Travel Stop: Kabacan Buffalo Milk Products Sales Outlet

This is where you can buy fresh buffalo's milk

It was a sunny Monday and my body was perspiring.  I am craving for something cold and sweet to satisfy my quench. The road towards home was long way to go and I was looking for some store who sells cold fresh milk. I thought that cold milk products can help me revitalize and bring my temperature down to its normal level. I was with my mom, aunt, brother-in-law and 3 noisy and playful kids in the car. I was enjoying the scenery of green mountains, rice fields, farm animals and the hard working carabao taking its rest at the shed of a tree as we took the road from the town of President Roxas going to Kabacan, North Cotabato. Then I remembered a small store located at the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research Center (USMARC) main entrance who has been selling fresh milk and some agricultural products. I hurriedly told my brother-in-law who was driving the car to stop at that sales outlet when we reached Kabacan.  

This is the menu to choose from

When we arrived to our target stop, I was kind of excited because I know I was going to eat and drink something fresh and healthy. So, I brought the kids and the rest of the group to Kabacan Buffalo Milk Product Sales Outlet and bought buffalo fresh milk, choco milk, ice cream with buffalo's milk, peanuts, and pastries. The price was very affordable compared to what you can buy in the super market. And this sales outlet was very accessible because it was just along the National Highway and few meters away from the downtown of Kabacan.

The group was interested in buying liters of fresh buffalo milk because of the nutrients the milk can give to human body. With regular drinking of this milk and eating products out of this will surely give you the following nutrients which based on PCC Dairy Buffalo Handbook in every 100 grams:

Nutrients                                                           Buffalo Milk

·         Protein (gm)                                                        4.3

·         Fats (gm)                                                            6.5

·         Carbohydrates  (gm)                                           5.0

·         Energy (kcal)                                                      117

·         Calcium (mg)                                                      210

·         Phosphorous (mg)                                              130

·         Iron (mg)                                                             0.2

·         Thiamine (gm)                                                     0.04

·         Riboflavin (mg)                                                    0.10

·         Vitamin C (mg)                                                   1.0

·         Vitamin B12 (mg)                                               0.14

So imagine giving our kids with these products rather than allowing them to indulge on Junk Foods (as the name suggests –junk, so therefore nutrients are junk too) makes us confident that we are giving them is not actually killing them on the process. And there are some interesting facts about buffalo’s milk too, and here they are:

1. ·        One of the best and nutritious milks like mother’s milk and goat’s milk
2. ·         It has low cholesterol content (0.65mg/g) so it can not lead to heart attack & high-blood pressure
3. ·         It has high calcium content (210 mg) which helps strengthen teeth and combats tooth-disease
4. ·         Regular drinking of buffalo’s milk can protect us from developing colon cancer and diabetes
5. ·         Vitamin B2 content helps in normal development
6. ·         It has lactalbumin and lactoferrin than help to fight cancer and allergy
7. ·         Helps to remove sores in the skin, mouth and tongue as well as can stop nausea
8. ·         Helps to maintain healthy and clean colon and intestines

So, let’s travel safely and healthy. When you travel from Kabacan going elsewhere or from elsewhere going to Kabacan, I suggest going to this travel stop. I am sure you want to keep you mind and body alert and comfortable while travelling and to attain that you need to try buffalo’s dairy products and surely you are going to love them!

Travel Destination: Greenhill Village, President Roxas, North Cotabato

The road to Greenhill Village

My second degree Aunt invited us to her house blessing at Greenhill Village geographically located at the meek town of President Roxas in the Province of North Cotabato. I always heard about the place from my brother-in-law who frequently visited the village for some reasons. I heed to the invitation of my aunt to celebrate with her family on her house blessing because I was so curious to set my feet in there since I heard a lot about her small village. I love travelling from urban to suburban, from unindustrialized municipalities to highly sophisticated cities, from one country to another, from critical area to a peaceful community, from a traffic congested town to a lonesome place. Bottom line here, simply I just love to travel because in travelling I discover myself too as I discover how beautiful this world is.

And travelling to Greenhill Village was not a disappointment. I got to enjoy the green scenery of the place. The road was smooth and every one can well traverse from it and you will get to enjoy a roller coaster ride in a positive slope. I say roller coaster because the zigzag snake-like road was build in a mountain. On your right you will see the greenly mountain with rice crops, fruits and many plants and on your left you will see a deep cliff which most likely 100+ meters  above sea-level. Any one false move and you will find yourself dismembered at the bottom of the mountain.  The breeze was cold and the weather was so fine. The picturesque view that captured my heart was when we arrived at the place. It seemed to be I was few meters away from heaven. From the hill, you can actually see the whole province wide of North Cotabato. You don’t need photoshop nor corelle draw to appreciate this picture-perfect panoramic site. The clouds, the blue sky, the mountains, the trees, the houses, the river, the colors of other things  all compliment each other that one will just simply grasps his breath upon seeing the wonderful scene.

A scenic view from Greenhill Village

The place was really cool because it is different from the hustle and bustle of a city life. I truly believe that there are still lots of things you can enjoy for free in this world. If you will live in Greenhill Village, you don’t need to buy a cooler or air condition to keep your self hydrated and cool because the place per se whether you are inside the house or outside you  will still enjoy a cold and gentle breeze which is not coupled with pollutants from factories, vehicles and others. In other words –it has free fresh air. You don’t need to buy fresh flowers from the shop to beautify your house or garden because one can plant any variety of flowers and vegetables.  The climate suits any plants. Standard of living is not so high because products and good are very much affordable. Fruits, vegetables, crops and spices are plenty, you can actually just ask from your neighbor a vegetable that you lack to be added on what you are cooking and you will get it for free. Status of living is neither sophisticated nor luxurious but mind you living in this place will give you a sense of belonging, peace of mind and healthy body that no amount of luxury or sophistication can equal too.

So if you are planning to settle to a well-sounded life, try Greenhill Village. You can have a vacation house as a scapegoat to the complexities of urban living. Or simply just visit the place, to enjoy a nature roller coaster ride and appreciate God’s perfect creation.

Things to do before June Ends

I love June because it’s my birth month. I can not afford to let it pass without trying or doing things that will make me happy. So I still have 6 days to go to finally end this month and start a new journey of my life in the month of July. These are the things that I will do to fulfill my whims.

June 25, Monday. Travel to a new place, meet new people. Learn new things from the people and new experiences from the place. Doing this will help me broaden my knowledge and understanding on people’s impact to a place or the place's somewhat influence on how people think and live. Its pretty exciting, right?

June 26, Tuesday. HUGGING DAY.  According to studies, hugs reduce blood pressure, stress hormone level and the risk of heart disease. My hubby is not around because he is working abroad and I don’t think he will able to reduce my blood pressure and stress hormone when I start nagging at him all day long. So will just hug my nephew and my chip & dale pillow, I guess they are harmless and cute so I better cuddle and snuggle them instead.

June 27, Wednesday. NO HOUSEWORK DAY.  I will get a manicure and pedicure so I will excuse myself from work. It feels good to pamper my hands and feet sometimes.

June 28, Thursday. I LOVE TO WRITE DAY.  I will express myself through letter, journal and blog (like this one) and this day I will write more on beauty tips and secrets.

JUNE 29, FRIDAY. CHEESEBURGER AND FRENCH FRIES DAY. I will munch a platter-full of French fries and dip them on ketchup. And my cheeseburger should have 2 slices of tomato, cucumber and coleslaw. Its indulgence day for me.

June 30, Saturday. CELEBRATE MOM’S BIRTHDAY! It’s my mom’s 52^nd birthday and I want her to be happy. I will thank her for all the years she is with me. I will cook a sumptuous food for the visitor and assists HER in entertaining guests -both invited and uninvited guests.

TRAVEL DESTINATION: BOHOL

Bohol is an enchanting place here in the Philippines. Its reserve, innocent but full of beauty. Love this place and the meekness of the surroundings. The tourist spot -CHOCOLATE HILLS, is really amazing. I was captivated by God's unique hands in molding this more the a thousand hills and putting them in the right place where His children will able to appreciate. Indeed, its really more fun here in the Philippines.

A BABY.. A BUNDLE OF JOY

I am now a proud aunt to Abby -the newest member of my clan. Its a wonderful feeling seeing as others have said a miniature creature. My niece really captured my heart awhile ago. She really looks like an angel-- innocent, tiny, bubbly and pretty. Now i know the true meaning of BUNDLE OF JOY. Its more than words. More than what the eyes meet. When you experience a BUNDLE OF JOY, it encompasses everything! Mixed emotions, contradicting spirits, happiness, attachment, care, tenderness and the eagerness of pinching the infant's nose and cheeks. I am not yet a mother, but i guess when that time comes, i will experience BUNDLE OF JOYS --lots of happiness and fun all in one bundle. lolz!

Many said, having a baby is a BLESSING. And sometimes, when we say BLESSING, it becomes subjective to some and objective to others. Well, we do have our individual perceptions, so i guess blessings depend on how we perceive them. But for me, LIFE is a blessing. Abby is a new life for the new chapter of her parents lives and she is a BLESSING, a Gift, and sacred creation of God. 

 Take a look at her pictures taken on her 2nd day of this world.

Abby is prettier than her mom (not in pic) but never to her aunt. Seniority matters here (hahaha!)

She has dimples (and my 2 sibs too), i don't have any and i felt its bias, huh!

A wacky aunt. Don't be so serious in this world Abby, just Laugh out Loud!

A pure innocence that makes a heart melt.

Father's Day Celebration 2012

My father proudly accompanied me on my grad day

The whole world is celebrating Father's Day today! Its June 17, 2012, 2nd Sunday of the Month. And i guess, some really have great time celebrating the day with the most respectable and hard working member of the family --the father.

Me and my brother had celebrated this day awhile ago in a dinner treat for our father along with mother and a nephew at Mokojo Bistro and Restaurant located in National Highway, Kabacan, North Cotabato. It was a cozy night for us. There onstage was an acoustic singer serenaded the crowd and strummed his guitar to some of the famous acoustic songs. Some of the diners i guess enjoyed their sumptuous food and while some others were busy talking and laughing and sand along with the singer. We were not VIP customers nor have known the owner very well. Our feet just led us to this place and we thought that our dad really did had a great dinner with us. 

It was just a simple way to show our father how grateful we are for having him in our lives. It was a way of saying thank you for the years he has been with us and never abandon us. He has been married to my mom for 33 years now, and i think reaching this number of years in marriage is quite a splendid achievement. Its one of the measurements how patient my dad has been for my mom's tantrums and moods for all this years. For those years he has been dedicated and loyal to his marriage vow, had worked hard for us to give us a good education and satisfied our whims and caprices. For all those years, he has been striving to be a good husband, generous provider and morally upright father.

Being a father is a source of pride and honor for a man. But nothing compares to the honor and happiness one can feel when a father sees his children successful, morally and spiritually stable and know how to respect and love him back. And i am pretty sure, my father felt that way too. I may say he is proud of us because he knows that he was able to instill in us the things, the values, and lessons every child should know from his/her father.

Kudos to all the father! cheers! Being a father is a tough job! But it is one of the noblest job in this whole wide world. I just hope, all the fathers should realize too that being a PROVIDER does not only mean giving a child what he/she needs and wants materially but rather satisfying the child with love, care and compassion to make a child a better person. A child who is well-loved and nourished mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically is a treasure of the society because he/she will become an ASSET rather than a LIABILITY to the community the child belongs.

Again, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

HOW TO CONVINCE MY NEPHEW TO DRINK HIS VITAMINS

 I serve as a good example to my toddler-nephew. Since kids love to imitate what adults do, so I drink my vitamins too in front of him and told him to drink his too so both of us will be strong and can play all afternoon.

Sometimes, verbal explanation can not be fully absorbed by toddlers because their cognitive abilities are still limited. And my nephew does not understand well the true meaning of the words “strong and healthy”. So I work on his visual-sensory skills and emotions so he can capture the things I want him to learn. If he refuses to drink his vitamins, I will hold his toys and cars and will only give them to him after taking the dose. I show pictures of his favorite Disney characters and will tell him, “drink your vitamins and be strong and playful like barney and pooh!” Sometimes, I give him a hug or a clap to make him feel appreciated. Kind words like “wow”, “good” and “thank you” are essentials to motivate him to drink his vitamins faithfully. 

To enjoy the full potentials of vitamins, I do not mix them to my nephew’s drinks or juices. I am aware that the medicine might lose its potency and might sweep off potential benefits in achieving healthy body if I do so. Therefore, I let him drink the full dosage alone or the prescribe milligrams of tablet/capsule so the medicines will truly serve their purpose to my nephew’s physiological development. Sometimes, trying out different flavors of vitamins will help to break the monotony of taste. Toddlers love different flavors so I experiment and try what is the best taste to my nephew’s discrete taste buds.

As a general rule to win my nephew’s obedience, I display an open communication to him. I make him aware and understand that taking his vitamins is not a form of punishment like holding him down and forcibly open his mouth and shove in the tablet/syrup but rather it’s a pleasant reward that he should look forward too.  Since he is playful, I bring out too the childlike attitude within me to go down to his level. Thus, drinking his vitamins is just like having fun and an enjoyable thing to do rather than an obligation he is force to perform out of fear.

Note: This is my blog entry to TROPICEE Vitamin C blog writing contest.

CONTROVERSIAL FIGHT OF MANNY PACQUIAO

Pacquiao & Bradley before the controversial win

I love boxing! Its really a good and exciting sport. And one of the greatest boxing champions are coming from my country Philippines. The most renowned and well-respected is none other than MANNY 'the pacman' PACQUIAO. I was so excited awhile ago to watch his mega fight with TIMOTHY BRADLEY Jr. in Welterweight Division in MG Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV. It was a real action fight, with lots of excitements and as i watched the game i can say that i was grasping my breath each time the fighter thrown punches to one another and i think the whole Philippines felt the same way too. The fight lasted for 12 rounds when actually we expected to finish it earlier than that as we used to seeing the PACMAN knocked-off his opponents that later that 5th round (as what he did to Ricky Hatton from England).

But to the great dismay, the decision was not really exciting at all. It was so controversial. Seemed our champion was robbed with the title he really deserved. If we will watch the fight over and over again, anyone will agree with me that winner should be Manny Pacquiao. He almost knocked-out Bradley with hard thrown punches and combinations. I can say that Bradley was a good fighter but to win the fight, i do not think he deserved it. 

According to  Kevin Iole, Award-winning veteran sportswriter the national boxing and mixed martial arts reporter for Yahoo Sports, Pacquiao landed 94 more punches than Bradley according to CompuBox. As quoted on Iole's article, Bob Arum-Pacquiao's prmoter said "This is a death knell for boxing, and I'm going to make a ton of money on the rematch," Pacquiao landed 253 of 751 punches, a connect rate of 34 percent. Bradley landed 159 of 839, a connect rate of just 19 percent. On top of that, Pacquiao seemed to land the more powerful shots. It was an action-paced battle fought at a furious pace for much of the event. Pacquiao showed little respect for Bradley's power and waded in with impunity, ripping straight left hands and hooks.

These were the 3 judges who scored the fight Judges C.J. Ross and Duane Ford had it for Bradley, 115-113. Jerry Roth had it for Pacquiao, 115-113. And all of the audience as well as those who watched LIVE on TV was shocked with the controversial decision. Let's take a look with other Sport's Analysts; Yahoo! Sports scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao, the same margin as Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press and Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Dan Rafael of ESPN had it 118-110 for Pacquiao. HBO's Harold Lederman had it 119-109, or 11 rounds to one, for Pacquiao.

The judges seemed really did not have some credibility. They must be kidding me. Rumors has it. Its not really rumor because Timothy Bradley Jr admitted it, he signed a contract that on November this year, he has a rematch with Pacquiao. And a rematch will not be push through if he lost with Pacquiao today. Do i make sense here? So it seems fight was half-baked, or already cooked before the fighters took the ring. Let's wait and see what's the next thing to happen with this controversial fight!

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE 31?

me and my nephew on my birthday dinner

I am no longer getting any younger, and that's for sure. Being in early 30's means a lot. In this age, gone are the days when you lament and burst out in tears in wounded knees. Gone are the days when you fight with your siblings over TV Channel to watch or clothes bought by your parents. Gone are the days when you just think about the present, your inner drive and ego, but rather you now think of your future. A realistic future that needs to be set with realistic goals. And i thanked GOD with the maturity i have as my age gets one notch higher each year.

And so to celebrate the special day, me and my mom cooked Filipino food to serve to small group of friends and relatives. WE have sotanghon guisado, fried chicken, pork humba, macaroni and cassava cake. Though, i do not have the abundance to host a lavish party, but celebrating the day with close friends and relatives over a simple dinner is already a celebration thanking the people around me and of course GOD for blessing my 31 years in this earth with laughter, care, love and support.

I know that the reason why i still wake up everyday because i still need to define and do my purpose in this world. God gives me another day with another opportunity to enjoy life, live life and share life. Maturity is an innate abilities that simply cannot be acquired. I am so glad that as i mature i come to realize to be responsible in my words and actions. I may not be a perfect and profound person full of knowledge and skills but i can say that my values are still intact and so as my family. 

Being in this globally competitive world with high-tech technologies and gadgets, i still keep in tune with my values and morals in life. I use internet responsibly. I talk to parents on my cellular phone with tact and care. I watch inspiring movies instead of violent ones. I communicate with people to their level and do not regard myself as superior over inferior people.

That's it. Being 31 means more defined maturity couple with essential responsibility. Being 31, i should not forget the good things that define me as a person because WHAT I AM NOW IS GOD'S GIFT TO ME, WHAT I WILL BECOME IS MY GIFT TO GOD. 

BEADWORKS FOR FUN!

My first project--fashion bling you can wear it in your neck or hand

I was really eager to learn therapeutic ways to spend my free time that is why i came a crossed with a training & workshop provided by private individuals that aimed to teach young entrepreneur or anyone to be creative and earn out of creativity.

When i learned through facebook.com that Fundynamics (the name of company) will have its training in Davao City, I hurriedly make my reservation and took a first passenger van in the wee hours of June 2, 2012 just to arrive in the city and in time for the training. Davao City is like 3-4 hours away from my town so I really need to be early so I will not missed out the beginning of the seminar.

All my efforts were indeed compensated. Em- the speaker was really jolly and accommodating. I really had a great time learning the basics and intricacies of bead working. We were more than 20 participants but he was able to manage us all.

Tiny yet colorful materials for bead working

At first, learning the basic technique of bead works was quite difficult because the materials were so tiny and if you did not have a 20/20 vision then you really need to use your glasses. But once you have seen the finish product/s then it was all paid-off.  Seeing those beads and tiny links put together as one to create one fashionable accessories was so awesome. You will able to learn to design in your own concept because the trainer will give you guidelines and comprehensive lectures on the mixing and matching of colors. You can design accessories that reflect your personality.

Now that I already learned the skill, I don’t usually buy accessories from any other stores because I know that the price I see is three to four times higher than the original cost. Well anyway, when It comes to fashion accessories, its not the materials that you really buy, but the creativity of the designer. You will buy it because that creativity comes up with something that reflects who you are. There is a sense of attachment and belongings to the accessories. Unlike car and gadgets, you will buy them because of the quality of materials. But with accessories, you buy them to keep in touch with emotional and psychological worth as a person. Beadworks for fun, try for yourself!