my Ten Thoughts on #CJontrial

Back in college, I used to go straight home (and usually in a hurry) to catch the Impeachment Trial against the Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. I have been faithful in watching the process which is of national interest that sometimes I would skip class (bad!). I watched the trial alone in my room but I did not mind and I was not bored even a second. And after several years, we are now having another Impeachment Trial against the Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona. This time, I have not religiously tuned in to the trial due to work but Day 40 is the big day I can't miss it because the respondent took the witness stand. So, I skipped our boxing training to watch what has been another historical event in the Philippines.

I am no credible authority on law but a commoner will always have her points of view and these are my thoughts on what took place on the Day 40 of the Impeachment Trial.

1. At some point, his appeal to emotions worked on me. There where moments when I felt that what he was saying was from his heart (Ex. his concern towards his brother).

man of the hour is emotional

2. He has given us common but very effective financial tips which is to have a simple lifestyle and to be matipid (Ex. no household help, not using the air conditioner). But did he really walk the talk? If he is really  walking the talking then I would really love to be as rich and follow his tips. 

3. Harvey Keh went through a  more difficult ordeal during the previous session compared to the Chief Justice. At that time, I thought Harvey Keh was the accused but he composed himself well although you can feel the tension.

man in question

4. Why did I not hear from Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago all through out the Day 40 of the #CJontrial. I find it unusual.

what happened?

5. There is a remarkable show of support for the Chief Justice from the Supreme Court workers. I think he is a good boss to them. 

supporters from Davao 

6. Family feud can be very heart- breaking than any other conflicts. Judgement from a family member is most difficult to digest.

daughter of Jose Basa III

7. The Basa- Guidote Enterprise has been dragged in this trial too. I know that the wife of the CJ is a Basa but Guidote??? Damn, Emily and Daniel are really rich (hahaha)! I got reality and fiction mixed up.

8. When he talked about the waiver and signed it, I told myself  that this man is brave and might be saying the truth. But making it conditional is a big turn- off. He could have challenged the 188 Representatives and Senator Drilon but making it a condition to look into your account is a boo! What a twist?! 

9. His last statements were strong: "I am no fool" and "I, the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused". However, those words were just secondary to his strongest action: the walk- out. For me, his statements confirmed his knowledge of his fate and stressed his power as the Chief Justice which is equal to the President and the Senate President. And the walk- out means I am not subject to cross examination. Whatever the real reason is it was very obvious that the Senate President Enrile was not amused (poor Justice Cuevas!).

10. News today would say that he is in the Intensive Care Unit, so the Impeachment court is left with a difficult decision to make.

You may agree or agree to disagree but this is just me. God Bless the Philippines!

P.S. The pictures are not mine and I got these from these sites (thank you!):

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/198537/high-drama-highlights-corona%E2%80%99s-day-in-court

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/court-drama--prosecution-s-aguirre-cited-in-contempt-for--disrespect-.html

http://www.colorfulrag.com/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/cjtrial

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/cjtrial

360 ° Hand Shaked Milk Tea (updated)

I have been hearing about this milk tea from friends for the past few months and I was able to have one yesterday during our usual Sunday family lunch after hearing mass.

Their booth at SM City Davao is just in front of National bookstore and near Mandarin where we had lunch (the gurls love the corned beef with fried rice and mango shake). I decided to have three milk teas of different kind which I shared with Mamo and the hubs. Mamo got the Pearl Green, the Black Magic for the hubs and I had the Caramel. I was able to taste all three and I must say they were delicious although all three taste the same for me. The sago and nata are soft and sweet just the way I like it to be. I did not crave for softdrinks after eating, so, it is a good alternative drink. And not to mention that it is healthier. Milk teas from 360° are refreshing, healthy and very affordable (paid only Php 129 for the three milk teas).

booth

machine for the plastic cover

Update:


I went back to SM City Davao yesterday afternoon to try their Pudding Milk Tea and it was equally yummy. I did not take anything aside from the milk tea the whole time I was in the mall and the next intake I had was during dinner time. Good news for those who are near Abreeza, they will open a branch in June. 

pudding milk tea

celebrating Life, Love and Friendship (2)

We left Boracay but the spontaneity, learning and fun continue as we invaded Negros Occidental. The celebration of Life, Love and Friendship was given more meaning and depth as our journey was more than  just appreciating places and its culture. The second half of our trip paved the way in nurturing family ties. 

Highlights of our Trip (the continuation):

8. For ten year now, I am very honored to have a second family in them. My in-laws are wonderful people, very accepting, very supportive. My mother-in-law and my twin sisters-in-law have been very involved, patient, understanding and loving with our recent challenge as a married couple. Being with them is always a happy and consoling moment. We are again visiting them in August and we are getting excited!

Our first meeting was in the Kong's residence to celebrate Joey's graduation in medicine.

 Ricopuerto- Montesino Family

lunch with Monica, Nika and Mini

We stayed overnight with the hubs' younger sister, Monica.

Mini and Nika

Nika and Tito Nonoy

And attended Nika's summer ballet class at MMB Dance Centre in Bacolod City (Monica used to teach here). 

our pretty ballerina

ready for her butterfly

class

9. One of the best highlights of this trip was revisiting the hubs' roots. This was not just important for him but for me too because knowing his childhood and having a glimpse of the family's context completed the whole picture. And God knows that deep inside my heart I appreciated the family more. The experience made me feel that I am more part of the family. 

The first visit was in Binalbagan which is the hometown of my father-in-law, daddy Jesal. Nonoy stayed in this town until he was 13. So I must say, he had so much fond memories in this place. The revisiting began with daddy's former workplace, BISCOM and then in their old house. 

BISCOM ambiance

the hubs used to play basketball here

old house

the avocado tree is a living witness of the siblings' moments

with Lola Igme

The hubs was able to meet his friends since elementary.

Allen, the hubs, Nino and Andrew

And we were able to pay our respects to our dead loved ones. We had to go through all the whole Binalbagan Public Cemetery to find them. Thanks to these helpful kids.

The second stop was in Su-ay, Himamaylan which is the hometown of my mother-in-law, mommy Vilma. Mommy entertained us with her fond memories of her younger years. And throughout her stories, I was able to know that her dad, Lolo Ramon Montesino became a Vice- Mayor and realized that during her hay day she usually goes out on gimiks.

former house

Montesino relatives

And on our way back to Bacolod we passed by this church in Hinigaran where the body of former Negros Occidental Representative Iggy Arroyo was brought for viewing.

10. Our trip from May 4 to 10 is one gastronimic adventure. Love for food is one commonality my family has with my husband's family. And these pictures would be the evidences.

Even before reaching the Borro residence and just a few kilometers from Iloilo airport, we stopped at Cabugao Seafood Haus to experience what Iloilo has to offer... SEAFOOD!

baked talaba (oysters)

steamed talaba

shrimps

steamed kasag (crabs)

fish soup

sizzling fish

sorry!

After our brunch we began the four- hour drive to Boracay and arrived at the Island around dinner time and we went to I <3 BBQ at the D'Mall.

pork belly

burger

The next morning we skipped breakfast because of our early Island hopping. Our island hopping ended at around noon time and we were all hungry. We ate at a Thai restaurant named Siam which I think is in station three.

Bagoong Rice

Thai soup

seafood

For our last night we made sure we had a big one for our last supper in Boracay. We went to D' Talipapa to buy fresh seafood and have have it cooked in one of the stores in station three.

steamed talaba (again!)

baked talaba with Mozzarella cheese

grilled squid

We had fish Lapu- lapu soup but because of my excitement to eat I was not able to document it. Fail!

When we transferred to Negros Occidental sweets are additional treat. It did not become the sugar capital for nothing.

puto maya with mascuvado

suman latik

bicho-bicho

okoy

We also went to Kalan-an sa Dalan in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental for our food trip.

resto ambiance

i never said no to talaba

fish steak

tasty pork chop

Geez, I think I had 3 cups of rice here!

Back in Bacolod, we had dinner at Aida's Manokan in Manokan Country (Reclamation Area) to have the world's tastiest chicken.

chicken inasal

Then we were craving for Kadios, Baboy, Langka or KBL and we had more in Bacolod 18th St. Pala-pala.

KBL

shrimp laing

fresh

valenciana

sizzling squid

lagao (bisugo)

Back in Iloilo, the night before we went home, the Borro's are not just good in making batchoy but will all of these too.

home made shabu shabu

shrimps

bangus steak

chicken adobo sa mantika

After reading the posts about my recent trip, you will be able to conclude that:

a. I had an awesome experience with lovable and loving persons.
b. Family makes an important contribution in our lives. I so love my family.
c. I am a big eater.
d. I never got hungry during the duration of our trip.
e. I love to travel (so i save!).
f. The traveling continues.

P.S. previous post celebrating Life, Love and Friendship (1)