follows me will not walk in darkness buwill have the light of life‖ (Jn 8:12 ) (Pope Benedict XVI2006).

There is too the Trinitarian dimension of Christ’stransfiguration: the Father’s presence with His revealingvoice is explicit; an implicit glimpse of the Holy Spirit’spresence in the cloud is based on the parallel event ofthe Baptism in the Jordan, when the Holy Spiritdescended upon Christ like a dove (Mk. 1:10) (John PauII, General Audience , 26 April 2000).




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Christ is the center. Two witnesses of the OldCovenant appear with him: Moses, mediator of the law,and Elijah, a prophet of the living God. So overwhelmingwas the experience that Peter, the impulsive one, criesout: ―Lord, let us build three tents here – one for you,one for Moses and one for Elijah!‖

Why this ecstatic experience for the three chosen ones?It was a ―glimpse of heaven,‖ a foretaste of the glory thatheaven would bring after this life on earth. It would be asource of strength during the events that would follow – the betrayal… the agony in the garden … the passion …the Cross ..... In spite of that Peter would stumble ... tillthe cock crowed. We do not read about James ... butwe know that John would be the only one at the foot ofthe Cross.

When one has the grace to live a strong experience ofGod, it is as if one is living an experience similar to thatof the disciples during the Transfiguration: a momentary

foretaste of what will constitute the happiness ofParadise. These are brief experiences that aresometimes granted by God, especially prior to difficult trial. (Benedict XVI, 2006; italics mine).

No one, however, is permitted to live ―on Tabor‖ while onearth. Indeed, human existence is a journey of faith andas such, moves ahead more in shadows than in full light,and is no stranger to moments of obscurity and also ofcomplete darkness. While on this earth, our relationshipwith God takes place more by listening than by seeing ,and the same contemplation comes about, so to speak,with closed eyes, thanks to the interior light that iskindled in us by the Word of God (Ibid .).

“Listen to him.” We listen to Him in His Word,contained for us in Sacred Scripture – in the Law andthe prophets – and now also in the New Testament. Welisten to Him in the events of our lives, seeking todecipher in them the message of Providence, of God.We listen to Him in our brothers and sisters, especiallyin the lowly and the poor, in whom and for whom Jesusdemands our concrete and active love. To listen toChrist and obey His voice is the main way, the only waythat leads to the fullness of joy and of love. (BenedictXVI, 2006). ―Listen, my daughter/son ...‖ St. Benedicttells at the start of his Rule.

… alone by themselves…

Tabor represents all the ―mountains‖ that lead us to Godaccording to an image dear to mystics.

Jesus leads us too … to where we could be alone withHim. We have our daily prayer time where we really arealone with Him … if we like …..Maybe we take a fewminutes every day to read some verses of HolyScripture. ―Our path to contemplation begins in . . .letting the inspired Word of God enter us, shape us, andcall us forward in faith and hope‖ (Pennington, 78).

We are again together with Him at the Holy Sacrifice ofthe Mass (John Paul II) .... We get an invitation too aany other time . . . walking to the office . . . taking astroll . . . . Inside us, in our hearts, we can be – and are-- alone with Him.

―At the heart of prayer is person-to-person contact withthe living Lord . . . Prayer is interpersonal union with thetri-personal God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. . . amatter of being aware of a God who is already close tous in Christ‖ (Casey, 163).

And then they see only Jesus. “At a gentle touch onthe shoulder, the awed disciples dare to look up, andthey see only Jesus…..‖ They would see only Jesuswhen they live the faith of the mountain - see Him inevery man, woman, and child (Pennington, 80).

We are granted the grace to rejoice in the company ofthe transfigured Lord when we immerse ourselves in thethings that are above through prayer and the celebration

of the divine mysteries. But, like the disciples, we alsomust descend into daily life where human eventschallenge our faith. (John Paul II, 1999)

Let us ask God, through the intercession of MaryTeacher of faith and contemplation, to enable us toreceive within us the light that shines brightly on the faceof Christ, so that we may reflect its image on everyonewe meet. (John Paul II, Introduction to Holy Mass, Aug6, 2000).

And now we pause to look into ourselves – when andhow we have followed, and continue to follow Christ’sinvitation to be alone with Him on the mountain … and

how, as with Peter, James and John, the experience haschanged, and continues to change our lives.

*******

Author’s Note: Much of what is written above is basedon the homilies of the late Pope John Paul II and thepresent Pope Benedict XVI, as well as on articles on thesubject by Michael Casey, OCSO and Basil PenningtonOCSO.

*******Editor’s Note: We have added the Spirituality series asa regular feature of Pergola e-Dyaryo in response torequests from our alumnae readers. Sr Soledad Hilado’smeditation on the Transfiguration is the second essay inour Spirituality series. The first essay, a meditation by SrIrene Dabalus on Christ’s resurrection, appeared in theEaster issue.




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A TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER, HELEN SORIANO-ALVAREZ

by Mila Alvarez-Magno

I lost a big part of me whensweet and gentle Mama

passed away last November at 97. Sheshared our home in

Toronto for 35 years and

played a significant part inmy life. My husband,

Oswald, had already set up

the Christmas tree in

anticipation of the usual

family gathering that

would take place in a littleless than a month. As in

Christmases past, she

would have been the center of attention. Her children

and grandchildren from all

over the US and Canada would gather for this occasion - tosee dear grandma.

Indeed, she was the magnet that kept all of us, her children,

together. By her loving example, she instilled in us love and

caring for each other that remains stronger than ever after her death. She also taught her children values such as helping

others in need. She believed that help, no matter how small,

can make a big difference.

Mama was the seventh child, among 13 children, of Susano

Soriano and Julia Villagracia of Capiz. As the eldest daughter,she took on responsibility for taking care of her younger siblings. This gave her the foundation and inner strength to

care not only for her own children, but for others, later in her

life.

She married my father, David Alvarez of Camarines Sur andhad five children, Fred, Alexandra, Michael, Marilen and

myself. My birth, a year after Mama survived a deadly

disease, was nothing short of a miracle in her eyes. During thewar, she became gravely ill with typhoid. She prayed

constantly to our Blessed Lady for strength to be able to raise

her four children. A year later, after her near-death experience,

she gave birth to me, and named me Milagros, or Mila for short.

Widowed at 48, Mama faced the daunting task of providing

for her children by herself. She worked long hours at thefamily’s printing press business. But even when money was

tight, she somehow found the means to help her nieces and

nephews who asked for financial help. She went so far as toadopt two of her young nephews and brought them up as her

own. Life was not easy. But Mama was endowed with an

indomitable spirit of giving and caring for others. It was

Mama’s desire that everyone had a decent education, no

matter what. As a testament to her tenacity and perseverance,all her five children and two adopted nephews were able to

raise their own families in a way that bears no resemblance tothe sacrifices she went through.

My mother and I shared a strong bond that I will cherish for as

long as I live. We were practically inseparable as she alwayswanted to look after my needs even while I was already

working in Manila, where for a time she stayed in my

apartment until I left for Canada in the early ‘70s. Her selfless

love for me is something that I will always treasure. There is

one particular incident that remains etched in my heart. Oneday, when I was ill and unable to come down to our main floor

where Mama’s bedroom was located, I was surprised to see

Mama suddenly by my bedside. It turned out that, with a lot of

difficulty, she went up a long flight of stairs as she wasworried about my condition. This incident took place when

she just had hip surgery. I can only imagine her crawling up

the stairs and on the floor in order to reach and comfort me.

Mama loved to read the news. When typhoon Reming struck

the Bicol region, she expressed the need to help in whatever

way possible. She also took interest in the plight of a caregiver

in Canada who faced the threat of deportation after beingdiagnosed with cancer. I knew in my heart that Mama wanted

to help and I am sure that she would have personally taken up

these causes, her strength permitting. But in her old age, itwas up to me to pick up the causes and to help turn her wishes

into reality.

In the few months before the Lord took Mama, she keptreminding everyone of her love. A song she composed and

frequently sang to us had these words: “ Remember that I always love you ... and still you’re in my heart ”. Mama’s

legacy is her abiding love and support, a legacy that fittingly

will now be extended to others through the St. ScholasticaResearch and Development Foundation’s (SSRDF) “Helen

Soriano Alvarez Scholarship Fund”.




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AN AFRICAN SAFARI, A PHOTO-ESSAY

by Ronie Nieva

Ronie Nieva, her husband, and twosons just arrived from a safari to a wild

life camp in Botswana. Their safarivehicles were Toyota Land Cruisersequipped to drive through sand and

water.

Ronie seen here beside a termitemound. Termites are social creaturesthat build enormous mounds all over

the African plains. You can tell the size

relative to me!

Waterbuck, aka ―toilet seatantelope‖ - naming is obvious!




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This leopard was stalking a herd ofimpala and a few kudu. We followed

him as he followed the prey from afar.The wind shifted and they scampared

away.

We saw this large male lion early in themorning. He was just waking up, and

started looking around for his lion pride,which had gone hunting the night

before.

These were two of the lionesses inthe lion pride (there were about 8 ofthem) along with 2 young male lions

who had not yet becomeindependent.




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FILIPINO COOKING IN AMERICA

Special Bibingka

Ingredients

1 cup long grain jasmine rice

1 tablespoon cooked day-old rice

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

Salted egg (one or two)

Queso Blanco (white cheese)

Procedure

Day before: Soak one cup uncooked jasmine rice overnightin water.

The next day (which is baking day): Drain excess water andpulse in blender.

Add one heaping tablespoon of day-old cooked rice touncooked rice in blender.

Buzz again till powdery fine.

Add water to make it 400 ml. This becomes your ricegalapong mixture.

Blend one cup coconut milk to the rice galapong. Add one cupsugar.

Let liquid mixture of rice galapong, coconut milk, and sugarrest for an hour or two.

Ready to cook: Preheat oven at 200 degrees centigrade or390 Fahrenheit

Whisk three eggs into the rice galapong mixture and add threeteaspoons baking powder.

Whisk to blend until foamy. Pour into round pans lined withbanana leaves.

Sprinkle top with salted eggs and queso blanco.

Bake at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.

Test the top —it should be moist dry but not liquid soft.

Spread top with dabs of butter.

Sprinkle with sugar and switch to broil.

(Watch carefully minute to minute so it does not burn).

Recipe for Espasol

Ingredients

1 box MOCHIKO flour

1 ½ cups brown sugar

1 cup chopped macapuno, preferably Kayumanggi brand

2 tsp real vanilla (from Mexico)

2 cans of coconut milk (preferably Chaokoh brand)

Equipment : 13 by 9 baking pan lined with wax paper.

Procedure

1) Toast the Mochiko rice flour till golden brown. Set aside ½cup for sprinkling during set-up.

2) Blend together 2 cans coconut milk, sugar, macapuno, andvanilla. Let come to a boil, and reduce heat.

3) Blend the toasted flour to the liquid mixture. Stir well andmix.

4) Line a 13 x 9 baking pan with wax paper.

5) Sprinkle some toasted flour into it. Pour the mixture into thepan, spreading it evenly and pressing to flatten. Invert into abaking sheet. Sprinkle toasted flour on top lightly.

6) Start cutting into small squares. Use remainder of toastedflour to sprinkle as necessary.

7) Refrigerate after one day (but it will be ubos kaagad).

Created by Mimi Mayor-Gregorio, Rona Mayor-Tagle, andRosario May Mayor

pergola e-dyaryo, july 2010 special edition

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