IT’S ALL IN THE THREAD!

By: Anne Karmela E. Eucogco and Joy Lopez

It was a Saturday afternoon when my cousin Sidney Roland (a designer) asked me to accompany him in going to Sta. Barbara, Igbaras. He had to check the hablon he ordered for his designer’s collection to be sent to New York for an exhibit. “Why would he use hablon for an international exhibit?” Question I asked myself while we were travelling. As we got there, colorful fabrics which were displayed in front of Mrs. Zenaida Escera’s house captured my attention.

Mrs. Zenaida Escera who is also called “Naids” in their neighborhood is a weaver for 38 years now. She started weaving at the age of 18 as influenced by her parents and since it had been her family’s source of income. Weaving, as a process of making clothes or blankets and other products through over and under techniques has been her expertise. It also served as a source of livelihood to her family.

Looking around her workplace, I noticed another woman in one corner, keeping herself busy weaving a combination of white and gold silk fiber. Out of curiosity, I went near her and observed how weaving is done. At first glance, the process of putting the threads together will look like a difficult thing to do but once tried and done with dedication, it will be an enjoying and beneficial activity (not to mention the little exercise it provides to your arms and feet). It takes a lot of patience to finish one made product. One standard length of hablon can be finished within four hours for expert weavers while it may take a longer time for beginners. If you get used to the process, it will be easier. The hardest part of weaving is called “sab-ong”. It is in this part where threads to be woven are attached to the loom one by one before the whole process starts. According to Manang Naids, the loom or “tidal” they were using was aging 13-15 years by now.

Weaving follows a pattern depending on the design you want but usually it has square or rectangular shapes with colorful threads used. I took time to examine the finished products while my cousin was talking to Manang Naids. With a closer look to the fabrics, one will surely appreciate the artistry of the weaver and its uniqueness because of the distinctive details. Usually, weavers use threads spun from natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool and other synthetic fibers such as nylon and Orlon. But thin, narrow strips of almost any flexible material can be woven. In a country like ours, weaving is used generally as a source of livelihood and for export purposes.

Various organizations of weavers can be found all over our archipelago. Manang Naids is a member of the Igbaras Weavers and Knotters Association in their locality. Some of their products such as handkerchiefs, patadyong, tablecloth and pillow cases are displayed in the locality’s tourism office which are also for sale. They also use abaca and make bags out of it. Weaving has started in the Philippines years ago as a way of life of our elders and to provide them clothing from raw materials found in the surroundings. Although there are still a number of weavers, it has lost its essence overtime as modernization has reached its heights. Despite the outbreak of technology, some will still continue to patronize the products of weaving made with love and passion. I hope that we are one of those who will.

Igbaras Weaver's Association Products

After a while of walking around the weaver’s working place, Sid showed me the black hablon with strips and touches of gold fiber he would use for his collection. He tried to wrap it around me, converting it into an improvised gown and when I turned to see the mirror, “Wow!” The hablon was perfect for a gown! Now this answered my question why my cousin had to use it as his fabric for the NY Fashion Designer’s Exhibit. Wearing an unblemished gown made of hablon will make one truly proud to be a Filipino. Weaving indeed is an art made with passion and love and of dedication and patience.

Some of Sids Collection sent to New York made of hablon. Dresses using weaved fabric

Some of Sids Collection sent to New York made of hablon. Dresses using weaved fabric

BAR PINS: THE OTHER SIDE

As we stroll around the crowded city of Iloilo together with my partner Third, feeling the heat of the sun, we paused for a while because a man doing something caught my attention, not because his handsome but because I can see that he possessed a hand of an artist. He has unusual hand movements that I’ve never seen before. He was holding his magical pliers and his other hand holding a kind of stainless wire, so fine and slender, and after a few moments of giving his magical touch to that wire, he made it, a very beautiful masterpiece, a bracelet with beautiful designs on it.

My partner also noticed what I had observed to that man and we discover that he doesn’t only make bracelets but also other kinds of accessories like earrings, necklace, anklets, and rings. Accessories became a part of our life that we inherit from our ancestors but unlike in the past that it is only used in formal occasions.

We had a short interview with him to know why he was engaged to that kind of art making. He said that he is Alex Premor of Cebu and currently staying at Iloilo City together with his family. At first, he was selling all kinds of accessories but it came to a point that he wanted to try something new. After he visited his friends in Leyte, they taught him to make this kind of art, the lettering and designing bar pins. We were shocked after we found out that the stainless wire that he used is the same as what the fishermen used in making fish hook.

What’s good about Mr. Premor’s work is that we are stuck to the idea that accessories are sentiments and designs as fashion; it is worn as an ornament, a love token or a remembrance, a symbol of gender for some, a symbol of status in the society, a description of personality, and a reflection of culture.

In making his art, the customers often suggest what designs or styles that will make up their personalized accessories. Just like for example in bracelet, you can have your name on it. He can make beautiful designs with the use of pliers. Here are the steps we had observed when he make a bracelet but it is also applicable in all accessories:

• All you need is a stainless steel wire (bar pin) that can be bought in any fishing supply stores;
  

• To make the bracelet with its desired length, cut the bar pin shorter and make a hook on both ends to connect the other shorten parts of it until it reaches the desired length based on customers want.
• As what we had observed, his designs are more on curves and he avoids making straight line designs because it will just make the bracelet lifeless.
• In order to make names or other designs such as heart, stars, and other symbols that the customer wants, all he need to do is to bend and twist the bar pin using his pliers and the rest is with the use of its artistic skills and magical touch.

It is an amazing experience for us to witness the creative ability of Mr. Premor in making such good accessories. I was inspired to let him make a bracelet for me and after few minutes he gave the finished product to me and you will see that it is truly an artist work. Although it is simple but it is elegant and looks like more than its price.

While we are riding on a jeepney going home, we realized how complicated Mr. Premor’s work is. This artwork has a “one strike policy”, he cannot have trial and error, once the bar pin is twisted you cannot bring it back to its original appearance, if so; it will just destroy the smoothness of the wire.

Manual job is a serious task since it needs persistence and patience to finish a certain work like what Mr. Premor is doing. We can’t deny the fact that those beautiful accessories is made not only because of the malleability of the bar pin, but also of the artistic touch of Mr. Premor given to it and its attitude towards its job.

He’s an expert on his field, making personalized accessories and even we are living on modern times, he still opt to earn a living manually with out the use of high technology gadgets, yet his works are elegant and durable.

Leah’s Tinu-om

Cabatuan, Iloilo

It was just this week that I first went to Cabatuan, Iloilo. I guess it is destiny that Sev and I became partners in doing our research proposal. I’m from Aklan and I haven’t been to some parts of Iloilo. Sev is from Cabatuan and that’s where the idea of researching for a traditional dish there, the Tinu-om na Manok, started.

It takes about an hour to get to Cabatuan. It has been a great experience travelling around our local towns in Iloilo. I got to see a lot of places, like the Coca Cola plant in Pavia, and then the town of Sta. Barbara. The long trip going there was quite exhausting but finally arriving there made it worth the time and effort. We got off at Cabatuan’s town plaza and walked to Leah’s Tinu-om near the town market. Lola Sabel was not there and so we went to her place. It’s funny realizing how we Pinoys are, no matter where we come from. You ask directions from someone (at Leah’s Tinu-om) and she doesn’t say the house number but rather she tells you the directions through landmarks or through someone famous’ house near your destination.

“It’s a family business!” said Lola Sabel. She’s referring to Leah’s Tinu-om, the only carinderia in Cabatuan known to serve the town’s remarkable dish. Lola Sabel says that she has been in the business for almost 30 years, both handling and cooking for the carinderia that was passed down to her by her parents, her father being the first to experiment in making the Tinu-om. She also told us that the Tinu-om was the reason all of her 6 children got to graduate from college. The restaurant was named “Leah’s Tinu-om” after one of her daughters.

Tinu-om is a native dish of the Cabatuanons is made up of native chicken seasoned with onions, tomatoes and lemon grass(tanglad) wrapped in banana leaves. It is served with broth that builds up inside its wrapping following a heavy steaming. Tinu-om in native language means “balot”, so Tinu-om na Manok means binalot na manok.

A serving of Tinu-om, which has 3-4 slices, costs Php50 at Leah’s Tinu-om. From a student’s point of view, yes, it is expensive but it’s worth the cost. Lola Sabel proudly says that every weekend many people from nearby towns visit her carinderia to taste her Tinu-om. Many carinderias in Cabatuan tried to make Tinu-om too, but failed in the process. One theory on why they failed would be because of the “timpla”. “Timpla” means taste proportionality of the mixed ingredients. This would mean that there are no specific measurements on how many teaspoons of vetsin there would be. The great thing about it is that it gives her confidence and it encourages her to continue making Tinu-om and to help promote the culture of Cabatuan.

When we asked Lola Sabel about her recipe in making her delicious Tinu-om, with no hesitation, she immediately replied.

The ingredients used are:

*Bumbay/Sibuyas (Onion)

*Kamatis (Tomato)

*Tanglad (Lemon Grass)

*Vetsin (MSG-monosodium glutamate)

*Asin (Salt)

*Tubig (water)

*Native Chicken – must be 7-14 months old.

*Banana Leaves

*Bamboo string or any string for tying up the tinu-om

*2 bowls for preparation

After enumerating the ingredients, she then told us how to do the Tinu-om na manok. There are 5 easy steps:

(1) In one bowl, place the chicken and season it with onion, tomato, vetsin and the salt and then add some water. The 7-14 month old chickens will have to boil for about 30 minutes for it to be ready for serving. Older chickens will take almost an hour. The picture on the side shows lola Sabel cutting up the chicken parts. One order of tinu-om would have 3-4 pieces.

(2) In another bowl prepare the banana leaves to be used for the wrap. Lola Sabel advices that you use Saba banana leaves rather than other kinds of banana leaf. It affects the flavor, aroma and outcome of the Tinu-om.

banana leaves

(3) Eventually, pour the marinated chicken into the bowl lined with banana leaf, gather the edges and tie it with a bamboo string or any piece of string. Make sure that it won’t leak.

mixed ingredients

tying it up

outcome

(4) After tying it up, place it in a casserole full of water and then place it on fire. You may steam it but Lola Sabel strongly suggests that you place it within the water casserole for a better result when it comes to taste. Then wait.

The continuous cooking and practice of making Tinu-om na Manok has lengthened its existence in Iloilo culture and tradition. The aroma of spices, chicken and banana leaves mixed together will always remain in the hearts of the Cabatuanons now and of the generations yet to come.

Just as Lola Sabel said, the recipe doesn’t have anything. It is not a secret. There is no secret ingredient. “Sa pagtimpla lang guid na ya, amuna siguro indi nila kami magaya sa pagluto sang Tinu-om.” (It’s in the proportioning of the ingredients to go side by side, maybe that’s why they can’t cook Tinu-om the way we do.)

You may find Lola Sabel at Leah’s Carinderia, Bermejo Street, Cabatuan, Iloilo. You can find Leah’s beside the street between Cabatuan Church and Cabatuan Wet Market. You can also contact her via text or call at 09287671244.

I assume that you have already read our article about the tinuom. In this section I will tell you about my views and insights on making this feature.

In my own perspective, having this paper work made me realize some things and question myself. Questions like what is Tinuom? What does it really mean to me as a Cabatuananon? Is it really the Tinuom that defines a Cabatuananon and its culture?

Every time I try to ask myself these questions I can find no right answers at all but thanks to this research work I was able to find some. Before our cultural festival Hirinugyaw was renamed to Tinuom in the year 2006 (it’s because of some conflict with other municipality’s festival name), I never knew that we have this tinuom that is said to be our delicacy here in Cabatuan. As told by the elders, those who have lived in the most number of years here in Cabatuan, Tinuom is indeed a mark of a Cabatuan. This is based on the stories they had inherited from the past generation just like what Lola Sabel said. Some of them says that it is but can’t find any explanation how it became such they just believe in it. My classmate’s grandparents told me that tinuom is indeed a mark of Cabatuan because we, Cabatuananons are the ones who had it first. Tinuom certainly defines what Cabatuan is and showcases the creativity of a Cabatuananon.

Yes, it is believed that Tinuom is a native of Cabatuan, but still some questions trigger me. If it is our delicacy then why is it that it’s not practiced in every household unlike other municipalities here in the Philippines having such delicacy like in the Miag ao, during fiesta every household has this KBL (kadios, baboy and langka) which is known to be their local dish served in their table.

I asked my friends and their parents if they do practice having this tinuom served in their table. Some of them told me that it’s because time passes by and things changes. There are some that carry out this tradition. It’s not lived out mostly in every household because several find it expensive to prepare tinuom especially when it comes to the cost of chicken. Some told me that it’s not easy to prepare, it takes time to cook it. Some that prefers to cook tinolang manok than to have it in tinuom because tinolang manok is faster to prepare than to tinuom. Some don’t even know how to prepare and cook tinuom. And there are some that knows how but are lazy enough to cook it, in my family’s case for example.

It’s sad to think that the past generation failed to pass this great tradition to the present generation. (It’s not that I’m blaming it all to them). Maybe it’s also because at one point in time we, Cabatuananon forgot that we have this legacy that we should preserve and pass it to the next future generation. That’s why I’m so thankful to Lola Sabel and her Leah Tinuom carinderia for not giving up and still having a business serving Tinuom. To her it may be just her simple way of earning a living, but for me she’s one of the people worthy to be recognized for preserving the culture of our town.

From the time we finished this paper, I realized what does tinuom means to me. Now I can proudly say that “Tinuom” is an evidence of how creative and special a Cabatuananon is. And this tinuom is a reminder to us Cabatuananons that we should preserve a tradition and a legacy that will be known in the whole world in the near future. Hahahahaha. And there’s no doubt about the tinuom being a definition of what a Cabatuananon is. No need to ask because it is what that defines us, believe me it is.

And now being able to feature “Tinuom” truly makes me feel proud as a Cabatuananon. Showcasing what a Cabatuananon has and can do gives me a sense of pride. Hope this entry or feature would further help promote tinuom and Cabatuan. And also would encourage other people to come and visit Cabatuan. Taste tinuom and experience Cabatuan.

About the authors:

Severo Caspe, Jr. and Christine Celeste Zaulda are both second year college students at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Sev is taking up BSBA Marketing while Bam is taking up BS Accountancy. You may contact us through email at nonoy_nami@yahoo.com and cceleste_z@yahoo.com

the researchers

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Jerry Tirado

                   Jerry Tirado is a forty year old family man living outside the loop of Iloilo city, in the locality of Tigbauan. Jerry is a woodcutter and sometimes a carpenter, who does sculpture because he feels like doing so. Unlike other sculptors, Jerry does carving just to entertain himself and decorate his own house with his works. In other words, his works are made out of love for his craft and with the self-fulfillment he acquires from his art. His works are so adorable considering that they were created by someone who did not undergo any formal education in the art of sculpting. We daresay, it was purely innate talent. You know, that unique inborn gift each of us is blessed with.

                     It all started when Jerry saw a piece of log after a heavy rain, he picked it up, removed the moist bark so for the phloem or xylem (a part of a trunk that is suitable for carving) be visible and shaped it in a good cylindrical form. Using a pencil, he started sketching an image of the Virgin Mary using a picture as a model. After sketching, using an ordinary, well-used chisel and knife, he began carving and consequently the figure starts to form. When the perfectly made sculpture, in relief technique, was finished, he polished it with sand paper, and painted with shellac, he then tucked the work on their bedroom door.

                         The wooden sculptures Jerry makes are very neat and precise and so beautifully carved. The moment we saw and experience his art we drastically drop our jaws. And a never-ending string of questions suddenly pop up into our minds from, “Why did he not build a business out of his talent?”, “Why on earth hasn’t he become rich yet? He could have earned big proceeds from his art.” to “How come he is able to carve such intricate details?”

                       As we took a look into the details of his works, we began to ask him, “Manong Jerry, bakit hindi po kayo magtrabaho sa mga furniture shops? May talent naman kyo, mas malaki ang kikitain niyo doon.” He sadly replied to us saying, “Hindi ako nakapag-aral, at isa pa nahihiya ako, malamang hindi sila tatangap ng gaya ko.” With that answer, we then ask him, “Manong bakit hindi mo gawing negosyo yang talent mo, pwedeng rin na tumanggap ka ng mga order ng mga customer dito mismo sa bahay mo.” With a smile, he began sharing to us one of his experiences.

                      That he once had an order to make from one of his friends in their neighborhood. He is to make an accessory of a gun that is made of wood. After he finished working with the piece, his friend got it, and then the man sold it, with Jerry having no subsidy from the sale. He was not angry neither was he happy with what had happened. He stopped thinking about it, since the man was his friend and so life must go on. Jerry still doesn’t have orders from customers and still a woodcutter.

                      Jerry’s house is filled with his own marvelous works and even their chairs and tables were designed by his skillful hands. Though his works weren’t gaining recognition it is worthy of, he continuous to make sculptures proving that an artist inside him wanted to express and let itself out.

                 The Philippines is cramped with so much talent we often find brilliant skills common.  We are blessed with so much gifts- gifts we will indeed adore, and from which find the beauty of being a human who knows art, art such as those made /from logs found after a heavy rain.    

The Making of a Potter

   An artist coming from Iloilo’s pottery capital, Hibao-an, is Reyland Harder, a person of inspiring expertise and overwhelming passion. This 29-year-old potter took years to perfect his profession. Nonoy, as he is called, makes pottery a work without sweat no matter how intense it may be.

      It all started from his ancestors-lolos and lolas ahead of him. This is justified by his place of origin, Hibao-an Iloilo, which is remarkably rich in clay. A historical place which brought this person into an artist of skill and ability. His art was passed down to him as an inheritance or legacy. As a child, Nonoy saw how his parents and the elders of the family worked in the shop and molded pots. This is not easy though. A potter’s work requires extreme strength and precision. The artist told us that pottery isn’t that easy to achieve. Years of practice from childhood trained him to become the skilled artist that he is. Now, his family works for him offering excellent pottery thay could ever offer.

    So we, Dominique and Shiela, went to the site where the pots widely used to contain our greens are being heated to perfection. The place had a big furnace-like thing where they would put the uncooked pots. Don’t expect a big factory with massive mixing bowls built-in. This artist does his work the most conventional or traditional of all ways. At the center was a potter’s wheel, characterized by a wooden table-like structure with a big wheel underneath, the wheel is being attached to the structure horizontally, and this wheel is being used to shape the pots. But of course, the finished products are exquisite. What made the works amazing was the skill that certainly be followed by a regular person. The products were made from manual labor-no machine assistance. Yet, as you look at what were displayed, you could see that the specifications, if not the same, were nearly uniform. It was unbelievable that the works of Nonoy were done by manual work alone.

    The pots that are created at the workshop are very affordable and are usually supplied to hotels in Boracay and Manila, but most especially, they cater to local demands. The pots that they produce are being transferred from Hibao-an to the public markets of the City of Iloilo and many other towns surrounding it. The prices range from php 25 for the small pots and 500 for the massive ones. Considering the great effort and time put in just to make one pot, the price given to the product is already very reasonable. Thus, his art and the many other artists of the same passion and art constitute to a strongly recommended and highly appreciated and income generating expertise.

Bead It All!

What a nice belt right?

This is just one of the works of Miss Rogean Angelee Arsenal

Gullem of Luna St. La Paz, Iloilo City. This 18 year old lass

is a sophomore student of University of the Philippines

Visayas.

            When Rogean was still in grade school, her grandmother was making bead curtains. Rogean was always observing her grandmother. When her lola stopped in making bead curtains, Rogean got the left beads ans strings and made bracelets out of it. Rogean’s first work were very simple ones. She put beads on a string, ties both ends and that’s it. She already has her personally made bracelet. This had been a starting point for Rogean to come up with more complex works and discover her talent in making bead accessories.

                         What is amazing about this young lady is that, nobody taught her in making accessories put of beads. By just observing her lola, she learned the basics and on her own, she experimented with new patterns. After making single stringed accessories, which is the basic, Rogean thought of ways on how to make something unique and how can she improve her creations. With the use of small pieces of paper, Rogean experimented and came up with a crisscross pattern. Through this, she has made more complex pieces. But of course,it is not that easy. It took her several months to discover the pattern and be able to apply it to different accessories. In fact, it took her more then a month to make her first crisscross bracelet.

                                                                                                                                                                          Like this one, Rogean was able to

make heart designs onbracelets

 using beads of different color and

 putting them together using

 a crisscross pattern.

                                  Roj. As most of her friends call her, is not just limited in making bracelets, necklaces and rings but she also makes belts, key chains and curtains. These ones, especially the belts and curtains are very hard to do according to Roj. In doing this, you must be very patient. It took her almost 3 months to finish a belt and 5 months to make a curtain. As a kikay teenager, these accessories are very useful to her. Rogean uses this accessories highlight different outfits for different occasions. In fact, during Rogean’s JS Prom in high school, the accessories she wore were her creations.

            Interestingly, Rogean’s works are not for sale. She said that money can’t buy the happiness and satisfaction she can feel by looking at her works. But sometimes Roj is giving some of her works to her dear friends.

                 Hmmm… I know you are all excited to know how to make bead accessories especially those cute belts and bracelets. Rogean’s advise is, “ Have some beads, get a string and let your imagination flow. Let your creativity guide you in making something unique. And most of all, be patient.

“Hilig ko na ni daan biskan sadto paman Natabuan lang siguro nga ara sa bloodline namon ang mga iskultor.”

“ Te gin padayon nalang nga pangabuhian” This was the statement from one of Iloilo’s Santos sculptor, Charlie Marañon. “

 He belongs to the lineage of sculptors. Way back 1700’s his grand ancestors’ Juan and Quintin Marañon was among the students of the great artists Monti.

         For almost 20 years on this field he had sculpted various art forms, specializing in Santos making.  He mentioned that his first work was a crucifix, which is really dreadful, but through time his passion of doing these things was developed. As a matter of fact, among his work were found in the Santos figures in Catholic schools such as Saint Paul School and Assumption College. Despite the lack of education he managed to rise among the rest. He even emerged as the champion at the competition held in Boracay entitled “Porma Balas” for two consecutive years.

          Nowadays, he can be considered as one of the city’s pride in making Santos. At 41, he now own a shop located at Molo, Compania Central, Iloilo City. He stresses that this kind of work require much time and effort. One might think that this job seems so easy yet as you look closely on how this is being done you might be surprised of the process.

         Santol is mainly used in Santos making; this is because of its particular toughness. According to Manong Charles it would take him a month to finish a human-sized figure. This kind of work entails more patience. Just imagine all the process involved in it. From the conception period (imagining how the finish piece would look like, getting the angles and body proportion), to shaping (“baol”- the process of forming abstract figure) , until carving (tigib- process of creating a specific shape), after which the figure is polished by a sand paper to make it smooth and refine. The Santos is then painted with primer (paint to avoid termites), and involves body-patching before the finishing touches.

          Commissioning him to create a human-sized Santos would cost around P50, 000. Seem expensive at first but much cheaper compared to the works by professionals in Manila. Yet the quality is still the same. According to him among of his customers were foreigners and his saleable works is the Lourdes, Santos which is placed in grotto. This kind of livelihood is seasonal because it has peak seasons. It is during September to November that he can earn the most because this was the time for harvest and people used to offer thanksgiving to saints. For the rest of the year he is not sure if there are orders. Income relatively varies from P3000 to P50, 000 depending to what kind and how large the artefact was.   

          A real artist was really born in the person of Manong Charles. He is one who deserves to be known. One who is not only exceptional in the world of art but the one who uses what he has to survive and earn a living.

Have you seen Titanic? Remember the Jack sketching Rose moment? The way Jack draws those fine lines, which showcase the perfect shape of Rose’s body. How he sketched those delicate hands? What made it so classy and detailed? Aside from the craftsmanship of Jack, it’s the medium. Charcoal pencils allow the artist to create the heavy drama effect through the art of shadowing. It’s the same magic that applies to Rose portrait.

Charcoal Painting and Sketching is one of the famous and elegant artwork in the society. Painters and Sketchers use charcoal pencils that bring the natural beauty of a portrait. This is exactly what our resident charcoal sketcher, Nelson de los Santos (photo above), is doing and became his source of income. This master was discovered by the brother of Joy Fernando, owner of Joy Fernando’s Gallery where he is working right now and he’d never been to art school to have formal lessons in sketching. He imparted to us that when he was still in high school, he is the right person his classmates would find when drawing is involved. For more information, Nelson is currently enrolled in Hotel and Restaurant Management course and will be graduating hopefully next year. The memories of those photographs, old and new, would be preserved and be given a new light through his craftsmanship and the beauty that is in the charcoal.

Seeing all those portraits, of well-known celebrities just like Pope Benedict XVI (photo in the center), that surround the stall, we could never imagine that   with   just   the   charcoal pencil and brush, they could come  up  to   those wonderful arts. Even the eyes of the models seemed to be alive just like what a photograph could give us. As what we are saying above, about the shading    that    outstand   the model from the white background.   The elegance of the portraits truly gives awe  in  our   faces  and  never fades as we leave the stall. It is inculcated in our minds and bewildered us.

We could even tell that Nelson would be next to the great and famous artists, just like Juan Luna, the famous painter of Spoliarium. Even though his only weapon to face a battle is charcoal, don’t underestimate this, it could give him the fame that people are not aware of. We are mesmerized in each of the strokes of the paint brush and on every point of the pencil; our eyes were caught by those beautiful pieces that pounded our hearts by those dramatic arts.

And not only Manny Pacquiao could make it to the limelight. Everyone needs courage and strength to show the world what talents have been hiding inside your pockets. Knowing that behind those smiles as you revealed what you’ve got are criticisms that sometimes can really hurt us up to the bones. That’s what Nelson have to face in a world full of prestige, and talented ones that are used to the spotlight and already bagged some awards. Knowing very well ourselves that the weaknesses and strong sides could both help us improve our works, and Passion in what we are doing is the most important one; we find no reasons not to go on. Having these at heart Nelson could really make it to the top. We could not finish one project unless we are willing to give up some things just to have it.

Anthony “Ton” Geduspan is a well known Ilonggo painter from Guimbal, Iloilo. His artforms, which are figurative cubism and classical realism, has captivated Ilonggo art lovers and other percepients.

At a young age, he was very much interested in art and had already started drawing sketches of people usually his relatives and then it eventually evolve into paintings of them. He developed painting through various art competitions especially during his high school years. He was 19 years old when he started taking art seriously. He joined the Pulso Guimbalanon, an association of local painters in Guimbal. He never had any formal training so this was a big step in his career.

The recognition he received as an artist are: first place in competitions like the provincial development cooperative official logo design contest, forest lake mural contest, red cross mural contest, second place during the bfar mural contest, and a provincial finalist for three years at the annual shell painting competition. His first solo exhibit was at Robinson’ place Iloilo.

His realist artworks are often inspired by people and landscapes. His figurative cubism of intersecting geometric figures with his vibrant and dynamic color schemes give off the feeling of bliss to his percepients. His inspirations were the workds of famous painters like Manansala, Kiukok and Borlonga. His cubist oil on canvass works are mostly inspired by the bright side of nature. His paintings are rarely gloomy and focus on the happiness found on Philippine culture such as harvest, Filipino celebrations, rural scenes and common Filipino workers. Another thing is that he adds a “story book” or childish touch to his drawings. He paints persons, views and landscapes that can be appreciated not only by adults but people from all ages.

His paintings were shown at theMuseo de Iloilo, IPA, Sarabia Hotel and now at the Art Circle – Shangrila and Gallery walk – in, Ortigas. He sells is painting by every square-inch of the size of a particular painting. His paintings on cubism are worth P12.00 per square-inch and P14 per sqaure-inch on his realism paintings. He does commission works and consignments too.

We think that his art should be recognized because he has achieved and garnered a lot of high ratings from its percepients. He has accepted a lot of requests from patrons and his art is well recognized by them. He is an artist that truly wants to show Ilonggo culture through his works.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Juan Luna, and Michelangelo are artists. And surely no one will question this!There’s no need to explain! But how does a person acquire the title “artist”? Is it by making great artworks that become very famous? If this is the criterion, then, I think we will neglect to give tribute to people who are qualified to be called artists. Take for instance the casket makers. Yes! You read it right! The casket makers. Sounds gothic? Not really. While Effegy and I were looking around the city, we got to meet two exceptional individuals: Elpidio Bernardo, 39, and Richard Ludas, 31, the casket makers of Porras Funeral Homes. Mister Elpidio is a native of Antique, Cabugao Sur, Sta. Barbara while Mister Richard is from Malusgod, Pototan, Iloilo. Co-workers and friends call them Panoy and Chard, respectively. Nong Panoy specializes in the carpentry whereas Nong Chard concentrates on the designing. They used to be servant boys in this funeral home when they were teenagers about 15 years ago. What year was that?  Well, during their free time, they would observe the then casket makers in making and designing caskets.

For one year, Nong Panoy and Nong Chard practiced how to construct and design one.  What a long year for an impatient trainee but a short year for a serious beginner! They often helped each other to improve their skills, constantly trying on planks of wood and assisting in painting caskets. The former casket makers would give advices to them for support and enhancement of potentials. Due to their efforts, amazingly, they mastered the art. Today, Nong Panoy can build at least 20 caskets a week while Nong Chard can design 15. In just a week, their tandem can produce at least 15 finished caskets.

Now, visualize many, many caskets in front of you. These caskets exhibit a metallic finish. The exteriors are adorned by relief sculptures and interiors are well designed using henna cloth or silk cloth and laces, skirted with elegance and style. Constructing a casket is not an easy thing to do. Skills are important in this art form. Nong Panoy, for instance, specializes in the carpentry. Effegy asked him several questions about what’s and why’s and he answered her while hammering planks of wood. Imagine she hesitated for a bit if she should continue asking questions. She was afraid Nong Panoy might hammer his finger! Well, Nong Panoy is an expert and an artist so he won’t be distracted by her. In addition to that, he works very fast. Not just fast but he also completed his task with quality. Few minutes earlier, about 15 minutes, we just saw ready to be assembled pieces of wood and plywood being hammered to stick together.  But now what we have in our front was an undoubtedly a casket. Still there’s something missing – the design.

When we compared the one recently made by Nong Panoy and the casket ready to be sold, we said, “Is that the outcome?.” A mere wooden box looks so metallic now. Well, that’s the work of Nong Chard. So we jump to our next friend. Our first words to him were, “Wow!” So shocked we were that we touched the casket for we were afraid our eyes were deceiving us. We thought it was made of metal. Definitely it was made of wood. It didn’t feel wood either. And the secret of this was the process and of course, the techniques of Nong Chard, said he. The casket underwent many layering of calcimine paint primer, five times to be precise, to make it become shiny. Between those layering intervals the sandpaper was rubbed against the casket so that the latter will acquire a smooth texture.  The casket should be dried and then continue layering then dried to achieve the effect.

Then using a spray gun, Nong Chard will paint the casket with automotive paint. Decorations were then added. Some of them are handles and figurines. Laces, henna cloth and silk cloth are attached for adornment purposes using tacks and small nails in the internal. What we saw was a casket ready for sale. When we examined the previous product and new one, we were really stunned because the casket looks very elegant and exhibit a metallic finish, even though we were there the making process, But then, it was what made it great. And what’s nice about Nong Panoy and Chard is that they don’t consider themselves artists. At the very beginning when we asked them for this interview, they were asking why we chose them. And Effegy answered that it was because their work is a unique profession. Their artwork is part of our artistic culture but not yet fully recognized. The title artist is not limited alone to those whose works are popular but also to those people who makes art! A Casket is an artwork. So, why don’t we call the casket makers artists? We believe they deserved the title! (^_^)

After a few months from now, you will be able to see a new stall named Apple Baubles at SM City Iloilo that is full of accessories and little displays made up of clay, specially sculpted and hand-made by an Ilongga. Vidette Tania C. Ong was born and raised here in Iloilo City and her family has a thirty year computer business in downtown Iloilo City.

Vidette started at a young age to appreciate color and loved Barbie. She made little food from play dough for her Barbie’s Playhouse, and made little flowers. In 2007 Apple Baubles started as a brag site for the owner’s hobby, which included paintings, hand-painted shirts and gowns. June that year she discovered that there was this clay that can be oven-baked. She ordered a few, and discovered that she loved it. Her collection became too much for her to keep and so on December 2008 she joined a Christmas bazaar. The miniature accessories were a hit. She then decided to sell some of it to her friends only in a limited order and made-to-order basis.

Even though her business online had been a major hit, she thought of making it expand more through applying a stall that will sell her miniatures made of polymer clay to a big shopping mall in the city. Her miniatures vary in design some are shoes, bags, food, or whatever that may come to her mind. She accepts customized orders and recently, a student from the University of the Philippines and her friends who study in different colleges in the city decided to ask her if they can sell her product which was custom made for them, a pendant featuring the famous Little Miss design that you may see in t-shirts, some of the pendants are Little Miss Fighting Maroons, Little Miss Blue Eagle, and many more.

The procedure in making these adorable miniatures is just very simple. First, cut or mold small pieces into whatever shapes you choose. Stars, balls, boxes are common shapes. You can also try swirls, mini foods, creatures, or even household items. Second, spread them on a cookie tray. If you are concerned about them sticking, place oven-safe parchment paper underneath. Third, bake them for 25 minutes at 275°F (or temperature stated on clay package). After the figure has baked and cooled, put a thread through the wire loop. If you are using plain white clay, paint them with acrylic paint, water colors, or finger nail polish. Then let the paint dry. String them into a necklace, earrings, pendants or your own creation. Last step is to show them off to your friends.

She is indeed an artist and she shows the world her worth through her site (www.applebaubles.multiply.com) This person makes the Ilonggos proud for she shows that Ilonggos’ art are not just limited to hand-woven baskets and typical Filipino artworks from the past. Yes, her art is not the traditional Ilonggo art but the mere fact that she is an Ilongga making this miniature clay forms that some of us see as a Western art form is something we can be proud of. If they can do it, we can do it better.

by: Mikka Ella B. Perlas*

Ilonggos are, by nature, artistic.  They have shown this by the way they live, build their houses and produce their crafts and products.

I’m writing about the artistic jeepneys of Molo City High and SM City Proper.  This topic was initially assigned to me but as I began to research on it, my attraction for the jeepneys grew.  I began to see this piece of art in a different way.  Its unique design and practical use as transport for Ilonggos make it a part of our everyday lives.  Compared to other jeepneys, it is shorter in length. The stainless steel embossments prevail in these types of jeepneys. It is diverse from other forms of jeepneys because its ornaments are intricately done manually.

How did this icon start in the first place?  How did the Ilonggos add to its distinct beauty?  What are its chances of survival for the future considering the present trend of modernity and advances in technology?  Will it still remain to be a part of our Ilonggo life?

I visited jeepneygang.com which gave a historical perspective on the jeepney.  A  fact is that this vehicle was created right after World War II as a solution to the lack of public transport. This vehicle was a transformation of the surplus “Willy Jeep” used by the Americans during the war.  It became an instant success because of its affordability and practicality as a mode of transportation.  A sturdy utility jeep used for warfare was turned into a colorful vehicle with metal roofing, decorated with chrome, hood ornaments, loud horns, and flashing multi-colored lights. The body was extended to accommodate more passengers and it turned into a twin-benched minibus, where the passengers had their knees almost touching each other. Theory says that the word jeepney is a conflation of “jeep” or “jitney”, another word for a public utility vehicle, or “jeep” and “knee”, referring to its crowded face-to-face seating.

This mode of transport became so popular in Manila that several enterprising individuals from Luzon started to build factories that could manufacture jeepneys in large numbers.   Some of these were Sarao, Lawin, Francisco Motors, Fairlane and Melford.   The body was built locally while the motor engines were mostly from second hand vehicles.  Some of these jeepneys made in Luzon found their way to Iloilo in the 1960’s.  They became an instant hit and soon after, Ilonggos started building their own version of the jeepney.

To get some historical perspective on the life of the Ilonggo jeepney, I gathered information by interviewing the President of the Molo City High Jeepney Association,  61 year old Mang Romulo Antoniano, a jeepney driver-owner for the last 35 years.  He is one of the few remaining drivers plying the route Molo in the city with a vintage, Ilonggo-styled jeepney. This is what he had to say:

“In the late 1960’s, enterprising Ilonggos started to make their own version of the jeepney.   Although these were patterned after the popular brands from Luzon, they improvised on the design by manufacturing bodies made of stainless steel, embossed animal figures of different kinds on these metal sheets, adding headlights and accessories from vintage cars found being peddled in junk shops, and placing numerous animal metal figures, usually eagles and horses, of different sizes on the hood.  These were made by skilled lateros or fabricators from repair shops in the city.  This Ilonggo version of the jeepney was immediately accepted by the locals and became an instant hit.  The jeepney became a part of Ilonggo culture and became the preferred mode of transportation among the common folks.  The cost to manufacture a jeepney during the 1960’s was around P20,000 only.  However, as time passed, the costs for maintaining these jeepneys were becoming more expensive.  Labor costs to make stainless steel embossments with their elaborate design and unique hood figures were continuously rising.”

The vintage jeepney is very attractive.  With its colourful body paint, head and back lights from vintage cars, stainless steel embossments of animals of different types and shapes that cover the sides of the body, hood and dashboards, with the antique front grills of the old World War II jeep, it is indeed a great sight to behold!

After gathering information from Mang Romulo, I felt I still needed to know more about the jeepney so I searched for more facts. Luckily, while passing by Delgado street behind the UPV City Campus, there was this jeepney, probably the oldest one I’ve ever seen. Even it looked very rusty, the hammered stainless steel still looked very attractive and beautiful.

I also met Mang Boy Sermonia, owner of five (5) jeepneys plying the SM City – Iloilo City Proper route.  He believes that these kind of jeepneys are symbols of Ilonggo art. It simply shows that the Ilonggos who made these stainless steel sheets were very talented and hard working.

Plus, where else in the Philippines could you find jeepneys with lights and accessories from vintage cars such as Chevrolet and Cadillacs that are thrown away as pieces to-be-forgotten in junk yards? You can find these sorts in our beloved Province of Iloilo! Ain’t that cool?

Along with him was 65-year old Mang Freddie, a veteran and known latero or fabricator in Iloilo. He worked in a jeepney repair shop located in Villa, Iloilo City. Working for over 30 years, he has mastered the art of hammering patterns on stainless steel using chisels and mallets. The designs impressed on these sheets were from his own creative imagination. The designs that he hammered were artistic rhythmic patterns such as the “S” or rope-like embossments on stainless steel plates commonly covering the dash boards of local jeepneys.  His favourite design was the eagle embossed on plates.  This was inspired by his fondness for flying creatures.  Often, he would turn to the common, natural surroundings for more inspiration.  Metal screws, nails, or rivets are used to install the stainless steel sheets on the jeepneys. After doing so, these are smoothened by a grinder to make the embossments flatter but still visible. I’m amazed by his focus and patience in the pursuit of his art.  It took him weeks or even months to finish engraving sheets for an entire jeepney. He told me that his peak as a latero or fabricator was in the 1970’s to the 1980’s.  He earned more than enough to support a family of five.  Mang Freddie is now retired with a comfortable allowance from his children working abroad but still hangs out with driver friends and can be seen often in a sari-sari store along the main highway near the Villa plaza where the jeepneys are parked.

Mang Romulo and Mang Boy, owners of these vintage jeepneys, were constantly complaining about the high cost of jeepney repair and maintenance. Prices started to sky rocket during late 1980’s.  A four-by-eight feet sheet of stainless steel at the time would cost as much as P1,000.  To make ends meet they would find cheaper ways to repair and maintain their jeepneys. They started to fabricate cheap replacements for jeepney sidings and bought low cost vehicle accessories that one could easily buy from any ordinary auto supply shop just to make the jeepneys look vintage. Since the cheap accessories that they purchase is not that fake-looking, they were able to meet their purpose. Moreover, during this time too, competition was starting to heat up. Cheaper jeepney models with modern designs were being introduced into the market.  Mang Boy confirmed that after the vintage jeepney the Cimaron jeepney emerged, a modern-looking, low cost jeepney that was getting to be quite popular among the riding public. Next to the Cimaron jeepneys are the contemporary jeepneys. These are jeepneys copying the designs, usally the hoods, of branded vehicles. This kind is evident and common in our city until now. Because of these new generation jeepneys the vintage jeepney was displaced. Images of jeepneys evolve through time because of modernization.

Is there hope for the vintage jeepney?  Can we hope for a revival?

With the decreasing number of vintage jeepneys, stainless steel with embossed designs were no longer made due to their high cost of material and labor. The number of vintage jeepneys is dwindling each year.  In fact, only a few of them are left.  In the Molo City High Jeepney Association, only eight (8) vintage jeepneys are left.  The jeepney owners are switching to the more modern versions because they are easier and cheaper to maintain and are being widely produced locally.

I truly believe that these jeepneys will always be with us.  I find them to be the most expressive symbol of the Ilonggo identity.   It shows the artistic and innovative side of Ilonggos.  We must preserve it because it is part of our heritage and culture. The jeepney is a symbol where the traditional and the modern, the global and the local, the utilitarian and the decorative, as well as the past and the present meet, being personal and archaic at the same time. It is something truly Filipino and is the most appropriate mode of transport for our province.  It is also colourful, pragmatic, and artistic. It is a combined work of art, craftsmanship and dedication of Ilonggo artists and craftsmen. I believe it will continue to serve the Ilonggos and I trust it will take on more novel and more attractive art forms. As a matter of fact, while passing by General Luna Street. I saw a newly assembled vintage jeepney, truly attractive because of its unique embossments and blend of colors. This simply indicates that indeed the vintage jeepney has a very special place in the Ilonggos’ hearts.

By: Miah Maye Pormon*

“A banana a day, keeps the

doctor away…”

The very first time I tasted linupak, I could really savor the banana melting in my mouth together with the grated coconut meat and margarine. That was during my 16th birthday. I really remember the night before my birthday: my aunt and uncle brought inside our house a big lusong about one meter long and a hal-o in the same length too. They were going to make linupak.

It is a big “OH MY GOD” for me to make linupak just for my birthday…My BIRTHDAY! I will be the one to pound the bananas and all… It is very tiring, just looking at my aunt pounding makes me ask: “Ahm….Gagawin ko ba talaga yan?” and she just nodded… I will have my own adventure in making linupak…here it goes…

LINUPAK, also called nilupak by others and in Cebuano–linusak, is a Visayan snack mainly cooked in Cebu and Panay region.

Boiled bananas are peeled (those are my cousins peeling them bananas) and then pounded until it turns into a sticky paste to which sugar and margarine are added. One serving of linupak weighing 78 g contains 215 Kcal, 1.3 g protein and 54 mg calcium.

In our town in Cabatuan, any celebration during my grandmother’s time was not complete when there’s no linupak, and when it is served, people would come rushing to taste it. Cabatuan is known of its tinuom but linupak also made its way to the hearts of Cabatuananon especially to the people of Pamuringao Proper were my relatives live. If they have time they make linupak for the children; for them to taste the sweetness  of hard work one exerts to make this snack… Now, because of modernization, many or most would rather serve pork barbecue and other fatty foods instead of pounding bananas which seems to be a waste of time. And because of that, this present generation just recognizes linupak when a vendor in a school or market would sell it.

In the market, linupak is wrapped in banana leaves or if not in plastic. It is some times shaped “bola-bola” or in rectangles.

My adventure does not end here… Why would I forget the most important part: the recipe…

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE LINUPAK NGA SAGING

Ingredients:

1 bunch of Banana (saba is the preferred banana in making linupak choose the quite     green and yellowish in color or the quite ripe banana)

1 kilo Sugar (brown or “was”)

4-5 coconuts (then grate the coconut meat)

½ cup Margarine (if needed)

Steps:

1. First, boil the bananas and wait for about 30 minutes until it is tender.

2. Then, prepare the lusong and hal o.  Peel the bananas and put it one by one in the lusong.

3. Pound it and add sugar and coconut to sweeten it, mixed them and pound it again    until it become sticky.

4. Lastly, you could add some margarine to make it more savory.  Jst pound it some more and presto!  LINUPAK nga SAGING.

Why do I choose linupak using banana and not cassava? It is because; bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains 467 mg of potassium and 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis. Another is, banana is more available than cassava.

Linupak, for me is the dessert for all seasons, it does not only pertain to the taste and health advantages of this snack but it shows the meaning of hard work, teamwork and love in doing this. Thanks to our ancestors for discovering Linupak. Thus, we must try to preserve, honor and forever be grateful to them in making this delicious Ilonggo delicacy…

Interviewees:

1. Paz Pormon(grandmother), 86 yr old, Bacan, Cabatuan, Iloilo

2. Pacita Pormon(aunt), 61 yr old, Brgy. Pamuringao Proper, Cabatuan, Iloilo

——————

* I am Miah Maye Pormon a major in BS Economics I and currently

enjoying a life of a freshman student. I am trying to cope up

with the hard and strenuous world here in UPV. I am a frustrated

feature writer and also obsessed with writing a pocketbook.

In the future I want to be an economist but better

yet let just see what will happen.

Contact no: 09108550188

E-mail address: maye_pormon@yahoo.com

By Krencelou Gaile O. Briones*

It was the year 2007 when I entered college in University of the Philippines- Iloilo City campus. It was also during the same year when I was introduced to kumos-kumos. I was with my friends talking when our stomachs called out for food. “Gigutom me ug tinabi.” (Hehehe, that’s Siquijor language for “we are hungry from talking.”) It was then when they mentioned about kumos-kumos. I was so naive then when they brought it up to me. I thought it was just a popular food eaten by the students in the university. But, it’s not. It is actually a way of eating rice packed in plastic and partnered with a viand, usually barbeque.

Kumos, an Ilonggo word actually means to crumple in English. It was from that word where kumos-kumos came from. And the story of kumos-kumos goes like this.

Kumos-kumos started in the year 1997. It was introduced by the UP High School students as they found out that rice can be eaten even if it is served in plastic. When they started going outside the campus looking for food, they found alternative ways to eat rice served in plastic. And so they come up with the practice kumos-kumos.  Later years, the college students also used the term kumos-kumos. There were also other names used to refer to kumos-kumos like “chupe”; but it didn’t last as long as the term kumos-kumos did. Now, kumos-kumos continues to be practiced by the CM students. (CM stands for College of Management).

Kumos-kumos is known by a lot of students in the university and is continuing to be introduced to every student who enters CM. Why? First, the way it is done is interesting. One doesn’t need to have a plate and a spoon and fork. One can just eat anywhere in the campus or even outside the school. Popular “tambayans” of students are the “mushrooms” and “umbrellas”. (These are called such because the structures of these “tambayans” look like mushrooms or umbrellas.) You see, we UP students really like giving names to things. Usually, people find it weird. Another place where kumos-kumos is usually done is in classrooms. Students doing group projects or assignments in classrooms prefer to buy rice and viand and just do kumos-kumos there. This way, they can save time and effort going to “carenderias” or food stores and have their meals there, the second reason why kumos-kumos is mostly done by students. Third reason why kumos-kumos

continues to be popular is that the rice and viand are affordable. One can have rice and two “inasal” for just P19.00. See? That’s how cheap it is. Lastly, it is interesting because of its uniqueness. It is unique in the sense that it is done mostly by the students in UPV- CM and not by those in other schools found in Iloilo.

However, UP students influence other students. How? It is through bonding in dormitories and boarding houses. Example of such is that of Grizelle ladies dormitory. Grizelle is a ladies dorm just beside UP. Since most of the dormers come from UP and often do kumos-kumos during weekends, they influence other students who also live there.

The packed rice for which kumos-kumos is done is usually bought in food stands where barbeque is also sold. And mind you, many food stands of that kind surround UPV-Iloilo City campus, one of which is located in “Fonts.” “Fonts” is a place just near the UP gate, wherein a group of food stands can be found. These food stands sell different kinds of food for snacks and even for meals. These food stands are open during weekdays, sometimes even Saturdays; but with fewer food stands selling.

Now, let me teach you how to do kumos-kumos. Given that you have already bought rice in plastic, you can now follow these steps.

1.      Make a hole at either of the corners of the plastic by tearing the corner with

your teeth. This would release the air inside and will allow you to form the rice into the shape you like.

2.      Crumple or squeeze the rice to the form you like for it to be eaten easier. It could be in a form of a mountain, a cone or a corn. As for me, I usually make it into a mountain. However, it changes to other forms as I get through my eating.

3.      Make the hole you made earlier bigger through your hands.

4.      Start eating the rice. Of course, alternate it with your viand. You can take a bite of your barbeque after the rice; or you may take a bite of your barbeque first before eating the rice.

5.      Finally, you just have to repeat the process of eating rice alternate with barbeque until it’s through.

That’s how to do kumos-kumos. It is easy right? Oh! Please, really, don’t forget your viand. First timers have the tendency to forget their viand as they do kumos-kumos. “Bason mawili mo pagporma sa luto dayon kalimot namo kaon sa inyo sud-an.” (Maybe you’ll be so much enjoying doing kumos-kumos that you’ll forget to eat your viand.)

About ME:

My name is Krencelou Gaile O.Briones, a BSA-II student from the College of Management. Many of my friends call me Bebe. I come from Siquijor and I am currently staying here in Iloilo for my studies. I love experiencing new things at the same time learning from it. Although kumos-kumos is no longer a new experience for me, I still enjoy doing it.

One can email me at bebeupv_0906@yahoo.com or add my Friendster account ahuh_iwill@yahoo.com if there are clarifications or other related concerns and if one just want to be my friend. Hehehe

By Jen Lorenz de los Santos*