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by Philipina A. Marcelo
Nope, it isn't Sunday yet, but I've been absent for so long in this little foodie corner of this blog, so I'm trying to make up while I'm still on a holiday. That's allowed, right? :)
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Hungry?
Here's a quick solution... straight from the stove!
It was a request from my niece... she wanted chicken with a hint of "teriyaki taste", with "heightened sweetness" (she's 14, she's still into the "sweet stuff"), and a mild "kick".
Huh? Hmmm...
Well, actually, it wasn't that impossible of a mission to grant the request... even for an amateur like me. And because it's Christmas season, I've thrown in something red and green, which should've taken care of the requested "kick", too. I got a seal of approval from a family member who is a "foodie" by profession. :) I was even asked what my secret was. Whoa! Seriously???
I did have a "secret" though - prayer! ;)
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Seriously, now...
Speaking of food... my students, a number of colleagues, and I visited the Profood International Corporation processing plant in Cebu three weeks ago. They own the famous Philippine Brand, which is primarily a Philippine dried mango (and other tropical fruits) brand. It was one of the first dried mango brands exported by a Filipino-owned company. Now it has grown to several lines of products, such as puree, jam and pudding. While already impressive, I thought that that was just about the extent of their product lines. I couldn't have been anymore mistaken, of course!
I was absolutely impressed by the extent of their dried tropical fruits line now. Their fruit beverage and fruit jam lines have become so massive, too. Their brands increased to more than ten now, all of which have significant market presence - both local and abroad. Considering that it started as a mere "backyard business", it has grown so incredibly huge over the last two decades into a global company, product distributionwise. In fact, the company is currently constructing a Museum in their Cebu facility that interested parties, such as students and investors, may visit to have an overview of the company's origin and growth, current operations where state-of-the-art technologies are employed, and a glimpse of their future pursuits.
Incidentally, in recognition of the fruitful years of Profood International Corp., its Founder and current President, Justin Uy, has been honored as an "Outstanding Chemical Engineer in Entrepreneurship" by the Board of Chemical Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) during the Oathtaking of the new Filipino Chemical Engineers at the Manila Hotel last December 19. Mr. Uy was also recognized for his achievements with Profood by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) earlier this year, and before that, by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce in 2009, among many others.
Yep, exciting... and an inspiring prospect for 2012, too!
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Something for the singers of Bohol... and everyone!
The little town of Loboc in Bohol, Philippines
The highly indulging Loboc river cruise. is well-known for its people's passion for music. Their Loboc Children's Choir is a multi-awarded group - locally and internationally. The Loboc Youth Ambassadors Orchestra is another pride of the the tiny Bohol town.
While the town is also well-known for its people's warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, pristine rivers and forests, and the wide array of mouthwatering local delicacies that could be enjoyed by its visitors, trust their local government to know exactly how to protect the town's best asset - their people's singing voices.
Therefore, I wasn't surprised at all to find the "Loboc Salabat" - an instant ginger
powder beverage, developed by the Candabong Multipurpose Coop of Bohol, with assistance from the Department of Science and Technology. The salabat's "unique soothing blend of sweetness and zing" (lifted from the label) could be enjoyed both as hot tea or iced tea - a perfect concoction after contributing to the deafening noise as we welcome the New Year in about 24 hours from now! :)
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